Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 42 N. 23

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
6
THE
MUSIC TRADE
RENEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
UDO. B. KELLER.
W. N. TYLER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
BMILIE FBANCBS BAUER.
L. B. BOWERS. B. BRITTAIN WILSON, WM 1 . B. WHITE. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKLIN.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
B. P. VAN HARLINQEN, 195-197 Wabaah Ave-
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
EBNEST L. WAITT, 278A Tremont St.
It. W. KAUFFMAN.
A. W. SHAW.
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front S t
CINCINNATI, O.:
NINA PUQH-SMITH.
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 currencj form, should be made payable to Edward
Lymnn Bill.
Directory of Piano
..
. .
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
and others.
f o r dea l e rs
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Pria)
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver AfedaZ.Charleston Expolstion, 1902
Diploma. Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Go Id Medal. .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal.Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
JUNE
9, 1906
EDITORIAL
T
RADE during the past week has not exhibited great activity in
the retail lines, but there are no indications at present which
would cause one to believe that the summer will be duller than
usual. Of course there is a general relaxation of business during
the heated term, and when the automobile is playing first favorite,
the musical instruments do not occupy the center of the stage by
any means. The automobile and athletic games all detract from
the sales of pianos during the summer months. Reports, however,
from the smaller towns show that business is keeping up in rather
an unlooked-for manner. There are many manufacturers, too,
who are far behind in their orders. The summer from the present
outlook will compare favorably with the season of 1905.
/ ^ H A R L E S BOBZIN, who as general manager of the Ditson
v_^ Co., has made such a splendid record, is an enthusiast upon
the one price system, and while discussing this subject recently
with The Review he remarked that he was more than ever in favor
of its general adoption, in all branches of the trade. It had been
his experience that the one price plan had worked out satisfactorily
wherever it had been upheld.
Mr. Bobzin's opinions agree with other leading members of the
trade, and there is no mistaking the fact that the one price system
is steadily gaining ascendancy. Interest in this vital subject has
been accentuated by publicity through the trade press, but it has
also been further increased by the fact that one price to-day is
generally accepted as a sound business system by leading men in
all trades.
The Review has advocated persistently the establishment of
the retail prices by the manufacturer for his instruments, and that
belief is steadily growing. It means not only one price, but it
means that that price is the correct one.
A
LARGE Chicago piano manufacturer recently said: "It
would be impossible to conduct our business without a
thorough system in every department, and each day I am more and
more impressed with the importance of system. I do not see how
any man could run a business in 1906 without it."
There is no question but that the up-to-date business man
realizes the advantage of system, and it has become such an es-
REVIEW
sential in modern business life that its general use has given rise
to a class of professional experts known as "systematizers." Their
methods of work vary somewhat in detail, yet there are certain
lines of procedure which they follow, and which may be said to
constitute the science of systematizing. Sometimes the systematizer
is simply retained to make a critical examination of the business,
report its findings and recommendations. These reports are fre-
quently quite voluminous, and are in fact veritable books.
S
OME business men who have had experience with these pro-
fessional systematizers have not hesitated to say to The Re-
view that the good that came from their work was worth more
than the cost, because while it was not necessarily an adoption of
all their findings, yet sufficient good came out of a systematic in-
vestigation to cause a good deal of saving in expenses, that was
worth considerable, besides adding to the ease and comfort of con-
ducting a business.
In the opinion of more than one expert there are plenty of
poor accounting systems in the retail department of the piano trade.
This could be, in the opinion of many, materially systematized, and
the saving of much labor and annoyance ct>uld be accomplished.
W
HEN you get right down to the proposition, systematizing
to a business is what exercising is to the human system.
If the body is attenuated exercise will put on the adipose tissue. If
obese, it will reduce weight. The law of exercise is to produce
normality, so in business, if it has been conducted extravagantly,
systematizing will effect a great saving, but if the business has been
struggling along with inefficient and insufficient health, if its meth-
ods have been inadequate, if the business is sluggish from a sort of
fatty degeneration there may be slight increases in accounting ex-
penses, but resultant efficiency and satisfaction improve health much
more than compensating for the increase in operating expenses.
It tones a business up, and the growth of any enterprise, whether in
the music industry or out of it, must be due to improved and sys-
tematizing business methods. The bases of economies are not
effected by mere retrenchment, but by bold advancement on broad
and constructive lines.
Y
ES, a character asset is after all the most valuable kind and
no one knows it better than the man who stands before the
trade bar accused of a dishonorable act, and who lacks the char-
acter essential. What would he give to have a clean character, a
clean record, but in this world of ours we usually reap as we sow,
and if a man has passed his time and his talents by the abuse of
others, by the cowardly assaults upon individuals and firms, by low
methods and trickery, by deceit and falsehood, how can he expect
to clear himself when brought up with a round turn? What he
says will not stand against the man with the clean record and spot-
less life. What does the money of the one count against the great
character of the other? After all, character is the greatest asset,
and one never realizes it so much as when the time comes when its
strength alone would save him.
T
HE conditions which have existed in this industry can hardly
be appreciated by outsiders, who are unable to credit the
statement that for years the piano manufacturers have found it
necessary at their conventions to discuss and to condemn methods
adopted by a certain section of the trade press.
In no other industry do such relations toward the trade press
exist, and the more the subject is considered the more absurd the
whole situation becomes. How men, who have persistently sought
to abuse others, and to belittle their works could be endured in any
industry, and be permitted to pose as journalists, is beyond the
understanding of most of us. There has been too much of a con-
ciliating element from the start which was perhaps born through
fear manifested toward the destructive elements of the trade press.
Trade journalism should be treated just like any other business
proposition. There is but one way to conduct a trade newspaper
business, and that is on straightforward business principles, and
any man who adopts any other tactics in these days should be
thrust out, neck and crop.
AST Tuesday the editor of The Review left on the "Car-
mania" for Europe, where he will be absent some months.
It is his intention to visit the important trade centres in Europe,
journeying as far south as Milan and Genoa.
L
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
TIHE MU3IC TRADE REVIEW
OPENING OF TAYLOR'S PIANO STORE.
Handsome Establishment in the Y . M. C. A.
Building—Formal Dedication on Saturday.
(Special to The Review.)
Springfield, Mass., June 4, 1906.
W. C. Taylor opened his new piano store in the
Young Men's Christian Association building, cor-
ner of Dwight and State streets, Springfield,
Mass., on June 1. The place has been redecorated
and furnished with a splendid line of pianos,
small musical goods and sheet music. In the
best display windows are placed art pianos of
special design, such as have not been seen in the
city before. There are also other instruments
of varied character. On the right as one enters
are the offices, nicely furnished in hardwood.
The walls are finished in white enamel and
tinted with light green. In a balcony at the
rear is Mr. Taylor's private office. In the rear
of the display room and at the left on the first
floor is the Simplex piano room, to which much
attention will be given in the future. The num-
ber of rolls for this piano will be increased from
the 700 now on hand to 2,200. Mr. Taylor also
hopes to continue to increase and improve the
business, as he has for the last twenty-two years.
Mr. Taylor started in the music business in
September, 1884, at the corner of Main and Pyn-
chon streets, from which he has just removed.
During the past twenty years he has had the
able assistance of Fred G. Howe as manager.
The new store in the Young Men's Christian As-
sociation building will be formally opened June
9 with music in the afternoon by Haggerty's
orchestra and in the evening by the Philharmonic.
A well-known pianist will also be present from
New York and play afternoon and evening. The
following representatives of well-known piano
manufacturers have accepted invitations to be
there: C. H. Eddy, of Chickering & Sons, Bos-
ton; Hugo Sohmer and Charles Reichmann, of
Sohmer & Co., New York; Julius Krakauer and
Mr. Bretzfelder, of Krakauer Bros., New York;
E. Devereaux, of the Kurtzmann Co., Buffalo, and
Messrs. Kroeger, Jarrett and Garritson, of Kroe-
ger Piano Co., New York.
CABLE COMPANY IN FORT WORTH.
(S;)tdal to The Hevievv.)
Ft. Worth, Tex., June 2, 190G.
Another new business house has been added to
the long list of the city's growing enterprises by
the establishment of a branch house of the Cabie
Piano Co., of Chicago, at this point. This will be
the headquarters for the company's interests m
Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and the territories,
and it is to be under the management of M. J.
Kain. Their temporary headquarters are located
at 114 East Eighth street, but Mr. Kain states it
is probable that larger accommodations will have
to be secured to house the large stock to be car-
ried. The stock will be valued at from $8,000 to
$10,000, and about seventy-five varieties of instru-
ments are being shown at present.
Both wholesale and retail business will be done,
which is rather a novel feature in this part of the
country, and the formal opening will take place
in a few days.
PICNIC OF KRANICH & BACH EMPLOYES.
The employes of Kranich & Bach will hold their
third annual outing and picnic at Hoffman's
Unionport Park, corner of 10th St. and Avenue B,
Unionport, N. Y., on Saturday, July 7, 1906. A
very excellent programme has been arranged,
and all participating intend to have a jolly time.
Chas. Schmieder is secretary and Emil Pfeiffer
treasurer of the organization.
ONE PRICE PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT.
OOME years ago the Review started the one price agitation by
^ offering a prize for the best article on the one price system.
For months past we have advocated the establishment of the
price at retail by the manufacturer at which his product shall
be sold. Resolutions were passed at Washington favoring this
plan, and we believe that the more the question is agitated
the more adherents it will win, therefore we will offer a cash
prize of $25.00 for the best article upon the subject: "Benefits
W h i c h Will Accrue t o the Trade b y the Manufacturer
Establishing Retail Prices at W h i c h His Pianos Shall be
Sold." All contributions should be typewritten, and addressed
to the Prize Editor, The Music Trade Review, 1 Madison
Avenue, New York.
ENLARGEMENT OF SOHMER PLANT.
NEW CONOVER CATALOGUE
Six Story Addition Which Will Give Needed
Facilities for Handling the Growing Business
of This Concern.
Is a Most Artistic Effort, and Abounds in In-
formation of Interest to the Trade.
The production of artistic literature by the
Cable Company has become so general of late,
thanks to the clever work of Mr. Jenkins, the ad-
vertising manager, that one naturally comes to
look for the very highest standard in the pub-
licity of this great Western institution. And
the new catalogue devoted to Conover pianos,
which has just come to hand, is not a disap-
pointment. On the contrary, it is a most beauti-
ful example of letter press, most carefully con-
ceived and cleverly executed. It may be con-
sidered a comprehensive treatise on piano manu-
facturing with a happy intermingling of facts
concerning the especial and individual features.!
which are represented in the Conover pianos.
For instance, the remarks on the scale, tone
quality, action, material and musical capacity,
Good Fortune of Sherman, Clay & Co. With a are most illuminative to the lay mind, and fur-
nish a proper idea of the importance of the
Carload of A. B. Chase Pianos.
manufacture of high grade pianos, and every
On March 31, the A. B. Chase Co. shipped to branch in connection therewith.
Among the Conover pianos illustrated are style
Sherman, Clay & Co., of San Francisco, a carload
of thirteen pianos. They reached the station in B, style L, style M, style W, style Z, style O in
'Frisco the next day after the earthquake and, uprights, small grand style A, and the Conover
parlor grand, style B. Further on in the vol-
after laying there in the car for a couple of
weeks, were delivered to Sherman, Clay & Co. at ume will be found a detailed story of the con-
struction of the Conover pianos from the time
their Oakland store.
President Whitney gave orders that no state- the sounding board is bridged up to the com-
ment of the account be sent to Sherman, Clay & pleted creation.
The closing pages of this handsome volume
Co. on May 1. He also wrote them two days
after the quake that their order for a dozen car- are devoted to communications from eminent
loads of A. B. Chase pianos would be filled musicians, teachers, organists, dealers and pur-
promptly, and that they could pay for them when chasers of note who pay tribute to the beautiful
tone, careful construction and original archi-
they got good and ready.
Notwithstanding the "no statement," early in tecture of the Conover pianos.
Literature such as this, written in such a dig-
May the accustomed check for the carload of
pianos reached the A. B. Chase office, showing nified spirit, is helpful not alone to the piano to
that Sherman, Clay & Co. could not get out of the which it refers, but to the entire industry, and
habit of paying for goods as soon as they arrived. the Cable Company, as well as those interested in
What a luxury it would be if there were 500 its compilation and production, have good reason
dealers in the various cities of the country who to feel proud of their efforts. The cover of the
had acquired the same habit of prompt cash pay- new Conover catalogue is a very dainty compo-
sition in colors, giving a view of the interior of a
ment.
parlor containing a handsome Conover grand.
BIG ORDER FOR NEWMAN BROS. ORGANS. In connection therewith appears the word,
"Conover pianos," in gold.
An important addition is about to be made to
the Sohmer Piano Co.'s factory building at the
corner of Jamaica avenue and the Boulevard,
Astoria. Plans have been prepared for a new
building adjoining the present splendid manu-
facturing center. The addition is to be six
stories in height, and when it is completed the
area of the factory will be 350 feet in all. The
output of this well-known firm has increased so
greatly that additional facilities must be pro-
vided to manufacture their celebrated pianos.
Work will start up as soon as the bids are re-
ceived.
THEY HAVE THE CASH HABIT.
Newman Bros. Co. last week contracted to ship
200 organs of the best styles to a large North-
western concern within ninety days. Manager
E. J. Maybee closed the deal.
SHERIDAN IN BANKRUPTCY.
BANK GIVEN AS SOUVENIR.
James A. Sheridan, piano dealer, 90 Niagara
A unique souvenir is being offered by the street, Buffalo, N. Y., has filed a petition in bank-
Rogers Piano House, Ashtabula, O., to intend- ruptcy, placing his indebtedness at $4,533.29 and
ing purchasers who call at their showrooms. assets amounting to $60.
The bank is in the form of a piano. The above
The Wychoff Piano Co. have opened a tem-
house are agents for the Chickering, Raymond
and Kurtzmann pianos, as well as other makes. porary store in Le Mars, Iowa.
PUNISHED FOR SELLING RENTED PIANOS.
(Special to The Kovlew.)
Milwaukee, Wis., June 2, 1906.
L. T. Bennett, charged with larceny as bailee,
has pleaded guilty in the Municipal Court and
was fined $100 and costs, with an alternative of
six months in the workhouse. Sentence was after-
ward suspended by Judge Brazee at the request
of the district attorney. Bennett, who is twenty-
two years old and newly married, was charged
with selling a rented piano, belonging to 1 W. A.
Conklin, for $250.

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