Music Trade Review

Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 21

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Piano Sales are Steadily Improving.
sided, neither did I think that trade would be T H E EXCELSIOR COMPANY, Cape Girardeau,
affected in any way. I feel satisfied with the
Mo.
results of the election and look forward to a
We regard the business prospect for the next
good, brisk business in all lines.
six months very bright. The farmer is getting
a good price for everything he raised, and the
T H E W E S T E R MUSIC CO., Atlanta, Ga.
We believe there will be a very decided change crops have been fair. Again, work is getting
in trade conditions at once, from the fact that plentiful. The mechanic and laborer are receiv-
we know absolutely that there is a different feel- ing good wages. Taking this into consideration,
ing with the people since the election, and I we believe that all that is necessary to get the
think that there will be a steady improvement business is to hustle for it. The one that pushes
in business, and that the piano trade will reach the hardest will win out in the end.
Politics should not have any direct bearing on
the point where it was one year ago.
business, no matter what party is in control 'of
KIESELHORST PIANO CO., St. Louis.
the government or who is at the head of the
The direct effect of the national election upon government. The government would run along
business will be an immediate, powerful stimu- just the same if someone else was at the head
lant. The last barrier has been removed and we of it. What is needed is more .attention to busi-
are now starting on the smooth road to pros- ness and less excitement. The men in charge of
perity.
the government will take care of their affairs.
I regard the future of the piano industry for The commercial world should take care of their
the next six months as a gradual, healthy im- particular business, and not try to run the gov-
provement. The buying power of the masses has ernment. The men elected to that position will
been seriously curtailed during the past year, take care of that. More attention to business
therefore they must get even and ahead before and less politics would help some.
we can expect them to purchase pianos liberally;
1909 will be a far better piano year than 1908, JUNIUS HART PIANO HOUSE, New Orleans.
I do not believe that business in our line will
and from 1910 on we will exceed the very pros-
increase
with very rapid strides in our territory.
perous year of 1906.
However, there are local causes which might
have a tendency to prevent it. Very discourag-
REEVES MUSIC HOUSE, Helena, Mont.
Piano business will gradually show improve- ing reports are coming in from the cotton dis-
ment for the next six months. Manufacturers trict of Louisiana on account of the boll weevil.
and dealers in all lines breathe easier since elec- The rice and sugar crops have been affected some-
tion. Confidence has been restored and money what also because of the many rains which oc-
will soon return to its natural channels. All curred during the months of July, August and
September, filling the sugar cane with too much
should prepare for the most prosperous times.
water, so that while the cane is heavy it will
CRESSEY & ALLEN, Portland, Me.
not produce as much sugar as it would under
We feel satisfied that there will be a gradual different circumstances, and while water is good
return of business, since the election has been for rice at times, it isn't late in the season when
settled in a manner which will doubtless inspire it begins to mature. We all hope for the best,
confidence through the country- We realize, as however, and believe that the Taft administration
all must, that the working class in many indus- will bring about prosperous times throughout the
tries have gotten behind in the last year and it country.
will take them some time to catch up. Until that
time they will not be in a position to buy pianos, C. W. LUDWIG, Rochester, N. Y .
There is a decided better outlook; our busi-
so that we do not look for any boom in our line
of trade, but feel that an improvement for the ness is much improved; people held back with
better will be noticeable and that a slow but money and did not seem to have the courage to
invest it, for fear they would get out of work;
steady improvement will follow.
but now there seems to be a general relief.
A. D. BULEN, Meadville, Pa.
Everyone is looking forward to prosperity, and
I do not think the election over will be any I hope we will have as good times as we had
material help for the present. The panic of a three years ago. Hoping you may hear good re-
year ago has been a scorcher for the piano man. ports from all the dealers over the country.
You can fall down ladder very easy, but to climb
MENKEE'S MUSIC HOUSE, Oconto, Wis.
up again is very slow. I read your trade paper
My observation leads me to believe that piano
every week and enjoy the good reading.
business for the next few months will be about
Are we degenerating in music? Is there going normal or slightly below. Then I expect a still
to be the demand for pianos in the future as better business than at any previous time. I
in the past? The rich man's daughter and son expect my own business to be fully up to or
will entertain their friends with an automobile, ahead of last year. This is because I have
or a phonograph, player-piano, electric piano, or worked harder than before. Even at that I find
some other mechanical device. The poor man such a hesitancy among buyers who expect times
who is in the majority the purchaser of pianos will be still worse, that I have decided to keep
cannot afford to give his children the advantage my stock a trifle below normal. As far as the
required to hold up the standard of music.
national election goes, you must remember Wis-
consin is a Republican State and the general
McARTHUR PIANO CO., Aberdeen, S. D.
We believe from the present outlook that feeling is optimistic. In fact, we of Wisconsin
things will continue in good shape for at least look for a steady improvement in business con-
that time. The trade for the past three months ditions.
has been exceedingly good. In regard to the L. GRUNEWALD CO., LTD., New Orleans.
direct effect of the national election upon busi-
Everyone in the United States should rejoice
ness, we wish to state that we do not think this that there has been no change in the federal gov-
will have any effect. Business has been good, ernment; things have been working so satisfac-
and if it continues so, we will feel perfectly torily that it would have upset matters very
satisfied.
much to have had any different ruling. I have
heard many statements from those who have
FREDERICKSON-KROH
MUSIC CO., Okla-
voted Democratic that they were satisfied with
homa City, Okla.
the Chief Executive in spite of their having polled
We believe that the country has cleaned house
an opposite vote. The country is perfectly satis-
and that we will have a better, more stable and
fied, so I learn from magazines and Associated
wholesome business from now on.
Press notes, and this is what makes business
O. D. STINCHFIELD'S, Auburn, Me.
prosperous, to have a cheerful and good-fellow-
All signs point to an immediate improvement ship feeling predominate. We feel that the result
in business conditions in this vicinity, though it for the piano business will be very beneficial;
may not affect the piano business as quickly as money will be free and plentiful, and this is what
some other branches.
builds up business.
HOLLENBERG MUSIC CO., Little Rock, Ark.
1 believe that the piano industry for the next
six months will approximate an increase of 20
or 25 per cent, excess over a period for the same
six months of the year previous.
The direct effect of the national election upon
all business will be beneficial. The later effect,
however, to my mind, is much worse than a
period of business depression for even a greater
length of time. My views on this point are
further explained in the next answer.
My views the morning after the election were
a conclusion that for the immediate present all
business would be more or less stimulated, and
the direct eftect will be good from the standpoint
of business. I am satisfied, however, that from
the standpoint of political economy the effect is
net so good.
Exaggerating my impressions that I may bet-
ter give you my idea of it, it is not improbable
that within the next eight years the Republican
party will be the Imperial Party with Prince
Kermit in charge. We must recognize that dur-
ing the administration of the Republican party
we have grown to a point where all mining,
manufacturing, railroads, and business of all
kinds is absolutely controlled at present by 20 or
25 men, and practically owned by them. And
my views the morning after the election were
that within a very few years these 25 men would
be reduced to one. I do not believe that the
Republican party can stop it, or that they would
if they could.
THOMAS & BARTON CO., Augusta, Ga.
As to how we regard the future of the piano
industry for the next six months, would advise
that, while crops in this particular section are
off, yet, up to the present writing, we have done
a larger piano business this fall than any pre-
vious year, and indications are that it will con-
tinue; we are optimistic enough to believe that
it will.
As to what effect the national election will
have upon business, we do not think that there
will be any decided change either one way or
the other. We do believe, however, that the
public will feel easier, and that matters will
move along more smoothly than during the last
few months. We entertain very hopeful views
ourselves, the morning after the election.
T H E KNIGHT-CAMPBELL
ver, Colo.
MUSIC CO., Den-
We believe that the amount of piano sales for
the next six months will be apt to about equal
the amount of sales for the past six months, and,
if the other industries open up in good shape,
sales should begin to materially increase after
that time. A great many people who may get
to work in the near future, but who have been
out of work for some months, will not be in a
position to think of making any investments for
several months. A great many of them are now
in debt and will have to get even with the world
again, but, after this has been accomplished, then
it would seem as though we might expect an in-
crease in piano sales.
It will remain to be seen whether or not the
large manufacturing plants will resume opera-
tion. If the working people get employment,
business is bound to get back to normal, but, if
this is not the case, then business, it would seem,
is apt to be somewhat quiet.
CLARK MUSIC CO., Syracuse, N. Y.
I think we shall see business return to normal
conditions and a gradual improvement. The
effect of the election seems to be viewed from an
optimistic standpoint.
CONROY PIANO CO., St. Louis, Mo.
I predict a healthy growth for the piano in-
dustry for the next six months, although 1 be-
lieve it is going to be gradual, as it is going to
take at least a year before business will be back
to normal again. I consider that the election
of Taft will give confidence to the business in-
terests of the country, and we "shall notice a
steady improvement in the number of people
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
11
Country Returning to Good Commercial Basis.
who will gradually again find employment. Hop-
ing you and The Review will share in the pros-
perity which I think is bound to follow.
over, while it may or may not have suited our
particular ideas, we feel settled for another four
years, or in other words, we have done our house
cleaning, and start in with everything bright and
SCHLICK'S MUSIC STORE, Charles City, la.
We do not expect any rush of business for the new. Judging from the past month (October)
business is very much improved, and we are
next six months. We think it will be rather
light, because we have had several poor crops, laboring hard to get our share.
and since the money panic people have been very J. H. TROUP MUSIC HOUSE, Harrisburg, Pa.
conservative. We do not think the election will
Am glad to add our word of encouragement
and answer your questions. Now that the elec-
make any sudden change for the better, only a
tion is over, deciding so unanimously in favor
steady growth.
of the majority and the best-thinking people, we
LING PIANO HOUSE, Detroit, Mich.
believe trade will brighten very fast in the next
All the business men in this community seem
six months. We think the next three years will
to feel that there is no further cause for worry
be very prosperous times to all piano men who
and are making preparations for an.immediate
merit their patronage. We think that the crisis
revival in trade. As a natural consequence of the has been reached and that times are going to
depression, H will be some time before collec- greatly improve.
tions improve very much. It is my impression
that an overwhelming majority of the people THE TUSTING PIANO CO., Asbury Park, N. J.
In my opinion, the future of the piano industry
wish the policies of Roosevelt carried forwaid,
for it ought to be remembered that the majoiity depends entirely upon the men who are market-
of those who voted for Bryan were radicals along ing the instruments. We have heard lets of com-
this same line. Nothing else but an aggressive plaints during the last ten months, but the Tust-
ing Piano Co. have done the best business for
policy on the part of the Republican administra-
tion will prevent socialists soon becoming a domi- the year 1908 that we have ever done—of course,
we have gone after it.
nant party.
The direct effect of the election upon business
Piano men have more to fear fiom their wrong
cannot help but be beneficial. Mr. Bryan said,
methods of selling than from any change of
party. When they desist from the "manufacture" "Shall the people rule?" Judging from the re-
of collateral rather than the selling of a piano, turns it looked as though such a large majority
when they stop fraudulent guessing contests, of the voters were of one mind that the country
when they adopt the one-price system, when they as a whole cannot but be satisfied. This means
reduce the number of solicitors and increase the renewed confidence, and of course better business
quality of their salesmen, then the piano busi- conditions are bound to follow. You see, there-
fore, that my views this morning after the elec-
ness will be on a more substantial basis.
tion are optimistic. In other words, "the goose
TURNER MUSIC CO., Tampa, Fla.
hangs high."
Business with us has been improving steadily
since the first of October, and, in view of the WM. LITTLE, Liberty, N. Y.
I think business will greatly improve in the
more settled conditions at present, extremely
next few months, and extend best wishes for
good orange crop, and the general betterment of
business in this section, we look forward to an large increased trade along all lines.
extremely good trade during the next six months, BOLLMAN BROS. PIANO CO., St. Louis, Mo.
We are all feeling fine owing to the way the
and are making our plans accordingly.
election has gone. Now, as the election is over
The direct effect of the election of Taft upon
and the people have elected the right man, we
our business is to keep it upon the uproad on
feel that business in all branches will increase
which it is now going.
materially in the next six months, and especially
Our views the morning after election were that
the time had arrived for us to get busy and get in our line, which has suffered most, will cer-
all the good business we possibly could, as, un- tainly show a healthy gain. We are prepared to
questionably, the business conditions were set- meet any kind of increase, as we have a fine
stock on hand.
tled as much as they would be for a number of
months, and that it was worth our efforts to try GEORGE BASCOM, Albia, la.
and get a volume of business the same as before
My business has been improving for the.last
the financial disturbances.
two months. Prospects for fall trade were never
better. Now that election is over, I expect more
LUDDEN & BATES, Bradentown, Fla.
In this section of the State business has been cash sales, larger payments on time sales, and
very dull for c several months, collections slow, but general improvement in business.
FOSTER & WALDO, Minneapolis, Minn.
am glad to say there has been some improvement
The election is highly satisfactory to the ma-
in the last month, as I have had a very good
business, with a good show now (as the election jority of people in Minnesota. Confidence in the
is over, and the right man elected) to go right future will stimulate business and there will be
ahead and get the business. All in all, the out- a healthy increase from now on. There will be
no boom, and some time will be required for
look is good in this section of the country. I
business to again assume its old-time swing.
take The Music Trade Review, and assure you
Now is a good opportunity for the trade jour-
that I am an interested reader of same.
nals to make an earnest appeal for cleaner
B. K. KORIK, Milwaukee, Wis.
methods in the trade. Business is something
I expect the piano business to be as good as more than a guess, and the unthinking dealers
ever. It will make the people get down to busi- should be warned against the evil effects of ad-
ness, the uncertainty having disappeared.
vising the public to make a "guess" and receive
L. B. MIDDLETON & SON, Eagle Grove, la.
a $50 to $150 coupon as payment on a piano at
The thinking people of this country elected
"regular store prices." This is one of many
Taft and Sherman, and this means a continuation
evils that the trade might discard with beneficial
of the Roosevelt policies. We are all farmers in
results. There are many straight, legitimate
Iowa and we are getting bigger prices for every- methods, backed up by brains, energy and en-
thing that we produce to-day than at any time thusiasm that would prove to be more effective.
in the last forty years. We have an average crop,
The result of the election already demonstrates
and almost every farmer in Iowa to-day has a the marvelous power of the word "confidence."
bank account and can buy a new piano if he Advise the dealer to use methods that will enable
wants one. And he can pay cash for it.
him to secure his full share of this "returning
THE FULTON MUSIC CO., Waterbury, Conn.
confidence." The integrity of the piano trade
The coming six months promises to be the ought to be greater than a "guess." Pardon this
busiest season in the piano business we have digression, but we are anxious to see our indus-
experienced for the past year. Sales will be try benefited by the new confidence springing up
numerous, and of good quality. Election being on all sides.
WILLARD F. MAIN, Iowa City, la.
The outlook for the piano industry for.the next
six months will be good, but will be better dur-
ing the six months following. The direct effect
of the national election on business will be to
strengthen confidence and business will be trans-
acted more easily and liberally. I t is my im-
pression that the second six months following
election will show an increase in business greater
than the first. It is my opinion that men in
all lines of business are gradually growing more
conservative and cautious, and business is being
conducted on a more substantial basis. The
election of Taft will strengthen confidence and
stimulate the demand, which, of course, will in-
crease production.
PHILLIPS AND CREW CO., Atlanta, Ga.
We believe that in the next six months we
shall have much better trade. Now let the piano
trade pull together for betterment, striving for
business along conservative and economical lines,
and we shall have the end desired.
The national election now over and a fair and
just man elected to the national presidency, let
us not forget, nor let Mr. Taft forget, that he
has been elected by the support of the business
men of the nation, and we believe the effect will
be to bring confidence and a return to a good
commercial basis.
F. H. DROOP, Washington, D. C.
We are intensely gratified at the result of the
recent election, and while business conditions will
not be materially changed within the next few
months, we nevertheless believe that throughout
the commercial world there exists a greater spirit
of confidence—that money which has been tied
up in the banks will be withdrawn for invest-
ment, and that gradually trade conditions will
resume the flourishing condition that obtained
prior to November, 1907. We believe the holiday
trade will be far ahead of last year.
W. F. ROEHR MUSIC CO., Topeka, Kans.
In regard to the outlook for the future, we are
very optimistic. We are expecting a record-
breaking business these next few months. An-
other thing, I believe the great majority of busi-
ness men are pleased over the election. The
farmers, I assure you, in this gieat State of ours,
are solid for Taft. So long as the farmer has
money and confidence we will continue to sell
pianos. Everything in this State points to a
large volume of business the next few months,
especially in the better class of goods.
J. SMITH, Great Barrington, Mass.
I think business will gradually improve now,
as the election is over and we all know what to
figure on for the next four years. I hope busi-
ness will improve very much now and that we
all can see good old times again.
LELAND B. GORTON, Paw Paw, Mich.
Every indication locally is very favorable to a
satisfactory volume of business for the next six
months. An excellent increase in sales, a con-
stant improvement in collections, and augmented
interest and enthusiasm on the part of prospec-
tive purchasers cause me to view the immediate
future very optimistically. The result of the
Presidential election in my territory will affect
the commercial situation in a most gratifying
manner, and I now anticipate a complete resump-
tion of normal business conditions in the very
near future.
WOOKEY & COMPANY, Peoria, III.
The piano trade here is at a very low ebb at
this time, partly owing to the fact that the effect
of the financial flurry is still being felt and the
election campaign has been depressing; but what
is much worse is the after-effect of an overdose
of voting, guessing, dot counting, and rebus
schemes for the past two years. All of these
clouds now seem to be past and we look for a
steady improvement from now on.
The result of Tuesday's election establishes
confidence in the whole business world, so fire
and smoke will warm the big chimneys, the

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