Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 17

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THH MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
L\ MAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St.. New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year; Foreign Countries, I4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
Insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts»- special dis-
count is allowed.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
t>e made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Bnttrtdat ths New York Post Office as Second-Cla%s Matttr.
NEW YORK, MAY 16, 1896
••THE BUSINESS MAN'S PAPER."
strictly to their own means of earning
a livelihood, together with the necessary
adjuncts of bread, cakes or ale, as the
case might be.
We have also believed that there was
much to be criticised, and certainly much
to be condemned, in the methods pursued
by some journalists; but pray, let us ask,
do not the same conditions apply to the
piano trade itself?
We have in mind an instance where a
member of one of the best known firms in
New England is being sued for malicious
slander by a reputable New York firm.
With such matters occurring within its
own lines and strictly within lines which it
is possible for an association or a number
of the members of the trade to reach, it
might be well to pay a little more attention
to these matters instead of heaping every-
thing upon the poor devil of a newspaper
man.
Perhaps some one well versed in scientific
laws can explain how a stream can rise
higher than the fountain from which it
springs, and in the same breath they might
also portray clearly why trade papers are
not to a large extent a reflex of conditions
which exist in that particular trade.
#
ERTAIN of our contemporaries are
becoming greatly interested in the
matter of the alleged action of the Associa-
tion in the question of trade papers. It oc-
curs to us that all the interest manifested
and suggestions offered at this time are
premature.
It is true that if concerted action on the
part of manufacturers were taken toward
any trade paper or any number of trade
papers, such action would unquestionably
produce some peculiar results. But no one
could predict with a commensurate degree
of accuracy just where, such action would
end.
We have always held to the belief, to
paraphrase the words of the immortal Jeffer-
son, "that we have certain inalienabls
rights," among which may be reckoned the
•wavering and uncertain pleasure of publish-
ing a trade paper; yet in the pursuit of such
a path we have always held to the belief, as
long as we attended strictly to our own
affairs, treating our neighbors fairly, our
non-advertisers likewise, that they in turn
would show reciprocal feeling and attend
C
#
In days agone the Musical Courier has
indulged in frequent and hearty laudations
of "Western Methods." It has almost
caused a thrill akin to fear to penetrate to
the innermost marrow of our bones while
perusing them. The lurid exaltations of
"Western Methods," and the tremendous
encroach made upon Eastern trade, have
been truly alarming. It has given endless
warning's to Eastern manufacturers, telling
them that only a short period longer they
would be permitted to exist, or at least only
by the special privileges granted by Western
men of gigantic ideas and tremendous ex-
tensions. That already their banners were
planted east of the Alleghenies, and mov-
ing straight on to capture the cream of the
trade in the effete East.
In view of the recent developments in
Cincinnati, the collapse of some of Mr.
Crawford's gigantic ideas, together with
the piano business under his control, the
time might not be inopportune for our es-
teemed contemporary to dilate at length
upon "Western Methods."
The subject is a live one of particular in-
terest to the creditors of Smith & Nixon,
and we would suggest, respectfully, of
course, that the Musical Courier commence
with a series of lectures upon Western
Methods—particularly the methods of the
Crawford school of Cincinnati.
The "editor-in-chief" of the Courier has
been visiting Cincinnati. He wields a
graceful pen, is unquestionably well posted
upon the situation, and we urge upon him
that he give us a lot of freshly fried adjec-
tives, not too hot, because the weather is
warm, but just, right to regale those of us
who reside in the coy but perturbed East.
#
#
It is an agreeable sign of the times to
notice the strong feeling which now pre-
vails throughout the South American Re-
publics in favor of closer commercial rela-
tions with this country. The time is not
far distant when Southern merchants were
entirely wedded to products of European
factories. They did not hold a very high
opinion of American manufactures, simply
because they were not acquainted with
them.
Within a recent period, however, our
manufacturers have been bestirring them-
selves, and they have been met more than
half way by the merchants of South
America, and it seems to us that it only
requires a concerted and e*arnest effort on
the part of manufacturers to gain control
of the immense markets now almost entire-
ly supplied from Europe.
The announcement last week that the W.
W. Kim ball Co. had co-operated with other
business firms in Chicago for the purpose
of winning commercial recognition in
Venezuela, is portentous. It is a step in
the right direction, and we hope to see
other piano and organ manufacturers fall in
line. The South American Republics are
full of possibilities for the aggressive manu-
facturer, and if properly worked, there
should be a big field for American pianos
and organs.
These markets should be in the hands of
American manufacturers, and the establish-
ment of an International American bank—
a bill covering which is now before Con-
gress—will do much to make exchange be-
tween this and Southern countries easier
and in the main help our export trade
materially.
#
#
In these days, when great reputations are
being made and unmade—some fading into
oblivion, others shining like a star in the
firmament—one name maintains an equilib-
rium, a stability and reliability—standing
out boldly and clearly—and that is Hazel-
ton Brothers.
Here is an untarnished name which has
been associated with all that is honest and
meritorious in piano building. The beauty
of tone, the artistically proportioned case
designs, and the general contour of their
instrument enables it to appeal to the
music lover and connoisseur.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
Steinway Agency Withdrawn
from Smith & Nixon.
Important Changes.
The Hazelton name and the Hazelton
reputation was never so prominent or more
honored than to-day—convincing testimony
MR. GREENWOOD RESIGNS AND TAKES HIS
DETROIT, Mich., May
#
The latest developments
in Smith &
Nixon affairs, as reported elsewhere in this
paper, can hardly be termed surprising.
Steinway & Sons have been more than
liberal to this concern, and they have been
compelled to make this change in order to
protect their own interests.
In a conversation with Mr. Nahum Stet-
son yesterday, he said: "There is really
nothing new to add to the particulars of
which you are in possession.
Steinway &
Sons will conduct an independent business
in Cincinnati hereafter, and I expect to
leave on Sunday for that city to look over
the field myself."
#
#
We have frequently had occasion to refer
to the remarkable qualities of the music
boxes manufactured by the Regina Music
Box Co., Rahway,
N. J.
The special
Having
highly
recommend
them
as being
1896.
OPENED,
WITH
MR. WM. STEINWAY'S plans for the sum-
mer, although not fully matured, indicate
that he will rusticate at his country home
at Steinway, L. I., the greater part of the
warm spell.
L. E. THAVER, of the Fort Wayne Organ
Co., manufacturers of the "Packard" piano,
Fort Wayne, Ind., left on Wednesday last
for a trip West to Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas
City and other points.
GEO. C. CRANE, Eastern representative of
the Krell Piano Co., Cincinnati, left the
city on Wednesday evening last for a ten
days' business trip in New York State.
SMITH
& NIXON
PRETTY
HARD.
ASSIGNEE'S REPORT NOT YET FILED.
CINCINNATI, O.,
May
13,
1896.
T
HE official announcement made last
Monday by the local representatives
of Steinway & Sons, that the Steinway
agency had been withdrawn from the firm
of Smith & Nixon, has provoked consider-
able surprise and much comment in local
trade circles.
It was expected that some compromise
would be effected whereby the claims would
be adjusted and the agency continued, but
Mr. F. E. Rowe, formerly manager for it seems the more the affairs of Crawford,
the Kohler & Chase music house, of San Ebersole & Smith are investigated, the
Francisco, and who is now with the Kim- more entangled and mixed up they appear.
Warerooms have been rented at 132 West
ball Co., takes charge of the house, the
management of which was assumed by him Fourth, between Race and Elm streets, and
the place is being renovated and fitted up
yesterday.
Mr. Rowe has the reputation of being an to make a fitting and artistic home for the
At the present time Mr.
able man in his line, and will, no doubt, "Steinway."
make his presence felt among the piano Ernest Urchs is officiating as manager, and
will be assisted by Mr. Chas. Jones, who
fraternity in Detroit.
was formerly connected with the Smith &
Nixon establishment.
The Hartin Piano Co.
RECEIVER APPOINTED AND ANOTHER SALE
HELD.
L
EONARD H. BENNETT was ap-
pointed receiver of the Mfirtin Piano
tation.
Co., Rochester, N. Y., by Justice bmwell,
#
#
last Monday. Bennett has acted as agent
for
the company since its failure, and will
It is said that Edward P. Mason will seek
have charge of the remaining assets, con-
a rest in Europe. Undoubtedly he may
sisting of the book accounts, the value of
find repose there in some spot where the which it is difficult to determine, because
music trade papers entereth not. The cor- they include the indebtedness of Smith &
dial treatment which he has been receiving Nixon, the Cincinnati wholesale firm,
at the hands of some of the editors who in whose failure drove the concern to the wall.
Under-Sheriff Bailey and Deputy Haw-
flush times receive a large patronage from
ley sold the balance of the company's avail-
his hands, is entertaining perhaps to
able assets Monday morning, previous to
others, but not to Mr. Mason.
Mr. Bennett's appointment. This sale was
held to satisfy a claim of the Commercial
MR. HUGOSOHMER, who, with his family, Bank for $773.45, and that institution
arrived in Paris May i, writes from the offered the only bid. The judgment of
"city of pleasure" that he experienced a John C. Barnard for $949.25, which came
most pleasant voyage on his recent trip, next in order, remains entirely unsatisfied,
and his extended vacation promises to be as do those of the other creditors.
most enjoyable.
thoroughly worthy of the "Regina" repu-
HJTS
M
recently inspected their latest styles, we
can
14,
R. E. F. GREENWOOD, for the past
two years manager of the W. W.
Kim ball Co.'s branch piano house, at 25
Monroe avenue, this city, has resigned his
position as manager of the Detroit house,
and left for Chicago to-night for the pur-
pose of resuming his former position with
the company as general wholesale agent on
the road, a position for which he is most
ably adapted, and which he held with the
company for many years prior to his assum-
ing charge of the local Detroit house two
years ago.
merits of these instruments have been wide-
ly and authoritatively endorsed.
WAREROOMS
ERNEST URCHS IN CHARGE—THE CHANGE
and the intelligence of the trade.
#
INDEPENDENT
FORMER POSITION ON THE ROAD.
of the common sense of the musical public
The Chickerii g in Demand.
• *y"~"\NE thing that particularly im-
\_y
presses me, with regard to the
Chickering business," said Mr. Theodore
Pfaniin, recently, to THE REVIEW, "is the
large number of applications the house
receive from dealers, relative to the
handling of the Chickering instruments.
As a house, we are conservative in the
matter of appointing new agencies, but it
is, nevertheless, highly gratifying to us
that the Chickering pianos are so much
sought after by the very people who are the
most fitted to judge of their intrinsic
merits."
Preparations are being made to remove
the stock of Steinway instruments now on
consignment at Smith & Nixon's, and I
learn that a big supply of pianos will
reach here in a few days from New York.
Local dealers are much interested as to
whether the new establishment will be con
ducted under the name of Steinway &
Sons. Many seem to think- that a local
company on the lines of Lyon, Potter & Co.,
Chicago, or N. Stetson Co., Philadelphia,
will be formed, but this is problematical.
The daily papers contain showy announce-
ments of the change of agency, and the
consensus of opinion here is that the Smith
& Nixon people have been hit pretty hard
by the Steinway move.
The local counsel for Steinway & Sons,
Judge Thomas A. McDougal, will now, I
understand, take vigorous steps to protect
the interests of his clients, and some start-
ling developments will undoubtedly result
before many days.
There is nothing new to report relative
to the Smith & Nixon affairs. The ac-
countants are hard at work on the books,
and they will have their report ready for
filing in a few days. The innumerable de-
tails in connection with the inventory and
schedule of liabilities makes the examina-
tion of the books a very tedious and pains-
taking task.
GENERAL JULIUS J.
ESTEY, of the
Estey
Organ Co., Brattleboro, Vt., was a visitor
to Greater New York during the week.
Miss KATHLEEN HOEKSTRA has withdrawn
from the firm of Hoekstra & Poehl, Roch-
ester, N. Y. Miss Hoekstra was caught
in the Smith & Nixon failure to the extent
of $1,000, notes which were individually
endorsed by herself.

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