Music Trade Review

Issue: 1899 Vol. 29 N. 24

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the trust would be of advantage, provided
men were selected for their ability and ex-
pert knowledge of the particular business
to which they should be assigned.
Piano manufacturers have been afforded
considerable opportunity to sift the trust
matter to the bottom and while some of
them have been led into the serious con-
sideration of pooling their interests, a great
majority of them, like the mice in the
fable, discovering the familiar outlines of
the old cat in place of the bag of meal,
are not desirous, particularly when prosper-
ous times are now with us, to dispose of
their well-earned independence.
""PHE rising tide of prices is up to the
publisher now who has problems of
his own as well as the piano manufacturer.
The price of paper has been rapidly ad-
vancing. Last week we called for a num-
ber of bids on an eight hundred to a thou-
sand ream order, for it should be under-
stood that The Review orders are always
placed at the mill months in advance. The
very lowest point that could be gained
was an advance of one and three-quarter
cents per pound on our former rates. It
only requires a little figuring to show that
the newspaper man has troubles of his own
in the matter of adjusting his business to
the upward march of prices.
f"* 1 EN. Appraiser Tichenor would like to
see a reduction of the number of pro-
tests filed by importers against the rulings of
the Custom House officials. This, he thinks,
could be accomplished by the Government's
exacting a fee of $i for each protest. This,
in Colonel Tichenor's opinion, would not de-
ter the importer from filing a protest when-
ever he might feel that he had a good case,
but would discourage the "customs law-
yer " from urging the importer to take pro-
ceedings on a mere triviality. If the
charge of $i per protest would tend to
hurry up the Board in rendering decisions
few importers would object to paying it.
They would probably be willing to reim-
burse the "customs lawyer " if the latter
should lay out the amount. Hence, how
would the dollar fee tend to discourage the
lawyers from urging importers to file
protests ?
A S reported in another part of The Re-
view, the Supreme Court of the United
States decided, by a unanimous opinion, on
Monday that all trade combinations en-
gaged in inter-state commerce which by
concerted action prevent competition and
enhance prices beyond a reasonable limit,
thus restricting trade, are unlawful and
subject to the penalties of the Sherman
Anti-Trust law. The decision is, as the
Solicitor-General says, "highly important
and far-reaching."
S.
[Prepared especially for The Review.]
Washington, D. C., Dec. 5, 1899.
Musical Instrument. John A. Weser,
New York. Patent No. 638,082.
This invention relates to the class of mu-
sical instruments employing pedals—such
as pianofortes, for example; and it com-
prises improvements in the pedal mechan-
ism of the instrment.
The object of the invention is in part to
provide the pedal with a simple locking
and releasing device, which may be ap-
plied at a moderate cost to the ordinary
pedals of any piano, and in part to the
mounting and connections of the pedal-
levers, whereby they may be conveniently
adjusted, both at the fulcrum and at the
coupling points, and whereby lateral play
or looseness of the pedals is measurably
avoided.
Piano Tuning Pin. Levi Walker, Chat-
ham, Can. Patent No. 638,154.
This invention relates to tuning pins in
pianos and its object lies in the construc-
tion of a tuning-pin which is capable of
resisting the increased strain exerted there-
on over and above the normal strain and due
to the contraction of the string, such con-
struction being the result of years of study
as to the mode of obviating the tendency
of the pin to turn under said increased
strain. In this Mr. Walker claims to have
succeeded, first, by making the milled
shank of tuning-pins of greater diameter
than that of the pin commonly used, and,
like it, of uniform diameter throughout;
secondly, by reducing the leverage of the
string on the pin to nil, and this he does by
providing the pin with a winding throat of
slightly less diameter than that of the shank
and having the usual tapering squared head
for the tuning-hammer with this very im-
portant exception, that he provides be-
tween the said head and throat a cylin-
drical portion of substantially the same
diameter as the shank, and instead of bor-
ing the string-hole squarely through the
said throat or in a plane at right angles to
and intersecting the longitudinal axis of
the pin said hole is bored through the en-
larged cylindrical portion above the throat
and about midway of the length of said cy-
lindrical portion and form a helical channel
extending from one end of said hole to the
point of junction of said cylindrical portion
with the throat of the pin. It is evident
that the shank of uniform but greater dia-
meter than that of the shank of the tun-
ing-pin generally used will afford a cor-
respondingly greater hold on the wrest-
plank. It is furthermore evident that
by passing the string in a helical direc-
tion from its hole in the enlarged por-
tion of the pin above its throat and com-
mencing the winding of said string at
the point of junction of the throat with
the enlarged portion, the leverage of the
string on the pin is reduced to practically
nothing, and as the throat is of about the
same diameter as that of the tuning-pin in
common use, danger of breakage is of
course avoided, as the pin itself is in no
manner weakened, while a considerable
portion of the strain is sustained by the
enlarged portion above the throat, and that
strain may be said to be exerted in the di-
rection of the longitudinal axis of the pin,
but instead of outwardly or toward the
head, as in the lever-pin hereinbefore re-
ferred to, it is exerted inwardly or toward
the wrest-plank, tending to more firmly
hold the pin therein.
Mr. Walker says further: To satisfy my-
self that the object of my invention has
been attained by a pin of the construction
described, I tested the same by having a
piano equipped with these pins and sub-
jected first to a freezing temperature and
then immediately to the influence of a
midsummer sun, and after reducing the
temperature to normal by placing the
piano in a store-room and allowing it to
cool I tested it and found that none of the
strings were out of tune. This test if ap-
plied to a piano equipped with the tuning-
pins in general use would have left every
string out of tune.
Musical Instrument. B. E. Benhardus,
St. Olaf, Minn. Patent No. 638,000.
This invention relates particularly to a
roller-organ wherein the keys which oper-
ate the valves oi the reed-box are actuated
by a roller or cylinder; and the objects in
view are to provide simple and efficient
means whereby the roller or cylinder may
be mounted and dismounted with facility
to enable the same to be changed when de-
sired, to provide means whereby the roller
or cylinder may be axially adjusted and
held at the desired adjustment to vary the
composition by varying the positions of
the projections thereon with relation to the
keys, and also to provide means for con-
trolling the volume of sound and the differ-
ent sets of reeds which are included in the
reed-box.
Button for Keys for Musical Instruments.
O. W. Snedeker, Chicago, 111. Patent No.
637,75 6 -
This invention relates to improvements in
the manufacture of buttons or heads for the
keys of musical instruments, such as are used
on violins, guitars, mandolins, and banjos.
The object is to provide buttons of the
above-named character which shall be
simple and inexpensive in construction,
strong, durable, and attractive in appear-
ance, and which by reason of their peculiar
construction will be more durable and less
liable to become detached from the keys
than the buttons heretofore in general use.
25th Anniversary.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the
wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Ira N. Goff,
Providence, R. I., was the occasion of a
large gathering at their home in that city
last week. Mr. Goff is the head of the
house of Goff & Darling and is highly re-
spected by his competitors as well as by all
who have come in contact with him in a
business and social way.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
01 9
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Leon E. Chase.
flason & Hamlin Literature.
Knabe News Items.
The death of Leon E. Chase, which oc-
curred last Friday morning, came in the
nature of a severe shock to all of his friends
and relatives. Mr. Chase was apparently
in good health the first part of the week,
ut was taken down with a sudden attack
of pneumonia which terminated fatally.
He was the youngest of the Chase Bros,
and had been associated with his brothers
in the piano business since boyhood. A
widow and two daughters survive him.
Leon E. Chase had, for a number of
years, been traveling representative of the
Chase-Hackley concern, and was person-
ally known to many dealers throughout the
country who will learn with profound re-
gret of his sudden demise. He had a
•.marked talent for business, and his dis-
criminating ability made him of great
value to the institution with which he was
connected. Loyalty to friends, generosity
and sincerity were marked traits in his
make-up. The funeral services occurred
at his late residence, 118 West Muskegon
avenue, Muskegon, Mich., and was largely
attended. The ceremony was that usually
adopted by -the Elks, of which society he
was a member. The floral tributes were
numerous from friends and the various-so-
cieties to which he belonged.
Under the title, "Artistic Organs," the
Mason & Hamlin Co. have just issued what
is, without doubt, the handsomest organ
catalogue ever published in this or in any
other country.
/
\
As a work of art, it is a gem. As an ex*
ample of well-chosen' and well-arranged
pictorial and reading material, it leaves
nothing to be desired. As a mark of en-
terprise on the part of the Mason & Ham-
lin Co., it is bound to bring good results.
There are four full-page illustrations,
each perfect specimens of- up-to-date pho-
tography and engraving skill. These pic-
tures represent four interiors in this vicin-
ity, with Mason & Hamlin organs in posi-
tion. The most striking of these, perhaps,
is the interior of a chapel in the crypt of
the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
In addition to the full-page illustra-
tions, there are eight perfectly-executed
vignettes of famous musicians, including
Franz Liszt, Joseph Joachim, Alexandre
Guilmant, Arthur Nikisch, Theodore
Thomas, Emil Paur, Anton Seidl and G.
W. Chadwick. With each portrait is a tes-
timonial.
Reproductions of medals won by the
Mason & Hamlin Co. appear opposite a
full page representation of the Grand Stair-
case in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. With
the medals are given many interesting de-
tails concerning the many awards granted
to the firm. On the last two pages appear
two specifications, i. e., a two-manual pedal-
bass Liszt organ, and a one-manual Liszt
organ without pedal bass. In conjunction
with these are pictures of two well-known
current organ styles.
Every detail of the work in this latest
Mason & Hamlin publication is faultless,
no pains or expense having been spared in
order to secure perfect results. The work
has been compiled and printed under the
supervision of William P. Daniels, of the
firm, who is general manager. To him
is due infinite credit for having done fujl
justice to a difficult task.
Wm. Knabe & Co. received this week
the following communication from the of-
ficials of the National Export Exposition :
National Export Exposition, 1899.
Department of Awards. — f*
. . -Franklin Institute, '••
^Philadelphia, Mov. 29, 1899.
; •
Messrs. Wm.'Knabe & Co. ,t
22 E. Baltimore St., Baltimore, Md.
Gentlemen:—This is to inform you that
the Jury of Award having your exhibit
under consideration has awarded you the
Silver Medal and Diploma.
In due time the Diplosna will be in-
scribed and forwarded to your present ad-
dress, with the Medal, unless otherwise ad-
vised by you.
Respectfully,
(Signed) John pirkinbine,
Chief Department of Awards.
The Tliller Organs.
The Miller Organ Co., of Lebanon, Pa.,
in their advertisement elsewhere in this
issue very truly say that the best argu-
ment regarding the merits of an organ "is
reliability, and the reliability of the Miller
organ has been well demonstrated by more
than a qnarter of a century of test."
Here is a truism which must be con-
sidered by dealers who are giving atten-
tion to the sale of organs. For, in addition
to this matter or reliability, there is com-
bined in the Miller organ modernity of de-
sign, finish, and tonal attributes—a degree
of perfection which gives it a distinct place
in the trade, and makes it a strong com-
petitor.
The Miller Organ Co. have moved along
quiet but progressive lines. They have
given their attention exclusively to the
perfection of their products, and this is a
point which should not be overlooked, be-
cause concentration of attention to the or-
gan trade alone means a degree of excel-
lence in products which is apparent in the
Miller organs of to-day.
The busy condition of things prevalent
at the Miller factory in Lebanon, Pa., is a
merited tribute to their indefatigable ef-
forts and inventive ability. Through their
enterprise, the Miller Organ and the name
of their home town has been carried prac-
tically to the four corners of the earth.
After Fraudulent Assignors.
The National Association of Credit Men
have devised a method of strengthening
one of the weak points in the national
bankruptcy law. At a special meeting
of the Board of Directors, held in Chi-
cago last week, it was decided to raise
a fund of $10,000 for the purpose of
prosecuting those who make fraudulent as-
signments. This is better than waiting for
Congress to amend the law in the hope that
all loop holes will then be stopped up and
rascally practices checked by the wording
of the statute. One or two successful pro-
secutions, conducted with the backing of
Arrangements have been made whereby the Credit Men's Association, will inspire a
Harry O. Brown, late of the Musical wholesome fear of the law as it now stands.
Courier staff, will represent the Musical
Times in the East, having headquarters at
Paderewski's Piano.
No. 5 East Fourteenth street.
On the day of the arrival of the great
The Alexander Ross Music Co. of Pitts- Paderewski he visited Steinway Hall and
burg, Pa., have placed a big order for Kel- spent some two hours in selecting the
ler Bros, pianos with Keller & Van Dyke superb instrument upon which he is to
of Scranton, Pa.
play during his American tour.
Letters in large numbers? continue to be
received at the Knabe headquarters in this
city, as well as Baltimore in answer to
the Knabe advertisement iri the magazines
wherein an offer is made to^pay three hun-
dred dollars for "the oldest*Knabe piano."
The writers, one and all, p3y tribute to. the.
reliability of the old-time Knabes. In
fact,, in one letter received this week, the^
writer stated she would not part with her
Knabe piano, which she had had in her pos-
session for thirty-five years, for three hun-
dred dollars—or twice that sum. This
speaks for itself.
*
*
*
.,
Morris Steinert, of Ne\5S Haven, and P.
J. Healy, accompanied by his son Paul,
were among Mr. Mayer's visitors to the
Knabe warerooms this w-eek , .,
i ' ' *
* v *
'J.
The opening"of the Kna|te'arf rooms will
probably not take place until after the hol-
idays.
Going to Little Pock.
O. K. HOUCK & CO., X>F ^lEMPHIS^ TO OPEN A
BRANCH IN THAT CITY.
Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 6, 1899.
O, K. Houck, of Memphis, is,in the city
arranging to open\a branch j&tore for his
firm, O. K. Houck <& Co.ypi^o and music
dealers;" There is perhaps no better known
firm in the South than this one. They are
extensive dealers in pianos and everything
in the music line and enjoy a large trade,
Recognizing the growing importance of
Little Rock as a business center, the firm
desires to establish a permanent store here
for the handling of their goods. Mr. Houck
is looking about with a' v\evT'to Selecting*
large and commodious qi^arters, and due
announcement will be ma$e of the selec-
tion and of the time fort the opening of
business by the firm here. |
A Stultz & Bauer Calendar.
Stultz & Bauer are amoiig the first in the
field with handsome calendars. The de-
sign, in rich colors and gold, is floral and
allegorical. The figures ?'i9oo " are sus-
pended in, mid-air over thefcapitol at Wash-
ington by means of a stripg of roses held
at either end by cherubfe. The general
effect of the grouping is excellent.
Mr. Golden has returned from an ex-
tended tour. He intend^ to leave town
early I n the week for a short Eastern trip.

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