Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 7

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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
DEALERS TALK OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
Some of the Opinions Show a Most Encouraging State of Affairs—Crop Report Excellent and
the Election Will Not Seriously Interfere With Business—Roosevelt Tide Runs Strongly
and lndicates_£ontinuance of Present Administration—Every Reason Why a Good Volume
/* of Business Is Anticipated.
It has been our annual custom to interview leading dealers in all sections regarding trade
conditions.
This year the opinions of the men who sell the produce of our factories to the consumers, will
be of added interest, inasmuch as we are facing a Presidential election. The questions pro-
founded included the following:
|
How, in your opinion, will the coming Presidential campaign affect business in your locality?
Do you look for a reduced trade until after election?
'What are the general conditions of crops in your locality?
Would you care to compare business, both in character and volume, with that of 1903?
Have you found collections slower than last year?
Do you believe in placing orders no\V for fall stock for future delivery?
The interviews appearing each week will be of much interest to manufacturers, as they will
portray the opinions of men who are in close touch with the trade situation in all parts of the
country.
11
the mills have shut down for thirty days. With
the city trade, the strike here have affected our
collections some.
"As to placing orders for future delivery, will
say we always anticipate our trade to a certain
extent, ranging several months' shipments ahead
as a rule."
EILERS' PIANO HOUSE, Portland, Ore.
"We do not feel that the coming Presidential
campaign is going to affect business in this terri-
tory.
"No, we do not look for a reduced trade, but
quite to the contrary. Our business for June and
July this year has shown a very satisfactory in-
crease over that for the corresponding period a
year ago.
"As to the general crop conditions, we think it
is a well conceded fact that the wheat crop for
Oregon and Washington is fully 25 per cent,
ahead of the best crop we have ever had hereto-
fore.
"As to a comparison of the present year's busi-
ness to that of a year ago, it appears to us that
the volume of business compares very favorably,
although the character of the business appears to
be not quite as good. There seems to be more
long-time business. People seem to demand
smaller payments. This, no doubt, is due to the
fact that many people are investing in property
and building their own homes and this we feel
also accounts for the fact that collections are not
quite up to what they were a year ago."
not look for a reduced trade until after the elec-
SECOND SERIES.
HOLLENBERG MUSIC CO., Little Rock, Ark. tion. The general condition of crops in this ter-
"Arkansas is overwhelmingly Democratic, and ritory is very good except in some portions where
I do not believe that the business interest, locally, there has been too much rain. We think business
will be affected during this Presidential election. will compare fully as well as in 1903, both in
It has often been stated by my good Republican character and body. Collections are somewhat
friends that if the strength of the two parties slower than last year. We think the World's Fair
were more equal it would be a great stimulus to has effected it to some extent.
"We will not place heavy orders at this time
business. While there are certain peculiar lines
of business that might be stimulated, yet I am for fall stock; however, we expect a good trade
satisfied, in a Presidential year at least, to live this fall."
in a State that is overwhelmingly one way, as no
one has to give up much of his time or bother E. E. FORBES PIANO CO., Birmingham, Ala. MORRIS & THRALL, Eugene, Ore.
other people trying to get them convinced as to
"I do not think that the Presidential campaign
"We do not think the coming Presidential cam-
their line of thought.
will affect business in our locality a great deal. paign will affect business, as there seems to be no
"I therefore feel that it will in no way affect Should the Democrats succeed in electing their doubt but what the present administration will
business locally. On what it will do outside of candidate for president, I think the majority of be continued.
Arkansas there is no cause for alarm either way the people on both sides have confidence in the
"The crops are a little short, but quality of
the election may result, and for that reason I will man and they will be willing to go along with grain good. Our business has been much better
be inclined to hazard the opinion that there shall their business the same as though Roosevelt had than 1903. We have just ordered our fall stock,
be no special reduction in trade because of the been elected. Our business depends greatly on and are buying quite heavily, as we expect good
election.
prices of iron and cotton. Birmingham being an trade.
"Our general crop conditions are not as favor- iron district and the price very low now makes
"Collections are as good or better than last
able as in some years. Still I think with the in- business dull. This year has not been as good as year."
creased acreage and the particular good condition last in the iron and mineral districts. We hav£
of our hill lands our crop will be really larger as a strike on now among our miners and they have
C. W. HAWLEY, Deadwood, S. D.
a whole throughout Arkansas than in any year been out of work since July 1st. Prospects for
"Presidential election will not affect the piano
crops are very flattering. However, we are hav-
previous.
business in the Black Hills, to speak of, on ac-
"I would not hesitate to compare business in ing too much rain and if it continues our cotton count of their sequestered position, and the inde-
character and volume of 3 904 with that of 1903, crop will be cut off as it causes the stalks to shed. pendent nature of their leading industry, viz.:
with the prophecy that the former will exceed In a wnole, our business has been better this year mining.
that of 1903. We have not found our collections than 1903, both in the quality of sales and the
"Crops are fair.
slower than last year. The question of placing amount of collections. I contribute that to the
"Not likely business will be quite as good as
orders in advance for stock is a matter on which good price cotton brought last winter. I look for-
for
1903.
1 would not like to advise anyone, as, of course, vard to a good fall business through our sec-
"Not much difference in collections.
tion
if
the
crops
are
not
damaged
this
month.
The
the particular local conditions or capital of the
"I do not think it advisable to place full or-
concern, its volume of business and the condition next thirty days will tell the tale.
ders yet.
of its lease or note accounts, and such other mat-
"We do not place our orders any longer than a
"At present writing 'strikes' affect us, especial-
ters of purely a local character should govern in month ahead."
ly
our cattle men more than anything else.
the consideration of that subject.
"We have had the good fortune always to be
JUNIUS HART PIANO HOUSE, New Orleans. ORTON BROS., Butte, Mont.
able to place our orders sufficiently in advance so
"In our opinion the Presidential campaign will
"Undoubtedly business in general during the
that our needs were taken care of as they arose,
have some affect on business in our locality, but Presidential campaign is more or less affected,
and that is all I can say on that subject."
not to as great an extent in the South as in the but it occurs to us that a little extra 'hustling'
middle and northern States. We look for a light on the part of the dealer can offset the
THE FILLMORE BROS. CO., Cincinnati, O.
trade
between now and election.
business depression which may be caused from
"We find that our business is not affected in the
"The general condition of the crops in our lo- the fact of the public mind being diverted away
least as yet on account of the Presidential cam-
paign. In the band business the Presidential elec- cality is above the average, though in some sec- from business, usually caused in the Presidential
tion is always a great advantage, and gives us tions we have had rain nearly every day for the year when a great many business men are prone
a larger trade than any other year. There will, past thirty days and the weeds are about as to relax their energies whenever an excuse is
no doubt, be a reduction of trade after the elec- thick as the crops and it will require a good deal presented, who simply throw up their hands and
of hard labor on the part of the farmers to keep say, 'there is nothing to be done.' This, in our
tion for some few months.
"The crops in our locality are far superior this the crops in condition to reap the benefit of the opinion is where a great mistake is made with
the business men. If the city trade is a little
start they already have.
year to those of three or four years back.
"Compared to last year, our business shows quiet go out into the by-ways and hedges and it
"Comparing our business of 1904 with 1903, we
find that there has been a large increase, and that a slight increase. Collections, however, are is surprising how often a number of pianos may
the musicians are aiming at a higher grade in slower than last year, owing to the fact that in be sold in small towns by simply going out for
music, which is evident that the general bands- some sections where the lumber interests prevail, them and we are sure that the yearly average of
men of this country are becoming educated to the
necessity of good music.
"We can't say collections are any slower this
year than last.
"We certainly believe in placing further orders
for future delivery."
BEHRBROS.&CO
PIANOS,
MARTIN BROS. CO., Springfield, Mo.
"We hardly think the coming Presidential cam-
paign will affect business in this section. We do
29th Street and I Ith Ave.,
NEW YORK.
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
12
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
business may be evened up, as stated above, by
extra effort on the part of the business man.
"The present condition of the trade will un-
doubtedly continue until after election.
"We believe that general condition of crops
will average with that of other years in our local-
ity, although in some portions of our State the
season has been very dry, causing the rangers to
have very little feed which, of course, is a hard-
ship on the cattle men. We believe the crops
of wheat and oats will average up with other
years.
"We believe our business will compare favor-
ably with that of 1903, but we do admit that we
have been compelled to go outside of the city for
the business.
"While the country seems to be in good healthy
condition it seems a large portion of the trade
are falling behind in their payments and it re-
quires a constant watch to keep the collections
up to the average of other years.
"It is not our custom to place a positive order
ahead for future delivery. We will often write
our factories that in all likelihood we will want
so many cars of pianos, during a certain season
so that the factory may have an idea of the goods
we will want, but we usually order the goods
wanted practically as needed. We find it much
more satisfactory in every way to order our goods
as needed as we can make our plans more satis-
factory all around in this way."
E. B. LUKE, Ardmore, I. T.
"We do not expect the coming Presidential elec-
tion to cut any figure with business in this sec-
tion of the country.
"We do not look for any reduction in trade on
account of the election.
"Crop prospects are very fine. It is, however, a
little early yet to figure on the cotton crop, which
is the mainstay in this country.
"Our business will be larger than last year by
25 per cent.
"Collections are about on an average with last
year.
• H^Ti
"I do not believe in ordering goods very far
ahead. I believe in being conservative along that
line."
THE HOLTON MUSIC CO., Holton, Kansas.
"The coming Presidential election is having no
affect on business in this locality. The majority
are satisfied with the present occupant of the
White House and feel confident that he will keep
house there four years longer.
"General condition of crops are medium.
"Character is better this year than 1903. The
volume less.
"Collections are slower than last year.
"Don't believe in placing orders for fall trade.
Reason: Early frost would affect corn crop in
this locality."
BURKE BROTHERS' MUSIC COMPANY, Em-
poria, Kansas.
"We do not think this Presidential year will
affect business. The general impression among
the moneyed class is this: The present adminis-
tration is quite safe and satisfactory to everyone.
Parker is looked upon as even more safe than
Roosevelt. So conservatives here are not at all
flustrated. While the majority may differ on the
money question yet they feel good times and do
not fear a lack of confidence which a Western
candidate may occasion, or ideas in harmony with
the West.
"We look for a good business all fall.
"Crops are generally poor. Heavy floods have
been exceedingly distastrous but with wonderful
natural resources this will be only momentary.
"We predict four times the amount of business
this fall over last. The character is always O. K.
as we do our own selling.
"Collections may be a little slower this year
than last, but they are still quite fair.
"We are anticipating orders now up until
Christmas."
THE GILES BROS. PIANO CO., Quincy, III.
"We believe that the World's Fair in St. Louis,
this season, will not help the piano sales any, In
our sectiof at least. We know of quite a good
many people who will say, "Well, we are going
to the fair this year, and the girls have about
decided to take in the fair too, and so, will have
to wait about six months or a year before we
buy our piano." In regard to trade, we hardly
think that trade is as good the past two months
as it was last year, on account of the very late
season, as the farmers buy most of the pianos in
our vicinity, and from the smaller dealers, while
the city people, a great many of them, go to Chi-
cago or St. Louis for certain makes of pianos that
are not handled in our city. Now, as to collec-
tions; collections are pretty fair, but owing to so
much labor trouble, and Quincy being one of the
greatest union towns on earth for the size, we
have a strike here about every sixty days, which
lasts a short time, until the union men loose out,
half go back to work, the other half go back later
on, when they have an opportunity, at the same
wages. In' regard to the campaign of 1904, we
hardly think that there is enough of difference
between the Republican platform and the Demo-
cratic platform to waste much time talking poli-
tics. You New York people have selected both
candidates for the Presidency, and they are both
considered very fine men, so the Western people
will be very well satisfied with either Mr. Parker
or Mr. Roosevelt for President, as long as the
financial part of the platform is not tampered
with, we believe that we shall have no trouble in
getting money from the banks to do business
with.
"In regard to buying pianos, we must say that
we overloaded ourselves with pianos in the spring
of 1904, and we believe there are a great many
other dealers in the same boat. We think the
only wise plan in which to buy pianos for the
dealer, would be to send the orders direct to the
factories, with cash with the order. In this way
there would be no misunderstanding and the
dealer would not be cramped at any season of the
year for money, and in this way, it would save a
great deal of annoyance to the manufacturer in
the way of writing for the dealer to send in notes,
cash, etc., etc., heavy bills to meet, cannot close
their books and a whole lot of other rag-time
talk. Traveling men come along, offer all kinds
of time, then shortly after goods are shipped,
manufacturer meets with some kind of financial
trouble, wants your notes to use in the bank and
one continuous round of pleasure for the retail
dealer until traveling men come around again,
which is shortly after the first order of pianos
are settled for."
ROBT. L. LOUD, Buffalo, N. Y.
"We have always heard that a Presidential
year is an "off" year in business and have in the
past encountered such experiences. It is, how-
ever, our good fortune to be able to state that
our business so far this year has held up remark-
ably well and will be nearly if not quite as satis-
factory in volume and character, as last year.
"Our collections have kept up fairly well and
we are very confident that we will have a good
business this fall and are going to try to engage
such stock in advance as we believe we will need.
The crops in this section so far as we are able to
learn, will prove to be fairly good.
"While there are some few in this city looking
at the future from a pessimistic point of view,
the general impression of Buffalo to-day is one
of healthy activity and argues well for a pretty
profound belief in the immediate future at least."
FOSTER & WALDO, Minneapolis, Minn.
"We think the coming Presidential campaign
will have no affect on business in our locality.
The crop conditions are good in the Northwest
and we expect a fine fall trade. The first seven
months of '04 show a falling off with the corre-
sponding months of '03. Our collections are
good."
H. C. SHERROD PIANO CO., Houston, Texas.
"The Presidential campaign has already af-
fected business in Texas.
"We look for a decrease in trade until after
election in November.
"Crops are looking firm but we are now having
entirely too much rain, cotton giving too much
weed, which is detrimental to it forming fruit.
"Business generally is not as good as in 1903.
Collections slower than last year.
"Do not think Texas dealers should place or-
ders for fall stock for future delivery, as the Boll
Weevil is a menace to cotton in some sections."
ROSS-ARMSTRONG COMPANY, Fort Worth,
Texas.
"We feel no ill effect from the Presidential
campaign, so far. Probably there is a perceiv-
able effect uuon the buying public, occasioned by
so many visitors spending money, visiting the
world's Fair at St. Louis. We believe that the
business interests generally expect no change in
administration and while this part of Uncle
Sam's glorious country is decidedly Democratic,
yet from a business standpoint, they have every
confidence in the soundness of a Republican Ad-
ministration. We do not look for a reduction of
trade after election and the writer does not be-
lieve there will be any change, as Mr. Roosevelt,
outside of his "colored tendency" is much better
than Grover Cleveland with his bond salea
strikes and Coxey's army.
"We have found our collections comparing fa'
vorably with last year. We do not believe in plac-
ing orders and guessing on the future, and feel
that we will be able to get all the goods we want
shipped us with a reasonable degree of prompt-
ness, after orders are made."
BROOK MAYS & COMPANY, Dallas, Texas.
"We do not think the Presidential election will
affect business to any extent in this section of
the country.
"We depend almost solely upon crops, which at
this time are very promising. However it is dif-
ficult to anticipate our needs sufficiently to place
any large orders for future delivery.
"Our sales and collections are about the same
as in 1903."
O. K. HOUCK & CO., St. Louis, Mo.
"In reference to the trade outlook we feel that
the Presidential campaign will have a tendency
to depress business slightly. The general condi-
tion of the crops of this locality is fair and the
people are fairly prosperous but we feel that the
exposition as made against our business and has
hurt the piano trade here more than anything
else could have possibly done. The effect is so
far reaching, scarcely a home in the city of St.
Louis but what has had additional expenses to-
gether with high rents which has affected our
business.
"Collections have been fairly good with us but
we perhaps had to work harder to make collec-
tions. I think the retail dealer would be unwise
if he should over-stock himself for the fall trade.
"We go in our new quarters September 1st, and
for a house not quite two (2) years old, we think
that we have had every reason to be satisfied
with the showing for St. Louis.
"We wish you and you paper much success."
TAYLOR'S MUSIC HOUSE, Springfield, Mass.
"We think that the Presidential campaign will
affect business more or less throughout the coun-
try. It usually does, and we do not see why it
should not this year.
"We do look for reduced trade because of so
many strikes throughout the country and the
Presidential campaign.
"The condition of crops in our locality is good.
The character and volume of business for 1904 is
not as good as 1903, collections are slower, and
not as many people looking at pianos.
"We do not believe in placing orders now for
future delivery."
THE SHATTINGER PIANO AND MUSIC CO.,
St. Louis, Mo.
"Regarding the effect the coming election will
have upon trade we would say that we do not be-
lieve it will affect business very much in this lo-
cality as the people here, at large, are convinced
of Mr. Roosevelt's election. We therefor do not
look for a reduced trade. The crops in this State
have been reported "good." We have found col-
lections better this year.

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