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THE
<*
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
13
Quickening of the Business Pulse.
we are very happy to say our prediction has
been fulfilled.
Our business for September this year was 33V;s
greater than last year, and for October we will
be 25 per cent, ahead of last year. I see no
reason from present indications why business
should not continue; in fact, we think the years
of 1909-1910 will be greater than has ever Deen
seen in piano history.
The direct effect of the national election is in
HENDERSON-STURGES PIANO CO., Anniston,
our opinion absolutely for the best, and we feel
Ala.
Yes, 1 am g'.ai the struggle is over, and while sure with Mr. Taft at the head of the nation and
we are not elected, we feel that the country is a conservative Republican administration, which •
safe. Our prospects for the early spring trade is sure to be the case, confidence will be estab-
are reasonably good, and while we are disap- lished and business will be exceedingly good.
pointed, we expect to hustle and make the best We have passed through a strenuous year, and
of the situation. Any "old thing" suits us if I do not believe there are very many houses who
have done more than 60 or 70 per cent, of their
(excuse the word) we sell the goods.
normal business. However, the year is past and
C. A. REED PIANO AND ORGAN CO., Ander- we look forward to the best business we have
son, S. C.
had in many years, and we are very glad to say,
I think there is a general feeling of relief from the present outlook, we think there will be
throughout this section that the Presidential elec- a greater demand for higher-priced instruments
tion is over; and although there is some degree than for some time past.
of disappointment, we are satisfied with the re-
sults, hoping that it will be to the ultimate good THE GUEST PIANO CO., Burlington, la.
The future of the piano business, in our opin-
of the country. As a matter of fact, however,
ion,
is an unsolved problem. If the reputable
there has not been a great deal of interest dis-
manufacturers and the dealers throughout the
played in the election throughout this section.
United States will unite in an effort to rid the
We feel that there certainly will be an improve- trade of the fake certificate, bond or puzzle
ment in the piano industry for the next few schemes of various kinds that are now being
months, but a great deal depends upon the price used by some dealers and manufacturers to stimu-
of cotton, which is ruling too low at present, late trade; to cut out all fake advertising
considering the shortness of crop, and farmers schemes, and do business on business principles,
generally are not inclined to sell unless where along safer and more conservative lines, then the
they are compelled to do so, but should the price trade would be put on the high plane where it
advance to a satisfactory figure, we think that belongs, and all would be benefited thereby.
trade conditions would be greatly improved with
The effect of the election on business will be
us.
good. There is already a quickening of the busi-
Prom what I can gather, the consensus of opin- ness pulse in the manufacturing centers; the
ion with the financiers throughout our section people feel our national policy for the next four
is that business will improve considerably since years is settled, and they are satisfied the policy
the election is over.
will be a safe and sane one.
Our views the morning after election can be
ORM'S MUSIC HOUSE, Burlington, la.
Hurrah for Taft! Iowa went heavy for Taft. summed up in one word—"roseate." We are
Times have been good and now they will be going to maKe the best of present and future
better.
conditions as they develop. With the bounteous
crops and high prices prevailing, everything
RISSER MUSIC CO., Des Moines, la.
We expect to see a marked improvement dur- points to an increasing volume of business all
ing the next six months, and a gradual but sure over the country.
return to normal conditions, and less resorting HALES PIANO HOUSE, Medford, Ore.
to all sorts of illegitimate and questionable
I think Mr. Taft's election means more to the
methods to force the sale of pianos. Think the piano industry than words can express. There is
election will have a decidedly stimulating and no doubt but that confidence has been restored
healthy effect upon business, inspiring confidence, more since the election of Mr. Taft than has been
and bracing things up generally. Am delighted gained in the past ten months. I am looking for-
with results. Every man and measure, of both ward to a great improvement in the piano busi-
national and local character that I voted for were ness within the next six months. I think that it
signally triumphant. In fact, was so sanguine will exceed the business done for the same length
over Taft's election that I sold several pianos, of time in the year of 19C7, which, we will all
one shipped out of the county, agreeing to take have to admit, was our banner year in the past.
them back, surrender the leases, and pay all ex-
The direct effect of the national election upon
penses in case of Taft's defeat.
business affairs will result in the greatest and
MONTENEGRO-RIEHM MUSIC CO., Louisville, most prosperous times for the next four years
that has ever been in the history of the past. 1
Ky.
We are very optimistic, and we think there will can see nothing in the future but the very bright-
be a steady improvement, although in this sec- est outlook for the piano industry, which means
tion of the country we do not look for any great boys get in and hustle and you will meet with
improvement until next spring, at which time we great success. I personally have instructed all of
my selling force to "cut out all the ifs and ands"
believe business will improve more rapidly.
We believe the direct effect of the election on and go right straight after business from the
business will be to restore confidence and a more shoulder, and you will see our concern grow.
Hoping that all the different business institu-
settled condition generally, which is certain to
have a good effect on the business. This, we tions will look at the business world in the same
think, will be manifested by the gradual but light as I do, and that they may succeed in
steady return of more prosperous conditions in every undertaking which may be their desires.
Kindly permit me to congratulate you upon
all lines of industry.
your straightforward and conservative musical
GRINNELL BROS., Detroit, Mich.
paper. I think that you have the very best paper
We think the piano business for the next six ever published in that line for the piano in-
months should be fair. The direct effect of elec- dustry.
tion upon business should be beneficial.
WISE PIANO HOUSE, Boise, Idaho.
CLUETT & SONS, Albany, N. Y.
Yes, we are glad enough that the election is
We look forward to a splendid business; in over, and pleased at the way it resulted. We see
fact, the writer had predicted ail along that we nothing to prevent at least as good trade condi-
would have good business from September 1, and tions as have been prevailing. We fear there is
wheels will go around, and before six months we
shall look for the piano business to be at least
as good as it ever was.
No one could get authority to pilot a valuable
ship in the waters of the ever-changing current
of the Missouri river, and the people would not
permit Mr. Bryan to guide the ship of state along
such an uncertain stream as he proposed, "and
the people shall rule."
a possibility of all of us losing our heads
right at once and plunging in more wildly
than we were going, and you know these
"panics of prosperity" are actual experi-
ences when they strike just as much as
are those of depressed conditions. There is
such a general consensus of opinion that times
will be better for business that we are afraid we
will soon discount the actual value of these con-
ditions and be overdoing the thing just as we
were before.
We think the trade papers should caution
against too much plunging. The American people
have an almost insane desire to become rich
quick. We will soon be investing in all kinds
of "get rich quick" schemes, and it will be a
wonder if there is not before long another sharp
checking up. We are inclined to think trade
papers generally should teach a little more con-
servatism, for we are all risky enough.
J. BEAL, Mesa, Arizona.
In Arizona we have no say as to the President,
but expect to by the next election, and it went
to suit the western people. Times are picking
up already. The piano business is good in the
farming districts, and I think mining will start
up soon, and it will be good in the mining dis-
tricts, but it has been very dull for the last year.
In our little town there has been four piano sales-
men for the last week, and we are all getting
trade. We are well pleased with the outlook
for Arizona.
HIRAM J. SMITH, Racine, Wis.
In this section we are pleased that the election
is over, but believe that it will take more than
six months for the trade to get to its old-time
position. The result of the election will unques-
tionably have a most favorable influence and we
feel fully satisfied the best man was chosen.
J. N. FISHER, Anderson, Ind.
The direct effect of the national election upon
business will be most favorable, and I look for-
ward to an increased business during the next
six months.
KOHLER & CHASE, INC., San Francisco, Cal.
We believe that the future of the piano busi-
ness for the next six months is particularly
bright. Dealers are ordering to replenish their
depleted stocks, and the retail piano trade as a
whole is on a firmer footing than it was a year
ago, owing to the general retrenchment. The re-
tail ew\ of the business on the Pacific Coast has
been improving for the last three months, and
good holiday business is in prospect.
The result of the election will undoubtedly
have a tendency to increase the already growing
feeling of confidence among financiers and busi-
ness men generally, but as the result was practi-
cally assured beforehand, and the election was
rather a quiet one, we do not feel that any great
boom will be experienced in the commercial world
directly following November 3. It seems better
that a re-establishment of prosperity should pro-
ceed steadily and consistently.
THE BARTLETT MUSIC CO., Los Angeles, Cal.
We think that the piano industry for the next
six months will feel a steady upward pull. We
do not look for any immediate rush in the retail
trade, but there has been for the past six months
a steady betterment of trade conditions. The
direct effect of the national election is being felt
upon business in an increase of confidence and
business activities. This is evidenced in our
own city by the Clearing House daily reports,
which are well on to the $1,000,000 mark. This
is several hundred thousand dollars more than
we have been turning out since the "late un-
pleasantness," and almost as much as in the
palmy days of 1906. Our views the "morning
after" are the same as during the campaign,
viz.: that Taft is the best fitted man by training
and experience we have ever had the good fortune
to be able to vote for, for the business of being
President, and we feel that he will give us both
a "square deal" and a business administration.