The chronicle=news., 1914-09-25
TONY CLARK EXPLAINS EFFECT OF
Big war ON WALLPAPER BUSINESS

The effect Of the European situa-
tion on the wall paper business in
the United States is commented on
by Tony d. Clark. who keeps posted
at all times in this particular line
Of goods. Mr.. Clark looks for a short
age as well as higher prices. as told
to him by the largest wall paper
manufacturers in this country.
| 1t is anticipated that practically
all imported wall papers will be
illuminated from this market through
out the duration Of the war and for
pme time thereafter.
This does not necessarily mean
that the seas are closed 10 naviga-
tion. for at the present writing (Sep-
tember - steamship are plying with
reasonable regularity from the ports
Of England. France. Spain and Italy
to this country.
But practically all the wall paper
that is imported into this country is
produced in Germany, France and
England. Germany is in a state of
complete blockade, and in both
France and Germany all industry Is
completely paralyzed, as all able bod
led men have drafted into the army.
industry is partially paralyzed in
Great Britain and the indications are
that 1t will be completely paralyzed
iby the drafting OF the industrial pop
tulation into military service.
In any case 1t Is safe to assume
that what little productive forces
are permitted to remain active in
France. Germany and England will
}be employed in the production Of the
necessities of life. so that 1t is safe
to say there will be no imported wall
paper in this country this year.
However. foreign wallpapers repre-
sent such very small part Of the
ed States that their absence will not
he felt at all by the bulk of the peo-
pie. Only the exclusive decorative
establishments OF the large cities will
notice the lack of the foreign goods.
In this article we will devote just
a word to the effect which the situa-
tion will have on our own expO.ta-
tion of wallpaper. In the American
Wallpaper industry the export de-
mand has been a very small one. 1t
lis now to become very large one.
The principal demand will come from
South, America, which has hitherto
been supplied almost exclusively by
Germany. France and England. Now,
as to the effect Of the war upon the
wall paper manufacturer: lst. He
Is dependent on Germany and France
Tor Aniline dyes, which are now
used almost exclusively in the pro-
duction of wall paper colors. There
are substitutes for some OF these
dyes. such As Indigo blues. Cochfneal
reds. Crome yellows and arsenic
greens. Whether or not these sub
stitutes can be obtained is still a
question. In any case. the revival Of
their use means much experiment
and greatly increased cost. SO far
as the Anilines themselves are con-
cerned. the stocks of the distributors
in this country were exhausted
within two weeks after the opening
of hostilities. and the dyes cannot
be obtained at this time from any
source at any cost.
Il Manufacturers who had the fore
sight to see the storm coming and
who had the cash to 60 into the mar
ket and stock up in anticipation Of
what has taken place. are more or
less protected. others are not pro-
tected at all. and are already facing
desperate situation.
In connection with the Anilines.
the wallpaper manufactures uses in
large quantities chemical called
chloride Of barium, which Is exclu-
sively produced in Germany. Three
days after the opening of hostilitiea
this material went from $40 to $3.50
supply. This condition remains un-
changed at this time. Though there
is an expectation that some means
will be devised of producing this
material here. Exactly the same
ccnditions that apply to Anilines ap-
ply to bronzes. with this qualifica-
tion. Only the crude materials for
bronze are Imported. the finishing
process is completed here. With these
goods It is simply question Of pro-
viding the machinery and equipment
with which to produce the crude
materials. This is already beine
done In the meantime manufacturers
who had the foresight and money tc
anticipate their demands are protect.
ed. and by the time their supplies
are exhausted the goods will prob
ably he cbtainable in this country
however at greatly advanced prices
Among the plain papers known a.
duplex Holzmehls. Munich Fibre'
and Meitons. it Is estimated that &C
per cent of TIE goods used in this
country is imported. It is expected
that the American producers tther'
are only two of consequence viii