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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Will the Votey Co. Hove?
The 20th Century Action.
THE DETROIT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE THEM TO
STAY NOTHING DEFINITE YET DECIDED
UPON, HOWEVER.
MR. ABENDSCHEIN REPORTS PROGRESS MAN-
UFACTURERS PRAISE THIS PRODUCT OF
THE STAIB PIANO ACTION CO.
The intermittent rumors for some time
past of a change in the location of the Votey
organ plant are once more prevalent. This
is what the Detroit News has to say on the
subject:
Commissioner Moore, of the freight bureau
of the Manufacturers' Club, does not like the
inference spread abroad that the organization
is doing nothing to keep factories in Detroit.
The club will do all in its power. In regard
to the probable removal of the Votey Organ
Co. to Garwood, N. T., Mr. Moore says:
" I called on Mr. Votey and learned that
arrangements had been practically completed
for the. removal of the pipe organ depart-
ment. When Mr. Votey purchased that por-
tion of the business, he interested Eastern
capital with the understanding that the estab-
lishment should be moved East, consolidated
with the /Eolian Co., of Meriden, Conn.,
which would also be removed to a point in
New Jersey, and a large piano department
added, the combined factories to employ 800
men. I suggested to Mr. Votey that if his
friends could be convinced of the advantages
of Detroit, they might consent to allow the
pipe organ department to remain and also
bring the /Eolian Co. and the piano depart-
ment. But their market for organs is princi-
pally in the East.
"The company have several substantial
offers—one being a free site, another suffi-
cient money (about $40,000) to erect their
new buildings, to be repaid in ten annual in-
stallments, without interest, and another the
contribution of 1,000,000 brick for building
purposes; all offers being coupled with a cer-
tain amount of cash bonus.
"Mr. Votey advised me that he had con-
tracts on his desk for his signature which, if
signed, will necessitate their removal, and
the question is to be decided at a directors'
meeting next week.
"There is another concern here that prom-
ises large growth, which has recently received
an offer for removal to Brooklyn, N. Y. It
can be induced to remain here if aided with
additional capital."
Just as Mr. Votey was about to leave the
city on Thursday morning, The Review drew
his attention to the above and asked for con-
firmation.
"We have had a move in contemplation
for the last twelve months," he said, in reply,
"but nothing definite can be stated yet. No
decisive arrangements have been made. To
that extent the statements made are true, to
no farther."
During a short talk recently with G. F.
Abendschein, of the Staib Piano Action Man-
ufacturing Co., he told The Review that
events have proved the progressive move
of the firm in completing and marketing
the 20th Century action to be a wise and
timely one. "We find," he said, "that many
manufacturers were on the lookout for just
what we have to offer, namely, a reliable,
well-made, and otherwise strictly high-grade
action at reasonable figures.
"When these firms found that we had taken
a big stride forward in the direction of devel-
oping our business, they met us half-way in
numerous instances and are now, without ex-
ception, warm supporters of the new action.
"For our own benefit as well as theirs, we
have invited free criticism. It is our opinion
that in this business, as well as in others,
there is always something to be learned and
we appreciate that fact. The 20th Century
action, to our mind, is as perfect an action as
can be made. Probably as time goes on,
we may see ways in which even it can be still
further developed.
"But for the present we are satisfied. We
are busy, getting a fair share of all the busi-
ness in the market, and our customers are
finding no fault; on the contrary, we are con-
stantly in receipt of letters saying that the
20th Century action is all that we represent
it to be. With this, as I say, for the present
we are content."
About April 1st, the Waldorf Piano Co.",
of Newark, N. J., will move their plant to
552-4 West Twenty-ninth street, this city.
This will not only mean a more central and
convenient location, but a saving in freight
will also be effected.
Herbert Humphrey's music store at Ionia,
Mich., was damaged by fire on Jan. 22, to
the extent of $300, covered by insurance.
Artistic Piano Back.
The artistic decorator has evolved a
"piano backj* which is really a marvel of con-
venience, although it gives the piano some-
what the air of Siamese twins. The "piano
back" is a piece of furniture just the height
and width of the piano and is mounted on
ornamental carved legs. Both ends are
fitted with irregular shelves for ornaments,
china, or books, while between them are
pigeon-holes. for note paper, etc., the flap
which covers it forming, when let down, a
place to write. On the top of this odd piece
of furniture, 'bric-a-brac or books are placed.
Musicians like these ornamental backs for
pianos, as they,can place their instruments
facing the light of the window with its back
to the room without offending the artistic
sense of persons who object to the unorna-
mental back of even a fine instrument.
Ramaciotti Strings.
11
Fire in Bridgeton, N. J.
[Special to The Review.]
Bridgeton, N. J., Jan. 26, 1898.
The stock in A. Scull & Co.'s music store
on South Laurel street, this city, was badly
damaged by a fire which started to-day in the
building next door. The loss, which is about
$3,000, is covered by insurance.
Dealer Burned Out.
[Special to The Review.]
Versailles, Ky., Jan. 24, 1898.
In the big fire which occurred in this place
to-day, entailing a loss of from $75,000 to
$100,000, the music store of J. E. Graves
was destroyed. The insurance approximates
fifty per cent, of the loss sustained.
Novel Krakauer Advertising.
The Krakauer agents over the country are
doing some telling advertising, some of which
is decidedly unique and original. This is
from a paper in Lawrence, Mass.:
"AUER-KRAK" PIANOS.
"We 'Krak-auer' pianos up, because they
'Krak-auer' competitors' trade, and prove
exactly as cracked up every time."
Another dealer advertises this:
"KRAKAUER" PIANOS.
"Our sounding boards are varnished with
honey, which gives them that sweet tone
which mystifies competition."
Reinhard Kochman, who is doing effective
work in the Krakauer interests, will leave
Monday next for a flying trip through New
York, Pennsylvania and further East. Short-
"ly after his return to the home factory he will
again leave for a protracted tour of the far
West.
Prescott fleeting.
The annual meeting of the Prescott Piano
Co. was held Jan. 24 at the office of the com-
pany and the following officers were chosen
for the ensuing year: W. D. Thompson,
Geo. D. B. Prescott, J. E. Fernald, C. C.
Danforth, Wm. M. Mason, F. P. Andrews,
and Dana G. Prescott.
At a subsequent meeting of the directors
W. D. Thompson was re-elected president,
Geo. D. B. Prescott, treasurer and general
superintendent; Dana G. Prescott, secretary;
F. P. Andrews, clerk; and W. M. Mason,
auditor.
The directors' report showed a satisfactory
gain in the past year, and plans for a large
business the coming year are being made.
Kimball Pipe Organ in Lexington.
[Special to The Review.]
Francis Ramaciotti, whose specialty is bass
strings, informed The Review during a recent
visit that one of the secrets of the firm's suc-
cess is the care taken to furnish patrons with
products that are absolutely reliable. By
certain processes within the control of the firm
and used in the preparation of the Ramaciotti
products, a high degree of perfection is at-
tained, with the result that manufacturers who
once begin the use of the firm's bass strings
are always satisfied to continue.
Lexington, Ky., Jan. 27, 1898.
The W. W. Kimball Co., of Chicago, have
an attraction in our city in the way of a fine
pipe organ in the First Presbyterian Church.
The opening will take place soon, and will be
in charge of a well-known organist. It prom-
ises to be a grand affair. The organ was sold
by R. M. Sutherlin, their local agent, in May,
1897. The extensive improvements on the
church have prevented the organ being placed
until this time.