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THE
TRADE BETTER THAN LAST WEEK.
Small Goods Houses Make Excellent Report—
Some Comments on German Shipments—Do-
mestic Merchandise Higher in Price—The
Situation Reviewed.
Supporting previous reports, business with the
small goods people does not lag. On the con-
trary, it is even hetter than last week, following
the activity shown by the road sellers and the
accumulation of orders. Where houses of an-
cient antiquity have accumulated stock—models,
patterns, designs and finishes of instruments
which modern Philistines designate as "used in
the time of George Washington"—the pressure
for goods is not so insistent as to make them
feel the supply is other than normal. When the
aim is to have only merchantable, quick-moving
l'.nes, however, a shortage is among the possi-
bilities.
Reports are rife that European manufacturers,
particularly Germans, in order to obtain a bet-
ter than contract price, are either declining to
fchip goods excepting at a figure fixed by them-
selves, or else sending inferior quality. Pre-
cisely v/hat this means even the most experienced
American importers are at a loss to explain. It
is admitted on all sides that the German pro-
ducer and exporter of musical merchandise, with
few honorable exceptions, is in a class by him-
sflf, and that his methods of doing business are
not infrequently passed finding out. These any-
thing but complimentary attributes are now be-
ing commented and dwelt upon with more em-
phasis than ever, and reasons therefor in con-
nection with the arranged-for shipment of goods
and fixed prices, both of which are under an
eclipse, are quoted as indisputable evidence of
their turpitude in this respect.
Domestic merchandise is also advancing, and
houses issuing catalogues in which close figur-
ing has been given full swing are in more or
less of a quandary in the face of recent cost in-
c 1 eases. For example, piccolos and flutes, a
specialty of a maker with a fine reputation as to
duality, were advanced fifteen per cent, last
week. Jews'-harps, a minor line and manufac-
tured by only a few, in some instances cannot
b? had at any price, as the maker with a reputa-
ticn for reliable goods frankly states he has
£0 many orders ahead he will accept no others.
To be sure, the manufacturers themselves avow
they are simply turning the tables. That is to
say, when wholesalers and jobbers have been
squeezing them down for a lower price whenever
they sought an order, now that orders are plenti-
ful at remunerative figures they have only se-
lected their trade, and when their capacity was
exhausted the others could go too.
MAKES AND WILL PLAY WALNUT VIOLIN.
Marion A. Harrison, son of Deputy Traveling
Attorney General William C. B. Harrison, of
Goshen, Ind., will soon make his appearance as
a violinist, playing on an instrument he has
made in its entirety himself. It is said to be
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
the only walnut violin in existence. The mu- reserve. No denial is made of the fact that a
little later he will offer several novelties to the
sician did not have the aid of a single piece of
small'goods trade that will command their at-
machinery, the work being by hand throughout.
tention, and from the past reputation of this
house for supplying the trade with goods of the
WHEN IS A FIDDLE A VIOLIN ?
most salable variety, the new products can be
When It Costs Two Marks or More, the Board depended upon as trade winners. The great
of Tariff Appraisers Decides.
popularity of the harmonicas bearing the name
of Hohner is well exemplified by the constantly
When is a violin a musical instrument? was increasing demand for the various assortments
a point the United States General Appraisers de- put out by them over a year ago. These filled
cided Monday. The duty on such instruments is a niche in the retail trade heretofore vacant,
45 per cent, ad valorem.
and have added fresh laurels to the house of
Wakem & McLaughlin protested against the Hohner.
assessment of duty at such a high rate. The
A custom was established many years ago by
firm had received a lot of cheap violins which King Karl, of, Wuertemberg, whereby his sub-
they said were nothing more than toys and jects were awarded medals for lengthy service
should come in under the rate for toys.
to one employer. The custom is now repeated
Although the violins are of regular size they annually and at the last King Karl anniversary
are constructed so flimsily as to be unfit for use four workmen of M. Hohner were presented with
by musicians or students. Mr. Sharrett, writing medals. Paul Hohner I., for being in the em-
the opinion of the Board, draws the line thus:
ploy of M. Hohner for 50 years, Paul Hohner
"Upon the best information obtainable we find II. for 48 years, Jacob Kohler for 45 years and
that violins costing two marks and upward are Hans Kohler for 40 years.
regarded by the trade as musical instruments
and that those that cost less than two marks are
CONN INSTRUMENTS IN JAPAN.
toys."
AUTOMATICJHOUTH ORGAN
Uses Perforated Roll Similar to Those in Piano
Players.
Increasing Popularity in the Far East—Some
Strong Tributes from Japan—August Issue
of " T r u t h " of Especial Interest.
The August issue of C. G. Conn Co.'s "Truth"
The perforated music roll was first used on io a number of unusual interest. The frontis-
organs, then on pianos, and recently it has been piece is devoted to Signor Alberto G. Rosati,
extended to include the harmonica or mouth or- the well-known cornet soloist and conductor of
gan. A Newark, N. J., man is responsible for its the Royal Italian Concert Band, who speaks in
the most eulogistic terms of the Conn instru-
introduction.
It is operated on the same principle as a hand ments, referring especially to the perfected Conn-
organ, with a music roll to select the notes, queror and Wonder cornets, which he has long
the wind power being furnished by the mouth used.
Proofs of the Americanization of Japan is to
instead of by bellows. This musical instrument
is mounted in a box and held in position by a be found in this number. There appears a pic-
handle. A handle on the left side turns the ture of the Sendai United Orchestra of Sendai,
Japan, an organization composed of men and
rollers.
The instrument is not very large, and with the women, the instruments for which were supplied
rolls of music can be readily transported. With by the C. G. Conn Co. In this connection there
one in the pocket, with a dozen or so of choice appears a letter from the Rev. J. M. Stick, busi-
selections, anybody could enjoy music of h n
own making on the porch, in the woods, or any
place he desires.
The music produced by a mouth organ is not
the least desirable. In fact, everything depends
The Eminent Violinist and
alone upon the ability of the performer, but
BLACK DIAMOND Strings
with the assistance of accurate music rolls it
should be a pleasure to all.
Prof. Hugo Heermann
GENTLEMEN : —
HOHNER PLANS FOR FALL.
Some Novelties for the Fall Will Soon be An-
nounced—Popularity
of Their
Wares—
Hohner Workmen Honored.
Since the return of Hans Hohner from his
recent European trip, the many patrons of the
firm of M. Hohner, of 475 Broadway, are anxi-
ously awaiting the announcement, of the sev-
eral surprises that it is whispered he has in
1 ain Balling to Australia next week, and
shall pass through New York between the 5th
and 8th of May ("Blucher," Hamburg-Amerlka
Line).
Will you send enclosed order for Violin G
strings BLACK DIAMOND to address given be-
low, or do you have a Dealer's shop In New
York where I might find your strings? If so
please let me know at the same address.
The strings are most excellent.
Yours sincerely,
IT. IIBERMANN.
Frankfort o/M., April, 1905.
ii
NATIONAL MUSICAL STRING COMPANY jjj
:::
{&....„
Eagle Brand Drum and Banjo Heads; 20th Century Drums,
Rex Banjos, Mandolins and Guitars.
FACTORS
THE TRADE.
C. G. CONN CO.'S
New York Branch Office,
No. 46 West 28th Street.
New B r u n s w i c k , N e w Jersey
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PIANO
STOOLS
BENCHES
CHAIRS
SCARF'S
COVERS
Weaver's New Method of
Instruction for the Reed
Organ. 38,000 copies sold
in 10 months.
A display of the famous "Perfected
Conn-queror" Cornets and the
"Wonder" and American Model
O. D. W E A V E R & CO.
Band and Orchestra Instruments.
195-197 Wabasb Avenue, Chicago
JAS. F. BOYER, Mgr.