Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1899 Vol. 28 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The whole article of Depew's is a sur-
prise, because he practically admits that
twenty-five years ago the conditions were
more conducive to general good than those
of to-day.
Depew is credited as being a man of great
shrewdness, and he sees plainly that the
trust movement is being largely overdone
in America, and that already a reaction is
setting in. He is not only a business man,
but a politician as well, and he fully realizes
the truth of the resolution adopted by a re-
cent political Convention declaring its belief
that "the greatest menace at the present
time to American civilization and to the in-
dustries and political liberties of the people
consists in the growing tendency to place
the business of the country in the hands of
combinations and trusts."
"T^HIS is what Bradstreet's has to say this
week on the matter of trusts: "It is,
perhaps, not a subject for regret that the
promotion of new industrial corporations
has recently experienced a chill. In quar-
ters where this new industry has been most
active, the opinion is now freely expressed
that the suitable material for consolidations
has been measurably exhausted, and that,
on- the other hand, the financial public
shows some disinclination to digest the
enormous mass of new securities which
have been created since the beginning of
the movement. It is, therefore, probable
that to a large extent the time and money
which are still being spent in obtaining
options upon establishments in particular
lines of business will be wasted."
LEGISLATION IN GERMANY,
HPHE smaller retail merchants of Ger-
many have apparently taken pattern
by the efforts of many of their brethren in
this country to check the development of
the department store. Although the Ger-
man storekeepers have succeeded in inter-
esting the Government in the movement,
it is questionable whether their efforts will
be more successful than those made here.
A bill has, however^ been introduced in the
Reichstag providing for the contribution
by the large stores of a larger proportion to
the governmental revenue than the small
stores.
The bill divides the branches of trade
into five groups, namely, food, drugs,
clothing, furniture and glass and jewelry.
Establishments trading in two of these
groups and employing more than twenty-
five persons are to be required to
pay 10 per cent, of their profits in tax-
ation ; those handling three groups, 15 per
cent. ; four, 20 per cent. ; and five, 25 per
cent. Stores engaged in three groups and
employing twenty-five persons are to pay
an annual tax of 20 marks for each one of
the twenty-five, and ten marks for each
additional employee. Stores having branch
establishments are to be treated as if all
were under the same roof, but co-operative
stores are to be taxed under the new law.
The bill is certain to meet persistent oppo-
sition in the Reichstag and is said to be
regarded in commercial circles as arbitrary
and senseless.
It will be interesting to know whether
the movement in Germany meets with any
more success than the efforts of a similar
character which have proved abortive in
more than one State in this country.
ENTRE NOUS.
IT is said that Philip Armour will devote
a portion of the vast machinery under
his control to the manufacture of piano
felts in the near future.
We have heard a great deal of the possi-
bility of Armour entering into competition
with the present manufacturers of felt for
the piano trade, but owing to huge orders on
hand from foreign sources, he has had lit-
tle or no time to mature plans for the man-
ufacture of piano felts. It would be very
nice if the felt trust could arrange with
Armour so that he would leave the piano
field entirely alone, while they in turn
might agree not to enter as competitors in
certain lines which Armour now controls.
However, Armour does not seem favorably
inclined to this idea, hence there may be
lively times ahead in piano felt competi-
tion. Things point that way at the pres-
ent time.
T H E annual dinner of the Boston Music
Trade Association was announced to
have taken place last night at the Copley
Square Hotel. Advices from Boston state
that there has been a postponement of the
dinner, and that the future date has not, as
yet, been decided upon.
Conn Purchases Benary Stock.
The latest stroke of C. G. Conn enter-
prise is the purchase of the entire A. E.
Benary stock. Mr. Conn made the pur-
chase on Tuesday and the taking of the
inventory began on Wednesday morning.
The stock consists of a full line of small
goods and, since Mr, Benary's death, has
been in the hands of the Home Trust Co.,
who were appointed receivers for the prop-
erty by the Courts.
In conversation with Mr. Conn on Wed-
nesday, he stated that it was his intention
to leave the stock at 62 White street, the
Benary headquarters, for the present, and
will sell from that point. He has not yet
formulated plans in this connection, but
will have something to say on the matter
in the course of the next few weeks.
New York to have a Great Fair.
PLAN TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT EXPOSITION
WHOSE BUILDINGS SHALL COVER EIGHT
BLOCKS OF GROUND—SHOW TO COST
$25,000,000
BUSINESS MEN
ARE INTERESTED.
If the Legislature passes the bill now
before it incorporating the Industrial and
Commercial Exposition Company of New
York, and if the plans of some of the lead-
ing business men of the city materialize,
New York in the spring of 1900 will have
an exposition which will cost $25,000,000,
and which will have a floor space one-third
greater than that of the World's Fair in
Chicago.
The bill to incorporate this company has
been presented to the Legislature by As-
semblyman Samuel Scott Slater, of New
York, and it was said yesterday by its in-
corporators that there was every reason to
believe that it would go through.
The plans for the big exposition build-
ings already have been made, the ground
on which they will be built has been se-
lected, and an option has been secured on
it. As soon as the Legislature incorporates
the company engineers will begin work, and
in less than a month the exposition build-
ings will begin.
The plans for the buildings provide that
they shall cover eight blocks, or an area of
more than 2,000,000 square feet. When
the profits have repaid the backers, it is
proposed to turn the exhibition over to the
city of New York. The purpose is to
make the exposition permanent.
The incorporators include men eminent
in the business affairs of New York men
whose association with the affair insures
its success. The Merchants' Association
also is interested in the plan, and will lend
every possible aid. The money for the
project, it is expected, will be raised
without difficulty.
Manufacturers and
jobbers of New York are interested and all
will subscribe for the stock, which it is be-
lieved will be a paying investment.
The purpose of the exposition is to have
an open exhibition and a central market.
The exhibitions will be confined to Ameri-
can manufactured goods solely. Goods
will be so placed on exhibition that buyers
can make their purchases in the exposition,
thereby saving manufacturers or wholesale
jobbers the expense of agents.
In speaking of the exposition yesterday
Edward L. Cushman, one of the promoters
said:
"We have every reason to believe that
the exposition will prove a great success
and a great benefit to merchants and man-
ufacturers. The money will be forthcom-
ing as soon as the Legislature incorpo-
rates the company, and work will begin at
once."
Miss Minnie Pyle was the piano soloist
at the twelfth recital of the St. Cecilia
Choral Club, Dallas, Tex., given the early
part of the month. She used the Fischer
concert grand. Both player and piano won
high praise from the local papers. The
Will A. Watkin Music Co. represent the
Fischer in Dallas and locality.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
Music TRADE REVIEW
No Piano Plate Trust.
Carreno in New York.
DANIEL F. TREACY SAYS THAT UNDER EXIST-
ING CONDITIONS SUCH A COMBINATION
IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Mme. Teresa Carreno, who, during the
past few months, has been charming the
West by her delightful and enthusiastic
playing, made her first appearance in this
city last Wednesday and Thursday with
the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She
played Tschaikovsky's great work, his
First Piano Concerto, a composition which
unquestionably did much to acquaint the
world with the fact that this composer was
a new and lasting force in music. It is a
work tha.t is difficult for both the solo in-
strument and the accompanying orchestra.
It abounds in the composer's individuality
and shows his fondness for native forms,
his love of bright colors, his mastery of
orchestral resources,—in fact everything
that has given his music its identity. Mme.
Carreno found in this Concerto a vehicle for
her exuberant love of music, and her de-
light in phrases and passages that permit a
vigorous and dramatic expression.
Of Carreno's playing the critics of the
daily papers have been most complimen-
tary. The World says: " Her performance
was a superb one—big, broad, masterly,
spontaneous, and yet well balanced in con-
trasts. The ornamental figure with which
the piano accompanies the dainty waltz
theme in the second movement was played
with fairy fingers; the fortissimo which
concludes the concert was thundered with
wrists of steel. The interpretation was
one to be recorded among the pianistic
events of the season. "
At the concert on Thursday night Mme.
Carreno played MacDowell's Second Piano-
forte Concerto with such splendid spon-
taneity in execution that she scored as
great a success as with the Tschaikovsky
.number at the opening concert.
The Chickering concert grand which
Mme. Carreno used on the occasion gave a
splendid account of itself. It was equal to
all the demands made upon it and this cer-
tainly means much, for Carreno's forte is a
veritable tour de force. In variety of tonal
color—from the most delicate fortissimo to
full orchestral volume—the Chickering was
in every respect delightfully satisfying.
This week's report ait the Davenport &
Treacy factories is indicative of healthy
progress. The force is kept busy in every
department and the prospects for con-
tinuance of activity are excellent.
In the course of a brief talk with The
Review on the subject of a rumored com-
bination of plate-making interests, Mr.
Treacy, when asked as to truth of current
reports, said:
'' There has been talk
among the plate-makers along that line,
.but no meeting has been held. A few of
us had a friendly conversation concerning
the feasibility of such a plan, and ideas
were exchanged, but I am convinced that,
under existing conditions, such a combina-
tion is not possible.
"So far as the firm of Davenport &
Treacy are concerned, we are satisfied to
continue steadily along as we are at pres-
ent. We know that we are giving the best
possible values, and this fact is fully appre-
ciated by manufacturers who are well
aware that it is not possible to get a new
dollar for fifty cents.
"Iron has risen $6^2 per ton, and in
some instances we have advanced the price
of plates, but there has been no objection,
because the cause for the rise in our rates
has been recognized as legitimate. Try
how they will, I am firmly of the belief
that those who are interested in the union
of plate-making interests will be unable to
achieve the aim they have in view—for the
present, at any rate."
Fischer Triumphs.
THEIR PRODUCTIONS THIS YEAR, AS WELL AS
BUSINESS GENERALLY, BEAT ALL RECORDS.
This season has placed on record a flatter-
ing series of Fischer triumphs. The latest
Fischer grands and uprights have, without
exception, met with the warm approval of
Fischer representatives and retail patrons.
There has never been a larger or more
artistic showing of the firm's products than
that for 1899. This is particularly true of
the new Fischer style 5, orchestral concert
grand—now in use in many concert and
recital halls throughout the States, and the
new style 23, Fischer Grand Uprights.
Each of the other new styles, including
style 14 Boudoir upright; style 15, Cabinet
upright, and styles 17 and 20, Grand up-
rights, has scored an individual success on
its merits in style, tone construction and
finish. This record is strictly in keeping
with the firm's declaration of "individual-
ity " as a conspicuous characteristic of
Fischer products:—" Every Fischer piano
possesses a charming individuality. It is
different in many ways from a piano of
any other make. It is unmistakably a
Fischer Piano,—new or after a life-time
of service, it proclaims it at every turn at
every feature. Fischer pianos are built
upon fixed principles, and every instrument
is judged by an unswerving standard be-
fore it leaves the factories."
Bill Affecting Installments.
LSpecial to The Review.]
Kansas City, Mo., March 21, 1899.
The Senate committee on judiciary have
reported favorably in the legislature a bill
which is of great inportance to piano and
organ dealers as well as all concerns which
sell goods on time or on the installment
plan. The bill was introduced by Senator
Ramp, of Greene. It provides that in all
cases where mortgages are given on per-
sonal property to secure the purchase price,
before foreclosure can be instituted or the
property taken, 75 per cent, of all pay-
ments made must be returned to the person
making the mortgage. Such an act might
be taken advantage of by persons desiring
to rent pianos at nominal rates, the dealer
having no recourse.
9
Conover Incorporates.
The Conover Bros. Co. were granted a
certificate of incorporation by the Secret-
ary of State of New Jersey, this week. It
is their intention to manufacture pianos,
organs, etc. The capital is placed at $650,-
000. The incorporators are: James F.
Conover of New York, Edward W. Curtis,
New Rochelle, and Thomas Watson of
Cranford, N. J.
There is little to add to the particulars
given above at the present time regarding
the Conover Bros. Co. Meanwhile it is a
great pleasure to welcome again into the
active for&es of the local trade such a capa-
ble and progressive worker as J. Frank
Conover. Since the very earliest days he
has endeavored to labor along original lines
and has always had a horror of the stereo-
typed. Many members of the trade are
familiar with his "Pompadour" Grand
which possesses many points of excellence
and novelty and of which we have spoken
many times in these columns.
At a later date we hope to give full par-
ticulars regarding the development of this
enterprise.
;
Committee on Stencils
MAKING PROGRESS CHAS. H. PARSONS SPEAKS
OF THE WORK.
During a brief talk on Wednesday with
Chas. H. Parsons, president of the Need-
ham Piano & Organ Co., The Review in-
quired if any further particulars were
available concerning the proceedings of
what is now known as the Stencil Commit-
tee of the New York Piano Manufacturers'
Association.
Mr. Parsons replied that rapid progress
is being made with the report, which, when
completed, will be handed in to the Execu-
tive Committee for appropriate action in
connection with the forthcoming meeting
of the National Association at Washington.
"Each member of the Committee," said
Mr. Parsons, "has been allotted a certain
division of the general inquiry and each is
thus contributing definite results of his
own investigation. The report will be
lengthy. We 1 are endeavoring to cover the
whole ground in such a way as to enable
proper steps to be taken, in due course,
once for all, toward the solution of this
difficult .problem. I trust that our work
will be productive of some genuine good,
assuring justice and fair play for all."
Opportunity for Dealers.
The next special rate excursion in Trunk
Line territory for which the Merchants'
Association of ' New York has arranged
begins on April 3rd and the last day for
the purchase of tickets is April 6th. This
affords out-of-town dealers a splendid
opportunity to visit the metropolis, which
at that time will be in all its spring glory,
The Rev. Chas. Henry Lincoln, who in commercially speaking. Father Knicker-
1880 was agent for an organ company at Mo- bocker throws the gates ajar and extends a
bile, Ala., died at Pittsburg, Pa., recently. welcome.

Download Page 6: PDF File | Image

Download Page 7 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.