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JUNK 28,
THE
1924
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
49
SUPPLY BRANCHES OF THE INDUSTRY
Rarer Types of Veneers
Demanded by the Trade
Growing Vogue of Two-toned Cases for Pianos
Confronts Veneer Dealers With Demand for
Woods Not Often Asked for
The present fashion for the two-toned panel
finish in the case of the 'more expensive
grands has created a call from veneer manufac-
turers for some of the rarer types of veneering
woods, according to G. H. Vaughan, Eastern
representative for the Ohio Veneer Co., Cincin-
nati, who returned to his New York headquar-
ters this week, after several months on the road.
Discussing this matter with a representative of
The Review Mr. Vaughan stated that many
piano manufacturers and case makers are order-
ing rosewood and satinwood veneers for their
panels.
A renewed interest has also been shown by
the large grand manufacturers in Circassian
walnut, which is generally used without a stain
in a natural finish. These woods are available
in large quantities with a variation in value sim-
ilar to mahogany. Rosewood and satinwood are
required for two-toned effects because of the
adaptability of their surfaces for contrast with
mahogany.
In discussing the finishing of case work for
the small upright models, which have come into
favor lately in the East, Mr. Vaughan stated that
in his opinion the trade in these instruments
was hurt considerably by the practice of many
leading manufacturers in giving them a strong
dark stain. The result is that the pianos have
no individuality in appearance, and the original
beauty of the natural figuration of the wood is
destroyed. This applies to the staining of wal-
nut, primarily, the staining of mahogany being
more common and in many cases more justi-
fiable.
It is particularly important that the customer
passing about the retail wareroom be attracted
first by the case work of a piano. Those carry-
ing the line of small uprights are apt to find
it desirable and profitable to have the cases
shown off to the same advantage and attractive-
ness as the larger models, for the furniture
value of a piano is an asset.
Where there is one utility for a walnut case
with a gross dark stain there are generally ten
for a case with a. natural figured finish.
Vegetable Oil Costs
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 21.—The vegetable oil
investigation of the United States Tariff Com-
mission will begin to show developments soon
when experts of the commission take to the
field to ascertain costs of production at home
and abroad. An extensive probe is to be made
in the United States to determine what it actu-
ally costs to produce vegetable oils here.
The investigators who will make the Euro-
pean study will leave New York on June 28.
Dr. Grinnell Jones and A. T. Geraci will visit
England, Holland and France. They will be
accompanied by R. H. Cragg and Mervyn Braun,
who will later go to British India and Ceylon
for their investigation.
The commission is just beginning work in the
country on this matter. Some of its experts
are in New York on a "scouting" trip, trying
out cost schedules and getting information to
use in making up schedules to determine the
interchangeability of oils and fats.
Export Duties Increased
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 21.—The Mexican ex-
port duties on logs and certain other wood prod-
ucts have been increased by a decree, becoming
effective to-day, according to a cable received
this week from Mexico City by the department
of Commerce. The old and new duties in pesos
per cubic meter follow: Fine, round or in logs,
unworked, not sawn lengthwise, 2.50 to 3; fine,
planks, boards or other shapes, simply sawn,
2 to 2.50; common, round or in logs, unwrought,
not sawn lengthwise, 1.50 to 2; common, planks,
boards, beams or other shapes, unwrought and
simply sawn, 1 to 1.50.
Wool Imports Lower
WASHINGTON, L). C, June 21.—A decided slum])
in wool imports for the month of April was
compared with April, 1923, was revealed by the
Commerce Department to-day. Raw wool im-
ports showed a decline of 47,000,000 pounds
from the total for April last year, and the total
imports of wool and manufactures was valued
at $18,000,000 less than a year ago, according
to these figures.
THE
HEART OF THE
PIANO
The man who uses Behlen's Varnish
Crack Eradicator can afford to figure
lower, yet makes more profit on a re-
finishing job, than the man who does
not use it.
Send for a sample can today and
try it.
THE STANDARD ACTION CO.,
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
THE
H. BEHLEN & BRO.
Shellacs
ARTNOVELTYCO.
Cxclusive manufacturers of
Staint
Piaivo BeiveKes
and Music Cabinets
Fillers
10-12 Christopher St., New York
Near 6th Ave., and 8th St.
Representative of Department of Commerce
Says 90 Per Cent of Business Is Done in 10
Per Cent of Line
HOT SPRINGS, VA., June 21.—Simplified practice
is a step in the direction of standardization,
according to Ray M. Hudson, assistant chief of
the division of simplified practice of the De-
partment of Commerce, who addressed a trade
body here last week. Co-operation between the
Division of Simplified Practice, he said, had re-
sulted in a reduction of waste in several indus-
tries. Others arc making studies of the excess
variety in their products, looking to eliminations
which will bring reduced inventories, greater
profits and quicker turnover of stocks all of
which are costly evils.
Simplified practice, the speaker declared, is
rather a commercial than a technical policy. The
experience of the division had revealed that in
the average 90 per cent of the business is done
in 10 per cent of the line, and the other 10
per cent is where the load lies. By eliminating
the odd sizes, industry is able to decrease stocks,
release idle investment, reduce production cost
and selling expense and stabilize labor, and mar-
kets are broadened, deliveries expedited and the
consumer gets better value for his money in the
long run.
Lumber Output Increases
WASHINGTON, D. C, June 21.—With 369 of the
larger commercial saw mills of the country
making comparable weekly reports for the week
ended June 14, says the National Lumber Manu-
facturers' Association, production and new busi-
ness showed an increase, while shipments de-
creased somewhat compared with similar reports
of 348 mills for the preceding week. As com-
pared with the corresponding week in 1923 there
was a slight increase in new business and a con-
siderable decrease in production and shipments
in all grades.
Wool Prices Firm
Wools are moving slowly into consumer chan-
nels and importers and dealers look for no de-
cided improvement until Fall, although the feel-
ing persists that values have reached bottom.
The feature of the week was the sale of about
45,000 bales of wool at Sydney, representing the
left-over of the Australian clip, at which prices
maintained the levels set by the previous sales.
In the West buying continues active, and
while there are some weak spots, on the whole
prices are holding firm. This is true especially
in the case of Texas wools.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
The reason—he saves the time, trouble
and expense of scraping off the old var-
nish and shellac and the finished job is
just as satisfactory, too—if not more so.
Anilines
Advocates Elimination
of All Odd Sizes
1
GOSHEN
Writ* for catalog and. details
INDIANA
WHITE, SON CO.
Manufacturers of
ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO
LEATHERS
530-540 Atlantic Ave., BOSTON, MASS.