New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23
FURNITURE TRADE FACTS.
TENTH SEMI-ANNUAL EXHIBITION NOW
IN PROGRESS AT THE INDUSTRIAL
BUILDING
OVER PRODUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY GIVEN AS
THE REASON FOR THE FORMATION OF


OVER PRODUCTION IN THIS COUNTRY GIVEN Ao
THE REASON FOR THE FORMATION OF
SYNDICATE OF MANUFACTURERS TO
EXPORT GOODS TO ENGLAND
The tenth sem-annunl exposition OF the American
Furniture Manufacturers Exposition Association
is now in progress at the Industrial Building Lex
ington-ave. Forty-thrd and Forty-fourth SITS The
exposition opened early last week and VIII continue
till the last day of the present month Compare
lively few people know what an imposing array o,
every style of furniture from the least expensive
to the finest grades OF costly marquetere work Is
displayed here twice every year by hundreds OF the
leading manufacturers from all tho furniture man.
ufacturng States in the country for the simple
reason that but the furniture dealers who at
tend the exposition for the purpose Of making their
selections and placing large orders are admitted
TO the building Some idea OF the vast extent OF
this exhibit can be obtained when 1t is said that
the samples of the manufacturers cover l9ooo
square feet OF flooring throughout the INDUSTRIAL
Building AT every exhibit the buyers representing
the big furniture establishments to the number OF
LOO or 1000 10 the show.
The manufacturers each have their space
in the building allotted them according to the
size Of their exhibits, where their goods are arts
tically arranged and the different compartments
separated by screens. The most striking feature OK
these semi-annual exhibits is that every six months
entirely and novel designs are presented by
the manufacturers. a representative of one OF the
largest factories in the country said TO a Tribune
reporter while at the show yesterday: The styles
furniture Of all grades from the cheapest TO the'
finest grades change every six months just as
surely and as radically do the styles In dress
We are compelled TO offer entirely new and orig nal
designs to the continually in order to satisfy
their demands and secure their orders, and sam
pie made up six months ago is regarded by them
antquated and Will hardly sell a: any price TO-
day"
During a conversation with of the leading
manufacturers of the association The Tribune re-
porter learned that syndicate OF American turhi-
ture manufacturers composed Of prominent mem
bors of the association has been quietly forming
for the purpose of placing the best grades OF Amer-
can furniture IN the markets OF England ana
Europe.
Before attempting the formation Of such a synd.-
cate. the association in March last sent COM
mttee. consisting Of Charles H. Medicus. chairman;
John D. Stearns Samuel p. Porter Clarence G.
Brown and Charles Sprat;. 10 England ana Eu-
rope to investigate the conditions governing the
trade there with special reGari 70 the future recep-
ton y American furniture Inc report 81 tns com
mittee was favorable that number Of the pest
factories IN nOn-cOmpet.ng lines have about COM
ple;ed arrangements for TIE syndicate. 1t will be
formed in conjunction with a syndicate in Eng
VII be shipped u England IN the knocK-doWn
and unfinished state and received by the wareaouses
On the other side and there set up and finished IN
the American manner 2nder the supervisor. OF
American experts. The styles viii be adapted &c
The Go:aa IDS Of the foreign market. Members 81
The association say that the American proiuct
can be placed on the English market at prices
averaging ~ 70 - per lower than the Engnsh
manufacturers now obtain.
The relative cheapneSs OF skilled aDOr IN Eng
land is more than offset. the American manufac
Jurors say by the fact that the English factories
are using machinery which Il not only ehNreE out
Of date. but also inadequate TO fuhl the demahoe
OF the market In OF the largest ana nlsnest
grade English factories visited by the committee
last spring the entire machinery consisted or one
rip and one band saw the balance OF the work being
done entirely By hand. The finished product was
| OF high grade OF workmanship but IN no sense
better. the committee reported, than can De ana -
| produced by the American manufacturers OF the
same class To obtain this trade II viii be neces-
sarv 20 MAKE a line in each instance TO CONFORM
virh English tastes and requirements, but tnesi
mems II the known schools OF design tnat N.
greater portion Of them Will be available LOT th7
home trade and be novelties as well
There IS said be over-proiuciion OF iur'
nit,re In this country OF at least y per cent ana u
relieve this pressure in some degree Individual
,ities the staple medium qualities 10 Enslahc'
Scotland South Africa and, 10 some extern, 10 ne,-
many l. l. hoped by the formation OF me syildi-
cat. within A reasonable time 10 entlrely reIleF
mis- pressure and to establish permanent demant
FOR American made furniture in England ana the
markets Of Europe , ..,;.o.o
will sail for England next month u make maj al
rapgementS for It's formation.
The officers and trustees or the American ful-
niture Manufacturers Exposition associttioi'
many of whom will be members of the syndicate
are. & II Melicus. president; J. d. Stearns, vice
president: John NJ. karsch, treasurer; r, Mest
chairman: John NJ. karsch. William Holman, : T.
Porter f T. Williams. Luther u. Otto, r.
paef J. d. Stearns, Clarence O. Brown Ols COT
het3 F. f. schrenkeisen ana J. p. Gaylord.