New-York tribune., 1897-08-29
PRICES OF TYPEWRITERS.
INFLUENCES THAT PREVENT THEM
FROM DECLINING.
AN AGREEMENT AMONG MANUFACTURERS
THOUGHT TO BE THE MOST POTENT-vIEwS
AS TO THE COST OF MAKING.
MANUFACTURERS

Why do typewrting machines persistently de-
cline TO drop in price. following the example Of
bicycles? This question recently propounded by
an operator who thought 500 too much to pay
for a typewriter. has aroused not little dis
cussion, and Tribune reporter who spent much
time in looking up the matter succeeded in OBJ
tanning variety of statements and opinions
1t is generally admitted by agents and even by
the manufacturers themselves, that there is an
agreement among most Of the large firms which
make typewriters to maintain the price at it's
present figure. This is variously referred to as
combination" or a trust" but under which
ever name it passes its object is understood to
be the one just mentioned. A who is en-
gagged in the selling of all makes of machines.
and who consequently is not prejudced in favor
of any special kind. either in or out OF the So
called combination" said:
The manufacturers of typewriters have been
successful in keeping up their prices. largely
because of the way in which they have held to-
gether and co-opcrated with each other.
Nearly all of the chief typewriter firms
In agreement, and the few who are
outside have not thus far been able. nor have
they for the most part made any special effort.
to lower prices much Until some new machine,
in every respect good as the best of the pres
ent standard makes. is put on the market at
reduced figure there will be no change in prices.
At present it does not look as if this condition
would be likely to come to pass for some time
The cost of starting and maintaining for the
first two or three years, until il became well
known. plant large enough TO turn out go0d
machines at low price would be very great.
Ii is true undoubtedly. that there is large proit
on many of the best typewriters and that the
makers could afford to sell them for less The
materials of which they ale composed are not
very expensive. and in those cases where the
concern has huge. long established plant the
running expenses have become less than they
were a few years ago. should say that the cost
OF making varied between about $50 and SOD ac-
cording to the quality Of the machine ana the SIZE
OF the plant OF course. that leaves a pretty
good margin for profit"
Here is the statement Of the manager OF one
Of the largest and best-known typewriter manu-
featuring firms in the country. 1t is in regard
to the cost of making and selling the machines
1t will be seen that it differs widely from that
of the man quoted before who said that the
cost of manufacture varied between $50 and 500
for each typewriter
"Instead Of having diminished. the cost of pro-
duction in the typewriter business has really IN
creased with us" said the manager. owing To
the number Of Improvements which We have
been adding each year. Each new device in
vented makes more work and more expense
necessary and buyers cannot seem TO realize
this The capacity of our factory now is JUST
one hundred machines day. and eight hundred
workmen are employed there few years ago
tbe csnacity still being one hundred typewrters.
we needed only five hundred men to do the Work
At the present time. then. it takes eight men,
Lot. ms leh
II IS all skilled labor. too. and highly paid. The
men who attend to the assembling and adjusting
of the parts are mechanics Of a superior class.
and most of them earn So a day. SO you see
that the labor alone is a big item in producing
a typewriter. setting aside the cost of the land.
the buildings. the ordinary expenses of ma
chinery fuel. etc. and the actual cost Of the
materials Of which the machine is composed.
"Then, even after the finished typewriter
leaves the factory there still many more ex-
penscs before it reaches the hands Of the re-
tail purchaser We calculate that. just as it
takes eight men to make the machine. 1t takes
sixteen men to sell it, That includes. Of course.
all the agents and the entire force Of employees
clerks bookkeepers. managers. etc. of our differ
ont stores who are more less directly con-
nected with the retailing Of the typewriter. Put
ting together the eight men who make ii and
the sixteen who sell it, you have twont: -four
persons to be supported from one machine What
is left over and above tha,. is our Iroiit. 1t Is
not much on each typewriter. The only reason
why the business is on paying basis Is be
cause Of its great extent. Only by doing a vast
amount of work and by finding a ready market
for every machine we turn out are we able to
continue at a profit
Apparently there are two sides to this queS-