Evening star., 1922-10-10
AND FURNISHINGS
SHOW EXPANSION OF BUSINESS
Survey Indicates Stronger Demand Than
at Any Time in Years-New
Homes Factor.
BY j. e. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star G

NEW YORK. October 10-All lines
OF furniture are subject to a stronger
demand than at any time in recent
years. Manufacturers and jobbers
scattered throughout the country re-
port that their operations showed an
. increase of fully 60 per cent over
'hose of year ago. The trend in
furniture and house furnishings Is
particularly significant because these
lines show as plainly as any the in
Huence of the factors which are shap-
ing the movement in the whole busi-
ness and commercial life of the coun-
try at the present time.
One of the chief influences in these
as in other lines, is the tremendous
volume of building completed and un-
new homes and apartments have been
Enished. The majority of these are
being equipped in part at least with
new furniture and household uten-
Sis Hundreds of hotels have been
constructed, especially in the smaller
towns and this has necessitated large
outlay for furniture, rugs, carpets and
fotel equipment.
Renewal of Office Outfits.
crease of industrial production has
been reflected in the opening of new
offices and renewal of equipment IN
offices which had held expenditures to
a minimum for over two years.
Prices have been fairly steady, but
there have been moderate Increases
due to causes which have affected
practically all lines of manufacture.
These include the tariff. the increased
price Tor lumber and glass. and high
er wage scales for both skilled arti-
sans and cabinetmakers and unskill-
ed labor.
Materials entering into the manu-
facture of metal furniture also have
advanced correspondingly.
New Tariff Plant.
Manufacturers at Gand Rapids. a
big furniture center. are complaining
over the effects of the new tariff on
glass. The higher glass schedules.
they state, are interfering with the
plans for expanding medium grade
OF low prices. The industry as Il
whole is near capacity. but, like other
industries. is hampered at every turn
in making deliveries by the shortage
of furniture cars and lack of trans
portation facilities.
Hardwood lumber prices have eX-
perienced a decided boost upward
within the last week and there is in
dIcation that furniture prices will
continue to increase gradually for
some time to come. No slackening in
demand is indicated in view OF the
tremendous building programs in
preparation for 1923.
Floor Coverings Advanced.
Other household furnishings are
following similar lines. The leading
carpet and rug manufacturers of the
country have named their prices for
spring, showing increases of at least
. per cent. although carpet wools are
free of duty under the Fordney Nc
Cumber tariff law. The shortage of
woods OF these grades, however, has
been reflected in price advances
These prices are guaranteed against
any recessions until May l in most
instances. but are subject to advances.
Linoleums SO far have shown the
smallest price changes. although job
bers' discounts were reduced in some
cases.
Makers of pottery and kitchen ware
IN general are working their plants
steadily toward capacity output. The
aluminium utensil makers of Michigan
and the middle west are especially well
booked Earthenware manufacturers
still are struggling over wage adjust
mentS.
Fuel Situation Easing.
Ine winter fuel situation is easing
day by day. aided materially by the
prevailing high temperatures Ship
ments. however. are still far below mine
output. Steel output also is well in ex-
cess of shipments and further expan-
sion of this basic industry only awaits
transportation betterments. The trend
OF orders in iron and steel is indicated
by the announcement today that the
pipe line Of the Sinclair Oil Company
from the Salt Creek field of Wyoming
to Kansas will require 600 miles Of
eight-inch pipe and that this has been
ordered for early delivery
In the northwest killing frosts have
aggravated the situation caused bv
freight car shortage. Millions of bush
els of potatoes are piled on the ground
there awaiting transportation to ware
houses and markets.