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PATENTS DISCUSSED BY AN EXPERT.
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COMPOSERS AND PERFORATED MUSIC.
THE
ffUJIC TIRADE
V O L XXXV l . N o . 2 .
Published Every Saturday by Edward Ljman Bill at l Madison Avenue, New York, Jan. 10,1903.
DEALERS OF GERMANY ORGANIZE
To fight Trade Evils on Somewhat Similar Lines to
Those Established by the National Piano
Dealers Association of the United Stales.
age for recognized musicians and teachers.
What will you make the maximum dis-
count ?
3. Are you ready to bind yourselves and
your agents not to sell in private on any more
favorable terms than those stated by you to
us?
4. Are you ready to bind yourself for a
year?
These questions were answered in the af-
firmative by Messrs. Bluthner, Steinweg,
Nachf, Ronisch, Biese, and a number of oth-
ers.
As far as we can learn the Dealers' Asso-
ciation of Germany is being liberally sup-
ported by the manufacturers of that country
in its efforts to place the piano business of
Germany on an equitable and satisfactory
basis.
It is gratifying at the opening of the new
year to note that in all the leading countries,
especially the United States, England and
Germany, both dealers and manufacturers
are striving to bring about better conditions
in the retailing and wholesaling departments
of the industry. While there are some dif-
ferences as to minor details, yet in the main
the objects of all are the same. The advance
made by both manufacturers and dealers in
the United States must be stimulating to
our brethren "across the big pond," and we
venture to predict that at the end of 1903 a
decided advance will be recorded whereby
higher ideals and better business methods
will prevail in the management and control
of the music trade industry.
Now the piano dealers of Germany are
falling into place under the banner of co-
operative effort on somewhat similar lines
to the National Piano Dealers' Association
of this country. The principal organizer,
and to whom credit is clue for success so far
won, is Herr Johannes Rehbloch. What
the German dealers propose to achieve is
embodied in the following circular sent to
the trade of Germany, and a copy of which
The Review has been kindly favored with:
1. The Society of German Piano Dealers
purposes to unite all German piano dealers
and makers in one great society in order to
oppose with united force those, who by un-
derselling or other unfair competition, threat-
en the honest dealers and makers.
2. The society purposes, therefore, to cre-
ate sounder conditions in the trade by intro-
ducing, as far as possible, fixed selling prices,
fixed discounts, and charges. It will not,
however, bind the hands of its members by
fast regulations in the case of any place
where undersellers and the like are working
mischief.
3. The society purposes that its members
give their orders to those makers who sup-
port it in its labors, and prohibits purchases
being made from such manufacturers as seek,
outside of their own location, to get the bet-
ter of the dealers by offers of big discounts
through advertisements or otherwise.
4. The society will on fitting occasions
RECENT INCORPORATIONS.
place at the disposal of its members "confi-
Among the incorporations filed with the
dential communications" and other important
Secretary of State of New York this week
information.
was that of the De Kleist Musical Instrument
The objects of the German association dif-
Mfg. Co., of North Tonawanda, N. Y., with
fer but little from the objects of our national
a capital stock of $100. Directors: Eu-
body, the aim being to eliminate unbusiness-
gene De Kleist, J. S. Thompson and August
like methods from the retailing branch of the
De Kleist, North Tonawanda.
industry and place it on a higher plane.
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One evil prevails quite markedly in Ger-
The John Feld Music Co., of S t Louis,
many, however, which the trade over there was incorporated this week with the author-
are trying to regulate, and that is the sale ities of Missouri with a capital stock of
of pianos to the public by manufacturers at $50,000—500 shares of $100 each paid up.
almost wholesale prices,. In this connection Shareholders: John Feld, who owns 498
the German association submitted the follow- shares and stock, Philip W. Schmeider, one
ing questions to the piano manufacturers of share, and Peter J. Doerr, one share.
Frankfort and Erfurt, Ger.:
MR. DOYLE PROMOTED.
1. Are you ready to establish a uniform
price list for the public in German territory?
Harry Doyle, for some time connected
2. Are you ready to agree for yourself with the Cable Co.'s salesrooms, Cincinnati,
and your agents on a maximum discount for C , has been promoted to take charge of the
the public against cash, and a fixed percent- firm's branch at Dayton, O.
$2.00 PER YKAR
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS
STEVENS CO. TO ENLARGE PLANT.
Growth of Business, Compels This Move—Their
Instruments Steadily Growing in Popularity.
The Stevens Organ & Piano Co., of Mari-
etta, O., have made arrangements whereby
they will enlarge their factory by the addi-
tion of a new building which will be 100 x 50
feet, three stories high. It will be built di-
rectly in the rear of the present building and
will be equipped with the latest and most
improved machinery, orders for which have
already been placed. During the past year
their business has grown to such proportions
that they were unable to fill all orders which
came their way. The forty-five workmen
regularly employed will be increased to one
hundred as soon as the new factory addition
is completed.
During the past year over 900 organs,
all in piano cases, and more than 100 pianos
have been turned out and placed on the mar-
ket. Since Thanksgiving the piano sales
alone have been very large, over forty-five in-
struments having been sold.
The quality and high standing of the
Stevens instruments commands for them a
ready market and every month orders are
coming in from different parts of the coun-
try where merchants are clamoring for them
and it is for this reason that it is absolutely
necessary to enlarge the plant.
Work on the new addition will be com-
menced at once and pushed to a rapid com-
pletion in order that the business of the
coming year can be properly cared for.
PORTRAITS IN ADVERTISEMENTS.
Bill to Stop the Use of Them Without the Consent
of the Person Portrayed.
[Special to The Review.]
Washington, Jan. 5, 1903.
Representative Fitzgerald (Democrat, New
York) believes that the use of the pictures
of prominent persons in advertisements for
trade purposes should be stopped. He in-
troduced a bill in the House to-day to ac-
complish this end. The measure makes it
unlawful for any company or corporation
doing an interstate commerce business to use
for commercial purposes the portrait or pic-
ture of any person in an advertisement with-
out the consent in writing of the person
whose likeness is reproduced and imposes a
fine of $1,000 or imprisonment not exceed-
ing one year or both for violation. It also
enables the party injured to sue for dam-
ages in the United States Circuit courts.