Music Trade Review

Issue: 1904 Vol. 38 N. 22

mm
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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V O L . X X X V I I I . No. 22. Pntilishefl Every Sat, ly Eflwari Lyinan Bill at 1 Madison Aye., New Tort, May 28,1904.
BUSH & GERTS CO. CHANGES.
LITERATURE FOR EMPLOYES.
CINCINNATI DEALERS PASS
Resolutions Regarding the Death of Gen. Hick-
enlooper—A Graceful Tribute.
(Special to The Review.)
Cincinnati, 0. 3 May 23, 1904.
At a special meeting of the Cincinnati Piano
Dealers' Association of this city, called to take
action on the death of Gen. Hickenlooper, of the
Krell Piano Co., the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted and Rudolph H. Wurlitzer,
the secretary, was ordered to transmit them to
the members of the family:
"General Andrew Hickenlooper, a representa-
tive citizen of Cincinnati, largely interested in
the business interests of this city, vice-presi-
dent of the Krell Piano Co., full of years and
full of honor, has been called by the Almighty
Father in His Wise providence to his eternal rest.
"Whereas we shall miss his association and
council, it was resolved that we, the members
of the Cincinnati Piano Dealers' Association, ex-
press to the family of the said Andrew Hicken-
looper our profound sympathy, and ask that
Heaven's richest blessings be with them in their
hour of bereavement.
"It was further resolved that this resolution
be placed upon the minutes of this association,
and a copy sent to the family of the deceased,
and to Dawson J. Blackmore, the president of
the Krell Piano Company."
On July 1, the board of directors of the Krell
Piano Co. will elect a new vice-president to fill
the vacancy caused by the recent death of Gen.
Andrew Hickenlooper. There will be no change
in the management of the company.
BUSY TIMES WITH THE PACKARD CO.
(Special to The Review.)
Ft. Wayne, Ind., May 23, 1904.
The Packard Co. are not among those com-
plaining of slow trade these days. Notwith-
standing working full force in all departments
they are behind in the filling of orders. The far
Western trade is keeping up unusually well, and
orders are coming in in a lively way from all
sections. A' very beautiful art Packard piano has
just been finished to order for the $200,000 home
of the Hon. J. H. Bass, who resides in this city.
The piano was especially designed and is a
beauty.
THE STEINWAY IN MEXICO.
During his recent visit to Mexico, Ernest
Urchs, the Steinway ambassador, secured the
largest single order ever received for Steinway
pianos from A. Wagner & Levien, of Mexico
City. The Steinway trade in that country is
steadily growing. This speaks encouragingly of
the musical taste of the people, and the pros-
perity of the country.
S. Duncan Baker, a well-known musician, is
arranging to open a music store in Natchez,
Miss., at an early date.
The Pommers-Eilers Music Co., San Francisco,
Cal., have opened a large store in the Bacon
Block, at No. 473 Twelfth street, Oakland, Cal.
St. John, Schmieder & Co. is the title of a new
firm which has opened a music store at 119 W.
Fayette street, Syracuse, N. Y.
(Special to The Review.)
Richmond, Ind., May 24, 1904.
Further testimony, if it were needed, of the
interest which the Starr Piano Co. have dis-
played in the welfare of their employes has just
come to public notice. It establishes a prece-
dent that indicates the company's interest in the
mental advancement of their employes.
During the week the employes of the company,
who have families, have been notified by the
company that subscriptions in their names have
been taken for the Reader Magazine, published
by the Bobbs-Merrill Company, of Indianapolis.
The subscriptions are all for one year.
Clarence Gennett, treasurer of the Starr Piano
Co., said in speaking of the matter: "In doing
this, we believe that we are sowing seed which
will bring good results—not only in the shape of
further good will of our employes, but, as we be-
lieve that the reading of good literature will
make each of our employes a more valuable as-
set to himself he will consequently be 'of the
highest value to his employers."
So far as known, the Starr Piano Co. is the
first concern in the country to take interest in
the homes of the employes along educational
lines. It is at least the first company that has
ever paid for magazine subscriptions for its men,
and the action is deserving of praise.
THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS.
At the annual meeting of the Allen & Gilbert-
Ramaker Co., held last week in Portland, Ore.,
the following officers were elected: President,
F. N. Gilbert; vice-president, Ralph Ramaker;
secretary, H. M. Cake; treasurer, R. H. Wallace.
This marks the close of a three years' business
life which has been marked by great success.
The total capital of the company is $238,000.
ORGAN DAMAGED IN COLLISION.
A three-horse truck from the organ works of
the Aeolian Co., in Garwood, N. J., while on its
way to New York on Friday, was struck by a
trolley car of the Newark line, and the organ,
which weighed 3% tons, as well as the truck,
were wrecked. One horse was killed and the
forward part of the trolley car badly smashed.
Investigation is being made as to the cause
of the collision.
CABLE COMPANY'S OPENING.
The Cable Company, who are at home again in
their new store at 110 West Bay street, Jackson-
ville, Fla., on Monday evening held a formal
reception which was attended by the leading peo-
ple of that city. There was an interesting
musical program interpreted by one of the lead-
ing orchestras of the city.
The music dealers of Kansas are pleased with
the promise of vice-president Morton, of the
Santa Fe R. R., to give better freight service in
the territory traversed by this road.
A. J. Spiech & Co., of Syracuse, N. Y., are
having quite a demand for Wegman pianos, the
sale of which, under very active publicity, is
steadily enlarging.
Will L. Bush Purchases the Interests of B. F.
Bush—John Gerts Again Enters the Com-
pany—Capital Increased to $700,000—B.
F. Bush Purchases the Victor Co. and Will
Conduct Bush Temple of Music.
(Special to The Review.)
Chicago, 111., May 24, 1904.
One of the most important happenings of the
week in this city were the changes in the Bush
& Gerts Co., W. L. Bush having purchased the
entire interests of B. F. Bush, also making ar-
rangements to purchase the entire stock held by
his mother, as well as the entrance of John
Gerts into the company. The latter becomes a
large stockholder, director and officer of the
company, having been elected to the office of
treasurer and secretary. W. IJ. Bush continues
as president and W. S. Miller as vice-presKlent.
Moreover, with the consummation of this deal
the contract existing between the Bush & Gerts
Piano Co. and John Gerts since the strike in 1899
has terminated, and the entire factory plant
and contents again become a valuable part of
the assets of the Bush & Gerts Piano Co. An-
other important move is that the Bush & Gerts
Piano Co. have increased their capital stock
from $400,000 to $700,000.
This deal is of especial significance to the
trade, as it guarantees the continued advance of
the celebrated and reliable Bush & Gerts piauu
in popularity and reputation. And by this com-
bination—the increase of capital and the large
surplus—the company becomes one of the strong-
est piano manufacturing corporations in the
country.
A further development of the foregoing
changes is the announcement that B. -F. Bush,
retiring officer and stockholder of the Bush &
Gerts Piano Co., purchases the interest of W. L.
Bush in the Victor Piano Co., and in future will
manage and direct the affairs of that company,
as well as the Bush Temple of Music.
W. L. Bush will henceforth concentrate his
entire interest and energy in the Bush & Gerts
piano, which has always been his pet hobby. He
has given much attention to the development of
this piano from the start and has, so to speak,
planted the seed all over the country that has
resulted in the establishment of a good trade
throughout the entire United States. The piano
is known in every community, and is one of the
broadly popular instruments on the market.
John Gerts, whose reputation as a mechanical
genius and head of the construction department
has long been established in the minds of the
trade, continues in active charge and manage-
ment of the factory and there is the heartiest co-
operation between the two principals in this deal
that will greatly enhance the growing popularity
of the piano and the prosperity of this corpora-
tion.
"KICKER" HEARING IN JUNE.
The "Kicker" suit of Theo. P. Brown, of Wor-
cester, Mass., vs. the Huntington Piano Co., of
Shelton, Conn., will come up for hearing in the
U. S. Circuit Court, either in Hartford or New
Haven, early in June.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
MFW
EDWARD LYMAN DILL.
Editor and Proprietor.
J. B. SP1LLANE. Managing Editor.
EXECVT1VE STAFF:
THOS. CAMPBELL-COPELAND,
W. MURDOCH LIND,
A. J. NlCKLIN,
BOSTON OFFICE:
ERNEST L. WAITT, 255 Washington St.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER,
GEO. B. KELLER,
GEO.
W. QUERIPEL.
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 36 La Salle St.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
R. J. LEFEBVRE.
5T. LOU 15 OFFICE :
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SVBSCR'PTION (including postag.), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly.or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $50.00; opposite read-
ing matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
DEPARTMENT
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains in its
"Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore aug-
ments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
n i » i r r n o v . f PM«in
The
directory of piano manufacturing
firms and
found o n a c 7 2 wiU b e of
reat value a s a
l' S
dealers and others.
«
corporations
"^rence for
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, MAY 28, 19O4.
T
HE big convention of 1904 at Atlantic City has now become
history, and it ranks as a record breakei as far as attendance
is concerned, for there were more men identified with the various
departments of the music trade industry gathered together at Atlantic
City than were ever known before since the piano trade threw off its
swaddling clothes, and took rank as an industry.
T
HE Manufacturers Association has reached the high water
mark as far as membership is concerned, now numbering
eighty-three firms, and corporations. Surprising gains have been
made during the past year, and nearly all the concerns that withdrew
last year are back again in the Association field.
No one in scanning the membership roll can doubt the strength
of the Piano Manufacturers' Association or its permanency. It has
come to stay and to play an important part in the future of the
industry.
The dealers' organization has grown in membership in
a manner which is the strongest kind of testimony as to the efficiency
of the officers who have given much time during the past year to the
promotion of Association interest.
W
E are of the opinion that the two organizations will continue
to meet together for years to come.
There are many
reasons why the closest affinity should exist between the organiza-
tions. There are many interests which blend harmoniously by the
two associations holding their annual meeting at the same time and
place.
It is a question whether or no the serious work of the convention
is not hampered by the commercial or business influences which cause
many to hie themselves to the convention cities.
M
Judging from many opinions expressed during the week there was
some dissatisfaction as to the business coloring which the Associa-
tion gatherings are taking on. That is the hardest of all propositions
to regulate.
The two organizations were founded ostensibly for
business betterment, and if business can be promoted in several ways
by a good attendance, why then it is only logical that we should ex-
pect certain men to be mindful of the opportunities afforded by the
hand to hand contact during Association gatherings.
S
UME are not slow to embrace those opportunities and pursue
them to the utmost, and there is plenty of new business se-
cured as a result of the yearly convention gatherings.
That is all right from a business standpoint, but are the special
business subjects which are taken up at the convention gatherings as
helpful in every way to the association interests as they would be
under different conditions?
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front St.
THE ARTISTS*
REVIEW
ANUFACTURERS meeting their representatives from the
various cities naturally desire to discuss with them certain
plans for the future, not forgetting, of course, the business end.
Then, there are always a goodly number of salesmen who are
anxious to embrace the opportunity afforded by the convention gath-
erings to talk business to the dealer a few moments, and business
appointments are quite the thing during convention days.
GOODLY contingent of the supply men and auxiliary trade
were also present in Atlantic City, nearly all of the leading
concerns being represented either by principals, or trade representa-
tives. It is a fact more and more apparent that the business possibil-
ities of the trade conventions are becoming generally recognized b)
members of the trade, so that the business part dominates, frequently,
some say to the detriment of association work.
A
OME excellent papers were read at the convention which appear
in this week's Review. They should be carefully read by all
dealers who were not present at the convention, and even those who
were there would get some valuable suggestions by refreshing their
memory upon the subjects treated.
One man, who has a national reputation, who was present at the
various meetings, said to The Review that he was much interested in
many of the topics treated, but that he gained no new ideas from
listening to the various readers. He said that he felt inclined to the
belief that men who had been successful would not give to their
:ompetitors the secrets which contributed so largely to that success.
In other words, he believed that the best methods known to dealers
would be preserved by them, for, he added, why should a successful
man disclose to his neighbor the secrets which cost him a vast outlay
of money, time, and experimental work.
S
T
H E R E certainly is good food for reflection in these remarks.
It is a fact, the average business man has certain methods of
his own which he has evolved through years of study and application,
and the probability is, that he will guard them with as much secrecy
as possible. However, it must be admitted that a good deal of valuable
information can be gained by a careful perusal of the various asso-
ciation reports which are gathered together and presented to Review-
readers. All may not have been told but enough surely for some
interesting and instructive reading.
T is variously estimated from $50,000 to $75,000 were spent dur-
ing the week at Atlantic City by the visiting music trade men.
Perhaps the lower figure would come nearer the total expenditures,
but it must be conceded that piano men are liberal in their expense
account, and probably more money was left at Atlantic City than by
any other convention which has ever been held at that point. It cer-
tainly is a good deal of money for any industry to expend for conven-
tion purposes, but nearly every one had a good time, and what matters
the cost? The hotel men were happy, in fact jubilant, and long for
another piano meet.
I
T
H E helpfulness of the piano player as a valuable adjunct to the
regular piano business is becoming more and more apparent,
and recently we have had the opportunity of obtaining the views of a
number of prominent dealers upon this important subject.
It is
well to emphasize the fact that in every case where the piano player
business has been specialized, where the proprietors have had ex-
perts in charge of the department and have conducted the player
business in a fitting way, giving it the space and attention which it
has deserved, the investment has been most profitable.
It was only a short time ago when The Review presented
opinions from scores of dealers regarding the player business, and
there was a unanimity of opinion regarding the profitableness of the
piano player when its advantages were presented properly to the pub-
lic.

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