Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-18
AMERICAN FURNITURE BEST
The Germans Pay More and Get Poorer
Quality.
The American Consul Thinks That
Germany Offers "A Good Market for
Goods From This Country.

E. W. 8. Tingle. the United States con-
sui at Brunswick, has made a report to
the State Department contrasting Ameri-
can and German furniture. greatly to the
credit of the former country, and showing
what fine field Germany offers for the
introduction of American-made products of
this kind Despite the fact that the Ger
mans are eminently practical and excel in
many forms of handicraft," says the con-
sui. "they are very deficient in respect to
the manufacture of ordinary furniture.
Perhaps this arises from the scarcity of
wood. or to the fact that they have not
accustomed themselves to as many articles
of furniture as is the case in our own coun-
try; but be the reason what 1t is. the sim
there is no good furniture in Germany.
This statement may be qualified with re-
gard to art furniture but even In that re-
spect they fall far below the productions of
American factories.
"A somewhat extended inquiry In this
direction leads me to the belief that there
is in Germany an excellent field for the ex-
tension of trade in American furniture pro-
ducts. With the enormous output of Ameri-
can factories. an extension Of the avenues
OF trade in this respect Is certainly worth
the effort. The Germans are conservative.
to be sure. but they are not so welded to
conservatism as not to be willing to buy
a foreign article II they can get 1t better
than at home and as cheap. Especial stress
must be laid upon cheapness, for thrift is,
perhaps. the most predominating German
characteristics. and the average German.
therefore, instead Of throwing away his
money. carefully scrutinizes the expendi-
ture OF every mark.
Not Cheaper Than I'm This Country.
American furniture dealers. accordingly,
II they wish to do business In this country,
must not only make a good article. but
must offer It as cheaply as possible in COM
petition n tor
strained to believe that this will not be
round to be an obstacle for the reason that
even the comrnonest articles OF German
manufacture In furniture are not any
cheaper than with us at home This is ex-
planned In two ways: First, the dearness Of
all kinds Of wood, and, second. the lack of
as great efficiency in German workmen and
OF as improved machinery In Germany as
obtain in the United States. As to the Ger
man product-speaking now Of the ordinary
household furniture-it cannot begin to
compare with the American article for
either beauty, finish. practicabillty or
strength.
1T is rare to find a table or desk that sits
evenly on its legs, and 1t is rarer still to
find common chair that will not come
apart after very little use. Easy chairs of
the comfortable sleepy-holow' pattern are
almost unknown, and the usual upholstered
drawing room chairs, while substantial
beauty. The artistic and inexpensive bed
room Subsequently, dressing cases and
bureaus-which are to be seen in even the
most humble homes of the United States
are never met with here. Instead, there are
a very plain black walnut bedstead. small
chest of drawers with a wall mirror hang
Ing over 1t, and an old-fashioned marble
topped waststand. These articles. with two
or three ordinary chairs, furnish the bed
room equipment in the houses Of the we'll
to do. In the dining room the furniture Is
somewhat better, the sideboards buffets
having rather an air Of substantial ele-
IN hloo 1yNt nylypr oro1,y
plain. but are exceedingly unreliable, so
that when one buys an extension table he
must take the chances as to whether it will
extend or not after some use
How to Develop Trade.
''In the parlor or drawing room the fur
niture in the houses Of the rich Is Of the
art variety and answers its purpose very
well. In this direction there Is probably
not much Of an opening but in the drawing
rooms or sitting rooms Of those who are
rot rich. but only moderately well off. the
average 'parlor" furniture made In our
country should find q ready sale. There
are a dozen different kinds Of lighter fur
nfture that in the United States are almost
essential which are but little known here
and which might be introduced. The SUBJ
tect, however, is such an extended one, and
embraces so much detail, that reliable infor-
nation as to openings in any specific line
can only be determined by an expert: but
furniture makers at home can be assured
that the chance exists II they want to take
advantage of 1t.
Should the trade be established 1t could
be handled through commission houses in
Hamburg. AS to the best way Of develop
ing 1t. and upon what lines, the under
signed believes that the best plan would be
for the American Furniture Makers Asso-
citation to send over here one or more ex-
perts to make a thorough study of the ques-
ton. 1t Is certain that the money spent in
this direction would not be wasted.
High as the duties and freights are, the
Sl1nQrt0rttv Avrnt
the improved methods of workmanship