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THE
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN SPAIN.
According to Consular Report Demand in Dis-
trict Around Malag'a Is Met by Product of
Local Factories—Recent Import Figures.
(Special to The Review.»
Washington, D. C, June 6, 1910.
Consul Edward J. Norton, of Malaga, in a re-
cent report states that the demand for pianos in
that consular district, comprising the provinces
of Malaga, Granada and Almeria, is supplied al-
most entirely by domestic factories. He submits
the following information regarding the trade:
The manufacturers in Spain produce a fairly
good line of cheap pianos, prices in Malaga rang-
ing from $60 upward. The high-priced instru-
ments are well finished and appear to give excel-
lent satisfaction, but the demand for both kinds
is very light. The industry is protected by a
high tariff, and during the fiscal years 1907-8 and
1908-9 only 11 pianos were imported into this
district. The duty on upright or grand pianos is
325 pesetas ($58.50) each. There are three or
four Pianolas or automatic pianos in the clubs,
cafes, and theaters of Malaga, but these instru-
ments have not yet won favor for home use, and
there is little opportunity for their sale. The
duty on them is 2bO pesetas ($45) per 100 kilos
(220 pounds).
The total weight of musical instruments of
wood and metal, unclassified, imported into
Malaga during 1909 is given as 825 pounds.
Guitars, mandolins and violins pay a duty of 87
cents per kilo (2.2) pounds, while band or metal
instruments pay $1.16 per kilo, net weight.
The trade in gramophones and talking ma-
chines is increasing slowly, but steadily. These
instruments are very popular and a number of
American machines are now being carried about
the city and played in the plazas and in front of
cafes, taking the place of the old-time street
piano. The favorite instrument of this class is
a widely advertised American gramophone dis-
tributed through a selling agency in Barcelona.
During the past three years 165 talking ma-
chines were imported into Malaga, according to
custom house returns. The total number of ma-
chines sold here, however, was much greater thaD
shown in the customs statement, as the bulK or
the trade is in the hands of direct imporcers in
Barcelona, who ship to their agents here.
Names of leading dealers in musical instru-
ments in Malaga are on file in the Bureau of
Manufactures.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
the accumulation of a $250,000 surplus. The
common dividend may not be raised above 4 per
cent, until the surplus has been brought up to
$1,000,000.
permanent officers and directors have not yet
been elected, but the incorporation papers name
these directors: Frank Maguire, Samuel Schlam,
Pnilip J. Dunn, C. D. Jorup, Marx Moses, Frank
Maguire, Jr., Henry Newman, Simeon Platt, Oscar
B. Van Sant, Emery H. Westlake, Henry Saxe,
Martin Vogel and Edwin O. Vogel, all of New
York. The company paid the State and organi-
zation tax of $10,000.
DEPARTMENT STORES COMBINE.
Holding Company for Western Enterprises In-
corporated for $20,000,000.
Announcement was made Monday of the in-
corporation at Albany of the May Department
Stores Co., a $20,000,000 concern, which com-
bines a number of department stores in the
Middle West and as far west as Denver. The
company, which follows an idea similar to that
underlying the $82,000,000 United Dry Goods
Companies, organized by J. P. Morgan & Co.,
has the financial backing of Goldman, Sachs &
Co. and Lehman Brothers, who have underwrit-
ten the $15,000,000 common and $5,000,000 pre-
ferred stocks into which the capitalization is
divided.
The businesses consolidated in the holding
company are those controlled by David May and
his associates, and include the May Co., of Cleve-
land; the Schoenberg Mercantile Co., of St.
L»uis; the May Shoe & Clothing Co., of Denver,
and the May Real Estate & Investment Co., of
St. Louis.
It was said by representatives of the incorpo-
rators yesterday that the present organization
might be regarded as the nucleus of a larger
organization, and that eventually the securities
would be listed on the Stock Exchange.
According to the provisions of organization,
the common stock will be entitled to dividends
up to 4 per cent., after the payment of the 7 per
cent, cumulative dividends on the preferred and
THE BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Senator Dolliver Says as a Moral Proposition
It Is a Gross Monstrosity.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, June 6, 1910.
The House bill amending the bankruptcy act
was called up in the Senate to-day by Senator
Bacon, who said that it was unanimously ap-
proved by the judiciary committee and advo-
cated by important business interests. Objec-
tion was made to the consideration of the meas-
ure by Senator Dolliver, who announced that he
was in favor of the repeal of the existing bank-
ruptcy act.
"The present law," said Senator Dolliver, "is
very largely to the disadvantage of interior com-
mercial points and is for the benefit of the mer-
chants and commercial interests of the large
centers. As a moral proposition it is a mon-
strosity so gross as to demand our attention.
The bankruptcy law is against public morals.
It is an invitation to young men to enter the
field of speculation. In substance, it is a declara-
tion to the young men of the country engaging
in business, 'You can't be any worse off than
you are now.' The law should be repealed in-
stead of amended."
W. L. BINGAMAN^ PROMOTED.
To be General Sales Manager for Wray Piano
Co.—His Excellent Work—A Tribute.
(Special to The Review.)
San Antonio, Tex., June 4, 1910.
In appreciation of the manner in which the
local trade of the Wray Bros. Piano Co. has
grown during the past two months under the
direction of W. L. Bingaman, city sales manager,
that gentleman has been promoted to the post
of general sales-manager for the company. In
making the promotion, B. W. Wray, senior mem-
ber of the company, paid a high tribute to Mr.
Bingaman's ability, saying:
"Mr. Bingaman is without doubt the best piano
salesman in the South. Not being content with
his sales ability he has devoted more than twenty
years to the study of the piano industry in its
every phase, and in the entire country there
is not a better posted instrument man. He be-
gan his career in the State of Ohio and received
his business schooling in one of the most com-
petitive fields in the United States."
CONTRIBUTE TO BOOST FUND.
9
The Christman Small
Grand is a piano which
is growing steadily in the
estimation of the trade.
It is only five feet over
all and yet it has mar-
velous musical powers.
It is a wonderful
creation and if you are
interested in a small
grand product investigate
the Christman.
It will interest you.
Christman pianos are
made under the personal
supervision of members
of the Christman family
who take a pride in the
instruments which they
put forth.
You will find that the
Christman instruments
both grands and uprights
deserve to rank by
reason of their perfect
musical excellence with
the best.
Many Buffalo Piano Men Show Liberality in
Cause of City.
Practically all the more prominent piano
manufacturers and dealers of Buffalo, N. Y.,
have contributed generously to the fund of $100,-
000 being raised by the Chamber of Commerce
and the Manufacturers' Club of that city for
the purpose of boosting the city and securing
conventions and new industries. Among the
piano houses contributing are: Chase & Baker
Co., C. Kurtzmann & Co., Wood & Brooks,
Schuler Bros., H. Tracy Balcom, G. H. Poppen-
berg, F. S. Slade and others.
D. H. Costain, a piano dealer of Huron,
is having his spacious warerooms entirely
vated and redecorated, believing, and
properly, that an attractive store is a real
in drawing trade.
S. D.,
reno-
quite
asset
CHRISTMAN
SONS
FACTORY:
597-601 East 137th Street
NEW YORK