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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
problems that may come up during his administra-
tion.
Declares Charles H. Steinway Upon Return from Annual Trip to Europe—Balkan Troubles Re-
"One of the most enjoyable events of my trip
sponsible for Unsettled Business Conditions on the Continent—Much Interest Abroad in Our abroad was the visit I made to Paderewski at his
Tariff Situation and Proposed Currency Revision—Visits Paderewski—Spends Some Time
villa. Our old friendship was renewed and I found
at Hamburg Factory and Plays Selections for the Welte-Mignon—An Interesting Chat.
the eminent pianist in the best of health and
"General business conditions throughout the old this new bill. Outside of a few American bankers, spirits. Paderewski sailed Wednesday for this
world are in a very unsettled state," stated Chas. who are thinking more of their own personal in- country, and 1 feel safe in predicting for him the
H. Steinway, president of Steinway & Sons, in an terests than those of this country, 1 have not heard most successful tour, financially and artistically,
interview with The Review, following his ar- any dissatisfaction with the new currency legisla- that any pianist has every enjoyed. As soon as he
rival on Friday from his annual European trip. tion. European bankers are well pleased with the arrives here he will arrange all necessary details
"And in this respect t-iey resemble conditions in idea of our revising our currency laws, as any for his tour, and I am pleased to state that the
this country. The reason for Europe's unsettled legislation that tends to promote our credit Steinway piano will be used by this world-famous
business state is not difficult to locate, as the Bal- throughout the world is not only of great benefit to artist at all his concerts.
"As far as our own business is concerned, I may
kan disturbances have been, and are the only dis- ourselves, but of benefit to the whole world. The
turbing influences in the business activity of the general opinion abroad voices the belief that the say that I am well satisfied with tne status of our
European nations. Not only are the countries idea of the new currency bill is right and well con- business both here and abroad. Our factories at
that are actually involved in the Balkan troubles ceived. Similar to the tariff question in this re- Hamburg and in this country are all progressing
suffering industrially and financially, but the fear spect, the new currency legislation must be thor- in a most satisfactory manner, and all divisions of
that some leading European power or powers may oughly tested out and given a fair chance in every our institution have given me very gratifying re-
ports."
at any time be brought into the struggle has pro-
The arrival of Mr. Steinway on Friday, follow-
duced a political unrest that is naturally reflected
ing his four months' stay abroad—his 90th cross-
in the business activity of Europe and the world
ing of the Atlantic, by the way—witnessed the
in general.
transformation
of the executive offices at Steinway
"The absence of sufficient money throughout
Hall from a scene oi business activity to a con-
Europe is, of course, the primary reason for this
servatory. Friends and associates joined in plac-
unsettled condition. Influenced by the continuance
ing beautiful floral displays on Mr. Steinway's desk,
of the Balkan wars and their breaking out time
but this tribute was only one of the many indica-
and again after smouldering for a short period, the
tions of the affection and admiration in which Mr.
people are hoarding their money instead of placing
Steinway is held by all at Steinway Hall.
it in circulation. It was well nigh impossible at
During Mr. Steinway's entire four months' stay
one time to secure sufficient gold to transact busi-
abroad he spent but one month away from the
ness, as gold was not in evidence at all, the
scenes of business and industrial activity, staying
Government, bankers and public hoarding their
for four weeks at his villa at Homburg. Not even
gold, and using instead paper notes in all business
for this short period, however, did Mr. Steinway
transactions. In this respect, however, I may state
perm-it himself to entirely forget the business wel-
that the financial outlook abroad at the present time
fare of Steinway & Sons, as he was in receipt of
is noticeably improving, and conditions were con-
the correspondence each day from the Steinway
siderably better this summer than on the occasion
European houses and factories, and passed on all
of my last visit abroad in February of this year.
matters necessitating executive action.
"What impressed me considerably on my visit
In addition to spending some time at each of
to Europe was the evidence of a remarkable revo-
the European houses of Steinway & Sons, and an
lution in the financial situation throughout the
extended period at the Hamburg factory, Mr.
world. Formerly the creating power and the
Steinway devoted a part of his time to musical ac-
center of commercial activity lay wholly in Lon-
tivities, and visited several celebrated artists who
don. It has entirely changed, however, and I have
spent the summer in Europe. Mr. Steinway also
Charles H. Steinway.
noticed from year to year that the industrial ac-
played a number of his own selections for the
tivity of the world now depends soMy on New
Welte-Mignon, and interested himself in musical
way.
We
can
always
change
its
provisions
if
York.
-
necessary, and currency revision has been one ot events of national and international prominence.
"In years past the whole financial strength of
Mr. Steinway will leave early next month for
the world trembled when the London market our most important problems for many years.
"There is a general confidence abroad in Presi- his annual trip to the Steinway branch stores
became unsettled. Now the eyes of the financial
world are on New York, and what occurs here in- den Wilson that is certainly gratifying to note. It throughout the Middle West. These stores are in
fluences the industrial interests of the entire world. is the belief in Europe that the Wilson adminis- splendid shape, and Mr. Steinway is looking for-
Berlin, Paris and London are all keeping in very tration has been face to face with and satisfactorily ward with pleasure to his visit to this section of
close touch with New York, and their financial solved more momentous problems during its six the country.
As far as his health and vigor are con-
activities are guided primarily by the happenings months in office than the two preceding administra-
cerned Mr. Steinway seems to grow younger with
tions accomplished during their entire tenure of
here.
each succeeding visit to Europe, and judging from
"One of the most interesting problems in Europe office. Europe believes President Wilson handled
his present pace of ocean travel, will establish a
the
Mexican
situation
diplomatically
and
gentle-
at the present time is our tariff situation. This
question is naturally the main topic of conversa- manly, and there is a general confidence abroad in record for crossing the Atlantic in a comparatively
tion with manufacturers and business men abroad, the ability of President Wilson to handle any short while.
as they have been waiting for years for a reduc-
the Coast. He stated that he had had the biggest
SOME VISITORSJO DETROIT.
tion in the American tariff to take place. For
success thus far of any trip he ever had made in
many years the European manufacturers have com- Albert V. Coates on Buying Trip from Uruguay his life. He had stopped at Buffalo, Cleveland and
— L. H. Davis with Hudson Co.—R. C. Rogers
plained that we had a Chinese wall of protection
Toledo before coming here, and had obtained rec-
on Road to Coast.
tariff around our country, which did not give the
ord orders in every city. He also got a first class
European manufacturer a fair show in this coun-
one in Detroit.
(Special
to
The
Review.)
try's trade. Now that they understand that this
DETROIT,
MICH.,
September
30.—A
notable
visitor
waif is being let down, they feel that they are
being treated more fairly, and will be able to com- in Detroit this week was Albert V. Coates, of
pete with American manufacturers strictly on the Montevideo, Uruguay, who came all the way from
merits and the qualities of their respective prod- South America to Detroit to obtain some Cecilian
ucts. Personally I believe this new tariff should player-pianos and some automobiles. In South
be given a fair and equitable chance to prove its American cities a merchant is nearly always a gen-
real worth. If in a few years the enaction of the eral agent for several different kinds of goods.
new tariff has proven disastrous to American en- In Valparaiso the agent of a Detroit piano house
terprise, we can change and improve it to ade- handles besides pianos, lines of adding machines,
Write for our special
quately meet the requirements of the country. In automobiles and cash registers. Another well-
Dealer's proposition.
, the meantime, however, it should be given every known visitor in Detroit was A. Dalrymple, of the
Estey Piano Co.
opportunity to show its value.
L. H. Davis, formerly of Grinnell Bros, and the
"Our proposed currency revision is of particu-
lar moment to the European bankers and business Melville Clark Piano Co., who went to Grand
men, and this question is interesting them consider- Rapids with the W. W. Kimball Co. when the Mel-
ably. They are all anxious to see how the pro- ville Clark store here was closed, did not like the
posed currency bill will be handled by our Con- up-State town very well and has returned to
gress, and are awaiting advices from this country Detroit and joined the sales force of the J. L.
711 Milwaukee Avenue,
CHICAGO
on the progress of the bill. I have advanced the Hudson Co.
Whole**]* Branchea Atlanta, Ga.
R. C. Rogers, vice-president of the Krakauer
"doctrine of currency revision for many years, and
Piano Co., was in Detroit Thursday on his way to
I am naturally pleased to note the appearance of
NEW YORK BECOMINGiFINANCIAL CENTER OF2THE WORLD
M. Schulz C o .
Pianos and Player-Pianos
Highest Grade—Our Own Mechanism
M SCHULZ CO.