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THE MUSIC T R A D E REVIEW.
They forget that they gave up. This life
is simply a battle ground, and the coward
gets but little sympathy. Take courage and
go to the front. Make an effort, for never
was one made from which there came no
result
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It is concededly the province of a trade
ipaper to discuss and expatiate on vital
•questions affecting the trade of which it is
an exponent.
At the present time the matter of credits
is a live and pertinent topic.
It may be contended that this question
is perhaps a private one concerning two
contracting parties. We maintain that it
has a broader and more important applica-
tion, particularly when bad and loose
methods work an injury to the entire trade.
When this occurs it is no longer a person-
al, but a public question, and compels criti-
cism from all who have the interest of the
trade at heart.
During the past few weeks there have
been several failures among music dealers.
Fortunately, the losses have been small,
but the financial showing demonstrates
conclusively that "credit" has not been
considered as seriously as it shouid by
manufacturers.
Take Derrick, of Rochester, and a more
recent case in this city, and it really seems
unaccountable how such men were able to
secure credit so vastly out of proportion to
their capital.
It is all very fine to talk about competi-
'tion, but back of competition there should
be common sense.
' "Closing the stable door after the steed
is stolen" is a singularly ineffective and il-
logical panacea.
We would prefer to see the inauguration
of a credit system among manufacturers,
whereby losses could be avoided and un-
scrupulous men deterred from incurring
liabilities which they have not the remotest
idea of paying.
Some time ago we suggested that manu-
facturers establish special credit depart-
ments or bureaus in connection with their
business which should be in charge of com-
petent men who would study and master
the requirements of the position as affecting
wholesale and retail trade. By this means
credits could be curtailed or intelligently
augmented; losses by failures and bad
debts could be avoided and a healthier sys-
tem of business insured throughout. This,
however, is only one of many plans where-
by needed changes could be effected in the
present order of things.
A sound credit system would be an en-
couragement $o honest dealers and cred-
itors. It would prevent dishonest men
from working on illegitimate capital, there-
by reaping advantages which result in the
demoralization of business generally.
Few manufacturers are desirous of wast-
ing or willfully throwing money away, yet
the anxiety to sell goods—to sell at any
risk—is ofttimes so strong that it under-
mines arguments and conclusions when ne-
gotiations with dealers are under way.
Again, it takes a special training to know
who is and who is not entitled to credit.
Were this matter looked after by one in-
stead of several individuals, such as is the
rule in many banks and business houses in
this city at the present time, losses would
be prevented, honest dealers protected, and
tricksters and frauds would be visited with
that just punishment which is their desert.
Few subjects are more worthy the con-
sideration of the Piano Manufacturers' As-
sociation of New York and Vicinity than
this matter of credits. It is fully ripe for
discussion and action.
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Many Piano Firms Swindled.
EDWIN P. CARPENTER SOUGHT BY POLICE OF
THIS CITY AND WASHINGTON—MR.
STRAUCH LOSES $ 5 0 0 .
T
HE police of this city and Washington
are engaged in a quiet search for Ed-
win P. Carpenter, who, it is alleged, has
swindled piano manufacturers of this and
other cities out of thousands of dollars.
The grand jury indicted Carpenter yes-
terday for grand larceny on the complaint
of Peter D. Strauch, of No. 30 Tenth
avenue.
Mr. Strauch says that Carpenter alleged
that he represented certain business men in
the South who were willing io invest in
good paying piano interests in the North.
Carpenter said he was stoppiug at the Hotel
Normandie. Carpenter got Mr. Strauch
to cash a note for $500, made by F. H.
Allison & Co., who Carpenter said were
railroad contractors with an office in Wall
street. This note was afterwards found to
be bogus, there being no such firm as F. H.
Allison & Co.
Frank Moss, counsel for Strauch, said
last night that Carpenter had swindled
many firms.— World, April 8tJi.
Mr. Strauch Explains.
Mr. Peter Strauch of Strauch Bros, stated
yesterday to the REVIEW representative,
in reference to the above:
"The statement regarding Carpenter
attributed to me is entirely erroneous. It
is not true that Carpenter ever made the
statement to me as reported in the World
of Wednesday last. I have moreover not
e
ven been interviewed by any newspaper
representative in the matter."
"NOTHING to report," said Joseph Bareu-
ther, of Ernest Gabler & Bro., to THE RE-
VIEW man. An informal chat, however,
revealed the fact that there is a very steady
demand for the Gabler instruments, and
that the firm is getting its share of trade.
J. PETERSON'S music store, Mt. Pleasant,
was destroyed by fire last week; loss
amounting to $2,000; covered by insurance.
PROF. BURGER, leader of the Opera House
Orchestra, Lancaster, Pa., has opened a
music store at 109 West King street, that
city. He intends to carry a complete line
of musical instruments.
F. E. Me ARTHUR will, in connection
with his son, W. R. McArthur, open a first-
class music house in Knoxville, Tenn., at 620
Gay Street. W. R. McArthur, the junior
member of the firm, has been with the Ta}>--
lor Music House at Springfield, Mass., for
several years.
OTTO L. BRAUMULLER, president of the
Braumuller Co., made a flying business
trip to Boston on Wednesday evening last.
He is expected back to-day. C. C. Klock,
the Braumuller road representative, left
the city on Wednesday morning for a
three weeks' trip.
Chickering & Sons are doing some
mighty artistic and effective advertising in
the daily papers. Last Sunday's Journal
—the Easter Number—contained a full
page in colors, which was clever in concep-
tion and most agreeable in color effects.
It was undoubtedly the neatest specimen
of color work turned out so far by any of
our metropolitan journals.
R. S. HOWARD, the road representative
for J. & C. Fischer, New York, is expected
back from his extended Western trip to-
day.
HERMAN LEITER, of Leiter Bros., Syra-
cuse, N. Y., who has been spending a vaca-
tion in Atlantic City, N. J., was in town
Thursda) and Friday, en route home.
THE Schreiner Music House was recently
opened in Palestine, Tex. The Kranich
& Bach pianos will be handled as leaders.
THE following dealers and music trade
representatives have been in town during
the week: W. H. Keller, of Easton, Pa.;
M. Sonnenberg, of Sonnenberg Piano Co.,
New Haven, Conn.; Wm. Rolfhing, of
Win. Rohlfing & Sons, Milwaukee, Wis.;
Ed Cluett, of Cluett & Sons, Troy and Al-
bany; Mr. Early, manager D. H. Baldwin
& Co., Columbus, O.; T. S. Robbins, of
Julius A. J. Friedrich & Co., Grand
Rapids, Mich.; Wm. Warnes, of Utica,
RUDOLF DOLGE appeared at his desk on
Wednesday last, having entirely recovered N. Y.; Charles'Keidel, of Wm. Knabe &
Co., Baltimore, Md,
from his recent indisposition.