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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
MgvOMESTIC and foreign trade with H. Lehr
G«k£ & Co., Eastern, Pa., is up to the average.
Their magnificent "seven octave organs " re-
tain a distinct pre-eminence both in construction,
finish and tone, and the numerous improve-
ments incorporated in these instruments entitle
them to a special consideration at the hands of
buyers.
The popularity of the Lehr in this country is
fully equaled abroad. E. Hirsch & Co., of Lon-
don, have assumed the agency for Great Brit-
ain, and already large orders for the leading
styles to be in stock when they assume active
charge, January i, 1894, have been received.
With a progressive home house, and the Lon-
don agency in the hands of such a celebrated
firm as Hirsch & Co., the Lehr organ is destined
to achieve still further triumphs in popularity.
GENTLEMAN writing us says: " I t is
not difficult to determine which side of
the fence you are on, politically." No, my dear
sir, if there is any uncertainty existing in the
minds of our readers, we propose to immedi-
ately remove it. We are, most emphatically,
on the side of protection, and are not ashamed
to acknowledge our colors. Furthermore, we
propose to give an open advocacy of our opin-
ions regarding the political questions of .the
day. The time has gone by when trade papers
should remain silent upon matters which effect
the trade in which they are directly interested.
If they have any influence whatever, they can
assist or injure either side, politically. We
make no concealment of our deep interest in
this matter ; we are out for protection, and pro-
pose to fight under that banner. This is the
American business man's paper, and we pro-
pose to fight for the American business man's
interest.
CONN ON THE TARIFF.
f
ONGRESSMAN C. G. CONN, the well-
known manufacturer of band instruments,
Elkhart, Ind., recently expressed his views that
the great Republican sweep means popular dis-
approval of radical tariff legislation. Mr. Conn
has always been an ardent Democrat. He
says : " If an election had been held in Indiana
last Tuesday the State would have gone Repub-
lican by at least 25,000 plurality. Indiana is a
manufacturing State, and an analysis of the
vote Tuesday will show that Republicans made
their gains in manufacturing districts.
•' I think that the immense Democratic
majority given at the last Presidential election
frightened business men, and caused them to
suspend operations temporarily and see what
the result would be upon the industrial policy
of the country. They felt that this large
majority might be an encouragement to radical
tariff reformers to carry things with a high hand
and bring the country practically to free trade.
'' I don't believe that there is going to be
much of a change in the tariff on manufactured
articles."
COPYRIGHT.
?S we anticipated, a very lively interest has
been aroused by the article, " Copyright
is no Protection," which appeared in our last
issue. We called attention, in this article, to a
radical defect in the copyright laws which was
hitherto overlooked by music publishers, where-
by the copyrighting of the name of a song was
virtually no protection whatever to the music
publisher, unless he trade-marked the same.
In an interesting communication elsewhere,
Mr. John C. Haynes, president of the Oliver
Ditson Co., Boston, takes the popular view of
the matter and supports it by the opinion of
Alex. P. Browne, a recognized authority on
copyrights, while Mr. Molineux makes out a
practical case which supports our views. Al-
though our idea of this matter, up to a recent
date, coincided with Mr. Haynes, yet the facts
which we made the basis of the article on the
copyright laws are supported by a celebrated
lawyer in this city, who is an eminent authority
on this question, and a large number of pub-
lishers. Hence we think it the duty of a paper,
devoted to the interests of the trade, to give this
live question all the prominence it deserves.
There must be a difference of opinion on all
subjects, and it is by getting the views of such
men as Mr. Haynes and others that we can get
an intelligent comprehension of this matter,
which is of vital interest to all parties con-
cerned. If copyright is a protection to com-
posers and publishers, as Mr. Haynes assumes,
it should protect; and if it is not, as Mr.
Molineux illustrates, a definite policy should be
formulated to remedy a decided injustice.
THE CONOYER PIANO.
Conover piano has achieved a new and
far reaching popularity in the hands of
that progressive Western house, the Chicago
Cottage Organ Company. Their unequaled facil-
ities for handling, extensive business connec-
tions, Western "push," and plenty of capital
have enabled them to place the popular " Cono-
ver '' where it belongs—in the front rank of our
great art industry.
For the thirteen years that the " Conover '' has
been before the public it has fairly and honestly
built an enviable reputation as an instrument
possessing all the qualities which go to make a
first-class piano. Mr. Frank Conover, the prac-
tical genius of this branch of the business, is
one of the ablest scale drawers and innovators
in the piano industry to-day, and his many con-
tributions to the development of the piano is
evident in the radical improvements embodied
in the Conover piano—improvements which
have given it a prestige and recognition among
musicians.
The many points of excellence in the '' Con-
over '' furnish the dealer with selling arguments
that cannot fail to make it extremely popular
with the trade. This is evident to-day by the
growing demand throughout the country, and
the increased out-put of the factory.
The Chicago Cottage Organ Company are to
be congratulated for their enterprise and discern-
ment in running such a splendid instrument as
the " Conover " hand in hand with their world
famous organs. The two form an unusually
strong combination that is destined to grow in
popularity.
I- I. COLE & SON.
HERE is a constantly growing tendency
among piano manufacturers to substitute
fancy woods and veneers for the doleful looking
black or ebonized piano cases which have so
long offended popular and artistic tastes. This
is something to be thankful for. All who visited
Section I at the World's Fair could not help
observing the magnificent display of pianos
with veneered and fancy wood cases on exhibi-
tion. They formed a delightful contrast to the
old order of cases.
Up to the present time veneers and fancy
woods have been confined altogether to high-
priced instruments, but modern appliances and
improved machinery have reduced productive
cost to a minimum, and it is now possible for
makers of a medium grade piano to use a fancy
case that will enhance the value of their ware
and have a satisfying effect on buyers.
One of the largest and best established houses
in this line is the firm of I. Cole & Son, of 425
and 427 East 8th street, New York. They keep
a most complete stock of fancy woods—mahog-
any, rosewood, walnut, birch, oak, satinwood,
Brazilian woods, etc., besides innumerable rare
and valuable woods which command high prices.
Cole & Son have won a decidedly high place
among piano manufacturers for their veneers.
Their perfect system of curing and handling
insures that perfection which is essential to a
handsome and well finished case.
They cover a wide field outside of the piano
industry, and seem never effected by trade or
monetary depression. Business with Cole &
Son is always brisk.
f
WEST PULLMAN, I I I . , whose history dates
back only 18 months, has 1,500 inhabitants,
and the Pullman Piano Manufacturing Co. ex-
pect to have their buildings completed in a few
weeks, when they will commence the manufact-
ure of their summer supply of musical instru-
ments.
FRANK GAY, of Columbus Junction, la., will
add a complete stock of musical instruments to
his business in the near future.
THE trial of Arthur Lewis, piano salesman, of
Los Angeles, Cal., who was charged with ob-
taining money under false pretenses by Luke D.
Bechtel, on August 24th, came to an abrupt
conclusion the other day, Judge Smith holding
that defendant should have been charged with
embezzlement, and discharged Lewis. Immed-
iately afterwards District Attorney filed a com-
plaint in Township Court charging him with
embezzlement, and he was arrested and is in
county jail in default of $500 bail.
WILLIAM KEVELOH, superintendent of the
Brambach piano factory, left this village Satur-
day for New Rochelle, N. Y., his home, to
seach for his daughter, Minnie, who is missing
from home. Mr. Keveloh notified the police,
but they have not been able to find any trace ot
his daughter.—Dolgeville Herald.