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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Brown Held for Grand Jury.
Beirjamin F. Brown, bookkeeper and
manager for the C. E. Byrne Piano Co.,
who was arrested last week for embezzling
money from the firm by substituting
drafts for cash, was held for trial in bail of
$1,500, on Wednesday. Brown, who is
fifty-seven years of age and a veteran of
the Civil War, had the fullest confidence of
C. E. Bryne, the head of the firm.
Mr. Byrne, who only returned from
Europe a few days ago, was seen by The
Review on Tuesday. He declined to give
all the details until such time as Brown's
trial was completed and a verdict ren-
dered, but was willing to talk freely in a
general way concerning the theft. When
asked by The Review for a statement, he
said: " T h e man who has confessed that
he played me false enjoyed my fullest trust
and confidence.
" The system of bookkeeping now in
force was originated by him. I liked the
plan for its completeness. As it turns out,
this very completeness served as a cover
for his rascality. I don't know how much
I have lost, but as the returns reach me
day by day from out of town I am treated
to a series of startling revelations, and the
end is not yet. It may be $10,000.
"We have many transactions for cash,
thus he was able to work his scheme with-
out let or hindrance. It was lucky that I
came home when I did. Passage was taken
for my return voyage by vessel leaving
Sept. 5, but a premonition of the affair
came to me when at Rome and I started at
once for New York. Brown's ingratitude
vexes me more than the actual peculation.
I treated him almost as a brother and, in
return, get swindled thus. It was through
the bank that I discovered his wrong-
doing."
This incident has not interfered with the
firm's business. New stock is now being
stored and the new C. E. Byrne styles are
finding many purchasers.
Big Kroeger Demand.
Thos. La M. Couch and J. C. Amie, the
two representatives of Kroeger interests
now on the road, find the "Kroeger" piano
strongly in evidence along their respective
routes. The dealers report them to be
quick sellers. The Kroeger is, on its in-
trinsic merits, winning friends all over the
country.
Newby & Evans.
John D. Evans, of Newby & Evans,
who returned early in the week from a
successful trip, will start again on Monday
for a brief tour in behalf of the Newby &
Evans products. The new Newby &
Evans styles, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are selling
well. Illustrations of these attractive in-
struments, on super-calendered paper,
with all particulars, will be sent promptly
on application.
A branch house has been opened in Ot-
tawa, Can., by C. W. Lindsay, the well-
known Montreal dealer. The establish-
ment is under the management of John
Rafen.
Nahum Stetson's Views
ON "HIGH-GRADE BUSINESS" AN INCREASED
APPRECIATION OF ARTISTIC PIANOS—
STEINWAY TRADE AT HOME
AND ABROAD EXCELLENT.
Nahum Stetson, of Steinway & Sons, in
a brief talk with The Review on Wednes-
day, took a position identical with that ex-
pressed editorially in the last issue of The
Review on the subject of "High-Grade
Business." He agrees with the statement
therein made that the tendency of the
piano purchaser of to-day is toward pur-
chase of the best instruments, and as the
prosperity of the country permits this ten-
dency to be indulged, high-grade business
increases accordingly.
"From a study of the trade situation as
revealed in your own business," said The
Review to Mr. Stetson, "are you inclined
to the belief that the demand to-day for
high-priced, high-grade—in other words,
artistic—pianos is stationary? "
"Do you refer to specially designed pi-
anos, or to the regular Steinway styles in
grands and uprights?" he queried.
The Review replied that those of the
latter class were in mind when the question
was asked.
" Then I will say, • most certainly,' " re-
sponded Mr. Stetson. " T h e demand will,
in my opinion, continue. It is only nat-
ural that it should be so—as natural as it
is for water to run down hill. The advance
of the higher education, a leading cause,
has brought with it a corresponding culture,
indicated by more refined taste in all de-
partments, notably music and general home
surroundings. When circumstances per-
mit, it is demanded by purchasers to-day
that the piano be, in every sense of the
term, an artistic product."
Mr. Stetson, when asked if the call for
high-priced instruments is more noticeable
in some sections of the country than in
others, said: "No; the movement is a gen-
eral one. The educational acquirements
of the people are far greater throughout
the coimtry than they were, and every
State has done its share in bringing this
about. At intervals, we find the demands
from one section far exceeding those of
any other, but subsequent events show
that the fluctuation was merely temporary
and from local causes."
The Review inquired if Steinway &
Sons are satisfied with the outlook for for.
eign trade?
"We are very much pleased with the
progress of our business in Europe," was
the reply. "Reports received from the
several branches demonstrate beyond ques-
tion the fact that the Steinway & Sons
products are steadily gaining ground in
every European country."
Speaking of domestic fall trade, Mr.
Stetson said, in response to a direct ques-
tion: "The indications are entirely favor-
able. Here is an illustration: Our retail
season at these warerooms has not yet be-
gun, as many of our customers are still
out of town. Nevertheless, we sold ten
instruments at retail yesterday. If, before
the season really commences, we do so well,
what may we not expect during the regu-
lar fall season?" There has been nothing
whatever to show, so far, Mr. Stetson ad-
ded, that the presidential canvass will in-
terfere with business.
Chase Bros, to Be Used.
THE CHICAGO AUDITORIUM CONSERVATORY
SELECT A NUMBER OF UPRIGHTS AND
GRANDS FOR THEIR USE.
A decided compliment was this week
paid the Chase Bros, pianos, manufactured
by the Chase-Hackley Piano Co., of Muske-
gon, Mich., through their selection for use
at the Chicago Auditorium Conservatory,
of which Frederic Grant Gleason is direc-
tor.
The compliment paid these instruments
is not surprising to those who have long
been cognizant of their musical merits.
The Chase Bros, pianos have always
been admired by critical dealers, not only
for their superb tone but for their con-
struction and architectural worth, and
the tribute paid by Mr. Gleason, who
by the way, ranks as one of the promin-
ent musicians and composers of the West-
ern metropolis, is something of which the
Chase-Hackley Co. can feel proud.
Associated with Mr. Gleason in his con-
servatory are a number of eminent pian-
ists such as Augusta Cottlow, who concert-
ized recently in Germany, Robt. Stevens,
Clara Cermak and Fay Hill. All these
artists have expressed themselves in terms
of the warmest praise of Chase Bros, in-
struments. A full line of grands and up-
rights has been selected.
"A Straw Which Shows.'
When The Review called upon one of
Harlem's most prominent piano manufac-
turers on Wednesday, the latter said:
"The only thing I have to tell you this
week is that I have just seen a letter in-
closing an important order from a dealer
who controls a big retail trade. At the
foot of the letter he says: 'These pianos
are to be sent only in the event of Mc-
Kinley's election. If Bryan is elected, can-
cel the order.' "
A Pioneer Dead.
Nathan B. Smith, aged eighty-five, a pi-
oneer manufacturer of melodions, died in
New London, Conn., Thursday. He was
born in 1815, and belonged to a family
which founded Norwich. He resided in
New London upward of sixty years. A
widow, two sons, and a daughter survive.
The Shoninger Ascendency.
The Shoninger star is shining as bright-
ly as ever in the piano firmament. In
keeping with the firm's successful policy,
a number of brand-new styles in uprights
have been prepared for the fall trade.
Like their predecessors of last year, they
are not only original, but excellent as ar-
tistic conceptions. Originality in art does
not always secure pleasing results. How-
ever much this may apply to other pro-
ductions, it most assuredly does not stand
good when said of the Shoninger piano.