New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-04
WHY THE PRICE WENT DOWN.
A TALK WITH TIE PRESIDENT OF THE rOPr
A(Tr-pINC foMpiNy


Hartford. Conn. July s-Coloncl Albert 4. Pope,
president of the Pope Manufacturing Company,
was to-day relative 20 the recent reduction IN
the price Of Columbia bicycles.
Colonel why have you reduced the price OF Co
iumbia BICYCLES the first question.
Because with our present facilities we can
make more bicycles than we can sell at 500 each,
and feel personal responsibility in seeing that
large force Of workmen is kept constantly en-
ployed For twenty years have been trying to
produce the best possible bicycle at the least posi-
bic price. and have by far the largest plant
in the world. with perfected machinery ard every
facility for doing a very large business. and We be-
lieve these prices our factories full
the year round. II We can, then we shall not be
sorrv that We lave reduced the prices We have
capacity to make Cos hgh-graGe bicycles In ten
hours, and thoroughly organized force to man
that equipment We want TO keep our men at
work the year round. II has never been our policy
to weaken organization when trade falls off
and later bring in a new set Of men, who must be
trained to cur standard II we can bring our prod
uct up to the limit we can sell the bicycles at the
new prices and make fair profit
Colonel. at the new prices. could any orc start
in the manufacture of bicycles with reasona BILE
prospect OF success
Il do not believe it possible for any new con-
Germ to start in the bicycle business and produce
bicycles at the price and Of the quality that We
the business. The future business is likely to be
done by the large manufacturers Of established
reputation, with large facilities and large capital
who avail themselves of every advantage IN
producing large quantities and manufacturing
through the dull season"
There are several tabulatiOns which profess to
give the cost Of making high-grade bicycle. and
the total foots up to about $50 is this correct?'
"If this is correct. why should so many bicycle
manufacturers fail when the prices were very much
higher than they are now, and when they nctted "A
great deal more than $50 for wheels not of the
highest grade? There are many things TO consider
besides the actual first cost Of materials No manu-
facturer knows what the goods cost him until he
figures up at the end OF the year and puts in all
his expenses, and many of them have then found
that their bicycles have cost them more than twice
their estimate
There have been rumors in the papers TO the
effect that the Pope Manufacturing Company is
about 10 bring out chaincss bicycle"
I'VE have been working chanless bicycle
for several years, and have made good many
models. We expect to make it our leading machine
for 1898
I'm some Of the papers it is stated that the price
Of the chanless is likely to be 500"
You may be sure We won't sell chainleSS BIZ
cycle for $780, II any one pays $50 for Columbia
chainless bicycle in 1888. he will get full value for
his money.
will the chainless cost more TO make than a
chain-driven wheel?"
Yes, a great deal more than any other bicycle.
and IL only be made success by the very
finest and best workmanship. l think there are
only very few bicycle manufacturers who are
likely to make a successful! chainless machine"