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THE
REVIEW
fflJSIC TIRADE
VOL. XLI. No. 2 5 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, Dec. 23,1905.
ILLINOIS MANUFACTURERS FORM
INTRODUCE APPRENTICE SYSTEM.
Mutual Casualty Co. for Insurance of Employes
Against Injury—Piano Men in Association
Approve This Move—Oriental Boycotting of
American
Goods Discussed—C. N. Post
Chairman of Nominating Committee.
Wm. Knabe & Co. Adopt This Plan to Solve
the Skilled Labor Problem—Occupying New
Addition to Their Piano Factory Which Is
One of the Best Equipped in the Country—
Another Building to be Erected Next Year.
(Special to The Keview.)
Coincident with the opening of the large new
Review Office, 1362 Monadnock Block,
addition to their piano factory at the southwest
Chicago, 111., Dec. 18, 1905.
At the annual dinner of the Illinois Manufac- corner of Eutaw and West streets, Baltimore,
turers' Association on Tuesday night of last week Md., described recently in The Review, William
it was decided to form a mutual casualty com- Knabe & Co. have introduced an apprentice sys-
pany for the insurance of employes against in- tem which the members of the firm believe will
jury. As most of the Chicago piano manufac- solve the problem of securing skilled workmen,
turers are members of the association, this fact so necessary in a factory where high-grade prod-
should be of considerable interest to readers of ucts are made.
"We could use at least 75 more workmen," said
The Review. The intention is to form a com-
pany, capitalized for an amount to be determined Ernest Knabe, Jr., in speaking of the opening of
later. As contemplated, the company is to se- the new addition to the factory, "but we have
cure the co-operation of the employe with the great difficulty in securing mechanics with the
employer, and place at his disposal stock in the skill necessary to work on the high-grade instru-
company when formed. Dissatisfaction with the ments which we turn out.
"In order to meet this problem, the apprentice
present insurance systems, as conducted by acci-
dent insurance companies, is stated as the cause system has been introduced. This system extends
for the new movement. Retiring President J. L. over a period from three to eight years, and upon
Wilder denounced the accident assurance bodies the completion of the eight-year course the ap-
in his message, asserting that as things are now prentice is a full-rounded pianomaker. In addi-
conducted the employer is so hampered by cer- tion to the other advantages offered we give a
tain clauses in the insurance policies that even premium of $250 upon the completion of the five
the simplest motives of humanity are rendered in- years' course and a premium of $400 upon the
completion of the eight-year course. We have de-
operative.
Revision of the present system of banking was sirable places for young men with grammar
also discussed. Reliable information that the school educations who wish to become skilled
Japanese are encouraging the Chinese in their workmen."
One of the features of the new building is a
determined stand against American products and
stimulating the boycott that is in progress, was new testing department, which is equipped with
introduced by Mr. Wilder, who declared that a Riehl testing machine for finding the tensile
more rigid laws ought to be brought to bear on strength of iron. This machine has a capacity of
200,000 pounds to the square inch. Mr. Knabe
the conditions prevailing abroad. Stealing of
patents by the Japanese and the manufacturing said this is the only department of the kind in
of successful articles protected by patent rights the world, and that every plate before being
placed in a piano is tested. There are also wire-
were also asserted.
A. J. Anderson, representative from the testing machines and machines for testing felt
Seventh District, discussed the legislation ob- and hammers.
Plans are now being prepared by Messrs. Dodge
tained by the representatives of the association
at the last meeting of the general assembly at & Day, of Philadelphia, who designed the large
Springfield. The new law exempting the manu- addition, for another building, which will be
facturing company or corporation from taxation erected early next year. This structure will be
of its capital stock was commended. Further two stories high and will be 95 feet by 105 feet,
legislation along the lines of the association's and will be constructed of brick and iron.
Throughout the new addition and in parts of
activity was recommended.
Charles N. Post, of Lyon & Healy, was chair- the old factory the Cooper-Hewitt light has been
man of the nominating committe which named introduced. This is said to l>e a near approach
the officers for the coming year, which to daylight.
were all unanimously elected. The new presi-
dent Is Li. G. Orendorff, the well-known manu-
DO NOT LIKE TO FILE CONTRACTS.
facturer of agricultural implements.
"CROWN" CALENDAR FOR 1906.
The holiday season and the near approach of
the new year are very happily brought to mind
by the receipt of a very handsome calendar for
1906 from George P. Bent, manufacturer of the
Crown piano; Chicago. The center design is a
pretty little girl whose face is full of expectancy
doubtless over the hoped-for arrival of a Crown
piano as a Christmas gift. The calendar is
neatly gotten up, and will prove both a useful
and ornamental addition to the office.
Many Dealers Take Issue With the New In-
stallment Law Which Went Into Force in
September—Exposes Private Business—Asso-
ciation to Take Action.
While the majority of dealers in New York
City and State are filing sales contracts for
pianos, organs and other musical merchandise
with the clerk of each county where the parties
to the document reside, and which is required
by the State law affecting installments, which
went into effect last September, yet there are
a number of dealers who evidently take issue
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$3.00 PER YEAR.
with this new law. They are not inclined to file
their contracts on the ground that it exposes
the private business of themselves and their
customers in the matter of trade prices and
sales, and it enables competitors to keep in
touch with the prices at which pianos are sold,
hence this action.
In due course it is probable that the State
authorities may take some action, and if the
dealers fight the issue it will be an interesting
matter. Meanwhile, the Piano Dealers' Associa-
tion of New York has formulated a bill to amend
or repeal this legislation of September last, and
which became a law in a most peculiar and
questionable way. Dealers throughout the State
should assist the association in this matter, and
bring pressure to bear on their local representa-
tives in the legislature at Albany.
GREETINGS FROM PHILIP WERLEIN.
Extends a Merry Christmas and Prosperous
New Year to All Members of the National
Association of Piano Dealers of America.
New Orleans, La., Dec. 18, 1905.
To the Members of the National Association of
Piano Dealers of America:
At this time of the year it is customary for
those who are bound together by ties of rela-
tionship and friendship to exchange the season's
greetings, and it is with the utmost pleasure
that I extend to every member of our Association
the customary Merry Christmas greeting and
wishes for a prosperous new year.
The piano dealer throughout every section of
this country has many things for which to be
grateful. Generally the year has been a most
prosperous one, and there is every indication
that this prosperity will not diminish, and that
the succeeding year of 1906 will be quite as
glorious as, from a business point of view, the
one just closing. Conditions everywhere are fa-
vorable to the realization of this anticipation.
As an Association, we have before us in 1906
prospects of the largest and most successful con-
vention ever contemplated, and it is noped that
every present member of this Association will
do his utmost to assist in bringing in additional
membership, both active and associate, in order
that the National Association of Piano Dealers ol
America may go to the city of Washington with
the largest representation (outside of a political
organization) that has ever visited that city.
It is hoped also that the members of this As-
sociation will so conduct their business that it
may be looked upon by the general public as
standing on the highest plane of commercialism,
and in strict keeping with the ennobling and ar-
tistic sentiments represented in the goods which
we handle.
Again wishing you all the compliments of the
season,
PHILIP WERLEIN, President.
Carlin & Lennox, the prominent dealers of In-
dianapolis, Ind., have secured the representation
of the Mason & Hamlin piano for Southern In-
diana, and will carry on an aggressive campaign
with this instrument.