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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Boston Music Trade Association
WILL HOLD AN IMPORTANT MEETING ON OCT.
29, TO RE FOLLOWED T3Y A DINNER
SOME OF THE SUBJECTS TO
BE DISCUSSED.
An important meeting of the Boston
Music Trade Association will be held at
the Hotel Thorndike on Friday, October
29th, at 5:30 o'clock, for the purpose of
hearing and considering the report of the
committee on leases and insurance, it being
expected, if possible, to arrange for a
standard lease for the State of Massachu-
setts. There also will be either papers
read or remarks made on the present con-
nection between the Boston Music Trade
Association and the Boston Associated
Board of Trade, and an account of the re-
cent meeting in this city at which the
National Piano Manufacturers'Association
of America was formed, and such other
business as may formally come before the
meeting.
At 6 o'clock a chicken dinner will be
served. Notices have been sent out, and
all expecting to attend are requested to
notify Secretary Smith not later than
October 29 anent the number of plates
which they desire to be reserved.
The Everett Pianos.
RIG DEMAND FOR THESE MAGNIFICENT PRO-
DUCTS—'POPULARITY BASED ON MERIT.
That the splendid creations at present
being turned out by the Everett Piano Co.
are in great favor is best demonstrated by
the condition of trade in their spacious fac-
tory in Boston. The old saying has it that
"the proof of the pudding is in the eat-
ing," and when it can be stated as a posi-
tive fact that the week before last over
seventy-five pianos were shipped ; that last
week orders were placed for immediate
shipment of more than 15 per cent, addi-
tion to the foregoing number, it not alone
shows that 1 the improving conditions of
business are well reflected, but that the in-
telligent dealers who are handling the new
scale '97 Everetts are keenly alive to their
individual merits in the matter of well
proportioned architectural lines, superb
tone, and careful construction and finish.
The certain and steady appreciation of
the latest Everett products by musical ex-
perts and experienced dealers is just as we
expected. Their success is based on merit,
and merit cannot fail to command recog-
nition.
Prince Trying Again.
John J. Prince, whose reputation as a
piano man is most unsavory, is endeavor-
ing to branch out again under the title of
the Logan Piano Co., of which Prince &
Co. are proprietors. He has a sign up at
491 Fifth avenne and is transacting busi-
ness by mail. From previous experiences
with the old Prince concerns, we rather
think that dealers will hesitate before
placing orders or considering any proposi-
tions from such questionable firms.
Instruments or Toys?
MOUTH HARMONICAS CONTINUE TO BE A BONE
OF CONTENTION BETWEEN IMPORTERS
AND THE NEW TARIFF
SCHEDULES.
Some difference of opinion seems to pre-
vail at the various ports of entry in this
country as to whether mouth harmonicas
are musical instruments or toys. At many
of the ports they are considered toys, but
at the port of New York the larger num-
ber of them are held to be musical instru-
ments. The importers, during the last
twenty years, have changed their minds
four or five times in respect to the proper
classification of these articles. Just at
present the importers all agree that har-
monicas are toys.
Under the act of January 22, 1874, the
duty on toys was made 50 per cent, ad
valorem; that on musical instruments, 30
per cent. The importers contended then
that harmonicas were musical instruments.
The government acceded to this, and a de-
cision laid down the rule that all har-
monicas having eight tones or more were
musical instruments, and those having less
were toys. This rule obtained under the
act of March, 1883, in which toys were
provided for at the rate of 35 per cent., and
musical instruments at 25 per cent.
The act of October, 1890, made no pro-
vision for musical instruments, and har-
monicas were therefore assessed for the
material of chief value in them, the metal,
at the rate of 45 per cent. Importers
straightway protested, and contended that
all harmonicas were toys. The General
Board of Appraisers sustained this conten-
tion, without reference to whether har-
monicas had eight tones or not, and in
consequence of this decision the govern-
ment had to make large refunds.
When the act of August 28, 1894, went
into effect, making the duty on musical in-
struments less than that on toys, importers
claimed that their goods should be entered
under the former class. The present law
makes the duty on musical instruments 45
percent., and that on toys 35 per cent. In
appraising these goods at the port of New
York the old rule with regard to the num-
ber of tones has been observed, but this
practice has not prevailed in most of the
other ports. Importers are, of course,
strenuously objecting to the observance of
this rule, and the whole matter is now
being carefully considered by the customs
authorities.
Davenport & Treacy Activity.
That Threatened
ball Suit,
MR.
TREMAINE SAYS THE STATEMENT IN
CONTEMPORARY IS UNAUTHORIZED
AND EXPLAINS MATTERS.
The Review had a brief but interesting
talk on Wednesday with Harry B. Tre-
maine, of the ^olian Co.—brief because he
is a busy man and is largely in request
during office hours, and interesting be-
cause it disposes of some apparently live
news items of recent date.
Asked about the recent statement con-
cerning the Farrand & Votey move of pipe-
organ plant, etc., to New York, he said:
" There is nothing to be said about it, so
far as I can see. It is not news. The
Review had it months ago. There have
been no developments of consequence since
that time."
Mr. Tremaine's attention was then drawn
to an extended article recently made public
relating to a threatened lawsuit between
the Kimball Co. and the ^Eolian Co. He
said:
" This article is unauthorized. Our at-
tention was called by the Kimball Co. to
certain matters under consideration by
them, and we stated our attitude in the
event of certain plans being adopted. It
may as well be understood clearly that any
such extended statement on pending affairs,
real or imaginary, as the one you refer to
is made without our sanction. It is part
of our policy not to talk about what we do
or do not contemplate. When something
has really been accomplished it is time
enough, in our opinion, to place it on
record. When our rights are infringed
upon we stand ready to act. Until they
are there is nothing to be said."
Retail Trade in Iowa.
C. V. York, the enterprising music dealer
of Glenwood, la., who represents the Chi-
cago Cottage Organ Co. and the Newman
Bros, organs in that section, informs us
that he has had a magnificent trade for
September. In that month he sold over
twenty organs. No better proof is needed
of how business is picking up in that part
of Iowa. The Chicago Cottage Organ Co.
recently turned over the sale of all their
goods in that section of Iowa to Mr. York.
WINNING ITS
WAY TO FAME
The
ERD
The business report made this week at
the Davenport & Treacy, New York, ware-
rooms and offices was highly encouraging.
Mr. Treacy, when The Review called on
Wednesday morning, said: "For two
months past we have been unusually busy UPRIGHT PIANOS
in all branches. The full force is at work GRAND PIANOS
in all departments of our factories. In two
departments, one at Stamford and another HARPS
at Boston, the men have to work overtime
Dealers should write to the
in order to keep pace with orders. The
outlook, too, is very bright."
ERD PIANO CO., Saginaw,
PIANO
Mich.