Music Trade Review

Issue: 1895 Vol. 21 N. 13

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC T*\DE REVIEW.
splendid instruments, both in tone and
chord effects.
E learn that B. Dreher's Sons Co.,
the prominent dealers of Cleveland,
O., have taken the agency for the Steck
piano, which they will handle as their
leader. This is an important deal which
will be of mutual advantage. The Steck is
an instrument of undoubted merit, and the
B. Dreher's Sons Co. are one of the leading
establishments in Cleveland. The cele-
brated Steck is sure to receive a splendid
representation in Cleveland—a representa-
tion it thoroughly deserves.
W
L\MAN 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, singto column, per
insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts . special dis-
count is allowed.
REMITTANCES, In other than currency form, ebculd
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
HE Pease piano is deservedly popular
in all sections of the United States.
Dealers and musicians in the West and East
are a unit in praise of its selling and musi-
cal qualities. An important deal has re-
cently been consummated by which the
Pease piano will become better known than
ever in the East, or at least in the New
England States. That celebrated institu-
tion, M. Steinert & Sons Co., of Boston,
have secured the agency for the "Pease"
and will carry it in their numerous branch
houses. This means a big increase in the
output of the Pease pianos, and a deal
which will be of benefit to both houses.
T
Entered at th* New York Post Office as Second- Cla , r Matter.
"THE BUSINESS 'MAN'S PAPER."
HANK goodness, this is an "off year"
in politics. The offices to be filled
in this city and State are insignificant,
hence we need not expect that interference
with business which is usually the case
around election time. The business man
has grown heartily tired of politics. So-
called statesmen in Washington have en-
deavored to put certain theories in practice
really at his expense for the past few years.
This year, however, we are safe from the-
ories and politics to a large extent, and for
this let us be thankful.
T
W
HE pleasant weather the past week
has helped immeasurably toward a
most encouraging condition of retail trade
in this city. Salesmen report a general
demand for a high grade of goods. This
in itself demonstrates an increased circula-
tion of money.
T
••••••••••••
T
HE announcement of a rumored com-
bine between the Chicago Cottage
Organ Co. and the New England Piano Co.,
to be emphasized by the opening of a great
music emporium in Boston, causes one to
ask to what extent will such a "combine"
be carried.

T
HE autoharp—that excellent instru-
ment for which Alfred Dolge & Son
are selling agents—is becoming extraordi-
narily popular. Orders are flowing in not
only from all sections of this country, but
from abroad. The commercial interests of
this instrument have been given intelligent
and discriminating attention, and its musi-
cal development has been in line with its
commercial growth. The latest styles are
E notice that all the New York trade
editors have taken pains to an
nounce the receipt of invitations from the
Chicago Music Trade Association for the
banquet at the Auditorium Hotel next Sat-
urday evening. While we have felt that
this matter was of a personal nature, yet to
be "in the swim" we duly acknowledge
receipt of a similar invitation from our
Western friends, and return thanks to C.
F. Thompson, the secretary, for his thought-
fulness, and through him to the Association
which placeth not the unfortunate trade ed-
itor under the ban of its displeasure.
I
T is understood that the luggage carried
by Rufus W. Blake on his recent trip
to London, included several Sterling pianos,
which he is now introducing to the English
market. A man of Mr. Blake's ability can
do much to bring this instrument to the
attention of those progressive dealers in the
English capital who are able to distinguish
the merits of the "Sterling," and it would
not be surprising to learn that he estab-
lished an agency for this instrument before
his return to this countr)*. In comparison
with the English instruments there is a
difference in price, it is true, but it must
be remembered that there is also a difference
in quality and excellence, which will enable
it to command a market.
T seems that the long 1 battle for authors'
rights is not yet safely won. A Com-
mission from Canada has visited England
for the purpose of gaining recognition of
the Canadian law as it now stands, which
gives the foreign author protection only on
condition that he registers his book at Ot-
tawa simultaneously with its first publica-
tion elsewhere, and reprints it in the Do-
minion within one month thereafter. If he
does not do these things, he forfeits his
rights to protection. Any Canadian pub-
lisher may then reprint his publication in
any style and at any price, subject onhy to
a nominal obligation to pay him 10 per
cent, royalty. That royalty is in many
cases far too small, and in any case there is
no adequate provision for enforcing pay-
ment of it.
I
**T THAT* a wonderful study is man"
W
—or at least American wage-
earners. During the past two years they
have been bewailing the hard times and
crying for work, and now when they have got
it they grow weary and want to rest. The
wage earners we have in mind are the
employees of certain factories in Chicago
who are mumbling about strikes and breed-
ing discontent. This spirit of unrest may
be merited or unmerited, but wage-earners
should and must bear in mind that they
cannot dictate what policy manufacturers
should pursue in the conduct of their busi-
ness. If there are grievances they should
be presented, and if dissatisfied with their
employers they should make way for others.
With the growth of good times, this ten-
dency to strikes is most observable, and it
would not be surprising if we were to ex-
perience some strike agitation in piano fac-
tories in this city before long. It is hoped,
however, that workingmen will allow sensi-
ble counsels to prevail and disabuse their
minds of the fact that the workingman is
always the abused party. There are others,
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
and the considerate manufacturer who has
as manufacturer, and when Jacob Doll
starts out on the road hereafter the boys in
the factory can rely upon huge orders being
sent in. A large portion of the orders was
for the higher priced instruments which
he manufactures.
run his business often during dull times to
keep his employees at work, should not be
ignored in this connection.
T
HE formation of a music trade associ-
ation in Chicago for mutual benefit
and protection is a highly commendable
move, and Mr. Camp, who evolved the idea
and helped put the matter on a practical
and business-like basis, is deserving of the
thanks of the trade.
The following is the
preamble of the document which has been
signed by mostly every prominent music
trade establishment in Chicago:
"We,
the undersigned representatives of
the music trade of Chicago, for purposes of
mutual benefit and protection, do hereby
agree to report to each of the subscribers
hereto, the name of any person that we
I
RAN across Mr. Geo. H. Endicott, of
Chickering & Sons, this week. He had
just returned form a trip to Chicago, stop-
ping at Cincinnati and some other points
on his return. Mr. Endicott is warmly en-
thusiastic over the prospects of the Chicker-
ing piano under Mr. Clayton F. Summy's
management in Chicago. He speaks very
highly of Mr. Summy's business qualifica-
tions, and predicts for him in his new quar-
ters a brilliant future. In Cincinnati he
found the Chickering agents in good spirits,
in fact, all aljng the line it augurs well for
a Chickering year.
A plan has been discussed in England for
appointing a permanent exhibitors' associa-
tion to look after the interests of British
manufacturers in exhibitions in foreign
countries. It is thought that such an as-
sociation could decide if a British section
would be useful at any approaching exhib-
ition and make proper preparations for it.
The association could maintain a proper
status of exhibitors, it is thought, and thus
improve the general character of such ex-
hibits.
Mr. J. M. Glover, musical director of
Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres,
has written to a London paper, suggesting
either as purchaser, renter or consignment
that something should be done to put a stop
dealer, such reports to be made on blanks
to organ grinding in London. The men
furnished for the purpose, together with
who play organs have within the last few
any suggestion that may seem valuable."
years taken to paying children to dance for
The value of such an association is so ap-
the purpose of attracting crowds, which
parent that the only regret is that some
obstruct the thoroughfares, but bring much
I met William M. Blight on Fourteenth money to the street musicians. The whole
sort of national association cannot be
founded by which the manufacturers could street last Wednesday. Mr. Blight was in matter could, he says, be regulated by a
the best of spirits over business prospects. little legislation. It should be made illegal
enter into an alliance defensive and offen-
When I asked him the condition of business he thinks, to play an organ in the streets
sive against individuals who prey on the
he replied by saying, "Our only trouble is without a special permit, for as the matter
trade ofttimes under the mantle of the law. not being able to fill orders more promptly. now stands there is no resource but to give
With such an association perfected the im- We are working nights }ill nine and ten these men money to go away, with the re-
portant questions of bankruptcy, credits, o'clock—in fact, we are anxiously awaiting sult that they drag the organ a few doors
State taxes and other legislation affecting the completion of larger quarters.. All down the street, to annoy the neighbors.
of our dealers are doing well with the 'Kel-
the piano trade industry, so often referred
ler'—in fact, as I state, we only regret
to in this paper, might be discussed and
that we can't get them out more rapidly, ,
An idea of the popularity of electricity
much needed action taken. The growth but we are very particular not to send out
as a motive power riowadays, can be gleaned
of protective associations in the large pianos unless they are in thoroughly good
from the fact that there are now 850 electric
cities leads us to think that a national shape. They must be right."
railways in the United States, with more
have reason to suspect of unfair dealing,
association of manufacturers and dealers is
only a question of time.

.:-.':•
Their Premier Grand.
T
HE display of Strich & Zeidler pianos
in the New York State Building at
the Atlanta Exposition will include their
premier grand, which is now in process of
completion. If this instrument is in any
way equal to their uprights, it is destined
to achieve a great success and add to the
reputation of this progressive house.
WILLIAM SOHMF.R, brother of Hugo Soh-
mer, is candidate for Register on the Tam-
many ticket. His nomination was unani-
mous. He has a wide circle of friends in
and outside the Democratic party, and
stands a very fair chance of being elected.
What a tremendous success Hamilton S.
Gordon has made of the "small goods" de-
partment of his business. The other day I
had the pleasure of going through his
splendid establishment on Fifth avenue,
and was surprised to see the marvelous in-
crease which his business had taken in this
direction.
He has recently published a
catalogue which assists bis travelers on the
road, and gives the dealer a complete idea
of what Mr. Gordon carries in the line of
small goods. In guitars, mandolins, vio-
lins, etc., he is doing a marvelous business.
I saw the floors just completely blocked
with goods being prepared for shipment.
Jacob Doll was in a particularly happy
Baker, piano tuner, of Milford, Pa., who and reminiscent frame of mind when I
is charged with having defrauded many found him in his inner sanctum last Tues-
business men in that locality through issu- day. Mr. Doll had recently returned from
ing forged checks. He is wanted especially a flying trip on the road, where he booked
on a charge made by Stewart Layton, of something over three hundred orders for
Branchville, N. J., who has been defrauded pianos for immediate shipments. He has
branched out as a first-class traveler as well
out of $285.
"•• •*':>'•
DETECTIVES are on the search for George
than 9,000 miles of track, 2,300 cars, and a
capital of $400,000,000. In 1887 the elec-
tric roads in the United States numbered
only thirteen, with about 100 cars.
* *
*
Geo. W. Armstrong, editor of the Chica-
go Indicator, has been tarrying in our midst
for the past two week. Mr. Armstrong has
a wide circle of friends and admirers in the
metropolis,who esteem him not alone for his
talents as a writer, but for the possession
of those genial and manly attributes that
help to strengthen the bonds of fellowship
and enable him to gain the friendship of
those with whom he comes in contact.
* *
*
Among the quaint contingents that have
entered the municipal contest in New
York to fight the Platt machine, says the
Philadelphia Record, are the Delicatessen
Union, the Sweitzerkase Union and the
Musical Protective Union. It is refreshing
to know that sweitzerkase and music are
still permitted to mix by the New York
police.

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