Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 42 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The facts related by this customer of the
Kobinson Piano Co. are in line with the reports
to American manufacturers from our new posses-
At Least in Small Musical Instruments—Their Tireless Activity Is Demonstrated in a Letter
sion, the Philippines, as well as from the Orient.
Sent to The Review by M. Vaughan Robinson, of the Robinson Piano Co., Who Conduct
When it comes to necessities the people of these
One of the Largest Music Trade Businesses in China—Not Much Chance for America in
countries
are large purchasers of our products,
the Orient Apparently—An Interesting Contribution.
but luxuries in any form—and musical instru-
From M. Vaughan Robinson, of the Robinson there are already a large number of Japanese ments may be so termed—which come into com-
Piano Co., Hong-Kong, China, an esteemed sub- drums on the market. Some of these are of a petition with the cheaper products of Germany
scriber of The Review, we are in receipt of the much inferior quality, but the Chinese do not and France (if the Japanese have not time to
following communication, dated Hong-Kong, care so much for a good instrument as for a copy them), have a mighly poor chance. The
China, May 16, in which he says in the course of cheap one, and for the price of one of yours they matter of intrinsic value is not yet compre-
his remarks:
can get two or three Japanese drums.
hended, and that which makes a fair appear-
"I should like you to see the enclosed copy of
In bugles this is even more clearly demon- ance, irrespective of quality, finds a ready pur-
a letter I have just received from our agents in strated. I have now fourteen bugles on exhibi- chaser. The outlook in the Orient for the Amer-
Canton, touching on some remarks (perhaps tion, and have not been able to dispose of one of ican manufacturer of musical instruments is cer-
prophesies) of mine published in one of your is- them in two months. There is no lack of in- tainly not encouraging. Japanese competition is
sues early in August last. Large numbers of tending customers, but they invariably leave our destined to prove formidable in time. These
commercial and military schools have been es- establishment with the remarks: "Too expensive." clever "Yankees of the East" are working hard
tablished here, all controlled and officered by "Can get two or three Japanese bugles for the to capture the entire trade of the Orient, and
Japanese who have the ear (though that's not amount," which is, of course, true. Although other nations will have to be "up and doing" to
the word) of the Chinese Government. Their they realize the excellent quality of your goods, get even a share.
traders flock after them in thousands, and have yet they will prefer the cheaper one, though of
A solution of the foreign market problem was
their full protection. So much for the much- inferior quality.
submitted recently to The Review by an English
talked-of trade of the Orient which America
Bass drums and organs are little used by exporter, who happened to be visiting this coun-
counts so warmly on. The next war out here Chinese. I may add, that all colleges are sup- try, who said: "The only way the American
will be a trade war, and will not be postponed plied by the Government with Japanese instru- musical instrument manufacturer can compete
a lifetime, either."
ments, and the few things that we have sold with the cheaper trade of Europe is to manufac-
This is the letter Mr. Robinson refers to:
were bought by the students themselves by means ture right in these countries. For instance, the
Canton, China, May 14, 1906.
of private subscriptions.
small goods people might concentrate at Mark-
The Robinson Piano Co., Hong-Kong:
I hope that you can now clearly see that it neukirchen, or thereabouts, and avail themselves
Gentlemen—In compliance with your request would be impossible to take the large orders you of the same labor conditions that prevail. They
I will give you my ideas in refusing to give such mentioned, much more to repeat that order in would then be able to make a line of "small" in-
large orders as you suggest. In the first place, as two months. We are, gentlemen, yours respect- struments to meet competition in the Orient and
far as my experience goes, the side drum is the fully,
(Signed) THE SIN Loom; ON CO.,
other points from which the United States and
only instrument that can command a sale; but
Per Toa Tut Chin.
England are now virtually shut out, owing to
the higher cost of labor and materials.
M. Vaughan Robinson carries the Lyon &
Healy line of goods in Hong-Kong as well as in
the branch stores of the Robinson Music Co. in
And High-Class Trimmings,
Shanghai and Singapore. In addition to hand-
ling
a large number of European and American
113-115 University Place,
pianos and organs they operate a piano factory
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON, On* block t u t of Broadway.
of their own at Hong-Kong, turning out several
hundred instruments a year.
During his visit to this country last year, Mr.
Robinson was the guest of C. N. Post, president
of Lyon & Healy. Mr. Post first made Mr. Robin-
son's acquaintance when he was on his Oriental
TRADE MARK.
tour nine years ago, when the first account with
Lyon & Healy was opened up, and which has
THEM
since grown to large proportions.
JAPANESE CAPTURING CHINESE TRADE
DURRO
Violins, Bows, Strings
JOS. W. STERN CBL CO., INSTRUMENT SPECIALTIES
S. S. STEWART'S SONS " 4'S" BANJOS
MARKSTERN MANDOLINS AND GUITARS
CLARK'S NEVERWET STRINGS
MARKSTERN STRINGS
HAWKES BAND INSTRUMENTS
'MARTI" BAND INSTRUMENTS
MARKSTERN STAR ACCORDEONS
MAJESTIC VIOLINS
BOOMERANG HARMONICAS
And •vcrythlntf else In th« Musical Merchandise
line. Send for new Illustrated Catalogue
" M," Jvjst published, to
JOS. W. STERN 34 East 21st Street
NEW YORK CITY
The Standard of the World
THE
ORIGINAL
MAMQFACTUXXD I T
THE BAUER CO.
1410 N. «TH «T.
PHILADELPHIA PA-
S. S. Stewart Banjo
and the BAUER Mandolins and Guitars
G R A N D F»
Awarded the C G.
Conn B a n d . O r -
chestra and Solo
Instruments, la
merely a aew acknowl-
edgment of what waa
long ago c o n c e d e d ,
• a m e I y, t h a t t h e
" W o n d e r s " are un-
paralleled In any excel-
lence or quality that goea
to make up a P e r f e c t
and I d e a l Initrument.
The H o l i d a y s A r c
A l m o s t H e r e , which
auggeate that a gift '•
y o u r f r i e n d of a
"GRAND PRIZE" In
atrument would make a
preaent that would
eharm and delight :: ::
Send for large ILLUS-
TRATED
CATA-
L O G U E telling all
about them
c . G. COINIINJ CO., ElKhart, I n d i a n a
P. S.-Tbe Woader Iaetrnmeata are Mat oa trial aad FUIXY GUARANTEE
SO CALLED "OPEN HEARINGS.'
Before the Board of United States General
Appraisers Do Not Seem to Give Satisfaction.
The so-called "open hearings" before the
Hoard of United States General Appraisers, or-
dered by the President at the request of the Ger-
man Government, do not appear to be giving the
satisfaction anticipated in certain importing
quarters. The open hearings have been on trial
for three months, and it is therefore possible to
make an estimate of their value. According to
some prominent importers the discretion given
the board to withhold open hearings when the
interests of the Government, may be prejudiced
thereby reduces the concession to one of little
or no value.
Another of the many conVpTaints relate to the
action of the customs court, in receiving testi-
mony privately submitted to the tribunal in re-
appraisement proceedings, even when the formal
proceedings have been on the open order. On
the other hand, importers in competing lines to
the merchandise under investigation show a
strong disinclination to appear before the board
at open hearings and give testimony regarding
foreign market prices and other details, many of
which are held to be trade secrets. Owing to this
unwillingness on the part of merchants and
others to come before the tribunal at open hear-
ings, counsel for the Treasury Department and
the members of the Board of Appraisers are ex-
periencing difficulty in procuring reliable infor-
mation concerning foreign prices. Of the nine
members of the customs court only one is under-
stood to favor the open hearing plan.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
-iO
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
GATHERING OF THE EDISON CLANS.
J.
R. Schermerhorn Arrives from Europe—
Evening Entertainment Will be on Roof of
New Amsterdam Theatre—Speeches at Ban-
quet Will be Tabooed—Entertainment Will
be Supreme.
Victor Talking Machine Co. about a month ago
and have just received their first consignment of
two hundred Victor machines and 20,000 Victor
records. McGreal Bros, recently rented 5,000 feet
of floor space on Milwaukee street, where they
will carry on their wholesale business in both
ICdison and Victor goods.
J. H. Schermerhorn, assistant general manager
THAT TALK 0 PHONE CO. SALE
of the National Phonograph Co., who has been in
Story in Toledo "Blade" Denied by Mr. Reed of
Europe since October last looking after the com-
the Talk-o-Phone Co. and Mr. Lyle of the
pany's branch plants and offices, arrived in New
Columbia Co.
York Tuesday on the "Kronprinz Wilhelm," of
the Hamburg-American line. His visit is for
(Special to The Review.)
the special purpose of attending the Edison job-
Toledo, O., June 25, 190(1.
bers' entertainment next month, after which he
The "Blade" of this city on Wednesday con-
goes abroad again for an indefinite stay, and
where Mr. Schermerhorn will rejoin his family. tained the following story: "The long-pending
*

• *
sale of the plant of the Talk-o-Phone Co. has at
In the programme issued by F. K. Dolbeer, last taken place, A. L. Irish, who controlled the
chairman of entertainment, on July 18, after the concern, having disposed of his interests. Mr.
visit to the Edison laboratory and factories at Irish refuses to give the name of the purchaser,
Orange, N. J., the evening entertainment will be but says that the agreement calls for the trans-
on the roof garden of the New Amsterdam Thea- fer of the purchase money on July 6. It is be-
ter, New York, as the Hippodrome is closed for lieved that the property will pass into the hands
the season. A number of boxes and practically of the Columbia Phonograph Co. Mi. Irish de-
the entire orchestra floor have been engaged. nies the report that V. R. Manley, former
With this exception the original programme will cashier of the Homer Savings Bank, purchased
his holdings. Mr. Manley, however, will be as-
be followed.
sociated with the new owners, who will be East-
*
* • *
Speeches will be tabooed at the banquet, to be ern men. The former Lanker, it is understood,
given in the Astor Gallery of the Waldorf-Astoria will be the manager of the plant."
Hotel, during the evening of July 20. Entertain-
ing will reign supreme. A stage will be erected
at one end of the gallery, where the Edison
"talent" will entertain the banqueters. The ar-
rangements are: One "honor" table, at which
will be seated Messrs. Edison, Gilmore, Dolbeer
and a few other prominent people, with the
guests placed at small tables, accommodating
eight persons each. The entire seating capacity
—about 270—has already been exhausted, and
still further applications are being received.
* * * *
When Thomas A. Edison was asked whether he
desired to invite any special guests to the ban-
quet, he promptly replied: "No, sir. This is to be
a phonograph banquet only. Nobody else is
wanted." The pressure for invitations from out-
siders has been heavy, but Mr. Dolbeer is refus-
ing every one, and besides the press representa-
tives, the Edison jobbers and the company of-
ficials will be the only ones present.
HONORING NATION'S BIRTH.
Appropriate Display by the Columbia Phono-
graph Co. for July 4th—Handsome Window
Setting.
I iving up to their reputation for window
dressing, the retail branch of the Columbia
Phonograph Co., at 872 Broadway, New York,
have done some elaborate work for the anniver-
sary of the Natioals birthday. The south win-
dow is adorned with imitation firecrackers of
all sizes, acting as guards for the fine display of
disc graphophones, the whole being backed with
a drapery of American flags. In the north win-
dows, festooned with the national colors, amid a
setting of Columbia graphophones of all sizes,
are pictures of Washington, Lincoln and others
who contributed to the freedom of our country.
The whole proves very attractive, and does great
credit to the ingenuity of Hayward Cleveland,
the manager.
NEW VICTOR DISTRIBUTERS.
(Special to The Review.)
Milwaukee, Wis., June 25, 1906.
McGreal Bros., of this city, who for the past
four years have been jobbing Edison goods ex-
clusively, placed a very large order with the

*
*

When The Review submitted the foregoing
dispatch to O. Clayton Heed, manager of the
Talk o-phone Co.'s New York branch house, he
said: "Such rot makes me tired. There is not a
word of ti uth in it. Our business is on a good
foundation, is flourishing, and why should we
want to sell out. Our trade West is immense,
and is growing in the East rapidly."
On George W. Lyle. general manager of the
Columbia Pnonograph Co., general, being request-
ed for a statement he remarked: "Absolutely
nothing in it, so far as the Columbia Co. is con-
cerned. I could say something else, but I will
not."
PHONOGRAPH IS FURNITURE
When the Librarian of Congress Wants It to
Go With a Typewriter.
to be only in the nature of a scarp, the meaning
of which the trade thoroughly understands. The
cases in question come up before the Supreme
Court of Westchester County to-day (Saturday),
when a motion to dismiss them for lack of juris-
diction will be argued. The following statement,
said to emanate from S. F. Heymann, attorney
for the prosecution, would be interesting if true.
"This is the most flagrant case of a corpora-
tion defying the highest courts of the government
with which 1 have ever come in contact, and
when the dealers look to the Edison Co. for pro-
tection I doubt if they will get it. As soon as I
can establish by the suit against the dealers
that the Edison Co. directed them to sell and
sold to them, I will bring proceedings against
the officers of that corporation to have them
punished for defying the court order."
PERTINENT AND PERSONAL.
Easton's European Trip—President Johnson
Also
Departs—Barklow
Resigns—That
Speech of Eckhardt's—Loring
Leeds Up
Boston Way—Burke Incorporates.
Edward D. Easton, president of the Columbia
Phonograph Co., general, who sailed for Europe
last week on the "Kaiser Wilhelm II.," of the
Hamburg-American line, will return on the "Bal-
tic," July 18. He is accompanied by his wife,
daughter and niece, and it is his annual trip for
the inspection of the company's branch factories
and offices in the principal cities.
Reports have had Elbridge R. Johnson, presi-
dent of the Victor Talking Machine Co., Cam-
den, N. J., going abroad since April. Tuesday,
however, he actually left for foreign parts, and
he and Trevor Williams, president of the Gramo
phone & Typewriters, Ltd., London, England,
will soon be discussing trade matters and fish-
ing affairs.
Perhaps B. R. Barklow is not sailing over
summer seas, but he has resigned as manager of
the Bettini Phonograph Co., New York, and has
been succeeded by M. Greenglick. The latter
has been with the company since the days of
"Old Bettini," and therefore knows a thing or
two about the talking machine business.
When the Eastern Talking Machine Jobbers'
Association was on the point of adjourning last
(Special to The Review.)
week, Walter L. Eckhardt, the brilliant man-
Washington, June 26, 1906.
ager of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s whole-
The Comptroller of the Treasury has decided sale department, dropped in en passant. He was
that a phonograph is furniture within the mean- immediately called upon for a speech, from which
ing of the law. The Librarian of Congress re- he begged to be excused just then, but was pre-
cently asked for an opinion as to whether he vailed upon to make a few remarks, which he
was authorized to purchase a phonograph for did, and to the point. While he was commend-
use in his ofnee out of the appropriation for fur- ing the object of the association, two powerful
niture. The Librarian explained that he wished hotel porters came in the room at the Breslin,
to use the phonograph "in connection with a lugging an immense trunk, which they announced
typewriter."
in stentorian tones, "contained the speech of Mr.
The Comptroller has decided that in view of
Eckhardt." Sol Bloom is said to have been re-
the use to which the talking machine is to be sponsible for the joke, which W. L. E. enjoyed
applied it can legally be paid for out of the fur- immensely. That of having "M. E. Gilmore,
niture appropriation.
president of the Columbia Phonograph Co.," pre-
side at the meeting is also charged up to the
CASES TO BE ARGUED TO DAY.
chairman of the committee on publicity and pro-
motion, which was accepted as authoritative by
Daily Papers Publishing Sensational Stories
the "yellow" butter-in. The trade is not through
Regarding the Suits of the New York Phono-
laughing yet at the egregeous "bull."
graph Company Against the National Phono-
graph Company.
Loring Leeds, with Leeds & Catlin Co., ran up
to Boston from New York Sunday evening last,
returning the middle of the week. He w;is on
pleasure bent. The company's corps of road
men are now cut and doing well.
Just who "feeds" the New York daily papers
with the misleading stuff which they print about
the litigation between the New York Phonograph
Co. and the National Phonograph Co. no one par-
The Burke Talking Machine Co., of Brooklyn,
ticularly cares. The case is still in the courts,
and while a number of suits have been started by was incorporated Thursday with a capital of $10,-
Incnrporators: Thomas Burke, Elizabeth
the New York Phonograph Co. against New York 000.
jobbers and dealers, they are said by the defense Burke and J. A. Fagan.

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