Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1898 Vol. 27 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL t •< •
Editor and Proprietor
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
3 East 14th St., New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States,
Mexico and Canada, fa.00 per year; all other countries,
$3.00.
ADVERTISEnENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
insertion. On auarterly or yearly contracts a special dis-
count is allowed. Advertising Pages $50.00, opposite read-
ing matter $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Clasi Matter.
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 24, 1898.
TELEPHONE NUMBER, 1745-EIOHTEENTH STREET.
THE KEYNOTE.
The first week of each month, The Review will
contain a supplement embodying the literary
and musical features which have heretofore
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
will be effected without in any way trespassing
on our regular news service. The Review will
continue to remain, as before, essentially a
trade paper.
BYWAYS AND HEDGES.
T H E important news item of the week
unquestionably is the deal consum-
mated by the Krell Piano Co. with John
Wanamaker, whereby the Wanamaker
stores in this city and Philadelphia will
handle the Krell and Royal pianos. The
details in full appear elsewhere in an inter-
view with Mr. Herman Krell. From this
it can be seen that the Wanamaker concerns
are not going into the cheap stencil piano
business, but rather intend, in line with
their general policy, to handle well-known
reputable wares. Of course, in this field,
they will become even stronger competi-
tors for the regular piano dealer than were
they to follow the course of other depart-
ment stores, and sell the cheap stencil
trash. Is this move the forerunner of
more of similar nature ?
It is premature to prognosticate anent
the effect this move will have on the gen-
eral retail trade. There is one thing per-
fectly clear, that the encroachments of the
great department stores on the business of
the retailer can only be offset by employ-
ing in a measure their methods whenever
and wherever applicable. A constant agi-
tation must be kept up as to the goods and
values offered.
It will not do merely to talk about and
condemn the department stores. There
must be less fault-finding and more action.
Every person knows that no competitor, if
he has good business qualities, will con-
stantly talk about another, unless his own
business is hurt, and the people he talks to
very often receive the above impression
and attribute it to the fact that his com-
petitor handles a better grade of goods and
at more reasonable prices,
The up-to-date retailer must simulate to "dished u p " by a scared contemporary
a large extent the methods of these stores, are the veriest space-fillers.
give more atteution to publicity and con-
It is a well-known fact, and not denied
duct his business on thoroughly up-to- by the heads of department stores that
date lines. The success which seems to their piano venture is purely an experi-
follow the department stores does not nec- ment. If it does pay, of course it will be
essarily ensue because they are depart- continued. Undoubtedly the department
ment stores, but because they are con- stores selling stencilled pianos will dispose
ducted by men who are thoroughly alive of quite a number of these instruments
to modern methods of doing business.
during the coming, as they have during
The continual howling over ruinous the past, year. They will sell very largely
competition and all that is only a waste of to a class of people who never could be
energy and time. We are living in an ac- reached by the ordinary piano dealers, and
tive age, one of constant changes—a cold, who would never dream of buying a piano
commercial era—which rewards best those were they not attracted and caught so to
who keep in the front rank in the army of speak by department store methods.
progress.
It requires no extraordinary mind to re-
alize what will be the result of the present
F course the pessimists, whom we always move of a certain department store which
will have with us, are prone to look is selling pianos worth $125 on the club
upon the piano situation through an indigo- principle of $5.00 down and $1.25 a week.
hued glass. There is no reason for de- A little experience, and they will be
spondency. The retail piano trade is ca- brought face to face with the fact that they
pable of tremendous expansion. It is still are losing money. The class of people
in its infancy. It is imperative, however, who purchase these instruments arc prover-
that obsolete methods must go and up-to- bially uncertain in payments. When the
date ideas must be applied to business cost of selling, carting, tuning, repairing
government. There must be more public- and replevining is considered, it will be
ity. Goods must be brought before the found that this concern will not only have a
public persistently and intelligently. This goodly number of secondhand instruments
is an evolutionary age, and the methods of on their hands but some dearly purchased
disposing of goods in every line of trade
knowledge which may compel them to
have undergone a complete metamor-
change their policy or go out of the piano
phosis.
business.
The fierceness of competition is often
given as a reason for fault-finding, and it I T is pleasing to note the efforts which
is claimed that profits are being wiped out
are being made by the President and
by its operation, but the fact remains that, Secretary Hay toward placing the consular
while the percentage of profit may be less service outside of politics—making promo-
now than formerly, the aggregate in every tion and permanency in office depend upon
instance is much greater than it ever was merit and good behavior. In view of the
before. The development of business is importance of our foreign trade, which has
illimitable, and so long as that remains now assumed tremendous proportions, it is
true, competition cannot be injurious in absolutely necessary that fitness and not
the slightest degree. It is only another "influence " should be the sole requisite to
name for progress, and, instead of being a appointment in that important branch of
force to drive men out of business, is one government service.
of the most powerful to press men into the
It is a notorious fact that many consular
unexplored regions where great business appointments, due to the present system of
triumphs may be enjoyed. A far greater "pull," have resulted in the selection of
number of men have competition to thank men unfit to properly represent the inter-
for their success than those who mistakenly ests of the United States abroad. It has
blame it for their failure.
been the endeavor of the State Department
in recent years to get Congress to provide
IN treating of this department store ques- adequate salaries for consulates the situa-
tion and its bearing upon the piano tion of which is unhealthy or business at-
situation generally, it is not wise to work tached to which is so extensive and com-
one's self up to a condition that leads to un- plex as to require the attention of a well in-
warranted apprehension. It is an easy mat- formed official of legal training. The esti-
ter to theorize about what may happen if so mates which Secretary Hay submitted to the
and so occur, but theories are not facts. All present Congress provided for increases of
this talk of contracts being closed by de- salaries for officers in Mexico, Central and
partment stores for 2500 pianos a year, and South America, Polynesia and the Far
the specious assumptions which haye been East. Once the salary of all of the consu-
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
lates is on the basis which the depart-
ment desires there is every reason to be-
lieve that the Secretary of State will urge
upon Congress the necessity of applying
soine sort of civil service rules to the
whole service, not only with reference to
appointments, but also to promotions.
It is to be hoped that Congress will see
the desirability and value of appointments
based upon merit alone and will make
provision for them accordingly.
/CHRISTMAS is here again! This
year it finds our manufacturers and
the country at large enjoying a degree of
prosperity not only better than its pre-
decessor, but almost equal to the much
talked about banner year of 1892. On
every side we find gratifying evidences of
healthy trade life and great conquests in
the peaceful competition of business.
Our export trade has passed all records,
and is steadily increasing. We are ship-
ping abroad not only our agricultural pro-
ducts, but all kinds of manufactures. We
are sending locomotives to England, elec-
trical equipment to France, steel rails to
South Africa, Siberia and Hindostan,
and finished machinery all over the world.
This year closes not only with a big ad-
dition to our territory, but also a commer-
cial expansion that means employment to
our workmen and prosperity for the nation.
The yuletide logs burn brightly, and let
us drain a bumper to Christmas cheer.
IN the new customs tariff for Cuba pro-
mulgated this week, and which goes
into effect on Jan. 1st next, pianos are
scheduled to pay an import duty of 40 per
cent, ad valorem.
"THEY are dreadfully serious in Ger-
many. We learn from a London
contemporary that the Ambassador at Ber-
lin has forwarded to the British Foreign
Office a report relating to the publication
in the official organ of one of the Prussian
Chambers of Commerce of a list of judicial
decisions under the law against "unfair
competition."
Among these are: A
tradesman who advertises " all one price "
is bound to sell all his goods at that price;
he infringes the law if he charges more.
For offering certain goods for sale under
cost price in order to attract customers, the
Court condemned the defendant as being
guilty of an offence against the law. Cus-
tomers have the right to buy goods in any
quantity at the price at which they are in-
dicated in the shop windows. To sell at cost
price means, according to the Chambers of
Commerce, charging customers the price
which the seller paid at the factory. If
a tradesman advertises "small profits and
quick returns," he must be ready to prove
the assertion. Views on business paper of
factories and showrooms must represent
these places as they actually are, as they
serve as advertisements. In one case a
tradesman was summoned for advertising
cheap goods as "unblemished," and prohib-
ited from using that term in the future.
IN the usual weekly review of the busi-
ness situation Bradstreet's just "hits
the nail on the head" in the following
paragraph: '' Likening the general busi-
ness of the country to that of a water-
course, it may be authoritatively stated
that nearly all the channels of seasonable
trade are at the present time running full
and in some lines of business the stream is
virtually out of the banks."
The Vocalion Organ Co.
THE NAME OK A NEW CORPORATION WHICH
SUCCEEDS THE MASON & RISCH CO. H. H.
TREMAINE, PRESIDENT WILL INAU-
GURATE A VIGOROUS POLICY.
The Mason & Risch Vocalion Co. have
sold out their entire interests to a new
company, to be known as the Vocalion
Organ Co., of which H., B. Tremaine is
president and H. A. Mason, Jr., is general
manager and treasurer.
When The Review saw Mr. Tremaine on
Thursday with reference to this important
move in the manufacturing world he con-
firmed the news. "Yes," said he, " i t is
true that I have accepted the presidency of
the Vocalion Organ Co. Its predecessor,
the Mason & Risch Vocalion Co. was a Ca-
nadian corporation. The stock was held
largely, if not entirely, by Canadians.
'' The new company, which has purchased
the stock and all other property of the old
concern, is an American corporation. Op-
erations will be conducted along the same
lines as heretofore. A vigorous policy will
be instituted, with a view to extending the
scope of work.
" The property is in excellent condition
as it stands, but we shall add largely to the
plant and other facilities. The Vocalion,
for church and home use, will be strenu-
ously advocated throughout the States and
in all other good fields. The factory will
be continued at Worcester.
" This transfer was not made until Sat-
urday last. All announcements prior to
that date concerning the Mason & Risch
Co. were premature."
Goepel's Greeting.
Charles F. Goepel, as the result of a
happy thought, is sending to his friends a
novel, yet old-fashioned Christmas greet-
ing in the shape of a card containing an
expression of his good wishes.
Mr. Goepel is prospering in his business,
as he deserves to prosper, and it will be
perfectly safe to say in advance that his
good wishes are reciprocated by each and
all of his friends and patrons. The out-
look for Goepel trade in 1899 is excellent.
Krakauer's New Factory.
SECURE THE OLD QUARTERS OCCUPIED BY
HAINES BROS. WILL GIVE THEM NEEDED
FACILITIES FOR THEIR GROWING BUSI-
NESS WILL ALSO RETAIN PRESENT
FACTORY QUARTERS.
Krakauer Bros, have secured a lease of
the Haines factory recently vacated by
Haines Bros., (133d street and Alexander
avenue), and will occupy the entire space
on five floors, each 65x52 feet, for case-
making, bellying and stringing.
The wood-working machinery will be
transferred from the present factory, and
many new machines will be added, with a
view to greater economy of time and labor,
also to enable still greater advances toward
perfection in manufacture than have
hitherto been possible.
This is an important change, affording
an excellent illustration of the well-known
fact that, as a rule, the fittest among piano-
makers, as among other callings, not only
survive but flourish.
" The necessary documents were signed
this morning," said Maurice Krakauer to
The Review on Thursday, " and it will not
be our fault if next year, under improved
conditions, we are not able to supply all
demands—something we cannot do at pres-
ent."
'' Will you retain your present quarters
here on 126th street?" Mr. Krakauer was
asked.
" By all means. The main floor of this
building will be suitably fitted up for an
adequate exhibit of our styles in grands
and uprights. The office will remain.
On the factory floors the parts of instru-
ments will be assembled, and every piano
will pass through the several stages of con-
struction here, including the usual personal
examination by members of the firm be-
fore shipment."
" Will the force be increased ? "
"Yes, in every department. The total
increase will be from 50 to 75, each indi-
vidual being an expert in his line of work."
" Do you think of any other details, Mr.
Krakauer, likely to be of interest to your
representatives ? "
"Nothing except, perhaps, the statement
that our facilities will, we calculate, be
increased 50 per cent. The progressive
policy of the firm will be continued, not
by a series of rushes or any premature
enterprises, but by a steady onward move-
ment.
This has been the rule with
Krakauer Bros, from the start, and there
is every reason why it should be main-
tained.
" Our retail business is also to be ex-
panded. Of that I can say more later on.
On looking over our books this week we
find that the excess of output in 1898, so
far over 1897, is 300 instruments. "
Julius Braunsdorf a Partner.
Geo. W. Braunsdorf, proprietor of the
Manhattan Musical String Co., has taken
his brother Julius into partnership. The
junior member of the firm will act as busi-
ness manager while his brother acts as
traveling agent for the firm.

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