Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1886 Vol. 9 N. 20

Page 3 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Music Trade Review.
The Only Music Trade Paper in America, and the Organ of the Music Trade of this Country.
Cr-a_l^r,
X 8 T 9.
NEW YORK, MAY 20 TO JUNE 5, 1886.
VOL. IX. No. 20.
PUBLISHED * TWICE * EACH * MONTH.
W E L L E S & BILL,
have no trouble with our men, and do not anticipate
any.
The day is not long enough to suit them, instead
of too long.
Yours truly,
EDITORS AND PROPBIETOHS.
WHITNEY OBGAN CO.
WILL. G. CARR,
ASSOCIATE EDITOR.
FBOM THE A. B. CHASE COMPANY.
22 EAST 17th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCBIPTION (including postage) United States and Canada,
13.00 p#r year, in advance; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per incb, single column, per insertion;
unless inserted upon rates made by special contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
WORKINGMEN PLEASE READ.
W
E published in our last issue the views of
some of the leading piano and organ manu-
facturers on the eight-hour movement. Al-
though the question has been amicably adjusted, so
far as the piano makers are concerned, the following
letters will doubtless be interesting, and we trust
may show the workmen where they are doing them-
selves an injury by their request for shorter hours.
FROM AN EMPLOYEE.
CHICAGO, May 7, 1886.
THE MUSIC TBADE REVIEW:
You ask for our position, " regarding the eight-
hour movement of the piano workmen, also I he effect
it will have upon the trade at large."
Admitting that lumber and other materials remain
as at present, a rise of 25 per cent, in wages means a
15 per cent rise in the cost of an organ. We do not
believe that 15 per cent, profit has been realized by
the trade during the past years, therefore the selling
price must advance. Several years ago, when prices
of musical instruments declined till only a fair
legitimate profit remained, the sales multiplied, and
the business of manufacturing grew into vast pro-
portions. The conclusion is irresistible, that when
an unwarrantable advance is made the trade will be
correspondingly depressed. This will make it neces-
sary to reduce the working force and add to the mul-
titude of idle men. The only point unsettled is,
what is an unwarrantable advance ? When facilities
for production have largely increased, and stocks
have accumulated largely, and sales negotiated with
such feverish anxiety that six to eighteen months'
time is granted on doubtful paper, any rise, based
solely on a man's desire for more wages or profit, is
unwarrantable.
If a day's work could be defined, and its duration
established in every workshop in the country on a
given signal, much of the difficulty of dealing with
the labor movement would be avoided. Employers
n one section could not coin money on the misfor-
tunes of those in another.
Your question, if in our opinion "this demand of the
workingmen for eight hours is the first step towards
another demand for increase of wages," has been
fully answered by the men themselves, who make
both demands at the same time !
EMPLOYEE.
WHITNEY OBGAN CO.
May 4, 1886.
J E F F . DAVIS BILL :
DEAB SIB : In reply to your letter, would' ;( &ty",' ^V
NOBWALK, 0., May 4, 1886.
EDITOBS MUSIC TBADE EEVIEW :
GENTLEMEN : We have been so busy that we have
hardly had time to think about the eight hour move-
ment. Ours have been ten to fifteen hour move-
ments for the last thirty days. If a man is not able
to work over eight hours, he ought not to be com-
pelled to do so. If he gets his work done in eight
hours, he should be allowed to rest from his labors
the balance of the day. That is about the way we
feel about it now.
In our State we have an eight hour law, which
went into effect the first of this month. We held a
consultation with our workmen at the factory on the
matter, and the result was as we had anticipated.
They all, without an exception, said they considered
ten hours an honest day's work, and preferred to
work ten hours a day rather than less. We have a
very intelligent set of workmen, who realize that
whatever is for our interest is for their interest.
They take an honest pride in the success of our
factory. We pay them every week well for the work
they do, according to the quantity and quality of
the same. We furnish every convenience and com-
fort in our power, to enable them to do this work
easily, expeditiously, and perfectly. They appreci-
ate it, and are satisfied. We do not anticipate any
trouble. Many of our workmen belong to the
Knights of Labor, but would leave the organiza-
tion rather than see it interfere with the operation
of our factory.
This labor question is too big a thing to discuss in
a short letter to your paper. I can see no benefit to
arise to the laborer out of these strikes or the eight-
hour system, and none to the manufacturer; only
a loss of time, of confidence, and in too many cases
of valuable property and business.
So long as we manufacture more goods than we
consume in our own country, we must seek a market
abroad for the surplus; we then come in direct com-
petition with foreign labor at a low price. This is
the case with our organ and piano business to-day.
Should the cost of manufacture materially increase,
exports must cease and imports of foreign instru-
ments increase, and goods of our own manufacture
to that extent will be crowded out of our home
market, thus throwing out of employment many
men who are now living comfortably.
If prices of labor and material can remain as they
are to-day, a fair export trade may be carried on,
and a growing business be built up, which will give
employment to thousands of skilled mechanics.
Could this fact be clearly shown to the workmen in
our factories, it would go far toward checking the
feeling of discontent so violently manifest in many
sections of our country. Labor organizations will be
a good thing if they teach the principles of political
economy, and the true relations of labor to capital,
and of the people to our government. If they are
used simply as instruments of'power and coercion,
they will work! Tttih to 1 every 1 el"ettteh«&f civilization,
Y.n«-nu*...
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*3.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 16 CENTS.
CHASE BBOS. TIANO CO.
GBAND RABIDS, MICH., May 7, 1886.
J E F F . DAVIS BILL :
DEAB SIB : Replying to your favor, would say that
we are working ten hours, and with one or two ex-
ceptions our men wish to do so. They need the pay
for ten hours, and are willing to work for it. Our
rent and general expenses would be the same for
eight as for ten hours' work, and the production
twenty per cent, less, which we could not stand with
the close margins at which pianos are sold now. We
expect to continue at ten hours.
Very respectfully,
CHASE BEOS. PIANO CO.
MALCOLM LOVE & CO.
WATEBLOO, N. Y., May 4, 1886.
J. D. B I L L :
DEAB SIB : Replying to yours of the 30th ult., we
would say that here the eight hour question does not
affect us at all. Our workmen are all perfectly wil-
ling to work ten hours a day. We have never had
any labor trouble in our shop, and do not apprehend
any. Our manufactory is considered one of the most
desirable ones to work in in this vicinity, from the
fact that we run steady all the year, never shutting
down in the winter time, as many other shops do.
We believe, however, that the present labor agita-
tion has greatly injured business, and will continue
to do so as long as it continues. Our sales for April
show an increase of twenty-five per cent over last
year, where we had looked for an increase of fifty
per cent. We hope that your office boy will not
strike at this critical time, and prevent the issue of
your paper.
Very truly yours,
MALCOLM LOVE.
OPPOSED TO "MR. HUSTED'S HALF HOLIDAY
BILL.
HE Clearing House Committee have sent the
following letter to Speaker Husted of the As-
sembly :
"The Clearing House Association of this city have
had under consideration the bill introduced by you
providing for a half holiday on Saturday. The re-
sult of their deliberations is that they are opposed
to the bill as impracticable and calculated to introduce
great confusion, and cause serious loss and injury to
the banks in this city in their transactions, as well
as to the commercial interests of the City and State
of New York. The association, therefore, earnestly
protest against the bill, and respectfully request that
it be referred back to the Judiciary Committee of the
Assembly, so that they may have the privilege of
appearing there, and stating fully why the bill should
not be passed. This letter is addressed to you in
pursuance of the unanimous action of the Clearing
House Association, at a meeting thereof called for
the purpose. We are, dear sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servants,
J. D. VERMILYE, President Merchant's National
Bank.
E. H. PEBKINS, Jr., President Importers' and
Traders' National Bank.
F. D. TAPPAN, President Gallatin National Bank.
ED. D. RANDOLPH, Presidental Continental Na-
tional Bank.
WILLIAM A. NASH, Corn Exchange Bank,
Committee,
T

Page 4 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org,
-- digitized with support from namm.org
THE arcade-museum.com
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
T
HE labor troubles in Chicago and Milwaukee
have culminated as we anticipated, in riot
and bloodshed, the details of which are familiar to
our readers. .
The cause which led up to this c'ash of arms
between the authorities and the rioters, is not so
much due to the inordinate demands of the working-
men as it is to the willingness of the workingman to
heed the ill-advice and counsel of such murderous
and incendious scoundrels as Spies, Schwab, and
others who eke out their existence by these agita-
tions.
We do not think we err in saying that the rela-
tions of the employer and the honest employee
has, in the main, been amicable, if not always
harmonious, until these Knights of the Red Flag
came among us to sow the seed of discontent and
disorder.
We do not claim infallibility for the employer.
He is at times unjust and immoderate in his
demands ami requirements, but the employee always
has his prerogative—he can quit work, and if the
condition of trade be favorable to him, he can force
• his employer to accede to his demands, or obtain
equal remuneration from his competitor. And we do
not blamo the workingman for this. It is natural
and right that every man should seek to better his
condition and that of his family, but when he resorts
to riot and incendiarism to carry his point, he brings
upon himself that which he merits—public condem-
nation-arid no man or body of men can hope to
succeed with the public mind embittered against
them.
The working man has in this land the same rights
as any other citizen, and no more; and the efforts of
the demagogues, by their street harangues and other
devices to incite the workingman to riot, should
receive the stamp of disapproval of every honest
law-respecting workingman.
THE manufacturer and the piano workmen are to
be congratulated upon the collapse of the eight hour
movement. Had the manufacturer yielded to the
demands of the men, we fear the result would have
been disasterous to the piano manufacturing in this
country; for it would have increased the cost of
production largely, and the dealer will not at this
time submit to any inflation of prices, and conse-
quently the manufacturers margin would be nearly
if not quite wiped out. It is a matter of serious con-
sideration that there is a growing belief among the
large dealers, that some excellent pianos are manu-
factured in Europe, and the idea that these foreign
instruments would not stand our American climate
is becoming less prevelant among certain dealers.
Every week, quotations are received by some of our
large dealers from Germany and France, sent by
piano manufacturers soliciting sample orders, and
the prices are seductive while the quality is known to
be good.
Let our American manufacturers be obliged to ad-
vance the cost of their productions to any appreciable
amount, and the importation of foreign pianos will
inevetably increase to extensive proportions, and
when fairly inaugurated will continue to increase
each year.
The result to our home manufacture cannot but be
injurious, and the piano makers should be made to
understand this feature of the case that they may
exercise common sense in the protection of their
own interests.
THE report circulated to the effect that the Ster-
ling Organ Co. had given up their branch house in
Chicago, is not true. Mr. R. H. Rodda, who has
been the manager since the branch was established,
has resigned, and Mr. John R. Mason, formerly
with the John Church Company, has been engaged
to take his place.
IT'S A FALSEHOOD.
NEW YOKK, May 18, 1886.
To THE EDITOR OK MUSIC TRADE REVIEW :
SIR : We have been told by one of our representa-
tives, that Mr. W. H. Duncan, of Christie & Co., in-
formed him, that he, Mr. Duncan, controls the trade
papers of this city, and that we can receive no
courtesies, notices, or attention, whatever, without
you first consult him and receive his consent to do
so. If there is an ounce of truth to this statement,
kindly withdraw our advertisement from your paper
and send us a bill in full to date, and we will prompt-
ly remit amount at once.
Yours respectfully,
PEEK & SON.
[In regard to the above letter, we will say that
the Music TRADE REVIEW is controlled by no one in-
dividual or firm in the music trade. Mr. Duncan is
connected with an old and honorable house of piano
manufacturers, and one which we hold in the highest
esteem, therefore we wish to deal with Mr. Duncan
alone. If what Messrs. Peek & Son's representa-
tive says is true, then we must brand Mr. Duncan as
a liar. We have always striven to publish a paper
devoted to the interests of the entire legitimate
music trade, favoring no one firm above another,
and there can be no cause whatever for any such
statement as is claimed that Mr. Duncan has made.
Our columns are open for Mr. Duncan to vindicate
himself and we sincerely trust he can do so.]
THE NEW ENGLAND ORGAN CO-
THE COMPANY AND WORKMEN IN PERFECT HARMONY.
BOUT two weeks ago the employees of the New
England Organ Co. presented to the pro-
prietor, Mr. George T. McLaughlin a list of
their grievances. Mr. McLaughlin is a fair minded
gentlemen, ready to meet his workmen on even
terms, and if after a fair discussion from both sides
it is proved that the men have just grievances, then
he is ready and anxious to remedy the fault s=o far as
is in his power. Accordingly as soon as he received
the request from tho workmen, he at once arranged
a meeting with a committee from the factory.
Then occurred an exchange of views, both open and
frank, which lasted for four days. Each party
presented their claims, backed up with excellent
arguments, and the result obtained proved the
wisdom of arbitration. When the conference ended
it was found that both parties had made concessions,
the company granting most of the requests of the
workmen, besides, in addition, adding a half holiday
on Saturday, with a full day's pay. The men on the
other hand acknowledged the fairness of their em-
ployer by making overtures, which will in a time,
when extra exertions are needed, prove very beneficial
to all concerned.
The committee of six representing the 200 work-
men, in company with Mr. McLaughlin visited the
factory, and the chairman of the committee, after
speaking in the most complimentary terms of their
employer, announced the result of the conference.
As soon as the announcement was made three lusty
cheers were given by the men for Mr. McLaughlin
and the fair and honest treatment received at his
hands. The settlement of the differences, as agreed
upon between Mr. McLaughlin and the committee,
was then put to vote and unanimously adopted. It
has thus been proved that it is always advisable for
the manufacturer and workmen to have a perfect
understanding, which will generally lead to an ami-
cable settlement of differences. There^will now be
perfect harmony through the factory of the New
England Organ Co., and the men knowing the in-
terest their employer takes in their welfare, will
naturally put greater energy into their work, and in
©very way further the interests of the company.
A
A CARD FROM ALBERT WEBER.
NEW YORK, May 8, 1886.
DEAR SIR : We are pleased to notify you that all
thoughts of a strike at the Weber factory are at an
end, a vote having been taken yesterday showing a
result of over four-fifths, and nearly nine-tenths of
our men being in favor of our present system of ten
hours to constitute a day's work. This vote was
taken with the knowledge and acquiescence of the
Executive Committee of the Piano-forte Union, they
agreeing to abide by the result, as far as the Weber
factory is concerned. As both myself and the Weber
workmen have been misquoted in the daily press,
you will oblige me by stating that from the very first
I took an absolute stand for ten hours' work, having
the interest of my men thoroughly at heart, and
being assured by a majority of them, at the beginning
of the eight hour agitation, that they were not only
willing but anxious that the ten hours should con-
stitute a day's work in the Weber factory. It has
been represented that should my competitor give in
to the eight hour demand my men and myself would
be willing to introduce it in the Weber factory. This
is absolutely false, as I felt my position, backed by a
majority of my men, was strong enough to fight the
eight hour system alone. The demands made by the
Weber workmen were never presented in writing, but
by a committee of the Weber workmen who were sent
to me to talk the matter over. These consultations
resulted in our determination to make a stand for
ten hour system, which has been successful. The
relations between my men and myself have always
been such that I am kept fully advisod of their de-
sires, and try to meet them as nearly as possible.
The Weber men are now all at work on the ten
hour system.
Yours truly,
ALBERT WEBER,
Manager.
HEAYX TAX ON COMMERCIAL TRAVEL-
LERS-
PANAMA, April 21.—The number of commercial
travellers has increased to a very considerable ex-
tent in Uruguay, and the Government has in conse-
quence decided to impose a tax on each traveller not
residing permanently in the country, and not con-
nected with or representing any established house
there, of $2,500 in gold, in the shape of a license,
which will be good for a year.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
EXPORTS.
WEEK ENDINO MAY 11, 1886.
Gottenburg,
Hamburg,
"
London,
"
Organ Mat'l,
Music Boxes,
Piano Mat'l,
Organs,
Organ Mafl,
Organ,
Glasgow,
Br.poss. Africa,
Br. Australia,
Cuba,
Japan,
Organs,
Organs,
Musical Inst's,
Piano Mat'],
Organs,
6 cases, $318
1 "
100
4 "
180
20 "
1,697
8 •'
496
1 "
75
17 "
1,275
2 "
228
8 "
402
1 "
25
2 "
80
1 "
40
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING, MAY 7, 1886.
151 packages,
.
.
.
.
$15,354
EXPORTS.
WEEK ENDING APRIL 27,
Hamburg,
Hull,
Gibraltar,
Piano Materials,
Musical Instrum'ts,
Organs,
"
Banjos,
London,
Organs,
Br. W. Indies, Pianos,
Leghorn,
Pianos,
Barcelona,
Pianos,
Geneva,
Pianos,
1886.
3 cases,
5 "
2 "
1 "
1 '•
1 "
1 '•
1 "
1 "
$570
44
81
75
775
350
500
350
500
IMPORTS.
WEEK ENDING APRIL 20,
178 cases,
1886.
$16,708

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