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THE
fflJJICTI^ADE
V O L . XXXIII N o . 2 1 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 3 East Fourteenth Street, New York, Nov. 23,1901.
STRAUBE CO. GET INJUNCTION
STERLING CO.'S NEW OFFICERS
Against the so-called "Straube Bros."—The Outcome Elected Saturday—Policy of the Concern to be Un-
changed.
of the Hearing For a Permanent Injunction in
December Will be Watched with some Interest.
On Saturday, Nov. 16th, at a meeting of
As expected by the trade, the Straube the board of directors of the Sterling Co.,
Piano Co. have won first blood in their suit James R. Mason was elected to fill the va-
against the so-called Straube Bros, concern. cancy caused by the death of Rufus W.
On Nov. 15th an injunction was issued by Blake. Mrs. Emma M. Blake was elected
the Hon. Judge Horton of the Circuit Court treasurer, and Philip E. Mock, brother of
of Cook County, 111., on petition of the Mrs. Blake, secretary. Mr. Mason was also
Straube Piano Co., Chicago, restraining Wm. elected assistant treasurer.
Straube> Herman Straube, Martin Strar.be.
James R. Mason, the new president of the
and Charles Jacob sen, composing the so- Sterling Co., was born in Sullivan, Ind., in
called "Straube Bros." from manufacturing
selling, or in any way disposing of any piano
or pianos with the name "Straube" or any
title containing the word "Straube" appear-
ing on plate or fall-board. The Straube Piano
Co. have, under the guidance of the president,
James F. Broderick, built up an enviable rep-
utation in the trade by manufacturing high-
grade pianos, and by fair and honorable treat-
ment to all.
It will be remembered that William
Straube signed a contract not to enter into
the piano manufacturing business for a
term of not less than five years. Notwith-
standing this, through his brothers, Herman,
who is a mail carrier, and Martin, a regu-
lator formerly in the employ of the Straube
Piano Co., together with one Charles Jacob-
sen, the so-called "Straube Bros." was or-
ganized with a factory at Downer's Grove,
111., to manufacture the "Straube Bros." pia-
no, thus enabling them to reap the fruits
of the many years of hard and conscientious
work of the Straube Piano Co., in placing the
JAMES R. MASON.
"Straube" piano in the high position in the
an
1847, d received his education at the Union
trade it now occupies.
Christian
College at Meron, Ind. He first
Legitimate competition is not feared by
became
connected
with the music trade in
the Straube Co., but competition of the kind
1874,
in
which
year
he manufactured reed
proposed by the so-called Straube Bros, is
organs
in
Dayton,
O.
He then was in the
decidedly unfair and will so be held by the
piano
and
organ
business
at Columbus for
trade at large. The hearing before the De-
a
term
of
years,
and
in
1866
assumed the
cember term of Court to make the injunc-
management
of
the
Sterling
Co.'s
interests
tion (which is temporary) permanent, will
in
Chicago.
When
Mr.
Sterling
died
in 1887,
be watched with great interest by manufac-
Mr. Mason came to Derby, where he has
turers and dealers alike.
The business of the Straube Piano Co. was since held with marked ability the position
never in better shape, the factory being run of secretary and treasurer of the Sterling
to its fullest capacity to fill current orders, corporation. For the last few years he has
which speaks volumes for the prestige of the been actually the executive head of the
vast Sterling interests, for Mr. Blake prac-
popular "Straube" piano.
tically placed the active management of the
Isaac I. Cole & Son, among valuable logs
business
upon Mr. Mason's capable shoul-
received recently, include a large stock of
ders.
choice mahogany and satin wood. The Cole
James R. Mason is possessed of clean-cut
stock of veneers in all woods at their yards,
427 East Eighth street, is now larger and more business judgment and executive ability of
select than ever.
a high order.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
Philip E. Mock, who succeeds him as sec-
retary, has been connected with the Sterling
business for some months past.
Mr. Mason said to The Review: "The
business of the Sterling Co. will be conducted
without any change in its policy, and the
management will endeavor to retain the good
feeling which has always existed among pa-
trons of this company, and will strive to
merit all the confidence and consideration
that has been bestowed on our company in
the past."
OUR TRADE WITH MEXICO.
The renewed attention to trade conditions
between the United States and the American
countries lying south of her borders, due in
part to the meeting of the Pan-American
Congress at the City of Mexico, lends spe-
cial interest to a statement by a British official
in Mexico, Consul Biorklund, which has just
reached the Treasury Bureau of Statistics.
That officer calls attention sharply to the
fact that in the one American country at the
South with which the United States has sat-
isfactory transportation facilities—Mexico—
the trade of the United States has vastly out-
grown that of other nations. Fifty years ago
the trade of Mexico was carried on by Brit-
ish houses, and as late as 1872-3 was in a
fairly flourishing condition, but since the
opening of the Mexican Central and Mexican
National Railways American manufacturers
have yearly increased their trade with the
Republic. To-day the British trade is con-
fined to a few agencies (there being no im-
portant commercial establishment), who by
means of samples and catalogues undertake
the execution of orders. Some of the large
British houses employ travelers, who can al-
ways count on their usual customers for or-
ders ; but other houses frequently send out
such unsuitable men, often foreigners, that
they are unable to get a single order.
It is noteworthy in this connection that our
trade in pianos as well as musical instru-
ments generally has shown a substantial
increase in the land of the Montezumas.
The overthrow of the German piano has
been of slow growth, but it is going on sure-
ly, as it will in other South American coun-
tries and Australasia when proper methods
of exploitation are followed out.
Arthur Berger, who for seventeen years
has been the treasurer of the Baltimore Mu-
sical Union, has disappeared. It is alleged
that he is $4,000 short in his accounts. The
efforts of the police to locate him have not
as yet been successful.