Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
13
The Increase in Piano Supply Prices During 1917
An Authentic Tabulation of the Percentage of Increase in the Cost of Materials
Used in Piano Making, Compiled from Figures Furnished by Manufacturers
and Supply Men, Which Should Prove of Interest to the Industry at Large
With very few exceptions the prices of piano
supplies have advanced very smartly during the
past year, the increases piling up on those reg-
istered at this time last year. The increases
affect many sections of the supply trade, and
are particularly noticeable in the matter of
metal parts. Owing to the demands of the war
the supply of metals of industrial vises has not
only been cut down materially, but the scarcity
has resulted in a price premium that has been
very apparent to purchasing agents in the piano
trade.
The retail merchant who studies the figures
appended herewith should have no doubt as
to the legitimacy of the manufacturer's de-
mand for more money for his instruments. As
a rule, the wholesale prices of pianos have been
increased by only a comparatively small per-
centage, as compared to the increased supply
charges placed upon the shoulders of the manu-
facturer.
Just how the price of certain lines of supplies
have increased during the year from December
1. 1916, to December 1. 1917, is indicated by the
following table, the percentages of increase be-
ing for the twelve months only and being over
and above the percentage of increase up to a
year ago.
The most noticeable feature is the rapid ad-
vance in piano plate prices which, on the aver-
age, have practically doubled since June 1, 1916,
and have advanced fully 75 per cent, since De-
cember 1 of last year:
Piano Hardware
Bearing bars
35%
Brass pedals
25%
Muffler rails
25%
Lag screws
35%
Coach screws
5%
Nose bolts
50%
Ball bolts
60%
Bracket bolts with shell knobs
22j/^%
Bracket bolts with solid brass knobs 25% less
Bridge pins
35%
Casters
75%
Continuous hinges
no change
Grand top hinges
no change
Small butt hinges
no change
Tracker bars
no change
Take-up spools
no change
Iron player pedals and trap Work... 25%
Wire
30%
Tuning pins
20%
Pedals, iron
no change
Locks
5%
Action Parts
Brass goods
no advance
Iron goods
, 20% to 25%
Felts and cloths
20% to 100%
Lumber
50%
Strings
Steel wire
40%)
Bright wire
45%
Tin plated wire
13%
Copper wire
24%
Finishing Materials
Varnishes
20% to 30%
Stains
20% to 30%
Alcohol
slightly easier
Shellac
50% to 75%
The increased demand for metals for Govern-
ment needs following the entrance of the United
States into the war, has already been felt by the
piano trade, especially in the matter of iron and
steel products.
Although the Government has taken steps to
regulate pig iron prices which will probably
tend to cut down the cost to users, in a certain
measure, that fact will not tend to relieve the
situation to any great extent, for there is also a
serious shortage in the pig iron supply that
threatens to grow worse. A great many fur-
naces are idle because they cannot get a full
quota of ore.
In the matter of felts for piano actions, and
particularly for hammers, there has been con-
siderable embarrassment growing out of cur-
tailed supplies of wool of the proper texture for
use in such felts. Most of this wool formerly
came from Australia, and the shortage of ships,
coupled with the restrictions of the British em-
bargo upon wool exportation, served to cut down
early in the year the available supply and inci-
dentally boost prices to a tremendous degree.
This condition has been remedied somewhat
through the receipt of large shipments under
British license. The dyes for use with the felts
have advanced to a degree where an expert
mathematician would be required to figure the
percentage.
The situation in the glue market has shown
some improvement in the matter of supplies at
least.
The manufacturers are beginning to
catch up on their orders, and it is no longer
necessary to parcel out small quantities to fa-
vorite customers. While the price of glue re-
mains high, there is no indication that it will
make any decided jump in the near future at
least.
There has been considerable advance in the
price of finishing materials, due chiefly to the
cutting off of imports and the steady drains upon
supplies already in this country.
SITUATION NEED NOT CAUSE SERIOUS WORRY
An Interview With RICHARD W. LAWRENCE, President, Kohler Industries, Inc.
There has been a considerable amount of
hysteria among prominent business men who
have advised and worked with the Government
officials in Washington in the plans for carry-
ing on the war.
The recent statements of Frank A. Vanderlip,
president of the National City Bank, in which
Richard W. Lawrence
he advocates the complete suspension of non-
essential industries (so-called) is a fair example.
If there ever was a time for calmness, for
clear thinking and for cool action this is the
time. A careful viewing of actual conditions
and all possible developments indicates that
while the trade must be on its guard and be
prepared to protect its interests, if they are un-
justly threatened, there is little likelihood of
the hysterical advisors to the Government hav-
ing their way.
The various Federal bodies engaged in war
work, and regulation have shown an inclination
to take up the problems sensibly and to give
due consideration to the rights of various in-
dustries, including that of piano manufacturing.
The present situation was well set forth by
Richard W. Lawrence, president of Kohler &
Campbell, Inc., in the following interview with
The Review. Mr. Lawrence has been most ac-
tive in keeping in touch with conditions and
happenings in Washington, and is thoroughly
conversant with the details of the situation.
"At the present time there are two danger
points in the manner of Governmental regula-
tion of industry," said Mr. Lawrence. "The
first lies in the possible curtailment of trans-
portation facilities and the second in the cur-
tailment of iron and coke indirectly and coal
directly for piano manufacturers. There are
apparently two ways open for meeting the na-
tional transportation problem, one of these he-
ing for the Government to finance the purchase
of new equipment for the railroads, as has been
proposed by Ex-President Howard Elliott, and
the other to curtail in some measure the ship-
ments made by certain industries. As a matter
of fact the congestion is not as acute as we are
lead to believe.
"The Priority Board has already assured us
that they will give full consideration to the con-
ditions in our trade before resorting to any
action looking to the curtailment of transporta-
tion facilities. H. A. Garfield, the Fuel Admin-
istrator, has also assured us that we shall be
heard before there is any curtailment of the
supply of coal.
"As a matter of fact there are approximately
only 25,000 tons % of iron used annually in the
piano industry, largely for plates, an infinitessi-
mal amount as contrasted with the year pig iron
output of the country of 3,500,000 tons. Facts
concerning the industry such as these will be
brought to the attention of the proper au-
thorities.
"What is most important at this particular
time is to present the real conditions of our
industry to the authorities at Washington, and
the trade is to be congratulated on having so
able and active a man and one of such wide
experience as Geo. W. Pound as its representa-
tive and spokesman. Mr. Pound should have the
whole-hearted backing of every member of the
trade from tuner to manufacturer, and the trade
papers should advocate support of his work as
vigorously as possible."
NEW INCORPORATIONS
The Stone Spencer Music Co., Charlotte,
N. C, has been incorporated, with a capital stock,
of $15,000, by C. W. Spencer, C. S. Stone and
Lester Lore for the purpose of handling musi-
cal instruments.
The Holmes Music House, Middletown, N. Y.,
has been incorporated with a capital stock of
$50,000 by F. R. Alford, F. E. Hall and A. J.
Holmes.
CAPITAL STOCK INCREASED
The Arthur Jordan Piano Co., Inc., Alexan-
dria, Va., has filed an amendment to its charter
increasing its capital stock from $100,000 to
$150,000.