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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW*
Against Bankruptcy Law.
To Restrain Use of Scale.
[Special to The Review ]
[Special to The Review.]
Employes Have a Lien.
Toronto, Can., Dec. 8, 1900.
Washington, D. C., Dec. u , 1900.
The Chancery Divisional Court, com-
It is evidently the intention of Congress
to repeal or radically amend the Federal posed of Chancellor Boyd and Mr. Justice
Bankruptcy Law. In the Senate, Senator Ferguson, on Saturday handed down judg-
McCumber of North Dakota has presented ment in the appeal of Stanley vs. Thom-
a carefully drawn bill providing for its re- son; action by the Stanley Piano Co. of
peal which is guarded by provisions de- Toronto, against one Thomson to restrain
signed to protect the rights of all who may the latter from using in his business of
be parties to bankruptcy proceedings at manufacturing pianos a piano scale known
the time the law is stricken from the as scale No. 10, being the original scale or
statute books. The Attorney General and plan according to which a certain piano
the National Referees Association have made by plaintiffs and known as'scale No.
also made suggestions looking for the 10, style A, was constructed. The plain-
tiffs alleged that they purchased the scale
amendment of the law.
September 1, 1901, is tentatively fixed from its inventor, and, though not pro-
as the time when the present act shall tected by copyright, the scale is a trade se-
stand repealed, but it is the intention that cret, and that the defendant Thomson, who
this date shall not be finally determined was discharged from their employment,
until the repealing bill is put upon its had converted their trade secret to his own
use. The action was dismissed by Mr.
passage.
The action of Senator McCumber, who, Justice Macmahon after trial. The court
by the way, is considered an eminent law- yesterday granted the plaintiffs' appeal for
yer, has caused and is causing consider- a new trial.
able uneasiness among the friends of the
Baldwin Pianos for England.
Federal Bankruptcy statute, who, al-
The D. H. Baldwin Piano Co., of Cin-
though their views concerning the effi-
cinnati,
O., have shipped to Leeds, Eng-
ciency of the law have not been modified,
land,
thirty
pianos on an order for fifty.
are inclined to think that the time is not
now propitious for attempting to amend
Reed Organ Trade Abroad.
the statute.
The reed organ situation differs but lit-
Chairman Ray, of the House Judiciary
tle in this country from that of Great Brit-
Committee, concedes that the present law
ain. Our enterprising and always inter-
needs amending to strengthen its involun-
esting London exchange, Music, covers the
tary features, and he approves heartily of
matter comprehensively in the subjoined
the recommendations made by the Attor-
comment:
ney-General in this connection, especially
"The reed organ trade is improving.
where the right of an individual is re-
There
is not a possible shadow of doubt
stricted to become bankrupt more than
about
it,
as Gilbert has it in similar words.
once without producing an increasing pro-
One
of
the
largest importers in London
portion of assets to liabilities.
told us last week that the demand for their
Those interested in the bankruptcy law
organs was almost double that of last sea-
are awaiting the final action of the United
son. Moreover, the British reed organ
States Supreme Court which has advanced
makers are also quite pleased with busi-
the appeal case involving the question of
ness, and anticipate a much larger output
the proper interpretation of section 57 (g)
this year. Why is this? It is probably
which has been held by several courts to
due mainly to the increasing prosperity of
require the refunding of all payments
the purchasing public, and partly, no doubt,
*'made by the insolvent within four months
to the decline of the too cheap piano,
• of the filing of the petition of bankruptcy which, even if it were better, could never
• even though such payments may be shown fill the place in the hearts of certain classes
^to have been made in good faith and in of the community which the reed organ
the ordinary course of events. The occupies. Perhaps the improvement in
amending of this section of the law will of trade is also due to the recognition on the
course depend upon the decision of the part of those who can afford two musical
Supreme Court.
instruments, of the charm of the reed or-
gan as an adjunct to the piano. When two
Fire at Karn's Plant.
musicians of taste—not necessarily accom-
[Special to The Review.!
plished in a technical sense—severally oc-
Woodstock, Ont., Dec. 9, 1900.
cupy seats at the piano and the reed organ,
Through a fire which broke out in the much enjoyment may be the result. At
first floor of the piano factory occupied by any rate, it will be a long time, judging
D. W. Karn Co., Ltd., nearly thirty pianos from present indications, before the reed
were totally ruined by heat and consider- organ is ousted from public favor."
able damage done by water. The origin
Jay Falkenberg, a well-known musician,
of the fire has not yet been traced, but in-
cendiarism is suspected. There is ample is about to open a music store on East
Main street, Salem, O.
insurance.
POOLE
PIANOS
REFEREE HOLDS DOLGE WORKMEN
TO WITHHELD PROFITS.
ENTITLEp
[Special to The Review.]
Utica, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1900.
One of the principal features of the
business formerly conducted by Alfred
Dolge and the firm of Dolge & Son was a
profit-sharing or insurance system with
the employes. When the failure came
about three years ago, there were many
thousands of dollars due the employes,
who had consented to work for certain
wages with the understanding that a share
of the profits was to be credited to them
each year.
The question arose as to whether these
claims were legitimate liens upon the
property, and it was finally referred to
Hadley Jones of Little Falls. Mr. Jones
has filed a report in which he holds that all
credits for endowment or deposits made in
behalf of any workman are valid and legit-
imate claims for wages and are to be placed
in the preferred class.
'
Hawkins Co Move.
•
The Hawkins Co., manufacturers of or-
gan springs and specialties in the steel
line, have removed from Waterbury toi
South Britain, Conn., where they will se-
cure larger quarters and better water
power. The Bradley & Hoyt woolen mills
have been secured and South Britain capi-
talists are to improve the property and
build an addition.
Buying High Priced Goods.
Talking of Christmas trade F. J. Heppe
of C. J. Heppe & Son, Philadelphia, says :
"The number of musical instruments
bought for Christmas presents in the last
two years is 75 per cent, larger than in
previous years. People are also buying
a higher grade of goods. All kinds of
musical instruments are bought for pre-
sents, but we make a specialty of Regina
music boxes, Edison phonographs and
pianolas. Music boxes have comparatively
small sale at other times of the year. The
trade this season, I think, will equal that
of last year."
May Be Piano Palace.
It would not surprise us to find one or
two piano houses represented among the
tenants of the magnificent arcade which is
to be erected on the site of the Windsor
Hotel on Fifth avenue between Forty-
sixth and Forty-seventh streets. This
structure, which will cover the entire
block, will not only be something unique
in an architectural way, but decidedly
handsome; in fact none of the arcades in
Europe will be anything like as extensive
or as elaborate. The artistic surroundings
will make an ideal center for musical art
objects. The building will be ready for
occupancy by April 1st, 1900.
Precious, Perfect, Peerless
As to Tone, Touch, Design,
Durability and Value.
5 and 7 APPLETON STREET. BOSTON, MASS,
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