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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
SPECIALTY TALKS.
Mr. Smith—Never buy any goods of any
kind unless you are amply able to pay for
them; never give notes, as they generally
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE "REVIEW" UPON THE LIVE MATTERS OF THE DAY AND mature about the time you can't meet
them; and the result is embarrassing; loss
ANSWERED BY LEADING MEN IN THE TRADE.
of credit follows, and then the crash.
REVIEW—Is the general fiscal policy of
Interview 2—Freeborn Q. Smith.
the music trades of the best?
Mr. Smith—I think the nearer we come
NDER the above head THE REVIEW next five years or so? If so, to what to a cash basis, the better; and I would
proposes to give weekly the expressed country do you think it will best pay the
recommend less consigning.
views of some member of the trade upon American manufacturers to cater?
REVIEW—Are
you not virtually the
matters which are of vital interest. It
Mr. Smith—Y e s.
South
America, "pioneer" of the "branch house" system,
should be understood that the answers to Mexico and Japan.
Mr. Smith? Your general ideas in this
these inquiries will be published in every
REVIEW—From a purely commercial particular line, together with any observa-
issue without editorial criticism. In other standpoint, is a greater degree of success
tions you may feel disposed to make on
words, every "specialty talk" will fairly to be derived from the manufacture of ar-
future developments of any special branch
express the sentiment of the individual tistic, medium or cheap grade of pianos?
of the music trade industry, will be read
under whose name it appears, rather than
Mr. Smith—I think a strictly high-class with interest by the readers of THE RE-
the editorial belief of THE REVIEW. There and artistic piano, combined with a good
VIEW.
will be no distortion; no boiling down. medium piano, would achieve the best re-
Mr. Smith—I think I may say that, as
The answers will be published without sults commercially.
you put it, I have the distinction of being
change or comment, and in every case the
REVIEW—Admitting that the time-pay-
the "pioneer of the branch house system,"
individuality of the one whose opinions are ment system is a necessary evil as regards
as I knew of no other concerns who had
written will be preserved. We propose in
branch houses when I made the "break"
this way to build one of the most interest-
years ago to open, own and control my
ing features which a trade paper can offer
branches. At the time this departure from
to its readers. This week Mr. Smith tells
the usual mode of conducting the piano
tacts from the manufacturer's standpoint: "
business was made by me, there were many
REVIEW—What, to-day, is the most po-
criticisms by the trade generally; but my
tent question for discussion relative to the
judgment has been confirmed by my suc-
advancement of music trade interests?
cess; and some of those who at the time
Mr. Smith—I should say, everybody
were loudest in condemning mv way of
mind their own business, stop talking
doing business, now commend me for what
silver and tariff, and incur no obligation
they are pleased to call my business acu-
but what the)* can meet—stop walking on
men, and they congratulate me on my suc-
stilts—and limit manufacturing to actual
cess. I propose to go on as I have begun,
demand.
as I don't know enough to go into Wall
REVIEW—Do you think, conceding that
street and lose my surplus.
trade is not what it should be, that the
music trade industry is in any worse con-
Van Kirk-Pease.
dition than the majority of other indus-
tries?
HE marriage of Miss Mary Adelia
Mr. Smith—No; I think it is better,
Pease, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John
and as music trade products are made up
D. Pease, and Edward Marshall Van Kirk,
of articles of staple manufacture, they do
of this city, was celebrated in the First
not depieciate in value as some lines do.
Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, on the even-
REVIEW—Do you look for a la v ge in-
ing of June 30. A reception to the imme-
crease in the annual output of pianos and
diate friends and relatives of the bride and
organs in this country during the next de-
bridegroom was held at the residence of
cade?
Mr. John D. Pease, 359 First avenue, Mt.
Mr. Smith—I regard this as a problem
Vernon, after the ceremony. The proceed-
very hard to solve; my impression is, if
ings passed off with considerable eclat, and
FREEBORN G. SMITH.
Congress will give us a good protective tariff
the happy couple received numerous con-
which will lessen imports and stop immi- retail trade, is it not time that a halt should gratulations from prominent friends.
gration of paupers to this country, our land be made in the matter of "easy terms" for
and industries will nourish for the next the purchaser?
Staib Piano Action.
ten years.
Mr. Smith—This altogether depends up-
REVIEW—Do you expect the present on the reliability of the retail purchaser and
MONG the firms prominent in music
prices of pianos to remain comparatively his promptness in meeting his payments;
trade circles who are not complain-
stationary? If you look for an appreciable the margin in the price, however, must be ing of business results and the general out-
advance or decline, will you state your sufficient to cover the investment and in- look for trade, must be mentioned the
reasons?
Staib Piano Action Co. The demand for
terest.
Mr. Smith—Prices will remain firm if
REVIEW—Have you any observations to Staib actions during the month of June
we manufacturers stop over-production.
make on the present bicycle trade as affect- past, made, for the time of year, an excel-
lent showing, and certainly suggests that
REVIEW—Do you consider that the evolu- ing the piano industry?
tion of piano construction is about com-
Mr. Smith—In some instances, yes; but the Staib action is right in the front rank.
plete? If not, in what direction do you not enough if business were good to The firm is eminently progressive, and the
look for improvement?
materially affect the piano trade. I speak vStaib actions are highly endorsed by
Mr. Smith—I think that the first-class from personal knowledge, being an exten- numerous prominent piano makers.
piano of to-day is the ne plus ultra of the sive dealer in both lines.
piano maker's art.
WILLIAM L. TRENHOLM, JR., is preparing
REVIEW—What are the principal lessons
REVIEW—Do you look for a large increase to be derived from the recent music trade to open up a piano, organ and musical
in the export trade of pianos during the failures?
merchandise store at Hot Springs, Ark.
U
T
A