Telegram-herald., 1890-06-12
MEN WHO LAKE BEDS
Second Alna2l Convention OF t1s
Nat. kSrn- At'n'frs ASA
President CHiS. R. SLEHS ADDRESS
Easy szess "a keeki4l H9li. AzazsSxs4a.
s2l44aags Nhieitss I1Rsrt2ss
Iog4es Ihzf VIII -
DAILY Considered


convention. President Charles r. sigh.
cf Ggald RApsas. lFas Ia the char, ana
appointed A. 4. kroEn. Og Cincinnati,
sad George ". Ja4usss Of Nss Y0gk,
a. = Committee on credentials. Mayor
Creg-er welcomed tie delegates -
CnseagO Ia a few words, and hzs address
vas happily responded 10 by PEes.den!
singh. A temporary organization was
formed, with Ad0lph KarDen, the
regulag secretary, As temporary secrs-
Laryi and the meeting was called - or
der only % adjourn until afternoon.
Ia the afternoon the convention was
called 70 order by President 8. "a, who
delivered h.s annual address.
After referring briefly % the work OF
the various standing committees, Presl-
dent singh continued
While the v0lume Of business IN the
furniture trade IN the past year, gsner-
ally speaking, mas been very saUsfac-
tory, the condition OF prices : still very
deplOTaole. There Is possibly no indus
Try IA the country where competition
has caused = greater lowering Of puces
than IN ours. Ten years ago the mar
gin OF profits WAS reasonable and busi-
ness generally profitable. Today the
manufacture OF furniture has reached
point where factories operated only
under the most favorable conditions
can make a profit at all, and hundreds
arc beng operated At a loss.
The cause OF this, Principally, is the
large number OF new factories started
by persons inexperienced n the busi-
ness, VINO are placing goods on the mar
ket without knowing their cost.
The experience OF successful manu-
facturers has demonstrated that after
asceTtalnIng the net cost Of goods, at
least thirty per cent must DC added for
the gross cost. and the manufacturer
who does not do this - sure 10 fail. 1
hope at this meeting, II the effort 10
devise plan 10 secure
better prices, this association
Will recommend TO the trade a
uniform system for ascertaIning the
cost of goods. In connection with this
subject therC is another question Of the
most vital importance 10 every furni-
ture manufacturer in the United Stltes
that mas been prominently brought for
ward IN tho last few months and eX-
tenSlvcly discussed by all branches of
the trade, and viii be presented Tor ac-
ton ~ Chls association AT this meeting
and I-ask for lt your careful and earn
est con dcration. IL is the question of
frequent changes II designs that has
been customary tor manufacturers to
make IN the past few years. 10 IS p
peruiClOus habit that has resulted from
al unhealthy competition, and Is one
% the causes of the very great shrink
age M profits that has made itself ap-
parent tO every furniture manufacturer
IN the land. [ am OF the opinion that
| this s an abuse for which the manufac-
tureTs are wholly to blame, and the
| remedy lies IN our hands. On account
| of the rapid growth OF our industry in
the last few years many persons have
invested their money IN THIS business
who have had 40 knowledge OF or ex-
pereuce ln the trade. They have
| thought the cheapest way 10 get de-
: gns = 20 steal them, and they have
done 50 numerically, thus compelling
the OrguatOrs 90 discard them. s
manufactures who VIII adopt this
| course ls worthy of only the contempt
! 0t honest men, and a stand should be
made against them that will compel
/ them 10 recognize the fact that only
| honorable competition and original de
gas Wd. WIN them the respect OF fellow
| manufacturers and assure them n
/ staining and recognition among the
! retail trade rs manufacturers whose
! lines are desirable because they possess
! originality and worth.
/ tne rotal. trade Of tho country with
! out exception desire lines Of good that
/ posses original selling features that
4 tncy can rely upon beng able to duplI-
cate for at least one year. An article
/ ct furniture i not like glUZy summer
! garment thatlt IS necessary 90 change
| with the first cold blast, 10 Is expected
/ % Lass q IKE time. and consumers are
/ beginning 20 demand tnat there shall
/ oe more stlhiltyIu styles and per
mareucy n des gns. nope ST THIS
| meeting am agreement may oe arrived
~ ~ which TINS evilWlll b. corrected.
Zoe ac0sslon OF The subject o. for
| ei8a trade at oar iast meeting had toe
! effect ~ inducing our committee and
! many others to examine the subject
very thoroughly. several OF the tradC
/ journal have taken mp toe matter, and
/ have published letters from United
states Consuls from many countries.
covering this subject IN all is detail
| This, Iu connection with tAe visit OF the
Pan Americans, has demonstrated O.
1 every manufacture the possibilities oi
foreign trade lu households goods. II
/ Congress as TINS session snail adopt a
wSc p'an ~ sunsldinng Ameucan ships
We can iooS for a largely increased
[ trade from this q rrrCffo1