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VOL. XVIII. No. 44.
published Every Saturday.
In the West
Business Retarded by the Unusual Condi-
tions which are Prevalent in Many
Sections—Capture Washington by
Ballots not by Burlesque—
Conn, of Elkart remains at
the Capitol—Trade in
Fort Wayne.
Big Stores in Indianapolis—A Glance at
Columbus—Holtzman will Manufac-
ture Piano Stools—May Music Fes-
tival in Cincinnati—A Grow-
ing riusic Trade Centre— >
Starr, of Richmond,
Shipping Pianos.
Music Industries at Harietta—Knabe—A
Dignified Institution—Fair at Philadel-
phia—Farnham back from Europe.
the past six weeks it seems to me
that I have encountered almost every-
thing in the way of floods, fires, strikes, and
occasionally detachments of Coxey's army. It
is useless to argue that these turbulent conditions
have not seriously affected business; but this
country is big enough, broad enough, and re-
sourceful enough to render only temporary, the
retarding effects of these outbreaks in the on-
ward march of the nation's progress. The other
day in Columbus, Ohio, I saw one of the most
disreputable appearing contingents of the Coxey
army that I yet had encountered. Cleveland's
policies are the parents of all the Coxey
parades that are appearing in the various parts
of the country. But behind the Coxey cake-
walks there is some of the anarchial spirit,
thinly veiled and more or less openly disclaimed,
and there lurks the bacteria and bacilli of
anarchy. Congress cannot be coerced into doing
anything. The working people must bear
patiently their share of the havoc wrought by
their votes in 1892, just as manufacturers, busi-
ness men and employers of all kind are com-
pelled to bear their burdens. Scaring Congress
and marching on Washington are dangerous
pastimes. The only thing to do is to stay at
home and march on to the ballot boxes when
the time comes ; this is the only way to capture
Washington and compel Congress to do any-
thing in this country—through the ballot boxes.
With all these unusual disturbances which ex-
tend as far West as Colorado how can we expect
business to reach anything near its normal
volume ?
* *
When I reached Elkhart, Ind., I was much
gratified to see the business activity prevalent
in the factory of C. G. Conn. While they have
not their full complement of hands, yet they are
doing a business which reaches far above the
4
'dull " mark. Mr. Conn, since his election to
*
pfeu; VorK, lupe 2, 1894.
Congress has spent most of his time in Wash-
ington, and his affairs here have been under the
efficient management of Mr. C. J. Gronert.
# *
At Fort Wayne the retail trade has been con-
siderably perturbed over the Fisher sale which
has been going on in the Arcade Building. I
wrote you last week an extended account of this
matter, and I believe now the least said about it
the better.
*^*
Trade in Indianapolis, in common with other
Western towns, has been considerably depressed.
In this city the music trade is well represented,
and nearly all the leading makes of instruments
can be purchased at the various stores. D, H.
Baldwin & Co. have a magnificently equipped
establishment at this .point, and, in fact, it
would be difficult, indeed, to locate a point
within several hundred miles of Cincinnati
where this great Western firm do not carry a
branch establishment. Smith & Nixon are also
ably represented here, and other prominent firms
here are Emil Wulschner & Son and Pearson's
Music House, of whom I shall have considerable
to say in a later issue.
; • ; ,
*
In Columbus, Ohio, about the same conditions
prevail as in Indianapolis, Ind., and the mem-
bers of the retail trade cannot be said to be in a
specially enthusiastic frame of mind over the
condition of trade. Henry Holtzman & Sons,
manufacturers of piano scarfs, moved here from
Pittsburg last year, and have since erected a
magnificent factory, thoroughly equipped with
all the modern appliances. They will add the
manufacture of piano stools to their business,
having already erected a factory for that pur-
pose. They will be ready to supply the trade
with piano stools after another month.
Cincinnati was gay with bunting when I ar-
rived there. All of the prominent music houses
had shown their patriotism by extensive decor-
ations in honor of the May Music Festival. I
regretted exceedingly that on account of limited
time I was unable to remain and accept the kind
invitations extended me to attend this Festival.
In a near issue I shall have considerable to say
about Cincinnati as a great music trade centre,
not only in retail trade, but manufacturing as
well, for it must be understood that there are
now three well-equipped piano factories in oper-
ation at this point.
*
In Richmond, Ind., I was pleased to greet my
old and esteemed friend, Ben Starr, who, by the
way, has been devoting himself unceasingly to
the Starr interests since the fire. The inter-
minable list of details which must of necessity
be attended to in the planning, erection and
completion of the new buildings has made his
duties not light, and night and day he has car-
ried the Starr business with him. so to speak.
Ben now can take much satisfaction in what he
has accomplished within the past few months.
$3 00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
It has not only been new factory building, but
new pianos, in a sense, because the Starr instru-
ments have undergone many changes. New
scales, new designs and new factory will make
them stronger factors than ever in the Western
trade.
*
Marietta, which, by the way, was the first
settlement by white people in Ohio, is budding
out as a music trade manufacturing city.
The Stevens Organ Company, who make a
specialty of piano cased organs, are doing a very
snug business at this point. Mr. Stevens was
for many years with the Estey Company, at
Brattleboro, and is thoroughly practical and
original in his ideas in organ construction, as
may be evidenced in the Stevens organ. The
Lawrence & Son Piano Company have a large
and well equipped plant here, which is under
the superintendence of my old friend, Arthur
Lawrence. It may be said that the Lawrence
piano is fast becoming a favorite in Southern
Ohio.
* *
One cannot fail to be impressed with the
dignity and good taste which pervades the
establishment of Wm. Knabe & Co. at Balti-
more. The same element is noticeable in all of
their branch establishments. In fact it has been
on this principlebf a strict adherence to dignified
methods of conducting business which has made
the Knabe firm a distinguished one in musico-
industrial affairs. The younger element of this
firm have entered into active business participa-
tion in the conduct of the firm's affairs, and as
they have been carefully trained in a practical
and commercial atmosphere there can be no
doubt but that a greater luatre will be added to
the Knabe name in the future records of the
house.
••
' . '
*
In Philadelphia business had been quite brisk
during the week previous to my visit. Colonel
Gray of the Schomacker Piano Company said
that his retail sales had been eminently satis-
factory during the month. George R. Fleming
has removed all traces of the recent explosion
which demolished a portion of his warerooms.
N. Stetson & Co., it is needless to. say, are still
adding to the list of Steinway admirers. Harry
G. Farnham, the hustling advertising manager
of Blasius & Sons, had just returned from
Europe on the steamer City of Paris. Mr.
Farnham showed evidences of good care on his
trip and was brimming over with good spirits
and reminiscences of his European sojourn.
He was somewhat reticent as to imparting any
information as to just what he had accomplished
while on the other side. Rest assured, however,
that Harry Farnham will have a trade-surprise
in the near future. Francis J. Bird is continu-
ing to do yoeruan service for the Hardman piano
in the Quaker city. C. J. Heppe & Son are
doing efficient work in bringing the
properly before the elite of Philadelphia.