Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 43 N. 12

Page 3 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
REVIEW
THE
ffUJIC TIRADE
V O L . X L I I I . N o . 1 2 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave,, New York, September 2 2 , 1 9 0 6 .
MISREPRESENTATION BY TUNERS.
E. J. Piper, of the Bollman Bros. Piano Co.,
Exposes an Evil from Which the Trade Has
Long Suffered and Properly Says the Sub-
ject Should Receive the Consideration of the
National Piano Dealers' Association.
E. J. Piper, of the Bollman Bros. Piano Co.,
St. Louis, Mo., has forwarded the following com-
munication to J. F. Bowers, chairman of the press
committee of the National Association of Piano
Dealers. It is a forceful, timely statement,
treating of an evil from which the trade in many
parts of the country have long suffered, and is
a subject which should receive the early consid-
eration of the Association. Meanwhile, the best
way to abolish this nuisance is to have the vari-
ous members become as interested as has Mr.
Piper, and keep the Association properly advised.
Mr. Piper says:
"One of the evils which should receive atten-
tion, not only of the National Piano Dealers' As-
sociation, but the manufacturers and local asso-
ciations, is the gross fraud that is constantly be-
ing perpetrated on the public in the use of the
name of a reputable house to men who represent
themselves to be tuners and general piano repair
men, and who thus obtain tuning and repairing
by representing themselves as being in the em-
ploy of the retail house.
"There is hardly a manufacturer or dealer of
prominence in this country who has not suffered
from fraudulent and mendacious tuners who
travel around the country with cards bearing
the name of some reputable manufacturer or
dealer, and not only does he obtain tuning and
repairing, because of his supposed connections, but
he obtains hotel accommodations and other
credit. The work he does is usually very unsat-
isfactory, and it is very hard to make the victim
believe he was not connected with the house he
was purported to represent. Not only is the
house thereby represented injured, but it greatly
adds to the difficulties of the legitimate traveler,
who is unfortunate enough to follow in his foot-
steps.
"Quite recently the following card was sent
to us by a friend out in the State:
J. G. TRUELSON, JR.,
Representing Bollman Bros. Piano Co.,
St. Louis, Missouri,
Formerly with Steinway & Sons, N. Y.
"The facts in this case are that this man called
and attempted to obtain employment from our
house. Failing in this he evidently had these
cards printed, and went out in the State and so-
licited business on the strength of the good name
of our house. Now let us admit for the sake
of argument that he obtained a job of repairing
to do and that through incompetency, the work
was not done as it should have been, it is easy
to see how much damage would be done to the
Bollman Bros. Piano Co. by reason of the unau-
thorized use of. our name, besides, in one or two
instances, we have had complaints that indi-
viduals representing themselves to be in our em-
ploy have obtained extended credit at hotels and
boarding houses and then departed without liqui-
dating. As these scoundrels operate all over
the country, it is manifestly a difficult proposi-
tion for a single dealer to cope with the situa-
tion, and it would seem to be not only a proper
place for the National Piano Dealers' Association
to interfere, but would be a fit subject for joint
action with the National Association of Piano
Manufacturers.
"It will be apparent that united action is
required when I state that in one case of this
kind, when we first heard of the man he was in
Huntsville, Ala., a party for whom he had done
some unsatisfactory work writing in in regard
to the guarantee. A few days later we received
a telegram from a party in Texas, asking if we
would guarantee the work of our agent, who
proved to be the party we had last heard from
in Huntsville. We wired that he was a fake,
and endeavored, over the long-distance telephone,
to get the police to hold him until we could get
there to prosecute, but they refused to do this.
"Surely an evil so injurious to the reputable
houses in the trade should not be allowed to con-
tinue, but some united effort should be made to
stamp it out. Some plan might be arranged
whereby a standing reward of say $100 or $200
could be offered for the arrest and conviction of
one of these offenders, as they are almost in-
variably guilty of obtaining money under false
pretenses. A dealer on learning of one of these
men operating in his territory could immediately
wire the secretary of the N. P. D. A. and P. M. A.
would take charge of the prosecution, with the
assistance of the dealer whose name had been
fraudulently used, and influence might be
brought to bear to induce the associated press
to put it on the wire as a news item. The plan
outlined above is somewhat crude, but details
could be worked out whereby great protection
would be afforded the dealer and make member-
ship in the associations of constantly enhancing
value."
WHITE PIPE TONE FOLDING ORGAN.
A Remarkable Instrument Made by the A. L.
White Mfg. Co., of Chicago, Which Is in
Great Demand Throughout the World.
f SDeclal to The Keview. •
Review Office, 195 Wabash avenue,
Chicago, 111., September 17, 1906.
The organ plant of the A. L. White Manufac-
turing Co., 315 Englewood avenue, this city, has
been rushed to its top capacity all this year to
supply the demand for their products, especially
the A. D. White pipe tone folding organ. This
little instrument is certainly remarkable alike
for its musical efficiency, compactness and porta-
bility, and is in use not only in this country but
all over the world by evangelists, missionaries,
gospel wagons, funeral directors, show people
and others, while for open-air summer cottages
and any purpose where portability is a desidera-
tum it is unexcelled. The height, when open, is
forty inches to top of music desk, therefore the
operator is not forced to stoop and cramp his
chest and lungs when required to both play and
sing. It weighs only thirty pounds, and when
closed is carried by a handle and similates in ap-
pearance a handsome valise. The case, made of
three-ply wirewood, is treated with waterproof
slNGL
$ioo°PER S VEAR ENTS
coating inside and out, and is covered with seal
leatherette, also waterproof, and beautiful in ap-
pearance. The company have a myriad of let-
ters from both dealers and users, testifying to
the volume and quality of tone, ease of opera-
tion, durability and other points of excellence.
GREAT HONOR FOR WM. KNABE & CO.
Appointed Piano Makers, by Royal Warrant,
to the Court of Roumania.
Wm. Knabe & Co. have been appointed by war-
rant furnishers to the Royal Court of Roumania.
The Royal decree in this connection reads as
follows:
"The Court Marshal of His Majesty, the King of
Roumania.
"His Majesty, the King, wishing to show his
high appreciation to Messrs. Ernest J. Knabe,
Jr., and William Knabe, of the firm of William
Knabe & Co,, piano manufacturers, of Baltimore,
U. S. A., ordered me to issue the present brevet,
and title them as Furnishers to the Royal Court.
Messrs. Ernest J. Knabe, Jr., and William Knabe
will have the privilege to bear the present title
conforming with the stipulations of the rules ex-
isting.
MAIINHAI.-GKNEHAL PRIBOIANO.
"No. 589. Bucarest IS, July, 1906."
SIX BEHR PIANOS FOR MUSICAL COLLEGE.
The Muehlhauser-Locke Piano Co., Cleveland,
O., recently succeeded in placing six Behr Bros,
pianos in the West Side Musical College. Cleve-
land, and have received a very flattering letter
from the college authorities regarding the mer-
its of the pianos, which were made apparent
through severe tests.
W. H. RIDER SECURES FIRST PRIZE.
At the Ulster County Fair, held in Ellenville,
N. Y... recently, W. H. Rider, the popular music
dealer and citizen of Kingston, N. Y.. won first
prize for exhibiting the most handsome floral
float in a yarade held in connection with the
fair.
The float was in the form of a bower, occu-
pied by a small driver and a beautiful peacock.
It was drawn by four white horses, upon whose
saddle cloths, prominently appeared the legend,
"Rider's Pianos." The whole idea was cleverly
conceived and admirably carried out.
Inci-
dentally Mr. Rider made an elaborate exhibit at
the fair of samples of his entire line, of which
the Kroeger is the leader.
STIEFF OPENS BRANCH IN SCRANTON.
On Saturday last a new addition to the ex-
tensive chain of Stieff niano stores was opened
at 210 Wyoming avenue, Scranton, Pa., with L.
F. Bass in charge. Mr. Bass is also manager
of the Charles M. Stieff store in Harrisburg, Pa.
SOLD MANY PIANOS AT FAIR.
At the Taunton (Mass.) Fair, held recently,
F. R. Gorham, of the Hallet & Davis Piano Co.'s
branch in New Bedford, succeeded in selling five
pianos in as many days, eclipsing all previous
records in piano sales at the fair.

Page 4 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE! REVIEW
MEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorial Stall:
Quo. B. KBLLJJR.
W. N. TYLER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
HMILIE FRANCIS BADDB.
L. E. BOWEIIS. B. BRITTAIN WILSON, WM. B. WHITB. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKLIN.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
EJRNEST L. WAITT, 278A Tremont St.
E. P. VAN HARLINQBN, 195-197 Wabasb Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
A. W. SHAW.
CHAS. N. VAN BDREN.
and when a demand is so unprecedented for a high grade product
it is bound to be felt in growing orders all along the line.
U
NDER such conditions the dealers cannot have too many in-
struments on hand. It certainly does not pay to be too con-
servative, when there is good business to be secured all around.
The Middle West is going to absorb more instruments than ever
before in its history. Letters sent out to over three thousand deal-
ers indicate a condition which has never been approached before
in this country. We state this so that our readers everywhere
should make haste and get in readiness to take the fullest advan-
tage of the present excellent conditions.
There is no reason why there should be cutting or slashing of
prices, or the assassination of piano reputations. There is plenty
of business for all, and good business which can be secured by the
employment of legitimate methods, and certainly price cutting
should be avoided in such times as we are now enjoying.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZOER, 425-4i!7 Front S t
CINCINNATI, O.:
LONDON, ENGLAND:
NINA PITCH-SMITH.
09 Hasinghall St., E. C.
W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager.
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, $76.00.
REMITTANCES, In other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
Directory of Piano
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporatlonb
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
for dealers and others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal..St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Afedal.Lewls-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
Cable address: "Elblll New York."
NEW Y ORK,
SEPTEMBER
22,
1906
EDITORIAL
D
URING the past week there have been quite a large number
of dealers in town from various parts of the country. Some
of them are now getting anxious about the Fall shipments, and
have paid personal visits to the various factories in order to hasten
the filling of orders. The Fall business may be said now to be
fairly under way, and with so liberal a movement as to keep manu-
facturers fully occupied, with every prospect that the demand will
keep up for months.
Notwithstanding the enormous increase in the productive ca-
pacity of the various factories, the piano manufacturers find them-
selves in many instances confronted with a volume of business
which simply overtaxes their capacity. The demand, too, has been
so steady during the Summer months that few manufacturers have
been enabled to accumulate a considerable amount of stock.
W
H I L E the manufacturers have the satisfaction of well laden
order books they are obliged to suffer the inconvenience
and annoyance which result from their inability to make shipments
as promptly as demanded by their agents, whose clamor for goods
is steady and insistent. In many instances the complaints are un-
reasonable, because, as we have pointed out at various times, the
dealers cannot expect the manufacturers to take all the risk, and to
keep on piling up stock in anticipation of a Fall trade, when the
dealers are holding off placing their orders.
Then, too, just now difficulties in many factories are experi-
enced in the shortage of certain supply materials.
T
H E growing possibility of the scarcity of musical instruments
of all kinds before the season is over, undoubtedly will stimu-
late their retail purchase for the next two months. There is no
mistaking, however, that the Fall is going to be a record-breaking
one, as far as the volume of business is concerned.
As reported in The Review last week, Steinway & Sons shipped
more pianos the first week in September than any corresponding
Fall week during any year since the establishment of this concern.
This one statement shows which way the trade wind is blowing,
T
il ERIC is no better occasion than the present to emphasize the
one price, and insist upon it being enforced in every depart-
ment of trade. Along these lines we have received the following
-communication from a well known Southern dealer, who says:
"I have been much interested in your one price articles, and I
have read the contributions of the three prize winners carefully.
I desire to congratulate The Review upon the excellent work which
it has done for years in urging this as a matter of vital interest to
the trade. I had not before, however, been impressed with the idea
of the manufacturers themselves establishing the price, but I be-
lieve you have brought forth some splendid arguments, and they
pretty nearly convince me that you are right."
W
E have urged the establishment of one price for many years,
and for the last two years we have steadily encouraged
the belief that the only way to establish one price successfully is to
have the manufacturer himself name the prices at which his various
styles of instruments should be offered to the public. That would
do more to fix one price than any other single move that might be
made, and it would do more to rehabilitate the piano trade in the
estimation of the public than any action which could be taken.
One price, and that price by the manufacturer, has been one of
The Review's slogans for a long time, and we shall continue to
hammer along these lines, for we have been encouraged by the
many letters that we have received, complimenting us upon our
work. Dealers say that it is having its effect in many parts of the
country. It is continued publicity which will cause men. to con-
sider arguments which are advanced, and if they are sound and
will stand close reasoning, they are bound to live, and one price
by the manufacturer will live because it is a sound, honest business
principle.
A
PAPER published in this trade announces as news some sta-
tistics connected with* the talking machine industry. Some
of these fellows are just now waking up to the fact that the talking
machine trade is an important one, and they are now evidently de-
sirous of attracting some attention to their particular journals.
The talking machine manufacturers know that this institution
has been the one and only newspaper force which has been intelli-
gently handling the talking machine question by promoting interest;
in the talking machine and allied products. For years before we
placed a special department in The Review we were preparing an
active campaign, and acquainting ourselves thoroughly with the
subjects of which we proposed to treat. To our intimate knowl-
edge of the trade conditions may be ascribed much of the success
to The Talking Machine World, which is conceded to be one of the
great successes of later days in trade journalism. We have a thor-
ough organization which embraces the whole world, so that our
news gathering facilities, and our opportunities for inside informa-
tion are not to be approached by any other organization which in
a feeble way attempts to imitate us. Facts are not easily disproved,
and a newspaper organization which can produce over sixty pages
an issue devoted to a special industry is no small force to be
reckoned with in the developing of a special trade.
A
DEALER from a Southern town writes: "Your editorial
stating that the non-progressive dealer stood no show
against the man who adopted modern methods struck right home

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