Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
BUYING PIANOS IN SAN FRANCISCO.
R. S. Howard Co. Shipped Six Carloads Since
June 15—An Answer to the Pessimistic Ar-
ticle Which Appeared in the New York
Times—Some Facts from Cashier Moffet.
In a recent issue of the New York Times, a
very pessimistic article appeared regarding the
future of San Francisco, in which it was stated
that it would be a boardwalk city for many long
years to come, while the population of the city
was mentioned at 100,000—in fact, it was a
rather discouraging outlook. In this connec-
tion the following letters are of interest as show-
ing the other side:
J. K. Moffett, cashier of the First National
Bank, writing from San Francisco, says that
The Times article is "a gross misstatement of
conditions as they exist here. The character of
your correspondent's information can be judged
from the first statement made in his letter re-
garding the present population of the city. The
most conservative estimates place the city's pres-
ent, population at 300,000. The suburban cities,
Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and San Rafael, are
crowded with former residents of this city, many
of whom journey back and forth daily, and must
still be regarded as an integral part of San
Francisco.
"I beg also to call your attention to the Clear-
ing House returns for the month of July, which
show an aggregate of $103,268,000, as against
$147,706,000 in July, 1905. While it must be
granted that a percentage of this is accounted
for by the insurance payments, still, after such
deduction, the aggregate is a large one, and
above that of any sanguine estimate framed in
April or May last.
"The business men who have opened tem-
porary quarters in Oakland are returning to
San Francisco as fast as temporary structures
can be provided for their needs. The labor
problem is, as everywhere in our country, a
pressing one, but, as the scale of wages paid
both skilled and unskilled labor is undoubtedly
higher in this city than anywhere in America,
the law of supply and demand will, in a few
months, and as soon as more habitable quarters
are arranged for Workingmen and their families,
in large measure remedy itself-
"The city has hard work before it in its
struggle for rehabilitation and new growth, with-
out the added task of refuting such letters and
statements as the present one."
* * * *
The R. S. Howard Co., the well-known piano
manufacturers of this city, also wrote the editor
of The Times under date of August 9, as fol-
lows: "On July 25 you published a column and
a half article on San Francisco. We received
on that date a wire order for a car of pianos.
We have received orders from San Francisco
for six carloads of pianos since June 15. In
view of the existing conditions in San Francisco,
the pessimistic article in your paper on July 25
does not seem consistent."
PIANOS IN KANSAS.
According to the report of the Kansas State
Board of Equalization there are 22,566 pianos in
the State, valued at $34 each. . Let's see. Piano
worth $34, dealer sells it for $300, profit $266, or
nearly 800 per cent. What do the Kansas dealers
dc with all the money? Of course, the owners of
the instruments gave their real values—tax-
payers are always truthful to the as_sessor.
FALLING IN LINE IN THE SOUTH.
The recent campaign in the interests of the
National Association of Piano Dealers carried
on in the South by J. P. Simmons, of the Junius
Hart Piano H6use, New Orleans, has proven
very sucessful. The majority of the letters sent
out brought answers soliciting membership and
the field will be gone over again to touch those
who did not reply in the first instance. Mean-
while an entirely new list of dealers will be ap-
9
proached, and at the next convention of the As-
sociation the South will be very well represented.
WHO WOULD HESITATE
To Buy Pianos With This Liberal Inducement
in View?
As a special inducement to hesitating piano
purchasers and as a business stimulator, E. A.
Wilson & Co., of Oil City, Pa., offer to any citi-
zen living in Sandy Lake or vicinity intending
to buy a piano fhis fall for cash to pay their
railroad fare to and from Oil City, give them a
free dinner and take them out to Monarch Park,
a neighboring resort, and back to the city.
After all this entertainment they ask the
privilege of showing the favored party the line
ot ! pianos they have in stock. An extremely
liberal and attractive proposition any way you
look at it.
USES THE HENRY F. MILLER PIANO.
Alvah Glover Salmon the well-known Ameri-
can pianist and lecturer on Russian music, uses
the Henry F. Miller piano exclusively, having
found that instrument test suited to his needs.
He played at over sixty recitals last season, and
is booked for many return dates this coming
season, his deep understanding of the works of
the Muscovite composers appealing to the au-
diences both from their beauty and their novel
nature.
ENLARGE THEIR WAREROOMS
Margileth & MacFarland, the piano dealers, of
Springfield, O., have arranged to enlarge their
quarters considerably. The sub-basement under
their store has been leased, and will be given
over to piano showrooms. This firm carry
among other makes the Baldwin and Hamilton
p.'anos, and in the future will also sell sheet
music.
BREHMER REOPENS WAREROOMS.
Phil H. Brehmer, the well known piano mer-
chant, of Rutland, Vt, has reopened his ware-
rooms in the Cramton block at 25 Merchants
row, which were burned last February. The
splendid new quarters will be conducted as an
auxiliary to his present store at 6 Merchants
row, and are to be used as a piano salesroom
and a workshop.
The warerooms are divided into two parts, the
first, a waiting and sales room where different
styles of pianos carried by Mr. Brehmer are to
be seen, and the second a workshop where the
tuning of instruments will be done. The second
hand stock will be kept in the rear room.
Mr. Brehmer is agent for the Boardman &
Gray pianos.
CANADIANS FAVOR ART FINISH.
Canadian piano manufacturers, as r rule, are
in favor of introducing the "art" finish advocated
by the manufacturers in the United States, and
many of the former are behind a movement to
have resolutions adopted by their association rec-
ommending the use of this finish on instruments.
PROSPEROUS TIMES IN FLORIDA.
In a recent letter to The Review, J. A. Erick-
son, Deland, Fla., speaks most encouragingly re-
garding business prospects in his locality. He
says the orange trees are loaded with fruit, and
that ia where his customers get their money
from. Mr. Erickson went to Deland from Iowa
in 1876, and has built up a very successful busi-
ness in pianos and organs, talking machines,
small goods, etc.
"I'm glad to see," says Billson, "that some piano
people are becoming strictly honest in advertis-
ing their goods. Only to-day I saw the follow-
ing placard in front of an upright piano in a city
warerooms: 'Here's a Bargain, Only $120.00;
Won't Last Long.' "
H(>B.
V. S. F a t . OIT.
Piano=dealers'
questions
answered
Why should you handle Victor
Talking Machines? They are
the greatest musical instru-
ments in the world.
Won't it interfere with the
piano business? Not in the
least; helps it—gets people
better acquainted with your
store.
How do sales compare with
pianos? Easier and more fre-
quent.
What about profits? Addi-
tional money in it for you and
yet not nearly so much capital
is needed.
How do Victor Record sales
compare with sheet music?
Victor Records are so far ahead
that there is hardly any com-
parison.
Is there much competition ?
None in "quality" and every
dealer is on an equal footing
and prices are maintained.
What is the experience of
other dealers? One of the
greatest piano dealers in
America makes twice as much
money on Victor goods as in
his piano department
What do we do to create a
demand for Victor goods ? Ad-
vertise them regularly in mag-
azines that reach 49,000,000
readers every month — more
than half the population of the
United States.
• We're glad to answer any
other questions about \.he\Vic-
tor. Write us and we'llfgive
you full information.
Victor Talking
Machine
Company
Camden,
N. J.