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THE
"EXHIBITION, YES? NO?"
President Werlein Forcefully Announces In-
vitation to Exhibitors Stands Good for
Washington Meetingi—Some One Suggests
Exhibition of Antiques—Banquet Committee
Appointed—Hotel Rates—"Charlie" Elmen-
dorf's Last Letter to Association Officers.
(Supplied by Chairman of Press Committee.)
The exhibition feature of the forthcoming con-
vention of the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America, to be held at Washington,
D. C, the week of May 14, appears to be an un-
decided question, notwithstanding the action of
the joint committee which recently met in New
York City and passed resolutions in reference to
the matter which have already been published in
these columns.
Philip Werelein, president of the association,
at the meeting of the officers held in January,
took the attitude that inasmuch as the associa-
tion had authorized an invitation to the manufac-
turers to make an exhibit, this invitation could
not be withdrawn. As a result of this decision,
Mr. Werlein appointed a Joint Exhibition Com-
mittee to take charge of the affair. This com-
mittee, after giving the various phases of the mat-
ter careful attention, issued the resolutions al-
ready published and referred to.
President Werlein now issues the following
statement:
"Considerable disapproval of the action of
the joint committee has become manifest in the
last few days, and I desire to inform the trade
in general that the invitation to make an exhibit
at Washington has not been withdrawn. The as-
sociation, however, does not deem it expedient to
sponsor the exhibition, and will not in any way
attempt to control it. Exhibitors desiring to be
present at Washington will be given a hearty
welcome, but beyond that the association is in
no way responsible, nor does it give any assur-
ances that there will be an exposition."
Added to the above conditions, the local deal-
ers of Washington are much opposed to the man-
ufacturers making any attempt to exhibit at
Washington, feeling that unless the matter is
under the control of either the National Associa-
tion of Piano Dealers or the National Association
of Manufacturers much harm is liable to result
from the shipment of large quantities of instru-
ments that have no regular representation. The
question now arises: Will there, or will there not,
be an exhibition? The doors are open.
Banquet Committee.—President Philip Wer-
lein has appointed the following to take charge
of the joint banquet to be held during the Wash-
ington convention: J. A. Coffin, Chairman; E. H.
Droop, G. Wright Nichols and D. E. Woolley.
UKATII OF C. A. ELMENDOBF.
Every member of the National Association of
Piano Dealers of America will mourn the death
of C. A. Elmendorf, which occurred at his home
in Minneapolis on Thursday of last week. Mr.
Elmendorf performed invaluable service to the
association during the two years which he occu-
pied the chairmanship of the press committee.
Having been an experienced newspaper man, he
was especially well fitted for the position. Much
of the present success of the association is surely
due to his work.
The committee on resolutions will in due
course prepare and publish suitable resolutions.
Mr. Elmendorf was actively interested in .the as-
sociation's work up to the very time of his death,
and only a few days before his final sickness he
wrote the following communication to the chair-
man of the press committee, which at this time
will be of special interest
"You ask for my opinion regarding the amal-
gamation of the different organizations into one
body. Inasmuch as we do not handle sheet music,
small goods, talking machines or phonographs, T
do not think my opinion in connection with the
matter would be of any special value. In fact un-
der the existing conditions I do not think it pos-
sible to express an intelligent view of the matter
without at least giving it some thought. Re-
garding the best methods of increasing the mem-
bership of th? association, I can think of but
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
one thing that might possibly prove of value in
accomplishing this end. The benefit to be de-
rived from a membership has certainly been ex-
ploited in an intelligent and thorough manner
through the trade press. In addition to this,
dealers throughout the country have been per-
sonally solicited and also had circulars from time
to time.
"I take it you have a list of the dealers who
have been solicited in this manner, and would
suggest that another letter be prepared and
mailed them, calling attention to the fact that
your endeavor to interest them had been of no
avail, and the only thing you can figure out as
the cause was the fact that the matter had not
been properly presented, stating in addition
thereto you knew the association was a good
thing; all those that were in it knew it was a
good thing, and that you were going to ask them
as a special favor that they write you setting
forth the reason why they had not joined, en-
closing them a stamped envelope for reply, and
calling their attention to the fact that the same
was enclosed. This scheme works in piano pros-
pects, and I cannot figure out any reason why it
would not be effective as regards association mem-
bership."
BUSH &.GERTS NEW^CONCERT GRAND
Recently Tested by a Number of Eminent
Artists Including Herr Von Felitz.
(Special to The Review.)
Chicago, 111., March 26, 1906.
The Bush & Gerts Piano Co. have just com-
pleted their new concert grand, which has been
in process of development for several years by
John Gerts. This is one of the four recently
completed, one of which has been placed in the
State Normal School at Normal, 111., another at
Memphis, Tenn., which has been used with great
success at concerts throughout the South, the
third was badly damaged in a railroad accident,
and the fourth has just been finished as de-
scribed above. This instrument is 9 feet 7
inches long, and of a very attractive design in
mahogany. It was recently tested by a number
of eminent artists, including Herr Von Felitz,
who is enthusiastic over the evenness of the va-
rious registers as well as its brilliancy and vol-
ume of tone.
W. L. Bush and John Gerts are to be heartily
congratulated on this latest creation, several
others of which are now in process of construc-
tion at the factory. This instrument is destined
to add to the fame of Bush & Gerts wherever
heard.
J. A. BRYAN & SON NOW AGENTS.
(Special to The Review.)
Tampa, Fla., March 24, 1906.
J. A. Bryan & Son have bought the business of
the Cable Company in this city, which is to be
continued at the same stand, 506 Franklin street,
under the firm name: The Cable Company, J. A.
Bryan & Co., agents.
J. A. Bryan is by no means a stranger in mu-
sical circles: neither is he a stranger in Tampa.
For two years he has canvassed P"lorida as a
traveling salesman for the Cable Company, and
is one of the best known piano men in the South.
J. A. Bryan, Jr., is a young man of great prom-
ise. For several years he has been working for
the Cable Company in their offices in Tampa.
Recently he has been employed in the Jackson-
ville office of J. A. Bryan & Son.
PICKENS PURCHASES HOYT INTERESTS.
The interests of John Hoyt, of the John Hoyt
Piano Co.. Davenport. la., have been purchased
from the heirs by James Pickens, who was long
associated with Mr. Hoyt, and who has been the
owner of a large interest in the business for a
long time past.
J. A. Jordan, for a considerable time manager
of the Tampa, Fla., branch of the Cable Piano
Co.. has been promoted by tnat company, and
hereafter will have charge of all the territory in
Florida and South Georgia, making Tampa his
headquarters,
11
NEW LAUTER AGENCIES.
A Remarkable Week's Showing by the Lauter
Co—Six New Agencies—Great Activity In
the Lauter Factory—The Company Feels
Pleased at the Fine Demand for Its Pianos
from All Parts of the Country—President
Cameron Writes from Pinehurst.
(Special to The Review.)
Newark, N. J., March 27, 1906.
Conditions were never more healthy than now
with the Lauter Co. A visit to the plant at any
hour of the day—and indeed of the evening, for
several departments are working five nights a
week—proves that the concern is having a diffi-
cult problem upon its hands to meet the remarka-
ble demand for its instruments. Pianos are be-
ing shipped just as quickly as conditions will al-
low, and there is an incessant call for more.
P. F. Campbell, secretary of the company, said
that they were greatly pleased with the sterling
lecognition that is coming from all parts of the
1'nion. As an instance of this he cited the fol-
lowing agencies as having been arranged for the
Lauter piano during the past week: Lord & Co.,
Lawrence and Lowell, Mass.; Manly B. Ramos
Co., Richmond, Va.; Meiklejohn & Co., Pawtucket,
R. I.; J. E. Larkin, McKeesport, Pa.; Joseph P.
Cullen, Boonton, N. J.; Josiah Moser, Easton, Pa.
All of these dealers, with one exception, have
been to the factory lately, and all have taken the
agency after thorough investigation of the piano.
Mr. Campbell was enthusiastic about the way in
which the latest Lauter products are being re-
ceived by the trade. He said: "When a repre-
sentative of ours visits the factory we try to make
him familiar with every detail of construction in
every department. We like to think that after
his visit he will feel convinced that a finer in-
strument, than the Lauter piano is not made; we
like him to go home tilled with enthusiasm over
the fine qualities of the Lauter. We try to dem-
onstrate that from the foundation up ours is a
superlatively fine instrument, and we do not
think we have ever failed to do this to the satis-
faction of our visitor."
As an evidence of the wonderful popularity of
the Lauter among dealers who appreciate really
fine workmanship and faultless construction, Mr.
Campbell referred to a number of letters then on
his desk that had come in in the morning mail
from representative houses, all attesting the high
esteem in which the Lauter is held by the trade.
One surprising feature—perhaps it is not sur-
prising, after all—is the large proportion of
pianos in art finish that are called for by Lauter
dealers. The proportion of art finish pianos be-
ing put forth increases week by week, and it is
actually true that some of the Lauter dealers are
taking half-bright finish and half-art finish in all
shipments. The explanation of this is not far to
find. The Lauter art finish cases are beautiful
specimens, having a fine smooth surface and re-
taining all the natural beauties of the wood. This
art finish is in request not only for uprights and
player pianos but for grand pianos as well.
President Cameron is still at Pinehurst, N. C,
and will not return to Newark until the begin-
ning of next month. In recent letters he has ex-
pressed the warmest satisfaction at the splendid
wholesale business that is being done. Early last
fall, when the output for this spring was under
consideration, he was inclined to believe that
he had decidedly over-estimated the requirements.
He is naturally jubilant that his optimistic esti-
mate has proved under rather than over the mark.
Charles A. Borst left this week on an extended
tour through New York state.
McNAUGHTON WILL RE-ENTER TRADE.
(Special to The Review.)
Cedar Rapids, Mich., March 24, 1906.
W. A. McNaughton, formerly one of the leading
piano dealers of the city, will re-enter that busi-
ness on April 1, and will occupy his old room
in the Jim block, which is now being redecorated
for him. Mr. McNaughton will need no intro-
duction to the trade of Cedar Rapids and vicinity.