Music Trade Review

Issue: 1905 Vol. 40 N. 10

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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VOL. XL. No. 10.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, March 11, 1905.
RUMOR MONGERS STILL BUSY.
Ridiculous and Untrue Stories About the Con-
solidation of the Interests of the Bush &
Gerts Co. and the Cable Company—The Ex-
act Facts in the Case Set Forth.
(Special to The Review..)
Chicago, 111., March 6, 1905.
For a short time past rumor mongers have
been very busy in this city circulating stories
throughout the trade to the effect that the Bush
& Gerts Co. and the Cable Company have in some
way consolidated their interests, and that the
Cable Company have purchased all the interests
of the Bush & Gerts Co. and their former retail
business in Chicago.
Now, the absolute facts in the case are that
the Bush & Gerts Piano Co., concluded to retire
from the retail field in Chicago, retaining, how-
ever, all of their rental stock and lease accounts
which are 'now being collected through their of-
fices in Bush Temple.
The lease of the former Bush & Gerts retail
warerooms in the Bush Temple were secured by
the Cable Company, who are handling a full line
of their own pianos, together with the Bush &
Gerts instruments, for which they have taken the
retail agency in Chicago, besides retailing the
Bush & Gerts pianos, together with their own
line at the warerooms of the Cable Company,
Wabash avenue and Jackson Boulevard.
Now, this constitutes the full extent of the bus-
iness relationship between these two corpora-
tions, aside from the fact, already recorded in
The Review, that the Bush & Gerts Piano Co.
have taken the agency for the Cable Company
line at their branch houses at Memphis, Tenn.,
and Austin, Tex., and for the Mason & Hamlin
pianos at Dallas, Tex.
These reports concerning the consolidation of
interests may appear harmless enough in them-
selves, but they are mischievous in distorting
the relations that exist between the two corpora-
tions, each one of which continues to conduct
its business independent of the other, having
only the friendliest interests in common. It is
well that these false rumors should be run to
earth, and the facts placed before the trade as
they exist. Representation is one thing, while
combination and consolidation are quite another.
TELELECTRIC CO. TO MAKE PIANOS.
(Special to The Review.;
Pittsfield, Mass., March 6, 1905.
Although no effort has been made to sell the
Telelectric—the electric piano player which is
being exhibited in a room in Central block—or-
ders for thirty of the machines have been taken
by the company and these orders will be filled
whether the plant is established here or not.
A great many people have asked why the com-
pany capitalizes so heavily if it intends merely
to manufacture the Telelectric. It is understood
that the concern has other lines in contempla-
tion, not the least important of which is the man-
ufacture of pianos. If this project is carried
through, the great importance of the industry to
Pittsfleld is readily understood.
D. S. ANDRUS & CO.
Enlarge Their Business—The Store at Elmira,
N. Y., Incorporated.
(Special to The Review.)
Elmira, N. Y., March 6, 1905.
The State Department at Albany has just
granted a charter to D. S. Andrus & Co., of this
city, to make, buy, and sell pianos, organs, etc.
The stockholders met yesterday and elected the
following officers and board of directors: Charles
E. Brownell, president; M. Doyle Marks, vice-
president; William Gibson, secretary; James J.
Gibson, treasurer.
Under the efficient management of Mr. M.
Doyle Marks, the Elmira business has grown to
very large proportions, and as a reward for faith-
ful services he has been admitted to full mem-
bership of the incorporated firm and the business
entirely separated from the Williamsport house.
The business in Williamsport, however, will
undergo no change and remain a co-partnership,
the firm being Messrs. William Gibson, James J.
Gibson and Charles E. Brownell. The full in-
terest of Mrs. A. P. Andrus was purchased by
the above gentlemen some time ago, and this es-
timable lady retired from the firm.
This remarkable business was established
forty-five years ago by the late D. S. Andrus, who
died in 1883, and as a mark of respect to this
honorable gentleman the firm name was never
changed.
The policy of the firm is a fixed one, and it is
no wonder that this house stands to-day one of
the foremost of its kind in the United States.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER VEAR.
ENGINEER SAVES PLANT.
With Clothes Burning He Closes Safety Appli-
ances at Boston Piano Co.'s Plant.
(Special to The Review.)
Coshocton, O., March 6, 1905.
Flames threatened the plant of the Boston
Piano & Organ Co. here early on Thursday, and.
had it not been for the heroism of Anson Smith,
night engineer, the plant would have been de-
stroyed with about $20,000 worth of finished prod-
uct. .Smith shoveled a quantity of sawdust and
shavings on a fire, when a heavy puff blew open
the fire-box door.
Smith, although his own clothes were ablaze,
closed the fireproof doors communicating with
the factory. He got out himself, gave the alarm,
and fell exhausted after extinguishing his burn-
ing clothing. The engine room and glue depart-
ment were badly damaged, causing a loss of
$25,000, insured.
E. D. ACKERMAN RESIGNS.
Relinquishes All Connection With the Piano-
tist Co. With Which He Has Been Identified
So Long.
Under date of March 4th, the following com-
munication was received by The Music Trade
Review from E. D. Ackerman. It. speaks for it-
fielf:
BISHOP WALKER MARRIED.
"Gentlemen:—I beg to advise you that I have
resigned as vice-president and general manager
of and severed all connection with the Pianotist
Co. I desire, at this time, to thank you for cour-
tesies and favors extended to me in the past, and
to personally solicit a continuance of same in
the future."
Head of Western New York Diocese Weds Miss
Bach.
MUNN'S NEW BINGHAMTON QUARTERS.
The Right Rev. William David Walker, Bishop
of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of western
New York, and Miss Bertha B. Bach were mar-
ried at noon on Saturday last at the Church of
the Heavenly Rest, New York.
Philip Schlosser, who acted as usher, was the
only bridal attendant. Bishop Potter performed
the ceremony, and the bride was given away by
her brother, Louis P. Bach. The guests in at-
tendance at the church afterwards attended the
bridal breakfast at Delmonico's. Bishop Walker
has been head of the western New York Diocese
since 1890, and prior to this was the Bishop of
North Dakota. He was born in New York and
was once vicar of Calvary Chapel. The bride is
a sister of Louis P. Bach, a director of the Ger-
mania Bank, of this city, and treasurer of Kran-
ich & Bach, piano makers.
(Special to The Review.)
Binghamton, N. Y., March 6, 1905.
The Munn Music Co. have closed a deal where-
by they secure the south half of the second floor
of the New Security Mutual building, for a ware-
room. The quarters will have a frontage of 52
feet on Exchange street and will be 68 feet deep,
with windows looking to the south. This will
give the Munn Music Co. the finest piano ware-
room in southern or central New York. The
rooms will be ready for occupancy and the Munn
Co. will move in with an entirely new stock on
the first of next month.
SATJBER SUCCEEDS ACKERMAN.
E. D. Ackerman, who, as announced elsewhere,
has resigned as manager of the Pianotist Co.,
449-455 West 41st street, has been succeeded by
Morris S. Sauber, who will in the future direct
the affairs of that company. Mr. Sauber says
WEILER PIANO CO. ENLARGE.
that the company is looking for a site for a
The Weiler Piano Co., of Indianapolis, have larger factory and for warerooms in the busi-
just completed a two-story addition to their fac- ness section of the city. A meeting of the board
tory. The business of this concern, it is reported, of directors will be held March 15 to take action
is very satisfactory. The officers are: B. F. on these matters as well as for expansion of the
Nysewander, president and treasurer; J. B. Van business.
Etten, vice-president and manager; H. J. Weiler,
w. H. Babcock will open a new music store at
secretary, and J. L, Nysewande^ assistant
Appleton, Wis.
urer.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE MUSIC TRADE
MEW
EDWARD LYMAN DILL.
E d i t o r a n d Proprietor.
J. B. S r i L L A N C . Managing Edit.r.
EXECVTIVE STAFF:
THOS. CAUPBELL-COPELAND,
GEO. B. KELLER,
W K . B. W H I T E ,
W. L. WILLIAMS,
A. J. NICKLIN,
ERNEST L. WAITT, 265 Washington St.
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
GEO.
W. QUERIPEL.
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 86 La Salle St.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
E. C. TORREY.
ST. LOUIS OFFICE :
CHAS. N. VAN BURKN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 426-427 Front St.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including pottage), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $8.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00; opposite
reading matter, $76.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
THE ARTISTS'
DEPARTMENT
On the first Saturday ' of each month The Review contains in its
"Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore auir
merits materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
I, A^,w\^irw,mJm
*
MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturers will be compelled to take their choice of the two
channels in trade. Or, if they continue to sell the mail order houses
they must do so on a basis that will compel them to name prices
that will leave a fair profit to the retailer.
T
HE advertisements of the catalogue houses do not appear in
the magazines as frequently as in former days, but these
houses are sending their enormous catalogues direct to the people.
The catalogue house sheets which in former days were used by these
organizations as personal organs have been cut off from pound rate
privileges by the Government, and these houses are now concen-
trating their energies upon reaching the people direct through their
vast catalogues, which contain illustrations of every article which
may be used by the family.
CHICAGO OFFICE:
BOSTON OPPICE:
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
E U I L I E FRANCIS BAUER,
REVIEW
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found o n
»n°ther P*ee will be of great value, as a reference for
dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, MARCH 11, 19O5.
J * EDITORIAL
F
OR years past The Review has been the only publication to
urge some concerted action to counteract the ever-growing
influence of the catalogue houses. The steady expansion of these
colossal organizations may be best realized when it is understood
that a single Chicago concern conducted a mail order business last
year amounting to thirty-five millions. This embraced almost
every line of manufactured goods, and naturally affected the busi-
ness of the smaller merchants in remote localities in all sections of
America.
T
HE dealers in many lines have complained bitterly against
catalogue house competition, but it will require something
more than mere complaints to affect in the slightest the onward
march of these great institutions.
In the first place, their whole success lies in the elimination of
one factor in the distribution of manufactured products, that is the
dealer or middleman, and it is but natural the more profits that are
eliminated, the more alluring is the purchasing price to the con-
sumer. It has been, therefore, through the elimination of dealers'
profits and the handling of goods of an ordinary quality, which has
appealed to the masses, that the catalogue houses have won. Where
they have not actually cut into the trade of the local dealer, they have
made his task a harder one, in that their aim has been to create the
impression that he is charging too high a price for his wares.
I
N what we colloquially term small goods, the catalogue houses
have worked up an enormous trade, and there is no denying the
fact diat the trade of the dealers in small musical instruments has
been cut off to an alarming extent by this kind of competition.
The catalogue houses are officered by men of the keenest busi-
ness intelligence, and they are not overlooking any opportunity
which may be instrumental in winning for them greater success.
I
T is said that the influence of these concerns has been strongly on
the side of the parcels post bill, for if this becomes a law, it will
enable them, through the means of government aid to reach every
section of the country at lesser cost than the present express
charges. They will be, in every way, keener competitors of the
small dealers in all lines. The hardware men have realized this,
and are working quietly to prevent this bill from becoming a law.
W
E have suggested in former issues that the trade organiza-
tions which exist in this industry show their interest in
this important matter. The representatives in Congress certainly
would be influenced if the business element of their constituency
should urge that their votes be registered against the parcels post
bill.
This is not a matter which should be overlooked, for it is one
of the greatest importance to the music trade industry. For a
number of years this has been the only journal in this line to urge
concentrated action against this ever-growing influence.
T
HE matter is certainly worthy of serious consideration. There
is a tendency more and more towards concentration and con-
solidation, and the catalogue house is only one phase of this develop-
ment, and while its complete elimination is an impossibility it can be
curbed, but it is possible to protect and maintain the interests of the
trade in a manner which shall be helpful to the regular dealer
everywhere.
Some one has suggested that the concerns which sell to cata-
logue houses be boycotted by the regular trade. Boycotting has
never been successful, but concerted action may accomplish many
things which is impossible through individual effort.
M
HE catalogue houses have not handled, save in rare cases,
products of established reputation, or trade-marked wares
in any industry. They have made contracts with manufacturers
who have made special brands for them in almost every line, and in
this way no business reputations have been slaughtered when the
catalogue houses were cutting down prices.
ANY are inclined to deplore the prevalence of what we may
term trade inconsistency and trade abuses, but are not in-
clined to expend the smallest amount of time or money in creating
a rebuttal influence. It is well enough to criticise, but it is a mighty
sight better to act. We have passed beyond the pioneer stage in
trade, and we must recognize that the same rules which govern busi-
ness which we considered successful years ago, may not apply with
the same degree of success to-day. The various encroachments
upon our trade preserves are not as far out of harmony with the
complexity of things and elements which distinguished the trade
of to-day from that of a decade or two ago, as we in our more
meditative moments permit ourselves to believe. And still while
we frequently refer to the good old days of yore, we would not, if
power were given us, ever consider the abandoning of the broader
environment of to-day for the narrower opportunity of the past.
I
W
T
N the piano and organ line they have offered instruments at
ridiculous rates, pianos as low as $87.50. And while they
have not sold pianos in enormous quantities, yet our reports show
that they have succeeded in disposing of a considerable number last
year. Naturally the manufacturers who supply the catalogue house
trade cannot expect to sell the local dealers as well, when their at-
titude toward the regular piano dealers becomes known.
E shall probably never reach the ideal conditions, but the
whole trade current is broadening, and we must recognize
that scoffing and indifference in business in regard to certain con-
ditions will not remove all kinds of competition. Competition must
be met.
The future of the music trade industry never was brighter, but
it cannot be broadened jf conducted on the narrow lines of the past.

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