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V O L . XXVI.
No. 2 5 .
Published Every Saturday at 3 East Fourteenth Street. New York, June 18,1898.
War and Business.
DASHES OF THE BRUSH ON THE TRADE CANVASS BY MEMBERS OF THE TRADE SOME OF THE
OPINIONS OF NEW YORK MEN REGARDING THE FALL TRADE THERE IS A WELL
GROUNDED BELIEF THAT, WAR OR NO WAR, TRADE WILL BE EXCELLENT
AND WILL OPEN STRONGLY DURING THE EARLY FALL MONTHS.
While The Review is a purveyor of
news, it is also a gatherer of opinions
as well, and we can think of no more
interesting subject upon which to dwell
than to glean the opinions of some of
the active members of the trade regard-
ing their views as to the prospects for
trade next fall.
Naturally we all anticipate a dull peri-
od for a couple of months, even if the war
were not with us. However, it is nec-
essary in this line to prepare for a cam-
paign, whether it be active or otherwise.
To assist the manufacturer and dealer
in this trade, we propose to publish from
week to week opinions of members of
the trade regarding the business outlook.
Viewed through many glasses, the sub-
ject cannot fail to be an entertaining
one.
coming season. So sure do we feel of this
that active steps are being taken to pre-
pare a supply equivalent to a healthy
demand."
William E. Wheelock. of the Weber-
WheelockCo.:—" I have given the subject
considerable thought, and from observa-
tion, inquiry, and a careful analysis of
detailed reports and statements, have
every reason to believe that the coming
fall will be a satisfactory season for' the
piano trade. The effect of our being ' in a
state of war,'—as we may be at that time
—will, in my opinion, be inconsiderable."
Ferdinand flayer, of William Knabe &
Co.:—" I have no hesitation in saying that
fall trade will be very good. This is not a
mere ' shot at a venture,' but a well con-
sidered opinion based on careful investiga-
tion all along the line.
Henry B. Fischer, of J. C. Fischer & Co.:
"The firm, as you are aware, is careful of
—" Trade will be good this fall, war or no its interests in the matter of enterprise.
war. It is part of our business, of course, It is progressive in its policy, but at the
to keep in touch with those who represent same time guards against the too frequent
us in important cities, and they tell us temptations offered in this ' go-ahead ' age
that there is everything to hope for and to overstep the bounds of prudence.
nothing to fear.
"When I tell you that at the Knabe
' 'Crops are good; markets are in a healthy factory, an extra force of tone regulators,
condition. Some people are waiting for hammer-makers and stringers has been
those millions from the Treasury to help taken on, and all arrangements have been
trade. Prosperity will be enjoyed whether made to keep the full force in every de-
these millions reach us or not. Business partment working full time all through
would have been good this fall in any the summer, you can understand the
case. The issue of the war with Spain situation. A big stock of every style in
is not going to hurt it. On the con- Knabe grands and uprights is being com-
trary, passing events are calculated to pleted. Would this be done by our firm as
put the people into excellent humor."
a mere matter of speculation and chance,
Harry Lowell Mason, of Mason & Ham- think you ?
lin:—" We are in a position to know some-
'' No, it certainly would not.
The
thing of trade feeling among representa- ground has been very carefully and sys-
tives out-of-town, and, of course, we watch tematically gone over, and from what we
closely the trend of events, commercial know—not what we think—work is being
and financial, within the boundaries of our carried on with all possible speed. The
business, as well as without.
question of public nervousness on war
"The conclusion we have reached—so far topics does not enter into the discus-
as conclusion can be reached in advance— sion now. The nervous period is past.
is in favor of an almost certainly prosper- The people to-day know just what to ex-
ous period among the people during the pect."
$2.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, I o CENTS.
William J. Haines, of Haines Bros.
(Incorp.):—" It is a little too early as yet
to talk about Fall trade. It is just as lia-
ble, in my opinion, to be quiet, as it is to
be active, although, for us, the outlook is
excellent. Some people seem to think
that, because Uncle Sam is busy just now
paying out money with both hands, we
are bound to get a lot of it in short order.
Maybe, but I doubt it.
" It will take some time for that money
to get into circulation. At present, most
of it is being paid to big firms under con-
tract to supply goods. Their workmen
have to be paid, certainly, but in many in-
stances, a temporary addition is made to
an already large force, the goods being
taken from stock. That we are sure to
enjoy the benefit of the outflow, I admit,
but not, in my opinion, until a few more
months have passed."
William Tonk, of William Tonk & Bro.:
—" We,are going ahead with our prepara-
tions for a healthy Fall trade, and feel
justified in so doing. At present we are
doing quite as big a business as we did a
year ago at this season, and there are con-
tinual indications of improvement. And
why not?
" Many branches of commerce in which
large numbers of persons are engaged
have received an impetus in the call for
army and navy supplies. Every section of
the country is being benefited in this way,
and, added to this satisfactory condition
in the field of manufactures, the agricul-
tural interests of the United States are
prospering, with heavy crops expected.
There are numerous good reasons for an-
ticipating a prosperous Fall trade."
Frank Scribner, the New York Represen-
tative of the Flagg Manufacturing Co.:—
"To get a fair idea of what we expect—
war or no war—for the Flagg Co. pro-
ducts, you should take a run over to the
factories and see the men and women at
work. War scare? Well, I don't believe
there has been any.
"People may have been uneasy for a
few days, but certainly not after Manila.
What have we to be uneasy about now?
As the Britishers said and sang a few
years ago, we can say and sing to-day:
' We have the ships, we have the men,
and we have the money, too.' The men
(Continued on page 6)