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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
INVESTIGATE PUZZLE PUBLICITY.
The Merchants' Association of Reading, Pa.,
Appoint Committee to Inquire Into the Merits
and Demerits of the Contest Plan of Adver-
tising—Mr. Wittich's Pertinent Remarks.
sale of their old stock, practically making a
clean sweep of their old wareroonis, and the
fresh stock for their new store is already arriv-
ing from the manufacturers. The new lines of
pianos will be much larger than those handled
at the old store, as considerable more space will
be available for their proper accommodation.
(Special to The Review.)
Reading, Pa., April 16, 1910.
The monthly meeting of the Merchants' Asso-
ciation held in this city this week was one of
the largest and best attended ever held. Many
subjects of interest were discussed, including
fake advertising and other topics of general in-
terest.
In this connection Arthur Wittich, the well-
known dealer of 116 South Sixth street, intro-
duced the following resolution:
"In view of the fact that the 'Contest Plan'
of merchandising, especially among the piano
trade, is agitating communities where the plan
is being operated,
"Be it resolved that the Merchants' Association
of the City of Reading appoint a committee of
five to inquire into the merits and demerits of
the 'Contest Plan' and report its findings at our
next regular meeting." •••
In support of his argument in introducing this
resolution, Mr. Wittich emphasized the fact that
he, as a business man with capital invested, had
a moral right to protect and defend his business
from the encroachments of unfair competition.
And also that, unless checked, the "Contest
Plan" would creep into other lines of merchan-
dising. He argued that should it be agreed upon
that the plan is a good one let all lines of mer-
chants adopt it. If, however, it should be found
to be injurious let it be wiped out at once.
The action of the committee to investigate this
matter will be awaited with interest. Quite a
number of the piano dealers of Reading belong
to the Merchants' Association and they are all
live wires—men who believe in keeping the pi-
ano business on a dignified plane. Mr. Wittich
handles the Steinway, Packard, Hardman, Ster-
ling, Kranich & Bach, McPhail, Lindeman and
Huntington pianos.
STEINWAY FOR BELGIUM'S OUEEN.
The Great American Art Product Thus Graces
Another Royal Palace.
The Steinway piano, which is the favorite in-
strument of the crowned heads of the world, will
hereafter be found in the palace of the King and
Queen of Belgium. Late last week a cablegram
was received by Steinway & Sons from Leon
Belgay, the newly appointed Steinway represen-
tative in Brussels, announcing that he had sold
a magnificent Steinway instrument to the Queen
of Belgium. Thus royalty pays further honor
to the Steinway piano, which is worthy of its
royal environment.
DENVER ASSOCIATION LIVELY.
Votes to Charge Every Member for Plate at
Dinners in Order to Increase Attendance—
Special Program to be Arranged—No Com-
missions or Free Pianos for Teachers.
New Stock Arriving and Local Trade Interested
in Coming Opening Schedule for This Week.
That the Denver (Col.) Piano Dealers' Asso-
ciation believes in getting right down to business
is evident from the manner in which various mat-
ters were handled at their last meeting.
One of the most radical moves was that pro-
viding for the charging of every member of the
association with the price of a plate at the ban-
quets, whether the member had signified his in-
tention of being present or not. It is hoped in
this way to secure a larger and more represen-
tative attendance at the gatherings, as everyone
will naturally desire to get the benefit of his in-
vestment. A special program will be prepared
for each meeting in the future, one of the fea-
tures of which will be the reading of a paper
prepared by some member of the association.
At their last meeting the association also voted
to cut out all commissions and to stop loaning
pianos to music teachers. This is a commendable
move.
(Special to The Review.)
MORRIS SCHOOL ORGAN DEDICATED.
.
Indianapolis, Ind., April 18, 1910.
The local trade is awaiting with interest the
opening of the new quarters of the Pearson
Music House on North Pennsylvania avenue,
which is scheduled for this week. The Pearson
house have been conducting a very successful
Wm. C. Carl was scheduled to give a dedica-
tory concert on the remodeled organ in the Mor-
ris High School, 166th street and Boston road
last night, April 22. This instrument was built
by the W. W. Kimball Co., of Chicago.
NEW PEARSON QUARTERS.
;
MAY USE OLD BILL OF LADING.
St. Paul Shippers Can Use Old Form for Inter-
state Business—Bothered by Threatened
Freight Rate Increase.
The piano men of St. Paul, Minn., who were
considerably upset over the provisions of the
new bill of lading law which went into effect on
April 1, have been notified that the old forms
may be used for interstate business, though the
new uniform bills will be necessary for ship-
ments within the State of Minnesota. The deal-
ers are now much perturbed over the proposed
advance of freight rates between Chicago and
the Missouri river, which will take in the Twin
Cities. St. Paul shippers in all lines are talking
about getting together to fight the increase.
GETTING BUSINESS IN NEBRASKA.
Local Dealers Riled Over Invasion of Their
Territory by Southern Dealers—A New
Scheme.
Nebraska piano dealers are considerably
wrought up over the selling scheme which it is
claimed is being worked in that State by deal-
ers in southern cities—St. Louis, Kansas City
and other cities in that section. The plan
seems to be to ship a number of used pianoa Into
a town and advertise them as "repossessed" in-
struments, offered at a decidedly low price in
order to save packing and shipping back to head-
quarters. What makes the Nebraska dealers
especially angry is the fact that the scheme
works very successfully.
AUTOS VS. PIANOS IN TEXAS.
Court Holds That Former are "Carriages" and
Exempt While Latter May be Sold for
Judgment.
A recent court decision in Texas makes auto-
mobiles a necessity in that State while pianos
and other musical instruments are classed as
luxuries. Under the law of the State household
goods to the value of ?250, carriages, etc., are
exempt from judgment, seizure or forced sale,
though musical instruments are held to be liable.
The court has held that the automobile Is a
carriage and hence is exempt.
The Daggett & Adams Co. have been incor-
porated at Sandpoint, Idaho., with $10,000 cap-
ital, to handle musical goods.
The Bates-Mitchell Piano Co., Boston, Mass.,
have opened a branch store in Woburn, Mass.
Constant and Rapid Progress
have placed
Winter & Co. Pianos
on a higher level than has previously been achieved in generations
WINTER & CO.
220 Southern Boulevard
New York City