Music Trade Review

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THE m\JSlG TRADE REVIEW
the old house in a subordinate way for a
decade, show in their literature that they de-
sire to cast a reflection upon the ability of its
present head, to be in sympathy with an ar-
tistic product.
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No one desires to take from any Chick-
erings the right to earn a living in this or any
other industry, but they should do it without
any attempt to belittle the original " d i c k e r -
ing," or to cast opprobrium upon the great
piano of music trade history.
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In their answer to Chickering & Sons'
complaint do they not desire to give the im-
pression that the Chickering piano to-day has
undergone a cheapening process, and that
through the retainment of cheaper men and
through the utilization of cheaper materials?
That has no bearing on the case, no
more than has the Cross of the Legion
of Honor statement.
If Chickering & Sons' piano to-day were
a cheap piano, which it is not, then it would
have no bearing whatever.
If the Chickerings were using the Cross of
the Legion of Honor without right or author-
ity it still would be foreign to the present case.
We may say, however, that if the Cross of
the Legion of Honor were given to Frank
Chickering personally it was given to him
not because he was a citizen of the United
States, but because he was a representative
of a firm of great exhibitors and inventors
at the Paris Exposition. He was Chickering
& Sons, and whatever honors he received
were due to the artistic advance of the insti-
tution which he represented. It was the
Chickering piano which was honored, and
Frank Chickering was simply a medium
through which the honor was conveyed.
But the reference of Chickering Bros, in
their answer, to the Cross of the Legion of
Honor and quality of Chickering & Sons in-
struments is irrelevant.
Every article of distinct merit which has
been prominently before the public for many
years is known not usually by its full title,
and a large proportion of the public who as-
sociate the name of Chickering with pianos
could not tell whether it was made by the
Chickering sons, brothers, or cousins. It
is simply the word Chickering that they
know. It is referred to as the Chickering
piano, and dealers have shown by advertis-
ing the Chickering Bros, product that they
use the word Chickering in connection with
their advertisement so that purchasers be-
lieve that they are buying the famous Chick-
ering piano.
There seems to be a general satisfac-
tion over the decision of the two national
piano associations to convene on different
days in Buffalo next year. The leaders of
both associations are inclined to th* jclief
that their interests will be materially for-
warded by this decision.
The Kamaker Music Co. are now "at
home" in their new quarters, 1406 Second
avenue, Seattle, Wash. They are admirably
equipped in every way,
USE OF COPYRIGHTED COMPOSITIONS
THE A. B. CAMERON CATALOGUE.
The A. B. Cameron Co. have just issued a
By Makers of Perforated Music to be Fought out
in the Courts—The Position of the /Eolian handsome catalogue, differing in several
Co. in the Matter as Explained by W. B. wavs from any other of the season's publica-
Tremaine—An Interesting Resume.
tions emanating from piano manufacturing
During a taik on Wednesday with W\ B. firms. It is subdued in tone and modest in
Tremaine, vice-president of the J^olian Co., its pretentions throughout, yet strictly up-to-
on trade conditions, mention was made of date and well calculated to do much effec-
rumored negotiations between that firm and tive work.
A. B. Cameron, head of the firm, is always
those representing music publishing interests
in the United States, with reference to the happy in his catalogue conceptions, as he is
use of copyrighted compositions. Mr. Tre- tasteful in his case designs and- careful in
maine said he did not know the source of general piano construction. Substantial re-
the statements now in circulation, but it was sults came from his previous efforts, and
evident that their originators had been mis- there can be no doubt whatever concerning
the recej>tion of the latest Cameron book.
informed in several important details,
The introduction is a model one. It is
"The whole story in a nutshell is this," said
he. ''Some years ago the sheet music pub- well worthy of reproduction. The whole
lishers of Berlin and other parts of Ger- story of the Cameron piano is put into a
many protested against the use, without very few words, every sentence being made
proper compensation, of copyrighted musi- to perform its part fully and concisely:
cal compositions for music box purposes and
This catalogue illustrates the case styles or
other mechanical devices for reproducing mu- cabinet work of the A. B. Cameron piano,
sical compositions. Their protests finally took and gives specifications of the construction
the form of suggested prohibitory legisla- of the instrument. Testimonials and other
tion. This led to the passing of an act in the literature are under separate cover and can
German parliament forbidding the use, with- f>e had on application. Every statement made
out prior arrangement, of copyrighted music herein in regard to material and workman-
for 'mechanical' purposes, excluding music ship can be depended upon. They are facts
boxes but including, by name, the Pianola and we are prejwred to demonstrate. The pur-
chaser can absolutely rely on excellence in
all other products in its class.
every particular. Make a thorough examina-
"It has always been the belief of the tion of a Cameron piano and you will be con-
-Kolian Co. that composers and publishers vinced. Then hear it played, and its su-
were and are entitled to compensation for perb tone will satisfy you that it is a musical
the use of their property, but payments in the instrument that cannot be surpassed. The
United States along this line have been im- Cameron piano is sold by representative deal-
possible because other firms here besides our ers throughout the United States, as well as
own have engaged in roll-cutting, and so in Australia and South American countries.
ong as the people who were copying our I f you do not know where you can see one,
rolls by the hundred were content to do so \yrite to us, and we will give you the name
and address.
without offering us compensation in any
shape or form, it was hopeless to expect that
OUR TRADE WITH CANADA GROWS.
such people would come into line on a prop-
osition to divide profits with composers and
Canada continues to increase her pur-
publishers. Amicable and perfectly satisfac- chases from the United States, despite the
tory terms were made with the German tariff advantages accorded Great Britain in
publishers by our Berlin agent.
the fiscal system of that country. During
"Subsequently we called on the heads of the nine months of the- present fiscal year for
the leading music publishing houses in New which details are available, British North
York, as represented in the Music Publish- America showed a larger increase in its pur-
ers' Association, and stated the views of our chases from the United States than any other
firm in this matter, expressing our convic- political division of America, as compared
tion that composers and publishers should with those of the corresponding jx^riods of
receive proper compensation. At the same 1900 and 1901. Our total exports to Brit-
time we made our proposition clear regard- ish Xorth America increased from $69,763,-
ing competing roll-cutting concerns. 'Un- 595 in the nine months of 1900, and $77,-
der the circumstances,' we said, 'you must 894,138 in the same period of 1901 to $80,-
establish your rights in the courts and set- 999,004 in the corresponding months of the
tle the matter once for all. As one of the current year.
The continued growth in our commerce
firms engaged in roll-cutting, the .'Eolian Co.
will stand nominally on the defensive, but with Canada is the most remarkable when it
if—as is very likely—the decision is that is remembered that ever since April, 1897,
compensation should and must be paid, we the United Kingdom has enjoyed tariff ad-
stand ready to pay our share cheerfullv, each vantages in the Canadian market, the dis-
other roll-cutting firm being called upon to crimination in her favor having ranged from
\2 l / 2 per cent, in that year to 33 1-3 per cent,
do the same.'
"1 understand that suit will probably be from and after July T, 1900. Yet the ex-
entered in the near future, the issue being ports from the United States to British
between the music publishers and all those Xorth America have increased year by year,
who engage in roll-cutting and otherwise use and our total exports to that market in the
appliances wherebv copyright music can be nine months under review are $11,23^,409,
or i6 per cent., in excess of those for the
produced by mechanical means."
same period of 1900, and $3,104,866, or 4
Weather conditions from all sections are per cent., in excess of those of the correspond-
ing months of last year.
this, week favorable for increased trade.