Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 11 - Page 45
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
45
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
VENEER PRICES STILL ADVANCING. PIANO ACTION HARDWARE IN DEMAND. VANADIUM ORE FOUND IN MONTANA.
Demand Far Exceeds Supply at Present Time
and Prices Have Mounted Accordingly.
Standard Co. Reports Market Is Very Active,
and That Prices Have Not Been Lowered.
Discovery of This Ore Under New Conditions
Will Greatly Interest Metallurgists.
Greatly increased activity in the piano, furniture
and building lines has resulted in forcing upward
the cost of veneers of all kinds, and this increasing
cost has by no means reached its highest point.
During the period of depression which existed
some six months to a year ago consumers who
ordinarily carried a large excess supply of veneer
on hand all the time allowed their stock to dwindle,
purchasing only enough to supply their immediate
needs. This had a direct effect on the mills, and
the logging industry as well. Some mills closed
altogether, and those which continued to produce
only turned out a comparatively small amount of
veneer, and much of that went into storage ware-
houses. The logging industry became sluggish,
fewer logs were cut, and untoward weather condi-
tions rendered unfit for immediate use much of
the timber that was felled. The brisk revival of
business came too suddenly to allow a normal sup-
ply of logs to be provided beforehand.
The usual supply of many of the popular foreign
woods has been entirely cut off by war conditions.
The advance of the ocean freight rates, which
have increased over 300 per cent., has drawn all
available bottoms into the business of transporting
foodstuffs and ammunitions for the belligerent
nations, there being no profit in carrying logs on
account of the high freight rates. One well-known
importer, endeavoring to keep up his supply of
mahogany logs from Central America, purchased
outright two large freighters, but they were regis-
tered under the British flag and were promptly
requisitioned into government service for the
transportation of army supplies.
Most of the veneer mills have been working to
capacity, but they are unable to keep up with the
demand, and a large proportion of the veneer held
in storage has been consumed. The present de-
mand being much greater than the production, it is
inevitable that prices must and will advance. Some
few piano manufacturers are protected by reason
of contracts signed before the present scarcity of
veneer, and those who are not thus provided for
will do well to endeavor to lay in a supply of the
veneers which they use as quickly as possible.
The Standard Co., Torrington, Conn., reports
an increased activity in the demand for the many
pieces of piano action hardware which this house
produces. Some time ago the market for action
hardware was in very bad shape, due to intensive
competition, but C. E. Morehouse, treasurer, who
has entire charge of the piano trade activities, re-
fused to lower the quality of his products for com-
petition on a price basis, and he reports that the
trade now recognizes the wisdom of this move by
its greatly increased orders. As Mr. Morehouse
puts it, "Labor and materials cost a certain amount
of money, and it is absolutely necessary for us to
receive a similar amount in order to make a small
profit, and working on this basis maintaining our
quality has proven to be the right policy."
It is interesting to manufacturers of piano plates
using vanadium to strengthen the metal used in
their making that this ore has been found at Libby,
Mont., under entirely new conditions—that is, in
rock that was never known to carry vanadium
before. A prospector who is developing what is
known locally as the Rainy Creek group of copper
claims encountered a very tough rock that he could
not break or give a name until geologists of the
United States Geological Survey visited the claims
and took samples of the rock to Washington,
analyzed them, and found they contained about
4 per cent, vanadium, as well as other minerals.
A geologist from Essen, Germany, made a thor-
ough test of the ore and reported assays from .14
to 7.07 per cent, metallic vanadium. The 7.07 per
cent, was from a sulphide ore not noticed or prob-
ably not seen by the American geologists.
The ore occurs along both the foot and hanging
walls of each of sixteen different veins on the
claims, and is from eight inches to three feet wide.
The oxide ore is a brownish black and the sulphide
is silver white in color. The ore is abundant and
sometimes appears in the copper ores as well as in
the country rock or general formation. The claims
are located in the foothills of the Cabinet Moun-
tains, two miles from the Great Northern Railroad.
r
WAGES HELPER BY PROFITS.
How the Copper Mining Industry Has Solved
the Labor Problem Harmoniously.
The present era of prosperity has brought with
it higher wages, which is a welcome condition.
High wages, signifying a permanent condition of
prosperity, are of great benefit, but changes in
wage scales due to merely temporary conditions
which have a tendency to disorganize permanent
industries often cost the wage earner more than he
gains by the temporarily increased wage.
The copper mining industry has solved this prob-
lem harmoniously by means of a sliding scale of
wages based on the price of copper. This agree-
ment, whereby the wages of the copper miner in-
crease or decrease according to the market price
of the product, has been in effect for some years
and works satisfactorily in the industry, but it
does not prevent dissatisfaction at the present time
in those neighboring industries which have not
been favorably affected by war conditions. It is
•estimated that on the same output, but at the pres-
ent high level of prices, the copper product of the
United States will bring $200,000,000 more in 1916
than it did in 1915. A portion, at least, of this in-
creased price will eventually find its way into the
pocket of the miner, who first handles the copper.
HARPER GETS MAHOGANY SHIPMENT.
Exceptionally Marked Veneers Received from
England by the George H. Harper Co.
George H. Harper, head of the George H.
Harper Co., Orange, N. J., has received a shipment
of mahogany logs from Liverpool, England, and
his personal inspection of this allotment, which
is rapidly being opened, reveals veneer of the most
attractive figures. Mr. Harper is very much elated
at the result of his last shipment, and samples sent
around to the trade so far have been productive of
unusual results.
"In view of the market situation, with its tre-
mendous demand for figured mahogany and the
willingness to pay high prices," added Mr. Harper,
"I look forward to the biggest year in the history
of the house of Harper."
RAMSEY CO. DOING GOOD BUSINESS.
Increasing Demand Reported for Metal Piano
Parts Manufactured by This Kingston Firm.
TELL US YOUR SANDPAPER TROUBLES
AND WE WILL SEND SAMPLE SHEETS OF
(Special to The Review.)
TROY BRAND
F L I N T AND GARNET PAPER
WE OFFER THE TROY BRAND PRODUCTS WITH
OUR FULL GUARANTEE OF THEIR QUALITY
AND ENDURANCE. SEND FOR OUR 16-PAGE
CATALOG No. 43
KINGSTON, N. Y., March 6.—The Charles Ram-
sey Co. reports an exceptionally busy season, a
force of thirty-five men working steadily to take
care of the heavy orders on hand. The concern
manufactures continuous hinges, bearing bars,
pedals, casters and other metal parts for pianos.
The products of the factory arc shipped all over
the country for assembling purposes, a large
amount of the present business going to New York
City. The company was in business in the metrop-
olis for fourteen years, moving to its present fac-
tory at the cud of Cornell street six years ago.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER.SCHLEMMER&CO.
PIANO M A T E R I A L S , TOOLS, FELTS, CLOTHS, CASTERS, HINGES
LOCKS, BOLTS, SCREWS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, CATCHES, ETC., ETC.
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
4th Ave. & 13th St.
J
Upright—
Ertabluhmd 1891
LEOMINSTER
::
::
MASS.
45
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
VENEER PRICES STILL ADVANCING. PIANO ACTION HARDWARE IN DEMAND. VANADIUM ORE FOUND IN MONTANA.
Demand Far Exceeds Supply at Present Time
and Prices Have Mounted Accordingly.
Standard Co. Reports Market Is Very Active,
and That Prices Have Not Been Lowered.
Discovery of This Ore Under New Conditions
Will Greatly Interest Metallurgists.
Greatly increased activity in the piano, furniture
and building lines has resulted in forcing upward
the cost of veneers of all kinds, and this increasing
cost has by no means reached its highest point.
During the period of depression which existed
some six months to a year ago consumers who
ordinarily carried a large excess supply of veneer
on hand all the time allowed their stock to dwindle,
purchasing only enough to supply their immediate
needs. This had a direct effect on the mills, and
the logging industry as well. Some mills closed
altogether, and those which continued to produce
only turned out a comparatively small amount of
veneer, and much of that went into storage ware-
houses. The logging industry became sluggish,
fewer logs were cut, and untoward weather condi-
tions rendered unfit for immediate use much of
the timber that was felled. The brisk revival of
business came too suddenly to allow a normal sup-
ply of logs to be provided beforehand.
The usual supply of many of the popular foreign
woods has been entirely cut off by war conditions.
The advance of the ocean freight rates, which
have increased over 300 per cent., has drawn all
available bottoms into the business of transporting
foodstuffs and ammunitions for the belligerent
nations, there being no profit in carrying logs on
account of the high freight rates. One well-known
importer, endeavoring to keep up his supply of
mahogany logs from Central America, purchased
outright two large freighters, but they were regis-
tered under the British flag and were promptly
requisitioned into government service for the
transportation of army supplies.
Most of the veneer mills have been working to
capacity, but they are unable to keep up with the
demand, and a large proportion of the veneer held
in storage has been consumed. The present de-
mand being much greater than the production, it is
inevitable that prices must and will advance. Some
few piano manufacturers are protected by reason
of contracts signed before the present scarcity of
veneer, and those who are not thus provided for
will do well to endeavor to lay in a supply of the
veneers which they use as quickly as possible.
The Standard Co., Torrington, Conn., reports
an increased activity in the demand for the many
pieces of piano action hardware which this house
produces. Some time ago the market for action
hardware was in very bad shape, due to intensive
competition, but C. E. Morehouse, treasurer, who
has entire charge of the piano trade activities, re-
fused to lower the quality of his products for com-
petition on a price basis, and he reports that the
trade now recognizes the wisdom of this move by
its greatly increased orders. As Mr. Morehouse
puts it, "Labor and materials cost a certain amount
of money, and it is absolutely necessary for us to
receive a similar amount in order to make a small
profit, and working on this basis maintaining our
quality has proven to be the right policy."
It is interesting to manufacturers of piano plates
using vanadium to strengthen the metal used in
their making that this ore has been found at Libby,
Mont., under entirely new conditions—that is, in
rock that was never known to carry vanadium
before. A prospector who is developing what is
known locally as the Rainy Creek group of copper
claims encountered a very tough rock that he could
not break or give a name until geologists of the
United States Geological Survey visited the claims
and took samples of the rock to Washington,
analyzed them, and found they contained about
4 per cent, vanadium, as well as other minerals.
A geologist from Essen, Germany, made a thor-
ough test of the ore and reported assays from .14
to 7.07 per cent, metallic vanadium. The 7.07 per
cent, was from a sulphide ore not noticed or prob-
ably not seen by the American geologists.
The ore occurs along both the foot and hanging
walls of each of sixteen different veins on the
claims, and is from eight inches to three feet wide.
The oxide ore is a brownish black and the sulphide
is silver white in color. The ore is abundant and
sometimes appears in the copper ores as well as in
the country rock or general formation. The claims
are located in the foothills of the Cabinet Moun-
tains, two miles from the Great Northern Railroad.
r
WAGES HELPER BY PROFITS.
How the Copper Mining Industry Has Solved
the Labor Problem Harmoniously.
The present era of prosperity has brought with
it higher wages, which is a welcome condition.
High wages, signifying a permanent condition of
prosperity, are of great benefit, but changes in
wage scales due to merely temporary conditions
which have a tendency to disorganize permanent
industries often cost the wage earner more than he
gains by the temporarily increased wage.
The copper mining industry has solved this prob-
lem harmoniously by means of a sliding scale of
wages based on the price of copper. This agree-
ment, whereby the wages of the copper miner in-
crease or decrease according to the market price
of the product, has been in effect for some years
and works satisfactorily in the industry, but it
does not prevent dissatisfaction at the present time
in those neighboring industries which have not
been favorably affected by war conditions. It is
•estimated that on the same output, but at the pres-
ent high level of prices, the copper product of the
United States will bring $200,000,000 more in 1916
than it did in 1915. A portion, at least, of this in-
creased price will eventually find its way into the
pocket of the miner, who first handles the copper.
HARPER GETS MAHOGANY SHIPMENT.
Exceptionally Marked Veneers Received from
England by the George H. Harper Co.
George H. Harper, head of the George H.
Harper Co., Orange, N. J., has received a shipment
of mahogany logs from Liverpool, England, and
his personal inspection of this allotment, which
is rapidly being opened, reveals veneer of the most
attractive figures. Mr. Harper is very much elated
at the result of his last shipment, and samples sent
around to the trade so far have been productive of
unusual results.
"In view of the market situation, with its tre-
mendous demand for figured mahogany and the
willingness to pay high prices," added Mr. Harper,
"I look forward to the biggest year in the history
of the house of Harper."
RAMSEY CO. DOING GOOD BUSINESS.
Increasing Demand Reported for Metal Piano
Parts Manufactured by This Kingston Firm.
TELL US YOUR SANDPAPER TROUBLES
AND WE WILL SEND SAMPLE SHEETS OF
(Special to The Review.)
TROY BRAND
F L I N T AND GARNET PAPER
WE OFFER THE TROY BRAND PRODUCTS WITH
OUR FULL GUARANTEE OF THEIR QUALITY
AND ENDURANCE. SEND FOR OUR 16-PAGE
CATALOG No. 43
KINGSTON, N. Y., March 6.—The Charles Ram-
sey Co. reports an exceptionally busy season, a
force of thirty-five men working steadily to take
care of the heavy orders on hand. The concern
manufactures continuous hinges, bearing bars,
pedals, casters and other metal parts for pianos.
The products of the factory arc shipped all over
the country for assembling purposes, a large
amount of the present business going to New York
City. The company was in business in the metrop-
olis for fourteen years, moving to its present fac-
tory at the cud of Cornell street six years ago.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER.SCHLEMMER&CO.
PIANO M A T E R I A L S , TOOLS, FELTS, CLOTHS, CASTERS, HINGES
LOCKS, BOLTS, SCREWS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, CATCHES, ETC., ETC.
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
4th Ave. & 13th St.
J
Upright—
Ertabluhmd 1891
LEOMINSTER
::
::
MASS.
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