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THE
fiUJIC TIRADE
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$8.00 PER YEAR.
V O L . X X X V I I I . N O . s. Pntallsbed Eyery Sat. ly Eflward Lyman Bill at 1 Madisop Aye., New Yon Fell. 20,1904.
where pianos have been subjected to such a
MAYj AGAIN ENLARGE PLANT.
A GREAT PIANO TEST.
The Fire in Berry Warehouse Afforded Opportunity
to Prove All-Round Excellence of Bush & Gerts
Pianos.
*•
[Special to The Review.]
Chicago, 111., Feb. 15, 1904.
Over one hundred pianos of the Bush &
Gerts reserved stock were stored in the top
floor of the Berry warehouse in Chicago,
which was badly injured by fire on Sunday
morning, Jan. 24 (the coldest day of the
year). Hot air, stifling smoke and con-
densed steam drifted up the stairways and
elevator shafts, settling upon the pianos in
clouds. Later when the firemen reached the
top story, thinking to make things right for
the pianos, but really increasing the chance
for damage, they opened all the windows so
that the instruments were subjected to a far
below zero temperature for the next five
hours. The steam plant in the partly wrecked
building remained out of commission for a
week following so that the tryingly frigid
conditions continued for the pianos.
In view of these terribly trying conditions
the report of the insurance adjusters and ex-
pert appraisers is little less than marvelous,
and practically demonstrates the wonderful
care taken in the construction of the Bush &
Gerts piano, as well as the remarkably good
quality of material used.
Out of a stock of over one hundred pianos,
the appraisers' report, condensed in a few
words, was as follows: "Actions perfect in
regulation. No sticking of keys. No loose
bridges. No cracked sounding boards. The
pianos uniformly in exceptionally good tune.
Interior condition of all pianos indicating no
damage. Case work: hardwood finished
cases, 50 per cent, of entire stock, in walnut
and mahogany, no checking; need nothing
but cleaning and oiling. Veneered cases con-
stituting 50 per cent, of the stock; 30 per
cent, only slightly checked on some of the
panels, and 20 per cent, sufficiently checked
to justify partial refinishing, and in a few
special cases, pianos that were directly in
front of open windows, complete refinishing."
Such a telling and exact report could only
be secured in connection with instruments
that were constructed throughout with the
greatest possible care and skill, utilizing the
most thoroughly seasoned material and fin-
ished with an almost indestructible varnish;
for, any ordinary cheaply constructed piano,
under such conditions, would show damage,
both interior and exterior, of a very serious
nature. Seldom, if ever before, in the his-
tory of the trade has there been an instance
trying test and have come out so nearly per-
The Demand For Angelus Piano Players and Sym-
fect, as far as interior work is concerned, and
phony Orchestrals May Compel Wilcox &
so slightly damaged on the exterior, the total
White to Take This Step.
loss being less than 20 per cent, of that which
Three years ago the Wilcox & White
any manufacturer would naturally expect un-
Co.,
of Meriden, Conn., in order to meet the
der the circumstances and very exacting con-
demand
for the Angelus piano player and
ditions to which the pianos were subjected.
Symphony Orchestral (self playing) organ,
were obliged to build an extensive addition
BRINGS SUIT AGAINST WRIGHT.
to their factories. As these increased fa-
The Vocalion Co. Want Him to Sign Over Certain
cilities enabled the company to double their
Patents in Which They Are Interested.
output, it was supposed that ample pro-
Morris S. Wright, until lately superinten- vision had been made to take care of their
dent of the Vocalion factory, Worcester, trade. Such, however, has not proved to
Mass., has been sued by the Vocalion Co. for be the case, for the excellent instruments
the purpose of com-
pelling him to sign
over to them one-
half interest in cer-
tain
patents
to
which the Vocalion
Co. claim they are
entitled
by
the
terms of the contract
made some three and
one-half years ago.
This
arrangement
WILCOX & WHITE FACTORY.
provided that any
patents secured by Mr. Wright on inven- made by this company have been constant-
tions made by him while holding the office ly increasing in the favor of the public so
of superintendent should be assigned to that the capacity of the factories has been
the company on the payment of a sum of taxed to the utmost to supply the demands.
Since the first of January the factory has
money mutually agreeable to all parties
been running nights in an attempt to keep
concerned.
pace with orders and the question of again
V. B. LEVY APPLIES FOR RESPITE.
enlarging the capacity of its plant presents
itself to the company.
[Special to Tne Review.]
New Orleans, La., Feb. 15, 1904.
Speaking of Wilcox & White brings to
Victor B. Levy has applied to the Civil Dis- mind that the disabling of the Russian
trict Court for a respite of twelve, eighteen cruiser Retvizan, and the reported destruc-
and twenty-four months. The petitioner rep- tion of the Variag, renews attention to the
resents that after engaging in business in fact that on each of these boats is an An-
this city he removed to Abbeville, La., and gelus piano player, placed there by order
that owing to the dulness of the trade in that of the Russian officials, because, as they
section of the State, and the incidental ex- expressed it, they considered the Angelus
penses of the conduct of his business he, to be "the best instrument of the kind in
though largely solvent, is temporarily em- existence."
barrassed and unable to meet his obligations
A. J. HARTMAN ELECTED TREASURER.
as they mature.
He has moved his establishment back to
A. J. Hartman has been elected treasurer
New Orleans and expects in time to earn of the Needham Piano & Organ Co. For
profits which will enable him to pay a n out in
full. He gives his assets as $2,495 d his seven years or more Mr. Hartman has been
manager of the retail warerooms and his
liabilities as $2,180.09.
fidelity and ability have thus been recognized
A fire which occurred in the Lutheran by Chas. H. Parsons, president of the com-
Memorial Church in Washington, D. C, dam- pany and his associates.
aged the organ almost irreparably, and there
is no doubt that a new one will be necessary
Grace & Treat have succeeded Winchell &
when the church is rebuilt. The insurance Kiser, dealers in music, etc., in Paines-
on the organ is $3,000.
ville, O.