New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-03
Cancelled Orders
Slow'Up Business
AHOver Country
Lumber, Machinery, Furni-
Numerous Other Com
modities Show Falling-Of
in Demand

From The Trtounes Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON. Sept. Almost
every phase of business Of the nation
has been affected by contract cancella-
ton, according to a comprehensive
analysis just completed by the Chamber
OF Commerce of the United States.
The lumber industry seems to have
been hit the hardest, the chambers in
vestigation showed. In one division of
this industry alone cancellations have
amounted to 100000 feet since jan
uary, or more than $500 cars. The
survey reveals that these cancellations
were largely by buyers.
In summarizing the cancellations in
various industries the chambers re-
port said:
"PAPER-There has been tendency
to pyramid orders redicated on low
production. these orders later being
ancelled after deliveries began to i'm
prove. Again, there has been consid-
cradle cancelling where prices decline,
working considerable injury to the
MANUFACTURER, who has been reluctant
to stand on his legal rights. There is
disposition in this industry to create
a bureau to curb this evil in some
equitable way.
Machinery Work Protected
MACHINERY PARTS Most of the
work is done on special order under an
agreement which protects the con-
tractor from loss in case Of cancella-
ton.
BUILDING LINES - Cancellations
20 E
cial or similar reasons the project is
abandoned.
"CORSETS-Cancellations due to the
restricting Of credits and in part to
overstock.
BABY CARRIAGES llations
due in part to difficult housing cond-
tlons, shortage of domestic help and to
the decline in several states of the birth
rate.
CHAIRs-No unusual number of
citations, but many requests for
extension of shipping dates.
CLOTHING - Many cancellations
based on fear that the public will not
buy, induced by the general publicity
attacking present prices.
WOMENS WEAR-Only moderate
number of cancellations and an effort
is being made to educate the trade
against reputation of orders
MACHINE TOOLS = Cancellations
due largely to inability of manufacture
crs to produce in time to meet re-
quirements.
PRESSED METAL TRADES Can
cellations largely on account Of manu-
facturers using these products revis-
ing their manufacturing schedules,
particularly the automobile makers
Most contracts are 80 drawn that the
h,,,yo Il
cancellations, owing to the fact that
most Of their product is made to spc-
cial patterns or designs.
Furniture Business Hard Hit
Notwithstanding the period CT
low production the demand increased
rapidly, leading to overbuying and later,
due to restrictions on building and
housing conditions, there came a reac-
ton in demand and consequent can
ceiling of orders, particularly from
those who had overbought. The in
dustry contemplates taking steps, either
through placing certain restrictions in
orders and contracts or by an educa-
tional process, to obtain more equitable
treatment for the manufacturer who at
present carries the burden.
SILKS--An unusual number of can
cellations are reported, due to condi-
tions in this line that have been given
consde rable publicity. The represent
tativc organizations Of the silk people
have a bureau which adjudicates ali
claims for cancellation, with due re-
gard to both parties to the contract.
HOSIERY AND UNDERWEAR The
cancellations in this line have been
considerable, the buyers apparently
taking advantage Of the manner in
which orders arc given and accepted.
Steps will be taken to make these or
ders in future definite contracts, so
that they will be more seriously con-
sidared