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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the "Claviola" piano self-player, the
mechanism of which is made entirely from
the three metals: steel, brass and alumin-
um, so, it is alleged, it is not liable to get
out of order as are those constructed of
wood and rubber; the motive power is
compressed air which, by an ingenious ar-
rangement, is automatically regulated as
to force and power. This "Claviola" self-
player will be noticed in a subsequent let-
ter, as at the moment of writing the in-
strument is not in operation, owing to the
delay and difficulty in getting the things in
order. One improvement deserving men-
tion is the fact that all the music sheets
for use with the "Claviola" are made of
linen instead of the usual paper sheets.
Linen gives a remarkable result in every
way.
I understand that Mr. John Ludwig who
has personal charge of the exhibit was
much disappointed at the smallness of the
space allotted to him. He has, however,
just secured, I learn, a reapportionment
which practically doubles the size of his
space.
The Claviola is attracting considerable
attention, it being entirely different in
every particular from anything which Eu-
rope has seen heretofore.
Messrs. Hardman Peck & Co., New
York, show on a small stand a couple of
pianos with a self-player to be worked by
electricity, but at present this installation
is not in working order, so it must be
noticed in a later letter.
The National Musical String Co., of
New Brunswick, N. J., have a handsome
case with specimens of strings for every
sort of stringed instruments.
The great variety of music strings ex-
hibited by this concern is surprising to
European manufacturers and I understand
that this enterprising American house has
recently opened negotiations, whereby its
output in continental Europe will be enor-
mous within the near future. Mr. Emer-
son has been here personally, but I did not
have the pleasure of meeting him.
Mr. Joseph Bohmann of Chicago has a
nice looking show case full of mandolins,
guitars, zithers, and other stringed instru-
ments.
I think the American manufacturers will
be glad to know that The Music Trade Re-
view has a splendid exhibit in the shape of
handsomely bound copies of the paper in
Russia and gold, the two volumes, repre-
senting one year's work, aggregate nearly
2,400 pages. They repose in a handsome
case and show Europeans to what point
American trade journalism has reached.
Such work seems in direct contrast to
the attenuated trade journals of Europe.
In London, I believe, there is as yet no
weekly publication which is devoted to the
music trade industries.
This completes the list of American ex-
hibits in the section devoted to pianos:
my next letter will deal with the French
exhibits in the same section.
Lilian King.
The Wegman piano will hereafter be
found in this city at the warerooms of
Lockhart & Co., 117 E. 14th Street.
From the Antipodes.
Mr. Bowser's Piano.
[Special to The Review.]
TRIES HIS HAND AT TUNING WITH REMARK-
ABLE RESULTS—HOW HE SECURED
THE " P I T C H " AND FRIGHT-
ENED THE " W O L F . "
Melbourne, Australia, May 15, 1900.
American manufacturers of pianos and
organs, as well as the general run of small
instruments, must be on their guard if they
intend to increase their trade with this
country. German manufacturers are mak-
ing an active bid for all kinds of business,
and they are even endeavoring to compete
with the American organ in this field.
The German mail steamers are announc-
ing greatly increased service to these colo-
nies by different routes a few months
hence, and this will undoubtedly afford
our German cousins increased shipping
facilities, and enable them to compete even
more successfully than hitherto with Amer-
ican and English manufacturers. The
new steamboat routes are to include Bris-
bane and other Queensland ports, which
shows that Germany is recognizing the un-
doubted wealth and importance of our
northern colony.
Their commercial ambassadors are ac-
quiring high repute for their solid busi-
ness habits, willingness to attend to detail
of Australian requirements and follow
Australian patterns, and unremitting en-
ergy and courtesy. I feel confident that
were the same amount of enterprise shown
by the representatives of American houses
a large trade could be worked up in this
country for American pianos, brass band
instruments and all small instruments of
the string family. Of course the Ameri-
can organ occupies a place all its own, but
if the Germans continue along the present
lines of progressiveness there is no know-
ing but they will be able to turn out parlor
organs equal to the American in due time.
The samples they are showing here are
not satisfactory, but it is their first attempt
to manufacture an organ after the Ameri-
can model.
*
*
*
*
The first Federal Parliament will meet
in Melbourne in four or five months from
date, and the tariff question will have to
be thrashed out. The protectionist organ-
izations are ably managed, and a confer-
ence has just concluded its sittings in Syd-
ney.
The protectionist aspect now bids fair to
take precedence over the revenue aspect,
and there seems little doubt as to the ulti-
mate result, foreshadowed many months
ago, of an all-round average tariff of twenty
per cent.
Should a protective tariff be inaugurated
by our parliament it will of course result
in the upbuilding of native industries in-
cluding of course those of musical instru-
ments.
The matter however, will have to be
fought out, and our parties will be divided
pretty much as yours are in the States,
those in favor of free trade or low tariff
and those in favor of protection.
Business in this country at the present
time is excellent in all lines and a feeling
of independence prevails as well as the
general idea that we are big enough now
to become a greater power in the affairs of
the world.
It was after dinner, but, instead of sit-
ting down to his evening paper and cigar,
Mr. Bowser was prowling around the lower
part of the house. Mrs. Bowser realized
that "something was up," but she main-
tained silence until at length he paused
before her and said:—
"Last night while you were playing the
piano I noticed that it' was sadly out of
tune. You must have heard some of the
keys make a sort of ur-ur-ur as you struck
them."
" I heard nothing of thesort!" promptly
replied Mrs. Bowser, as a dim idea of what
was up flashed across her mind. "The
piano was tuned only a month ago, and
there are no ur-ur-urs about it."
"But I insist that there are," continued
Mr. Bowser. "I have a quick ear, and I
say that no less than seven different keys
have the sound of an egg-beater at work.
It may have been tuned a month ago, but
by whom?"
"By a first-class tuner."
"That is, he of course claimed to be
first class, and charged you $3 or $4; but
how do you know he wasn't a carpenter or
blacksmith? There's a piano which cost
me $600. It is going to rack and ruin for
the need of a little overhauling. To get a
competent man up here will cost $50,
whereas—"
"Whereas you can do the work in an
hour yourself," finished Mrs. Bowser.
"Well, now, you let that piano alone!
You know no more about the works of a
piano than I do about the kitchen of the
Czar of Russia. If there's anything to be
done I'll get a man up here."
"Madam," said Mr. Bowser, as he stood
before her with his hands clasped under
his coattails, "there is an ur-ur-ur to that
piano. It is out of repair; it is going to
ruin. I can overhaul it in one hour and
save $50. It will be a pleasure to me to
do the work, and I also feel it my duty to
save the money which would have to be
otherwise paid out. I shall proceed to
tune."
, .
"But you'll only destrc^rajl^j If you feel
that you must tinker aw1^"irc something
why don't you take the lawn mower, the
gas meter, or that old shot-gun in the gar-
ret? "
"I do not ask you to remain in the room
during the tuning process. You can put
on your hat and take a walk, or you can
go up to your room and read a novel.
When I have restored the tone to its orig-
inal volume and sweetness, I will call
you."
"But I beg of you to—to—"
Mr. Bowser waved his hand to signify
that nothing on the face of the earth could
turn him aside, and as Mrs. Bowser went
up-stairs with tears in her eyes he got out
his tool box and peeled off his coat and
jacket to begin work. He met with an
adventure at the very outset. He wanted
room to work on all sides of the piano, and