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THE
REVIEW
fflJJIC TIRADE
VOL. X L V . No. 4 .
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison AYC, New York, July 27, 1907
GREAT CALL FOR PIPE ORGANS.
Demand for These Instruments Never as Great
as Now-—One House Has Orders for Over
100 Costing a Large Sum.
"Never has the pipe organ manufacturing busi-
ness been in better condition than now," said
a famous builder to The Review this week. "As
a matter of fact our factory could not accept an-
other order for a church or large size instru-
ment that could be delivered until after the first
of the year. We would not care to have this
known in connection -with our name, as our com-
petitors would make the most of this knowledge
to our detriment.
"Here is the June list of organs now in the
process of building at the factory (which is fur-
nished agents for their special use) and these
instruments are over a hundred in number, and
none to cost less than $1,400, some running up to
fully $20,000. These are all to go into churches.
The list of organs in private residences and
the home of the average well-to-do man, compiled
for the same purpose, is one of great length,
and we are turning them out as rapidly as our
facilities—the best in the country, we believe—
will permit.
"Oh, no, the organ trade is not diminishing.
It seems to be on the increase; that is, for high
price instruments.
FOREIGN TRADE COMPLAINT.
Prejudice
Against
Methods
Employed
American Exporters.
by
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, July 23, 1907.
Writing to the Department of Commerce and
Labor, Consul R. E. Mansfield, of Lucerne,
Switzerland, reports on American methods of
soliciting trade in foreign countries as follows:
Comments made in reports from this consulate
on the practiee indulged in by many American
manufacturers and exporters of sending catalogs
printed in English to prospective customers in
foreign countries may be emphasized by a recent
incident in this office. This consulate supplied
an American manufacturer with a list of names
of importers in the district. The firms whose
names were given received by mail catalogs de-
scriptive of the articles produced by the manu-
facturer. On each package of the printed mat-
ter sent, which was of no value to the persons
receiving it, there was penalty postage amount-
ing to $1.06. The circumstance, instead of en-
couraging business or even interesting the pros-
pective purchaser, created a bad impression upon
the mind of the importer, adding to the prejudice
existing already against the methods employed
by American exporters in soliciting foreign
trade.
This incident may be considered of minor.im-
portance to American exporters, but when taken
into consideration with other circumstances of a
similar character, and the further fact that con-
tinental business rivals in every branch of trade
and industry are keenly alive to the importance
of preventing an American invasion of Euro-
pean markets, it is worthy of serious thought.
There exists a feeling of universal opposition to
American commerce in Europe; there is com-
bined opposition, and every pretext is seized
upon by manufacturers to prejudice buyers
against transatlantic trade. Methods of so-
liciting, unsatisfactory packing, differences in
the systems of weights and measures, and
short-time credits are all used as arguments
with purchasers to influence them against plac-
ing orders with American houses. European
merchants are conservative, and in considering
the question of foreign commerce the customs
prevailing in the country and the class of com-
petition to be met must be taken into account.
KRELL=FRENOU;0. OFFICERS.
Old
Board Elected—Good Annual Report-
Regular Dividend Declared.
(Special to The Review.)
New Castle, Ind., July 22, 1907.
The stockholders of the Krell-Prench Piano
Co. held their annual meeting at the offices of
the company in this city on Monday, when the
old board of directors and officers were re-elected.
The officers are: Jesse French, president; Otto
Bollman, vice-president; O. K. Houck, second
vice-president; Guy Stanley, secretary; H. E.
French, treasurer and general manager. Board
of directors, Jesse French, Sr., Otto Bollman,
Jesse French, Jr., O. K. Houck, Henry Dreher,
H. E. French, J. F. Houck, Olney Davies, E. E.
Forbes, Charles W. Brainerd, Guy Stanley.
The annual report submitted to the board was
of a most encouraging nature, and afforded the
greatest satisfaction to those present. At this
meeting the ninth regular semi-annual preferred
dividend was declared payable at once.
THE TIJWEJXT'CHIP UP."
The Secretary of the National Association of
Piano Dealers Issues Call for Contributions
to Freight Bureau.
In accordance with the resolution passed at
the Chicago convention of the National Associa-
tion of Piano Dealers of America, Secretary
Charles R. Putnam has issued a call on the mem-
bership for contributions of $5 or more each for
the support of the freight bureau. It is a well-
known fact that this branch of the association
work is of the greatest importance, and it is
hoped every member will respond to the call
promptly. Mr. Putnam's appeal is as follows:
To the Members of the National Association of
Piano Dealers of America—By instructions of the
convention recently held in Chicago, being duly
assembled, I am instructed to call your attention
to the following resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted:
"Whereas, The attitude of the railroad com-
panies, in discriminating both in rates and classi-
fications on pianos and organs, unjustly extorts
hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from
the shippers of pianos and organs; and,
"Whereas, We feel that capable, vigorous and
immediate action on the part of the members of
the association will result, in the establishment
of correct rates and classifications; and,
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$8.00 PER VEAR.
"Whereas further, To systematically and thor-
oughly carry out this work a large sum of money
is necessary, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That this association demands a
contribution of $5 from each active member,
payable promptly, and from the larger dealers
a more substantial contribution—and that all
sums when collected shall be placed to the credit
of the freight bureau of the association, to be
disbursed on properly certified vouchers when
ordered and approved by the executive com-
mittee."
"Many of the members present cheerfully vol-
unteered to pay as much as $25 for the main-
tenance of our freight bureau. The general idea,
however, was not to ask very large contributions,
believing that a payment of $5 from every mem-
ber and from large shippers a contribution of
$10 to $25 would yield a sufficient revenue for
this year, but on this basis every member should
pay the $5, as the money is needed immediately,
and you are requested to send me check for $5
as soon after receiving this as you can con-
veniently do so. If you wish to add to the sum,
just send as much more than $5 as you feel dis-
posed; but, at any rate, send the $5 by next mail.
In addition to the fact that your rates will be
maintained, if not lowered, this is a very small
investment on the part of every dealer in the
United States to secure such great returns. Full
information as to what may be expected in that
will be found in the papers of freight despatch
and freight tariff reduction, to which your at-
tention is directed, and you can read copies of it
in the trade press.
In addition to this work, the freight bureau
will advise you on any matters which you wish
to know, and if you will send in your freight ex-
pense bills to our freight bureau, the same will
be gladly examined and any overcharges will be
indorsed thereon so that you can make demand
upon your railroad companies and get the
amount refunded. Our freight bureau is at your
service, will save the members of the association
thousands and thousands of dollars every year,
if they will only take advantage of it.
About freight business write to Mr. T. C.
Moore, N. A. of P. D., freight manager, New
York Life Building, Chicago. Send check to the
undersigned.
Yours very respectfully,
C. R. PUTNAM, Secretary.
120 Boyston street, Boston, Mass.
ORDERS FOR KIMBALL PIPE ORGANS.
Orton Bros., the well-known dealers of Ana-
conda, Mont., have closed a contract for a new
pipe organ for a church of the Baptist denomi-
nation in that city. The instrument will be
made by the W. W. Kimball Co. at a cost about
$4,000, and will be placed in the church by No-
vember 1. Orton Bros, have also placed a pipe
organ of the same make in the First Presby-
terian Church. Orton Bros., whose store, which
is located at 213-15 North Main street, have sold
many pianos and organs of the Kimball make,
and are steadily enlarging their business in
these instruments.
A music store has been opened in Milton, Pa.,
by Selleck & Snyder. .
. .