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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
New Substitute for Celluloid.
Makers of piano keys will be interested
in the fact that a new substitute for cellu-
loid has been discovered. It is called cel-
lulithe and is made from paper pulp. It is
free from the objections often made regard-
ing celluloid, inasmuch as it is non-inflam-
mable. The invention of this curious ma-
terial is based on observations made long
since on certain modifications undergone
by paper pulp when subjected to long-con-
tinued beating. When it has been thus
treated in the mill whose office it is to
wash and defiberize the rags, a transparent
and elastic fluid is obtained which hardens
rapidly on drying and gives great strength
to the paper; it is supposed that a colloidal,
amorphous hydrate of cellulose is pro-
duced which separates from the cells of the
pulp and acts as a glue. This is similar,
as La Chronique Industrielle remarks, to
the theory of the formation of so-called
vegetable parchment or parchment-paper.
By the action of the sulphuric acid, the cel-
lulose is changed into amyloid, which with
an excess of water gives a gelatinous pre-
cipitate that unites the fibers and finally
forms a transparent sheet resembling parch-
ment except in suppleness.
We take the details regarding prepara-
tion from a translation in the Literary Di-
gest from Cosmos (Paris) which is as fol-
lows: "To prepare cellulithe, an exclusive-
ly mechanical process is used; that is, the
pulp is beaten for an extremely long time.
According to the particular kind of ma-
terial employed, and also to the speed of
rotation of the cylinder that does the work
of the machine, the operation may last
anywhere between 40 and 150 hours; it is
prolonged until there is obtained a homo-
geneous mucilaginous liquid in which all
trace of fiber has disappeared. This is
called picturesquely 'milk of cellulose,'
and its appearance perfectly justifies this
name. If colored cellulithe is desired,
colors are added at this stage of the pro-
cess, and as in the state of extreme divis-
ion to which the matgrial has now been re-
duced, it contains much air, which might
interfere with its smoothness, it is boiled
to drive this air out. At the end of two
hours the 'milk of cellulose', boiled and
filtered, is received in a perforated vessel,
and then the water that it still contains is
evaporated, either in the open air, or pref-
erably in an oven at 40" C. - Finally, a
paste is obtained, which hardens slowly
and attains the consistency of horn, with a
specific gravity of 4.5. Like horn, this
cellulithe can be worked, and has the ad-
vantage of not being inflammable like cel-
luloid. Before drying sawdust and lamp-
black may be added, and then the com-
pound becomes similar to ebonite. There
is no need to say that this new substance
may be applied to divers uses, and that its
cost is reasonable, by reason of the ma-
terial of which it is made and also because
of the ease of manufacture and working."
At the Rock River Assembly, to be held
at Dixon, 111., from July 31 to Aug. 15,
1900, the "Crown" will be used as the
official piano by Prof. W. Waugh Lander
in his recitals and other work.
A New Concern in Waltham.
A Card from Mr. Tretbar.
[Special to The Review.l
New York, May 4, 1900.
Mr. Edw. Lyman Bill,
3 E. 14th, City.
Dear Sir:—I write these lines in the ex-
pectation that you will be good enough to
publish them in your valuable journal.
Certain rumors having industriously
been circulated as to my withdrawing from
active business, I desire to say for the in-
formation of my personal friends in mu-
sical and trade circles, that there is not the
slightest foundation for such reports; they
are absolutely untrue.
Several of the directors of Steinway &
Sons, including myself, are and will be ab-
sent during the summer months, and in
order to leave a quorum of the board in
New York I declined a re-election as treas-
urer, proposing Mr. Fred Reidemeister as
a candidate in place of myself, and he was
duly elected at the last annual meeting of
the Board.
I sail by steamer "Lahn" on May 15 for
Europe, solely for the benefit of my health,
and have already booked return passage by
the same steamer sailing from Bremen on
Aug. 28, due to arrive in New York Sept.
6, 1900, when I again join the Board of
Trustees as Treasurer of the Corporation
of Steinway & Sons.
On my return home I shall be pleased as
ever to greet all my friends at Steinway
Hall—all statements to the contrary not-
withstanding.
Very truly yours,
Charles F. Tretbar.
Waltham, Mass., May 7, 1900.
A large building on the Gilbert estate, at
Beaver Brook, Waltham, is being altered
into an organ factory. The machinery ar-
rived yesterday and will be installed at
once. The concern will be known as the
S. A. Arneson Organ Company, and ex-
pects to be ready for business in about a
month. The senior member of the firm
for the past fifteen years was connected
with the Hook & Hastings Organ Com-
pany.
Patriotic Pianomakers.
EMPLOYEES IN THE MASON & RISCH FACTORY
PRESENT PRESIDENT MASON WITH A
UNION JACK.
[Special to The Review].
Toronto, Ont., May 7, 1900.
T. G. Mason, the president of the Ma-
son & Risch Co., while on one of his
visits of inspection to the company's fac-
tory on Saturday, was presented with an
address by the employees of the factory
and a large and beautiful Union Jack. In
the address, which was read by Mr. George
Baden, the head of the carving depart-
ment, it was stated that the flag was pre-
sented that it might be displayed from the
factory on special occasions to show the
loyalty and patriotism of the employees.
Mr. Mason, to whom the presentation
came as a great surprise, accepted the flag
on behalf of the company, and said that
he valued more than anything the spirit
which prompted the gift—ttie loyalty to
Queen and country and to the company
which they served. He referred to the
ever-present interest the company had in
the happiness and prosperity of its em-
ployees, and said that even during the
severe years of commercial depression no
employee had ever been allowed to go
home without receiving his full week's
pay-
Mr. Mason was then escorted to the roof
of the building, where he raised the flagon
the staff prepared for it. Among those
who contributed to the gif> are French
Canadians, Germans, French Swiss and
Italians, all of whom joined in the address,
which spoke of the liberty to be found un-
der its folds.
Praise Austin Co.'s Work.
Important improvements have just been
completed at the First Congregational
Church, Montclair, N. J., Rev. Dr. Brad-
ford, pastor. They include new galleries,
a new organ loft over the pulpit, and a
new organ, new lecture rooms and parlors
and general renovations, including new
carpets, furniture, etc., all under the di-
rection of Mr. J.* Cleveland Cady, the well-
known architect. The organ is a fine ex-
ample of the Austin Organ Co.'s work.
We are informed by the organist of the
church, Mr. Charles T. Ives, that the or-
gan "is remarkable as to wind supply, has
the most perfect tubular pneumatic action,
the tone quality is superb, each stop hav-
ing remarkable individuality, and the
blending is beautiful."
A Schwander Invitation.
J. Herrburger, maker of the famous
Schwander actions and keys, has sent out
a card to members of the trade in this and
other countries informing them that "On
the occasion of the Paris Exposition,
which will be held this year, he will have
on show at his factory, 16 Rue de l'Evan-
gile, a collection of actions containing vari-
ous improvements and he hopes to be kind-
ly favored with a call should you visit
Paris."
The interior of the card contains a map
of the principal streets leading to the Ex-
position showing thereon the location of
the Schwander factory, and. the best way
to reach it from the principal entrance to
the Exposition. The card is neatly de-
signed and will prove an effective guide
and reminder to visitors to call at this cele-
brated establishment.
Dielmann & Lincks Sale.
City Marshal Louis Levy this week sold
out the horses, trucks, and machinery of
Dielmann & Lincks, manufacturers of
piano cases at 517 and 519 West Nineteenth
street, under a bill of sale given to Mary
A. Lincks, realizing $800.
An Old Chickering.
Emil Wulschner & Son are exhibiting a
Chickering mahogany square of colonial
style No. 238, made about five years after
the founding of the Chickering factory. It
is in a fair state of preservation. It has
attracted much attention in Indianapolis.