December 1940 – Navigating Price Stability in Surplus Machinery Amid Defense Demands

THE present day prices on surplus and rebuilt machine tools are, as always, governed by the ancient law of supply and demand. Dealers in this class of equipment are faced with the problem of trying to maintain some stability, but the situation is hard to control. The recent nationwide publicity about the machine tool market has stimulated an inflationary condition which will continue as long as plants having surplus tools on hand continue to hold out for higher prices. No one blames them for taking advantage of an opportunity, but danger lies in the effect it will have on the defense program. 

No one citizen is expected to take the “rap” any more than the other fellow, and it is mighty hard to draw the line. However, every single individual should assume a personal responsibility which, win or lose, will further our democratic form of government, not only for this generation, but for generations to come. 

Defense priorities are in order today, and the governmental agencies are trying to handle them without too much disturbance of the general economic situation. Unselfish cooperation on the part of everyone buying or selling machine tools is the only thing which will prevent an acute situation. 

The machine tool builders are exerting every effort to supply the demand. The dealers in the Surplus Machinery Industry, too, are not leaving a stone unturned. 

Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon this most important situation.