Music Trade Review

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HE 9RGAN QF\
o
VOL. X I X . No. ti.
published Every Saturday.
Down East.
Improved Trade Conditions—The Tide has
Turned—The Right Kind of S m o k e -
Glances a t the Trade in Boston—A
Promising Outlook—How the
Cyclone Struck Vose—Sev-
enty-five for Miller.
Mason & Hamlin in their New Building—
A New •« Piano Row "—" Busy " is
the Cry a t the Emerson's—Dyer
& Hughes Are in to Stay—
Brand's Success—The New
England's P a l a c e -
Optimistic Kimball—Merrill is Happy—
Busy Briggs—C. C. Williams—Sohtner
—Dealers in Town.
(I* INCE last February, by almost continuous
^
travel, I have been afforded opportunities
to study trade conditions in widely separated
portions of our country. During the early Spring
months and in fact all Summer, business de-
pression and stagnancy was plainly ev denced
in every section. There was no line or r.o trade
exempt. The wheels seemed blocked, and when
they would revolve again was the question which
was uppermost in the minds of the members of
every trade. The long, dull Summer dragged
into Fall and still uncertainty prevailed.
Then Congress adjourned after months of
wrangling.
From the very day the important measure—
the tariff—was settled, temporary business at
least began to revive—pick up. It was of
necessity slow. When the trade life had been
pumped from the innumerable arteries of our
great industrial system, pumped dry almost, it
could hardly be expected or hoped that the first
injection of live trade blood would distend those
shrunken veins. Even the most sanguine could
not look forward to an immediate expansion.
The building up process has begun and although
it may be some time before all the trade arteries
are performing their normal functions yet the
current will revive us gradually, and ere long the
dull and lifeless members will be pulsing with
new and quickened life.
The restless energy of seventy millions of
people is something marvelous, particularly so
when they are Americans.
The great trouble with this country at present
is, we have too much politics—for business.
I have noted on my journey through New
England many pleasant indications of returning
business prosperity.
Smoke.
Smoke of the right kind.
And coming from the right direction.
From factory chimneys.
Something cheering about that kind of smoke !
Particularly after a prolonged, exaggerated
*
ffeuj Yoi% October 6, 1894.
and almost indefinitely extended period of de-
pression.
On every side are seen evidences of the dawn
of business prosperity.
It will require a little time before we repro-
duce the halcyon days of '91-2.
We can hardly expect to spring back into
place like a compressed rubber ball the moment
the pressure is withdrawn. It is enough for the
present to know that the pressure is withdrawn.
We will gradually unfold.
The current is in the right direction.
* *
The music trade is already feeling the bene-
ficial effects of the favorable current. • I see
proof of this in both the manufacturing and
retail trade. '
Last week when I called at Ivoryton, Conn.,
I noted there the increased activity which pre-
vailed in the big factories of Comstock, Cheney
& Co. over my former visit. They are now
operating their entire plant six days in the week
and with a large force of men. Business is good
with this firm, and the popularity of their wares
goes steadily on.
* * *
At Deep River, Conn., Pratt, Read & Co. are
favored with a like condition of affairs. I had
the pleasure of making a tour of their factories,
and everywhere was evidence that the tide was
setting strongly in their direction. This firm
may proudly claim the distinction of being the
oldest established musico-industrial institution
on this continent. It was founded in the tender
years of the century—1808.
* *
No one can pass even a few hours in Boston
without becoming impressed with the fact that
dull times are now ancient history in "The
Hub."
Everyone seems to have discarded the
old garment and are hustling on the new. At
the different factories they all tell the story,
"We are constantly augmenting our working
force." It means that before a long period shall
have elapsed the army of unemployed will have
rapidly diminished. The same applies to other
trades, and thus the purchasing power of the
people grows.
*
I was in the new warerooms of Vose & Sons
last Wednesday. It was shortly after lunch.
Two customers entered. Mr. Gull ford took
them in charge. Shortly after a trio came in and
stopped to admire themselves a moment at the
handsome mirrors which girdle the rooms. Mr.
Burbank took care of them and gracefully dis-
closed to their admiring eyes the beauties of
" the Vose." The door opened. More came in.
It fell to the lot of the founder of the house to
attend to their wants which he did with dignity
and effected a sale. " That cyclone has struck,
hasn't it? " said Willard Vose as he entered
and surveyed the scene. In another minute he
£00 had doffed his hat and coat and was busy
$3 00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
with another customer. I thought it looked
like a field day for the Vose concern.
Just an incident which shows which way the
trade wind is blowing.
V
Here's another breeze—favorable, too. Henry
F. Miller and I were sitting in the front part of
the Miller warerooms. We were looking over
the firm's order book. Mr. Miller was speaking.
He said : '' There, as you can see, are orders for
sixty-five pianos. Now we have to-day yet to
complete the week." Just then the postman
entered and handed some letters to Mr. Miller.
One letter contained an order for nine pianos,
another for one. A total of seventy-five pianos
for one week is calculated to make many a piano
maker's eye grow bright. I would not care
to say that Mr. Miller's eyes did not brighten.
I thought they twinkled a little behind his
glasses.
Evidently the Henry F. Miller pianos are not
losing in popularity. The new warerooms of
this firm, at 88 Boylston street, will be ready for
occupancy in about two months.
*
A trip through the Chickering factory, accom-
panied by Mr. Foster, formed no unimportant
part of my week's tarry in Boston. To enter
here into a descriptive eulogy of the Chickering
piano is unnecessary, as it would be superfluous.
As a superb specimen of musical architecture
the Chickering of to-day is unsurpassed by any
of the previous efforts of the firm. The Chicker-
ing piano of 1894 need not rest upon the tradi-
tions of the house for place in the art industry.
# *
*
The Mason & Hamlin building Is rapidly
assuming a completed appearance as far as in-
terior arrangements go. Externally it is archi-
tecturally perfect, and a few more touches here
and there and the interior will correspond.
There is more of a business air prevalent than
seemed to exist in their old quarters. It may
be that this idea was accentuated by the presence
of my old friend McKee, who was seated at his
desk with all his old time Chicago vim stamped
upon his features, looking as if he was seeking
new worlds to conquer. This I cannot tell.
One thing is certain, the Mason & Hamlin
goods will be pushed with more than usual force,
not only in the city of their manufacture, but at
all other points as well.
# *
By the way, "Piano Row," in Boston, will
have to change from Tremont street to Boylston
street if the present exodus continues. The
Emersons were the first to take the initiative,
then C. C. Harvey, Chandler Smith, Mason &
Hamlin and Henry F. Miller. Who will be the
next ? I wrote you last week that another firm
was considering the idea of leasing the building
adjoining the Harvey warerooms. The deal is
not " pff," It is still pending.
[Continued en page §,)