Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1900 Vol. 30 N. 26

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
A Visitor From Far=away Tasmania,
AN INTERESTING CHAT WITH ARTHUR MUNNEW, AN OLD-TIME FRIEND AND PARTNER OF EMIL
LEVY WHO IS NOW IN THE PIANO BUSINESS IN TASMANIA SPEAKS HIGHLY OF THE
PACKARD WHICH IS HIS LEADER IN ORGANS—SOME FACTS ABOUT THE
TARIFF AMERICAN PIANOS IN TASMANIA OFF FOR EUROPE
TO-DAY—IMPRESSIONS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Arthur Munnew, formerly a partner of
Emil Levy in the piano business at Mem-
phis, Tenn., and now a wealthy musical
instrument dealer of Launceston and other
cities of Tasmania—is in town this week.
The Review had an interesting talk with
Mr. Munnew at the Union Square Hotel
on Thursday, and learned much concern-
ing trade conditions in the far-away coun-
try where this successful merchant and
musician has won fame and fortune. Mr.
Munnew is at once frank, genial, alert, and
a keen observer.
" It is twenty-five years," said he, "since
Emil Levy and myself undertook business
operations at Memphis. My specialty was
tuning. Then, as now, Mr. Levy, ranked
exceptionally high as a pianist. Four years
later I was called home to England on a
visit to my parents.
" T o meet an emergency, I started only
a few months afterward for Australia. My
first stay was in the colony of Victoria.
For my health's sake I left Victoria after a
little while and took up residence in Tas-
mania. My interests are now centred at
Launceston in that colony, which is other-
wise known as Van Diemen's Land.
"I am now in partnership with a man
whom I have trained in the piano and or-
gan business. Our last annual report
shows an income of over $30,000. But there
has been lots of hard work to reach that
point. The beginning was a very small
one. To-day, we handle the Collard &
Collard piano as our leader, also some pi-
anos of German make.
"The Packard is our leader in organs. I
have always liked the Packard and our cus-
tomers are of the same opinion. At the
Launceston and Hobart Exhibition, the
Packard won special first gold medals.
Without extraordinary merit this would
have been impossible. I have been urged
to introduce other makes, but the Tas-
manians are conservative) and do not take
kindly to products until they have learned
to know them. The Packard is their fav-
orite and their fealty cannot be shaken."
The Review asked Mr. Munnew if Tas-
mania is a promising field for American
pianos.
"Yes and no," he replied. "Notwith-
standing the fact that a twenty per cent,
duty must be paid on entrance into Tas-
mania and that other expenses make up a
total of thirty-five per cent, to be added to
actual cost, I believe that they can be
gradually introduced. After a number of
years they will doubtless command and re-
ceive a full share of attention. But any-
thing like immediate results are out of the
question."
The people of Tasmania, Mr. Munnew
said, have musical taste and good discrimi-
nation. Concerts and other entertainments
occur in due season. There is at least one
musical instrument in every home, even
among the miners and others who have
but a log cabin or wooden hut. Many of
these poorer people purchase on a system
of partial payments. Mr. Munnew has a
large number of sub-agencies throughout
the colony.
When speaking of import duties, The
Review asked if any tariff restrictions were
placed on the Collard & Collard and other
British products sent to his address.
"Yes," said he, "they are strictly pro-
tective in Tasmania in tariff matters. I
have to pay 20 per cent, for all British im-
ports, and therefore the 35 per cent, in ad-
dition to actual cost has to be calculated
from British as well as American goods."
Mr. Munnew showed The Review some
statements of goods imported that showed
a big annual import trade in British and
other instruments.
"I am not transacting any business of
importance at present," he said, when
asked if he intended to make any definite
arrangements here for shipments before
leaving for Europe, ' 'but on my return to
the United States in October, I shall make
a careful survey of the piano situation and
may have some samples shipped to my
headquarters just as a trial. It is not my
intention, however, to import any piano
that would come into competition with the
Collard & Collard. They have been loyal
to me and it is my duty to give their in-
terests the utmost consideration."
During the conversation, The Review
asked Mr. Munnew for his impressions of
the United States of 1900, as compared
with 1879.
'' Since the day of my arrival in San
Francisco," was the response, "the feeling
has grown on me that the United States
to-day is the heart of the world, commer-
cially and agriculturally. The rapid de-
velopment of scientific methods, such as
telegraphy and steam, has brought nearly
all parts of the earth, figuratively speak-
ing, within arm's length of this country.
The marvelous natural resources of the
United States enable its inhabitants to en-
joy every blessing bestowed by God upon
his creatures. The whole aspect of the
country and its people is unique. Never
before have I witnessed such a marvelous
phenomenon. Nor do I expect to see its
equal elsewhere."
Mr. Munnew expects to leave for Europe
to-day on the "City of Rome."
Secure the Decker.
S. V. Harding, including Miller & Hard-
ing and Harding & Riehm, have concluded
arrangements with Decker & Son to handle
the Decker & Son piano at their ware-
rooms, which include Indianapolis, Evans-
ville, Princeton and Seymour, Indiana,
also Owensville, Louisville, and Lexing-
ton, Ky. Shipments are now being made.
Ho! for Vacation.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEAVING CARE BEHIND
LEARN TO ENJOY LIFE AS WELL AS WORK.
Within the next thirty days the great
summer Hegira from cities will be under
full sail. A half-century ago everybody
delved in summer time. Now, everybody
who can get away dawdles. The struggle
for existence has become intensified. Men
work, as editors write, "on the jump."
And for just this reason, the need of rec-
reation grows more imperative. To speed
the business and professional arrow, the
bow must be strung. But a bow always
strung loses its fibre. Hence, to be occa-
sionally unstrung is to preserve potential
elasticity. No man, unless a veritable
"steam engine in trousers," as Sidney
Smith said of Daniel Webster, is able to
pull in harness successfully year in and
year out. If he does, barring miracles of
human endurance, at fifty, or before, his
nerves will fidget, at fifty-five they will
draw his face into seams, and at sixty some
one will write on his tombstone, as was
written on the monument of a terrible
worker of old : " He who never rested,
rests." It is far more sensible to take a
portion of one's rest above ground. And
he who goes away on vacation, however
limited, and falls in love with this green
earth, when singing birds call from leafy
wood, happily defers his mortuary record.
Now the prime requisite for a gilt-edged
vacation is the firm resolve to bury every
care ten feet deep when the gangplank is
drawn and your steamer sets sail for coast
resort or foreign port, or your train leaves
for the mountains. The great misfortune
with multitudes of people is that they
have never learned to play. There is no
earthly use in seeking recreation unless a
genuine abandon goes with it. It is dolce
far niente—or nothing! If you tag the va-
cation outfit all over with memoranda of
"things to be done" in the way of busi-
ness, it is all up with you. You will not
be able to steal a march on a single crow's-
foot, and there will be no spring in the
legs that have "done time" ten long
months in the stone corridors of the town
prison.
On vacation, then, suppose we take our
commercial irons from the fire—or let a
subordinate keep them hot for us. Your
average man of affairs assumes that no one
can do the work quite so well as himself.
Put him on a sick bed for a fortnight and
he finds on recovery that the shop is still
running comfortably. Much of exaggerated
responsibility is mere "fussing." The ab-
solutely indispensable individual is born so
rarely that he is truly an infant prodigy!
One may as well go off on his vacation
holding firmly to the theory that, for a
month, nothing is worth while but rest and
play. In the long run he will not be one
cent richer in money because of his care-
taking habit, and he will find his mind and
body responding to the thrill of nature only
when self-surrendered to her charms. Per.
petual worry is like a smoked glass held to
the eye. It clothes nature with a sickly
hue and distorts perspective,
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Why not Local Associations?
trust your competitor and not believe the
reports emanating from your traveling
SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COM-
salesman, and more often from your dis-
MITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
honest customer, but, on the contrary, will
WOULD INURE TO TRADE BENEFIT.
go to him when these matters come up
In the report of the executive committee and discuss these reports just as you would
presented at the recent convention of the with your partners, then, if your local as-
Piano Manufacturers' National Association sociation is founded on correct principles,
in Chicago, emphasis was placed on the de- it will be a success, not only financially,
sirability and importance of dealers form- but in every way that makes our daily life
living.
ing local associations in all sections of the worth
i
'You will notice I use the words 'correct
country, and in this connection it was
properly stated that "not only will they principles,' which, to my mind, are:
" i . Above all things, confidence in each
thereby raise the standard of the goods
which they are representing, but will also other.
"2. A forgiving spirit, for many mistakes
find out how many good men there are in
the trade, and will save unnecessary ex- will come up, mistakes honestly made and
pense and avoid a competition that never easily explained if confidence exists, but
never can or will be if confidence is lacking.
elevates but surely degrades."
"3. Arrange your prices on all articles so
It cannot be gainsaid that no better
that
they will be perfectly fair to buyer
means of encouraging social intercourse
and
seller,
with a due regard to your com-
and united effort for trade betterment
could be adopted. We have just come petitors traveling the same territory, but
across some very timely remarks made not working with you.
"4. You may expect always dissatisfac-
along these lines by W. A. Parker at the
recent convention of the Southern Hard- tion with your traveling force. While no
ware Men's Association held in Old Point salesman will object, you may expect every
Comfort, Va. They cover the points re- drummer in your service to kick loud and
ferred to by the executive committee of long. (There is a great gulf between the
the Piano Manufacturers' National Asso- salesman and drummer.)
"Gentlemen, if you are not going to run
ciation very pertinently. He said :
your
own business, but allow yourselves
"I am quite sure that all will agree that
to
be
influenced by drummers, then don't
to a large extent as a body we have lived
up to this and enjoyed many fruits that go into any agreement; it will be a fail-
otherwise would have passed into other ure.
"I could go on and enumerate the good of
hands. But are we getting the full bene-
fits that should come by closer relations local associations almost indefinitely, but,
with each other ? I take the position that stronger than words, let me present a few
we are not, and never will until we organ- figures based on actual results after care-
ize ourselves into local associations, where fully going into the matter with each mem-
we can meet every day if necessary and ber of a certain association in one of our
discuss all matters that pertain to our gen- Southern cities and putting down the
actual figures. Much to my surprise and
eral welfare.
"Both from the national associations, gratification they represented over and
through their officers, time and again ring- above what would have made a 6 per cent,
ing messages have gone forth to organize dividend on the capital stock employed by
into local associations. Have you done the associate members of said association
this? If not, why not? Is it for lack of con- for twelve months. Please bear in mind that
fidence in your neighbor, and do you feel this could never have been accomplished,not
as he feels, that neither can be trusted? Do 1 cent of the amount represented by the
6 per cent, could have been earned,
you trust yourself? Then trust him.
"I once read a letter from a competitor, but by mutual agreement and a perfect
as follows: 'I am in sympathy with the confidence in and close communion with
local association, and would gladly join, each other. Meeting once a week through-
(mark that, would gladly join), but my out the twelve months thus brings about
experience has been that parties enter- of itself an untold good to all. Need I
ing into agreements of this kind will not say more?
" I will say in conclusion, get together
keep them.' This same party, a member of
our organization, I suppose still does not with your competitors, come to a perfect
believe in local organizations or agree- understanding as to terms, prices, and all
ments, for this past season he was reward- things that pertain to good business, and
ed by the worst cutting of certain staple when another year has rolled around, you
articles on record (market conditions con- will bless the day of local associations."
sidered), and this not from outside com-
Steinways at Newport.
petition, but from honest home competit-
Steinway & Sons have on exhibition this
ors, competitors as honest as he, but blind
week at the warerooms of J. S. Barney,
and unbelieving, and you see the result.
"Right here, gentlemen, may I ask from Jr., & Co., Newport, R. I., twelve specially
where comes your worst competition? It designed art pianos in various styles. The
has been the experience of many that this individual points of excellence embodied
comes not from foreign competitors, but in these instruments are being displayed to
from within our own ranks, either in our visitors by J. Burr Tiffany.
own city or sister cities nearby.
Kranich & Bach have just issued a hand-
"If you will but organize, and in so doing some new catalogue. It will be noticed at
make up your mind fully that you will length in next week's Review.
The Everett Pianos.
At the music teachers' conventions, both
national and local, which have recently
been held in Atlanta, Ga., Des Moines, la.,
Columbus, Mo., Port Huron, Mich., Col-
umbus, Ind., and other important musical
centers, the Everett concert grand has been
very much in evidence, with results that
must be entirely pleasing to the manufac-
turers. Notable artists, headed by Rich-
ard Burmeister, have played these famous
instruments and in all cases, not only the
pianist, but the piano, have come in for a
large measure of approval from the local
critics as well as the eminent musicians
who have been in attendance.
The enthusiasm which has been aroused
by the superb tonal qualities of the Ever-
ett is indeed well deserved. It would be diffi-
cult to hear it and not become enthralled.
Week after week, the Everett grand, and
we may say the same of the Everett
uprights, are growing in the affections of
critical musicians and the musical public.
They appreciate that in these instruments
the Everett Piano Co. have embodied
after years ot intelligent effort a scale
which is individual, resulting in magnifi-
cent qualities of tone, and encased them
in a manner so substantial and so artistic
that the present reputation is based on
actual merit, which fact is demonstrated
emphatically in the instruments them-
selves.
Ready for Occupancy.
The new addition to the factories of the
Starr Piano Co., of Richmond, Ind., which
has been under way for some time and to
which reference was frequently made in
The Review, will be ready for occupancy
this week. This will afford the Starr in-
stitution needed room in the production of
their instruments, the demand for which
within recent date has been exceedingly
active. With this increased manufactur-
ing space the Starr Piano Co. will be en-
abled to turn out about 150 pianos a week,
so that they are well equipped to cater to
the fall trade. It is a splendid proof of
the excellence of the Starr piano that the
demand shonld have compelled the manu-
facturers to keep on enlarging their factory
season after season. No doubt we shall
hear in due course again of a still further
addition.
Fred. Lechner, of Pittsburg, Pa., and
E. E. Forbes, Montgomery, Ala., both
progressive Kranich & Bach dealers, were
in town this week. Charles Losh, mana-
ger of M. P. Moller & Co., Hagerstown,
Md., was also a caller at Kranich & Bach's.
Among visitors this week at the Shon
inger warerooms was J. M. Bunnell, of
Johnstown and Philipsburg, Pa. Mr.
Bunnell is an active and successful advo-
cate of the Shoninger products and has
done much to strengthen their popularity
within the territory he covers.
Dealers who desire to handle a piano
with a name that is known as reputable in
all parts of the country—an instrument
that can be sold at a reasonable price—will
do well to communicate with the Brau-
muller Piano Co., 141 West Twenty-fourth
street, this city, They will learn much of
interest,

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