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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the laws of acoustics to the practical problems o..'
tuning are far superior to the most refined rule-
of-thumb system. These statements are axiom-
atic, and it should not be necessary to insist
upon them here, but it is an unfortunate fact
that there are many tuners who regard all theory
as accursed, and all theorists as sealed with the
seal of the beast. So long as these things are,
it will be necessary not only to lay down rules,
but to justify oneself for doing so.
It is not as generally recognized as it should
be that the art of tuning deals with the gravest
acoustical problems. In order to effect an Equal
Temperament, it was necessary that Pythagoras,
Guido, and Pere Mersenne should first have lived
and labored. Even the works of these men would
have been performed in vain if the greater scien-
tists of the nineteenth century had not carried on
the investigation of the phenomena of sound to
the point where it now is; now, when we are
able to find a physical basis for the most mys-
terious of musical sensations, as well as for the
most commonplace of constructional difficulties
that may be encountered in the manufacture of
pianofortes or other musical instruments.
THE TRADE=MARK "GRAFT."
CABLE COMPANY'S "OPENING."
Organization of a National Association to Put
an End to Crookedness in This Line—Many
instances of Infringement Have Come Up in
the Courts.
Their New Establishment with Hall Dedicated
—Fine Musical Programme—H. L. Mason,
of Boston, in Attendance.
(Special to The Iieview.)
With the aim of putting a stop to one of the
most widely-practised yet least known grafts, the
trade-mark graft, the United States Trade-Mark
Association has been organized with headquar
lerc at No. 32 Nassau street, to prepare data for
use in inducing Congress to pass stringent laws
which will protect the trade-marks of reputable
manufacturers.
The trade-mark graft is a parasitic develop-
ment of the rise of great industries and of exten-
sive advertising. It has attained a scope of such
magnitude and has resulted in the loss of so
many millions of dollars to legitimate manufac-
turers, and has been so persistent an imposition
upon the consumer that manufacturers have de-
termined, if possible, to wipe it out.
The most common form of trade-mark graft is
to imitate as closely as possible the name of
goods which by reason of long manufacture and
Communications for the department should be incessant advertising has a large sale. To make
addressed to the Editor, Technical Department, the deception more effective the name of the
The Music Trade Review.
manufacturer is also closely imitated. The as-
sociation points out that there is scarcely an old-
WASHINGTON DEALERS' GOOD WORK established manufacturer who has not had his
share of trouble in contending with this form of
the graft.
Pass a Number of Resolutions Which if Lived
The association gives a number of cases illus-
up to Will be Helpful to the Trade.
trating the bold and widespread character of the
fraud.
(Special to The Review.)
Still another variety of the trade-mark graft
Washington, D. C, June 19, 1905.
is that of deceptively employing the phrase "late
At the last meeting of the recently formed
piano dealers' association of this city, the rem- with" or "successor to." A case of this kind
was before Judge Lacombe in the United States
edying of certain trade abuses came up for con
sideration, with President Droop in the chair. Circuit Court recently.
There is, it is said, on
street a printing
After a discussion it was decided not to adver-
tise a new piano under $200; not to allow more establishment which will guarantee to counter-
feit any label, whether it be that of an old wine,
than $50 on squares taken in trade, and to adopt
a well-known proprietary drug, a baking powder,
a six per cent, bearing lease. The matter of
commissions also came up for consideration, and or any other product.
The sway enjoyed by the trade-mark grafter is
a working agreement was adopted which, how-
ever, was not made public. Hereafter the asso- largely because of the insufficiency of our laws,
ciation will meet the first Wednesday of each both Federal and State. Trade mark grafting is
month. The way the dealers are taking hold prosecuted as a civil, not a criminal, offence. In
here indicates that the association will be a fac- hundreds of cases judges have pronounced it
tor of decided benefit in eliminating many of the wilful fraud upon both manufacturer and con-
sumer. Yet no criminal proceedings have en-
abuses which exist in the retail field.
sued. At present the worst the grafter has to
fear is the issuance of an injunction. With no
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER VOTJGH PIANO.
prospect of severer punishment he no sooner
gives up the prohibited business than he engages
(Special to The Review.)
in some other line of fraud. Under these en-
Waterloo, N. Y., June 19, 1905.
The Vough Piano Co. are hearing much from couraging circumstances the graft has become a
their dealers in the way of praise for the flourishing industry.
It is expected that if the Federal laws are
changeable pitch piano.
This instrument has
been on the market only two years, but in this changed to make it a criminal offence that trade-
short time it has made many friends. There are mark graft will be made a dangerous pursuit.
numerous dealers in various parts of the coun-
try who are very enthusiastic over this piano. EIGHT STECK PIAN03 FOR HOTEL AST0R.
They realize the special advantages of the
Bight of the handsomest styles of Steck pianos
changeable pitch patent, advantages which can-
not be overlooked, and they also appreciate the have been purchased by the proprietor of the
new Hotel Astor. Commenting upon this deal
real quality of the piano. Here is what one of
the Aeolian Co. say: "This selection speaks in
them says:
"Gentlemen: It affords me genuine pleasure the strongest possible terms of the musical and
to speak of the good points in the Vough change- structural excellence which has kept the Steck
able pitch piano. I consider it a first-class in- in the front rank of pianofortes for the last half-
strument in every particular. The changeable century."
pitch patent is the best thing that I have seen in
the line of piano improvement. The deep, pure
LUGER CO.'S INCREASING BUSINESS.
tone, and light, responsive action of the 'Vough'
The Luger Furniture Co., of Fargo, N. D., are
make it a favorite with the performer, and I
have found its ability to stand in tune unsur- building up an excellent piano business with the
Strich & Zeidler, Straube, Cable-Nelson and
passed by any piano I have seen."
Schumann pianos, which they control in North
Dakota and a number of counties in western
RUSSIA'S WAR TAX ON PIANOS.
Minnesota.
The Russian Government has levied a war tax
of 100 roubles a year on pianos. This, of course,
will only affect the rich in Russia, as the ordi-
nary Russian has little knowledge of pianos.
M. Z. Schubert, of Allentown, Pa., has taken
as partner Preston Bell, of North Hampton.
9
Knoxville, Tenn., June 17, 1905.
In celebration of the completion of the new
and handsome home of the Cable Piano Co., in
this city, and to mark especially the opening of
the music hall in the new building, a great mu-
sical festival was given last week, when there
were all-day concerts by two orchestras and the
Third Regiment Band and recital by Knoxville's
most talented musicians. The building, which
is on Jay street, is of four stories and has a
front of white marble. It is beautifully deco-
rated and most artistically equipped. The first
floor is devoted to the sales department. The
second floor has a handsome music concert hall
with a seating capacity for about 800 persons.
The third floor is fitted up with several elegant
parlors, while studios occupy the space on the
fourth floor. The arrangements are certainly
most complete, and reflect credit on S. B. Wag-
goner, the general manager, who has been labor-
ing under adverse circumstances since the fire
last November.
The opening was a splendid success and a
tribute to the management of the store. Mr.
Waggoner and several employes were on hand
(o receive all visitors, and showed all callers
through the building. It was estimated by Mr.
Waggoner last night that three thousand per-
sons visited the store during the day.
One of the guests of Mr. Waggoner yesterday
was Henry Lowell Mason, of Boston. Mr. Mason
is vice-president of the Mason & Hamlin Piano
Co. The Cable Company is one of the largest
Southern distributors for this large manufac-
tory, and Mr. Mason was delighted that his first
visit to Knoxville occurred on the date for the
opening of the new store. He was unstinted in
his praise of the Knoxville house, which he re-
gards as one of the most complete and elegant
in the Southern district.
THE HOLLERBACH PIANO CO.
Of South Toledo Are to Incorporate for the
Purpose of Manufacturing Pianos.
(Special to The Review.}
Toledo, O., June 19, 1905.
The latest acquisition to the manufacturers of
this city is the Hollerbach Piano Co., who have
leased buildings in Southeast Toledo, where work
will be commenced on a small scale. They will
make the Hollerbach piano, and claim to have
ample capital to develop their business. The
gentlemen who will be interested in this com-
pany, which, by the way, will be soon incor-
porated, are as follows:
President, Carl J.
Hagen; secretary and treasurer, W. A. Borgess,
Toledo. The directors are Lawrence Hollerbach,
Chas. Hollerbach, and Chas. N. Long, of Toledo,
and John Helm, of Scranton, Pa.
HARDING & MILLER.
Big Stock and Interest of Smith & Nixon Co.
in EvansvUle—Secure Agency.
The Evansville, Ind., retail branch of the Smith
& Nixon Piano Mfg. Co. has been sold to Harding
& Miller, who, as a matter of course, secure the
agency of the Smith & Nixon pianos for southern
Indiana and a portion of Kentucky, and Illinois
as well. The present store stock and good will
also go to Harding & Miller.
The Palmer Piano Co., of Toronto, suffered a
loss of $4,000 through the destruction by fire
THE WASEN & GAARD CO.
on June 16th of a building partly occupied by
The Wasen & Gaard Co., Fargo, N. D., who them for storage purposes.
have been handling furniture in connection with
The Aeolian Co. this week secured a lease for
pianos, have decided to dispose of the former de-
partment and devote all their attention to musi- a long term of years of the entire building ai
225 East 36th street, New York.
cal instruments.