New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-22
TO FIGHT 4 UESTERN TRUST.
A CONVENTION OF FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS
TO MEET AT GRAND RAPIDS TO CONSIDER
FREIGHTs, AND THE PRICE OF
MIRROR GLASS.

Grand Rapids, Mch Dec. 81 CspcciaD.-The
Furniture Manufacturers Association Of this
city have issued call for nauond
convention to be held here. The chief pnr
pose Of the convention is to take action toward
securing new freight Classification for furniture anu
in addition to this subject the Plate-Class and Mirror
Trust OF New-York viii undoubtedly receive consid-
Grafton.
At present all kinds OF cabinet work, bureaus, com
modes desks suits. etc listed as furniture, and
are charged for at the rate, no difference being
made between a suit that sells for Sl5 or S2O and one
that Is valued at $500 81 ,OO0-the weight regard
less OF quality being taken into consideration BY
this Arrangement the buyers OF cheap and medium
prced furniture are assessed much moro heavily pro-
portonate TO the value Of tho goods than those who
buy hgh-priced goods. Some furniture that is shipped
from this city TO NewYorh IS charged but five or zen
Der cent OF the original cost for TRANSPORTATION. While
other grades are assessed as high fifty and sixty
per cent Of the buying price The manufacturers de-
sire deal and all in this city and many in other
furniture centres have signed petition TO tho general
classification committee OF the National Freight Agents
Association, asking for change. The committee
were I'm session last week. and after appointing sub
committees to do the work. adjourned to meet again In
February The manufacturers suggest that furniture
he listed under three heads, that which will weigh
10 600 TO 10000 pounds to the carload to be known
as secondclass freight, and this Will take In the nigh
priced furniture; that which weighs from l6'OOO 10
10000 pounds 10 the car, the nltdiuhlptV'u e,"u''
TO he known as thclass, and all thar weighs ABOVE
20 600 uouads the cheap stock 20 be listed Is fourth
class fret ght. with rates fixed accordingly ndei me
pr.seut cias ifcatiOn carload OF cheap furniture
Weighing 10000 pounds or m0re and worth SlOyO or
less is charged Tor the Same rate per pound Tor
TRANSFORMATION as car loaded with nne goods weigh
Ing 10 OCO pounds, and worth a. many thousands OF
dollars The DESIRED rev claSsihcatl1n VIII ease up
on the chrap manufacturers and buyers and may pOs-
shlv Increase tho on the high priced goods Inc
freight agent. TO making any IaIlC al chahre
in tho present classification unless the furniture men
mostly Interested In the matter desire IT, auu me ooN-
Vent0n is called that united action may be taken
The glass pool composed mainly Oh New ORR capl-
aliss who organized year ago 10 control the Ancr-
can market and the European product VIII also come
IN for share Of the discussion before the pool came
delivered In this city a. om - % 10 20 % ca H.
| aud Immediately a,ierwari the figures advanced To
80 20, and that has been the ruling quotation since
ne members OF The TPnst have combined for another
wear taking action about weeks ago. and The old
prices will continue for another year 10 smah con
suners while those who purchase I'm large ruahli les
Will be gwen the benefit OF d. count TiOuO urlrIs
Icing discounted ten per cent. $4,000 orders i've per
cent the discount decreasing with the .Lo on mo oirr
TO - 600 below which full prices ero dcmannei Last
summer half dozen Of the local manular iuferi Or
ganized cOuDtortrust. found manuactur IN Cor
many willing io break with tho Trust upon The eXriia-
lion OF his agreement and they placed their orders by
cable and since been getting their glass direct
from the first hands, and escaping The eAOtoh 81 INC
| combination.
since recognizing the Glass Trust have been malnG
every effort Hill OF the direct Importation ana those
Interested in this city have been lus rs energetic In
| thei- efforts 10 keep the channel uren. over
$3.50 worth OF mirror plates are u-ei ih tho furnl
tuFc factories IN THIS city annua}, one cuucrn Houc
\ consuming upward Of $4,000 worth, and the differ
amounts large item In the course Of year. Tho
pool will be discussed by the convention and 70 Is pos,
sbc that united action may be taken TO escape from
us GRASP.