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THE
MUSIC TRADE
APPROVE OF PIANO AND ORGAN SUPPLY TRADE ASSN.
Leading Supply Houses in All Parts of the Country Write Fritz Dolge in Enthusiastic Terms
Regarding the Formation of an Association Among the Piano and Organ Supply Trades—
:
:
Need of an Association Is Obvious, and From Present Indications It Is Evident That the
Supply Men Will Come Together Early in the Fall.
Increasing interest is being manifested through-
out the country in the formation of an organiza-
tion to be known as the Piano & Organ Supply
Trade Association, referred to exclusively in The
Review last week, and this is displayed in the
enthusiastic support given the movement in the
many letters received.
Fritz Dolge, secretary and assistant treasurer of
The Felters Co.. 634 Broadway, New York, who is
at present the one appointed to negotiate with the
members of the industry, says that the letters so
far to hand all indicate that an association is badly
needed, notwithstanding that one or two do not
favor it for reasons they do not make known. The
spirit in which the movement is being received is
revealed in the extracts from the letters printed
below. For obvious reasons the names are left
off, but anyone who is interested can secure the
names and addresses of the writers of these com-
munications upon application to either Mr. Dolge
o- to The Review.
Here is a very strong letter: "If ever there is an
industry in the country that requires a good, strong
trade association, it is the supply trade of the piano
business. It is certainly needed. We shall be glad
to jhave you keep us informed as to what steps are
to 'be taken in this matter. Wishing you the best
of isuccess and awaiting your further commands as
to anything that we can do, we are."
A big Chicago house says: "We are most heartily
in jfavor of this association. You can depend upon
us 'to dp everything in our power to aid in its for-
mation and harmonious working. This association
would fill a need which has been emphatically rec-
ognized by us for a long time. Trust you will call
on, us for anything we can do^ to aid in this
matter."
'
"lit is the opinion of the writer that an asso-
ciation such as you mention would be a benefit to
the! supply trade. If all, or a large proportion of,
the? supply houses would agree to meet and form
such an association, we should be pleased to assist
in the movement," is the way a New York State
supply man says his part.
r
For the Middle West this is an extremely op-
timistic letter: "We are heartily in accord with
your suggestion of an organization of the piano and
organ supply trade, and firmly believe that such
an {organization would be of great benefit in cor-
recting many of the evils that have crept into this
trade. We think all are aware of this condition,
and that it does not need any argument to con-
vince anyone of this fact. We would be glad to
have a representative attend a meeting to effect in
the end a permanent organization for the purposes
you suggest, so count us in it."
While it isn't intended to mention names, the
following is an" exception, which is in the letter of
a prominent action manufacturer of New York.
The Mr. Oetting mentioned therein has already
sent in his YES—in caps: "I would be very much
pleased to attend any meeting for the organiza-
tion of a trade association. If you will notify
me of the date of such meeting I will certainly
attend, and wish you all the success in the world,
as ,1 think it is very much needed. Notice that
you have not mentioned on your list Mr. Philip
Oetting, of the Richard Ranft Co. He would be
very much pleased to attend any such meeting, as
he Vias spoken to me several times in regard to
such an organization."
Another Middle West supply man gets in his
affirmative as follows: "We are in full accord with
you in this matter and know that such an asso-
9
REVIEW
NEW QUARTERS IN DULUTH.
Smith & Alden, Who Recently Bought Out the
Piano and Talking Machine Departments of
French & Bassett, Lease New Store in the
Elks Building, That City.
(Special to The Review.)
ciation would be beneficial to both the piano manu-
mciurers and supply houses and work for their
common good. We trust you will be successful in
tins, and assure you we will lend any assistance in
our power to accomplish the proposition before us.'
New England in the following shows that it i$
a strong booster too: "It has been our endeavoi
lor some time to see such an organization. We
are firmly of the belief that many of the evils which
we have all become accustomed to can be elimi-
nated if those interested will consider the proposi-
tion in the proper spirit. You may count on us
as being heartily interested, and we will do what we
can in personal interviews with other supply
houses to make the membership complete and en-
thusiastic. We should like to hear from you as
regards the result of the letters that you have sent
out, and we hope that you will be justified to take
further steps to have a meeting at an early date."
New Jersey says: "We think a supply trade as-
sociation would be a good thing and are heartily
in favor of it."
Another New Englander throws some hot
shot, as can.: be^ seen irom thi&;. "We have been
carefully through your letter and agree that such
an organization is a remarkably good thing for the
piano and organ supply trade, as we know of no
other supply houses, outside the piano trade, where
goods are bought and sold under such poor con-
-ditions as now exist. Kindly keep us informed of
how you get ,along and we will be glad and will-
ing io'further the cause to the best of our ability."
Boston, in its inherent "lingo," pauses and
dashes off this as a booster. Listen: ''We are in
receipt of your letter of the 3d relating to the ef-
fort toward establishing an association of the piano
supply houses. In consideration of the substantial
standing of many of the supply concerns in the
piano industry, it would appear that such an insti-
tution could easily be made a success and a source
of material benefit to the trade. If the members
of some of these houses felt disposed to give such
an association the benefit of some of the sagacity
and business judgment apparent in the manage-
ment of their business affairs, we feel inclined to
the idea that such a movement would be an assured
success."
The foregoing letters can be augmented by about
four times the number, which are more or less
along the same strain, with the. exception of those
two that do not at present iavor the movement.
The above letters, however, indicate the "we won't
be happy till we get it" spirit, and the association
looks practically assured at this writing.
A man who has seen fifty-three years' service
in the piano supply field—everyone knows Horace
W. Willson, of the American Steel & Wire Co.—
is heartly in favor of the organization and will aid
the cause all he can. In his fifty-three years Mr.
Willson has seen all phases of business methods in
the supply trade, and he believes that co-operative
measures are the only logical way to better
business.
Duluth, Minn., July 15, 1912.
E. N. Smith and W. C. Alden, of St. Paul, who
recently bought out the piano and talking machine
departments of French & Bassett, this city, have
completed arrangements for leasing for a term of
years a store in the Elks building at 309-311 West
First street.
Work will be commenced at the earliest possible
date on the alterations and improvements in the
building that are necessary for the accommoda-
tion of the new firm, and as soon as practicable
the business will be removed from the French &
Bassett building to the new location.
It is the intention of the new firm to devote
particular attention to player-pianos and the Vic-
trola, the most important factors in the musical
development of the day. With the opening of the
new store a large line of these instruments will be
carried in stock, together with a complete assort-
ment of player rolls and Victor records.
OPEN=AGENCV IN INDIANAPOLIS.
The Daniel-Samuels Music Co., Owensboro, Ky.,
recently moved into handsome new quarters in
that city, occupying a commodious store at 105
Third street. The company moved to the new
store on the eleventh anniversary of the establish-
ment of the business.
The Haddorff Piano Co., Rockford, 111., has
established an agency in Indianapolis, Ind., with
W. F. Hay in charge. Mr. Hay is at present con-
ducting the business of the agency from his home,
but a store may soon be opened in the business sec-
tion of the city.
The Munn Piano Co., Binghamton, has opened a
branch at 18 Court street, Lestershire, N. Y.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP.
Earl G. Alden Retires from Alden, Bidinger &
Co., Waukegan, III., and Business Will Be
Continued by Remaining Partners.
(Special to The KeviewJ
Waukegan, 111., July 15, 1912.
Announcement has just been made of the disso-
lution of the partnership known as Alden. Bidin-
ger & Co., music dealers of this city, who opened
a store here in 1902. The dissolution was by
mutual consent, Earl G. Alden being the retiring
member of the firm. L. F. Bidinger and James C.
O'Shea, the remaining members of the firm, will
conduct the business, the former being in charge
of the Kenosha store owned by the firm and the
latter in charge of the Waukegan store. They will
assume all the liabilities.
Mr. Alden will continue to tune and sell pianos
in the county, where he has a wide acquaintance,
but will not open a store.
NEW PIANO PLANT FOR FINDLAY, 0 .
Many of the smaller cities and towns of the
Middle West have recently circulated stones of
capitalists who are contemplating large piano
plants to the towns if the local business men and
business associations can make the proper induce-
ments. In every instance the wealthy capitalists
are looking for the bonus, and a substantial one at
that. The latest city to come to the front is Find-
lay, O., where it is reported capitalists have been
looking around with a view to moving a piano
factory to the town if the inducements are right.
It is said the factory is now located in Dayton. O.,
but the names of those connected with the con-
templated removal or of those back of the factory
at present have not been made public.
MOVE TO LARGER QUARTERS.
W. C. Golden, formerly in the piano business,
and Henry C. Davis, of the Acme Music Roll Co.,
were this week granted discharges in bankruptcy.
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos