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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
W. Dalliba Dutton's ^Impressions
Pan-American Opening.
Affray At Dolgeville.
On Important Topics—Returns From an Ex-
tended Trip—Found Trade Conditions Fa-
vorable -Demand for Better Grade Instru-
ments Observable—The Stencil Piano no
Longer a Danger—Interest in the Asso-
ciation Convention—Praise for the Credit
Bureau.
[Special to The Review.]
Utica, N. Y., April 17, 1901.
Alois Brambach, a prominent piano manu-
facturer of Dolgeville, waited outside the
postoffice in that place this afternoon till Dr.
Mangold should come out. Under his coal,
Brambach carried a short whip, and when
the doctor appeared, Brambach commenced
to rain blows over his head and shoulders
as rapidly as he could. The men clinched,
and in the struggle which followed, Dr. Man-
gold fell and his left leg was broken in two
places. The doctor caught Brambach's hand
in his teeth and lacerated it in a terrible man-
ner, nearly severing some of the fingers. It
is thought the men would have killed each
other had they not be dragged apart.
The trouble is said to have arisen over
domestic affairs.
William Dalliba Dutton, with Hardman,
Peck & Co., who has just returned from a
four-weeks' tour on special business con-
nected with the Hardman interests, visited
twenty-seven cities during his trip.
When asked by The Review on Thursday
to give a brief outline of his observations
on trade conditions as he found them in vari-
ous business centers, Mr. Button said: "Con-
sidering the piano industry as a whole, I must
say that present conditions are very favorable
—more so, in fact, than I have ever known
them. The methods of dealers, too, are evi-
dently undergoing a change for the better.
They are realizing in which direction their
best interests really lie. As a result, the era
of the instrument that is too cheap to be
serviceable—the very cheap product—is
drawing to a close.
"The recent agitation of the stencil ques-
tion, with the Association's subsequent action,
has, I noted, already brought about impor-
tant beneficial results. The trade press, by
giving this matter prominence, has done good
service. The dealers now understand the
true inwardness of the stencil problem. The
stencilled piano is no longer a danger and
menace to the trade."
The Review inquired if, during his travels,
Mr. Dutton found dealers, as a rule, fav-
orably disposed toward the idea of their
attendance at the N. P. M. A. Convention in
May for consultation with manufacturers on
topics of mutual interest.
"I found a friendly sentiment prevailing,"
Mr. Dutton replied "but it would not be
safe to prophecy concerning the measure of
actual personal reference to invitations.
There is certain to be at least a fair attend-
ance of the larger dealers—men who travel
frequently. Those with smaller interests to
consider may not be able to reach here, but
they will come, I feel sure, in every case
where it is possible to do so conveniently.
"While talking of Association affairs, I
cannot help remarking that the older it be-
comes the more its influence for good on the
trade as a whole is observable in the trans-
action of business. The Credit Bureau or-
ganized through the action of the Associa-
tion, has already done and is now doing ex-
cellent service. If the N. P. M. A. had done
nothing else since its inception, the establish-
ment of the Credit Bureau has, in my opin-
ion, amply justified the existence of a manu-
facturers' organization such as ours."
Orators at the Banquet.
It is understood that some special ora-
torical efforts will be put forth at the banquet
following the Convention of the National
Piano Manufacturers Association.
Messrs. William H. McElroy and J. R.
Van Wormer have already been chosen to
speak. Other speakers will be announced
later.
The "Ricca" and the "Cambridge" are
both in good demand.
Buffalo, April 18, 1901.
The committee on ceremonies for open-
ing day, May 1st,at the Pan-American Expo-
sition have prepared the program. The cere-
monies will be held in the Temple of Music,
beginning at 1 o'clock and are announced as
follows: Music, grand hymn by united bands;
prayer; address by Hon. John G. Milburn,
president of the Pan-American Exposition;
music, male chorus by the Orpheus, John
Lund, conductor; poem, written for the oc-
casion by Frederic Almy; address by Hon.
Conrad Diehl, mayor of Buffalo; reception
and reading of dispatches from the President
of the United States and chief magistrates
of the other American countries and the
starting of machinery by them; benediction;
music, "America," bands, Orpheus and au-
dience.
On the grounds, as messages are received
from the magistrates of different countries,
balloons bearing the arms or flags of these
countries will be sent up, and bombs will be
fired. At the close of the ceremonies in the
Temple of Music an exposition salute of 100
bombs will be fired.
The exercises will be preceded by a parade
in which the Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth
regiments, National Guard, will participate.
flason & Hamlin Progress.
Edward P. Mason has been visiting a
number of important points in the South and
in the West. He has journeyed as far as
Detroit and everywhere has met with the
most cordial reception and finds a steady
augmentation of interest in the Mason &
Hamlin product going steadily on at all
points. At the factory there is an unusual
activity in the grand department. This con-
cern are averaging a grand piano a day, and
they will shortly have a grand on the market
containing a number of special features
which will interest every music lover in the
country. In a later issue we shall give a de-
tailed description of the latest scientific in-
vention which will be incorporated in the
Mason & Mamlin grands.
Urchs Returns.
"Yes," said Ernest Urchs in Steinway
Hall on Tuesday, "I have just returned from
an extended trip South and West. I- visited
Mexico and you know we have a splendid
trade there, and I found everything in the
Republic in splendid shape. Mexico is
growing to be a better market all the time for
pianos. In Cuba and Porto Rico the de-
mand is slight. In fact it will be three or
four years before there will be any demand
in Cuba for high grade instruments—time
enough for a manufacturer to pay any par-
ticular attention to the development of trade
in Cuba. Of course I had a pleasant jour-
ney, but I am glad to be back again in New
York."
The reports in the daily papers that the
Steinway factory will be removed from New
York to Steinway, L. I., is incorrect. The
factory at Steinway will be enlarged, but
there will be no removal of the entire plant
to that point within the near future.
Edison Phonograph Suit.
The fight between the Edison Phonograph
Company and the Edison United Phono-
graph Company, was renewed Thursday be-
fore Vice-Chancellor Emery, in Chancery
Charpbers, Newark." The defendant cor-
poration deny that the Edison United Com-
pany is insolvent. They claim that the suits
have been inspired by the parent concern in
an attempt to embarrass them.
At the hearing, counsel for the defendants
produced an order of the New York court
vacating the $31,369 judgment, obtained
March-29, against John E. Searles and the
Edison United Company. Counsel added
that this judgment was the basis of all the
suits against his corporation, and that so far
from believing his corporation insolvent, the
National North American Bank had taken a
long time note for the $31,369, and had can-
celled the original note of John E. Searles.
The production of this paper was a complete
surprise to the complainant's counsel. The
case has been adjourned.
Richly-Figured Legos.
Isaac Cole & Son have just received a
shipment of 4,500 feet of exceptionally rare,
richly-figured Legos mahogany. Mr. Cole,
when seen by The Review yesterday, said,
pointing to the new veneer: "That is the
prize log of the season. The opportunity is
an exceptional one, and the pianos manufac-
turers ought to know about it. We invite
them to see it. At the same time they will
have a chance to see other special shipments
recently received. Our stock of good, rare
woods is larger now than ever before."
Vale, Steck Hall.
Geo. Steck & Co., bid farewell to-day to
Steck Hall where they have been located for
twenty-nine years, and hereafter their new
warerooms will be located at No. 136 Fifth
Avenue which have been specially prepared
under their direction.
Edwin Milton Boothe, of the Milton
Piano Co., returned on Monday from a short
business trip. Trade conditions at the Mil-
ton factory are reported as favorable. Deal-
ers throughout the country are evincing
great interest in the Milton piano.
The Melville Clark Apollo Co. have se-
cured quarters on Fifth avenue, below Twen-
ty-third street.