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VOL. XLVIL No. 5 . Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave., New York, August U 1908.
go forward as now boxed, in less than carloads,
rather than take the chances of damage which
Thos. C Moore Appears Before the Western
might occur to the crated instruments, the re-
sult of which would be to increase the classifica-
Classification Committee in Behalf of the
tion ratings. The house that made the applica-
National Association of Piano Dealers.
tion for the new method of packing seems to
Freight Traffic Manager Thomas C. Moore has have had very heavy losses in shipments of
returned from the recent meeting of the West- cabinet organs. My experience in the freight
ern Classification Committee, held in Manitou, bureau in handling the claims of a large num-
Col., and reports to the chairman of the Press ber of houses, all of whom practically are larger
Committee relative to the arguments put forth shippers than the house in question, has been
in favor of the piano industry as follows:
that the damage claims were very few, and we
"There was docketed on the regular docket of think on this account that the possibilities of
the classification a proposition to increase the securing lower classifications at a later date are
minimum weights on carload shipments of up- much enhanced. If damage claims run heavy,
right pianos and cabinet organs, both boxed and the railway companies will have good reason for
unboxed, from 8,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds per advancing rates. If our damage claims are
car. I appeared before this committee in behalf
small and the freight is satisfactorily carried
of the piano interests to combat the proposed by the transportation companies, we have very
increase in minimums, and suggested that the good arguments on which to base a petition for
present minimums be allowed to stand both on a lower classification.
the shipments where the load consisted of pianos
"There was a petition before the committee
alone, also on mixed carloads of pianos and cabi- for a lower rating on musical cabinets. This
net organs, and also on carload shipments of cab- was not presented through the freight bureau,
inet organs. I stated to them that while it was and not being familiar with the arguments set
possible in most instances to load 10,000 pounds forth for such a low rating, I was unable to
in shipments of pianos alone, or possibly over speak intelligently on this subject, but, of
that weight, yet there might be cases where not course, favored the lower rating. It is better
over 8,000 pounds could be loaded, and in such that all applications for lower ratings on musi-
case we would wish to secure the advantage of
cal instruments should be applied for through
a carload rate on so large a load. I also stated the freight bureau. If this is done, I am able
to them that in shipments consisting of cabinet to go into the matter thoroughly and secure
organs alone, that mo'st such shipments would such statistics and other information as will
not weigh as much as 8,000 pounds, and that we familiarize me with the subject thoroughly, and
would probably be paying for a few hundred on that account be able to present a much
pounds more than we could load on a shipment stronger argument than if I simply take it up
consisting solely of cabinet organs. If, however, casually when It comes up, as in this case, be-
they would leave the minimum at 8,000 pounds fore the Classification Committee just at the
on such shipments, we would be willing to have time it is to go in session. As stated, I always
it stand so. I also stated to them that where favor any such applications, but am unable to
shipments consisted of a mixed carload of up- give the committee any real strong arguments
right pianos and cabinet organs, it would be im- for the reduction. If the reduction is granted
possible to load over 8,000 pounds, and on such in this case, it will be probably because it is
shipments to be charged 10,000 pounds minimum favored by the freight bureau, but it is possible
would be enforcing a penalty against us, which that it may be turned down by the committee,
our business could not possibly stand. I stated as not representing the united interest of the
to them that if their determination was to raise association. This, I believe, comprises a pretty
the minimums, that we would be willing to ac- full report in a condensed form of the subjects
cept a 10,000 pound minimum on straight car- pertaining to musical instruments which came
loads of upright pianos, but that we must insist before that committee."
that the minimums be not raised on straight
carloads of cabinet organs, or mixed carloads of
S. N. BRIDGE'S GREAT RECORD.
pianos and cabinet organs.
FREIGHT BUREAU MATTERS.
"I presented a good many facts and figures
which it is impossible to put into a letter in
connection with an off-hand speech, and I trust
that the presentation of the case was done so
favorably as to prevent any raise in the mini-
mums, either on shipments of pianos alone, or
organs or the mixed shipments. As soon as I
hear of the results I will notify you.
"There was also a proposition before the com-
mittee in regard to the packing of cabinet organs
in crates instead of in boxes for less than car-
load shipments. After a thorough examinitioii
of the packing in connection with railway men
and organ shipper-, who v'sited on? of the
largest establishments in Chicago, to see just
how the instruments were packed, we decided
that we would be safe to have the shipments
Will Reach His 80th Year, Sept. 6, and Is Still
an Active Piano Man Who Knows How to
Make a Sale.
(Special to The Review.)
Oshkosh, Wis., July 25, 1908.
S. N. Bridge & Son, who have handled B»'K'>
& Gerts and other pianos in this city for a quar-
ter of a century, will celebrate the eightieth
birthday of S. N. Bridge on September 6. W. L..
Bush, of Bush & Gerts, who was a visitor here
this week, intends taking hold of the arrange-
ments. Mr. Bridge is perhaps the oldest active
salesman in the trade, looking after his own
prospects and closing up a large percentage of
the deals made from that establishment, al-
though his son and grandson are both in busi
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$8.00 PER YEAR.
ness with him—both practical men, tuners, re-
pair men and salesmen. In spite of the extreme
dulness that has prevailed in Oshkosh since the
panic came, S. N. Bridge & Son have succeeded
in securing quite a revival of trade during the
past two months and have sold as many pianos
as during the corresponding period last year.
JULIUS KRAKAUER "SNAPPED"
While Romping With His Grandson at His
Summer Home at Sea Gate the Past Week.
If there is one thing outside of his business in-
terests that Julius Krakauer, president of
Krakauer Bros., dotes on, it is his little grandson,
Maurice Krakauer Bretzfelder, and there is not
Mills
KilAKATKK AND H I S GUANIISON.
a wish the little chap does not have grati-
fied instantaneously. In fact, he rules the house-
hold and keeps his grandad extremely busy when
in the humor to romp. The youngster, like his
grandfather, is a great lover of music and is a
most earnest auditor when some one plays on
the piano or manipulates a talking machine. In
fact, when music is in the air he will sit still
for nearly an hour enjoying it. The accompany-
ing picture of Mr. Krakauer and his grandson
was taken on the lawn of Mr. Bretzfelder's sum-
mer place at Sea Gate, N. Y., the past week. It
is one of the youngster's typical poses when not
at play.
G. M. OTT TAKES CHARGE.
The management of the piano department ot
the May Co., Cleveland, O., has been assumed by
G. M. Ott, head of G. M. Ott & Bro., piano dealers
of Akron, O., who succeeds J. W. Ong, who re
signed to travel for a Chicago house. Mr. Ott is
a man of wide experience in piano selling, and
it is announced that he will be given free rein
in the conduct of the department.
EDWARD HIRSCH'S NARROW ESCAPE.
Edward Hirsch, a traveling salesman for the
Troup Bros., York, Pa., had a narrow escape
from death recently when a team he was driving
got beyond control in going down a steep hill and
ran away, throwing Mr. Hirsch out. Fortunately
he escaped with nothing worse than a few cuts.