Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1900 Vol. 30 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
been gained by hard struggles against often-
times unfortunate conditions and secret
vilification.
_ It is not within our legitimate province
to criticise any individual for not becom-
ing affiliated with the Association, or to
criticise those who have deemed it neces-
sary to withdraw. We believe in the As-
sociation idea, and believe that tremendous
good can be gained to the industry by an
Association formed on a broad, compre-
hensive, logical ground, where all matters
of vital importance to the industry can be
freely discussed without personal wrangle
or bitterness.
We believe that in the union of piano
manufacturers there is strength which is
of unqualified advantage to those whose
interests lie in this particular zone of 1 ac-
tion. Because all manufacturers do not
see it in precisely that light we have no
right to condemn them, because it is abso-
lutely impossible that we should all view
everything in precisely the same way.
T H E Association has had a hard enough
time to reach its present position, and
needs offer no apology for its existence.
It has fought against destructive elements,
also trade indifference, and has survived
for a term of years. There are influential
manufacturers who have remained outside
of the organization, alleging that they could
not see where their interests could be ma-
terially advanced by becoming members.
Others, too, have claimed that the Asso-
ciation has accomplished nothing worthy
of serious consideration and they do not
care to become affiliated for the ostensible
purpose of an annual junketing trip.
It is, of course, impossible that we should
all think alike, still the fact remains that
serious-minded, enthusiastic men have de-
voted time and energy to the upbuilding
of the Association idea. It cannot be
said that they have profited personally by
their actions. They have worked for gen-
eral trade good and betterment. That
they have not accomplished more is due
largely to the fact that greater interest has
not be generated throughout the trade.
There are important trade institutions
which have never been identified with the
Association, perhaps never will.
No one can tell just what might be ac-
complished if they all came in under the
Association banner pledged for the protec-
tion and advancement of mutual interests.
I T is oftentimes amusing, when it does
not become tiresome to read the utter-
ances of certain sections of the trade press.
To an onlooker it would seem as if the en-
tire journalistic firmament was ablaze with
bombast or abuse. One in particular seems
to have mapped out lines of personal con-
quest which means the total annihilation
of all others if its own special wishes were
to be carried out to an ultimate issue.
Others contain little silly bursts of spite
and malice against certain individuals, the
reasons for which are fully disclosed when
one consults the advertising columns, for
an absence of the business card of the firm
to which reference is made is immediately
found.
As far as we are concerned those papers
which are utterly reckless of principle,
honor and reason, may continue to confine
their yellow and blackmailing tendencies
to their particular spheres and subjects.
They may manufacture, distort and mis-
represent to suit their own individual tastes.
They may continue to lie for revenue if
they so desire.
This paper will continue to pursue its
clearly defined path of securing and serv-
ing accurate reports, suppressing nothing
to which publicity should be given, and as
far as we are concerned the remainder of
the craft, if desirous of so doing may con-
tinue to give weekly exhibitions of acro-
batic and contortionistic displays of vanity,
vulgarity and venom.
TT would seem as though all reports of
the troubles between the piano work-
men of Chicago and their employees ap-
pearing in the daily papers of that city
were colored from the workingman's side.
There has been no expression of editorial
views, only sensational accounts, with one
notable exception.
We are glad to say that the Chicago
Tribune of the uthinst., has made a re-
freshing departure, and prints the follow-
ing editorial under the caption "The Mis-
chief a Walking Delegate May Do."
"President Gompersof the Federation of
Labor has made peace between the Chicago
piano manufacturers and their employees.
There should have been ho war. There
would have been none but for the persist-
tent activity of the walking delegate of the
employees' union. He induced its members
to demand that the employers should 'rec-
ognize the union,'dealing with it instead
of dealing directly with the men. The em-
ployers refused and resolved on a lockout.
It has lasted for ten weeks. The manufac-
turers have lost what they might have made
during the holiday season. The men have
lost $450,000 in wages. By the agreement
the employers concede the nine-hour day.
They consent to meet their employees in
their respective shops and adjust any differ-
ences of wages which may exist. All these
things the manufacturers were willing to
do when the trouble began. The walking
delegate would not accept that settlement
because he and his union were not recog-
nized. Nor are they recognized under
the agreement which Mr. Gompers has
negotiated. So the employees have se-
cured at a cost of $450,000 concessions
which they might have had for nothing if
they had not been so unfortunate as to
have a walking delegate who was deter-
mined to be 'recognized.' If the manu-
facturers had ' recognized the union ' the
walking delegate would have gained great-
ly in importance. He would have been
authorized to meddle in every shop and
become a thorn in the side of the employ-
ers. His ambition has cost the men whom
he led astray nearly half a million dollars,
and he has shown how much mischief one
small walking delegate can do. It is said
he will resign. He ought to do so, for he
has been a costly failure as a leader."
T H E above article appeared when it was
believed that the labor troubles were
of the past. Since then the situation has
changed, and while there may be an imme-
diate settlement, there is also a probability
that the period of final settlement may be
materially extended. The unpleasant fea-
tures which seem to be inseparable from
strikes have already appeared. Violence
and bloodshed has occurred at the factory
of Geo. P. Bent, where the striking ele-
ment has committed brutal assaults upon
non-union workmen—assaults which should
entitle them to an extended tarry within
penitentiary walls.
C V I D E N T L Y some members of the
trade have not as yet learned that
controversy with an editor is a blunder.
They forget that he always has the last
word and his space is unlimited. Also
that some are adepts at dust-throwing,
question-begging and confusing theissue.
pvAYTON, O., is a city which should
not be overlooked by Western piano
manufacturers who are looking for advan-
tageous piano sites outside of Chicago. It
is the home of large industries, and there
must be a number of skilled operatives
there who are experts in a line which is
first cousin to certain parts of piano mak-
ing. Crown Point, Indiana, would be an
appropriate site for the Crown factory.
T H E men who fail in life and who move
in the common grooves would have us
believe that "circumstances make the man"
and that "position" and success are the
result of luck or good fortune. In some
cases this is true, but an overwhelming
majority of the world's successful men are
workers, not men with exceptional natural
ability and peculiar and extraordinary
talent, but simply workers. They are
men who make their time count, who
have not sought for ease and comfort as
the best to be obtained in life. Let any of
us look up at abler and more successful
men, consider the time we waste in lazy
ease and in uselessly expending energy.
There we see the cause of our own in-
feriority. The workers, the persistent and
intelligent plodders, are climbing the lad-
der and passing while we are stopping to
view the beautiful scenery from a round
half way up.
•
v
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
.
LABOR
. . Conditions in Chicago
TROUBLES STILL ON—STORY & CLARK START UP ITNION MEN ASSAULT WORKMEN
AT BENT'S FACTORY DOLD TO BE ARRESTED SMITH & BARNES PURCHASE
A FACTORY AT ROCKFORD—OTHER NEWS.
[Special to The Review.]
Chicago, 111., Jan. 17, 1900.
When I wrote you last there was abun-
dant evidence on hand that pointed to an
early settlement of the labor troubles
which have been throttling- the Chicago
music trade industry for the past ten
weeks. It was believed that after Mr.
Gompers' visit, and the arrangements
made by him, there would be a speedy re-
sumption of work. The strike was de-
clared off at the Story & Clark factory,
and the piano and organ factories both are
now in operation. But the hand of Dold
again appeared, and it seems that he spoke
the truth as I quoted him in my last letter,
when he said that the labor troubles were
as far away from settlement as ever. So
it seems; and no one can predict with any
degree of certainty just when the matter
will be adjusted. It may be in a day and
it may be weeks before a final settlement
is made and the men come to their senses
and get away from the thraldom of Dold.
Yesterday the striking piano makers re-
sorted to violence, and led, so some of
their victims declare, by their business
agent, Charles Dold, surrounded the fac-
tory of George P. Bent and assaulted all of
the men who attempted to enter the build-
ing. Five men were attacked and badly
injured. Warrants for the arrest of Charles
Dold were sworn out. Trouble is feared.
Several of yesterday's victims had to be
taken to hospitals.
A detail of several policemen keep order
at the factory while the strikers maintain
pickets just across the street. It seems
that the troubles have reached that point
now where it has been feared for a long
time that they might culminate, in the dis-
ablement or destruction of human life.
In the Evening Post Edward H. Story
is quoted as follows:
"Regarding the settlement with our
employes, I wish to state that it is on the
basis outlined in Mr. Gompers' letter. We
granted nine hours as a work day, but are
only working seven. We made a slight
raise in wages in a few instances. We
also agreed to pay twice a month in cur-
rency instead of in checks. All other
points in the controversy were waived by
our employes."
"Did you agree to employ none but
union men?"
" N o ; we did not. We reserve the
right to employ whom we choose, but
agreed to take back all the old men with-
out discrimination."
"Are you now employing any non-
union men? "
"Yes."
"Do you think the other manufacturers
will take their men back on similar terms?"
"I think there is no doubt they would,
dealing with their own men direct."
This is the first statement made by the
piano manufacturers since £he trouble be-
gan.
As I wrote at the very inception of the
labor troubles it was more than probable
that some of the manufacturers would
move away from Chicago, and as I said
some time ago, there was a deal between
Smith & Barnes and the business men in
Rockford, 111., relative to the purchase of
a factory in that city.
It is now definitely arranged that Smith
& Barnes will run a factory at Rockford in
conjunction with one at Chicago. It is
possible that others will make a move. I
understand that Smith & Barnes did not
ask anything in the way of a bonus. They
made a spot cash offer of $10,000 for the
plant of the Illinois Chair Co., including
ten acres of ground. The delay in com-
pleting the deal has been to get two bond-
holders to consent to throw in the land.
An important move by J. O. Twichell is
to be recorded. He has leased the Story &
Clark warerooms, at 231 Wabash avenue
for five years, with an option of a further
five years at the same rental. The first
and second floors and basement of the
premises will be occupied. He will take
possession about May 1. In the mean-
time needed alterations and improvements
will be effected in the way of installing
new passenger and freight elevators, and
artistic decorations for warerooms. Story
& Clark's new location has not yet been
decided upon, but it is said their head-
quarters may be in the next block south.
fir. J. C. Henderson.
J. C. Henderson, manager of the Ann
Arbor Organ Co., will leave next week for
the South on one of his usual visits to the
representatives of his house.
Speaking of this popular member of the
trade, brings to mind that he was the re-
cipient around the holidays of a magnifi-
cent solid gold watch-chain knife with
steel blades, the sides of which are beauti-
fully mounted with a sapphire, emerald
and diamond, also containing his name
neatly engraved. The donors of this valu-
able gift were the Henderson Piano Co. of
Ft. Worth, Tex. It is a testimonial of
esteem which, it is needless to say, is
highly valued.
The Art of Varnishing.
The art which, in the varnishing of
wooden instruments of music, was be-
lieved to have disappeared, gives signs of
reappearing through the efforts of certain
intelligent students, the Gazzetta Musicale
di Milano says. Among these it gives us
pleasure to mention a compatriot, B. Sac-
cani, who, after patient and severe studies
made from ancient models, has obtained
in a pleasing and similar fashion to the
old models, the tints and varnish that were
once upon a time favored and valued for
violins by the celebrated Cremona School.
Some of the violins thus finished have
been examined by persons competent to
judge, and have obtained full approval.
They recall the best examples of Cre-
monese art.
The Henry F. fliller Piano.
Steger-Northen.
On Jan. 8, at the home of the bride, 424
Seminary avenue, Chicago, occurred the
marriage of C. G. Steger, son of Mr. and
Mrs. J. V. Steger, to Miss Sarah Northen,
the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John Northen. The occasion was a quiet
home affair, with none but immediate
relatives of the contracting parties present.
The Rev. Mr. Armstrong officiated. Mr.
and Mrs. Steger will make their home at
Buena Park. The Review joins with a
host of friends in extending best wishes.
Sohmer's Big Trade.
Talking to a representative of The Indi-
cator during his present trip West, Hugo
Sohmer stated that the increase in the
Sohmer trade in 1899 over that of 1898
may be estimated at 30 per cent. Some
of the phases of last year's trade merit
special mention. For instance, the num-
ber of cash sales was unusually large
and the time sales were much shorter
than those made in the years immediately
preceding. This Mr. Sohmer accepts as a
sign that prosperity has come back in earn-
est, and we are inclined to believe that he
is right. The wholesale trade of the
Sohmer is in a similarly gratifying state.
The same ratio of increase is to be reported
in the wholesale that has marked the retail
business. In fact, the Sohmer trade has
been exceptionally satisfactory.
The Henry F. Miller artists' concert
grand piano will be used at the thirty-
second annual musical festival of the
Orleans County Musical Association, New-
port, Vt., which occurs next week. As in
previous years, this instrument has been in
great favor in musical affairs generally
this season.
The review of the year's business by
the Henry F. Miller Co. has brought to
light a condition of affairs that has even
exceeded the most sanguine anticipations
of its members. There has been a splen-
did appreciation of the Henry F. Miller
piano through the country, and the con-
dition of business at the opening of the
new year indicates that the enthusiasm
shown in the Miller interests last year will
be continued with the same excellent re-
sults during 1900.
A Columbus Inventor.
Professor S. W. Robinson, of Columbus,
O., recently designed a violin differing in
some respects in mechanism from the or-
dinary instrument and employed Mr. T.
L. Denman of Marysville, O., to make it
for him, paying him $100 for the instru-
ment when completed. He was so well
pleased with it, both as to its new features
and Mr. Denman's skill in developing
them, that he exhibited it to his friends in
Cincinnati, one of whom placed an order
with Mr. Denman for a duplicate.

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