Music Trade Review

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THE
JUNE 3, 1922
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
33
FREIGHT RATEJ)ROP ON PIG IRON
PRESERVING THE PIANO FINISH
LUMBER MEN DRAFF GRADING RULES
Possibility of Freight Reduction Will Affect the
Bringing of Southern Iron to Chicago
Many Dealers, Due to Lack of Knowledge oJ
Natural Conditions Which Are Harmful to
Varnish, Take Chances on Ruining the Finish
National Conference of Lumber Associations
Takes Up Question of Standardization ol Lum-
ber According to Grades and Qualities
Many complaints of cracked work have been
traced directly to the common practice of allow-
ing pianos to be placed in show windows where
they are exposed to the direct rays of the sun for
at least a part of the day, says D. J. Tight, in a
comprehensive article in The Keynote, the house
organ of the Baldwin Co. Sometimes under these
conditions the varnish becomes so hot that it is
almost unbearable to the touch. Later, when
cooling occurs, the varnish contracts and the
wood expands, which means eventual disrup-
tion of the film, and yet there are some dealers
who expect the finish to withstand such condi-
tions. It is well to mention that show windows
which are closed should be heated in Winter
time to avoid wide or sudden variations in tem-
perature.
Although veneer checking is not a varnish trou-
ble, we make note of it here to emphasize that it
is the price the consumer must pay for his de-
mand for fancy figured wood. A very fancy burl
walnut is now quite popular and wherever this
wood is highly figured veneer checks will de-
velop. They usually do not appear at once but
open up eventually. The manufacturer of the
piano is in no way responsible for this condition
and where the dealer demands this burl walnut
he must expect the trouble which is due to the
opening of the veneer beneath the coating of
varnish.
Blooming refers to the development of a
bluish cast on the polished surface, caused by
atmospheric impurities such as acid vapors,
smoke, ammonia fumes, etc. The dirt which ac-
cumulates on the windows is from the same
cause. Parafhne oil should never be used on the
floors, as the vapor from the oil will condense
on the piano cases and cause blooming. This
appearance is easily removed and is not a serious
trouble. In order to keep the pianos on the floor
in a salable condition they should be inspected
every morning. Some dealers have in their cm-
ploy a man whose duty it is to do this, and as
soon as the finish begins to look dull it is pol-
ished. A good polish should be used—one that
docs not leave a greasy film on the surface, as
grease only ca'tches the dust, which will injure
the finish.
If there is a bloom on the piano the case
should be sponged off with lukewarm water and
a little castile soap, then rinsed thoroughly with
clean water and wiped dry with chamois and if
necessary gone over with polish. A little work
each day will do wonders in keeping the finish
on the piano looking fresh and clean.
We have discussed the principal varnish trou-
bles with which the dealer is confronted and en-
deavored to point out means by which they can
be controlled or corrected and in conclusion wish
to add that the customer should also be in-
structed as to the nature of a piano finish.
The dealer should tell him that sudden changes
of temperature are likely to cause the varnish to
crack or check, and that humid air will cause
the wood to swell and shrinkage will develop, and
for that reason pianos should never be put in
damp places. It should be explained that a piano
should be located in a room where the tempera-
ture will be about constant, preferably against an
inner wall, and by no means be subjected to the
heat of a stove or placed by a window exposed to
the sun.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 29.—New grading rules
were drafted by committees appointed for this
purpose by the National Conference of Lumber
Associations at a meeting here last week at
which lumber men from all over the country
were present. The meeting was held at the in-
stigation of Secretary of Commerce Hoover.
A resolution was passed that the formulation
of rules for the inspection and grading of lum-
ber should be undertaken by manufacturers and
should be based on the needs of consumption and
the ability of the producers to satisfy those needs.
The committee also agreed that all grading must
be done by properly qualified and supervised in-
spectors; that official re-inspection by the Asso-
ciation be available in case of any complaint; that
a card be placed in each car at the mill giving
grade and contents, and that where buyers pay
the cost a certificate made out by a licensed asso-
ciation will be furnished with each car.
Developments in the pig iron market are at
present of more prominence in the Chicago dis-
trict than in the East. Iron there has taken an-
other advance of $1 a ton, as we predicted a
week ago, quotations now being firm at $23
furnace. There is also the probability of freight
rate reductions that will affect the bringing to
Chicago of Southern iron. It is expected that
all-rail rates from Birmingham to Chicago will
be lowered from $6.67 to $5.25; that the rates
from Metropolis, 111. (the transfer point from
water to rail), to Chicago will be lowered.
PICTURES REVIVING BUSINESS
Secretary of Labor Davis Points to Reduced Un-
employment as Barometer Betterment
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 29.—A picture of reviv-
ing business activity throughout the country is
drawn by Secretary Davis in a statement issued
to-day which was based on reports of employ-
ment conditions recently made to the Depart-
ment of Labor.
These reports indicated that unemployment had
been "practically eliminated" in New York State,
the Secretary said, that it had been reduced
more than 50 per cent in three months in Penn-
sylvania, while the "swan song of business de-
pression has given way to a cheerful note of
improvement in industrial activity" in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and
Missouri.
"Unmistakable evidence" of improved indus-
trial conditions was visible on the Pacific Coast,
Mr. Davis said, while in the South the reports
showed steady improvement in Georgia, Ten-
nessee and Alabama, and practically no unem-
ployment existed in North Carolina.
TRADE OPPORTUNITY IN PALESTINE
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 23.—A mercantile con-
cern in Palestine wishes to purchase and secure
an agency for the sale of general musical instru-
ments, according to information received by the
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce here.
Quotations should be given c. i. f. Jaffa. Refer-
ences are offered. Further information can be
obtained from the Bureau or any of its district
offices by writing and referring to Opportunity
No. 2207.
The Cheboyan Drug Co., of Chcboyan, Mich.,
recently secured the agency for the Baldwin line
of pianos in that territory, according to Manager
Barnich.
THE
A R T NOVELT YCO.
Cxclusive manufacturers of
Piaivo Beivekes
and Musie Cabinets
Ilfcite, for*cuiaLoq and. details
INDIANA
GOSHE N
PLAYER MANUFACTURERS
ATTENTION!
We make a specialty of Piano and Player-
Piano Hardware, Transmissions and Gears,
Metal Spool Ends, and so forth. We make
only on special order after designs furnished
us or will furnish designs on request.
Write us your needs.
Elgin Metal Novelty Co.
ELGIN
-
-
ILLINOIS
ALL WOOL OFFERINGS SOLD
At the wool auction at Liverpool, Eng., last
week 38,772 bales were offered and all sold, ac-
cording to reports reaching here.
TRANSPOSITIONAL PLANS PATENTED
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 29.—Charles N. Man-
gold, Pittsburgh, Pa., was last week granted Pat-
ent No. 1,417,191, which relates to transpositional
pianos wherein the keyboard is capable of move-
ments relative to the action of the piano both for
the purpose of playing a piece in the key in which
it is written and having it transposed to a different
key and for the purpose of raising or lowering
the pitch of the piano without the necessity of
tuning it.
While the invention is applicable to newly con-
structed pianos it is particularly adaptable to the
reconstruction of old pianos and the object
thereof is to provide a simple and effective way
of building or reconstructing a piano to the end
that the keyboard may be readily shifted for the
purposes stated.
Ordinarily, pianos arc tuned for what is known
as standard pitch. Occasionally it is desired to
have a piano in a home tuned up to concert pitch
for a special occas ; on. This is difficult to do at
any time and is practically incapable of accom-
plishment if the piano is old because of the seri-
ous liability of breaking a large number of strings.
According to this invention, the pitch of the
piano may be easily changed at will.
Write for a sample can of Behlen's
Varnish Crack Eradicator and try it.
Once you leam how much it means to
you in the saving of time on your refin-
ishing jobs by eliminating the necessity
of scraping off old varnish and shellac,
and how much more satisfactory are
the results, because of the better sur-
face it gives to work on, you, like others
will continue to use it.
Write to-day.
.
* ,
H. BEHLEN & BRO.
Anilines
Shellacs
Stains
Fillers
10-12 Christopher St., New York
Near 6th Ave.. and 8th St.