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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The Hutchins Manufacturing Co., of
Springfield, Mass., have just placed their
new aluminum mandolin on the market.
The merits of this instrument have been
recognized by experts; the tone especially
is a revelation, Dealers desiring to handle
something unique in the line of mandolins
should write the manufacturers at once re-
garding agency.
Chandler W. Smith of the Chandler W.
Smith Co., Boston, wasa visitor to The Re-
view sanctum this week.
Knuepfer & Co. is the name of a new
firm who have embarked in the music busi-
ness at Lawrence, Mass. Both members
of the house (R. G. Knuepfer and E. F.
Kennelly), though comparatively young
men, have had a thorough training in the
music line, the former as head salesman of
Lord & Co., and the latter as local repre-
sentative of Hallet & Davis in the above
city. They carry the "Merrill" and "Bau-
meister " pianos and expect to add a full
line of small goods and sheet music to their
stock shortly. Mr. Knuepfer is also a
violinist of note and is connected with the
leading musical societies of Lawrence.
Mr. James Hollyer, of the local house of
the Mason & Hamlin Co., has relinquished
the position of manager in favor of Wm,
P. Daniels, who for some time has been
Mr. Hollyer's valued assistant. Mean-
while there has been no change in the per-
sonnel of the house. Mr. Hollyer con-
tinues as treasurer.
On account of illness, Mr. Robt. M.
Webb, the supply man, has been compelled
to retire temporarily from business. He
will make a lengthy stay South. During
his absence his brother will look after his
interests. A host of friends wish him a
speedy return to health.
Murphy Bros.' music store, Fox Lake,
Wis., was damaged by fire on Saturday last.
A bogus piano salesman is operating in
Cleveland, O., and locality representing
himself as an agent of the B. Dreher's
Sons Co. He offers to sell Steinway pianos
for $200 on time, the first payment on
which he invariably pockets. There have
been many complaints made to the Dreher
firm.
John J. and Joseph Prince, piano manu-
facturers, were re-arraigned in Harlem
Court, Wednesday, charged with having
taken money under false pretenses, by W.
A. Fawcett, of Louisville, Ky. The Princes
showed that they had not intended any
fraud, and were discharged.
M. V. De Foreest, of W. C. De Foreest
& Sons of Sharon, Pa., left for home on
Tuesday after a pleasant stay in the metro-
polis. Mr. De Foreest is a great admirer of
the " Mehlin " piano and he placed an im-
portant order with the Mehlin firm before
his departure.
Wm. E. Wheelock, president of the
Weber-Wheelock Co., is expected back
to-day from a three days' business trip.
Manager Mayer,of Knabe & Co.,this city,
was a visitor to Baltimore, Md., during the
week. He speaks enthusiastically of the
new style Knabe pianos which are now
under way at the factory. A catalogue
containing illustrations of new styles will
soon appear.
Geo. J. Dowling, road representative for
the Everett Piano Co., expects to leave
Monday next on one of his regular trips.
Henry W. Johnson, whose death was re-
corded last week, was not, as reported, a
member of the firm of Cornish & Co. of
Washington, N. J. The connection of his
name with Cornish & Co. may be due to
the fact that he is related by marriage to
Mrs. J. B. Cornish.
The Boston Music Trade Association has
been admitted to membership in the Asso-
ciated Board of Trade of that city.
The agency for the celebrated Shaw
piano for Boston and New England terri-
tory has been secured by the Boylston Piano
Co., of which Franklin A. Shaw is manager.
Geo. R. Dearborn, of Philadelphia, Pa.,
has been quite ill.
The Haines & Co. factory is closed. J.
J. Looschen cleared out all of his para-
phernalia this week.
M. Means & Sons of Cincinnati, O., have
decided tore-enter the piano business, from
which they retired in 1890.
The McPhail Piano Co., of Boston, will
hold their annual meeting on Tuesday
next, February 23.
Wm. H. Ivers' interest in the Ivers &
Pond Piano Co., Boston, has been pur-
chased by his partners, Messrs. Pond,
Gibson and Dayfoot.
Mr. Sturtevant of the wareroom forces
of Steinway & Sons, this city, is tempo-
rarily in charge of the Steinway branch in
Pittsburg, Pa. A new lease of these quar-
ters has recently been secured.
The factory of the Standard Musical
String Co., Andover, N. J., was destroyed
by fire last Monday night. The loss is es-
timated at $10,000. The amount of insur-
ance is not known.
vSedgwick & Casey have bought the
Woods music store on Asylum street, Hart-
ford, Conn. This will give them adequate
space for their increasing business. Mr.
Woods will be located at the old stand
with Sedgwick & Casey.
W. D. Thayer & Co., music dealers,
Middletown, Conn., have dissolved partner-
ship by mutual consent, Mr. Parmalee
retiring. The business will be continued
by Mr. Thayer.
Albert M. Haines, of Haines Bros. Incor.,
is expected back from a three weeks road
trip to-day.
C. O. Ray's music house, Piano, Tex. r
was damaged by fire last week to the ex-
tent of $350. Fully insured.
An Important Matter for Con-
sideration.
The following letter has been received
this week by the members of the American
Piano Manufacturers, Association:
New York, February 13, 1896.
Gentlemen: — Developments in a case
recently fought to a close in the Supreme
Court of the State of Rhode Island, by us,
have uncovered and shown plainly some of
the ^reprehensible methods employed by,
let us say, a few dealers in musical instru-
ments and specially pianos.
The systematic slander, lying and misre-
presentation have been a large stock in
trade with some and that they have been
unscrupulously used, is and has been a well
known fact, and their usewonld appear not
only to have been sanctioned by the im
munity from punishment and exposure
enjoyed by those employing them, but
the latter seem to have actually prospered
beyond measure through and by such nefa-
rious methods.
Has it then come to such a pass in our
industry, one which appeals to all that is
noble, elevating and refined in human
nature, that the commercial portion of it has
sunk to the lowest level of debauchment.
Is there no limit to this insidious and
degrading process?
Can a similar condition be shown to
exist in any other branch of business of like
magnitude and importance ?
Whether or no, it would seen that the
causes for present conditions can easily
be found, the effects we see and feel, and
the proper remedies readily employed, for
the piano manufacturing industry, and the
sale of its products should certainly be
conducted on as high a level as that of any
other trade.
The remedies lie entirely in the hands
of the manufacturers, through the care
exercised in the selection of agents and re-
presentatives, the rigid enforcement of fair
dealing, honesty and commercial ethics, and
a prompt refusal to deal with any house or
firm employing unfair or reprehensible
methods.
The question is one appealing to and
coming specially within the scope of the
American Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, and certainly deserves its prompt and
careful consideration.
Very respectfully,
William Strich,
Paul M. Zeidler,
Robt. A. Widenmann,
of Strich & Zeidler.
Stultz & Bauer.
During a brief chat this week with Mr.
W. C. Golden, of Stultz & Bauer, 338-340
East Thirty-first street, The Review learn-
ed that a special purchase of rare veneers
has been consummated. Mr. Golden de-
clares that eminently satisfactory results
will be forthcoming in the shape of cases
surpassing in rich appearance anything
recently placed on the market. As Mr.
Golden is not in the habit of making repre-
sentations at variance with the facts, some
fine speciments of the piano maker's art
may be looked for shortly.
The Wilcox & White Organ Co. are now
occupying their new quarters at 146 Fifth
avenue, next to the Knabe warerooms. In
this location they have much needed room to
display their splendid line of "Symphony"
organs.