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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
1903, we would state that in volume of business
we are considerably ahead of every month with
the exception of March, but, at the same time,
our expenses are also in excess of what they were
in 1S03 for the corresponding period, although I
am pleased to say not in proportion to our in-
crease in business, which fact we attribute to our
extensive improvements, one of them being the
new Mann Hall, of which a full account was given
in your most valuable paper at the time of its
completion and opening, which was in January.
"Your question regarding whether we have
found collections slow the last year can be readily
answered by saying that they certainly have been
much slower, but that is easily accounted for
from the fact of the many thousands who have
been out of work entirely or on half time.
"Regarding whether I believe in placing orders
row for fall stock for future delivery, as far as
I am concerned myself, I shall not do so, but, of
course, that is something every dealer has his
own opinions about and must decide for himself."
MONTENEGRO-RIEHM MUSIC CO., Louis-
ville, Ky.
"We believe the Presidential campaign this year,
will as usual affect business to some extent, but
on account of the good outlook for crops, trade
will not be reduced as much as in former Presi-
dential campaigns.
"Crops through this section are in fine condi-
tion, although in some parts corn is badly in need
of rain. The outlook for a fine crop of tobacco
and hemp in this State is excellent.
"We believe business through this section in
character and volume is about the same as last
year. If any difference, we find a larger demand
for the better grade of pianos.
"For the past three months collections have
been slower than corresponding months last year.
Collections are now improving considerably, and
we believe will be much better from now on.
"We believe in placing advance order for fall
delivery, as with the prospects for a very satis-
factory fall trade, we believe in being prepared
to take care of it by having sufficient goods on
hand."
LUDDEN & BATES S. M. H., Savannah, Ga.
"The Presidential election, in our opinion, will
not have any considerable influence on the trade
in this section. We do not look for any reduc-
tion in trade on this account.
"The condition of crops in this section is rea-
sonably good, and we see no reason why sales
should not be as good or better than usual.
"We cannot very well compare our business of
this year with that of 1903, as the present owners
of this business only took charge August 1, 1903,
and since that time the business has taken on
new life and the trade has largely increased over
that secured by the former managers during the
past few years. We presume the business done
by us this year will amount to several hundred
per cent, more than the business done the year
previous.
"We never believe in buying stock more than
thirty days ahead of our needs."
CREWS FURNITURE CO., Ballinger, Tex.
"I do not think that the coming Presidential
election will affect business in this locality to any
great extent. We exi
well. Our cotton crop will be a little late on
account of the dry spring. Are having good rains
throughout this section of country now. Some
cotton will yield one-half bale per acre, and I
think trade will compare very well with that of
last season. Collections are always slow here at
this season of the year."
CLAYTON MUSIC CO., Salt Lake City, Utah.
"In our opinion business is always more or less
affected during a Presidential campaign, although
in our part of the country we do not anticipate
any great contraction in business. Our crop con-
ditions in this country are extremely good, and
our volume and character of business this year so
far has greatly exceeded that of 1903. Collec-
tions are fair.
"We are preparing for a good fall business, and
the prospects appear to warrant our anticipating
this. In our estimation the Presidential election
should come about every ton years; there would
be less agitation and more time for business."
H. TRACY BALCOM, Buffalo, N. Y.
"Spring business was poor, but July was about
equal to that of the two years previous, being
very satisfactory. I might say in this connection
that contrary to our expectations for a falling off
of trade in summer, we always find July a good
month.
"Crops I know nothing of, except that they
show no unusual conditions that can greatly affect
trade.
"Collections have been poor.
"I do not see why orders for fall stock could
not be placed now, basing them upon the experi-
ence of last year. There seems to be a general
impression that the Democratic ticket cannot win,
and even if it should, the country would probably
not go at once to the 'demnition bow-wows.'"
S. R. SMITH, Lead, S. Dak.
"Business is not as good this year as last. I
do not attribute it to the election, while that may
have something to do with it. Last year there
was a good deal of work in opening up new mines,
and as money became close East it affected us,
as it put a damper on the sales of mining stocks.
"We had a very wet season last year. Crops
were good, but damaged in harvesting, as it was
a very wet fall. The late rains in fall prevented
the wild grass from ripening early, upon which
our cattle fatten. The beef was very poor and
the prices were so low that only a few were
shipped. We are having a very good trade in
the valley this year among the small farmers in
our piano business, and are expecting a good fall
business."
EILERS PIANO HOUSE, Spokane, Wash.
"Apparently the Presidential campaign has
very litle effect in this part of the country, ex-
cepting perhaps with the fellow who is continu-
ally drumming up excuses for complaint. It
seems to be pretty much one-sided—all for Roose-
velt.
"Apparently there is a slight decrease in trade
in our line of business, as well as others that we
learn of, but we are inclined to think that it is
due mostly to the season of the year rather than
the campaign. The crops throughout eastern
Washington are considered very good with the ex-
ception of a few spots here and there, but it is
generally supposed that the yield of wheat will
be equally as great as we have had any year here-
tofore, this being the principal crop raised here.
"Comparing our business with that of last year,
we find a slight decrease owing to money condi-
tions not being up to the standard of last year,
but the outlook for this fall is exceedingly bright
for a big business. Collections have been as good
with us this year as last, with the exception, per-
haps, of during the summer months., as many are
asking for extensions until fall, at which time,
according to the present outlook for big crops,
etc., there should be no trouble along this line.
"We do not look for the fall election to affect
trade conditions but very little, if any, and see
no reason why we should not place orders now
for fall stock for future delivery."
PHILLIPS & CREW CO., Atlanta, Ga.
"In the South, in which we are most vitally
interested, we do not suppose for a moment that
the coming Presidential campaign will seriously
affect business in any way.
"We believe that the conditions in this country,
arising from no political influences, tend to con-
tinued prosperity for some time to come. All in-
dications are favorable to most bcuntiful crops in
the South, and our mineral interests are in very
satisfactory condition. Our farmers are more in-
dependent and have more money to spend than
ever before. Acting on the advice of our most
conservative and representative citizens, they
have been planting more cereals than ever before,
and have been practising economy in their pur-
chases. With fair crops for one or two years
past, they are now in healthy condition, and 'have
learned in a quiet way lessons of political econ-
ony that could not have been gotten except in the
trying periods through which they have passed.
"The absence of any strikes in the South re-
lieves us of many annoyances that occur in the
West, and sometimes in the East. We are fully
competent and prepared to manage our own labor
questions, if not interfered with by people who
do not understand the existing conditions. The
general outlook in the whole South is encourag-
ing, and we do not expect the coming elections
to cause any reduced trade.
"The general reports on all sides move us to
say that the character of the trade in 1904 is
better than that of 1903, and generally speaking,
the volume is larger, though in isolated places
there may have been some little reduction. Our
own trade this year was considerably larger than
that of last year, and collections have been most
satisfactory.
"The matter of placing orders for fall stock, we
think, must be left to the discretion of buyers,
dependent upon many business matters, of which
each one must be the judge. We do not believe
that any ironclad rule or opinion can be given
on this subject."
PHILIP WERLEIN, LTD., New Orleans, La.
"The cotton crop is satisfactory The rice and
sugar crops magnificent. Lumber is on a firm
basis. Steel, iron and coal a little lower. Oil
development enormous. Banks full of money.
Port receipts increasing. The prosperity of the
South from this is evidently assured for the com-
ing fall.
"The Presidential election will have little effect
in injuring fall business. The election of a Demo-
cratic candidate would lead to the greatest busi-
ness development that the South has yet had.
"The election of the Republican will have no
Immediate benefit, but will not produce any great
amount of harm.
"I do not consider it advisable to purchase fall
stock of pianos now, as I do not believe that the
trade of the entire country will be as great this
fall as last year."
MAHER BROS., Jackson, Mich.
"The election will have little or no effect on
business conditions this fall, and we look for an
increased trade over last year. Crops are good
and the country is full of money, if you are able
to get it. Everyone knows or should know that
there is no chance of any change for some years
in the fiscal or tariff policies of the Government,
as even in the event of the election of Parker,
which is not unlikely, the political complexion of
the United States Senate cannot be changed at
this or any near subsequent election. This fact
will cause a quiet campaign and operate to the
advantage of Parker. People who talk the com-
ing of hard times do not take into consideration
the splendid condition of the country to with-
stand hardship, and while occasionally we will
have flurries of tight money and poor business,
the substantial position of the country, with
evident increased crops, places us in a position of
absolute security."
KOHLER & CHASE, San Francisco, Cal.
"It is our opinion that the total volume of busi-
ness in pianos in this territory will be about the
same as last year. While business was somewhat
dull during a part of the summer, the prospects
are good for a large fall business. Crops in the
West will average only fairly well. Collections
with us are about the same as last year, which
means that they are good. It is extremely hard
for us to compare the character of the business,
and the volume also, for that matter, with our
business of last year, for the reason that we have
moved from one of the poorest locations in San
Francisco to the very best, and our business has
naturally increased in volume and improved in
character on that account.
"Regarding the placing of orders in advance,
we always believe in placing our regular orders
early enough to allow the manufacturer to make
his preparations, and we shall do the same this
year."