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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the opinion seems to be that things will
round up later on.
Washington is never stirred up very
much on account of any election, we do
not have suffrage here, and since all the
Government Departments are under the
civil service, even the clerks do not take
much interest, and the business houses of
this city are in a measure dependent upon
the Government trade, directly and indi-
rectly, no matter which party is in power,
so they are not much disturbed whichever
way the cat jumps.
We have anticipated the present dull
times, and were fortunate in securing the
agency for the Remington bicycle, and that
has tided us over the dull summer very
satisfactorily, both to ourselves and to our
New York factory.
Our collections have been very good in-
deed, and we have no room for-complaint
on that score, and while cash is more scarce
in the summer with us than in the regular
winter season, still it has been good, and
will be satisfied if it never is worse.
hustling for all the sales we can get.
D. S. ANDRUS & Co., Williamsport, Pa.
—The prospects of trade for this month
and next are not very bright, and there will
be no steady business until after the elec-
tion. Of course we are hustling for all the
sales we can possibly get, but it seems to
be the general verdict of all our salesmen
that "we are working harder than ever
with less results.'' We think that the silver
craze is dying out as the people become ed-
ucated on the money question, and that we
will show up a great majority for McKin-
ley. Collections up to August ist have
been fair, but since that time it seems to be
almost impossible to get any money. Many
of our installment customers are out of em-
ployment and have all they can do to buy
bread, but what are we going to do about
it? Simply wait, that's all.
corn (last year's crop) is worth twelve to
fourteen cents, hay $3.00 per ton, and every-
thing else at correspondingly low prices.
There is a noticeable absence of that confi-
dence in business circles which the business
men of this district have always seemed to
enjoy until lately, and the present depres-
sion is felt by all.
There is in our opinion nothing to make
business good until there is a better market
for what we have to sell.
People on the political question are div-
ided, though we think the majority are in
favor of McKinley and sound money, and
in the event of his election we expect a
general improvement in all lines of trade,
and believe many things which now retard
our progress will fade from our notice un-
der his management of our country.
Collections have been very poor this sea-
son with us from the .fact that we can trace
the money received direct to the hands of
the farmer. If we have sold a merchant
a piano, he in ,turn is carrying the farmer,
and can only pay us as he collects his bills;
this may be said of his clerk, and of all our
customers.
We do not expect much business until af-
ter election, but hope it will improve after
the party question is settled, although, if
Bryan be elected, we are of the opinion that
we will see a period of depression which will
exeeed anything we have ever witnessed.
Gold standard gaining a stronger foothold each
day.
L. GRUNEWALD CO., LTD., New Orleans,
La.—Our prospects for fall trade are poor.
Whilst most business men expect trade to
be active, we cannot see on what they base
their calculations. The recent drought has
almost entirely burnt up what was in the
fields.
This leaves only the sugar planters with
their bounty money to create some business
during this and next month.
There is
very little money in circulation now. Most
people are holding it back, and will do so,
no doubt, until after the presidential elec-
tion has been settled.
We do not believe sentiment is growing
favoring free silver. On the contrary, we
think the gold standard is gaining a
stronger foothold each day.
In regard to collections, we find that they
have been more difficult to make, and many
of our accounts have become delinquent.
We are always doing a little business, be-
cause there are always people who are will-
ing to buy, notwithstanding the scarcity of
cash. Purchases are made on one, two and
three years time.
Prospects for trade better than last year.
C. II. ADDISON, proprietor Standard Mu-
sic Co., Danville, Va. — I think that the
prospects for trade in September and Oc-
Whichever way the election goes trade will tober are better than they were last year.
1 think they are fair at least.
improve.
Do not expect a steady trade without ex-
MCARTHUR & SONS, Knoxville, Tenn.
—The prospects for trade during Septem- tra hustling, but think that it will show
ber and October are not very bright. We good results from hard work.
After the election, what then? Well, if
do not expect any steady trade until after
the election. We have enough confidence they offer us gold for an organ, they
If they offer us silver
in the people to believe that whichever way get the organ.
the election goes we will find that trade im- for a piano they get a piano, so gold or
silver will satisfy us in exchange for our
proves.
We do not think there is any growing goods.
It is hard to answer, but the word "free"
sentiment favoring free silver, but think
if the banks and financial institutions of goes a long ways with some people, and it
our country maintain their pressure, that will take some hard work to make them
change their minds. The "World" has given
Hope the crisis will break up the low installment serious harm may come and the people place to the "Journal" in nearly all the towns
revolt. We ourselves believe in honest
system.
in this section, and that is helping the sil-
money.
STEWART & WISE, Mannington, W. Va.-—
ver cause.
In answer to your questions regarding the
Collections have been about the same as
prospects for the fall trade, will state that the Election of McKinley will insure better feeling last summer, but on the goods that were
in business.
piano trade has been exceedingly dull for the
sold in the early part of this year, I think
last two months. We do not expect it any
FOSTER & WALDO, Minneapolis, Minn.—
collections have been better than on new
better until several months after the elec- Trade will unquestionably be quiet until sales last summer.
tion, and not at all if it goes free silver. The after election. With the election of Mc-
I look for a steady improvement after
free silver sentiment is gradually decreasing Kinley a better feeling will be ushered in election, no matter who is elected, if we
here, we believe, and only prevails among and a slight improvement in business will work hard for it. Hustle is the word.
the ignorant class of people, who cannot take place. This will only be gradual for
comprehend its meaning and the result it some time to come. Collections have been
would produce.
more difficult to make the past few months Expect a large trade immediately after elec=
We have almost quit selling on install- than any time since we have been in busi-
tion.
ment paper until the crisis is over, and ness. The sun will surely shine again, but
T.
J. WASHISURN, St. Joseph, Mo.—While
have more than doubled the payments; we we have got to wait.
our prospects for trade in pianos and
hope this crisis will break up the low in-
organs for the months of September and
stallment system, and put business on a Trade increasing—good fall trade.
October are not as bright as they have
safer basis.
been in times past, yet we expect a steady
THE B. DREHF.R'S SONS CO., Cleveland, O.
—We herewith answer the following ques- though not a large trade, neither do we
Expect a general improvement in all lines of tions, as requested.
expect a large trade immediately after the
trade.
What are the prospects for trade in your election, but if McKinley is elected, we
GEO. T. ELSHAM &Cb., Mason City, Ta.—- line, say during the months of September think trade will gradually if not rapidly
The prospects for trade during September and October? (Ans.) Trade is increasing increase.
and October are indeed very poor, and the every week.
So far as I am able to judge, the number
reasons for our opinion are briefly stated.
Do you expect a steady trade, or will it favoring free silver and the number favor-
This is an agricultural district, and our be fitful until after the presidential elec- ing the gold standard are about equal in
farmers raised a large crop in '95, which tion? (Ans.) Yes, a steady trade.
this part of Missouri, and if any change, it
we all had hopes would, when harvested,
After the election, what then? (Ans.) is a growing sentiment in favor of the
bring a good price. With the opening of Our fall trade is always good.
gold standard.
the markets for our '96 crop, however,
Our collections have not been quite up
In your section, is there a growing sen-
prices seemed to decline, and there has timent favoring free silver, or does the to the standard of the past three years,
been a downward tendency in prices since gold standard maintain the most adherents? have had a few more delinquents on piano
that date, and as a result our farmers are (Ans.) Gold standard and some silver men. installment paper than for the three years
holding a large amount of the '95 crops at
Have there been more delinquents on previous. Hoping for brighter prospects
the present time. We have a fairly good crop piano installment paper during the present in the near future for the entire music
this year, and farmers are offered from eight summer than for several years previous? trade and a most satisfactory degree of
to ten cents for oats at our elevators, while (Ans.) Yes.
prosperity for yourself.