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THE
MUSIG TRADE
REVIEW
DEALERS DISCUSS TRADE CONDITIONS.
Majority Report That the Presidential Campaign W ^ l Not Affect Business Unfavorably—It is
Generally Admitted That Indications Point to an Excellent Fall Trade—Many, However,
Do Not Favor the Early Placing of Orders—Collections Are Good and the Crop Outlook
Most Encouraging—A Safe Barometer With Which to Judge the Situation—Dealers From
Widely Separated Sections of the Country Are Heard From—The Fourth of a Series of
Important Interviews.
This week we present the fourth of a series of interesting interviews with piano merchants in
the various parts of this country. The interviews are of more than ordinary interest inasmuch
as we are entering upon the warmth of the Presidential campaign. Some of the questions pro-
pounded are:
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 now for fali stock for future delivery?
B A R T L E T T MUSIC CO., Los Angeles, Cal.
"We do not believe the Presidential campaign
will affect our business this year in the slightest
degree. There seems to be a firm conviction that
the balloting in November will be simply a mat-
ter of form, and that the good times we have
experienced in the past few seasons will be con-
tinued at least for some time. We do not look
for any falling off in our sales and, as a matter
of fact, our deals seem to be increasing each
month.
"The general condition of crops in our locality
is good and the only trouble wo have been hav-
ing is that the returns of our orange shipments
which, on account of the method of handling
(through associations), is becoming more and
more irksome.
"Our business, as compared with last year's,
shows an increase of about 20 per cent., and our
collections are better than they have ever been.
"Situated as we are, such a distance from the
source of supply, it is always necessary for us to
place our orders quite a good while in advance."
JOHN A. JONES
W . Va.
MUSIC
CO., Huntington,
"We expect slight improvement during Septem-
ber and October, but no big trade until after the
election, when we believe trade will be good. We
shall not place any orders for future shipment
from the fact that factories have no doubt been
able to stock up a little during the summer and
will be able, to take care of all orders as they
come in."
T H E DENVER MUSIC CO., Denver, Col.
"In answer to question one, would state that
we have every reason to believe that the Presi-
dential campaign will not affect our business so
materially as the election of our governor this
fall. This we deem most essential for the busi-
ness interests of the community.
"In answer to question two, would state that
since the first of July, business has increased
materially, and we have every reason to believe
that it will so continue.
"In reply to question three, would state that
the crops in our State are the very best in our
history. It is conservatively estimated that the
crops will yield an income to our farmers of near-
ly $47,000,000 (a record-breaker for Colorado).
"In answer to question four, would state that,
if the present improvement continues to the end
of the year, that the volume of trade will com-
pare most favorably, if not more than equal that
of 1903.
"In reply to question five, would state, that
on the whole, collections have been much slower
than last year up to the present time.
"We have already placed orders for our fall
stock, and believe under the improved conditions
that is a wise proposition."
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Angeles, Cal.
MUSIC
CO., Los
"So far we have not noticed any decrease in
our business on account of Presidential year.
Conditions in this territory are fair, and we
would not compare this year's business with
1903. Collections are a trifle slower than last
year."
THE
WHITSON
N. M.
MUSIC
CO., Albuquerque,
11
"Business is larger with us this year than in
1903.
"Collections are satisfactory; very good. There
is plenty of money; local bank clearances, last
week, were $642,306, the same week last year
were, $660,268.
"Yes, we think it advisable to place orders now
for fall delivery."
GEO.
W I L L I G & CO., Baltimore, Md.
"It is difficult for us to predict what the con-
ditions of business will be in our city, the big
fire that destroyed our business section, has been
a serious check on business generally.
"Past Presidential elections did not affect our
trade.
"The general condition of crops in our section
is good.
"Our collections are averaging up to last year.
"We could not place orders now for fall stock,
owing to the fact, that we are only temporarily
located, and have not the floor space, and have
not been able to rent or buy a suitable building."
W. W . P U T N A M , Staunton, Va.
"The coming Presidential election will not
affect business in our locality as much as previ-
"We believe no material change in business ous campaigns for a national executive. The gen-
will be brought about by the coming election, as eral condition of the crops in our locality is ex-
regard to crops, about as usual. We notice a cellent in every way. Comparing the business
material change in our business of about 50 per of 1903 with that of a year ago, would say that
cent, better over 1903. In regard to placing or- it is equally as good in character and better in
ders for future delivery will state, Mrs. E. C. volume. Collections are about the same as last
Whitson, proprietress, is at present in the East, year. As far as placing orders for fall stock
placing orders for fall delivery."
goes, we may say that we are carrying a large
stock of supplies in anticipation of good fall busi-
H. SINSHEIMER, Portland, Ore.
ness, and we are increasing our stock of finished
"I do not think the Presidential campaign will
organs and we supply promptly any demand
affect the trade at all, and therefore do not look
which we may have late in the season."
for reduced trade.
"Regarding the crops this year, they are in a
very healthful condition, and the hops will be CARTER & DOROUGH, Valdosta, Ga.
"The Presidential campaign will not affect
quite plentiful, more so than last year. Am
satisfied that business, both in character and business to any appreciable extent in this local-
volume, will exceed that of 1903. Collections ity, therefore we do not look for a reduced trade
until after election. The crops are very good in
are fully as good as last year.
this
section. Comparing business with that of
"Yes, I believe in placing orders for fall stock,
1903, would say that the volume is somewhat re-
and have already done so."
duced, while the character is fully as good. We
have not found collections slower than last year.
W. E. H. CURRAN, Concord, Ky.
"Judging from the past, I think, the trade will We never place orders early for fall stock for
be affected somewhat by the coming campaign, future delivery, preferring to buy as needed.
and that there will be a reduction in trade until Have never had any difficulty in getting goods."
after the election. Crops in this section are not C. W I L L A R D , Olean, N. Y .
good, owing to lack of rain. The business of 1904
"Much depends upon Roosevelt's election as to
is somewhat in advance of 1903, but the collec- whether business will be affected during the com-
tions are slower.
ing fall in this section. Trade will undoubtedly
"As to placing future orders for fall delivery, be quiet until after election. The general condi-
1 believe the dealer will be safe in so doing, but tion of crops in this locality is fair. Comparing
should be careful and not overreach himself."
the character and volume of this year's business
with that of 1903, would say that the latter was
L. E. GIRARDEY & CO., Paducah, Ky.
far more satisfactory than the present year. Col-
"Statistics justify the idea that Presidential lections have been slower. I do not believe in
elections do affect business, but this is a mooted placing orders now for fall stock."
question. The fact is, the effect is largely local
to localities and trade circles.
GEO. E. SPANGLER, Gettysburg, Pa.
"Our section will feel no more effect than usual
"Business in general is dull, and, of course, we
for the reason trade in agricultural sections, are affected by it. It is obvious that the Presi-
such as ours, is largely governed by crops, hardly dential campaign will not help the situation. I
anything else affects it.
look for reduced trade until after election. Crops
"Trade will not be affected because of the elec- are good in this locality. Comparing the business
tion, the season is a quiet one with us, but, never- of this year with 1903, the last five months have
not been up to that of a year ago. Collections
theless, we continue to work up stock.
"Crops are very fine generally; tobacco, which have been slower. I should go slow in placing
is our largest product is about 30 per cent, short orders for fall delivery. Business, however, may
this year. It is smaller in acreage, which prom- open up O. K. after election."
ises better prices as demand is regular. Nearly
all of our crop (dark tobacco) is exported, most- BROWN, PAGE & H I L L M A N CO., Peoria, III.
ly to Spain, Belgium, Italy and France; England
"Business in this locality will not be injured
also buys in this market, but not so largely as in any way by the Presidential campaign. So
the others.
far our trade is the best we ever knew. Things,
BEHR BROS. & CO
PIANOS,
29th Street and I Ith Ave. y
NEW YORK.
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.