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THE
VOL. XLVI. No. 6
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison Ave., New York, February 8,1908.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Deeply Shocked at the Sudden Death of James
C. Miller—An Expression of Sympathy—Of-
ficers Very Enthusiastic Over the Prospects
of a Great Convention in June—Stencil
Question a Leading Topic.
(Supplied by Chairman l'ress Committee.)
JAMES C. MILLER
In the death of James C. Miller, which
occurred suddenly at Boston last Saturday
evening, the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America sustained an irre-
parable loss. The suddenness of his de-
mise will prove a great shock to the
hundreds of members who knew him inti-
mately to love and respect him.
Mr. Miller was an officer and active
member from the first organization of the
association in New York City seven years
ago. He was in attendance at every
official gathering and convention with the
one exception of the Chicago meeting last
year, at which time he was prevented
through illness. He always entered into
the spirit of the meetings and discussions,
and invariably stood boldly for his con-
victions, ever strong in his arguments for
the adoption of such measures as would
tend to eliminate trade evils and improve
the conditions of his fellow tradesmen; an
advocate of the highest ideals and trade
ethics. His judgment and advice were al-
ways asked and respected in the delibera-
tions of the officers.
During his term as president of the as-
sociation, Mr. Miller accomplished much
toward placing the organization in its
present strong position. In those days it
was young and required the strong, earn-
est and wise judgment which his discre-
tion and ennobling character were able to
supply. Every member who knew Mr.
Miller admired him for his sterling char-
acteristics and his lovable disposition.
At the recent meeting of the officers in
New YorK City, Mr. Miller was active in
the discussions at every session and ap-
peared as vigorous as ever, notwithstand-
ing the fact that for nearly a year past he
had not been in robust health.
Every member of the association joins
in this but feeble tribute and expression
of sympathy to his family, his firm anu
his legion of closer friends who deeply
mourn his sudden and untimely demise.
business men who had taken time and borne the
expense of traveling great distances to enable
them to be present on this occasion.
President Crew unfortunately was suffering
from a severe cold contracted en route to New
York and the members will regret to learn that
on his return to Atlanta his condition has been
somewhat aggravated, making it necessary for
him to be confined to his home under the care
of his physician. As soon as he is able to re-
sume his duties he will announce the appoint-
ments for the various committees who will at-
tend to the detailed work relative to the June
Convention. While in New York the officers
arranged as far as possible the details with the
Hotel Astor, and a most agreeable visit is as-
sured those who will make their calculation to
attend.
One of the most important problems which
will come up before the next convention will be
the resolution framed at this officers' meeting
with reference to the stencil piano. It reads as
follows:
"At the request of the Executive Committee of
your association your Committee on Resolutions
presents the following:
" 'It is the sense of the National Association
of Piano Dealers' of America in convention as-
sembled that the name of the manufacturer
should be indelibly placed on each piano manu-
factured by him or his company, where it is
readily visible.' "
Mr. Simmons, of New Orleans, and, in fact, all
the members attending the officers' meeting, were
enthusiastic in their support of this proposition.
Members at large should give this proposition
their careful consideration in order that intelli-
gent and -decisive action may be taken at the
coming convention.
The delightful entertainment provided by the
New York Piano Manufacturers' Association at
the Hotel Astor, Monday evening, January 27,
will long live in the memory of those who were
so fortunate as to be present and the officers feel
grateful for the many courtesies extended. It is
only the forerunner of what may be expected at
the great convention in June next.
OUR EXPORT AND IMPORT TRADE.
Import Trade of Musical Instruments Shows
Decrease—Exports for the Month Are Much
Larger—Player
Shipments
Make
Fine
Record—The Figures in Detail Regarding the
yarious Instruments Furnish Some Interest-
ing Particulars to Our Readers.
(Special to Tlie Review.)
Washington, D. C, February 6, 1908.
The summary of exports and imports of the
The enthusiasm of the officers who gathered commerce of the United States for the month of'
at the Hotel Astor in New York City, Monday December, 1907, the latest period for which it
and Tuesday, January 27 and 28, was fairly indic- has been compiled, has just been issued by the
ative of the spirit which will prevail at the Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Com-
forthcoming convention, June 8, 9 and 10. The merce and Labor. The figures relating to musi-
trade papers published detailed reports of the cal merchandise, including pianos, organs, piano
work accomplished at these sessions, and it is players and miscellaneous "small goods" in the
hoped that every member of the association will musical field are as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
take pains to read carefully these reports. Of
course, the trade papers could not indicate the during December .amounted to $109,995, as com-
feeling of enthusiasm which existed among those pared with $121,185 worth which were imported
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$3.00 PER YEAR.
the same month of 1906. The twelve months'
total ending December shows importations
valued at $1,586,896, as against $1,364,008 worth
of musical instruments imported during the
same period of 1906. This gives an increase in
imports for the eleven months ending December
of $222,288.
The import figures for the twelve months' pe-
riod for the three years are as follows: 1905,
$1,229,271; 1906, $1,364,008; 1907, $1,586,896. -
The total domestic exports of musical instru-
ments for December, 1907, amounted to $344,-
926, as compared with $291,303 for the same
month of the previous year. The twelve months'
exportation of musical instruments amounted to
$3,442,777, as against $3,144,774 for the same
period in 1906. This shows an increase in ex-
ports for the twelve months ending December
of $298,003.
The export figures for the twelve months' pe-
riod for the three years are as follows: 1905,
$3,158,138; 1906, $3,144,774; 1907, 3,442,777.
Of the aggregate expoftations in December
there were 1,226 organs valued at $74,311, as
compared with 1,245 organs in 1906, valued at
$73,125. The twelve months' total shows that
we exported 12,535 organs, valued at $845,280, as
against 13,084 organs, valued at $890,238, for
the same period in 1906, and 12,357, valued at
$855,193 for the same period in 1905.
In December, 1907, we exported 510 pianos,
valued at $138,418, as against 450 pianos, valued
at $94,556, in December, . 1906. The twelve
months' total exports show 4,229 pianos, valued
at $1,050,343, as compared with 3,313, valued at
$765,004, exported in the same period in 1906,
and 2,557, valued at $590,084 for the same period
in 1905.
Of the aggregate exportations in December
there were 190 piano players, valued at $50,674.
For the twelve months' period 2,618 of these in-
struments, valued at $675,105, were sent abroad.
The value of "all other instruments and parts
thereof" sent abroad during December, 1907,
amounted to $81,523; in the same month of 1906
the value was estimated at $77,158.
The total exports for the twelve months under
this heading foot up* $872,049, as against $878,-
284 exported during the same period of 1906, and
$828,307 exported during the same period in
1905. This shows a decrease of $6,235.
COMPLETINGJNSTALLATION.
The Pease Piano Co. Have About Completed the
Equipment of Their New Plant and Expect
to Commence Operations in About Two
Weeks—Will Give Them an Output of Five
Thousand Pianos Yearly.
The Pease Piano Co. are now completing the
installation of new machinery at their new fac-
tory, located at Leggett and Randall avenues, the
Bronx, and expect to commence manufacturing
operations at their new home in about two weeks.
The factory is one of the most modern and best
equipped in the East and with greatly enlarged
facilities the concern will increase their output
over 50 per cent., or over 5,000 pianas yearly.
The Pease piano of the future will fully maintain
the traditions of the past without peradventure.