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VOL.
XLVII. No. 8. Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at I Madison Ave., New York, August 22,1908.
INTERESTING CHAT WITH FRED DAY
On the Amalgamation of the T. B. Harms Co.
and Francis, Day & Hunter—May Remove
Soon to New Quarters at 1431 Broadway—
The Business of T. B. Harms & Francis Day
Co. Has Been Incorporated With a Capital of
$25,000—Something of the Men Who Will
Have Charge of the Different Departments.
Apropos of the amalgamation between the T. B.
Harms Co. and Francis, Day & Hunter, which
was made public in this section last week, our
"Man on the Street" tcok the opportunity of in-
terviewing the members of the new firm for the
purpose of gleaning some idea as to their plans
for the immediate future. Max and Louis Drey-
fus and Fred Day were all present at the infer-
FUED DAV.
view, but by common consent Mr. Day spoke for
the trio. "Although it appears to have caused
some surprise," said Mr. Day, "this amalgama-
tion is the most natural thing in the world, when
you take into consideration the ties which have
existed between the two firms for many years
past. Long before the advent of Francis, Day &
Hunter in this country as an independent con-
cern, the firm of T. B. Harms Co. looked faith-
fully after its interests on this side of the pond.
On Francis, Day & Hunter's starting for them-
selves in America, Louis Dreyfus continued the
association by acting—and acting most success-
fully, be it said—as our traveling representative.
In this way the common interests of the two
firms were more closely bound together.
"Speaking for myself," continued Mr. Day, "I
have long since realized that American methods
and ideas are totally different from those pre-
vailing in England, and although I claim I have
not been sleeping since my arrival in America,
I cannot truthfully say that I have yet attained
the proficiency in American methods which
comes with a complete and extensive knowledge
of trade conditions throughout the country.
Again, it is apparent that the running of two
important concerns as one should prove a con-
siderable saving so far as actual expense is con-
cerned, and this fact is not to be overlooked in
these days of hard competition.
"I have every hope and confidence that the
amalgamation will prove beneficial to all con-
cerned. The concern of Francis, Day & Hunter
may shortly move from its present premises
at 1364 Broadway to these offices (1431 Broad-
way), where you see we have taken the entire
second floor, which will be ample for our present
needs.
"Regarding our future polity, I can only say
that, of course, we have ideas and ideals which
must definitely shape themselves as time goes
on. I may say this, however, that we intend
to develop a high-grade catalog of teaching
pieces, and it was with this end in view that we
concluded arrangements to obtain the American
rights of the Simrock, and Bote & Bock cata-
logs of Berlin, and the Larway catalog of Lon-
don. Of course, our general policy will be an
endeavor at improvement all around. While we
are going to pay every attention to the Francis,
Day & Hunter catalog of London, we will not in
the future interest ourselves in what is known
as 'popular' music. However, comic operas,
high-class production numbers and ballads will
find a prominent place in our catalog."
Mr. Day spoke in feeling terms of the kind
wishes which the new firm has received from
publishers and the trade alike. "I deeply appre-
ciate this generous attitude," said the young
publisher, "and I am glad that we start our new
concern on the friendliest terms with all our
confreres."
Both Max and Louis Dreyfus, who were listen-
ing to the above conversation, appeared in per-
fect accord with Mr. Day's remarks, Louis Drey-
fus adding that as in the past he would take
charge of the retail trade end of the firm, as-
sisted by John Abbott, who will shortly start on
a tour of the West in the interests of the amalga-
mated concern. Max Dreyfus, to whose executive
ability the past success of the T. B. Harms Co.
(since the death of the founders of the firm) is
due, will be the active head of the new firm,
while Jerome D. Kern, the popular young com-
poser, will give his attention to the composilion
of comic operas and high-class numbers for inter-
polation.
Under the name of T. B. Harms & Francis
Day Co., the concern has been incorporated at
Albany with a nominal capital of $25,000.
CHAUNCEY OLCOTT'S NEW PLAY.
Chauncey Olcott, whose sweet voice and capable
acting has entertained thousands of theater-
goers in the past, has forsaken his late splen-
did starring vehicle, "O'Neill of Derry," for a
new romantic comedy drama by Rida Johnson
Young, the author of "Brown of Harvard" and
other successes, and Rita Olcott, who in private
life is Mrs. Chauncey Olcott.
The new play is called "Ragged Robin," and
is undoubtedly one of the most novel and best
plays Mr. Olcott has yet presented to his ad-
SINGLE COPIES, 10 CENTS.
$2.00 PER YEAR.
mirers. Like all his others, its action Lakes
place in Ireland, this time in Inishannon in the
year 1650. Mr. Olcott will sing five new songs,
"Sweet Girls of My Dreams," 'The Laugh With
a Tear In It," "I Used to Believe in Fairies,"
"Three Simple Words," and "If You'll Remember
Me."
"Ragged Robin" opened in Saratoga on Au-
gust 14, where it was given for two perform-
ances. It will begin its regular season in Minne-
apolis on August 24, coming to New York for a
run later on in the season.
SONGS WITHOUT WORDS BY NEVIN.
Somewhere deep in the heart of the late Ethel-
bert Nevin lay a sob, which broke forth in all its
passionate intensity with the birth of "The
Rosary." And that heart-broken cry left a soul
that found its balm in the beauty of a musical
thought, and sped onward—sped (o find its rest-
ing place in the hearts of all whose pulses
quicken and whose eyes fill with unbidden tears
when the strains of that inspired melody fall
upon their saddened souls. Ethelbert Nevin has
long since returned to the dust from which he
sprung, but his soul remains with us—a great and
beautiful soul that stirs in our hearts the love
of all that is exalted and beautiful through the
medium of his legacy to the world—his music.
That the works of Ethelbert Nevin will live
through the ages is a fact beyond dispute, for
his music is redolent of all that is sweet and
pure and musicianly. And it pulsates with love,
and life, and sorrow, aye! and religion.
So we welcome a volume of his compositions—•
his Songs Without Words—which the John
Church Co. have published. Exquisitely bound
and containing nine of the best efforts of the
deceased genius, it is verily a thing of beauty in
its production, and should, sooner or later, find
its way to the homes of all who would prize the
combination of music and art.
Songs Without Words. Favorite Songs by
Ethelbert Nevin, transcribed for the piano by
Chas. Gilbert Spros*. In decorative cover. Price
$1.25 net.
TIIK MAX ON TIIK STRKET.
"OLD FAITHFUL" A BIG SELLER.
It is seldom that a composer is able to boast
of such a number of successes as can Abe Holz-
mann, the famous march and waltz writer, who
is responsible for such numbers as "Smoky*
Mokes," "Blaze Away," "Uncle Sammy," "Love-
land Waltzes," etc., and whose latest creation,
"Old Faithful, March and Two-Step," is making
such rapid strides in the direction of popularity.
Programs received by Leo Feist, from bands and
orchestras throughout the country, prove conclu-
sively that Composer Holzmann knows just what
the public want.
Maurice Shapiro, head of the well-known
publishing house bearing his name, is on an
extended tour through the West, where no doubt
he will meet, with a cordial welcome.
"My Dream of the U. S. A." (Ted Snyder Pub.
Co.) is already showing signs of popularity.