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THE
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fflJJIC TIRADE
V O L . x x x v i i i . NO. 15. pnbiisliefl ETery Sat, ly Edward Lyman BUI at 1 Maflison Aye,, New Tort, April 9,1904,
MOLLER ORGAN FOR WORLD'S FAIR. LOWER FREIGHT RATES DEMANDED.
A Magnificent Instrument With Symphonist Self-
Playing Principle for Iowa Building—Enthusi-
astic Assemblages Delighted With a Recital
by Mr. Funkhouser.
[Special to The Review.]
Hagerstown, Md., April 4, 1904.
Almost a thousand people were present on Sat-
urday afternoon at the organ works of M. P. Mol-
ler, when there was an exhibition of the musical
merits of the large tubular pneumatic pipe organ
which will be exhibited by Air. Moller at the St.
Louis Exposition.
There, was an informal recital by J. O. Funk-
houser, assistant superintendent, who had direct
charge of the construction of the instrument, and
who will install it in the Iowa State Building,
where it will be used in connection with the many
concerts, festivals and other events to be held in
that place.
The organ is of rare attractiveness architectu-
ally, the color effects being mahogany and gold.
One of the special features of this organ is the'
"Symphonist" self-playing device which has been
perfected at the Moller factory. It is located in
the interior of the organ, invisible from the ex-
terior, and in no way interferes with the playing of
the instrument from the keyboard.
It only requires the drawing of a stop to enable
a child to produce the most difficult musical com-
positions. The tempo and expression are under
the control of the performer and can be produced
with perfect delicacy, the automatic parts being so
sensitive in their workings. This is brought about
by the resiliency of air, producing effects as nearly
corresponding to the human touch as possible. The
power for running the attachment is furnished by
a wind motor supplied by the same bellows that
furnishes wind for the pipes.
Another feature of especial interest in this" organ
is the adjustable combinations, operated by foot
pedals, by which means the organist is enabled to
change the stops in the various combinations at
will. This is a great improvement. Moreover,
this method of construction has made possible re-
sults in working the combinations that have not
been attained before.
The many musicians who were present at this
recital were absolutely amazed at the perfection in
rendition of the "Symphonist" device, and con-
gratulated Mr. Moller very warmly as well as his
assistants on the marvelous results achieved in the
construction of this instrument, which is as beauti-
ful in its stop effects as it is in appearance.
This organ has already been purchased by the
Hon. Win. Larrabee, ex-Governor of Iowa, and at
the close of the Exposition will be presented by
him to one of the State institutions of Iowa. Mr.
Larrabee is an old-time admirer of the Moller or-
gan, and in the past has purchased four large pipe
organs, which were presented by him to churches
and institutions in his State.
WILL VISIT EUROPE.
Geo. H. Campbell, president of the Knight-
Campbell Music Co., Denver, Colo., accompanied
by his family, will leave early in June for an ex-
truded trip to Europe. He will visit all the promi-
nent countries in the old world, and expects to re-
turn about October.
The piano salesmen of Buffalo are discussing the
formation of an organization largely for social pur-
poses. Their business interests will not be entirely
overlooked, however, and it is probable that they
will seek to have the piano warerooms closed early
on Saturdays during the summer months.
The President of the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association Sending Out Memorial to Piano
Manufacturers in the East Which is to be
Signed and Forwarded to the Trunk Line As-
sociation for the Purpose of Revising the Pres-
ent Unfair Tariff Rates on Pianos.
The following communication has been received
by piano manufacturers throughout the East from
Chas. E. Parsons, president of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association, who seeks to rectify
the injustice of present freight rates on pianos.
The communication speaks for itself:
"Gentlemen.—You are doubtless aware that as a
result of efforts to obtain a reclassification of the
freights on pianos and organs on a fair and in-
telligent basis, the western roads have granted a
concession from Chicago to the West and south-
east Mississippi Valley points, while the eastern
roads have retained the old classification. This
works not only to the detriment of the eastern
piano manufacturers, but is really against the in-
terests of the eastern railroads themeslves, as it
offers inducement to manufacturers to locate their
plants in the West, where they can obtain cheaper
railroad facilities.
"It is to the advantage of every eastern manu-
facturer to have this injustice rectified, but it re-
quires united effort to do it, and to this end I have
prepared a memorial setting forth the facts, ad-
dressed to Commissioner C. W. Bullen, of the
Trunk Line Association, No. 143 Liberty street,
New York, and propose to attach thereto the sig-
natures of all eastern manufacturers who desire to
sign it. I wo'ild fvirther state that the memorial
is not issued as a document from the National
Piano Manufacturers' Association, but is written
on plain paper and is offered to all manufacturers,
whether members of the association or not. as all
l'.'ve an iqtial interest in the result.
"As I have not the time to make a personal call
and explain to each manufacturer, I take the lib-
erty of making this explanation by mail, and to fur-
ther save time and trouble I enclose herein a pos-
tal card and ask you to write 'Yes' or 'No' and
mail the same to me at once. To those who answer
'Yes' I will see that the memorial is forwarded at
once for signature. If there are any who do not
wish to sign it, I request that they will write 'No,'
and it will save my time in sending to them. I re-
spectfully ask for prompt replies, as I wish to for-
ward the paper to other eastern cities for signature
at the earliest possible moment."
MAHAN TRANSFORMS HIS STORE.
Mahan's Music Store, which has been located at
its present quarters in Cortland, N. Y., for almost
thirty years, has just undergone a number of
changes and additions which makes it one of the
most modern, up-to-date and best-equipped of its
kind in Central New York. A notable transfor-
mation has been effected by a judicious scheme of
decoration, while .nore room has been secured by
an addition of 12x18 feet, which is now devoted
to the office, thus giving more room to the main dis-
play floor. Mr. Mahan has won a splendid repu-
tation in his locality, and his enterprise is destined
to be as liberally rewarded in the future as it has
been in the past.
A. B. CHASE PIANO FOR CHILI.
The S. B. Smith Piano Co., of Detroit, last week
disposed of a handsome A. B. Chase piano to Mrs.
E. R. Winans, wife of the U. S. Consul in Chili.
Mrs. Winans has been visiting friends in Detroit,
hence the purchase.
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
ELMENDORF SENDS RESIGNATION.
Chairman of the Press Committee of the Dealers'
National Association Announces His Retirement
—Says There Must be Greater Interest on the
Part of the Members to Insure Success for the
Organization.
Chas. A. Elmendorf, who, since its formation,
has acted as chairman of the Press Committee of
the Dealers' National Association, has resigned
from office. The resignation of Mr. Elmendorf
comes in the nature of a surprise, and some of the
reasons which he gives for this move show that in-
terest is languishing in the Association:
"Minneapolis, Minn., April 1, 1904.
"To the Trade Press.—I have to-day forwarded
to President Dreher my resignation as chairman of
the Press Committee of the National Association
of Piano Dealers, and will appreciate it if you will
so announce in your next issue.
"I am not taking this step on account of having
lost regard for the Association, but because I be-
lieve it is for its best interests. There has been
but one cause assigned for the lack of loyalty to
the Association, and that is the suggestion which
ha-; been made frequently of late that it was run
by a clique.
"The Association can not continue to exist on
successful lines with the present laxative interest
on the part of a number of members who will not
pay $5.00 in dues for the possible benefits that
might accrue, or $5.00 to the Freight Bureau to aid
in promoting work that would save them hundreds.
"From a large number of letters received from
different sections of the country, I know that a
vast amount of good has been accomplished, and I
am equally certain that the efforts being made
from several quarters to retard the work of the
active members (which under most favorable cir-
cumstances is hard enough) justifies my resigna-
tion at this time in the interests of the Association.
"There are many more things which I could say
in connection with this matter, but it would in
no way alter the conditions. Let the howlers about
the Association being run by a clique take up the
work and I will promise my support in any man-
ner they think it can be utilized. In conclusion,
I wish to heartily thank the trade papers who have
given the Association and myself their support
during my term of office. Yours respectfully,
"C. A. ELMENDORF."
PIANOLAS FOR PRINCE OF WALES.
The Orchestrelle Co., of London, Eng., repre-
sentatives in Great Britain of the Aeolian interests,
have just advised the Aeolian Co. by cable that
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had just
ordered two Pianolas, "one for himself and one
for the Queen's account." The Pianola, we may
say is quite a favorite with the members of the
Court of England, and the other sovereigns of
Europe are no f behind in their appreciation of its
merits.
FAILURES OF THE FIRST QUARTER.
Exclusive of banking and railway suspensions,
commercial failures in the first quarter of 1904, as
reported by R. G. Dun & Co., were 3,344, with
aggregate'liabilities of $48,060,721, which compares
with 3,200 and $34,344,433 in the same quarter of
1903. There were 2,458 trading failures for $19,-
197,464, compared with 2,339 for $15,868,945 in
1903. Other commercial failures numbered 157 for
$14,181,821, against 166 for $4,782,770.
There
were comparatively few failures in, the piano trade.,