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THE:
MUSIC TRADE: REVIEW
STRIVING TO REDUCE FREIGHT RATES
Upon Pianos, the Manufacturers' and Dealers' Organizations Each Will Send Strong Committees to
Argue for .Reduction in Freight Tariff Upon Pianos at the Meeting of Southern Classification Com-
mittee—Excellent Results Already Accomplished.
The Freight Rate Committee, Southern
classification, representing many lines of rail-
road in Southern railroad territory, will meet
at the International Hotel, Niagara Falls, on
Tuesday next. This committee, which, like
the Eastern and Western Classification Com-
mittees, assembles at intervals, will, on this
occasion hear arguments to be presented by
Mr. Moore, in behalf of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association and the National
Piano Dealers' Association, regarding a re-
duction of the freight rate on pianos from
first to second class. Messrs. Charles Jacob,
Will L. Bush and E. S. Conway, comprising
the freight committee of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association, and Messrs. F.
B. T. Hollenberg, Phillip Werlein and D. G.
Pfeiffer, comprising the freight committee of
the National Piano Dealers' Association, will
be present during, the proceedings. It is ex-
pected that President Henry Dreher, of this
association, will be on hand to strengthen the
representation. Good results are anticipated.
The Western Classification Committee of the
railroads, at their meeting, held at Charle-
Voix, Michigan, conceded the contested
points and placed pianos in the second class
for the railroads they represented.
Charles Jacob, of Jacob Bros., who is a
member of the freight committee of the Na-
tional Piano Manufacturers' Association, and
who, like every other member of that organi-
zation, is heart and soul in the movement
for reclassification of freight rates for the
benefit of all who are interested in the suc-
cess of the piano industry, manufacturer
and dealer alike, was seen by The Review on
Tuesday regarding the aim of the associa-
tions and the nature of the concessions now
sought from the railroad authorities. Asked
to state briefly the objects of the campaign,
Mr. Jacob said : "We claim—manufacturers
and dealers alike—that for many years a
gross injustice has been suffered in this mat-
ter of freight rates, not because the railroads
are unfriendly or unwilling to do the right
thing, but because the necessity of changing
rates to meet the necessities of changed con-
ditions has never been brought forcibly to
their notice with good and sufficient reasons
to justify an alteration.
"When pianos were first put in the freight
class where they now are—except in the
Western classification territory—the instru-
ments were entirely different in shape and in
the amount of space they occupied. The
square piano, then in vogue, swallowed up
more than double the space now necessary
for the upright, yet the rates have remained
the same. On the face of it, this is wrong
and unjust, when we consider the classifica-
tion of other products, such as furniture,
which is in the second class. The question
of risk also enters into the arguments.
Whereas other products cost the railroads big
sums for damages, the amount paid by the
roads under that heading for pianos is found
on inquiry to be only one-fiftieth of one per
cent."
"Do the railroads gain in any way by the
proposed changes ?" asked The Review.
"SOMETHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN,"
Says the Paretic Egotist—Look Out, We Are in it,
On the Inside—That "Mystery" is a Proposed
Deal Between W. L. Bush and W. F. Decker.
It is rather amusing to note how a dis-
"Most certainly they do," was the reply.
"If they grant a lower rate on carload lots, it credited publication ruled over by the
will result in additional business for the paretic egotist, desires t#.cultivate the im-
manufacturers, the dealers and the railrpads pression that it possesses special inside in-
in equal proportion. The purchase of a car- formation as to possible deals which may
load, where now only two or three instru- occur in this industry, and that this infor-
ments are ordered, is followed by benefits to mation is gained by its position as inter-
all concerned. The dealer will also be en- mediary between the contracting parties.
Just now it is specially concerned in dis-
couraged by the material saving in freigh't
rates and handling to push the sales where seminating the belief that it figures on the
now he has no incentive for any extra ef- inside regarding the rejuvenation of a
fort. Then, as to the manufacturer, under name at one time very distinguished in
more favorable conditions than now exist, he piano circles, and an alliance between this
will be able to make concessions on carloads concern and a well known Western house.
which are now impossible. This alone will All of which directly relates to the fact that
have a triple benefit. The manufacturers when that hustling member of the trade,
will make more pianos, the dealer will order Will L. Bush, was last East he held a con-
more, and the shipments will be proportion- ference with Wm. F. Decker, who holds
personal ownership of the Decker Bros,
ately larger.
"There are several other good reasons why name, trade mark, etc., with the view of
the suggested changes should take place, if I arranging if possible a business combina-
had the time to mention them in detail. Mr. tion with Mr. Decker, whereby the Decker
Moore, the freight expert, who presented the Bros, piano would again occupy a high" po-
matter so clearly and so convincingly to the sition in pianodom.
Mr. Bush is attracted by the possibilities
Western Classification Committee that they
conceded the reduction, notwithstanding the which exist for a rejuvenation of this busi-
fact that at their conference, in considering ness, and we may say that there are others
other products they advanced nearly every- also who have been figuring with Mr.
thing else, will, I feel sure, be able to con- Decker, with the same end in view.
Whether the Bush-Decker deal will go
vince the Southern committee. This com-
mittee, like their Western colleagues, are through no one at present can predict with
open to conviction, and merely require proper any degree of certainty. But one thing is
evidence. One thing is certain: the Na- sure, however, that neither the paretic ego-
tional Piano Manufacturers' Association and tist, or any one of the crew who sails under
the National Piano Dealers' Association will his pirate flag has had, or will have any-
continue in the future to move along, hand- thing to do with arranging the deal. When
in-hand, as they have done during the past gentlemen desire to negotiate for business
three years, not in a narrow, self-seeking purposes.they do not usually call into con-
spirit, but working along broad lines for the sultation a discredited promoter. No as-
sumption of a deeply mysterious air or
ultimate good of the industry as a whole."
It is understood that when the Eastern the donning of the lion's skin will work.
Classification Committee meets, probably in The deception is exposed when the bray oi
October, the subject of freight rate revision the ass is heard.
will be presented to that body, also, by Mr.
MUSIC STORE GUTTED IN ALLIANCE, 0.
Moore, supported by the united freight com-
[Special to The Review.]
mittees of the piano associations.
Alliance, O., August 24, 1903.
George E. Bradnack, secretary of the
Fire gutted the music store belonging to
Piano Dealers' National Association, was in J. E. Schaeffer & Co., on Saturday, as well
town this week consulting with Mr. Jacob.
Mr. Bradnack is an indefatigable worker for as the two adjoining stores, causing a total
the association cause, and has been instru- loss of over $10,000, which was covered
mental in promulgating interest in the organi- by insurance.
zation everywhere. He feels that in taking
JAMES A. GUEST BRINGS SUIT.
hold of the practical side of a question like
[Special to The Review.]
the reduction in freights, and the elimination
Des Moines, la., August 25, 1903.
of fake house sale evils, the organization is
James A. Guest, the prominent piano
showing, in the strongest possible manner,
its benefit to the retail department 'of the in- dealer of Burlington, has commenced suit in
dustry.
the local district court against L. H. Bollmer,
of this city, to recover $3,049.30 of money,
A fire in Gourlay's music store, at Crete,
Neb., the closing days of last week, destroyed which it is claimed the latter as agent for Mr.
the balance of a stock which had not been Guest received, and has not paid to the
plaintiff.
closed out at a special sale of the owners.
BEHR BROS. & CO.
PIANOS,
29th Street and 11th Ave., NEW YORK.
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.