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THE MUSIC TRADE
Prosperity is Here.
NOTWITHSTANDING
MR.
BRYAN'S
STATE-
MENTS THE EVIDENCE IS CLEARLY
AGAINST HIM.
Commenting on W. J. Bryan's recent
statements that "there has been no im-
provement in this country within the last
eighteen months," the Chicago Herald
properly says: As a direct contradiction
to his statements is the testimony of the
big business firms in all parts of the coun-
try, whose dealings make them capable of
judging whether conditions generally have
improved or not. In Chicago the testi-
mony of such men is to the effect that
prosperity has really dawned. They de-
clare that money is easier and that people
are now amply buying, not only the neces-
saries of life but the luxuries as well.
This is true more particularly, they say,
of the Western part of the country. Col-
lections have been easier for the last six
months than they have been since 1892.
Orders for goods are increasing daily
and the books of the leading concerns show
a decided improvement within the past
year. Some go so far as to assert that the
business done in the West during the clos-
ing half of 1897 exceeds that of the two
preceding years combined. Agents who
have come in from Iowa, Nebraska and
Kansas report the farmers flourishing and
the merchants in the smaller towns greatly
encouraged. They are making payments
on old accounts and paying cash for new
consignments. Not since the banner year
of 1892 have they looked forward for so
large a business as for 1898. Many of the
Chicago firms are establishing branch
houses in the East and in the West, where
heretofore the conditions of trade have not
made such extensions advisable.
Pianos and organs are generally consid-
ered among the luxuries. Men usually
take investments in this class of merchan-
dise last. Farmers ordinarily pay off
their mortgages and liquidate grocery
bills before they buy musical instru-
ments. If statistics and the facts in this
line of trade are decisive, the country is
certainly in an improved condition as
BUILT
UPON
HONOR
The
Germain
Piano
UNEQUALED FOR TONE QUALITIES.
THE ONLY PIANO
HAVING ALL
POINTS OF MERIT.
Germain Piano Co.
Factory, Saginaw, flich.
POOLE
compared with any year since 1892.
The leading firms of this city assert this
to be a fact so far as their trade is con-
cerned.
P. J. Healy of Lyon & Healy declares
that their business has improved 15 per
cent, within six months. Not for four
years, he says, have they been so free to
give credit in Kansas and Nebraska as they
are to-day. Their daily mail, which they
look upon as an indication that the mer-
chants are waking up, has increased 25 per
cent, and the West, they assert, never ap-
peared so good a field as now. Acting on
the information of agents in all parts of
the country they have arranged to increase
the factory output for this year.
Estey & Camp, according to the state-
ment of W. P. Marsh, have sold more in-
struments in Norfolk, Neb., since July,
1897, than in the two preceding years.
Yesterday afternoon the mail brought in
an order for 150 instruments from a dealer
who had not made a purchase since 1893.
Iowa they consider the best State for their
trade, with Nebraska and Kansas next.
Edwin A. Potter of Lyon, Potter & Co.
says he is best able to judge of conditions
in Nebraska of all the Western States,
and that there the demand for pianos and
organs is increasing daily. The trade in
Lincoln is especially good and collections
are better than they have been since 1892.
The Dakotas and Minnesota also show
favorable symptoms.
The records of the Chicago Cottage Or-
gan Co. indicate that the firm has col-
lected more money in the Western States
during the latter half of 1897 and that more
goods are being sold in those States than in
several of the preceding years taken to-
gether. "The conditions in Iowa," said F.
S. Cable, secretary of the company, "are
exceptionally good. Customers are paying
off old notes and are now buying mostly
for cash."
The statements of other dealers are to
the same effect, and all point to the fact
that there has been a marked improvement
in the country within the last few months.
J. W. Jenkins accompanied by his bro-
ther, of J. W. Jenkins' Sons, Kansas City,
Mo., were callers at the Knabe warerooms
on Wednesday and left a substantial order
for pianos.
E. A. Potter, of Lyon, Potter & Co.,
Chicago, who is connected officially with
a number of prominent clubs, is likely to
be elected president of the Union League
Club at the forthcoming election.
Henry L. Mason of the Mason & Ham-
lin Co. expects to leave next week on an
extended business trip through the West,
and if time permits, through the North and
far West.
The Braumuller Co. are working on a
new catalogue which will excel anything
heretofore produced by this house. It
will be ready about Feb. 1st.
The building occupied by the Thompson
Music Co., 267-9 Wabash avenue, Chicago,
was damaged by fire on Thursday of last
week. The Thompson Music Co. suffered
but slight damage.
The dissolution of the firm of Cowles &
Hardy, dealers in musical instruments, at
Morrisville, Vt., is reported. Harry Cowles
is to continue the business.
A. T. Wittich, formerly with the A. B.
Chase Co., is now connected with Geo. P.
Bent of Chicago. He will visit the leading
cities and display the tonal beauties of the
new "Crown" pianos as well as the or-
chestral attachment and practice clavier.
A recent issue of the Providence, R. I.,
News contains a graceful appreciation of
Mann & Eccles, the enterprising dealers of
that city. They are rightly termed "trust-
worthy and popular." Mann & Eccles
have just added a sheet music department
to their business.
The J. A. Norris Co.'s warerooms in
Chicago are undergoing renovations which,
H. Paul Mehlin made a brief visit this when completed, will enable them to take
week to Springfield, Mass., on business.
rank as among the most artistic music
trade parlors in that city. They will be
Francis Connor returned from a Southern
out of the hands of the decorators this
trip on Monday.
week.
C. H. Eddy, of Chickering& Sons, sailed
Charles Boothe is now traveling in the
for Europe on Wednesday on important interest of the Milton Piano Co. He made
business for the firm.
an excellent record on his last trip
During one of his recent trips, Maurice through Pennsylvania, and did good
Krakauer received an order for 100 Kra- business in Philadelphia, Baltimore and
kauer instruments.
Washington. The policy of this firm is
conservative
and the outlook is very prom-
A. G. Cone, treasurer of the W. W. Kim-
ising.
ball Co., Chicago, has left for California.
He will be absent perhaps a couple of
Chas. A. Ball is touring the Pacific Coast
months.
in the interest of the "Crown" piano.
PIANOS
Precious, Perfect, Peerless
As to Tone, Touch, Design,
Durability and Value. . . .
5 and 7 AFFI-ETON STREET, BOSTON, MASS.