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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MUSIC MEN WILL MARCH
False Credit Reports.
IN THE BIG PARADE OF NOV. 3 WILL HAVE A POSITION WELL TO THE FRONT—ADOLPHO
H. FISCHER CHOSEN FOR DIVISION COMMANDER FINAL MEETING OCCURS NEXT
WEDNESDAY—HUNDREDS OF THE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE PART.
One of the unwritten rules of business
courtesy requires merchants, from whom
competitors seek knowledge concerning
the responsibility and character of an
applicant for credit, to give freely such
information as they can, based upon their
experience with the buyer in question.
Scenting the loss, or partial loss, of a de-
sirable customer's patronage, some mer-
chants yield to the temptation to withhold
facts and to so word their reply that it is
interpreted as unfavorable to the credit
seeker, when he is fully entitled to the ac-
commodation asked. On the other hand
undesirable customers are often fairly well
recommended, sometimes for the purpose
of getting rid of them and sometimes in a
spirit of malice engendered by resentment
against the encroachments of a new com-
petitor.
A man whose credit has been established
invariably aims to preserve it by his con-
duct. Naturally he would resent an un-
called-for attack by another. It is, there-
fore, unwise in the extreme to suppress
facts or invest with ambiguity a report of
his standing as a credit risk. He will be
told, as a matter of course, especially if he
himself has given the name of the offender
as a reference. To falsely report a cus-
tomer's standing or worth to retain a
greater share of his trade is the most fee-
ble fight one can put up against competi-
tion.
It is a boomerang thrown short,
which returns to smite the thrower. In
the other case "contemptible" but mildly
expresses it.
No liability attaches to the merchant
whose recommendation of a credit seeker
is based upon his experience with him.
One should not say, "I'll guarantee he
will pay you promptly," but that "He has
been a customer of mine so and so long,
has paid me promptly, or fairly prompt,"
as the case may be; "I consider him a
good risk for any amount of credit he is
apt to seek," etc. Give facts and your
opinion, but no promises. A customer
whose record is flawless in his dealings
with a merchant is entitled to an honest
statement when that merchant is asked
concerning his credit, no matter who the
inquirer may be.
The allied music trades of this city will
be represented by a division of men who
will march in the Sound Money Parade on
November 3d. A meeting was held for
the purpose of making preliminary ar-
rangements in the Sound Money League
Rooms, corner Fourteenth street and Fifth
avenue, last Wednesday afternoon.
The sentiment of the meeting was heart-
ily in favor of having a suitable represen-
tation in the parade. Owing to the late-
ness of the application it was deemed ex-
pedient to accept an invitation to be at-
tached to the division of the paper and al-
lied trades. As owing to the many appli-
cations made for independent organiza-
tions, it would be very late before the
music trade division could move, it is now
assured of a position near the front of the
line and will march under its own division
commander and under the banner of the
allied music industries of our city.
Edward Lyman Bill was elected chair-
man at the meeting; Chas. H. Parsons,
secretary; Robt. C. Kammerer, treasurer,
and Adolpho H. Fischer was chosen as
commander of the music trade division.
The officers elected together with Mr.
Fischer constitute the executive committee.
Enrollment blanks and circulars have been
issued to the trade so that all who desire
to join the organization may have the op-
portunity.
From the applications which have al-
ready come in, it is assured that there will
be at least three or four hundred men of
our industry in line. In order to raise a
fund to meet the necessary expenses, it is
decided that each house represented should
subscribe the sum of $5.00. This amount
includes the equipment of the number of
men who desire to accompany them. In
order that provision may be made for all,
it is of the utmost importance that all who
desire to parade will announce their inten-
tion on or before the date set for the next
organization meeting, which will occur
next Wednesday afternoon, at the Sound
Money Rooms on Fourteenth street and
Fifth avenue at 3 P. M.
We learn upon inquiry that a majority
of the music houses of the city have an-
nounced their intention to close their ware-
rooms on the day of the parade.
Among those who were present at the
meeting and who have endorsed the move-
ment were: A. H. Fischer, Chas. H. Par-
sons, Paul G. Mehlin, Otto F. Mehlin, A.
M. Wright, Hamilton S. Gordon, William
Strich, John D. Evans, Francis Connor,
E. T. Paull Music Co., Menzenhauer &
Schmidt, Christman & Son, Shapiro, Bern-
stein & Von Tilzer, G. L. Weitz, Alfred P.
Roth, Estey Piano Co., Adek Manufactur-
ing Co., Wm. P. Bacon, Mason & Hamlin
Co., August Gemunder, Frank B. Burns,
Wm. F. Tway, Decker & Son, Mason P.
Currier, Edward B. Jardine, Ludwig Ca-
valli, Wm. J. Keeley, Frank Scribner, Al-
fred E. Paillard, C. H. O. Houghton, Jos.
W. Sturtevant, Spielmann & Co., Chris.
B. Garritson, E. S. Cragin, Lindeman &
Sons Piano Co , Robt. C. Kammerer, Geo.
Reichmann, Geo. N. Grass, August Pohl-
mann, T. B. Bogart, Wm. H. Freeland,
Emil Levy, Owen I. Turtle, A. L. Ebbels,
E. S. Fink, Pease Piano Co., Chas. H. Dit-
son & Co., Jos. Shoninger, W. A. Braith-
waite.
Wants Receiver for Piano Firm.
[Special to The Review.]
Hartford, Conn., Oct. 25, 1900.
On Nov. 2 the application of Joseph E.
Briggs for a receiver for the Woods Piano
Co. will be heard. He claims partnership
settlement from A. L. Woods, president,
before the concern was reorganized by new
stockholders.
Grass Returns.
Geo. Nembach Grass, who for many
weeks has been making a tour of the coun-
try as far as the Pacific Northwest, re-
turned to headquarters the early part of
the week. His trip resulted in the forma-
tion of some splendid agencies which have
been duly recorded in The Review. Mr.
Grass has in every respect scored a most no-
table trip and his success has demonstrated
that the dealers of the country are keenly
alive to the merits of the high-grade piano.
Receiving Congratulations.
Francis H. Owen, treasurer of the Mc-
Phail Piano Co., is receiving congratula-
tions from his many friends upon the re-
cent addition to his family. The latest
acquisition to the Owen branch of the Mc-
Phail forces appeared on the 21st inst.
Baby Van Vleck Owen is a charming and
lusty boy.
Calvin Whitney in Town.
Calvin Whitney, president of the A. B.
Chase Co., who has recently returned from
a trip to the Pacific Coast reached New
York this week, and while calling upon The
Review expressed himself in enthusiastic
terms as to the business situation through-
out America. He is a close student of
events, has had ample opportunity to study
the politico-business situation in every sec-
tion of the country. According to Mr. Demand for Knabe "Specials."
Whitney, who has prepared a table of the
A feature of the excellent retail trade at
votes, President McKinley will have 278 the Knabe warerooms is the demand for
votes in the electoral college. Mr. Whit- specially decorated pianos. Two small
ney passed some time in Nebraska and grands, superbly decorated, one in white
feels confident that Bryan's own State will
mahogany artistically ornamented, the
join the McKinley column. In fact, like
thousands of others, he does not believe other of Corinthian design, the general
that the pc ople of this country will vote to scheme of decoration being highly ornate
replace substance with a bundle of destruc- with gold finish, were disposed of last
tive theories and impracticable isms. Mr. week. Wealthy New Yorkers, who were
Whitney left for points farther East yes- as pleased with the magnificent Knabe tone
as with the beautiful case design, were the
terday.
purchasers. The demand for these spe-
A. J. Menzl, general superintendent of cially decorated Knabe instruments has
Steinway & Sons' piano factory, at Stein- been exceedingly brisk this year, so much
way, L. I., left last week on an extended
trip to Europe. He was accompanied by so that it has been almost impossible to
Mrs. Menzl and their two youngest chil- get as large a number of them in stock as
the firm would like.
dren.