Music Trade Review

Issue: 1895 Vol. 20 N. 19

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
I
EDWARD LYMAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St., New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including: postage) United States and
Canada, $300 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dis-
count is allowed.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second-Class Matter.
"THE BUSINESS MANS PAPER "
So far, this promise has not been fulfilled.
It is true we are no longer receivers of
stolen goods; but, judging from the recent
decision, there will be just as many foreign
publications in our midst as ever before,
and the foreign printer and publisher is
deriving all the benefit. Instead of having
an influence on American composers, the
copyright law has opened a market for the
compositions of English writers, to the
marked injury of composers here. In fact
it has not only given them a market for
their writings, but the publishers are reap-
ing a rich harvest of royalties for American
sales.
Now, we do not find fault with English
publishers or composers for taking advan-
tage of the conditions which exist, and
which this country has been kind enough
to make for them, but we do find fault with
S a journal is dedicated to the inter- the law makers or the constructors of this
ests of the trade of which it is an copyright law who place on the statutes an
exponent, and has therefore a mission to act which does not fulfill the purpose for
fill, so its chief should be devoted to the which it was designed.
paper. It was a saying of the late W. H.
Vanderbilt that no railroad man had any
THE COURIER'S RETRACTION.
business with a newspaper. It is equally
HE suit brought by the Steinert Co.
true that no person devoted to any other
against the Musical Courier, has at-
vocation, whether manufacturing or other tracted considerable attention, and there
business, should attempt to run a paper. A have been many conjectures as to its possi-
prime essential of successful journalism is ble result. There has existed a strong be-
independence, and that is not to be ex- lief that the case would never come to trial,
pected in a journal which is largely run in that it would be settled out of court, that
the interests of one firm. What kind of a there would be that mysterio\isy£>/ show have the independent advertisers who characterizes the outside settlement of many
are supposed to get what they pay for?— suits. There were few, if any, who believed
but in some cases do not. There is s that the Courier would make an open re-
reason why independent papers succeed in traction; however, the unexpected often-
all trades.
times occurs, and there were many who
"*HE rehearing of the arguments upon
the income tax before the Supreme
Court was closed last Wednesday, and the
constitutionality of the law, will, it is ex-
pected, be decided about the 20th of the
month. The fate of the law is in Justice
Jackson's hands, and much discussion as to
his action in the matter prevails. The gen-
eral opinion is that the law will be declared
unconstitutional, and this will compel the
Administration to meet the deficit which
will consequently ensue. How it will be
met, and whether a special session of Con-
gress will be called, is purely problematical.
It seems likely, however, that the Presi-
dent and Cabinet will rise to the situation
and provide the necessary revenue to meet
the necessities of the Government without
a special session.
• • • • • • • • • • • •
A

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T
DESCRIPTION of one of the World's
Fair medals so long promised ex-
hibitors, and now on exhibition in this city
for the first time, appears elsewhere in this
paper. The question is, when will manu-
facturers receive them? Well—"there's
the rub."
A
A
CCORDING to the Treasury bulletin
the exports for the month show a
decided gain in leading articles of manufac-
tured goods. The increase over the same
period for last year is quite considerable.
Such a condition of things is cheering, and
indicates that American manufacturers are
rapidly extending their foreign trade.
PON entering the Hazelton ware-
rooms on University place, one is
at once impressed with the air of dignity
which prevails—rooms well shaded, pianos
admirably displayed, yet not obtrusively
so, and everywhere an atmosphere of good
taste is evidenced. Indeed, the wholesale
trade of this house is conducted upon the
same lines—always characterized by the
dignified and not the boastful methods.
That is why the Hazelton piano occupies an
elevated plane in the piano trade of this
country.
U
THE COPYRIGHT LAW.
HAT an opera-bouffe piece of legis-
lation is the copyright law! For
years it has been simply a gold mine for
lawyers. The recent decision in the suit
between the O. Ditson Co. and Novello,
Ewer & Co., is only one of the numerous
illustrations which go to show how clever
counsel can interpret this pliant law to suit
themselves. We know of nothing more
ridiculous than that a "book" published
abroad must be printed here in order to ob-
tain copyright, while an opera, or a smaller
piece of music published by a foreign house
can be printed abroad and receive recogni-
tion from the copyright office here, just as
if it were a domestic publication.
There is something out of gear with the
copyright law. The passage of that statute
was urged on the plea that it would protect
American musicians against "ruinous com-
petition with stolen goods." It was further
contended that it would insure a great
awakening of musical activity in this country.
W
scanned twice the subjoined which appeared
on the editorial page of the Courier last
Wednesday:
We hereby retract and admit to be untrue all the
statements and insinuations heretofore published
in the Musical Courier which reflect or may be
taken to reflect upon the character or conduct of
Mr. Morris Steinert or upon the M. Steinert & Sons'
Co.
MUSICAL COURIER COMPANY
MARC. A. BLUMENBERG.
During the entire time which this matter
has been under discussion, we have re-
frained from criticism and have only noted
it as trade news, believing that it is not
quite the thing to try a case outside of the
courts toward which it is apparently hasten-
ing. Now that this particular case is of
the past, let us review it briefly. In the
Musical Courier were published certain de-
famatory statements relating directly to the
Steinerts individually and collectively.
The statements apparently were not pub-
lished as news matter, neither were they all
included in a single publication; they were
continued,and with intensified fervor. Sub-
tle insinuations were implied. The "state-
ments and insinuations" ceased at a time
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
which
closely approximated the date at
which notice of the suit was served.
Up
have spent
three
minutes
investigating
The Kimball Grand in Concert.
before publication than three months after.
M
R. EMIL LIEBLING'S remarkable
successes a concert pianist was dem-
the articles which might be likened unto
Some time!
'
•.'
onstrated
last season in New York, Brook-
that which is oftentimes assumed by a man
And money!
lyn and Washington, the important art cen-
who bears upon his shoulder a proffered
Indeed, for a paper of the importance of
ters of the East. Every season brings an
chip and metaphorically extends to the the Musical Courier to attempt to seek increased demand for his services, and his
other fellow a challenge to oscillate it with refuge behind such a weak fortification, late concert tournee through the leading
his clenched digits if he considers it to the tinges slightly of the humorous.
As a cities of Iowa extended his reputation in a
benefit of his physical system and a health newspaper institution the Courier reflects, somewhat new and equally important field.
The Iowa press unanimously praise his
promoter as well.
, ; . :
in such an explanation, upon the source of
charm as a lecturer, great technic and mas-
All this was months ago, and the suit all its information. Besides, it is a reflection terly interpretation.
The variety of his
claiming damages to the extent of $50,000, upon the entire trade, when the Courier touch and tone (also mentioned by that dis-
criminating critic Mr. Mathews in the May
was brought, and to all outward appear- adds:
Probably it is correct to repeat what one of the "Music") was universally commented upon.
ances the legal skirmish had begun. At
great piano manufacturers of the East said in re-
times rumors were circulated which gave ference to this matter: "The situation is due to Mr. Liebling played on a Kimball grand
nature and the character of tlie piano trade piano, which was shipped to Memphis,
rise to the belief in some quarters tfiat the the
itself, many of whose members are in the habit of Tenn., for his appearance last night at a con-
matter would be brought before the courts, detracting from and calumniating the character of cert under the auspices of the Beethoven
their competitors.'
that the Courier would fight to the last ditch
How much better it would have been Club, the leading musical organization of
that city.
—if there was a ditch—that Mr. Blumen-
to have said to these vague indistinct
berg had, by Boston research, resurrected
men who had slunk back into their shadow,
Lyon <& Healy— Higham Triumph.
some matters which would receive a thor-
"Now you have brought this upon us, and
ough airing in court, and soon ad infinitem.
you must uphold us or we shall at least
R. H. H. KING, Lyon & Healy's band
These endless rumors and the prominence
print your names in defense of our posi-
instrument representative, succeeded
of the plaintiffs and defendants, assisted
in booking a fine order for his house last
tion."
largely in maintaining a lively interest in
But no names are given. Now, why not week from the La Fayette (Ind.) Military
the Steinert-Courier case, which was
Band.
Competitors were numerous and
give the names of these detractors and
aggressive, and included all the leading-
really not to have been brought for trial
calumniators?
houses of the country, but he convinced
for some time. The admission and retrac-
The apology is all right, but the defense the band men that the Joseph Higham in-
tion published in the Courier revives the
struments should be their logical choice.
is almighty weak.
interest.
There is no mistaking the re-
Well, it is over, and while we agree with The cornets, tenors, altos, slide trombones,
traction—it is brief but quite expressive.
euphonium, tubas and monster BBb bass
the Courier's statement that "truth will
So we dispose of this much-talked-of mat-
were all of the silver-plated, satin finish
ultimately prevail," we fail to distinguish
Higham make, and the immense bass drum
ter, but before proceeding with our criti-
any point which it has gained in a news- was made especially for this order at Lyon
cism, we wish to remark right here, that
paper sense by its explanation of this & Healy's factory. The La Fayette band
this is the first time we have ever known
truth which it took three months to learn. is one of the leading organizations of its
the Musical Courier or Mr. Blumenberg to
It must be a nice, large, juicy, succulent kind in the northwest, and has in its mem-
retract an utterance or to publish an apolo-
bership many of the most prominent busi-
truth, that.
gy; but while there are Caesars there are
ness and professional men of the city.
It is a poor truth for a weekly publica- Hence Lyon & Healy feel justly proud of
also Brutuses.
Following the retraction
tion, because it takes three months to their victory, as it demonstrates the fact
are these explanatory remarks:
that the famous Joseph Highair. instru-
find it.
After a thorough investigation covering a period
Possibly it comes high; that part is not ments require only a fair test to prove their
of over three months, The Musical Courier has
superiority.
been unable to find any substantial evidence of the dwelt upon.
truth of the statements made to it by various
members of the music trade regarding Mr. Steinert
Just what produced the acquiring of this
or the Steinert Co. Those men in the trade who
fir. Steinway Again Honored.
tardy
truth is not stated, therefore, people
were most enthusiastic in their condemnation and
most liberal in supplying us with information, are
the ones that now refuse to appear on the witness will guess; they may say that others have
R \VM. STEINWAY was hone red last
stand and refuse to give substantial proof of the been drawn into the controversy. Details
Saturday with the receipt of a very
sincerity of their statements. It is therefore the
only honorable course to pursue to state unequiv- are not indulged in, but we are led to be- handsome medal containing portraits of the
ocally and without circumlocution what we have
said above, for it is the truth, and the truth ulti- lieve that the matter is off, and that there Emperor and Empress, and on the reverse
mately will always prevail.
are people who are indulging in rejoicings side a design of the new Grace Church,
dedicated March 22d, '95. The medal was
Surely the explanatory notes have not that such is the case.
presented by the Emperor and Empress of
strengthened the Courier's position.
The
When a plaintiff who brings a suit for Germany in "grateful appreciation of your
retraction itself would have been much $50,000 damages is satisfied, we suppose noble efforts in the building of the Grace
better without them. That stood for what the rest of the trade, who have no direct in- Church, and in remembrance of the day of
its dedication. "
it said; but for a paper to say as a defence terest, should be also.
to that time there had been a tone about
Three months!
M
M
or reason for publishing untruths of svich a
Particularly as details are withheld.
Hard Task to Keep Run of Them.
character, assailing both the personal and
financial standing of men, that its source
of information was mere rumor,
inspired
by jealous competitors, we might almost
assume—that it has taken the Courier's big
staff three months to learn that the stories
whispered to them were false!
How much better it would have been to
FRANK C. MFXKEL, music trade dealer at
Cleveland, O., is about to remove to hand-
some new quarters on Euclid avenue.
SALVADOR
LA
GRASSA, who has
been in
partnership with Hugh Hardman,under the
firm name of Hardman & La Grassa, has
purchased the latter's interest in the busi-
ness, and is now sole proprietor.
HE C. F Zimmerman Autoharp Co."
have built an addition to the annex to
accommodate the increased business. The
new buildings of the Autoharp Co. are
multiplying so fast that it has become
rather a hard task to keep track of them—
Dolgeville Herald.
T

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