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THE MU3IO TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW OF BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
very pleasing metallic blend. The frames meas-
ANOTHER "STRIKE" IN GRASLITZ.
ure 5% x 10% inches and the woodwork is fin-
Business Fairly Active But Volume Not so ished in dark mahogany. It has fancy moulding, Band Instrument Manufacturing Parts of Bo-
Large—Many Now Waiting on Political Con-
hemia Suffering from Labor Troubles—
ditions Before Inaugurating Fall Campaign—
American Orders Being Delayed as a Con-
European Orders of Larger Volume.
sequence.
The ten days preceding the great national holi-
day of the year are usually more or less active
so far as business with the small goods contingent
is concerned. This year has been no exception
to the rule, though the volume of trade was on a
lower level in the aggregate. For the next fort-
night stock-taking will be in order, and the goods
in hand and in transit will be gone over, lines
strengthened and superfluous and discontinued
numbers thrown on the market at underpriced
figures. At least, this is the general opinion ex-
pressed where three or four are gathered to-
gether and are discussing the run of business
current spd prospective.
A number of heavy July shipments were de-
livered on the first as per contract. This really
means goods for the fall trade, with the buyers
specifying that while they were willing to place
orders in the spring the forwarding was not to
occur before this time. It was a question of
more or less speculation, with something of a
political flavor added. That is to say, the pur-
chasers were rather inclined to be conservative
regarding the future until the Presidential nomi-
nating conventions had been forecast, when they
would feel more at liberty to commit themselves.
As far as can be ascertained, the time has now
passed when any uneasiness need be entertained
regarding the political conditions that will pre-
vail in this country for the next five years;
therefore, the dealers and jobbers in musical
merchandise are satisfied, judging from the man-
ner in which direct import orders are being-
filled, that the trade for the fall months may be
looked upon in the most favorable light.
Abroad the situation is also very much im-
proved. The leading buyers, known or suspected
as being in the small goods centers of Europe,
are placing orders on no niggardly scale. With-
in the past two weeks quite an exodus of these
gentlemen has taken place, and the advices so
far received indicate they have got busy and are
showing they have the courage of their convic-
tions in so far as arranging for the early ship-
ment of staple lines and novelties are concerned.
Naturally efforts are being made to conceal the
precise movements of these parties, 'but those in
a position to know make a weak defense when
facts are sought for in this direction.
double bellows with ten folds and brass corner
protectors, metal trimmings, patent self-acting
spring clasps. There are ten button keys with
bone tops and two bass keys.
BETTERMENTWITH GRATZ.
Secretary Mock Reports Increasing Sales, Es-
pecially in Band Instruments.
With the William R. Gratz Import Co., 35-37
W. 31st street, New York, business has improved,
especially in their large and extensive line of
band instruments, brass and wood-winds. Chat-
ting of the situation on Monday, J. Mock, sec-
retary of the company, spoke as follows: "We
find our sales increasing, especially for band in-
struments, in which we find it difficult to keep
a full supply on certain numbers. Violins, ac-
cordeons and harmonicas of our special brands
are also called for, and we regard the outlook
for fall business excellent. We hear regularly
from Mr. Gratz, who is taking the waters and is
in good health."
Another strike is on with the workmen in the
band instrument factories in Graslitz, Bohemia,
Austria, and the filling of orders for their Amer-
ican market is greatly hampered thereby. Six
months ago these same plants were either crip-
pled in their operations or wholly suspended.
The demands of the factory forces were acceded
to then, and flushed with victory the men since
have become more aggressive and more difficult
to get along with than ever before in the history
of the trade in that part of Europe.
The grievance, so called, at the present time
relates to the rules required to be enforced by
the authorities relative to the sanitary condi-
tions of the factories. Certain improvements to
better the sanitary arrangements of the buildings
were ordered by the local officials in obedience
to new laws recently enacted. Of course, the
question of introducing these betterments was
not submitted to the labor organizations, and
when the rules referred to went into effect the
workmen resented what they considered an un-
warranted interference with their "rights," and
served notice on their employers that a strike
would be ordered. The owners of the plants be-
ing powerless to meet this foolish demand from
their men are now undergoing the annoyance of
a strike. Those familiar with the situation de-
clare that this "grievance" of the workmen is
only a protest to show the strength of the organ-
ization, and that they propose to dictate terms
of whatever nature as they feel disposed now
and in the future.
SHIPPERS MUST BE CABEFUL.
Owing to the losses railroads and shippers
have suffered through the improper and insecure
shipping of freight, the 416 lines of the official
classification territory have decided to add 20
per cent, to the regular rate on all packages not
VIOLINS
BOWS. STRINGS
AND
HIGH-CLASS TRIMMINGS
HOHNER'S TRUMPET HORN ACCORDEON.
WILLIAM A. BRENNER A VISITOR.
In a special supplementary price list or cata-
log, M. Hohner, 475 Broadway, New York, illus-
trates and describes his latest models in ac-
cordeons. The one herewith illustrated, No.
788, consists of a regular German model ac-
cordeon, with an attachment of six brass trumpet
horns as seen in the illustration. The trumpet
horns are directly connected with a wooden
sound box into which the tone passes and finds
its way out through the horns. The horns lend
a very pleasing tone to the reeds and also in-
crease the tone power considerably. The vibra-
tion of the sound within the brass horns is so
pronounced that the tonal effects are given a
William A. Brenner, of the Koerber-Brenner
Music Co., St. Louis, Mo., arrived in New York
this week, when he called upon the leading small
goods firms. He will remain east a month, and
will visit the leading seaside resorts, making his
headquarters in this city during his vacation,
which is his annual outing. Doubtless he will
place some desirable orders before returning
West.
0. Ti. Nick, the piano dealer of Miles City,
Mont., will shortly erect a building for the special
purpose of housing his growing piano business.
F. B. BURNS & CO.
THE N E W NOVELTY LINE OF PIANO SCARFS
It will pay you to write lor a line of samples to be sent'on approval.
Ol N. J- R. R. AVE., NEWARK, N. J.
OH.
MANUFACTURER
113-115 UNIVERSITY PLACE
One block west of Broadway
N E W YORK
Prof. Hugo Heermann
The Eminent Violinist and
BLACK DIAMOND Strings
GENTLEMEN : —
I am sailing to Australia next week, and shall
pass through New York between the 5th and
8th of May ("Blucher," Hamburg-Amerlka Line).
Will you send enclosed order for Violin G
strings BLACK DIAMOND to address given be-
low, or do you hnve a Dealer's shop in New
York where I might find your strings? If so,
please let me know at the same address.
The strings are most excellent.
Yours sincerely,
II. HEERMANN.
Frankfort o/M., April, 1905.
OF THE CELEBRATED
BRHSS BAND HARMONICAS
TROSSINGEN, Germany
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON
NEW YORK, 393 Broadway
NATIONAL MUSICAL STRING COMPANY
New Brunswick, New Jersey