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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
War and Business.
(Continued from page 3)
continue our work uninterrupted, feeling
confident that we will be able to make as
good, or even a better showing than that
made in 1897.
" T o those in the North and East we
will say that you need apprehend no un-
usual reduction in either the amount of
the State's business or the quality thereof,
and although it seems a little discouraging
at the present, yet it is always the case at
this time, and as before stated, we have
all confidence in the revival of business at
an early date.
" With best wishes for your success."
Waterloo Organ Co., Waterloo, N. V.:—
" Thus far the war has affected business
to a certain extent. We find that it has
affected business more in the East than in
the West. We have so far this year done
more business than we did the .same length
of time last year. We think it probable
trade will be quiet during July and until
the middle of August, but with the crop
prospects in the West, we look for the
best fall trade we have had in years. We
believe that the war will not affect general
business to any extent this fall."
Phillips & Crew Co., Atlanta, Ga.: —
"•It is a very prevalent opinion in this sec-
tion that we will have an improved condi-
tion of trade in all lines during the fall
and winter, war or no war. This opinion
is based chiefly on the fact of the large dis-
bursement of government funds which
must continue for many months to come.
Money constitutes the sinews of war and
of business as well. If this is plentiful
and circulates freely, trade revives and
prosperity reigns.
"The crop conditions, though favorable
now, are subject to so many vicissitudes
that it is unsafe to predicate an opinion as to
their value from the present outlook.
' 'The piano and organ trade, as you know,
is the first to suffer from hard times, but
it is quick to rally on the return of pros-
perity. We, in this section, are hopeful
and working with increased zeal to surpass
the record of the past few years."
Yohn Bros., Harrisburg,
farmers particularly and are very hopeful
for a good substantial trade next fall.
"We sincerely hope that our prog-
nostications may prove correct."
John Hoyt, Davenport, l a . : — " W e are
looking forward to what we believe will be
prosperous times for some time to come.
Trade has steadily improved with us since
the first of the year. The crops promise a
bountiful harvest and good prices. All
our large manufactories are running full
time—some running night and day to fill
orders; the Government disbursing large
sums for arms and munitions, that will be
likely to continue for some time, even if
our difficulty with Spain be of short dura-
tion.
"Yes, I believe we will have a good
trade this fall."
Crancer & Curtice Co., Lincoln, Neb.:—
"We believe business is bound to be
good out here. As far as we are con-
cerned, our trade is more than satisfactory
and we understand our competitors are
also having good business. We believe
the continuance of the war will keep the
price of grain up, and will consequently
benefit this part of the country."
Philip Werlein, New Orleans:—"The pre-
vailing sentiment in our locality is that in
the event that Hawaii be annexed and a
little later Cuba, in addition to the starva-
tion prices that are prevailing for cotton,
business will not be good at any time
for a few years until this section is able to
regulate the expenses of making'a crop, to
that of the then annexed islands. You
understand that the prosperity of this sec-
tion is almost altogether controlled by the
prices that prevail for sugar and cotton,
and in the event that there be no annexa-
tion, the price for sugar will be excellent
and there is no reason why business
should not be excellent for the fall. At
present, the feeling of uncertainty about
the future is making the purchasing pub-
lic very wary of entering into contracts
that extend over a number of years, as a
piano purchase does. Such is the impres-
sion regarding business conditions, from
present light on the subject."
Pa.: —"Our
Carl Hoffman, Kansas City, flo.:—"The
business sentiment in this locality is that
it will be good next fall whether the war
continues or not. However, our trade has
been fair during the spring and summer,
and especially the present month, and we
feel very much encotiraged. However, we
have moved into quarters four times as
large as we previously occupied, and of
course carry a larger stock, and would
naturally expect to do more business with
our present facilities."
outlook in this section of the country is
imusually favorable, and I do not think
that the war will materially affect business
in any way. We feel the prospects are
very encouraging."
Lange & flinton, Burlington, Iowa:
—" You ask us what our views are upon
the trade conditions at present. In talk-
ing with a number of our best business
men, the consensus of opinion is decidedly
optimistic, and they, without exception,
are positive that the trade next fall will be
good whether the war is closed or not.
"Our travellers report a decidedly
better and easier feeling amongst the
D. H. Baldwin & Co., Cincinnati:—" We
would say that the general condition of
the country is so good and sound we see
no reason to expect anything else but a
good fall trade. The destructive effects
of war will not be felt in our country.
The great wealth of the United States en-
ables it easily to carry the burden of taxa-
tion imposed, and to furnish the men and
materials needed for prosecution of the
war to a successful end.
"Caution in credits and enterprise in
effort ought to give good results to manu-
facturers and dealers."
C. G. Conn, Elkhart,
lnd. :—"I
am
inclined to think that business to be thrifty
and prosperous needs the stable influence
of peace, but there is no reason why the
country generally should not enjoy the
benefits of a brisk, satisfactory trade this
fall.
" The enlistment of a large number of
soldiers will make room for the employ-
ment of many idle people and lessen the
number directly dependent on others for
support. The expense of equipping the
army and navy will place a vast amount
of money in circulation, and the advanced
prices of agricultural products will relieve
much of the stress among farmers and
cause them to be more liberal in their
purchases.
" The return of our troops to the ways
of peace, should peace be declared, would
necessitate a reduction of the force of
wage earners in some of our industrial
lines; but as that event is not likely to
occur for some little time to come I can
see no cause why there should be a diminu-
tion of our present business boom."
Gibbons & Stone, Rochester, N. Y.:—
" Excuse me, the question is too deep and
full of uncertainties. The buying public,
should prosperity strike us, have too many
debts to clean up to make any perceptible
difference in our coming fall, trade over
the preceding one. I should say to the
trade, go slow, don't crowd the market.
We have had enough of over production,
cut prices following. What we need most
is better goods and fair prices."
E. A. Kieselhorst, St. Louis:—" I am
of the opinion that business next fall will
be excellent, whether the present war is
still in progress or not. Why should it be
otherwise? The farmers prospects were
never better, and we have always found
that when the farmer is prosperous, the
whole country is prosperous. In the next
place, our enormous balance of trade for
the closing fiscal year, shows a mighty
healthy condition of affairs. At this rate,
considering prospective conditions, what
is there to hinder even a larger balance
next year? Again, the war is bound to
bring great and lasting benefits to the
country, the main benefit, both for busi-
ness and war, being the completion of the
Nicaragua Canal, which I feel certain will
be commenced at an early date.
" I could take up one item after an-
other, almost indefinitely, to fortify the
opinion expressed above, but I feel certain
the readers of your valued journal enter-
tain the same optimistic feeling that I do,
therefore, I will not take up space that
would probably be used better by another
brother in the trade."
Palmer & Palmer, publishers of a
Chicago Heights journal, will learn that
the Hon. J. V. Steger has a good deal of
fight in him before they are through with
that distinguished member of the trade.
There is considerable speculation in the
trade as to who will succeed Sumner A.
Gould, who recently resigned his position
as manager of the Boston branch of the
Estey Co.