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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
portion of this paper. A perusal of the docu-
ment will demonstrate the fact that the mem-
bers of the Association are earnestly seeking
to discover means and methods for trade ad-
vancement. When there is a persistent effort
in any particular direction there is invariably
some specific results accomplished.
"pHE demand for baby grand pianos is in-
creasing. During the present year a num-
ber of concerns will have added the making
of baby grand pianos to their line. There is
no disputing the statement that there will be
a steadily increasing demand for this particu-
lar style of instruments as the years roll on.
IS the advertising value of show windows
in the trade under-estimated?
The possibilities of window-advertising is
far-reaching, and it is a recognized fact, that
an effective display will make an impression
on the mind, which will not be easily effaced.
It was not long ago that an incident was
brought to our notice where an individual saw
a magnificent piano in a certain window. It
must have impressed him favorably, because
a month after he returned to that store, told
the salesman why he came, how he was im-
pressed by the piano in the window, for
which, by the way, he left his check.
It pays to make a window attractive, and
instead of over-crowding it, have at all times
artistically displayed therein with suitable en-
vironments—a first-class attractive instru-
ment.
A great many dealers are in the habit of
putting "any old thing" in the window.
Window space is valuable, and its advertising
value is perhaps under-estimated.
Again, how many windows do we see which
are unattractive as well as unclean. The
show window is not only of great advertising
value, but it is to a certain extent a reflex of
the business methods of the concern. If a
window is clean, bright, attractive, and con-
tains something of interest, the natural con-
clusion is that the concern behind it is a
pretty good house to investigate.
]Y\ARC A. BLUMENBERG has filed a gen-
eral denial in his answer to the Haines
Bros.' complaint, in which the latter concern
allege that the insertion of an unauthorized
advertisement in the Courier Trade Extra
damaged them to the extent of $20,000.
IT looks like a Review year all round. The
regular and special work included in this
issue will, perhaps, serve as a forceful illus-
tration of the esteem in which the paper is
held by the entire trade. The present suc-
cess of The Review demonstrates the fact
that clean, forcible, well-directed journalism
in the end is bound to be appreciated. 1897
was the best year in many ways ever recorded
by The Review. 1898, judging from present
indications, is destined to eclipse it in a sub-
stantial way.
J U D G E COHEN, of the Supreme Court, to
whom was submitted the voluminous affida-
vits and briefs of the Haines Bros. Incor. vs.
Haines & Co., Rochester, has decided that
the plaintiffs are not entitled to the relief
sought in the prayer for an injunction.
However, he says that the plaintiffs should
have a speedy determination of their rights, if
any have been infringed, and requests that
the case be set for trial at an early date.
IF the investigation which is now going on
in Havana Harbor proves that the man-of-
war "Maine" was blown up by external
causes, it may be that the Spaniards will wish
that Isabella had kept her crown jewels in-
stead of pawning them to send one Christo-
pher Columbus voyaging across the unknown
seas.
Permanent Orchestra Movement.
C. H. DITSON OFFERS $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 FOR THE FUND
GRAU WILL EMPLOY THE PERMANENT
ORGANIZATION.
At the meeting of prominent New Yorkers
held Thursday in the interest of the estab-
lishment of a permanent orchestra in this
city, a letter was read from Mr. C. H. Ditson,
in which he said that he would subscribe
$10,000 for a fund of not less than $500,000
for the permanent maintenance of an orches-
tra, Anton Seidl to be the first conductor, or
for a guarantee fund to insure the orchestra till
it could be placed on a permanent footing.
Henry W. Poor, of the committee on fi-
nances, said after Mr. Ditson's letter had
been read, that there were others who were
ready to subscribe larger or smaller sums,
and there would be no difficulty in raising the
required amount.
It was also announced that Maurice Grau
had made a proposition to employ the orches-
tra, if it should be formed, for a definite num-
ber of performances next season and the sea-
son after, and to pay a definite sum. The
figures were not given officially, but it is
understood that the performances for which
Mr. Grau will employ the orchestra are the
regular ones of the opera season at the Met-
ropolitan, and the Sunday evening concerts
in connection with the opera, and that the
sum which he offers is $80,000 for each
season.
The plan which was proposed looked to the
acceptance of this offer and provided also for
the giving of three concerts by the orchestra
in October and three in November of each
year, and one each in December, January,
February and March. A guarantee fund is
to be raised to insure the maintenance of the
orchestra, and Mr. Poor explained that $100,-
000 would probably be enough for five years.
Indeed, he thought that if this sum were sub-
scribed it was likely that not more than a
tenth part of it would have to be drawn. It
is proposed that subscriptions shall be asked
for, the minimum subscription to be $100,
this sum to entitle the subscriber to member-
ship in the association and^ admission to all
concerts.
Committees including the prominent society
and musical people have been appointed to
take charge of the formation and conduct of
the new orchestra, and the prospects are now
almost certain that a permanent orchestra
will be established with Anton Seidl as its
first conductor.
Major C. F. Howes, general traveler for
the Mason & Hamlin Co., was in town this
week. In Major Howes the Mason & Ham-
lin concern have an eloquent advocate, who
is enthusiastic over the merits of the new
Mason & Hamlin piano.
The M. Steinert & Sons Co.'s branch in
Manchester, N. H., will remove March 1st
from the present quarters, 930 Elm street, to
the Kennard Building, 1010 Elm street,
where larger and more suitable quarters wil|
be occupied.
Prof. A. G. Emerick, a composer and con-
tributor on musical subjects to the Philadel-
phia papers, died last Saturday night at the
home of his pupil and friend, Michael Clark-
son, at Tioga, Pa.
Business with Geo. Steck & Co. in both
wholesale and retail departments is very satis-
factory. An idea of the condition of the re-
tail trade can be gained when we state that
on Thursday last they sold five new uprights
from the warerooms. This looks like busi-
ness.
E. W. Furbush, the Vose ambassador, is
making a Western trip which will extend to
the Pacific coast. In his journeyings he is
meeting with splendid success. This is not
surprising, when we consider the ability and
energy of the man, and the splendid line of
instruments which he is representing.
Franciulli's Seventy-first Regiment Band
will give a grand popular concert at the
armory, Park avenue aud Thirty-fourth street,
this -evening. W. P. Chambers, cornet so-
loist, and other distinguished artists will as-
sist.
Harry G. Farnham, the Needham travel-
ing representative, was a visitor to The Re-
view sanctum some days ago. He is most
enthusiastic about trade conditions, and
stated that the Needham products were never
more popular.
Business is very brisk at the Gratz ware-
rooms. * Mr. Gratz left on Wednesday last
for a short tour. Mr. Ingersoll is still on the
road sending in good orders for symphonions
and other specialties.
Geo. C. Royce, of the Whaley-Royce Co.,
Toronto, Can., Robt. L. Loud, Buffalo, N.
Y., and Col. H. W. Hall, Burlington, Vt.,
J. Kaiser, Manager Driggs & Smith, Water-
bury, Conn., C. W. Druckenmiller, Oswego,
N. Y., John Haines and Geo. W. Armstrong,
Rochester, N. Y., were in town this week.