Music Trade Review

Issue: 1897 Vol. 24 N. 21

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
LVMAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St.. New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, I3.00 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
Insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dis-
count i* allowed.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
%• made payable to Edward Lyman BilL
Bnttrtd at ths Nnu York Post Offict as Second-Class Mmtitr.
NEW YORK, MAY 22, 1897.
TELEPHONE NUMBER 1745. — EIGHTEENTH STREET.
THE KEYNOTE.
The first week of each month, The Review
will contain a supplement embodying the liter-
ary and musical features which have heretofore
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
will be effected without in any way trespassing
on our regular news service. The Review will
continue to remain, as before, essentially a trade
paper.
THE TRADE DIRECTORY.
The Trade Directory, which is a feature of
The Review each month, is complete. In it ap-
pears the names and addresses of all firms en-
gaged in the manufacture of musical Instruments
and the allied trades. The Review is sent to
the United States Consulates throughout the
world, and is on file in the reading rooms of the
principal hotels in America.
A POLITICAL PARADOX.
HAT a great legislative body can be ab-
normally sensitive to the welfare of
the people of other countries thousands of
miles away, and at the same time utterly
indifferent and insensitive to the interests
of the people of their own country, is one of
the curious paradoxes of politics.
When it comes to an indulgence in
"glittering generalities" and rhodomon-
tade anent international affairs, when the
"lion's tail" is given an extra twist, or
Cuba—which The Review has hearty sym-
pathy with—is considered, our legislators
are in their element. When the business
up for consideration, however, is of a char-
acter that vitally concerns the commercial
welfare of the country, such as national
bankruptcy or tariff legislation, studied ef-
forts are successfully made to harass, to de-
lay, to place selfish and sectional interests
above those of public good.
Not a pleasant picture truly.
That rebuke uttered by John Wanamaker
in his speech in Philadelphia last week was
well merited. Coming from an ex-cabinet
official, and a man in hearty sympathy with
the business element, his views have
created somewhat of a sensation.
The indifference of legislators to the best
interests of the people has already gone too
far, and as Mr. Wanamaker said, "there
T
will most assuredly come a day when there
will be a mighty revolt and resistance re-
sulting in a revolution."
This "revolution" means that business
questions will be taken out of the politi-
cal arena and considered as "business
questions " pure and simple. As Senator
Cullom recently said, such matters as tariff
and other measures affecting the business
interests of the nation, should be consid-
ered by a commission free to act irrespec-
tive of party and for the common good.
This has been our idea right along.
The last four years it has seemed as if
no sooner had one question been set at rest
than another, equally vexing took its place.
A couple of months ago we were under the
impression that all of that had ended, but
the delay or hold-up of the tariff measure
shows that we are by no means out of the
woods yet.
In spite of the situation the country is
mending, the depression is steadily giving
place to activity. But there are porten-
tous signs on the horizon which indicate
that the business men of this country are
not going to allow themselves to be made
the scape-goats of political parties in the
future. Our merchants should, and can if
they will, be able to conduct business with-
out encountering commercial earthquakes
periodically. In the meantime we have
much to learn from Europe in this matter.
There are indications on the journalistic
horizon which indicate a summer of unusu-
al luridity. Wordy pyrotechnics are illu-
minating the sombre skies, and in their
train follows a line of sparks which eclipses
the dazzling lustre of a comet, and here we
are just on the verge of summer precipita-
ted at once into journalistic torridity.
It seems as if we are unable to escape
from the zone in which these conditions
exist, therefore we must endure them, and
in the meanwhile, it might be well to pro-
vide palm leaf fans and lay in a stock of
disinfectants as well, because the atmos-
phere is liable to be pretty thoroughly im-
pregnated with poisonous vapors before
the bloodless war shall have ceased. We
say bloodless, because we rather hold to
the opinion that a scalp will dangle at
neither girdle during the present cam-
paign.
Personally we believe that our constitu-
ency cares little what our opinion may be
anent this or that man engaged in vending
similar wares to ourselves. We are pur-
veyors of news—of publicity, and rather
seek to avoid delving into those matters
which savor of abusive personality. We
are lending our energies to that necessary
adjunct of modern commercial life—trade
journalism, and finding that demands are
exacting, we have no time to bother our-
selves with the affairs of our competitors.
They have as much right to be engaged in
the business as ourselves, and we do be-
lieve, however, that one can give better
service, make a stronger newspaper insti-
tution by devoting one's sole energies to
the development of journalism and not
departing into those side paths which lead
to the unfathomable mines of billingsgate.
+
+
The formation of a national piano manu-
facturers' association seems now possible of
realization judging from the many letters
received favorable to the proposed meeting
and banquet.
The good which such an organization
could accomplish if conducted on the right
lines is incalculable, and many of the direc-
tions in which its beneficial influence would
radiate will readily occur to our readers.
There are numberless evils detrimental
to good business ethics in the trade to-day
which call for remedial action—evils which
can never be cured by spasmodic or scat-
tered efforts of individuals or sets of indi-
viduals.
Men who are wide-wake enough to see
that combination for a necessary purpose
has its legitimate place, and are enlight-
ened and progressive enough to take action
for a common end, will realize the import-
ance of the proposed national organization.
It means the greatest good to the greatest
number.
We have dwelt on this subject so often
that our views are too well known to need
reiteration, meanwhile our extended jour-
neyingshave more than ever convinced us
that a national association is needed to
promulgate and carry to a successful issue
such measures as trade conditions demand.
Its existence would work a benefit to deal-
ers as well as manufacturers in every sec-
tion of the land. It would have a salu-
tary influence and would dignify the indus-
try and elevate it in the opinion of the com-
mercial world.
Again, manufacturers could achieve
many reforms were they organized in a
national body, particularly in the matter of
freight rates, bank accommodations, dating
ahead, in fact the entire matter of credits
need readjustment, while professional
schemers who seem to abound and succeed
occasionally could be obliterated by an in-
telligent and unanimous course of proce-
dure.
Many of the most important industries
of this country are organized on a national
basis, and the result has been entirely
beneficial. Why not the piano trade ?
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Rather a good paper this!
Brimful of news, and by the way, the
old Review
pole is just knocking down
the business persimmons this year.
Clean, forceful journalism counts, and
the honest efforts that we are putting forth
in building a great journalistic enterprise
seems to be applauded with the correct
Strascino Factory to Resume.
[Special to The Review.]
Fond Du Lac, Wis., May 17, 1897.
The Strascino piano factory, of this
place, will be started up to-morrow after a
quietude of several months. A full force
of workmen will be put on. It is under-
stood the firm have a large number of or-
ders ahead.
emphasis on the word.
Loyalty to the trade, carefully conserv-
ing the interest of our constituency, giv :
ing good value for every investment made
in our columns, and a dignified treatment
of every interest, has won for this paper
an unassailable position.
"Gets all the news, k is loyal and never
sycophantic, never mistaking intrigue for
journalism, a paper that merits success;
has an ever increasing power," was the
compliment paid The Review the other
day by one of the largest manufacturers in
this trade.
Are you under The Review banner?
Kilbourne's Schedules.
[Special to The Review.]
Boston, Mass., May 17, 1897.
Frank H. Kilbourne, dealer in pianos, of
this city, who recently failed, has filed
schedules showing liabilities of $24,561.
He has book accounts worth $645, pianos
rented $600, stock in office $350, pianos
leased and piano leases $4,066, and notes
receivable $7,079, all of which assets are
assigned to various creditors as collateral
for notes.
Milwaukee Dealers Will Dine.
[Special to The Review.]
Milwaukee, Wis., May 15, 1897.
The Piano Dealers' Protective Associa-
tion met last night in Charles Grobman's
office, Uihlein building, and adopted a
constitution and by-laws. Arrangements
were made for a banquet in Gram's Hall,
May 27.
Another Musical String Co.
[Special to The Review.]
New Brunswick, N. J., May 20, 1897.
The National Musical String Co., formed
of four companies formerly competing
with each other, have purchased land on
the Raritan River Railroad in this place for
the erection of a factory. The new con-
cern has a paid-up capital of $120,000, and
will give employment to about 200 persons.
Prante & Smith Organ Plant.
To Manufacture in Bloomsbury.
[Special to The Review.]
Bloomsbury, N. J., May 17, 1897.
The piano factory, recently occupied by
the Gleitz Piano Co., will begin work in a
week or so, a party from New York having
leased the plant from the late purchaser,
Thomas Hoffman.
A Tennessee Product.
[Special to The Review.]
Knoxville, Tenn., May 19, 1897.
Messrs. Socin & Son, who have been
manufacturing pianos here for the past
twelve months, have just completed a spe-
cial piano which will be on exhibition at
the Tennessee exposition.
It will be placed in the reception room
for the ladies of Knox county, where all
may admire its handsome design and the
brilliancy and sweetness of its tone. The
entire wood work is of Tennessee oak. In
fact, it is a thorough Tennessee product.
H. L. riason Returns
FROM A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN BUSI-
NESS TRIP.
Henry L. Mason, of the Mason & H"amlin
Co., arrived from Europe on Thursday and
proceeded at once to the headquarters of
the firm at Boston. Mr. Mason, who has
been away five weeks, devoted his time in
Europe exclusively to business, visiting
London, Berlin and Holland. Short as was
the period of his absence, first-rate result
were brought about. The Mason & Ham-
lin interests in England, Germany and
other leading European countries have been
greatly strengthened. Of course the Ma-
son & Hamlin organs have long been favor-
ably known across the water, but Mr. Ma-
son has, during this last visit, instilled new
life and energy into the business. In-
creased efforts will be put forth in all di-
rections to make known, more widely than
ever before, the special merits of the Ma-
son & Hamlin products. This progressive
policy is sure to bring much added pros-
perity to the firm and consequently greater
renown, which last effect is a desideratum
not to be neglected in these days of keen,
merciless competition.
[Special to The Review.]
Chillicothe, O., May 18, 1897.
The foundation for the new Prante &
Smith organ factory is completed and the
lumber is expected to arrive to-day, when
the building will be rapidly finished. The
new orchestral organ, which will be put on
exhibition as soon as the building is up, is
now about completed.
It contains 400
pipes and is an orchestra in itself, playing
all the parts, including drums, cymbals, etc.
Du Bois Sells.
C. H. Du Bois, the well known dealer of
Bradford, Pa., has disposed of his business
in that city to Jacob Sheasley. Mr. Sheasley
has control of a large business in Pennsyl-
vania, having stores at several important
points, notably at Franklin, Meadville and
Oil City.
The Mehlin Platform.
AN INTERESTING TALK WITH H. PAUL MEHLIN
ON THE ADMIRABLE POLICY OF HIS
HOUSE HIGH STANDARDS THAT
DESERVE SUCCESS.
" I t has been our rule, from the start,"
said Mr. H. Paul Mehlin to The Review on
Thursday, during a talk on the Mehlin
products, "not to attempt competition with
what are termed 'cheap grade' pianos,
and, like others who have adopted the same
plan, our volume of business has suffered
for the time being. I say 'for the time
being ' advisedly, because in the end we
have found the greater gain.
Whatever
reputation we may enjoy has resulted from
a strict adherence to our view that if a
piano is worth making, it is worth infinite
pains from beginning to end. To take
pains means also to take time—and the
greater the time taken, the larger the cost
of production.
"That this policy of aiming to produce
instruments to stand the test of time is the
wisest in the long run, has been admirably
illustrated in our retail business during
the last few days. Several instances have
occurred in which important sales were di-
rectly traceable to the recommendation of
customers who purchased Mehlin pianos
seven or eight years ago. One customer
writes from Vermont asking that a piano
' exactly like the one I purchased from you
in 1889' be sent to a certain address as a
present to a relative. Only this week a
lady called here, at the warerooms, and
within five minutes purchased and paid
for one of our mos.t costly instruments. I
ascertained that the visit had been paid on
the strength of a customer's indorsement.
He had used his piano steadily for several
years and failed to find a flaw or a defect.
"Incidents such as I have mentioned are
very gratifying.
They compensate for
some apparent disadvantages, and prove
to our entire satisfaction that a steadily
maintained standard of all-round excel-
lence is the safest and best in the end. "
Love is Optimstic.
Malcolm Love arrived in town last Thurs-
day morning. Mr. Love said while speaking
of business with the Waterloo Organ Co. :
" Our new factory will probably be ready
for occupancy in from two to three weeks.
It is built on the same street where our
organ factory is erected and only a short
distance away, and is eighty by forty feet,
three stories Jin height. Meanwhile we
are occupying a temporary factor) 7 , but
are taking care of our regular trade in
good shape. Our organ business never was
better, in fact last month was the largest
month in the manufacture of organs ever
experienced by the Waterloo Organ Co."
It is probable that Mr. Love will visit
one or two points further South before re-
turning to Waterloo.
Henry B. Fischer, of J. & C. Fischer, left
New York for Florida on Wednesday, but
only for a few days, on business connected
with the development of the Southern trade
of the firm.

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