Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Kingdom the exports of British products
decreased at the rate of $115,000,000 a year,
or $6 per capita of the population. This is
one of the things that the English free
traders recommend Americans to adopt.
* *
1
FOUND Chas. H. Parsons back at his
desk a few days ago immersed in busi-
ness, and giving every evidence of being
materially benefitted by his flying trip
across the big pond.
Mr. Parsons came
over on that magnificent steamship, the
"St. Louis," and arrived in town last Sat
urday. When asked about the business
outlook on the other side, he said:
"The outlook for improved business in
England the coming season is undoubtedly
brighter.
I transacted some important
deals on behalf of our house, which I think
will help to make the "Needham" better
known in Europe. I found the people over
there in a flutter of excitement over poli-
tics. When I left here the Liberal Gov-
ernment was in power; when I reached the
other side it had been replaced by a con-
servative ministry. These changes, how-
ever, do not effect business in England as
a Presidential election does here, and yet
their bearing on both countries is about the
same, for the Cabinet of Great Britain vir-
tually rules that country.
" 'How is business with us here?' Why,
I was surprised as well as pleased to find
that business has shown a remarkable im-
provement since my departure, and the out-
look for the Needham Piano and Organ Co.
is indeed most encouraging.
"By the way, the Jardine organ, which
adds so much to the beauty of the "St
Louis," was "laid up for repairs"' during
my recent trip. There were two recitals
only. It is believed that some of the elec-
tric mechanism was out of order."
The statistics of the United Kingdom
show that the exports of British products
were worth ^23,372,297 less in 1893 than
in 1882. The decrease during the twelve
years was at the rate of ,£23,372,297 a
year. The value of the exports of British
products in 1882 was jQb, 17s. 2d. per capita
of the population. In 1893 it had fallen
off to ^ 5 , 13s. 6d. per capita, the loss of ex-
port trade during the dozen years of free
trade being at the rate of jf } i, 3s. 8d. per
capita of population per annum.
Commenting on this shoeing, the Econo-
mist says: Free traders in this country
should make a note of these facts. It
might be well for protectionists to place
this in their hats so as to remind the free
traders, when they get to work on their
campaign lies again, that during a period
of a dozen years of free trade in the United
Speaking to a well-known advertising
man a few days ago, he told me a story
which goes to show what short memories
most persons have. It also illustrates a
point often overlooked by some members
of the music trade that reputation and past
achievements amount to nothing if they
are not persistently kept before the public
through the medium of trade papers. It
ran something like this:
The manager of an old-established house
which had been in business more than a
quarter of a century, was asked for an ad-
vertisement.
"We don't advertise any
more," said the manager.
" I t would be a
waste of money.
We did all our advertis-
ing years ago." "But people forget," said
the solicitor.
"They never forget any-
thing that is so well advertised as our house
has been."
"Don't they? Who was the
defeated candidate for vice-President at
the last Presidential election but one?"
The business man reflected for a moment,
and then said he really couldn't remember.
"Well," said the solicitor, "only six years
ago he was one of the best advertised men
in America, and to-day you can't recall his
name. Probably there are hundreds of
thousands of people with memories just as
short as yours." The business man saw
the force of the illustration, and decided to
change his business tactics.
• *
It is not too much to say that C. G. Conn
is one of the most progressive members of
the music trade industry. Consider him
as a musician, an inventor, musical instru-
ment manufacturer, political economist,
journalist or statesman, and in each and all
of these spheres he has given proof of being
a leader- -a man who has labored for the
good of his fellowman and the country at
large.
Such men as Mr. Conn are an
honor to the music trade. As an employer
he seems to have solved the vexatious ques-
tion of strikes, which with him, as with
Mr. Dolge, are unknown.
His employees
are prosperous, contented and in receipt of
a fair wage, while he enjoys their confi-
dence and esteem. The Republic is better
for having as citizens such men as Mr.
Conn and others of his type.
* *
ONK of the prettiest and most attractive
windows on the avenue is that of the
"Symphony" parlors, 123 Fifth avenue.
Two really handsome designs of Symphony
organs, one in white enamel and the other
in bird's-eye maple, attract the attention of
passers-by. The interior of the parlors is
also beautifully furnished, and a splendid
line of instruments are on exhibition.
Visitors are sure of receiving a very cour-
teous reception at the Symphony Parlors.
Business with this concern continues to be
very satisfactory.
It is said that the first use of the piano in
public was in the year 1767, at the Covent
Garden Theatre. An old play bill issued a
few days before the performance, contained
the following item: "At the end of Act I
Miss Bickler will sing a favorite song from
'Judith,' accompanied by Mr. Dibdin, on a
new instrument called the 'pianoforte.' "
*
Mrs. Clio Hinton Huneker, who was
fortunate enough to receive the ten thou-
sand dollars award for the most forcible, ap-
propriate and artistic design for the Free-
mont statue which she is at present mod-
eling, will design and mould a souvenir
medallion for the New York building at the
Atlanta "Sxposiiton. Mrs. Huneker is the
wife of James G. Huneker, whose clever
work on the Courier and Recorder has be-
come the leading features of these papers.
As might be expected, Mr. and Mrs.
Huneker are very popular in artistic and
musical circles.
. "
*
It is often said that women have done
nothing in music, but a new idea has lately
been developed of a semi-tonic system
which, although invented by W.D.Howells,
of London, has been greatly improved and
perfected by Mrs. Kate Bridewell Ander-
son, of Ogden, Utah. Mrs. Anderson was
formerly of New Orleans. This system
proposes to obviate the necessity of acci-
dentals by a new arrangement of the staff,
making six lines instead of the old five
lines, and it will be arranged to represent
the keyboard. It is in fact called the
"Key Board Staff System," and can be
readily learned by any child. The notes
range from A to L, giving each semi-
tone a name instead of an extension of
some other. The instrumental instructor
is being prepared by Miss Bridewell, of
Washington, the sister of Mrs. Anderson.
Miss Bridewell is arranging an elegant
manuscript copy of the system which will
be exhibited at the Atlanta Exposition in
September. This system is attracting the
interest and attention of musicians, and it
is claimed will be a great boon to teachers
on account of its simplicity.
*
An authority informs me that in put-
ting together quartered pine, or any other
kind of wood in fact, greater strength and
durability can be obtained by placing the
grain of the wood at an angle of 60 degrees,
than can be obtained by crossing at 90 de-
grees. The reason for this is, that as all
wood expands and contracts more or less
under the variations of moisture in the at-
mosphere, the pieces glued at an angle of
60 degrees can expand and contract to a
certain extent without tearing themselves
apart, as is the case when glued at an angle
of 90 degrees. The 60-degree glue joint
simply pulls the object out of place a little
and disturbs its shape, while the 90-degree
glue joint pulls things all to pieces in its
effort to accommodate itself to climatic
conditions.