42 



Hardw^ood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



April 25, 1921 



t (Ujntimini frntn iiinjr .Ul) 

 existence for a number of years, the industry is really just getting 

 on its feet, and beginning to realize the large field ahead by the 

 proper application and adaptation of plywood to not only furniture, 

 musical instruments and interior trim, but to a wide variety of new 

 uses in the course of development, such as waterproof plywood for 

 airplanes, marine construction, automobiles, seating, shoe soles and 

 heels and the more beautiful grades of figured wood for office 

 partitions, ceilings, and the wide variety of interior equipment uses 

 where the display of artistic American grown woods will prove a 

 great improvement over the plainer plywoods, fiber, plaster and 

 wall boards used at present. 



"Third: From the present German offer (photographic copy of 

 which is attached as Exhibit B), we have chosen two typical 

 thicknesses — one in five-ply with lumber center, and one in three- 

 ply with veneer center (of which we are inclosing small sample) 

 showing an average type of construction, as Exhibit C and D. 

 We have chosen oak because it is mentioned in the German quota- 

 tion, and is a standard American grown wood, used in all parts 

 of this country. The comparison of American cost with German 

 offers of sale follows: 



34" Q. S. O. Face, Reject Oak back 5-ply 

 Standard P. M. A. Costs per sq. ft. $.536 



Nearest German Equivalent: 



Thickness 20 mm — .7874" 



Cost, marks @ $.016 per sq. ft. $ .244 



marks @ $.238 (par) 3.63 



14" Q. S. O. Face, Reject Oak back 3-ply 

 • Standard P. M. A. Costs per sq. ft. .382 



Nearest German Equivalent: 



Thickness 6 mm — .2362" 



Cost, marks @ $. 1 6 per sq. ft. .141 



marks @ $.238 (par) 4.09 



"Fourth: The existence of the above low quotations from a 

 German source, and similar quotations which have been received 

 by half a dozen other plywood manufacturers, w^ill tend to bring 

 about the following difficulties in American factories: 



*'(a) To encourage competing quotations on a basis below 

 average and practicable cost of American manufacture. 



'*(b) To force the construction of an inferior grade of 

 material to meet this competition. 



"(c) The reduction of American wages to an unreason- 

 able point in the attempt to make goods in competition with 

 the German underpaid labor. 



"The prices extended as standard American prices are the last 

 official tabulation of costs by the Plywood Manufacturers' Associa- 

 tion at their September conference in Buffalo. While there has 

 seemingly been some decline from these prices, it has not been 

 confirmed by formal action, nor have there been such substantial 

 reductions in the cost of either labor, material or overhead, as to 

 justify some lower quotations that are now current. 



"Fifth: With regard to the duty that should be levied, would 

 state that the Payne-Aldrich tariff of 1909 (repealed in 1913), with 

 a 35 per cent ad valorem duty on 'cabinet furniture, *** partly 

 made* was effective in protecting the plywood industry from dam- 

 aging importation. Still it is not certain that at the present time, 

 with the German situation as it exists, the same figure would be 

 effective. It was suggested by our members w^hen assembled at 

 Cincinnati on February 9, that this duty might advantageously 

 be 50 per cent. Only by such protection can the plywood indus- 

 try continue to grow, to perfect its product for artistic and archi- 

 tectural uses, and employ an increasing number of workmen at 

 living wages. 



"If any further detailed information, or another conference with 

 Mr. Thwing is desired, please command us. 



"Yours respectfully, 

 "PLYWOOD MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION. 

 "(Signed) Thomas D. Perry." 

 The members decided to hold their next meeting in Chicago in 

 June. 



Johnson Buys Diamond Veneer Stock 



Grafton Johnson, of Greenwood, Ind., has purchased the interests 

 of Martin A. Cutsinger and the late John Thompson in the Diamond 

 Veneer & Lumber Co. at Shelbyville, Ind. By reason of the pur- 

 chase Mr. Johnson becomes probably the largest individual veneer 

 manufacturer in Indiana and one of the largest in the country. He 

 owns factories at Franklin, Roachdale and Edinburg, all in Indiana, 

 xnd has ten saw^ mills throughout southern Indiana and Illinois. The 

 Shelbyville plant was valued at approximately $225,000 when it, 

 was constructed, but this value is much greater now. It is planned 

 to make additions to the present plant. Homer Cutsinger, who has 

 been manager of the plant since its construction, left recently for 

 Florida and nothing w^as made public concerning the future man- 

 agement of the plant. Before acquiring sole ownership, Mr. John- 

 son was a half owner of the stock of the company. He is optimistic 

 about the future prospect for a general business revival, and, 

 although he does not expect to see a sudden return to national 

 prosperity, he believes there will be a big demand for veneer prod- 

 ucts when the long predicted rising tide sets in. 



Announcement has been made by the Udell Works of Indian- 

 apolis, manufacturers of furniture, that because of recent orders the 

 plant has started working full time. This is the first time for 

 months that the plant has been able to do this. Tom Griffith, sales 

 manager of the company, recently returned from a trip through 

 the east with a bunch of orders. 



New Indiana Furniture Concern 



The Indiana Cash Drawer Company of Shelbyville, Ind., has just 

 been organized for the purpose of manufacturing an especially 

 patented cash drawer, which is a nevk' product and is to be used 

 in connection with a special design of desk for adding machines. 

 They \vil! also manufacture office and store furniture. Carl Tindall, 

 who is connected with the Tindall- Wagner Manufacturing Company 

 and the Tindall-Gehrling Company, both furniture companies, is 

 interested in this new venture. . Dr. Charles A. Tindall, of Shelby- 

 ville, and Dr. Paul R. Tindall, of Greensburgh. Ind., are also in the 

 company. The manufacture of tKe new product will be done at 

 the two plants in which Carl A. Tindall is interested for the present 

 time at least. 



The name of the Syracuse Table Company of Syracuse, Ind., 

 has been changed to Syracuse Cabinet Company. 



Sawdust, which had been stacked near the Terre Haute (Ind.) 

 Casket Company, Ninth and Spruce streets, caught fire recently 

 and burned several minutes before being discovered. Fire com- 

 panies were called to check the blaze. It is believed that the fire 

 was started by sparks from a passing locomotive. There was little 

 damage. 



Papers have been filed with the secretary of state by the Phoenix 

 Furniture Company of Indianapolis, Ind., showing a capitalization 

 of $10,000. The company will engage in the manufacturing busi- 

 ness. Directors of the concern are: I. Bernard Landman, Victoria 

 Landman and Harold S. Foye. 



Chair Making Picks Up 



The cnair business apparently is getting active, as shown in con- 

 nection with articles filed in Frankfort, Ky., last week. The Elkhorn 

 Table & Chair Company, Praise, Ky., capital $ 1 0,000, was char- 

 tered by G. D. Johnson and others. The capital of the Green River 

 Chair Company, Livermore, was increased from $100,000 to $150,- 

 000. The Livermore Chair Company, increased from $20,000 to 

 $75,000. The Murphy Chair Company, Owensboro, which has 

 been operated as a firm, became a corporation, listing a capital of 

 $300,000, and naming M. J. Murphy, J. F. Murphy and B. R. 

 Smith as charter parties. 



