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THE
Secretary Knox declines to say what action will
be taken by this Government, but it is understood
to be in favor of retaliatory measures for the pro-
tection of American contracts. This means, as
heretofore made clear, the maximum tariff rates
would be imposed on the products of any country
that "unduly discriminates against the United
States or the products thereof." This, of course,
would affect the importation of all instruments of
a musical nature "made in Germany." The next
move on the part of either government is there-
fore of considerable concern to the American small
goods trade.
MOST PROSPEROUS ON RECORD.
This Is How S. Buegeleisen, of Buegeleisen &
Jacobson, Describes Business for the Year
Just Closed—How Results Were Achieved.
Previous to the departure of S. Buegeleisen, pro-
prietor of Buegeleisen & Jacobson, 113-115 Univer-
sity place, New York, for a period of rest and
recreation after the most strenuous fall trade in the
history of his firm, said:
"Our year has been the largest and most pros-
perous in the history of the house. This has been
accomplished by our aggressive policy—the em-
ployment of the most approved business methods
and the sale of the right goods at the right prices,
not to mention the steady and persistent exploita-
tion of our lines. In respect to the class of mu-
sical merchandise handled, which include such ex-
clusive specialties as the Durro violins, Lester and
Monarch accordeons, Victoria mandolins and gui-
tars, we can say, and with considerable pride, that
we scour the worid's markets for the very best.
"The result of our progressive way of doing
business, if I do say it myself," continued Mr.
Buegeleisen, "is that we have a splendid and con-
stantly growing business in the United States, Mex-
ico and other Spanish-American countries. This
is particularly gratifying, and it only proves, as it
has done before, that close attention to the needs
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
of the trade and having salable merchandise, se-
lected with expert knowledge and familiarity with
the products of every manufacturing center, for-
eign and domestic, is the secret. We shall con-
tinue this policy in the future, and we are more
than pleased that we have the trade's approval by
their increased orders."
B. & J. are sending the dealers, with their com-
pliments, a fancy felt pad, in colors, for use on
show cases upon which to display goods in selling.
It is novel and a practical article, and the violin
shown on the green velvet cushion is a correct pic-
tured representation of the celebrated Durro in
all its glory of finish and correct modeling.
POPULAR INSTRUMENTS.
Small Goods Man Holds Forth Upon Trend of
Public Taste—Mandolin Receives Greatest
Favor Which Means Increased Sales—Rus-
sian Balalaika Needs Attention of an Artist
—Better Grades Preferred.
In a chat with the manager of one of the best
known small goods houses concerning the popu-
larity of the balalaika, the Russian instrument re-
cently referred to in The Review as introduced by
an orchestra from that country, and which fash-
ionable people have become interested in more on
account of its novelty than musical worth, he
said: "In the hands of a Russian artist this queer
article is capable of producing, not what I would
call melody from our point of view, but it is
pleasing, nevertheless. A tyro would do the re-
verse.
"As you know, an accordeon or an harmonica
is capable of making really sweet music when an
expert is handling either one of them; but after
all the mandolin is the most popular instrument
before the American public to-day. You have no
idea how many splendid mandolin players there
are. Once upon a time I considered myself some-
thing of a mandolinist; but I have been outclassed
by such a large number—not professionals—that it
41
is astonishing. This means the sales of the man-
dolins are increasing wonderfully.
"It may be said the quality of these goods have
diminished. Yes and no. The demand for qual-
ity is not lessening. On the contrary, the cheaper
lines are bought by people who soon learn the
difference and then want a higher grade instru-
ment. Guitars are holding their own in point of
sales and show a decided increase. Banjos are
also a standard line and their sale is not going
back. People who say the use of the banjo is
falling off are either opposed to the instrument
or do not know what they are talking about.
You will find dealers stock these goods as a regu-
lar line, and, in common with mandolins and
guitars, the better grades are preferred."
JAMES G. BOYER RETURNS TO ELKHART.
Saturday last James G. Boyer, sales manager of
C. G. Conn, musical instrument manufacturer, Elk-
hart, Ind., who came on to look after the Eastern
agency here, of which he is general manager, re-
turned to the factory. Mr. Boyer stated every de-
partment of the new plant was now rushed with
orders, and they had every evidence of 1911 being a
prosperous year. He will be East again in about
a month.
WHY THE G STRINGS BROKE.
Amateur scientists were all excited in London
recently when during a hot spell the G strings of
innumerable violins parted suddenly while the other
strings held firm. The excitement subsided, how-
ever, when those in the know reported that the heat
and the accompanying dampness expanded and
swelled the gut of the string until the wire wrap-
ping could no longer stand the strain and parted.
The other strings, being uncovered, could expand
without trouble.
William M. Ewing is manager of the new store
of the W. A. Johnson Piano Co., in Champaign,
111.
Bell Brand Harmonicas
"Made in America"
Have won a national reputation because of their remarkable and durable
qualities. They are not the best merely because they are American made,
and the only harmonicas made in this country, but they stand competition
with the products of the world, embodying the very best musical qualities
and workmanship.
BELL BRAND HARMONICAS
CAN BE PROCURED FROM THE FOLLOWING WHOLESALE HOUSES:
C. BRUNO & SON, New York, N. Y.
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON, New York City, N. Y.
OLIVER DITSON CO., Boston, Mass.
J. E. DITSON & CO., Philadelphia, Pa.
C. H. DITSON & CO., New York City, N. Y.
W. J. DYER & BRO., St. Paul, Minn.
J. W. JENKINS SONS' MUSIC CO., Kansas City, Mo.
THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO., Cincinnati, O.
ROBT. C. KRETSCHMAR, Philadelphia, Pa.
KOERBER-BRENNER MUSIC CO., St. Louis, Mo.
LYON & HEALY, Chicago, 111.
C. MEISEL, New York City, N. Y.
SHERMAN, CLAY & CO., San Francisco, Cal.
JOS. W. STERN & CO., New York City, N. Y.
TONK BROS. CO., Chicago, 111.
THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO., Chicago, 111.
The National Musical String Co., S