The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-07
THEY Y A TRUST
THE FURNITURE MAKERS THINK
THEIR TRADE NEEDS ONE.
Sixth Annual Convention of Their Ma
tionaI Association-Mr. Stech-
hams Address-Papers Read.

Furniture manufacturers from all over
the country are in the city. The sixth an
nual convention of the National Furniture
Manufacturers Association began its de-
alterations in the Young Mems Christian
Association Hall at 10 O'Clock yesterday
morning. About one hundred delegates
were in attendance at the opening, and
about half as many more arrived during
the day from different parts Of the coun-
try. President Otto Stechhan called the
meeting to order and Mayor Denny made
the address of welcome for the city. ]. w.
Hess was then introduced. and in behalf Of
the local furniture association and those
of the State welcomed the delegates. He
said: Our welcome is as broad as our
streets, as deep as our gas wells and as
high as our soldiers monument"
President Stechhan then read his adj
dress, in which he referred to the fact that,
although the Grand Rapids and New York
associations had withdrawn from the ma
tional association, others had come in dur
ing the year. and that now the association
has four more members than it could boast
of a year ago. He thought the low fees
charged by the association had quite a
good deal to do with the fact that no more
was accomplished than had been. More
money would enable the association to look
closer to the interest of the business, be-
sides being conducive to a greater indi-
vidual interest in the associations affairs.
He discussed the question Of wages, and
said that he believed that If, by some mir
acle. the wages of the workingman could
be advanced so per cent. during the next
few days that every factory would imme-
diately start up and be crowded with or
ders to the full extent OF their capacity.
The question of railroad freights is a very
important one with furniture manufacture
ers. The ideal freight system" he said,
will never be known until all the railroads
are under the management of one company
or controlled by the government. Then we
will not have twenty different rates and
hundreds Of classiications to contend with,
not be a necessity. Everything will be
tagged at the factory and a stamp placed
on the packages, and the company or
Uncle Sam will do the rest"
He spoke OF the vast amounts paid out
annually by furniture manufacturers for
insurance. One hundred and twenty firms,
which answered a request for statistics Oh.
the question, reported that they had paid
out last year over s400, 900, and received
back on account Of losses only a little over
$fo,VO. During the past five years the same
report. showed that rates had been adj
vanced by the insurance companies over %
per cent. Mr.. Stechhan advocated the
formation Of mutual company among the
manufacturers.
He also spoke of the necessity of closely
watching the foreign trade, and especially
that of South America, but did not go
into the particulars, as the meeting will
be addressed later by j. r.. G.. Pitkin, of
New York, who was formerly United States
minister to the Argentine Republic.
Mr.. >. G. Small, of Boston, read a paper,
in which he spoke of a number of changes
which he thought would be advisable to
adopt by the association. Among others,
the matter of membership was discussed.
At present the convention Is composed of
delegates sent by the various local associa-
tons and exchanges throughout the country.
He thought 1t would be better TO make the
association one OF individual manufacturers
instead OF a representation by delegates.
A technical school for instruction In the
branches of furniture manufacturing was
also advocated by him. He wants a school
established In which the sons of the manu-
facturers and employees can be educated in
designing and the general work of manage
ment. He thought a credit bureau should
be created for the benefit Of the manu-
facturerS exclusively; a bureau managed
in the interests of the furniture manu-
facturers from which they can obtain relia-
bic as TO the standing of their
customers.
A half hour of speeches on general topics
brought the meeting to the noon hour, and
the association adjourned for dinner