Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-06
AN ORGANIC BLUYDER.
A Non-partisan Trade Paper Picks
Hole IN Peck's Report.

"A Non-partisan Trade Paper Picks a
Hole IN Peck's Report.
The Musical Courier of September
2ist, says:
This is not political paper, and its
columns can take no heed of the politi.
cal controversy that has been engen-
derod by the ninth annual report Of the
Bureau of Statistics of Labor Of the
| State Of New York, issued by Charles
L. Peck. The .uusicai Courier is
equally attractive to Republicans and
Democrats, to Alliance men and Pro-
| hibitionists, as its editorial opinions are
not in conflict with these various politi-
| cal elements. We have never made any
distinction between Republican and
| Democratic stencilers, and one of those
| stcncilers who has received as much re-
/ proof as any in these columns was an
ardent Prohibitionist, if we grant that
| Prohibitionists arc ever teetotalers sutti-
cient not to be ardent
| We state this little preamble to ex-
| plain that our criticism of that part Of
Mr.. Peck's report referring to musical
instruments is not biased by any politi-
cal considerations; we are merely look
ing at it from mysic trade point of
| view.
The report says that the increase of
wages of 1891 over 1890 in the line of
musical instruments and materials was
| $l18,46799.
The increase Of production during
the same time, $15,147.20.
1891 was one Of the poorest piano and
organ years of the past decade. Had it
not been for the great, sudden advance
| in the western music trade industries
the totals Of the year would have shown
q net decrease in production; the west
saved us from that modification.
There was an actual decrease in the
production of pianos in New York state.
and there were very few organs made.
The material and supply trade held its
own and increased in some cases, us all
the eastern and western pianoand organ
| firms draw about three. tourths of their
supplies from the firms in this state,
but the material and supply houses arc
| only small proportion of the general
trade in this line and their large trade
is not confined to the music trades only.
In view OF this state of affairs here
how could it have been possible that an
increase OF wages amounting to SllS,.
467.99 could have taken placer Indeed
less men We're engaged in the piano fac
tories OF this state in 1891 than in 1890
men were looking for work all through
the fall and winter Of 1891 and were moi
wanted or needed.
The increase in the value Of the
product is another curious feature Of
the report $l5, l4T.20 increases Of the
yalue Of the product would signify that
il we held our own, as compared with
1890, and did not increase, we at least
made higher priced goods. But this i:
not SO either, for pianos were sold fol
less than ever that year, and pianos arc
the leading musical instruments made
in this state; in fact, the total amount
OF business in the manufacture Of all
other musical instruments is not 5 pei
cent of the whole, pianos representing
the overwhelming value.
We are at a loss to understand upon
what figures or statement Mr. PECK
made this report on musical Instruments
IL is fallacious and wholly untrust
worthy, and VIC reject 1t as an absurditJ
in view of the facts as they are known