New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-14
TYPEWRITERS AT LOWER PRICES.
POSSIBILITY OF A GENERAL REDUCTION IN
THE COST OF THE MACHINES AS
SERTED AND DENIED

II Is predicted that typewriting machines will
soon be sold at prices more in proportion to the
cost OF manufacture. This. however. is strenu-
ously denied by the seven firms which manufacture
what are called STANDARD" machines, and which
form a combination that has been in existence
for a number Of years. Some Of the manu-
facturers who have put machines on the
market also endeavoring to maintain the COM
blnation price. while others are selling their ma
chimes at much lower prices and some members OF
the combination are said to be cutting prices
The manager OF one Of the leading houses in the
combination stated that company has been
formed IN Chicago with large capital and that It
intends to put machines on the market at low
price and to fight the combination He said:
II IS all nonsense to say that typewrters can be
made for SIS. or course. We are making a good
pront. but We are not making any more than we
viii 20 up to $50 rather than decrease.
In direct opposition to this was the statement OF
another manager. who said:
While do not believe that the price will mate
rally change AT present | anticipate that there
viii be a reduction in the future Just now we are
turning out ono hundred machines each day. with
nine hundred men employed. and only few years
ago five hundred men did the same work. there
fore the machines are now actually costing more
covering the fundamental principles or the ma
chimes have expired. but each firm In the combina-
ton has from seventy-hve 10 eighty new patents on
It's machines. covering all The essential features
All those who are Interested in the high-priced
machines unwilling 70 speak Of the actual cost
OF the machine They declined answer when
asked whether the price would not go down. as In
the case OF sewing machines. which sold at from
800 TO SliS ami then took sudden drop to SS to
$40 They also denied that there any possibil-
ity that machines would be put on the market with
practically the same points and sold under other
names az greatly reduced prices is done by
bicycle manufacturers.
Notwithstanding these denials OF tho manufact-
urers and their managers. there Is a sentiment
among the agents and dealers in typewriting ma
chimes that before the end of next year the prices
will be much lower They say that even now the
high-priced machines are selling at less than the
list prices and that the method employed is to let
the agent deduct his commission from the price
OF the machine. the manufacturer making this up
to him. In this way the manufacturers say that
they are not reducing the price It is entirely the
affair OF the agent. II is a fact. too. that ma
chimes which show signs OF offered for
Gale by the dealers In secondhand machines at
prices varying from SIS to Si5 and assert that
this is done by an arrangement with the makers
OF the machines offered An agent on one OF the
standard" machines SAID
While we are trying to keep up the price there
Is no doubt that machines which are on the
market at s35 are cutting into our trade. as many
find them suitable for all purposes. The fact is
that typewriters are becoming a necessity and as
such should he sold at a price within the means
rival concerns coming into the field, and IL is
only question of time when the price OF all tyne
writer's will be materially reduced. That the manu-
facturers are preparing for this is shown In their
a minimum. in order to keep up as far possible
the percentage or profit