48 



Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



May 25, 1921 



(Cuntinucd from innjc 32) 



eral that all materials going into the manufacture of pianos re- 

 ceive the "greatest amount of use, subjected to the smallest amount 

 of waste and every purchase of material consumed to the great- 

 est possible extent." 



In detail the following was said relative to the conservation of 

 wood: "The forests of the country are the subject around which 

 most of the activity of this committee revolves, because of the 

 fact that more wood is being consumed than is being produced. 

 Of the lumber used for pianos, about five feet are consumed to 

 every foot grown. The largest consumer of luniber in the piano 

 industry is the box maker. There is more lumber in the piano 

 shook than in the piano case, and this is one case where the piano 

 manufacturer can assist in the work of conservation — that is, in 

 the re-use of the piano shook. It ought to be a practical matter 

 to have shooks returned to the factory for re-use under the pres- 

 ent day conditions over a radius of 200 to 250 miles, and a 

 greater distance if the promised reduction in freight rates takes 

 place. 



"Also, in the construction of the box, the requirements for 

 boxes are less exacting in the summertime than they are in the 

 winter, and it would be a matter of timber as well as expense 

 if manufacturers of upright boxes would put pieces of hemlock 

 in portions of the box that are not subject to any strain." 



An important sidelight on the recommendation for the re-use 

 of the piano shook \vas brought out by members at a subsequent 

 session. Certain members called attention to the fact that railroads 

 over which they have been shipping have begun to impose a penalty 

 charge of a first class rate and a half for empty containers. One 

 manufacturer said he had found that this made the return of the 

 piano box cost more than the box was worth and he had been forced 

 to notify his customers to return no more boxes until further 

 notice. Others reported a similar experience and it was said 

 that this rate would also affect return of empty varnish drums. 



The matter was referred to the traffic committee with recommenda- 

 tions that relief be sought. 



Work Resumed on Columbia Plant 



Work is progressing again on the big cabinet plant of the 

 Columbia Craphaphone Company at Orangeville, in the northeast- 

 ern suburbs of Baltimore, after an interruption of some time be- 

 cause of the high cost of materials and labor, and the big shops are 

 now so far advanced that in a short time it will be possible to set up 

 the machinery and begin actual operations. In the yard adjoining 

 the plant there are assembled piles of costly hardwoods, said to be 

 the most extensive ever gotten together in this section, at least, the 

 assortments of lumber being appraised at not less than $1,000,000. 

 They include large quantities of mahogany and walnut, besides the 

 woods in more general use. Contracts which the Columbia Com- 

 pany has with other concerns for making its cabinets are running 

 out, and the way is thus paved for an early opening of the Baltimore 

 factory. 



Louisville Veneer Maker Dies 



George F. Kretschmer, 60 years of age, president of the South- 

 ern Veneer Manufacturing Company, of Louisville. Ky., died of a 

 complication of ills on May 19 at St. Joseph's Infirmary. He was 

 ill only one week. Mr. Kretschmer was a native of Germany, com- 

 ing to this country about forty years ago. In 1907 he established 

 the Southern company, which has grown rapidly, and he was presi- 

 dent of the concern until the time of his death. He is survived by 

 his wife, two daughters, four sons and a number of grandchildren. 

 The sons are George F. Kretschmer, Jr., who was actively engaged 

 in the business with his father, William Kretschmer, Louis and 

 Omar Kretschmer. The funeral was from the family residence and 

 burial at Cave Hill Cemetery. 



