Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 10

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Dealers Express Their Views as to Fall Trade.
THIRD INSTALLMENT OF RESPONSES TO A LETTER OF . INQUIRY SENT OUT BY THE REVIEW
OPINIONS THAT WILL INFORM MANUFACTURERS AS TO THE SITUATION IN EVERY
SECTION OF THE UNION—DIVERGENT OPINIONS EXPRESSED BUT UNAN-
IMOUS AS TO PROSPERITY AFTER M'KlNLEY's ELECTION.
FACTS AND NOT HEARSAY OUR MOTTO.
we expect a steady trade, the same as we
have been having for the past three years
under the "gold cure" standard. Our trade
has been steady—ly decreasing.
After the election? We only wish we knew.
We sit up all night trying to figure it up so
that we can wager on the result correctly.
The sentiment out here has stopped grow-
ing for free silver; it has reached that point
where it is impossible for it to grow any
more. The growth was practically ended
some time ago, when the last gold-bug in
Colorado was anarchistically and heretically
slugged into that "deep sleep" by a vulgar
silver brick. He kicked to the last because
it was not a refined gold brick. Some peo-
ple are never satisfied.
We have no statement to make in par-
ticular about the effect of the great political
contest that is now going on. To tell the
truth, we don't think; we don't have to;
for since all the music trade papers are
kindly doing our thinking for us, why should
we sweat over these great financial ques-
tions?
Our personal opinion is that after the
election is over, every music dealer in the
country will give thanks, with the hope
that we may once more get some music
trade news from them that is worth read-
ing, instead of so much vile abuse, of not
only people who do not share their political
views, but also of each other.
Out here all are anarchists, repudiators,
heretics, crazy lunatics, etc., and between
Silverites, Gold-bug-ites, Populites, Prohi-
bitionites, Free-Trade-ites, Protection-ites,
Hanna-ites, Amorites, Moabites and Ama-
lekites, we are almost crazy. You see we
have to change our coat so often every day
that we go home at night feeling very
weary, and we wish that we had never been
born. " May the Lord be with you till we
meet again," and we wish that the best fel-
low will win next November. Yours for
honesty and truthfulness.
tribute to our removal sale, for we are
about to enter larger and better quarters
on the opposite side of the street. During
the summer months business was bad, as
every one seemed to hoard their money,
rather than to invest it in things that were
not strictly necessary, but now people with
money all consider the election of a sound
money ticket reasonably sure, and are there-
fore more confident of good times.
We do not think that trade will be at all
fitful before the Presidential election, but
expect a continuance of good business, and
after election we expect to do such a busi-
ness as we have never done before. Our
installment accounts have fallen somewhat,
but not very much more than in the last
two or three years. We do not think that
the present uncertain condition that is com-
plained of so much in the rest of the coun-
try will be at all hurtful to us any longer.
What are the prospects for trade in With best wishes and thanks for various
your line say during the months of Sep- notices.
tember and October?
Do you expect a steady trade, or will The savings banks have interfered with cash
sales.
it be fitful until after the Presidential
election?
H. E. LAKE, Keene, N. H.—I am not ex-
pecting a very large trade until after elec-
After the election what then ?
In your section is there a growing sen- tion, and think it will be better then if Mc-
timent favoring free silver or does the Kinley is elected; but if Bryan should by
gold standard maintain the most adher- any chance succeed, no one knows what
to look for.
ents?
There is but very little free silver senti-
Have there been more delinquents on ment in this section, as most of us are in
piano installment paper during the pres- the habit of paying one hundred cents on a
ent summer than for several years pre- dollar, although it has been rather slow
vious ?
lately. There has been very much more Improved business and hopeful outlook for
Any statements regarding the effect of difficulty in collecting installments this year
fall and winter.
the great political contest upon business than before, and from the fact that so many
CLARK,
WISE & CO., Oakland, Cal.— Our
in your locality will be read with inter- New Hampshire savings banks have had business is better since the first of Septem-
est, and any personal opinions that you an injunction placed upon them, cash sales ber, and we feel hopeful of a fair trade this
may interject will likewise be highly are very much cut down, as a large part of fall and winter. Our collections are no
piano and organ customers usually take the
appreciated.
money from the savings banks to buy with. worse than usual.
In sendin? you this communication it
Probably the most important enquiry is
shall expect an improvement in all kinds
is my aim to gain the opinion of some of I business
about the election agitation—it is boiling.
if
McKinley
is
elected,
as
con-
of the leading dealers in widely separated fidence will be restored.
We are for silver, and while we do not feel
localities regarding trade conditions in
radical enough to warp our judgment there
their respective States-
can be no doubt but that California will go
The situation in Denver, Col.
for Bryan—it is virtually conceded by the
Quite a number of replies have already
W. W. MONTELIUS, President of the Republicans—the whole coast will go for
been printed, the third installment of Montelius Piano Co., Denver, Col.—You silver. All doubt about Oregon and Wash-
which appear herewith. As it is impossible ask us what are the prospects for trade in ington has been removed. Our county
to print the entire symposium in one issue our line during the months of September is the strongest Republican county in the
of THE REVIEW, answers will appear dur- and October. Out here we have two class- State, but at the last county election as well
es of people; one of which are already our as last municipal the Populists were suc-
ing the coming issues until the opinions of customers,
and the other we are trying cessful witJwut fusion. A fusion of Pops
representative dealers in every State and awfully hard to sell instruments to. The and Democrats has been arranged and there
Territory are placed before our readers. •
first class read the Western papers, and of can be but the Bryan solution. Several of
course
see our splendid inducements as ad- our vSan Francisco Republican daily papers
We feel that this means of gaining a
vertised.
The other class read the Eastern were strong for silver prior to the Republi-
knowledge of present trade conditions will
papers, and they are so impressed with the can convention at St. Louis, and now to ad-
be of the utmost value to the trade. The strong, logical arguments of the Eastern vocate gold they find it rather difficult to
writers represent the conditions actually thinkers that they think everything will be uneducate the masses.
existing in the various sections; hence these much cheaper after McKinley is elected, so
contributions will be appreciated and val- they stand us off. Now you can draw your
own conclusions from this as to what our Texas for Bryan by 100,000 majority.
ued because they are authoritative.
Indian summer trade will be.
COLLINS & ARMSTRONG CO., Fort Worth,
You want to know if we have more de- Tex.—Prospects for fall and winter are
Prospects for fall trade have never been better. linquents on our piano installment paper only fair; during September and October a
PHILIP WERLEIN, New Orleans, La.— during the present summer, etc. We em- steady, moderate trade. After the election
With regard to prospects for fall trade, phatically say "yes." All of our customers no change. Crops play the part here and
etc., will . say that our prospects for fall believe that Bryan is going to be elected they are short, and prices are very low for
trade have never been better. Everything and then we will have fifty-three cent dol- farm products. There have been more de-
seems to be going our way. This month lars, so that they are standing us off right linquents during the summer than ever be-
we have been doing a splendid business along, intending to pay their claims for fore in our history of twelve years.
Politics is proving an injury to all busi-
and find that cash, instead of being scarce, about fifty cents on a dollar. This makes
is more plentiful than usual. This we at- our collections very hard. As for ourselves, ness, and ours is no exception to the other
UTHENTIC information regarding
the prospects for fall tiade is being
anxiously sought for by manufacturers with
a view to preparing stock and making other
plans in this connection. It must be con-
ceded that reliable information on this vital
subject can best be furnished by the dealers
of the country, who from their own exper-
ience, and the conditions which surround
them, are enabled to make intelligent fore-
casts as to the coming season.
Recognizing the importance of obtaining
definite information as to the prospects for
fall and winter trade, THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW sent out the following letter to
prominent dealers in all sections of the
United States:
A
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
lines. This State will go for Bryan by one
hundred thousand majority. The people
here believe our country can restore silver
to its former place as a money of redemp-
tion, and they believe that free and un-
limited coinage will create a demand for
the silver bullion at the coinage price and
raise the commercial value, so there will be
no fifty-three cent dollars, but that all dol-
lars in all the markets of the world will be
at par, as they were in 1872.
Our people do not believe we can as a
country maintain a gold standard and have
" sound money" by the use of six hundred
and twelve million dollars of gold basic
money to redeem four hundred and seventy-
five million dollars of paper money and
six hundred and ten million dollars of sil-
ver money, and at the same time circulate
gold.
It is the honest belief that this policy is
erroneous and not in harmony with sound
finance. They think that if we had
silver and gold as money—real redemp-
tion money—we could safely float four
hundred and seventy-five million dollars of
paper money.
They believe money is the measure of
value, and the low prices for farm products
are due to the existing gold standard.
As to the outcome—the vote this fall will
decide.
Restoration of confidence means the return of
prosperity.
J. E. VERNONS' SONS, Salina, Kas.—Music
dealers in this section can only make sales
by putting forth the greatest efforts. It is
even more difficult to make sales now than
some time ago, as all purchases are put off
until after election.
We do not expect a steady trade, and in-
deed would be glad to have even a fitful
trade. Do not know what to expect after
the election. However, we think if Mc-
Kinley should be elected, although we may
not get a substantial legislation for two or
three years, that confidence will be restored
and we shall have a gradual return to a
prosperous condition. There was a time
when free silver adherents were overwhelm-
ingly in the majority here, but we think
that the sound money platform is gaining
rapidly, and with more time for a thorough
campaign and with the theory of protection
plainly shown to the people, there can be
no doubt of the issue here.
Yes, there have been more delinquents
on piano paper than ever before; in fact it
has been growing worse for the last three
years, until at present a dealer would not
be able to collect ten per cent, of outstand-
ing money unless by using security he may
hold, or threats of same. We are not pre-
pared to say what the results might be if
the silver party should go into office this
fall, but are inclined to think that things
would gradually adjust themselves, and
those that have already weathered the storm
of the last two or three years would be able
to tide over any depression that it might
cause.
The condition of the country—the pro-
ducing classes in Kansas having a larger
surplus than for years, the merchants and
^business men in general having devoted
*their time to cutting down stock, curtailing
; expenses and paying their debts—is such
f 1 that with the rise of prices for the farmer's
products, would result in an immediate re-
' turn of prosperity.
We are trusting, as we have been for the
: last two years, that the change may come,
> and that we may receive legislation that
will at once restore the confidence of the
people and thus inaiigurate the good times
which the people are so well equipped to
take advantage of.
Prospects good for business before and after
election.
STEWARD MUSIC HOUSE, Butte, Mon-
tana.—Prospects for trade during Septem-
ber and October are very good.
Election makes very little difference
with us here.
Expect business will keep up; if any-
thing, will be better. Infinitely better if
Bryan is elected.
Ninety-nine one hundredths of the peo-
ple here are for free silver.
No, there have not been more delin-
quents this year than formerly.
Butte does not depend on its silver
mines for its prosperity. In this district
the mineral output was about twenty-eight
millions of dollars last year; of this amount
over twenty-one million dollars was in cop-
per. Pay-roll of the mines is about $650,-
000 per month. Population of Butte is
45,000 and steadily increasing. There is
no boom here. The election of Bryan and
the adoption of free coinage of silver by
our government would add very materi-
ally to the prosperity of this place.
Favorable reports from Oregon.
CARL ADLER, Baker City, Or.—The pros-
pects for trade in our line of business dur-
ing this month and the next is good, and
also a steady trade after the presidential
election.; After the election the world will
move on just the same as if nothing had
happened.
In our section of the country, our mines
being mostly gold-producing, McKinley
has the most adherents. Everything will
move along regardless of opinions, such as
"Keep off the Grass," etc. But my own
opinion is that U. S. is all right.
After ricKinley's election look for an era of
prosperity.
M. H. ANDREWS, Bangor, Me.—Have
just returned from a fishing trip to Moose-
head Lake, where I went to escape my
creditors, and to live on a fish diet, think-
ing it economy, but I believe each trout
cost me $10.00. Fortunately I didn't
catch many. I mention the above to ex-
plain my seeming neglect in answering
the questions you propound.
In my opinion, the prospects for a good
trade this fall are not nattering. How-
ever, I don't think they are so bad as
many croakers would have us believe.
The unsettled condition of politics has
much to do with our trials, but we have
reason to believe that the free silver sen-
timent is on the wane in this State, at
least; ere this writing you will have heard
from Maine, and realize we have "seen
Vermont" and gone a few better. After
McKinley's election we look for an era of
prosperity, meantime business will be dull
and collections slow.
I am not a politician and am not capable
of discussing the problems presented, but
I go in for sound money and protection,
and as you will notice, "there are others"
in Maine.
The basis of all lasting prosperity.
BARRETT BROS., Binghamton, N. Y. :—
Trade is quiet and we do not look for any
change for the better until after election.
The tendency on the part of those who
buy on installments seems to be to pur-
chase more than they can pay for, hence col-
lections are very slow and unsatisfactory.
We have purchased a block and are fitting
up one of the finest music stores between
New York and Chicago, and when busi-
ness conditions change, as we believe they
will after McKinlev is elected, we shall be
prepared to do our share. We believe that
any voter who cannot see that sound mon-
ey, a protective tariff, and the maintenance
of our personal and national credit are the
basis of all lasting prosperity in this coun-
try should go fishing on election day, and
not disgrace the ballot by casting it for a
fool policy, a hundred per cent, worse
than that inaugurated in 1892.
The Nebra&ka fiz has but few adherents
in this locality, for business men, regard-
less of party, are fully convinced that the
people of this-country will not accept fifty
or seventy-five cent dollars in doing
business. Our moneyed system is the best
in the world. Let well enough alone.
Cast his vote for the safety of posterity.
S. W. KNEPPER & Co., Carthage, Mo.—
Collections have been poor since March,
1896. We had six men on the road during
the first six months ending June 30, 1896.
We have taken five of them off because
they could not pay expenses. We will
keep one man on the road who will devote
his entire time to collections.
We think trade will be very light until
after the election. It will be better after
the election; it could not be worse.
The free silver sentiment is largely in
the ascendency, and seems to be growing.
For immediate relief it would be better to
elect McKinley.
For permanent relief
and the safety of posterity it would be bet-
ter to elect Bryan and Sewall. Individual-
ly, it would be better for me to vote for
McKinley. However, I shall cast my vote
for my children. The attempted scare,
nicely veiled in specious phrases, will have
no effect whatever in the West.
Favor of sound money, self-government and
protection.
A. HOSPE, JR., Omaha, Neb.—The pros-
pects for trade during September and Octo-
ber are not over good. I expect a fitful
trade until after election. If it is McKin-
ley, trade will undoubtedly be good. There
seems to be an even division of sentiment
regarding the gold and silver standards.
There has been about twenty per cent,
more increase on piano installment paper
this summer than for several years previous.
Regarding the great political contest,
there can be but one opinion, and that is
in favor of sound money, safe government
and protection. My opinion is that it is to
be deplored that the issue is being fought
on that which has no relation to our present
depression, not the circulating medium, but
how to circulate it. Higher wages, more
work, will be brought about by protecting
this, our most valuable circulator—
Labor.
If McKinley is elected confidence will be res-
tored.
GEO. W. WILDER, Montpelier, Vt.—At
present we have not a very brilliant pros-
pect for fall trade. Vermont is an agri-
cultural State, and trade outside our little
city comes mostly from farmers who are
suffering very much from the effects of the
Democratic tariff law. Trade has been dull
ever since the panic and payments on in-
stallment paper have been slow, and at
present it is very difficult to make collec-
tions. Free silver nor free trade will never
get any foothold in our State. We believe
in a protective tariff, reciprocity and gold
standard. We believe that if McKinley is
elected confidence will be restored, but
that we will not have the good times of
four years ago until we have a Republican
President and Senate to put things in order,
which of course it will take some time to do.

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