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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
fortunate if the strike at Pullman should dis-
courage large employers of labor in plans for
the betterment of the sanitary and social condi-
tions of their employees, whether in the work-
shop or in the home. When one pauses to re-
flect upon it, he discovers that some part of the
tendency to mass all sorts of industries and pur-
suits in the very heart of the great cities is due
rather to the habit of the day than to any actual
necessity or advantage.''
SURVEY of the course of the foreign
commerce of the United States for the
fiscal year is given by Mr. Worthington C.
Ford, the Chief of the Bureau of Statistics of
the Treasury Department, in an interview made
public a few days ago. Mr. Ford takes a rather
hopeful view of the outlook from the point of
view of the United States. He says that only
relatively has the last twelve months proved
disastrous. It must be borne in mind, he says,
that the United States were the last to feel the
depression in trade, and that while throughout
Kurope the reduction in the volume in trade has
continued through three or more years, the
United States touched the highest export figures
in 1892, the highest import figures in 1893, and
in 1894, in the face of the most discouraging
conditions, a very large surplus value of ex-
ports over imports is shown. Low prices,
moreover, have encouraged foreign buyers of
our produce, and in the freest market in the
world, London, the buyer has not been so
favored in fifty years. Of course the uncertainty
as to the tariff has had a disturbing influence,
though perhaps its extent has been exaggerated
in the popular view. Mr. Ford is confident
that a turn in the tide of affairs is at hand, and
he lays stress upon the similarity between the
conditions existing in 1878 and in 1894 respect-
ively, a large excess of exports over imports
being a feature of both years.
«
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
HE most important subject affecting the
piano trade of the country is the business
outlook this fall, and it is gratifying to state
that a healthy revival is certain. This opinion
is based on recent conversations with leading
members of the trade in this city, and from let-
ters received from important trade centres. In
fact, this view of the situation is almost unani-
mous.
Finished stock was never so low in ware-
rooms, and manufacturers realize that the im-
provement in trade which they expect, and is
bound to make itself evident this fall, will com-
pel active preparations. The good old saw, '' In
times of peace prepare for war," has evidently
been adopted by the trade as their motto, and
they are determined to meet the demand which
is sure to come within a very short time.
In the different factories throughout the coun-
try there are signs of a steady and healthy in-
crease of trade—small, to be sure, but neverthe-
less it is evident, and, better than all, an opti-
mistic view of the situation seems to be uni-
versal.
There are so many keen business men engaged
in the piano trade that the hopeful view of
things which they hold will do much to stimu-
late the sluggishness which has prevailed in the
body commercial for some time past.
There can be no doubt but the certain defeat
or passage of the tariff bill within the next
week will clarify the business atmosphere and
help free the country of an uncertainty which
has well nigh ruined its best interests.
PATENTED
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PIANOFORTE.
BROTHER HARGRR, of the Musical Times,
is enjoying the "dog-days" criticising the
proof-reading of his various exchanges—but for-
getting his own.
F. G. BURTON & Co., of Richmond., Va.,
have been given the agency for the Mason &
Hamlln organs for the State of Virginia. This
house is comparatively a new one, yet a
splendid business has been built up. Mr. J. A.
Norris, general traveler for the Mason & Hamlin
Organ & Piano Company, has a very high
opinion of Mr. Burton's ability to make trade.
Hence the deal just closed.
Patent Office Reports are usually dry
reading. Nevertheless they furnish re-
markable testimony to the activity of the
American mind, and furnish the key to the
supremacy which we, as a nation, occupy in
MR. F. G. SMITH, J R . , is spending a few
weeks at Old Point Comfort.
the inventive and manufacturing world.
Concerning the inventions relating to musical
WE are sorry to learn of the death of the
instruments, which we are practically interested father of Mr. Ernest Alfieri, the clever editor of
in, one very important fact is noticeable, and our London contemporary, The Piano, Organ &
that is, mostly all modern inventions seem to Music Trades Journal. His death took place in
London some three weeks ago.
run on parallel lines. There are, for instance,
IT is said that Mr. Cornett, well known
innumerable devices for turning over the leaves
of sheet music ; so many, that inventors in this through his connection with several piano firms
special line will soon run the perpetual motion as a manufacturer of pianos, has rented a fac-
tory at Rockland Lake, N. Y., where he resides,
man a close race; and there is every reason to and will engage in the manufacture of pianos.
doubt whether there is any public demand for Mr. Angelo Cavaliero will act as superintendent.
this invention.
MR. E. N. KIMBAIX, of the Hallet & Davis
The inventions relating to transposing pianos Piano Co., Boston, is rusticating at Lake George.
take second place to the mechanical leaf turner,
MR. HENRY BEHR has gone to Europe for the
yet the bulk of them are based pretty much on
purpose of recuperating from nervous prostra-
the same old lines. The difference between the tion brought about through his arduous labors
patented suggestions—for they cannot be termed in connection with the settlement of the recent
improvements—are hardly worthy of serious financial troubles of Behr Bros. & Co. We trust
notice ; the main idea remains pretty much the he will return completely restored to health and
same to-day as it existed years ago. A marked old time vigor.
sameness exists in the many patents affecting
MR. NAHUM STETSON, of Stein way & Sons,
the piano recently recorded—in actions, string- will arrive this week from Europe. In recent
ing, sound-boards and various other things of a letters to his house he expresses himself as much
benefited by his trip.
minor or less important character.
A perusal of these facts would incline the
THE annual reunion of the employees of Wm.
reader to the conclusion that no improvement of Knabe & Co. was held at Eastern Schuetzen
real value has recently made its appearance Park Monday last, and was largely attended.
The utmost goodwill and merriment prevailed.
that will materially affect the mechanism of the
Mr. Fred. Schieier, president of the picnic com-
pianoforte. In fact, the modern piano has at- mittee, made a short address, referring to the
tained a perfection which, so long as the present deep regard which the men held for the firm,
systems prevail, is not likely to be surpassed. and the loss sustained through the death of the
Yet in this age of improvements it is absurd to late Mr. Ernest Knabe. A very appropriate
response was made by Mr. Ernest Knabe, Jr.,
be positive in such an assertion.
which was received with a great deal of ap-
Many noted thinkers hold that the next great plause.
invention relating to the pianoforte will be dis-
IT is said that George Bothner, the piano ac-
covered through the aid of electricity. In the tion manufacturer, contemplates adding hammer
field of organ construction many radical im- covering and key making to his business.
provements have been made possible through its
N. M. CROSBY is doing some good work for
aid. So far, however, the patent office reports
the Webster Piano Company. He has recently
have not revealed anything in that line that gotten up some attractively printed blotters and
would bid us hope for anything new or startling circulars relating to the new style " Webster "
in the immediate future.
pianos, which are being circulated throughout
There is a great opportunity for the inventor the trade to good advantage. His circular letter
who will give us something original and effec- is especially good, and ought to work up quite
some trade even in dull times. A cut of the new
tive, either in the realm of tone or case archi- small-size '' Webster,'' which is meeting with
tecture. To succeed, however, inventors must so much success, is also enclosed.
break away from the sameness which is too pre-
MR. W. W. KIMBALL, of Chicago, accom-
valent in recent patents.
panied by his wife, left last Saturday for
TWELVE thousand organs is the goodly num- Europe. The trip will be a brief one, as Mr.
ber turned out by the Waterloo Organ Company Kimball expects to return to Chicago early in
October.
under its present management.