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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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Peter D. Strauch on "Trusts,"
. . Truce on Stencil Bill. . .
CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL INDEFINITELY POSTPONED RESOLUTIONS DIRECTING
PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO
TAKE ACTION ON THE STENCIL QUESTION.
Truce has been declared between the ad-
vocates of the Redington measure to regu-
late stencils and those who oppose imme-
diate legislation. Messrs. Spies and Baus,
the most active of the aggressive party
have consented to suspend, conditionally,
further agitation for the time being.
After the meeting held in the parlor of
Union Square Hotel on Tuesday, Feb. 14,
Messrs. Widenmann and Proddow, of the
New York Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, met Messrs. Spies and Baus, and,
after a long conference, an understanding
was reached whereby an endeavor would
be made to secure Mr. Redington's consent
to a postponement of legislative action
pending the National Association's meet-
ing in April.
On the part of the New York Association
an anticipatory resolution was drawn up
and' signed. This resolution in its original
form, was not accepted for purposes of
conciliation by Messrs. Spies and Baus.
A revision was made and is here given. It
was intended to take effect, of course, in
the event of subsequent efforts to have the
bill postponed being successful.
Resolved, that in view of the fact that
the hearing in the matter of the so-called
Redington Bill (Assembly Bill No. 485) has
been indefinitely postponed, this committee
requests the President of the New York
Piano Manufacturers' Association to ap-
point a committee of seven for the purpose
of thoroughly investigating the stencilling
of pianos, not only as practiced in this
State, but in other States of the Union.
That such committee shall satisfy itself as
fully as possible, not only as to the rights
and wrongs of the system, but as to its
obliteration or regulation, and that the
report of the committee shall be rendered
to the President of the New York Piano
Manufacturers' Association, and by him
transmitted to the executive committee of
the National Association, with the request
that the executive committee shall bring
the subject, together with the report, be-
fore the National Association, at its meet-
ing to be held in Washington on April 12th,
1899, for discussion and such action, if any,
as may be considered best.
Wm. Dalliba Duttbn, Chair-
man, (Hardman, Peck & Co.)
Chas. H. Parsons, (Needham
Piano Co.)
B. F. Fischer, (J. & C. Fischer.)
Robt. A. Widenmann, (Strich
& Zeidler.)
Henry Behr, (Behr Bros.)
T. La M. Couch, (Kroeger
Piano Co.)
Committee.
On Tuesday last, Messrs. Dutton and B.
F. Fischer, representing the New York
Association, and Messrs. Spies and Baus,
representing the Redington measure
advocates, proceeded to Albany. After a
brief consultation with Mr. Redington,
the latter informed the members of the
legislative committee having the bill in
charge that its consideration would, with
their permission, be postponed.
Then Mr. Redington attended a meet-
ing at Mr. Spies' quarters, at Stanwix
THE
Hall. Messrs. Dutton, Fischer, Spies and
Baus were present. The advocates of
the measure held strongly to their original
position regarding the necessity for imme-
diate legislation. The constitutionality of
the Redington bill was discussed. Several
reliable authorities were quoted as declar-
ing it to be legally good and proper.
During this meeting an agreement was
reached between all the parties permitting
the matter to remain in abeyance until the
meeting of the National Piano Manufac-
turers' Association at Washington in April.
If, at that meeting, no satisfactory reme-
dial legislation is agreed upon, the Reding-
ton measure will be again brought up. It
is understood that the advocates of this
measure are preparing a written agree-
ment to this effect, which will be presented
to the New York Association for approval
and signature.
Praise for the Weber Grand.
The "Weber Concert Grand" testimo-
nial, from the School of Music, University
of Denver, Colorado, which appears on
another page, is an exceptionally strong
indorsement with reference to the merits
of the Weber Grand, and justifies in full
the statement that " the characteristics for
which the Weber Grand has become so
justly famous are, to-day, as conspicuous
as ever."
The " Pease" in Brooklyn.
The latest addition to the piano ware-
rooms of this borough is that of Sanford &
Co., at 569 Fulton street, near the Mon-
tauk Theatre, sole Brooklyn agents for the
Popular Pease piano. Mr. Sanford is well
known in the piano trade of this borough
and vicinity and the merits of the particu-
lar make which will constitute his entire
stock have been tested and approved by
artists and musicians all over the country
during the half century that has passed
away since the Pease piano first made its
appearance.
The new warerooms are lofty, spacious
and admirably adapted for the purposes
for which they are designed, the arrange-
ments for lighting being a special feature.
The walls have been tinted in turquoise
blue with artistically designed frieze in
white surmounted by band of dull gold.
Near the entrance is a cozy little office and
in the section devoted to the display of the
handsome upright and parlor grands tall
palms have been artistically arranged.
The firm will occupy the main floor and
basement, the latter apartment being used
for storage purposes.
In the extensive line of pianos on exhibi-
tion the rich, dark woods predominate and
the cases are all ornamented and finished
in the most artistic manner, this being a
characteristic of the Pease make.—Brook-
lyn Eagle.
WILL FLOURISH ONLY FOR A TIME SOME
COMMONSENSE VIEWS ON A " LIVE" TOPIC.
The Review, on its travels this week,
met and talked briefly with Peter D.
Strauch, of Strauch Bros., on several cur-
rent topics. Referring to trusts and com-
binations, Mr. Strauch said: "My ob-
servations lead me to believe that, as a
rule, trusts are but temporary. For a
time they appear to nourish, but only for a
time.
"Events have proved that no matter how
hard they may try to ensure lasting success
by bringing in and retaining all the biggest
interests, some smaller ones on the outside
will in course of time become a menace to
the trust's well-being by offering superior
inducements that appeal to many custom-
ers. When any trust, formed for mutual
protection thus fails to protect, the mem-
bers of it become uneasy and gradually re-
assume their independence.
"Concerning the felt combine—and that
is nearest to our thoughts just now—the
conditions under which it came into exist-
ence were extraordinary, therefore it can
hardly be judged by the usual standards.
Whether it will succeed and become a per-
manent institution is a problem. Person-
ally, trusts and combinations do not cause
me any anxiety.
"Where such organizations have in view
the betterment of trade, considered from
an unselfish standpoint, there is little room
for criticism; if, however, the aim is to
make a monopoly and abuse power by rais-
ing prices unjustly, then they become a
menace to commerce and society at large."
Final Braumuller Settlement.
The People of the State of New York, by
the grace of God free and independent, to
all persons interested in the estate of Brau-
muller Company, a corporation assigned to
Daniel F. Treacy, for the benefit of credit-
ors, as creditors or otherwise, send greeting.
You and each of you are hereby cited
and required personally to be and appear
before our Supreme Court of the State of
New York, at a Special Term, Part I.
thereof, to be held at the County Court
House, in the Borough of Manhattan of the
City of New York, in the County of New
York, on the tenth day of April, 1899, at
half-past ten o'clock in the forenoon of that
day, then and there to show cause why a
final settlement of the account of proceed-
ings of Daniel F. Treacy, assignee of the
above named Braumuller Company, a cor-
poration, insolvent debtor, should not be
had, and if no cause be shown, then to at-
tend the final settlement of the said assign-
ee's account.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the
seal of said Court to be hereunto af-
fixed. Witness: Hon. Miles Beach,
one of the Justices of our said Court,
[Seal] at the County of New York, the 21st
day of February, 1899.
WM. SOHMER, Clerk.
EDGAR WHITLOCK,
Attorney for Assignee.
141 Broadway, Borough of' Manhattan,
New York City, N. Y.