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THE
CONVENTION ENTHUSIASM
Growing Hourly—President Werlein Inter-
views Many and Predicts a Great Conven-
tion—New Members Enrolled Daily—Platt's
Peerless Special Will Leave Chicago, Wed-
nesday, May 9th.
(Supplied by Chairman Press Committee.)
On the completion of his Eastern tour, cover-
ing the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Washington, President Philip
Werlein, of the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America, made the following state-
ment relative to the Association and the forth-
coming convention at Washington, D. C-, May
14, 15 and 16:
"I want to say that I am impressed with the
fact that interest in our Association has never
been so keen as it is at the present moment. In
Boston I met some sixty or seventy representa-
tive dealers from every part of the country, and
found that a great majority of these gentlemen
were going to return to their homes and come
back to Washington for the convention next
month. This should certainly prove to be a very
gratifying piece of news to members of our As-
sociation, as i t speaks of the enthusiasm with
which the work of the Association has been re-
ceived. Everywhere through the East, from
manufacturers and dealers, I found that all are
making their plans to go to Washington. I also
interviewed numerous traveling men who have
just come back from trips to all portions of the
country, and they unanimously state that every
dealer practically in the territory that they cov-
ered, is going to Washington.
"At one time I felt that the attendance at this
convention might conclusively be put at about
1,000, but from present indications it looks like
a nearer possibility of 2,000.
"I had an interview with the Banquet Commit-
tee, and found that most elaborate preparations
have been made to make this the greatest in the
history of the piano trade of America, and I be-
lieve they will succeed.
"While in New York I had a discussion with
President Mehlin, of the Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, on freight rate matters, and he tells me
that it is quite possible that in a short time
there might be developments in the matter of
reduced classifications which will be made pub-
lic. I feel that the progress that has been made
by all of our committee men in the work along
the lines of freight reduction has saved the trade
over a million dollars within the last five years,
and as I have always said, this freight matter
alone will make the National Association one to
be fostered and preserved by the dealers of the
country, for whose benefit it was organized.
"It is my intention at the coming convention
to have an open discussion on the subject of di-
versifying the piano dealers' interests. That is,
as to whether it is advisable to put in talking
machine departments, music boxes, organs, small
goods, sheet music, etc. This discussion will be
considerably out of the ordinary, and as it will
be entirely extemporaneous, should prove very
interesting to those who have not as yet taken
up the department store idea in the piano busi-
ness."
Mr. Werlein's reference to the enthusiasm is
indeed conservative. Letters from members in
all sections of the country indicate that Wash-
ington will have the greatest visitation of piano
and music trade people ever brought together at
any one time during the history of the world.
Mr. F. S. Hight, manager, Hotel Willard, a t
Washington, states that he has been surprised
at the number of reservations asked for. Other
large hotels in Washington report similar con-
ditions.
A member of our Association from Buffalo,
N. Y., writes under date of April 14, stating that
he has just returned from Washington and found
that "the Hotel Willard was turning away as
many as they had booked, in other words, the de-
mand seemed to be twice as great as the supply.
Thought I would write you that you might im-
press upon the members of the Dealers' Associa-
tion the great necessity of definitely engaging
their rooms in advance of the convention.
MUSIC TRADE
Mr. E. H. Droop, of the Banquet Committee,
stakes his reputation that the banquet, which
will be held Tuesday evening, May 16, in the
large ballroom of the Willard, will be of the high-
est standard. Eminent speakers—men occupying
high official positions in our National Govern-
ment—will be heard. It is impossible at this
time to announce the names of the speakers,
but it is absolutely certain that the Executive,
Legislative and Judiciary will be liberally repre-
sented, and in addition prominent speakers from
the Manufacturers' and Dealers' Associations.
NEW
9
REVIEW
MEMBERS ENROLLED.
Among the recent applications for membership
approved are the following:
J. P. Caulfield, Baltimore, Md.
E. M. Loftus, Warner Manufacturing Co., New
York.
William E. Long, Mena, Ark.
L. F. Geissler, Victor Talking Machine Co.,
Camden, N. J.
Thomas K. Henderson, Perforated Music Roll
Co., New York City.
H. W. Wilson, American Steel & Wire Co.
A. F. & C. H. Norris, Norris Pedal Action Co.
E. M. Eastman, Smith & Barnes, Chicago, 111.
A. Nickel, H. Nickel, F. A. Wessell and A. L.
Wessell, of Wessell, Nickel & Gross.
R. G. Knuepfer, 254 Essex street, Lawrence,
Mass.
Hon. O. C. Holcombe, Holcombe Music House,
Lamberville, N. J. Mr. Holcombe has served as
Mayor of Lamberville, and is at the present time
a representative in the New Jersey State Legis-
lature.
PLATT'S PEERLESS SPECIAL.
Platt P. Gibbs' Peerless Circus Grand Special,
Personally Conducted Party is organizing, and in-
dicates a much larger enrollment than ever be-
fore. The train will be made up of the finest
Pullman cars ever created at the famous Pullman
shops, and this will be the initial trip for many
of the cars. The train will leave Chicago
Wednesday, May 9, at 11 a. m., scheduled to ar-
rive in Washington Thursday, May 10, at 10.42
a. m. All those coming from the West who de-
sire reservations should immediately communi-
cate with Mr. Platt P. Gibbs, 261 Wabash ave-
nue, Chicago, 111. Members will notice that the
train leaves Chicago in ample time to accommo-
date those who wish to go to Washington to at-
tend the Manufacturers' convention, which con-
venes May 10. Members of the Dealers' Associa-
tion will find the three days preceding the date
of the Dealers' convention an excellent oppor-
tunity to see the sights of Washington.
Members should bear in mind that in order to
secure the special rates offered by the various
traffic associations it will be necessary for them
to pay straight railroad fare one way, and at the
same time secure a certificate, which will be in-
dorsed at Washington, and entitle them to return
for one-third regular rate. This is important,
and must not be overlooked by members.
D . E . WOOLLEY,
Chairman Press Committee.
NEW SCHMOLLER & MTTELLER STORE.
(Special to The Review.)
Omaha, Neb., April 10, 1906.
The Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co. is moving
into its new five-story building on Farnam street,
which has just been completed.
The structure is one of the finest of its kind in
the city.
The art glass canopy over the entrance is at-
tractive and costly. The vestibule leading from
the entrance to the main salesroom is finished in
mahogany and adds very materially to the dec-
orations.
The inside of the building is finished in moss
green wood.
The company will place 600 instruments in
stock. The formal opening of the building will
bo held in about a month, when a musical pro-
gramme will be given.
Professor Lewis Lanier, who has been engaged
in the piano business in Norfolk, Va., for several
years, has identified himself with the Duff Piano
Co. of that city.
MANAGER
OF SHERMANCLAY
INTERESTS.
G. F. Johnson Will Have Charge of the North-
western Interest of the Big San Francisco
House.
(Special l<> The Review.)
Bellingham, Wash., April 12, 1906.
Mr. G. F. Johnson, manager of the Allen &
Gilbert-Ramaker piano houses in the Northwest,
arrived in Bellingham this morning. He brings
some interesting information about the plans of
his company in reference to the local house.
Sherman, Clay & Co. have purchased the entire
interests of the Allen & Gilbert-Ramaker Co. in
the Pacific Northwest, including houses at Seattle,
Portland, Spokane, Lewiston, Everett, Belling-
ham and Tacoma, paying therefor the sum of
$325,000.
The host of friends he has made in the local
business and musical world will be glad to learn
that this change in ownership means a big pro-
motion for Mr. Johnson. He is to be the general
manager of the entire Sherman-Clay aggregation
of music houses in the Northwestern territory,
with general offices at Portland. In this position
he succeeds F. N. Gilbert, who will retire from
the business.
During the year that Mr. Johnson has been
the manager of the Seattle house of the Allen &
G.Ubert-Ramaker Co. he has built up a remark-
ably large business for his firm, and he is now
accounted one of the most successful piano deal-
ers in the entire country. Sherman, Clay & Co.
have every confidence in his ability to success-
fully handle their immense properties to which
important additions are to be made from time to
time.
Mr. Johnson stated to-day that the local house
on Commercial street will be continued under the
present name until May 1, after which it will
be the Allen & Gilbert-Ramaker Co., Sherman,
Clay & Co., successors.
This big purchase easily renders Sherman,
Clay & Co. the great music house of the Far
West. This firm is rated by the commercial
agencies at $1,000,000 plus, and is now in posi-
tion to supply the Pacific Coast trade with every-
thing musical.
Sherman, Clay & Co. have for more than a
quarter of a century been exclusive agents for
the great Steinway piano, and they now add the
remarkable line of pianos formerly controlled
by the Allen & Gilbert-Ramaker Co.
They are also the Pacific Coast wholesale dis-
tributors for the Victor Talking Machine Co., and
only last August formed a coalition with Lyon &
Healey, of Chicago, whereby the entire line of
small musical merchandise carried by Lyon &
Healey is now handled by Sherman, Clay & Co.
Thus the new interest acquired places this firm
in a class by itself.
THE OLDEST CHICKERING DEALER.
Frank A. Leland, of S. R. Leland & Son,
Worcester, Mass., who attended the meeting in
Boston last week, has the honor to preside over
the concern which has created the Chickering
agent in America. S. R. Leland, the father of
the present proprietor, was the first agent ever
appointed by Jonas Chickering.
DRAPER WITH STARR.
Frank Draper has joined the forces of the
Starr Piano Co., at Richmond, Ind., and will
superintend the manufacture of an interior
piano player for that company. Mr. Draper was
formerly with the Farrand Co., of Detroit.
AUSTRALIAN PIANIST USES STEINWAY.
Ernest Hutcheson, the celebrated Australian
pianist who is now connected with the Peabody
Institute at Baltimore, will give a recital at Men-
delssohn Hall, on Wednesday afternoon, April IS,
on which occasion he will use the Steinway
grand piano.