Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1901 Vol. 32 N. 8

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
12
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Another One of the Gang Caught.
[Special to The Review.l
Washington, D. C , Feb. 19, 1901.
The Baltimore partner of J. D. Carroll,
alias Holmes, alias Gray (whose arrest is
reported on page 19), charged with steal-
ing a piano from Knabe & Co., was cap-
tured yesterday in front of the Shoreham
Hotel by detectives who had been look-
ing for the second party every day since
the aged Carroll confessed his guilt.
This man gives his name as Howard
Creighton, and his age as twenty-one
years. His home is in Baltimore, where
he has been going under the names of
Harry Fowler, James J. Farley and James
J. Gray. He assumed the last name to
play the role of son of the aged piano thief,
who got into the toils of the law here.
The discovery here of a Fischer piano,
the property of the Baltimore agency of
Sanders & Stayman, made the local de-
tectives positive in their theory that Car-
roll had a confederate and that they made
Baltimore the basis of operations.
Creighton, alias Fowler or Gray, has been
identified as the man who purchased the
Fischer piano from Sanders & Stayman
and later admitted his guilt. He said he
had been pulled into the scheme by Car-
roll, who told him that big money could
be made by renting pianos for $5 a month
and selling them. Detective Miller, of
Baltimore, came over last night and took
Creighton to Baltimore, where he will be
held for the larceny of a piano from Messrs.
Sanders & Stayman.
Carroll Has a Record.
[Special to The Review.l
Baltimore, Feb. 17, 1901.
Holmes, alias Carroll, alias Gray, who is
under arrest in Washington charged with
the larceny of a piano, has been, identified
by Detective Todd B. Hall, of this city, as
William Kelly, alias Spencer, alias Daily,
whom Detective Hall states he arrested
seven years ago in Baltimore for prac-
tices similar to those which have brought
Holmes into the hands of the Washington
police. The identification was through a
photograph.
Patent Rights for Sale.
The daughters of the late Frank Teupe,
the well-known music and piano dealer of
713 East Gray street, Louisville, Ky., and
formerly of the firm of Webb & Teupe, are
now disposing of their father's estate, and
have offered for sale the patent rights of a
vertical grand, invented by Mr. Teupe and
patented as No. 567,668.
The Review, on Wednesday, saw a pho-
tograph of the Teupe Vertical grand. It
is an impressive-looking instrument, and
if handled in an enterprising, aggressive
way by a live manufacturer, would doubt-
less find a special and profitable field.
In the Ohio Building.
The A. B. Chase Co., of Norwalk, O.,
have arranged to place three of their pianos
in the Ohio Building at the Pan-American
Exposition. This building will be com-
pleted about April 1st.
flileage flust Be Accepted.
(Special to The Review.)
Hamilton, O., Feb. 18, 1901.
A. S. Street, of this city, a traveling
salesman for the Starr Piano Company, of
Richmond, Ind., has received word that
the Indiana Court of Appeals had given
him a judgment for $250 against the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company in a test suit
of great interest to all commercial travelers.
Mr. Street owned one of the Central
Passenger Association's interchangeable
mileage books last spring, and one day,
when he was called to Richmond, he pre-
sented it to the local Pennsylvania ticket
office to exchange mileage coupons for a
ticket to Richmond. The agent happened
to be out of exchange tickets, and advised
Street to get on the train and explain the
circumstances to the conductor, who, he
said, would accept coupons for the fare.
Acting on this suggestion, Mr. Street
boarded the train. 'The conductor re-
fused to accept the coupons and put Mr.
Street off. He at once began his action
for damages. The company in its defense
claimed that when the ticket agent was un-
able to furnish an exchange ticket, Mr.
Street should have bought a regular ticket
and then have presented a claim for its
cost. The court did not accept this view,
and holds, in effect, that all members of
the Central Passenger Association are
bound to accept their mileage coupons
when tendered direct as fare. There is no
appeal from the Appellate Court in the
state, and traveling men will benefit great-
ly by the decision.
McClure Gets Seven Years.
Why the Straube is Popular.
That original ideas in case work are ap-
preciated, is evidenced in the big demand
for the Straube Co.'s new styles K and L
which are pictured in their advertisement
on page 22, of this issue.
The treatment of the music desks of
both instruments has won the highest en-
comiums. The effect of the Corinthian
columns and trusses, artistically and ela-
borately hand carved, give style L espe-
cially a distinctive position, and dealers
state that it catches the eye of purchasers
at once.
It is work like this that brings to notice
the progressive personalities behind the
Straube institution, men who are not con-
tent to rest on tradition, but prefer to
branch out along advanced lines.
The value embodied in these instru-
ments is not confined merely to their
unique architecture, but the tonal qualities
of the Straube pianos have pleased and are
pleasing a host of critical dealers and pur-
chasers.
As "trade makers" the Straube pianos
are wonders. The result is that the Straube
Co.'s factory at Downers Grove, 111., is be-
ing worked up to the limit of its capacity.
Jas. F. Broderick and his associates are
certainly to be congratulated on the splen-
did record which they are making. The
success which has come their way, how-
ever, is not a matter of accident, but is the
result of active, earnest work to make their
pianos individual and in every way worthy
of trade support.
Advertising the Steinertone.
McPhail Piano Co. have just closed deal,
whereby the Walter J. Bates Co. secure
the sale of the McPhail pianos at retail in
Boston and vicinity.
All the New York papers of Sunday last
contained imposing advertisements of the
Steinertone Co. in which the special fea-
tures which characterize the Steinertone
grand were exploited forcefully and at
some length. The Herald, for example,
contained an entire column devoted to em-
phasizing how the Steinertone differs great-
ly in its tonal powers from the present
grand piano. The evolution of the piano
and its mechanism from its earliest days
are traced up interestingly, and in ihis
connection the value of the Steinertone is
referred to at some length. Readers are
invited to visit the warerooms, 130 Fifth
avenue, to investigate and convince them-
selves as to the truthfulness of the state-
ments made in the advertisement. The
utilization on such a liberal scale of the
daily papers to make known to the public
the especial merits of the Steinertone
should prove effective in results. Pub-
licity pays.
fir. Bareuther Goes West.
A Busy Concern.
Joseph Bareuther, secretary and treas-
urer of the Gabler Piano Mfg. Co., left
town on Thursday for Chicago to close
negotiations with a western capitalists
who has secured the privilege of purchas-
ing a big block of stock in the new con-
cern. Several other negotiations of like
character are pending.
The New York Co-operative Piano String
Co., 312-316 East Ninety fifth street, New
York, continue to tax their manufacturing
facilities in spite of the fact that last fall
they enlarged their factory considerably,
adding more improved machinery and in-
creasing their already large force of skill-
ful artisans. At present they are working
full force and the orders continue to stream
in. This concern has always held an ex-
cellent reputation for the quality of their
goods, and they are working hard to aug-
ment this good opinion held by the trade.
Marvin A. McClure, the former piano
dealer of Rutland, Vt., who was convicted
of assisting to wreck the Merchants Na-
tional Bank of that city was sentenced this
week to seven years in the Vermont House
of Correction.
Tasker Bankrupt.
M. B. Tasker, music dealer of Westfield,
Mass., is bankrupt, with liabilities of
$1,583 and nominal assets of $418. The
only secured creditor is F. L. Husey of
Beaumont, Me., for $500.
Bates Co. Secure McPhail.
[Special to The Review.]
Boston, Mass., Feb. 21, 1901.
Captain John Betz, music dealer of St.
Louis, Mo., committed suicide on the
morning of Feb. 15th.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
13
fering from catalogue competition work in
the interest of the whole trade of the town,
and the result would very soon be evident.
Hugo Sohmer and Another Prominent flember of the Trade Discuss the Subject—Will Affect
"But no matter what all the dealers de-
the Commercial Piano Only, says the Former- Dealers Must Fight With the Weapons of
cide to do, the trade of the individual
their Opponents To Retain Home Trade, is Another View.
dealer depends very largely upon himself,
FROn HR. SOHHER'S VIEWPOINT.
stay. It is not a new thing. It came into and he should retain his hold upon every
The great problem of the day, as pointed prominence thirty years ago and has been customer by absolute honesty of repre-
out last week in the editorial columns of steadily growing more numerous and ag- sentation, fairness in price and genial good
The Review, is how best to neutralize or gressive. The cheapening of postage, of nature. All the gods help such a man to
combat the efforts of the "catalogue expressage and of freight charges has success.
houses." By their enterprising mailing helped this trade. The interest in adver-
" In The Review editorial another aspect
methods these concerns have taken away tisements has moved it along, and the of the situation is referred to, viz., the
from the piano dealers many thousands of growing confidence in getting good treat- prospective relations between the manu-
customers, and the end is not yet. In fact, ment from advertisers has given it a facturers and the catalogue houses. This
this is merely the beginning.
I do not care to discuss. The National
mighty push.
Hugo Sohmer, of Sohmer & Co., after
" It is always taken for granted that the Association at its forthcoming convention
reading The Review editorial, agreed that mail-order house is simply an organized might well give the subject consideration,
the system is far-reaching in its effects, swindle, and the consumer needs only to for ' it's a condition and not a theory that
but said he thought such effects would not have his eyes opened a trifle by the local confronts us!' "
go far beyond the realms of the commercial dealer to discover this fact for himself.
"The Perfect Piano-Player."
piano.
Much is made of the inferior goods that
"It is not by any means a new feature," the catalogue house is said to handle exclu- NEW YORK'S GREATEST AMATEUR ORCHESTRAL
ORGANIZATION CONSIDER THE "HARMON-
remarked Mr. Sohmer, when chatting on sively, and men talk as if they not only
1ST" THE NEAREST APPROACH TO THE
this subject with The Review on Tuesday. knew this to be the truth, the whole truth
PERFECT PLAYER
STRONG
"People who are satisfied with a 'commer- and nothing but the truth, but they take it
TESTIMONY.
cial' instrument at a 'commercial'price fre- for granted that everybody else knows it
following communication received
quently avail themselves of 'catalogue' op- also—always excepting the poor, deluded by The
the American Piano Manufacturing Co.
portunities, but if an intelligent man has consumer.
anent the Harmonist Piano-Player, for
money to spend and looks at the pictures
they are the factors, speaks elo-
"If there is a way to fight the catalogue which
and descriptions of pianos as they appear houses successfully I am confident that quently for itself:
Amicitia Orchestra,
in these catalogues, he will also look for a this is not the one that will do it. The
Herr Von Praag,
name, and will say to himself, 'So this in- physician who will cure most successfully
Director.
Carnegie Hall,
strument is not known among the good is the one who is the best in diagnosing a
New York, Feb. 15, 1901.
pianos!' Of course it is not, and that will case. He that has not the ability to de-
American Piano Mfg. Co.,
end it, as far as he is concerned.
New York City.
termine what and where the disease is
"The 'catalogiie' trade certainly makes ought never to be trusted with a patient.
Gentlemen:—We, the undersigned, de-
sire to express our appreciation of the re-
an inroad into the business of the country
"What can the retailer do to- hold his cital
kindly tendered by you to us, illus-
dealer of the old school, but wide-awake home trade?
trating
the merits of the Harmonist Piano-
dealers can overcome the evil by getting
"He can do exactly what the catalogue Player.
out among their constituents and letting houses are doing—persuade his neighbor-
We beg to assure you that we consider
them know, far and wide, the real charac- hood that he is giving them good value for it to be the nearest approach to the perfect
ter of the catalogue piano.
their money. He must do something be- piano-player that we have yet heard.
It was by far, the best performance that
" 'Catalogue' men are merely middle- sides sit down and wait for them to come
we have ever heard from a mechanical
men—commission merchants. Some of to him and pay any price he cares to ask. piano-player
and was thoroughly enjoyed
these people become rich by persistently
"The one thing needed in business to- by all of us.
following up the plan they have adopted. day is brains. The man with brains is
Wishing you the success you deserve in
Much of their trade in the 'piano depart- putting himself into close touch with his having at last solved the problem of giv-
ment,' as they probably call it, comes from neighborhood by every form of advertising ing to the public an instrument that actu-
people not overburdened with intelligence that will identify his name with his line of ally does the work of the great artist, we
beg to subscribe ourselves.
and from such as live in such p 1 aces and goods; but he is, above everything else,
Yours truly,
under such conditions as prevent them original and personal. He who copies
(Signed) S. Van Praag, •
from finding out the actual facts.
Director,
some one else will hardly ever succeed.
Milton
Baer,
M.
Meyers,
"The preparation of attractive cata-
"A crude advertisement, full of person- Clifford Smith,
C. A. Fox,
logues for this special mailing trade is fre- ality and individuality, will bring more A.
P. Tannert,
Chas. E. Lauten,
Jacob Btrg,
quently carried on in an elaborate and ex- dollars than a smooth one that has so little A. C. Marks,
Arthur E. Duerr,
Haas,
pensive way, because the better the book snap to it that it is equally bad either in Julius
Ferdinand Kuhn,
Robert Schmaier,
Sam'l Liehman,
Henry Shilstom,
showing, the better the ultimate results Maine or Montana.
M. C. Schuman,
Irving Heidelsheimer,
are sure to be.
E. E. Gould,
H. V. Upington,
"Another thing. The piano man is not G.
W. Springmuhl,
Benj. F. Poth,
"It is merely a commercial method of
going to hold people from buying pianos if Henry Weil,
A. G. Gilderleen,
selling commercial goods. The people who
B. Shaw,
Otto Rumpp,
he encourages them to send away for their H.
L. A. Ramage,
M. J. Fechheimer,
feel its effects most keenly, I should imag-
small musical instruments, their music, Peter Wagner, Jr.,
J. L. Hatch,
ine, are the travelers for those who make
Van Der \*en,
Sam'l Worms,
their groceries, their haberdashery or dry H.
Harry Prochaska,
Millard H. Ellison,
commercial pianos. It certainly cannot
goods. He must be in close touch with his M. Kahn,
Henry Westerkamp,
injure the makers of reputable instru-
H. Rothschild,
T. M. Trainor,
fellow merchants, and almost as ready to E.
E. Spenceer,
C. P. McKnight,
ments."
keep other money at home as piano money. Max Fisher,
Henry W. Silvermann,
E. W. Clarkson.
"Is this done? It is not. The piano Henry Fachs,
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
M.
Denzer,
"I read with considerable interest the man fancies he is currying favor with a American Piano Mfg- Co.,
editorial in last week's Review on the cata- possible customer if he helps him or her to
42nd St. and 5th Ave., City.
logue house or mail order competition," send away for a banjo, a mandolin or sheet
Gentlemen—I am so delighted with the
said a prominent member of the trade this music, instead of helping a neighbor in the marvellous possibilities of the Harmonist
week. "It is an extremely 'live' question business. Imagine the result. The mail that I have concluded to give you an
Kindly send me one and a com-
which is bound to grow in importance as order habit is an infectious one, and one order.
plete library as soon as possible.
the century grows older. In my opinion, trial too often leads to another.
Yours truly,
however, the catalogue house has come to
"Let the dealers of the town or city suf-
(Signed) S. Von Praag.
Is Catalogue House Competition a Menace?

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