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49
THE MU3IC TRADE REVIEW
lime, whereas Mr. Herbert declares that book brate their twenty-fifth anniversary next year.
aiid score were finished by January 15. Mr. Her- The four sons and a daughter survive. They are
All the Successful " H i t s " of the Day, Including
bert thinks that Mr. Hammerstein loses his right Isidore, Julius P., Jay, and Frank Witmark, and
Production Numbers, Now on Display There
to the opera, and the latter asserts that he has Mrs. Joseph A. Klein.
—This Branch of the Business Found Profit-
four seasons in which to produce it. The dis- Marcus Witmark was a Royal Arch Mason,
able Without Resort to Bargain Prices.
rutants have not yet found a middle ground.
and belonged to Ancient Chapter No. 1. He was
also a member of Naval Lodge No. 69, A. F. &
A department devoted to the display and sale
A. M. Until about three years ago he had re-
MARCUS WITMARK DEAD.
of popular music, albums, folios, etc., has re-
cently been established by Chas. H. Ditson & With His Four Sons He Founded the Firm of mained active in charge of his numerous busi-
Co., of this city. The Ditson stores have always
M. Witmark & Sons Twenty-four Years Ago ness interests, but since then he had deputed all
responsibility to his sons. The end came peace-
had the popular successes in stock, and, in fact,
—At One Time a Merchant in the South,
fully.
Mr. Witmark was connected with several
it has been their well-known policy to supply
and Fought on That Side in the Civil War—
charitable institutions, but was principally in-
customers with any music whatsoever that might
Was in His 76th Year.
terested in the Montefiore Home.
be requested. The new department in the Thir-
Marcus Witmark, head of the firm of M. Wit-
ty-fourth street building, however, is an innova-
tion in that heretofore popular music has not mark & Sons, died at his home, No. 57 West
MORSE PRINTS IN CHICAGO FIELD.
been displayed conspicuously there, nor has 88th street, last Tuesday, at the age of 76. His
there been a manager exclusively for that de- death marks the passing of the oldest and one Business of Branch Office in That City Keeps
Al. Cook There to Direct Affairs—Demand
partment. A counter for popular music is now of the best-known figures in the music publish-
for Offerings Increases.
in operation on the street floor of the building. ing industry in this country, one of the very first
The other day The Review found displayed to lay plans which reduced the business of pub-
Al. Cook, of the Theodore Morse Music Co.,
there, in a most attractive and attention-com- lishing popular music to a commercial basis. In
is still in Chicago, where a branch of this com-
pelling manner, every one of the popular hits of conjunction with his sons he founded the firm
pany's business was recently established. His
the day. A careful examination was made of
return to this city is problematical as to the
the display, and not one of the numbers that
date, and he is not expected back for several
are now conspicuously in the public eye (or
more weeks. The Review takes this to mean that
ear) was missing. The department is in charge
Mr. Cook's stay in Chicago is proving profitable—
of Miss Michaelis, who has a thorough knowl-
just as a sudden return within a few days of
edge of this phase of the music business, gained
his departure would naturally have been taken
as manager of the sheet music department of
as indicating the contrary. Theodore Morse, the
Wanamaker's New York store.
president of the company, verifies the premise.
Explaining the new move, an officer of the
He says that Mr. Cook has stirred things up
company referred to the fact that it was by no
most energetically and successfully in the Windy
means a new thing that the house should sell
City. The residents thereof had not been prop-
popular music, but added that this end of the
erly introduced to "Molly Lee" and "He's a Col-
business had been found so profitable that the
lege Boy," but we understand that all previous
display and separate department had been found
shortcomings in this respect have been wholly
tc be needed. The music dealers of the country
overcome. The orders which Mr. Cook has sent
would find much to interest them in the intelli-
in for the Morse leaders have proved that the
gent and open display at Ditson's. The publish-
songs have qualities which the Middle West ap-
ers of popular music will be especially interested
preciates, and in due time they should duplicate
to learn that the successful ones among their
there the success which they have achieved in
publications are on display on a counter adjoin-
the East.
ing the high-grade and classical publications at
Business at the Chicago branch of the Theo-
a price which shows the possibilities of profit
dore Morse Music Co. has been of satisfactory
which some dealers neglect. Production music is
volume, considering the short time that has
sold at 30 cents per copy at Ditson's, other pop-
elapsed since its establishment.
Last week
ular songs and ballads selling at 25 cents.
proved to be rather dull, as practically all pub-
lishers found the period immediately preceding
NEW OPERA "NATONA" IS DROPPED.
Easter to be. This week has brought the ex-
The American opera, "Natona," which is an
pected improvement, however, and prospects are
MARCUS WITMARK.
Indian word, meaning "fate," will not be pro-
again bright for the Morse offices in Chicago.
duced at the Manhattan Opera House this season. of M. Witmark & Sons twenty-four years ago, "He's a College Boy," we understand, is now sur-
As a result there is some feeling between Oscar and lived to see all of his hopes for the company passing "Molly Lee" in point of sales. The
Hammerstein, who ordered it written, and fulfilled and the business established perma- other Morse prints continue to show increased
Messrs. Victor Herbert and Joseph D. Redding, nently among the undoubted leaders in the field.
demand. Theodore Morse finds himself forced
Mr. Witmark was born in Germany in 1834, to make strenuous efforts to keep ahead of both
who are responsible for the score and book. The
parties to the dispute differ as to reasons. Mr. and came to the United States when he was his partner's work and his own at the local of-
Hammerstein says he did not get the score in twenty-five years old. He was soon doing busi- fices of the company.
ness as a merchant in Georgia, where he con-
ducted a chain of stores. When the Civil War
broke out he joined the Confederate cause with
all the deep loyalty and enthusiasm which char-
acterized its adherents, and formed and equipped
Don't fail to get our new 1910
a company. His commission as captain was
SHE'S HERE!
GET ACQUAINTED!
signed by Governor Brown, of Georgia. He was
issues that are having big demand,
wounded ana taken prisoner at the Battle of
This is the classiest little instrumental
"Jane, Jane, Jane" and the great
Gettysburg, and after his release came to New
number out and will be a money maker
novelty song "Bum! Outside."
York. Here he entered the wholesale lace busi-
for you, Mr. Dealer.
ness. His four sons were by that time strongly
Ask her uncle (your jobber) about her,
inclined towards the music publishing business,
or write to her parents,
MILLER MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.,
and as they were under legal age they induced
FRIEDRICH & MILES
515 So. Hermitage Avenue, Chicago.
their father to join them. M. Witmark & Sons
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
were thus established as a firm. They will cele-
POPULAR DEPARTMENT AT DITSON'S.
"THE FLIRT"
T. B. Harms & Francis, Day
& Hunter
HARRY
LAUDER
SONG HITS
Successful Songs in
•KITTY GREY," "FLUFFY RUFFLES'
-GIRLS OF GOTTENBERG," &c.
Eastern Representatives of
Clayton S u m m y Publication*
Complete Stock of Bote & Bock
and N. Slmrock of Berlin
1431 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
DEALERS
HAVILAND'S HITS!
" I'm Awfully Glad I Met You."
" I Want a Girl From Yankee Doodle
Town."
"Under The Irish Moon.' 1
"Monkey Doodle Dandy.' 1 (jungleSong)
Our new-issue proposition is of interest to every dealer.
Send for it.
THE F. B. HAVILAND PUBLISHING CO.
125 Wait 37th Street, Now York.
D E A L E R S
Are you selling these songs?
" Calling Dear Come Home," Barn Dance
" Loving Loving all the Time "
" Day Dreams"
" When the Honeymoon is Over "
"There Is Something We Have Missed"
Published by
CARRIE
FOWLER
812 Ferguson Bldg. — Springfield, 111.