Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 9

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Mr. Steinert is not a speculator. He is
a student, an enthusiast, an inventor.
These points must be recognized, and
when he gives his name to an inven-
tion there is something behind it. No one
can claim that we have reached a point
in tone development from which it is im-
possible to advance. All fair-minded men
are willing to admit that there are higher
points to be reached.
By all means hear the " Steinertone."
The Gorham Matter.
1
THINK, without exception, Alex.
Steinert was the most optimistic mem-
HE Gorham matter still continues to ber of the music trade that I encountered
while in Boston. Alex. Steinert is a man
occupy much space in the papers of
Worcester. In the "Gazette" of the n t h who takes a thoroughly comprehensive
inst. the article appearing in last week's view of business matters, and he is hopeful
He has placed large
"Musical Courier" is reproduced, regard- as to the future.
ing which Mr. Williams said: "The article orders with all the piano manufacturers
in the 'Courier' was a tissue of falsehoods, from whom he purchases his regular stock
excepting the tables of payments by checks —orders not for future, but for immediate
and by telegraph, which are probably cor- shipment, and the finished stock is being
rect. But only half the story is true. daily stored in the Steinert depot in the
Mr. Haines has paid this money as stated, Masonic Temple in Boston.
but not a half of the drafts on Gorham &
Mr. Steinert believes that there is going
Co. are represented in the $26,000. The to be a good trade, and the idea that the
total amount of accommodation paper business of the country is going to the dogs,
which has passed between the two firms he doesn't entertain for a single second.
is nearly $60,000, which means that a He intends to have the goods at his immedi-
sizable balance remains unpaid. As for ate disposal as soon as they are needed.
the concluding paragraph of the ' Courier's '
Would that there were more Alex. Stein-
article, facts are distorted or untruths ut- erts in the music trade.
tered. Mr. Gorham is consulting his
counsel, Col. Rockwood Hoar, as to the
Reinhard Kochmann, who enjoys a wide-
advisability of formally answering the state-
ment. It is probable that Frank P. Gould- spread acquaintance in the music trade,
ing will be his senior counsel. Mr. Will- came in to see me this week. While in
iams said that the article was in curious Europe Mr. Kochmann arranged for the
contrast to that printed in the same paper American agency for a number of specialty
a week ago which justified the transactions devices which he will handle on his own
account in this country. Mr. Kochmann
between Mr. Williams and Mr. Haines."
has many friends in the music trade who
will regret to know that he has decided
Emerson Showing.
upon severing all connections with the in-
dustry.
A SATISFACTORY AND ENCOURAGING STATE-
* *
MENT.
*
Albert Weber still manages to occupy a
N official statement of the affairs of
the Emerson Piano Co. was given prominent position in the public press of
out on Wednesday, and will be presented the city. The latest notoriety achieved by
at the meeting of the creditors, which takes him was his arrest last Wednesday on the
place to-day in Boston. The following are accusation of his foreman of assault which
the figures : Direct liabilities, $151,922.94; occurred in the Weber warerooms. Mr.
contingent liabilities, $102,286.91, making Weber was fined five dollars. Not having
a total of $254,209.85 ; of this amount $79,- the cash he was led away to a cell. A
414.13 of the direct liabilities is amply se- messenger whom he dispatched to the
Weber warerooms failed to find a man
cured by leases and notes.
The assets are merchandise and book there who would produce the necessary
accounts, according to inventory, $380,- cash to save him from lodging that night
799.88; factory plant, $190,947,35; machin- at the city's expense. Strange things the
ery and furniture in factory, $40,951.46; whirligig of time brings forth. The cause
stable connected therewith, $1,324.83, of his misfortune had its origin in the fact
making a total of $614,023.52.
Deduct that he endeavored to get a cart to move
from this amount, a real estate mortgage some apples from his home in Portchester.
of $115,000, and the net total assets amount Mr. Engel, the foreman, failed to carry
out Mr. Weber's instructions, hence the
to $499,023.52.
This is a most satisfactory and in some accusations, with the result as stated above.
respects a remarkable statement, and
affords indubitable proof of the healthy
condition of the Emerson Piano Co.'s
In talking with a prominent pianist a few
financial affairs. Under the circumstances
days
ago he remarked, "If any evidence
there can be no question as to a speedy re-
sumption of business.
were needed by those skeptically inclined as
MR. WILLIAMS TALKS.
T
A
to the advances made by the house of Wm.
Knabe & Co., whether as to the tone, qual-
ity, construction, finish or architecture of
their pianos, it is only necessary to visit the
warerooms and investigate some of the spec-
imens of the special styles which are now
in process of manufacture, especially style
'V.'
This piano is a splendid develop-
ment in the way of a grand upright; apart
from its really artistic design—being beauti-
fully paneled and artistically engraved—
the sonority, quality and evenness of its
tone is a delight to the critical musician,
and an unequivocal demonstration that the
celebrated reputation which the Knabe in-
struments have always maintained is not
only being perpetuated but accelerated."
Wilcox & White Organ Co.
P
RESIDENT J. H. WHITE, of the
Wilcox & White Organ Co., said this
week that business in the piano depart-
ment of the factory was very fair. In that
branch the employees are working six days
a week, eight hours a day.
The company have just shipped one of
their $800 Symphony organs to Henry E.
Cooper, of the United States consulate at
Honolulu, H. I.
OTTO L. BRAUMULLER, president of the
Braumuller Co., returned from his extended
Western trip to-day.
WE are pleased to learn that R. C. Mun-
ger, the well-known St. Paul dealer, who
recently assigned, will resume business at
an early date.
FRANK GRAB.MAN, for over a year sales-
man for the Cincinnati Piano Co., at 1311
Central avenue, Cincinnati, O., has been
arrested on the alleged charge of em-
bezzling several collections made to him
for pianos. He denies the charge.
JUDGE
MCNEILL,
of
the
Insolvency
Court, Cincinnati, O., has affirmed the re-
cent sale to Jas. M. Glenn of the Smith &
Nixon common stock for $19,825.
ONE of the results of the change in the
management of the Knabe warerooms in
this city will be the probable retirement of
Mr. S. M. Barnes, who for a long time has
been associated with the New York house.
Mr. Barnes is more than a clever salesman,
he is a gifted one and popular as well. He
has had several offers made him, but has
not yet decided as to his future. The firm
who engages the services of Mr. Barnes
will secure a man of undoubted worth.
FRANK. S.
GREENAWALD,
music
trade
dealer, Reading, Pa., was married to Miss
Levan of that city last Wednesday at Neth-
erwood, N. J., under peculiar circum-
stances. The bridegroom is in the last
stages of consumption, and came to Nether-
wood to consult a specialist. Learning that
his life was limited to a week or so, he
asked for a minister and desired to be
united to Miss Levan, who accompanied
him. The couple left for their home in
Reading, Thursday afternoon, apparently
happy.
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,
SECOND 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 ' K I N L E Y ' S ELECTION.
FACTS AND NOT HEARSAY OUR MOTTO.
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 last week the following
letter to prominent dealers in all sections
of the United States:
A
What are the prospeats for trade in
your line say during the months of Sep-
tember and October?
Do you expect a steaiy trade, or will
it be fitful until after the Presidential
election?
After the election what than ?
In your section is there a growing sen-
timent favoring free silver or does the
gold standard, maintain the most adher-
ents?
Have there been more delinquents on
piano installment paper during the pres-
ent summer than for several years pre-
vious ?
Any statements regarding the effect of
the great political contest upon business
in your locality will be read with inter-
est, and any personal opinions that you
may interject will likewise be highly
appreciated.
In sendin? you this communication it
is my aim to gain the opinion of some
of the leading dealers in widely separate i
localities regarding trade conditions in
their respective States-
Quite a number of replies have already
been received, the second installment of
which appear herewith. As it is impossible
to print the entire symposium in one issue
of THE REVIEW, answers will appear dur-
ing the coming issues until the opinions of
representative dealers in every State and
Territory are placed before our readers.
We feel that this means of gaining a
knowledge of present trade conditions will
be of the utmost value to the trade. The
writers represent the conditions actually
existing in the various sections; hencc'these
contributions will be appreciated and val-
ued because they are authoritative.
Trade very fair— Expect it to continue.
JESSE FRENCH, President Jesse French
Piano & Organ Co., St. Louis, Mo.—We
have not experienced the depression in trade
as much as the cry of hard times would in-
dicate, though of course there has been
some falling off. Our trade has been very
fair for the past two months and we expect
l\
it to continue in September and October.
We do not expect a healthy and steady con-
dition of traae until after the election, and
not being a prophet, I am not prepaied to
say how the result will affect business, as
both sides claim dire calamity will follow if
they are not elected. For myself I think the
country will survive in either case. In this
section there is a growing sentiment in
favor of tree silver, which the gold stand-
ard men are trying hard to overcome.
Yes, we have had more delinquents than
for some time past. You ask for my per-
sonal views in regard to the financial situa-
tion. As a business man I can only view it
from my standpoint and have not given the
matter that mature consideration to merit
public print, but as you request it I do so.
Our bonds were bought with greenbacks
which cost from 42 to 65 cents on the dollar
in gold, and are redeemable in coin, which
means gold or silver, hence when there are
untold millions of silver in the treasury and
little or no gold, I certainly think they
should have been redeemed with the curren-
cy on hand in which we had agreed to pay
rather than to have issued bonds specifi-
cally payable in gold, thus increasing our
burden of interest bearing debt, with a lia-
bility of its being repeated again soon. I
am for protection and sound money with
gold, silver and greenbacks at a parity, but
it seems to me that those claiming to be for
sound money by demonetising silver and
depreciating greenbacks make unsound
money of nine-tenths or more of our circu-
lating medium. I am in favor of retrench-
ment and reform. The increased expenses
of running our government is simply ap-
palling and should be reduced. The same
system of extravagance extends to most of
our States, cities and large corporations and
to thousands of homes. Until the people
are educated up to a higher moral standard,
live within their means, elect law makers
who will legislate for the good of the
people, choose honest officials who will do
their duty without fear or favor, I fear we
shall hear of fraud, corruption and hard
times; but with officials of integrity, the
government economically administered, we
will have plenty of money, both govern-
ment and people, to pay our obligations 100
cents on the dollar and our credit will be
so good all will accept our silver or paper
as readily as gold and if not, as an individ-
ual, I would buy from others who would.
I think this government can maintain a
parity of gold and silver 16 to 1. I favor
the government purchasing silver at its
market value and the government (which
is the people) get the benefit of the seign-
iorage or profit, pay for same in green-
backs, thereby giving an increased circula-
tion without the increased burden of inter-
est. I know this is not in accord with the
views of a majority of your readers, whose
opinions I respect, and I may be wrong, yet
they will admit that it has often happened
that the minority were in the right. Yours
for the best interest of the country.
flattering, and will be fitful until after elec-
tion. If McKinley is elected confidence
will be restored, and business will improve
at once. The silver sentiment is declining,
and the gold standard maintains the most
adherents.
There have been many more delinquents
in piano installment paper this summer
than previous years. Business is about
paralyzed entirely owing to the political si t-
uation. Almost every well thinking Dem-
ocrat will vote for McKinley. That's the
feeling in this city.
Business as good as last year; in some lines
increasing.
JOSEPH FLANNER, Milwaukee, Wis.—Pros-
pects for trade in our line during the
months of September and October are very
good. My business is equally as good as
last year and in some lines increasing. In
small goods and sheet music especially,
our business has increased at least 25 per
cent. I think after the elections are over,
business in general will be still better.
Replying to your question whether there
is a growing sentiment favoring free silver
or does the gold standard maintain the
most adherents, I think that a difficult
question to answer, although you must
know that Wisconsin is a Republican State.
Still there seem to be a great many people
favoring free silver, principally among the
farmers and the laboring class.
Payments on installment paper have not
been any less than in previous years.
The crops in this section of the country
are very fine, and we hope that after the
election the prices for grain will advance,
and no doubt will bring with it a more pros-
perous condition of affairs.
Fair trade through the fall and winter.
J. F. CHAFFIN, Fitchburg, Mass.—I do
not see any signs of a very great amount of
business for the months of September and
October; it will be better than the past two
months, as they are our dullest season. We
are having considerable call for pianos to
rent, and of course some sales, but I do not
expect any boom in business till after the
election of McKinley, which is sure to
come, but it will be no walk over. Collec-
tions are fair on sales made within the last
year or two; old accounts are hard to real-
ize on, as many who contracted them in
good faith are unable to meet them, owing
to a lack of employment. There is un-
doubtedly something in the silver question
which we here do not hear so much about,
or fully understand, but this is not the time
for a change. What I would like to see is
a little more protection, and a great deal
more work for the operatives and mechan-
ics, then they would have more money to
spend over our counters; with the election
of McKinley I fully expect this to take
place, and not before. It is not probable
that mills will start up much till after elec-
tion, whether they could or not. Undoubt-
edly there will be a fair trade through the
fall and first of the winter.
flcKinley's election justifies faith in an early im-
provement in business.
BARNES & NEWCOMH, Wichita, Kan.—In
reply to paragraph first, what are the pros-
pects for trade during September and
October, already nearly one-half of the
month of September has gone, and with it
remembrances of dull and unsatisfactory
business. As you term it we do expect fit-
Every well thinking Democrat will vote for Mc- ful trade until after election. If that Prince
Kinley.
of Protection to American industry, that
I. J. LOOMIS, La Crosse, Wis.—The out- loyal American soldier, that matchless
look for September and October is not very statesman, Major McKinley, is our next

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