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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
51
TALKS ON STRING DELIVERY.
C. H. D1TS0N & CO. NOT RESPONSIBLE.
NEW CUSTOMS FEE EXACTED.
Frequency of Shipments Enables Jobbers to
Keep Stocks Fresh and Satisfactory.
So Says Mr. Ditson Anent Suit Brought by Miss
Rowe Regarding Instruction on the Harp.
Tax of $1 Soon to Be Laid on Each Protest
Against Appraisement.
String delivery is as important as many
branches of its manufacture, because it is the fre-
quency of shipments that either makes the job-
ber's stock fresh or not. Fresh strings are ad-
mitted to be the best, and as Hugo Schindler, of
H. Schindler & Co., Jamaica Plain District, Bos-
ton, Mass., says:
"We will not ship too many strings on one
order to a house if our experience has shown us
that they have overordered. Part of our quality
representation has been gained through a careful
watching of this market's peculiarities.
Fresh
strings always insure dependability, and jobbers
appreciate our efforts to have strings fresh."
This is a small phase of the string-making in-
dustry, but its importance toward satisfactory
quality is apparent.
A despatch to the New York papers from Itha-
ca, N. Y., stated that C. H. Ditson & Co. have been
made defendants in a $50,000 action for damages
by Miss Mildred Rowe, of that city, who alleges
that her health—physically and mentally—has been
impaired by improper instruction in the manipula-
tion of the harp.
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Charles H. Ditson, president of Charles H. Dit-
son & Co., of 8 East Thirty-fourth street, when
seen, said that he had been informed of Miss
Rowe's action for damages.
"Miss Rowe, who is, I believe, a daughter of
Judge Rowe, of Ithaca, purchased a harp from our
company about two years ago," he said. "When
she bought the instrument, as I understand it, she
requested to be recommended to a competent in-
structor of that instrument.
'"As Charles H. Ditson & Co. do not give or
agree to provide any course of instruction on any
musical or other instruments, I don't see how the
complainant can 'hold us responsible."
Importers are stirred up over an executive order
issued by former President Taft, on March 3, re-
quiring the payment of $1 for each protest filed
with the Board of United States General Apprais-
ers against the classification and appraisement of
imported merchandise made by customs officials.
As approximately 60,000 protests are filed with
the board every year, the new tax would yield an-
nually additional revenue amounting to $60,000.
The President's order amends the Customs Ad-
ministrative Act governing the filing of protests by
requiring that protests shall be regarded as aban-
doned unless within thirty days from the date of
filing $1 is deposited with the Collector. If the
importer wins, the deposit is to be returned; oth-
erwise not.
It was held in some quarters that President Taft
had no authority to issue an order revising an ad-
ministrative provision of the Tariff Act, and that
the order would not stand the test of constitution-
ality. Importers will call a meeting in the near fu-
ture to consider what action is to be taken in re-
gard to the order. The general sentiment appears
to be in favor of an injunction followed by an ap-
peal to the Federal courts. It is understood that
the new order becomes effective on July 1, the be-
ginning of the Government's fiscal year.
BOOKED GOOD ORDERS "DOWN EAST"
Hermann Weiss, 393 Broadway, American
representative for the House of Weiss, manu-
facturers of harmonicas and the Fluta family, re-
turned to New York late this week after a short
trip through New England. Mr. Weiss is more
than pleased with the excellent condition of the
musical merchandise trade in that particular sec-
tion of the country.
"The many qualities of our Silver Fluta were
appreciated by the New England trade," states
Mr. Weiss, "and the handsome appearance of the
new Fluta contributed to the general satisfaction
of our clientele. The fact that the Silver Fluta is
constructed entirely of metal, and consequently is
hygienic and sanitary in every particular, is an
important selling argument, and its retail price of
$1.50 is exactly what the trade wanted. We ex-
pect big things of our Silver Fluta, and are certain
that its sales will be in excess of the original
Fluta, which is still selling wonderfully well in all
parts of the country.
ABANDONS LAW TO MAKE VIOLINS.
(Special to The Review.)
Worcester, Mass., March 17, 1913.
Joseph A. Titus, of Athol, one of the oldest and
most widely known members of the Worcester
County bar, has announced his intention of retiring
from the practice of law an ! d engaging in the manu-
'facture of violins. In this connection he will move
from Athol to Worcester, his former home,
Mr. Titus says there are three times as many
lawyers in Athol as there is room for; and, having
a taste for mechanical work and having made vio-
lins for several years as a diversion from his law
work, he has decided to follow that occupation the
remainder of his life. He has practised law about
forty-five years, and met with considerable success
in that profession.
WILLIAM R. GRATZ TO EUROPE.
William R. Gratz, president of the Wm. R.
Gratz Import Co., 35 West Thirty-first street.
New York, sailed for Europe Tuesday on the
steamer "Kaiser Wilhelm II," to be away for
about three or four months. This is Mr. Gratz's
annual trip to the other side, but he left America
somewhat earlier this year in order to arrive in
Europe by the 1st of April and be present at the
marriage of his daughter, Miss Irma Gratz, who
will marry a scion of a noble family early next
month.
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 City, N. Y.
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON, New York City, N. Y.
OLIVER DITSON CO., Boston, Mass.
C. H. DITSON & CO., New York City.
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, III.
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The National Musical String Co., S7w ?~t£