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THE
SOME IMPORTANT DECISIONS
Just Rendered by the Customs Officials and of
Especial Interest to Musical Merchandise
Men—Bows, Strings, Catgut.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, August 23, 1904.
Decisions of the customs officials are narrow-
ing down the classification of material and parts
pertaining to the schedule covering musical mer-
chandise. It is held there has been a laxness in
this respect that some one, somewhere has di-
rected the attention of the Treasury Department
thereto; for it is evident a close inspection is
now being made of this class of goods. The fol-
lowing examples are cited:
In a decision rendered in connection with the
protest of Wai. Tonk & Bros. Co., Chicago, on
August 12, by General Appraiser Sharretts, he
says: " 1 . Certain violins, violin bows, and full-
size violin chin rests were classified as parts of
musical instruments under paragraph 453, tariff
act of 1897. Classification affirmed. 2. Certain
metal points for graphophones were held to be
dutiable as manufactures of metal under para-
graph 193 as classified, and not as needles under
paragraph 165, as claimed. 3. Certain violin
resin set in metal, which was classified under
said paragraph 193, was claimed to be dutiable as
a non-enumerated article under section 6. or as
manufactures of wood under paragraph 208.
Classification affirmed."
On the same date it was "held that certain vio-
lin bows, parts of musical instruments, and
strings for musical instruments were properly
classified under the provisions of paragraph 453,
tariff act of 1897." Also that "certain violins and
violin bows classified as musical instruments or
parts thereof under paragraph 453, tariff act of
1897, were claimed to be dutiable as toys under
paragraph 418. The board found the articles to
be such as are ordinarily used by musicians and
students and overruled the protest." A protest
of Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati, of the same
tenor, was disposed of by the same decision.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The string question was again passed upon on
August 16, by the same appraiser, who said, rela-
tive to the protest of Lyon & Healy: "The im-
porters contended that the merchandise in ques-
tion, which was classified as strings for musical
instruments under paragraph 453, tariff act of
1897, should have been classified as manufactures
of gut under paragraph 448. Protests, overruled."
Then regarding a question of catgut, the New
York collector insisted the invoice was really
musical strings, but the General Board of Ap-
praisers, on the 9th, said: "The merchandise
was classified as strings of musical instruments
under paragraph 453, tariff act of 1897. The im-
porters contended that it was not intended for
musical instruments and should have been classi-
fied under paragraph 448 as manufactures of cat-
gut. Protest sustained." This is one of the de-
cisions the importers of small goods have been
protesting against for years and from their state-
ments the position occupied is correct. The cus-
toms officials, however, are endeavoring to
straighten out these inequalities of entry, and
from the above results a more equitable standing
is being given to this class of goods.
THE COLUMBIA DUPLEX RECORD
Is the Latest Novelty—Two Different Selec-
tions Can Be Secured From One Record.
39
tages in respect of compactness and convenience
in operating will be obvious.
NEW MUSIC BOX
Being Marketed by M. E. Schoening—The Con-
struction Novel but Effective.
A new music box of foreign origination and
manufacture, is being marketed by M. B. Schoen-
ing, New York, who is the sole American agent.
In appearance it resembles the models of the up-
right instruments now generally known, the per-
forated circular music disk being used, and which
are raised and lowered when in operation. The
difference is marked, however, in the character
of the music, which has a reed effect, the bellows
being controlled either by a spring and a winding
device, or by an electric motor. The tone is ex-
ceedingly strong, resembling the orchestrion in
part. The contrivance is said to be entirely new
here, and the only one of its kind manufactured.
PARIS CONSERVATORY SECURES HARP.
The Museum of the Conservatory at Paris has
obtained the harp which once belonged to Marie
Antoinette, of France, a magnificent instrument,
heavily gilt, made by Nadermann, in 1780. The
short arm is ornamented with a marvelous
wreath of roses, on the top of which is carved
an eagle with spread wings. Diamonds are in-
cased in the eagle's claws. The harp belonged
to the town of Nancy, which raffled it off, and the
winner gave it to the conservatory.
The duplex record, to which reference was
made in The Review, has become an established
institution; for the Columbia Phonograph Co.
now announces its latest novelty in the form of
a ten-inch disc record with a selection on each
side. This enables the user to obtain two differ-
Among the visitors at the small goods houses
ent selections from a single record instead of
one, as heretofore, both equally good in volume, last week were W. F. Frederick, of Uniontown,
tone and wearing quality. The aim, in prepar- Pa., with branch stores in McKeesport, Johns-
ing the first of these, has been to give two se- town, Du Bois, Pittsburg and Cumberland, Md.
lections from the same piece or opera so that Harry J. Flower, of the May Flower Music Co.,
by simply reversing the record the owner can Chicago; Frea. W. Clarke, of The Emporium, San
listen to a continuation of the selection or to a Francisco. The latter is finishing up his stock
different part of the same opera. Their advan- orders and buying on a liberal basis.
THE NUMEROUS IMITATIONS OE
Hohner
Reasonings
I
MITATING an article is really
advertising it, for " Imitation is
sincerest flattery." It stands to
reason that when one manufac-
turer imitates the goods of another he
has evidently found that they are sup-
erior to his and more in demand, and
hence he makes the unscrupulous
attempt to sell his goods on the repu-
tation of others. When you are asked
to " Beware of Imitations" and you
know such warning to be legitimate,
you can interpret these words into
another meaning and that is "Our
goods are the Best." Therefore, Mr.
Dealer, if you know that an article
is imitated, you have positive proof
that the worth of that article has in-
cited the envy of others, which
must convince you that it is the
best for you to handle.
HOHNER HARMONICAS
Which have repeatedly been
placed on the market, tend
to prove their worth as Easy
Selling a»nd Highest Grande
Articles.
IMITATIONS OF THE
HOHNER ACCORDEONS
Which ha.ve only appeared
on the market a very short
time, have already been dis-
covered.
Jtsk Your Jobber
M. HOHNER