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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE TRADE OF THE WEST SIDE.
Great Development of Factory Resources Recently.
Progress in the piano trade and kindred
industries during the past twelve months has
been sufficiently pronounced to be conspicu-
ous. One satisfactory feature of the advance
made is the widespread area thus favorably
affected. East and west alike have regis-
tered a great gain. In the east, New York
has made a splendid showing.
In New
York, the west side has, by its increased ac-
tivities, furnished a grand example of possi-
bilities advantageously utilized.
It may be interesting to glance briefly at
existing conditions on the west side of New
York city, as compared with those of a year
ago, or thereabouts. The territory covered
runs north and south from Fiftieth to Thir-
teenth streets, and east and west from Broad-
way to Eleventh avenue. It is not intended
that this shall be a complete showing of all
factories, or of all improvements. The pur-
pose will be served by merely indicating
briefly some of the most notable instances of
development within the boundaries above de-
scribed.
Starting at the southern and extreme west-
ern corner, the first apt illustration that
comes to mind is that of Strauch Bros.
Within the past year they have added a num-
ber of valuable pieces of time and labor-sav-
ing machinery to their already big plant, and
in several other ways have taken active prac-
tical steps for the general development of
their business in every branch.
On Fourteenth street near Ninth avenue, is
the Kohler & Campbell piano factory. This
is another notable instance of rapid, and at
the same time substantial, healthy progress.
Early in 1900 this young and enterprising
firm found it possible to do all the business
coming their way in the Fourteenth street
building, with an annex on Thirty-fifth street.
Since then they have leased ground at Elev-
enth avenue and Fiftieth street from the As-
tor estate for another factory. Foundations
have been laid and the main structure is now
in process of construction. It will have a
frontage of n o feet, a depth of 175 feet and
a height of six stories. Last year the firm
made 2740 pianos. Next year they purpose
making 6000!
Greater facilities for increased output have
been added at the J. & C. Fischer factory,
Twenty-eighth street and Ninth avenue.
Since the interior rebuilding of the Behr
Bros, factory at Twenty-ninth street, many
improvements have been made with a view
to furthering the work in several depart-
ments, and new machinery has been added.
Jacob Bros, on Thirty-ninth street near
Eleventh avenue, in following out their plans
for extension of business during the twelve
months, have been compelled to increase their
plant, men and material. At the present rate
of progress another building will soon be
wanted. The A. B. Cameron Co. have also
added to their plant since the beginning of
1900.
On Fortieth street at Tenth avenue is the
big Mehlin factory. The Mehlin business
has grown to such proportions within a year
that it has been absolutely necessary to secure
an annex. This has been leased at Forty-
fourth street and Tenth avenue, and is now
in use. The whole upper part of a building
having 75 feet frontage and a depth of 100
feet is being utilized for expediting the Meh-
lin work. On Forty-third street nearTenth ave-
nue are the old and new Weser factories. The
building now in use has a 75 foot frontage
with a depth of 100 feet. Since the summer
of 1900 ground has been broken, foundations
laid and a new structure erected on adjoin-
ing premises so that the pressure now expe-
rienced in piano manufacturing might be re-
lieved. This new building, 50 feet wide, 100
feet deep and also nine stories in height, will
soon be ready.
Within the space now at disposal, it is im-
possible to mention in detail all known busi-
ness developments in the west side; but
enough has been said to show that the piano
manufacturers and their confreres of that
district, are certainly "abreast of the times,"
with all that the term implies.
VACATION NOTES FROM BOSTON.
[Special to The Review.]
Boston, Mass., Aug. 4, 1901.
A good many of the members of the Bos-
ton music trade are either away on vacations
or are planning a respite from business in the
near future by seeking pleasures by the sea
shore or in the mountains.
Henry F. Miller is at his cottage at Beach
Bluff, a charming shore resort which is popu-
lar with a number of Boston men.
Geo. A Vose begins his vacation this week.
He will enjoy an outing with his father at
Poland Springs, Me.
J. Fred Powers, of the Emerson Co. is
studying guide books, and is planning a vaca-
tion somewhat out of the ordinary run of
summer tourists.
Geo. H. Champlin will not be back from
his European trip until late in the fall.
William Miller, who has been ill for some
weeks past, is again in evidence at the Miller
warerooms. Some of Mr. Miller's friends
realize that he has been seriously ill, conse-
quently his return to the warerooms is cause
for rejoicing.
W. Harry Poole, is recuperating from his
recent attack of typhoid fever. Mr. Poole
has lost some flesh, but apparently none of
his business vigor, and his physicians advise
him to apply the brakes for a while until he
fully regains his strength.
E. W. Furbush is in town and will bro-
bably not begin his vacation until the last of
the month.
E. N. Kimball has not returned as yet from
his trip to Colorado where he journeyed with
James R. Mason of the Sterling Co.
Wm. R. Baker, a well-known pianist in
Buffalo, created quite a sensation in the
Krell booth at the Pan-American last Wed-
nesday, by an exhibition of the musical quali-
ties of the Krell grand piano which has been
described in former issues of The Review.
Mr. Baker occupies a prominent position in
musical circles and he is enthusiastic in his
opinions regarding the Krell grands.
John Ludwig returned last Thursday from
an extended tarry at the Pan-American where
the Ludwig exhibit is attracting much at-
tention.
15
REPEAL GENERALLY ADVOCATED
Of Section 579 of the National Bankruptcy Law
Which Relates to Payments on Account.
The interpretation recently by the Courts
of that provision of the national bankruptcy
law which requires that payments made on
account by insolvent debtors within four
months of their filing bankruptcy petitions
must be regarded as preferences, and that
creditors receiving such payments must sur-
render same to the trustees before they can
participate in the bankrupt's estate., has occa-
sioned much controversy. That this provis-
ion is calculated to work hardship to business
houses is self evident, for as long as it is
operative no concern can regard a.ny pay-
ment as actually cash in hand until four
months after its receipt. Then, too, the re-
cipient of such a payment, in case of the
failure of his customer, if he turn in the
money as required by the law, may find on the
distribution of the debtor's assets that he re-
ceives in return less than the amount which
he has given up.
There is on foot a strong movement on
the part of credit men to have this obnoxious
clause repealed. The Merchants' Association
of New York has also urged such action.
E. C. Brandenburg, however, who has charge
of bankruptcy matters in the Department of
Justice, at Washington, says: "No; don't re-
peal the clause. If you do, you will open the
doors to fraud and give dishonest debtors
a chance to prefer their friends or relatives.
Amend the law. Let the creditor retain the
payment on account.
Let him prove his
claim for the balance due from the bank-
rupt's estate, but don't let him receive any
dividend thereon, until every other creditor
not so preferred, has received a dividend
proportionate to the amount which has been
given to this particular creditor in the shape
of payments on account." Will this solve
the difficulty?
Well, credit men will doubtless give Mr.
Brandenburg's suggestion very careful con-
sideration.
E. E. Forbes, the well-known piano man,
is the subject of an extended complimentary
notice which is accompanied by a portrait in
the Montgomery Advertiser of August 4th.
Theodore Pfafflin, President of the Mel-
ville Clark Apollo Co., will leave town to-day
for a few days rest. He will pass most of
his outing at the home of his daughter at
Hummelstown, Pa.
Latest advices from Germany are to the
effect that Leopold Peck, head of the firm of
Hardman, Peck & Co., is being benefited
greatly by his present trip. He will probably
reach New York again early in October.
J. W. Stevens, Jacob Bros, ambassador,
who suffered severely during the recent hot
spells, is recuperating at Ocean Grove, N. J.
Otto M. Heinzman, Weser traveller, is
taking a few days' rest within easy distance
of Manhattan.
Among the articles which find a ready
sale in the ports of the Persian Gulf, ac-
cording to United States Council Schumann,
of Maine, are music boxes and accordeons.