Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1905 Vol. 40 N. 24

Page 5 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
RLVIFW
THE
fflJJIC TIRADE
VOL. XL. No. 24.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, June 17, 1905*
PHILADELPHIA HOUSE CLEANING.
FACTORY DEAL UP TO PROMOTERS.
Not Only Politically But in the "Piano Gyp"
Line.
Unless Offer Made by Advancement Associa-
tion to Messrs. Netzow, Kutz and Brock-
meier Is Accepted It Will be Withdrawn.
(Special to The Review.)
Philadelphia, Pa., June 12, 1905.
Every one has read of the purification of politi-
cal affairs in the city of Philadelphia, and now
the Philadelphia Piano Trade Association is clear-
ing the town of the "Piano Gyp" nuisance. The
following letter addressed to the Philadelphia
newspapers brought immediate relief with the as-
surance from the publishers that they would each
do their utmost to prevent the publication of the
private house advertising. A similar letter would
no doubt be effective in other cities where the
pest exists:
"June 8, 1905.
"Dear Sir:—As president of the Philadelphia
Piano Trade Association, I desire to call your at-
tention to a class of piano advertising which has
crept into your paper, probably through an over-
sight. This is known to our trade as "piano gyp
advertising," and is misleading in that the un-
sophisticated are enticed to a private house be-
lieving they are purchasing an instrument which
is being sold with other household effects. The
true conditions are that as soon as the cheap
stenciled or illegitimate piano is disposed of, it
is replaced by another. Evidence will be made
perfectly clear to you by reference to the adver-
tising, which is almost continuous and from the
same source.
"Our Association includes in its membership
the best and most reliable piano merchants in
Philadelphia, a trade that is quite liberal in its
advertising, and our members feel that it is not
unreasonable to request that these private house
advertisers should be classed as dealers and
should be required to insert their name as a
dealer in their advertisement. Your special at-
tention is called to advertisements issued from
35 North 51st street, 1711 Spring Garden street,
1715 North 31st street, and other addresses which
could be supplied.
"The National Association of Piano Dealers of
America meet in convention the week of June 19
at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and it would be a source of
considerable satisfaction if the writer could pre-
sent at that convention a statement to the effect
that the Philadelphia newspapers had entirely
eliminated the 'piano gyp advertising' from their
columns. I shall appreciate an expression from
you relative to this class of advertising and would
like to have it in hand previous to Tuesday, the
12th inst, at which time there will be a meeting
of our local association. Trusting you will give
this matter your prompt attention, I beg to re-
main, sincerely yours,
"D. B. WOOLLEY,
"President Philadelphia Piano Trade Ass'n."
Win. Mertz, who about a year ago opened a
music store at 714 South Second street, Philadel-
phia, Pa., died suddenly at his home in that city
from heart failure on June 6. He is survived by
five brothers.
Hammack & Baker are arranging to open a
music store at 217 North Market street, Fred-
erick, Md.
(Special to The Review.)
Manitowac, Wis., June 12, 1905.
Unless Messrs. Netzow, Kutz and Brockmeier,
the Milwaukee promoters of the piano factory
project which seeks a location, are willing to ac-
cept the funds which the Advancement Associa-
tion has in hand as meeting conditions in full,
then the plant must go elsewhere. This was the
decision of a meeting of the directors of the asso-
ciation Tuesday evening, and the proposition was
placed before the factory men in a letter that was
dispatched to Milwaukee. Furthermore, the asso-
ciation insists that the company make a decision
within a certain time limit specified in the com-
munication. The action of the company is await-
ed with interest.
Much work has been done by the association
in effort to meet the conditions imposed by the
factory promoters, and it is declared that the
limit has been reached, thoirgh there is still a
considerable sum short of the required $40,000 in
sale of lots. Approximately $20,000 has been
raised from the sale, and with the $15,000 bonus,
gives a sum of $35,000, and it is not believed
that this can be increased. Promoters of the fac-
tory have never refused any proposition, having
only set forth certain conditions which the local
association has sought to comply with and has
been unable to. If the offer now made is not
accepted, the project will be dropped and atten-
tion will be given to other matters. Another
proposition has also been submitted by a party
of business men of the city—that of erecting the
factory for the company and accepting lots in
part payment, and there is some hope that one
of the two offers will be taken.
PRAISE THE STRICH & ZEIDLER.
Some Recent Letters from Texas Which Speak
Eloquently of the Merits of This Creation.
Strich & Zeidler, 132d street and Alexander ave-
nue, New York, have received the following com-
munication from J. P. Viano, of Brownsville,
Tex., under date of May 22:
"Gentlemen:—The style 'A' Diminutive Grand
for Mr. Forto arrived about two weeks ago in
good condition. After a severe test and trial,
your piano was highly praised by several good
pianists. Mrs. Forto, who is also an artist, wishes
to thank you for the selection you have made for
her. As far as I am concerned, gentlemen, and
as already stated a number of years ago, I find
your pianos as good as can be made. Your pianos
have stood this hard climate wonderfully well.
"I have examineu this style 'A' Diminutive
Grand carefully, and find it just as you have rep-
resented it to me, and even above expectation; I
feel sure, that after a few more Strich & Zeidler
pianos have been placed among a few more musi-
cians in this part of the country, I will have no
more trouble in placing your instruments, in-
stead of cheap boxes with strings on.
"I do not feel discouraged at all; it is only a
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
matter of time that your pianos will come to the
front, and that both dealers and purchasers will
find it more profitable to either sell or own a
first-class instrument, such as a Strich & Zeidler
piano. Regarding the other pianos sold here, I
will leave the selection to you, same being agree-
able to my customers. Thanking you for your
kindness, I remain, etc."
Accompanying this letter was another ad-
dressed to Mr. Viano by E. C. Forto of Browns-
ville, Tex., as follows:
"Dear Sir:—I beg to advise you that we re-
ceived the 'Baby Grand Piano,' ordered through
yourself from Messrs. Strich & Zeidler, of New
York City, in excellent condition, and it is cer-
tainly an appreciated beauty as an ornamental
piece of furniture, and as a musical instrument
its melodious and sweet tone we do not think can
be improved.
"We can only assert that we are well pleased
with it, and without hesitation pronounce it the
best piano we have ever had. It is therefore our
pleasure to make this voluntary acknowledgment,
and to hand you this unsolicited testimonial of
our appreciation, feeling specially grateful to
you, through whose sincere advice we now pos-
sess what Mrs. Forto calls a sweet jewel."
KURTZMANN IN KENTUCKY.
Some
Big
Sales
Recently
Personages.
to
Prominent
The Smith & Nixon Piano Co., who represent
the Kurtzmann piano in Louisville, Ky., and who,
as reported in The Review recently, secured an
entire trainload of these instruments, have placed
them among the best people in that State, judg-
ing from the following announcement which they
carried in one of the local papers the other day:
"Kentucky's '400' recommend the famous Kurtz-
mann pianos, but what speaks more for their
artistic qualities is the fact that 400 music teach-
ers in the State of Kentucky have bought, use
and indorse the Kurtzmann pianos. They have
also been purchased by
"The Governor of Kentucky,
"Two United States Senators of Kentucky,
"Seven United States Representatives from
Kentucky,
"Twenty-two colleges in Kentucky,
"Thirty-four churches in Kentucky,
"Over fifty schools in Kentucky,
"And by over 3,000 representative citizens of
Kentucky.
"There may be other good pianos, but the qual-
ity of the Kurtzmann is assured—their reputation
is established, and on buying a Kurtzmann you
take absolutely no chances. The prospective pur-
chaser may experiment with five different makes,
or do even worse and try ten, but he will do best
in getting 'one' that has been made and tested
for over fifty years and has been sold by Smith &
Nixon for over forty years."
Messrs. Jansen & Joosten, the enterprising
dealers of Flanagan, 111., report their business at
the present time better than expected, and their
entire nine retail stores are all doing an. excel-
lent business.

Page 6 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
(i
THE MUSIC
Cditor and Proprietor.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
J. B. SP1LLANE,
EXECVTIVE AND REP0RT0R1AL STAFF:
GEO. B. KELLER,
WM. B. WHITE,
W. N. TILER,
EMILIE FRANCIS BAUER,
W. L. WILLIAMS,
A. J. NICKLIN,
GEO. W. QUERIPEL.
BOSTON OFFICE:
ERNEST L. WAITT, 255 Washington St.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
CHICAGO OFFICE
E. P. VAN HAKLINGEN, 1362 Monadnock Block.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
E. C. TORREY.
5 T . LOUIS OFFICE
CHAS. N. VAN BTJREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front. St.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year ; all other countries, $4.00.
. . . .
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per Inch, single coLumn, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount Is allowed. Advertising Pages, $50.00 ; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman BilL
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains in Its
THE ARTISTS* "Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
DEPARTMENT section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore
augments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
m i r n n u v . / PIANO T n e directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
DIK.ECTOKT «f PIANO f o u n ( j o n another page will be of great value, as a reference
MANVFACTUR.ER.S
f or dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORH, JUNE 17. 19O5.
T the Piano Manufacturers' Convention, the proposition to
hold a trade exhibition was not viewed with favor. There is, (
however, more in this exhibit or project than appears noticeable
at the first glance.
It is worthy the most serious consideration, and if the right
men were behind the enterprise, a music trade exposition, in either
New York or Chicago, would pay, and pay well, besides being
an incalculable benefit to the entire trade.
Suppose, for instance, that instead of holding the convention
next year in some out of the way town in Indiana, the dealers and
manufacturers should hold a convention together, in the city of
New York, and that Madison Square Garden were leased for
exposition purposes for the week. If this exhibition then were in
the hands of capable men who would give a breadth and scope to
the whole enterprise, would it not naturally draw hundreds of
dealers to town from all over America, who could see for the first
time in their lives the product of the various manufacturers side by
side, and then could give each intelligent comparison with the other?
A
I
T, too, would be of vast benefit to manufacturers, for a large
number of them are not at all familiar with the products of
many of their competitors, save through the reports which reach
them from their traveling representatives. It would certainly give
an impetus to the entire industry, and it would show the highest
type which the manufacturers have been able to produce in piano
construction. Probably this kind of an exposition would result,
after a year or two, in interesting every piano manufacturer of
note in this country, and dealers would look forward to these an-
unal expositions with as much interest as the furniture men do
towards the great furniture expositions which are held in Grand
Rapids and New York. The exposition could be broadened so
as to include every line of musical product. There could be, of
course, special musical entertainment features, and if thought de-
sirable, these could be made of sufficient interest to attract the pub-
lic and sell tickets of admittance.
T
H E exposition idea should not be passed over lightly, for
there is a great deal in it, and a large music trade exposition
would be given a powerful impetus if it were to be held under the
auspices of the Piano Manufacturers' Association.
REVIEW
How much better and more enjoyable the whole convention
proposition would become if the 'dealers knew that they could visit
a certain city and see all the best work produced by the most im-
portant piano manufacturers in this country! • They could see their
own lines and compare them with their competitors, and it would
form the most interesting of all trade exhibits. If would be worthy
of a long pilgrimage. Then in the larger cities they could select
their own hotels away from the crowds and noise, if they so desired,
or they could mingle with the busy throng and drink innumerable
healths to every one, if so inclined. They would not be at the mercy
of conscienceless landlords, who, in the smaller towns, seem,to look
upon convention members as their legitimate prey.
•-•'.
I
T is-a -big proposition and must be handled in a large way. It
will require considerable time and expenditure of money as
well, but it will come some day in this good old trade of ours. It
will come just as sure as the place of association meetings will be
canceled in the smaller towns, for that time is coming, and very
rapidly, too.
The American business man does not wish to be forced to
pay tribute to a hotel keeper, and put up with certain inconven-
iences in the way of rooms and accommodations, poorly cooked food
to which he is not accustomed, and when lie pays the high-water
price he has a reasonable basis for objection to low-water service.
S
UPPOSE the Dealers' Association should not merely pass reso-
lutions, but should agree to stand by them to the effect that
hereafter no free tunings or free music lessons would be considered
in piano sales. There would at once be a practical point made
through association work which would effect the pocket-book of
every piano merchant in this country. A princely sum would be
saved in profits annually for the entire industry, if these concessions
were entirely eliminated, and why, in the name of good business
sense, should they not be ? What other trade even considers a con-
cession after a sale is made?
With all other lines of manufacture it is hard work up to the time
of the sales closing, but when the papers are signed that «nds it;
but with the sale of a piano it does not. It is free tunings, free
music lessons, free stool, free cover, and in some cases, free lunches,
all of which cuts down the original profit on the piano.
o
NE stroke like this would do more to build up the Dealers'
Association than almost any other act that, might be agreed
upon.
The San Francisco Dealers' Association has been doing some
mighty good work. - The members have taken a clear headed, prac-
tical view of the situation, and have realized that many abuses have
crept in, and which have been continued simply because each man
has fallen into the habit of doing as much as his neighbor. In the
meantime they have all been losing money that might have been
saved and turned into profits.
There is no reason in the world why the piano merchants of
this country should not make up their minds to at once eliminate
a lot of these old moss-covered customs which have crept in, and
have been permitted to remain, simply because some one has not
had the courage to come out boldly and attack the whole proposi-
tion as an antiquated appendage attached to an already heavily
laden mercantile craft.
T
H E R E are a lot of absurd customs which have crept into
this trade, one man going a little better than his neighbor,
until, when we come to survey the situation from an independent
viewpoint, it must be admitted that there is a mass of tommyrot
which ought to be swept away and good sound business principles
introduced to replace the worn out and expensive customs. Take
the piano guarantee of to-day. What does it amount to? Every
manufacturer who takes a pride in his work and his name will
willingly make good any legitimate claims which may come through
poor workmanship or material, but simply through this universal
guarantee there* are thousands of illegal and dishonest claims made
upon manufacturers, all of which means time and money. It means
worriment in answering letters to dealers who have unruly and
dissatisfied cusfomers who think they can hold up the manufacturer
who has guaranteed every instrument to stand everything from
a tornado to a Togo's battery. They have the most absurd and non-
sensical complaints to make, which some manufacturers are weak
enough to allow, simply because they fear that it will make trouble

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