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THE
fflJJIC TRADE
VOL. XLVI. No. 17. Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, April 25, 1908.
ALL ABOARD FOR NEW YORK!
A Brief Outline of Some of the Convention
Events—All Committees Working Diligently,
and Every Indication Points to the Biggest
Convention in the History of the Piano
Dealers' Association.
(Supplied by Chairman Press Committee.)
Arrangements for the great convention of
manufacturers and dealers to be held in New
York City, June 4 to 10, are fast assuming defi-
n i t e shape.
As an-
nounced from time to
time, the local commit-
tees have been diligently
working with a view to
providing the finest en-
tertainment that has yet
been offered to the mem-
bers. A meeting of the
various committees and
some of the officers of the Dealers' Association
was held in New York City during the present
week. The Banquet Committee, consisting of
B. H. Janssen, Robert Kammerer and L. A.
Duckworth, has its arrangements completed far
in advance of any previous Banquet Committee.
They have prepared a very novel souvenir
which will be thoroughly appreciated by
every guest attending the banquet.
The
cost of this affair will probably be the same
as at previous banquets, not exceeding ?8 a
plate. This information is offered at this time
owing to the fact that it has been erroneously
stated that the dinner would probably cost ?12.
The committee considers that the members will
be well satisfied with the amount of delicious
delicacies in food and drink which New York
will offer for the lesser amount, and did not
deem it wise to indulge in extravagances. A
number of prominent speakers, not connected
with the piano trade, will be invited to address
the association, and some of the well-known
stars in the trade will also participate, but
novelties will be numerous, not only on the occa-
sion of the banquet, but throughout the conven-
tion sessions.
*
•
*
*
The Press Committee is formulating a plan
to obtain a considerable amount of publicity
through the general newspapers throughout the
country, and will very shortly send out to all
the members a special letter on this subject and
a supply of copy, with the request to the mem-
bers in various cities and towns to secure pub-
lication of the items in their local newspapers.
Arrangements are also being made with the
Associated Press to send out an epitome of the
prepared speeches on various topics to be pre-
sented at the sessions, these to be forwarded in
advance and released at the proper time. All
these methods will serve to familiarize the pub-
lic with the existence of the association and
thus increase its influence.
In the matter of discussions, President Crew
proposes to have them crisp, lively, and upon
subjects of intense interest. Of course, it is
assumed that a great deal of consideration will
be given to the subject of stencil pianos, but if
President Crew's present plans materialize, this
will be only one of the many problems which
will be of utmost interest to the trade and also
to the general piano buying public.
In all probability by the end of another two
weeks the committees will be able to place be-
fore the members a very complete outline of
the general program.
* * * •
All members who are contemplating the jour-
ney to New York should secure their hotel reser-
vations at an early date. Mr. Muschenheim,
proprietor of the Hotel Astor, states that a large
number of reservations have already been made,
and he therefore anticipates a very large at-
tendance. Traveling men also state that there
is a vast interest in the coming convention and
every indication that it will be more largely
attended than any previous meeting. While
many members wrote Secretary Putnam last year
saying they would be in Chicago at the conven-
tion, an even greater number have thus far this
year signified their intention of attending. These
letters come largely from the South and far
West.
•
•
*
*
Members of the association are again reminded
that a special committee will be appointed to
care for the lady visitors, and it is hoped deal-
ers will bring as many of the members of their
families to New York with them as possible.
This special committee will entertain the ladies
of the association first, last and all time.
The General Reception Committee will be ap-
pointed and announced within the next two
weeks.
» « • •
Platt P. Gibbs, who is one of the hardest
workers among the members of the association,
is organizing his Grand Circus Pullman Special,
which will leave Chicago in time to arrive in
New York for the Manufacturers' Convention,
the last three days of the week previous to the
Dealers' sessions. Mr. Gibbs states that already
several cars are.filled, and he hopes it will be
necessary to run the train in three sections.
Any information concerning this special may
be had by addressing Platt P. Gibbs, 241 Wabash
avenue, Chicago, 111.
CHANGE IN SAUNA MUSIC CO.
J. E. Carnal and Charles Wagstaff have sold
their interests in the Salina Music Co., Salina,
Kan., to R. J. Brockett and B. P. Brott, of Kan-
sas City, and have permanently retired from the
firm.
Both Mr. Brott and Mr. Brockett were for-
merly with the Baldwin Co., and are experi-
enced piano men. The policy of the house will
not be changed and the lines will remain the
same, though the business will be considerably
enlarged, the territory covered including the
entire western portion of Kansas.
HENRY MESSERSMITH TO RETIRE.
Henry Messersmith, head of the prominent
Buffalo (N. Y.) furniture and piano house of
Henry Messersmith & Sons, will shortly retire
from active participation in the affairs of the
firm, handing over the burden of responsibility
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
to his two sons, Albert and John, who are well
equipped to take up the work.
Mr. Messersmith, Sr., has been in business for
twenty-eight years, and besides the handsome
new store at 563-565 Main street, Buffalo, the
concern also maintain a branch in that city
and another in Niagara Falls.
The piano department is owned by John
Messersmith and does an excellent business, the
following lines being handled:
Behr Bros.,
Story & Clark, Reed & Sons, Bennett, Bach,
Mansfield, and other makes of both pianos and
player-pianos.
EASY MONEY ANDTHE OUTLOOK.
The Two Considerations, as Viewed from a
Central Distributing Point.
(Special to The Review.)
Chicago, 111., April 18, 1908.
One still occasionally hears the easy money
market and the ready facilities which the market
seems to offer to mercantile borrowers, assigned
as a ground for expecting immediate improve-^
ment. It is certain that commercial paper is in •
greatly reduced supply, and that money brokers
are complaining; this despite the fact that the
rate is as low as 4'{. to 5!4 per cent. Along
with these reduced offerings of commercial paper,
there is a hopeful feeling and confidence is re-
turning slowly. But the volume of business is
not enlarging to any extent, and fall sales are
disappointing to those who had expected a fair
business.
Paper that is about to mature is being taken
care of by merchants and manufacturers; this
is a good sign in that it shows them to be liqui-
dating and getting into a condition where they
can take advantage of any important change for
the better that comes. Yet some commercial
paper brokers take a different view of the situa-
tion. One of them argues that the decreased
supplies of paper show nothing except that busi-
ness is flat, and the fact that makers of paper
are taking care of it shows that there is no ex-
pansion of business.
PITTSBURG HOUSE CLEANING.
(Special to The Review.)
Pittsburg, Pa., April 20, 1908.
House cleaning and redecorating seems to hold
sway among the piano houses in this city, each
firm seeming to vie with the other in that direc-
tion. The Lechner & Schoenberger Co. have re-
arranged their warerooms in order to make more
room for the display of their instruments. The
extra space was obtained by moving the offices to
the south end of the store. The Hallet & Davis
Piano Co. have painted their store front in
maroon and gold, while the Hendricks Music
Co.. next door, decided that a dark green t>ont
would harmonize with their soul color. Need-
less to say, both fronts attract immediate atten-
tion from the passer-by.
The Brockmeier Piano Co.,
open at Grand Rapids, Mich.,
the Brockmeier Bros, piano as
the Winthrop as their second
who
will
their
grade
will shortly
manufacture
leader, with
instrument.
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