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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
5-—Our cash sales this year have largely
increased through our own efforts and de-
sire of economy on the part of our custom-
ers.
6.—The cheap piano or "box" does not
count for much in this section, as our deal-
ers are skeptical in selling trash and our
New Englanders are too intelligent to be
imposed upon or swindled.
7-—From past experience and present
outlook I anticipate trade for this year will
not afford a flattering return for increased
efforts made and capital employed.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
The Hollenberg Music Co. write: We
consider times as dull, for the reason that
people (down our way at least) are in rare
instances buying anything- except what
they can afford to have and to pay for, and
they are not over-reaching themselves in
any sense of the term. The experience we
have all passed through seems to have
taught us to retrench.
2.—In volume of business, it has been
less for '97 than in '96. Our expenses,
however, have been less and our profits
are better than during '96.
3.—We expect very little trade during
the summer months, and we are of the
opinion that the idea of retrenchment will
be continued probably through the entire
year and we think that the dullness will,
in a certain extent, remain with us. Of
course, the movement of crops and the
general increase of business in the fall
will cause a considerable betterment of
trade during the last four months of this
year than it will be this summer, but we
are confident it will be no material ad-
vancement over the past year during the
same time.
4.—It might be said that all the di-
rectors of our company are heartily in
favor of the tariff bill, consequently we
are doubtless prejudiced on that point,—
but we believe that, while the benefit
might not be immediate, it is bound to
come just the same.
5.—Considerably better, for the rea-
son principally that we are not taking on
contracts that we were formerly very
quick to accept, as we have got the idea of
retrenchment ourselves.-
6.-—It cuts practically no figure in our
trade.
7. — Is partially answered in No. 3. We
believe, however, that '97 as a whole will
be, about as near as we can figure, approx-
imately ten to fifteen per cent, better than
in '96, but we firmly believe if the tariff
bill is promptly passed, that in '98 and '99
we will return to the prosperity enjoyed
during '91 and '92.
These views, to a certain extent, might
be classed as partisan, but we are of the
opinion that they are nevertheless correct,
and this is the opinion arrived at by us
after calm deliberation over the much-
mooted question of high and low tariff,
and protection and no protection.
5.—The majority of our sales are made
C. Grunewald writes: We concur in your on time, but we think that payments are
opinion, that if less were said about hard kept up remarkably well as a general thing.
times etc., the results would be much better.
6.—We do not deal in the "cheap"
We look for a fair trade during the sum- makes of instruments and there is very
mer months and expect some relief, thirty little competition with them in this section.
or sixty days after Tariff Bill is passed.
The trade either wants a medium or high
Sales compare fairly with those of last grade instrument.
season and cheap pianos are not so promi-
7.—Our predictions for 1897 are given
nent a factor in trade competition as last in third answer above and our reasons, etc.
year.
Trade however will no doubt be better over
We anticipate better crops than for sever- the entire country in 1897 than in 1896
al years as we have had general rains and if as the elections are over and the country
the seasons continue favorable for the will now in all probability settle down to
maturing and harvesting of our cotton, business.
grain, tobacco, etc., Texas will enter on an BURLINGTON, IA.
era of prosperity this fall.
James A. Guest writes: Business since
last July has been extremely dull, in fact,
LYNN, MASS.
E. A. Green writes: With your opening money never was so close before in this
paragraph I agree, most implicitly. Now State
2.—Business for the first four months of
to your questions.
this year is 25 per cent, below that of '96.
1.—Extremely dull.
3.—Business for the past ten days shows
2.—In my case 50 per cent. less.
an improvement, and I am of the opinion
3.—Dullness will prevail all summer.
4—On the contrary, if a high tariff law that we will have a fair summer trade, and
is enacted the business of the country must that business will continue to improve
be unfavorably affected; I have never yet right along.
4.—I believe that there will be a decided
known of anyone becoming rich by trading
improvement
after the tariff bill has been
exclusively with himself, the same prin-
finally disposed of, but there will be no
ciple applies to a nation.
peace until the currency question is settled.
5.—About the same.
5.—The very cheap piano is not in de-
6.—The cheap piano proves unsatisfac-
tory to the purchaser, hence troublesome mand in this section.
6.—From past experience, I believe we
and unprofitable to the dealer.
7.—The only dealer here who handled will not enter upon a season of real pros-
cheap pianos exclusively became poor, and perity until 1898. Look out for a great
in consequence committed suicide; am not war in Europe, and the freedom of Cuba.
a prophet.
DENVER, COL.
KNOXVILLE, TENN.
The Knight-Campbell Music Co. write
McArthur & Sons write: Our year's busi- that trade is fair with them, and there is
ness closed on the first of this month, and about a ten per cent, increase thus far in
we feel that we have accomplished splendid 1897 over the corresponding months of
1896.
results during the past twelve months.
"We do not look for a fair trade during
1.—Do we consider times fair, dull or
stagnant? We consider times fair to say the summer, and do not expect the passage
the least of it, and in some sections of our of the tariff bill will benefit business in
territory, we might easily class them as Colorado."
They report an increase in cash sales
good.
2.—The first four months of this year over 1896, and believe the fall months
show an increase over the corresponding will be good, and are hopeful for the fu-
ture.
time last year.
Mr. Campbell says further, "That the
3. — During the summer and in fact dur-
ing the next twelve months, Knoxville is average cost of each piano sold last year
looking forward to an activity in business was $107 less than in 1892, and are com-
circles peculiar to our city alone, from the pelled to handle cheaper goods."
fact that our great fire a short time ago, HARTFORD, CONN.
which destroyed so many thousand dollars
Gallup & Metzger write that times are
worth of property in the very heart of our dull with them, and that the first four
city and laid low so many handsome build- months of the year are little better than
ings, will be rebuilt, of course by the in- 1896. They expect a dull summer, but
surance companies, and will put all idle hope for an improvement in business after
men to work and place thousands and thou- the tariff bill shall have passed. Their cash
sands of dollars of money into circulation; sales are about the same as last. The cheap
besides this there are a number of enter- piano in their State is not a prominent
prises under way that will do much to keep trade factor in trade competition.
our city lively and trade good during the MOBILE, ALA.
next year.
E. O. Zadek writes that business is very
4.—It is to be hoped that the tariff bill dull at present.
will be beneficial to nation's good.
Our business for the first four months of
HOUSTON, TEX.
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OFFICIAL JUDGES 1893
FACTORIES: 764, 766, 768, 770 and 772 SOUTH 11th STREET, Philadelphia, Pa.