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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Hockett-Puntenney Co. Affairs.
THE CHICAGO COTTAGE ORGAN CO. IN THE
SADDLE RABENSTFIN APPLIES FOR A
RECEIVER.
The daily papers of Cincinnati have of
late been giving considerable prominence
to the affairs of the Hockett-Puntenney Co.
It seems that last week there was an entire
change in the management of the con-
cern, the Chicago Cottage Organ Co. as-
suming entire control. Their swinging
into the saddle means that the line of in-
struments manufactured by them will, of
course, be pushed to the exclusion of other
makes, which have been heretofore handled
in conjunction with them in the Hockett-
Puntenney warerooms. The A. B. Chase
and Schubert pianos will necessarily have
to find new representation in Cincinnati.
Oliver M. Williams, who was secretary
and manager, has been succeeded by H. T.
Hanmer, a gentleman of extensive experi-
ence in music trade affairs.
It seems that on Jan. 8th, Wm. C.
Rabenstein, Vice President of the Hockett-
Puntenney Co., asked that a receiver be ap-
pointed for the concern. Of all the ac-
counts from Cincinnati, the subjoined from
the Times-Star appears to be the most
condensed:
Suit was filed yesterday by Wm. C. Rabenstein
against Hockett-Puntenney Co., the Fourth street
piano firm, for a receiver for the firm. Plaintiff
holds 256 shares of the capital stock. The firm
was formed in 1889, the incorporation with $100,-
000 capital stock being in March, 1896. The offi-
cers were Silas S. Hockett, president; Geo. W.
Watkins, vice-president; O. W. Williams, secre-
tary, and James H. Puntenney, treasurer. Plain-
tiff alleges a conspiracy by the Chicago Cottage
Organ Co. to force the firm to receive and handle
its pianos.
The officers were forced, it is claimed, to trans-
fer to President Cable, of the Chicago company,
200 shares of stock, to be reconveyed when the ex-
isting debts were paid, notes and bills receivable
to the value of $27,500 being transferred to the
Jatter company. It is alleged that an effort was
made to compel all members to transfer their
holdings of stock and to allow President Cable
to appoint the officers and directors, he as a
result holding 636 shares. It is alleged that
certain directors were given one share each
to make them eligible as directors. It is charged
that all this was to wreck the company, deprive
plaintiff of an inspection of books and control the
business. The assets on June 30, 1897, it is
claimed, were $193,897.05, and the liabilities
$157,670.69, leaving net assets of $39,226.36, the
good will being fixed at $8,580.16. Under bills of
sale aggregating $15,500 the defendants, it is
claimed, possessed themselves of $20,000 of the
stock. On November 6th, last, at a meeting, it
was stated that the company had further declined
to assist, and all the balance of stock was to be
transferred to them. It is alleged the company is
insolvent by reason of a $75,000 debt to the Chicago
company, and a receiver should be appointed. He
is the only stockholder in Ohio who has over one
share, and his stock is about to be rendered value-
less by the action of defendants this month. An
injunction is asked against disposing of the stock
as well as for a receiver.
doubtedly considered it to their business
advantage to assume control of the Hockett-
Puntenney business. It is believed that
the sensational allegations made by Mr.
Rabenstein will be disproved, and that the
appointment of a receiver will be refused.
It is one of those matters to which much
publicity is given on account of the promi-
nence of the concern holding the control-
ling interests in it, and were it not for that
we should not give extended space to the
subject, because it seems to us to be really
a matter more of private concern to the
Chicago Cottage Organ Co. than of public
interest.
flyron A. Decker.
PASSES THE THIRD QUARTER OF A CENTURY
MARK. HALE AND HEARTY. Z
American Piano Manufacturers'
Association.
OFFICERS ELECTED FOR THE ENSUING YEAR—
CHANGE OF NAME SUGGESTED.
The annual meeting of the American
Piano Manufacturers' Association was held
on Tuesday in the Union Square Hotel.
The following officers were elected:—
President, Samuel Hazelton; 1st Vice-
president, Nahum Stetson; 2d Vice-pres-
ident, Robert C. Kammerer; Treasurer,
John Evans; Secretary, H. Paul Mehlin;
Executive Committee, A. H. Fischer,
Chas. H. Steinway, Louis P. Bach, Robert
A. Widenmann; Nominating Committee
for the year, A. H. Fischer, Chas. H.
Parsons and Robert Proddow.
Myron A. Decker, one of the veterans
among piano manufacturers and as lively
and clear-headed to-day as many of the
rising generation, celebrated his seventy-
fifth birthday on Jan. 26, receiving hearty
congratulations from a small army of
relatives, friends, patrons and admirers.
In his apprenticeship days men who
aspired to prominence in the piano busi-
ness were expected to understand the con-
struction of every part of an instrument so
well that they could construct or take to
pieces, or repair promptly an upright or
grand, without assistance if necessary.
The knowledge thus gained has been put
to good practical use in his case. The
firm name is in excellent standing and the
outlook for an indefinite extension of
good business is very bright.
Recovers $5,000.
By a decision of the Supreme Court
rendered this week, $5,000 damages has
been awarded to the family of Chas. Rup-
pert, a cartman in the employ *ofjfthe
Weber-Wheelock Co., who was killed on
Feb. 23, by being thrown from his wagon
in a collision with a Metropolitan Co.'s
cable car. His skull was fractured and he
died within three days. Mr. Charles Law-
son, of the Weber-Wheelock firm, took an
active interest in the matter of securing
compensation for the deceased employee,
and as administrator, entered suit and
won the case.
Kroeger Activity.
The report this week at the Kroeger
factory was very satisfactory. The ware-
rooms and factory have been entirely
cleared of Kroeger and Gildemeester &
Kroeger instruments several times of late
to satisfy imperative out-of-town orders.
Mr. Couch is sending in some excellent
reports and big orders. Mr. Garritson is
making occasional short trips.
. PRESIDENT SAMUEL HAZELTON.
No nominations were made for the office
of 3rd Vice-president. This office was
created to give non-resident members fair
representation. As it is contemplated to
amend the by-laws with reference to non-
resident members, owing to their absorp-
tion, practically, within the jurisdiction
of the National Piano Manufacturers' As-
sociation, the necessity for such an officer
is obviated.
The only important business transacted,
apart from the election of officers, was the
appointment of a committee to revise the
bylaws referring to non-resident mem-
bers, along the lines above referred to, and
to suggest a change of name for the asso-
ciation. At present, the members think,
the similarity in title between the "Ameri-
can Piano Manufacturers' Association" and
the "National Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation of America" is confusing to many
in the trade.
flay Increase Capital Stock.
The suit of the Everett Piano Co., of
It is said that Mr. Rabenstein was de-
sirous of selling his stock to the company,
A meeting of the directors of the Weaver Boston, against Mary D. Fife, of Manches-
and because the company would not pur- Organ Co. will be held Jan. 27, at York, ter, N. H., was heard in the Kennard court
chase it filed a bill asking that a receiver be Pa., for the purpose of deciding for or room Tuesday before Judge Charles W.
appointed.
against an increase of the capital stock Hoitt, of that city, referee. The firm
The Chicago Cottage Organ Co. un- of the company by the sum of $90,000. claims $1,500 due,