Music Trade Review

Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
2783 S\
THE
fflJSIC TIRADE
V O L . X L V I I . N o . 1.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at J Madison A Y C , New York, July 4, 1908.
SINGLE COPIES. 10 CENTS.
$t.M PER YEAR.
practically all losses excepting those due to
CROP CONDITIONS FINE
wrecks or a total failure to deliver. Various pub-
In
All
Parts
of the Country—Outlook for Fall
A. B. Chase Co. Brings Suit Against the Starr
lications called attention forcibly to the dangers
Business Consequently Improves.
Piano Co. to Enjoin Them from Using the
in these rules of the various classifications. Im-
Name of Chase.
portant shipping interests then took the matter
Merchants in all sections of the country, and
up with the Western roads and succeeded in get-
especially
in the agricultural districts, have been
(Special to The Review.)
ting several important lines to abandon the old
greatly
encouraged
regarding the outlook for fall
Toledo, O., June 27, 1908.
rule, after which the Western Classification Com-
business by the recent reports of the Department
The A. B. Chase Co., of Norwalk, 0., has filed mittee adopted the new rule above quoted.
a bill of complaint in the Federal Court in this
It is understood that the transcontinental roads of Agriculture on crop conditions. The depait-
ment reports a condition of 86 for winter wheat
city asking that the Starr Piano Co., of Rich-
mond, Ind., be restrained from using the names' also have under favorable consideration the and of 95 for spring wheat, which figures, ac-
"Chase Piano Co.," "Original Chase Piano" and abandonment of the loss and damage condition cording to reliable authorities, indicate a wheat
which they inserted in their tariffs to and from harvest of something like 700,000,000 bushels.
the "Original Chase Piano Co."
the
Pacific Coast last winter.
While this would not be a record crop, it woulo"
The bill alleges that the Norwalk company
come very near to the highest, and would ap-
have built up their trade on the name of
SEATTLE HAS^A MILLION
proach very close to the bumper yield of 1906.
"Chase," and the Starr Co. have been trading
on the name by using "Chase v on the drop lid For Great Exposition—Necessary Amount The only crop in regard to which there is now
Raised to Get U. S. $600,000 Appropriation.
any uncertainty is that of corn.
of their output. The bill also recites that the
Starr Co. made application to the patent office
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson expressed the
I Special to The Review.)
at Washington to register the name "Chase," that
opinion, on his return from a visit to the crop
Seattle,
Wash.,
June
30,
1908.
the case is now pending, and that the A. B.
A telegram has been sent to Secretary of the sections, that he had never before seen the con-
Chase Co. are contesting the right of the Starr
ditions at this time of year so favorable. "The
Treasury
Cortelyou notifying him that the stand of corn," said he, "is magnificent. Winter
Co. to the registration.
Service was obtained Tuesday on the agents Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition has complied and spring wheat are both in remarkably fine
of the Starr Co. in Toledo, and they have been with the Congressional requirement that $1,000,- condition. The cotton situation is far better than
cited to appear before Judge Taylor and show 000 be raised by subscription irrespective of any it was this time last year."
cause why they should not be enjoined from State or Federal appropriations before the Con-
Interstate Commerce Commissioner Lane be-
gressional appropriation of $600,000 is made
using the disputed name.
available. The Secretary is requested imme- lieves that by the time the fall crop is ready to
diately to designate some Treasury Department be moved the increased railroad business will
force a car shortage. Mr. Lane also says that
SAENGERFESTJN_ INDIANAPOLIS
official to examine the exposition's securities.
railroad construction is showing signs of picking
Does Not Benefit Piano Trade to Any Great
Progress on the exposition buildings is entirely up, indicating increased transportation of coal,
Extent—Starr Piano Co. Held Program satisfactory to the national government. Two of
iron and similar commodities.
Privileges and Their Products Were Widely the exhibit palaces are completed, a third will be
The favorable crop outlook has already imbued
Advertised as a Consequence.
completed within a few days, and work is under
with
considerable confidence merchants who are
way on the others.
(Special to The Review.)
so located as to have personal knowledge of agri-
Indianapolis, Ind., June 29, 1908.
cultural conditions, and this feeling of encour-
DEATH OF HUBERT DENAULT.
Although a number of the local piano houses*
agement will rapidly spread to other sections of
made special exhibits in order to attract the
(Special to The Review.)
the country.
attention of the crowd of visitors to the Saenger-
Lowell, Mass., June 29, 1908.
fest of the North American Saengerbund held in
Hubert Denault, the well-known piano dealer,
ORDERS 14 A.J^CHASE PIANOS.
this city recently, it was stated that the trade died Wednesday at his home, 749 Merrimack
had not profited by the affair to any extent, there street, after a long illness. Mr. Denault was the
being very few piano buyers among the visitors. first and oldest French-American piano dealer in The Bartlett Music Co., of Los Angeles, Cal.,
Have Placed Such an Order Which Includes
The Starr Piano Co., through the local manager, the city, having been in the business for 30
Three Artistano Uprights and One Grand.
H. T. Spain, got the best results, as they had years. He had started first in the sewing ma-
captured the special advertising and program chine and piano lines combined, but had left off
The Bartlett Music Co., of Los Angeles, Cal.,
privileges, thousands of programs being distrib- the former branch to take up the latter only, in
manifested
their enthusiasm over the nomination
uted during the meet.
which he built up during the last 20 years a
Among those houses who made special prepara- very profitable business. Mr. Denault was 57 of William Howard Taft for President by imme-
tions were George C. Pearson, who showed some years old, and a native of St. Jean, Que. He diately ordering a carload of fourteen A. B.
Chase pianos for quick delivery. Of these three
handsome Steinways, and the Baldwin Co.
had been for 38 years a resident of Lowell, com- . were Artistano upright and one Artistano
ing here at the age of 19. Mrs. Denault survives grand player pianos. By the way, this is the
ASSUMING RISK OF LOSS OR DAMAGE.
him, together with three daughters, Misses Laura,
fourth Artistano grand player piano sold by this
The Western railroads have abandoned their Cordelia and Regina Denault, well known in company in the past few weeks.
musical
circles,
two
brothers
and
two
sisters.
efforts to make the shipper assume the risk of
loss or damage in transit. The Western Classifi-
AMBUHL BROS. TO INCORPORATE.
FORMS FREEMAN PIANO MFG. 0 0 .
cation Committee has adopted a new rule, effec-
tive July 15, in place of the objectionable Rule 4,
George E, Ambuhl, C. R. Ambuhl and J. M.
A. P. Freeman, formerly connected with the
the amended rule reading as follows:
manufacturing department of the Krell Piano Wilson intend on July 9 to apply to the authori-
"Ratings made in this classification are for Co., who has formed the Freeman Piano Man- ties of Pennsylvania for a charter for an in-
shipments made subject to the following condi- ufacturing Co., with headquarters at 322 Fourth tended corporation to be called "Ambuhl Bros.
tions: No carrier or party in possession of any avenue North, Nashville, Tenn., is having the Piano Co.," with the object of buying, selling,
of the property provided for in this classification most improved machinery .installed in the fac- leasing and dealing in pianos, and other musical
shall be liable for any loss thereof, or damage tory, which embraces several thousand square instruments and general musical merchandise.
thereto, from causes beyond its control."
feet of floor space, and the company will soon be
In this new version of the rule the carriers turning out instruments. Mr. Freeman will have
E. L. Benedict is moving his stock of pianos
accept their common law liability. The old rule, complete charge of the manufacturing end of the from Coin, Iowa, to ht§ main store in Clarinda,
if enforced, would have made the shipper bear business.
that State.
RIGHT TO USE NAME OF CHASE.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
GEO. B. KELLEK,
L. E. BOWERS,
W. H. DYKES,
F. H. THOMPSON,
J. HATDBN CLARENDON,
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
L. J. CHAMBERLIN,
A. J. N I C K U N .
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE
BRNBHT II. WAITT, 100 Boylston St.E. P. VAN HARLINGDN, Room 806, 156 Wabash Ave.
Telephone, Central 414.
MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL:
ST. LOUIS:
PHILADELPHIA:
R. W. KAUJTMAN.
ADOLF EDSTEN.
CHAS. N. VAN BTJREN.
SAN FRANCISCO: S. H. GRAY, 2407 Sacramento St.
CINCINNATI, O.: BERNARD C. BOWBN.
BALTIMORE, MD.: A. ROBERT FRENCH.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 69 Basinghall St., B. C.
W. LIONEL STURDY, Manager.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION, (Including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50 ; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS. $2.00 per Inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount Is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
I.yman Bill.
Music Publishers'
Department *• v
An interesting feature of this publication is a special depart-
ment devoted exclusively to the world of music publishing.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Priw
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal. Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal. ...St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal
Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 4677 and 4678 GRAMERCY
Connecting all Departments.
Cable a d d r e s s : "Elbill, N e w York."
NEW YORK, JULY
4, 1908
EDITORIAL
S
YSTEMATIZE everything-. The better the system the better
results obtained. Everything- should be worked out according
to a definite plan. Even recreation as well as finances should be
figured as carefully and systematically as any part of the business
machinery. By system we can cut out unnecessary drudgery; un-
necessary indulgences that have ceased to amuse and only harm;
unnecessary leakages in the expense account, all can be eliminated
if care is used and systematic rules are applied to the conduct of
business affairs. It is a good time when trade is dull to develop
systematic business plans for the future and there is no better time
than the present summer. Competition is becoming keener all the
time and competition cannot be successfully met by adhering to
loose slipshod business methods. The only way to meet competition
is to meet it, and it cannot be met by idle theorizing or indifference
in planning business campaigns. It must be met by sturdy, syste-
matic, up-to-date business methods.
Watch some of the plans developed by the great retail trade
emporiums, known in the vernacular as department stores, which,
in truth, are a colossal aggregation of stores under one roof and
one management. Could they run unless all waste had been care-
fully eliminated; unless system were introduced in every depart-
ment? It would be impossible, and these great trade interests swing
on with the regularity and precision of military evolutions on a
practice field. With them there is nothing done by chance. Every
department head is a chief of division and his forces must do as
he directs, and over all the commanding general stands with a keen
eye watching the movements of the different divisions upon the
trade field. He knows whether the officer is weak in discipline—
whether he is slack in system—whether he is lacking in force, and
furthermore he watches results, and if they are not up to a certain
standard which he has fixed in his mind he investigates—he finds
out why. Or if there are mistakes or leakages or mismanagement
porrective measures are immediately introduced.
Now, every
merchant, no matter whether he is running a small music store or a
great one, can learn something by studying the plans and methods
REVIEW
adopted by successful business men in other - lines of trade. It
doesn't pay to study failures, life is too short for that, but it does
pay to study the lives and methods of those men who have risen
from the ranks to leadership by sheer force of business intellectu-
ality. They are the men to study and a little time devoted to
analyzing the methods and character and plans and principles of
these men will not be wrong even in the good old summer time.
T
HERE are some who figure that prices on staple lines of
manufactured goods will not be maintained and that prices
will not hold firm. This belief has undoubtedly influenced many
merchants in various lines of trade from placing substantial orders.
It is certain that it has not been wholly on account of a desire to go
slow that buying has been so light, but there has been a belief on
the part of some merchants that prices would be materially lowered,
and that money would be made by waiting. Now, do the conditions
bear out adhering to this policy of delay ?
We should say to those who expect that light trade will create
consternation and a tremendous slash in prices that they are wrong
in their theorizing. Stocks have become steadily exhausted in
every line of trade by constant drafts made upon them. The. con-
suming power of our eighty odd millions of people is considerable
and factories have not run for six months past on anything ap-
proaching the normal output, and as a result stocks have been
continually lowered, reserves have been drawn upon so that to-day
instead of having big stocks to draw upon such as we had at the
time when we encountered the last business depression we are abso-
lutely facing a condition of stock starvation.
N
OW, with the good crops which seem to be practically assured
there is going to' be a quickening demand for products of all
kinds in the early fall. The nomination of Secretary Taft has ma-
terially helped to strengthen business confidence. He is viewed as
a man who will give this country a wise constitutional government.
His temperament is judicial and not erratic or spectacular, therefore
he is particularly pleasing to the business element who believe that
a rest cure is a pretty good thing for this country. Confidence,
therefore, will be strengthened all the while, and in the meantime
thousands of business men will soon make immediate demands upon
the manufacturers for stock. The manufacturers who have also
been running slow have no reservations, and as a result the men
who come first will be served first, and under such conditions how
can it be expected that prices will be lowered? On the contrary if
there is active bidding for stock this fall prices will advance. The
man who is figuring that by waiting he can buy goods at lower
prices, whether pianos or any of the necessities of life, to our mind
is figuring on a wrong basis, and we canncrt see the slightest evi-
dence that costs will be lowered.
T
HE furniture trade has been particularly dull for some time
past, and it is said that dealers have been holding off buying
believing that prices would lower. The furniture men have, in
secret conclave, decided upon a plan which they believe to be a
solution of the situation. They decided that the buyers who place
orders now are to be given a guarantee that should the manufac-
turers at any time during the period from July i to Jan. i cut the
prices of the goods that have been bought by the dealer he will be
given the advantage of that cut price on all the goods which are
used of similar pattern during six months.
Such a move is epoch-making in furniture history. The fear
of cut prices is an ever present bugaboo among buyers. If dealers
can be assured that they will be protected throughout the season
on all of their purchases they will unquestionably order more freely.
For the benefit of piano men we set .forth the action of the men in
the furniture trade. This plan certainly is worth serious considera-
tion and it might facilitate the early placing of orders. If piano
dealers were satisfied over the country that they would be protected
in any price slump which might occur during the next six months,
presumably they would be more willing to place their orders early,
and in that way the manufacturers could prepare to meet conditions
in a much more satisfactory manner than they can with the present
uncertain condition of the market.
Tt can hardly be expected that piano manufacturers will con-
tinue to run their plants at full capacity to pile up a reserve stock
for the early fall trade. It costs a good deal of mefney to do this,

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.