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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
EILERS TO CONCENTRATE BUSINESS IN FOUR CITIES.
Plan Announced by Hy. Ellers Is to Discontinue All Branches in the Smaller Cities and to
Increase Working Capital in Main Centers—'Cutting Down Shipping Expense.
(Special to The Review.)
SPOKANE, WASH., November 1.—Following the
announced closing of the branch stores of Eilers
Music House in Seattle and Tacoma, which has
aroused much interest and speculation in music
trade circles along the Pacific Coast, it is stated
by Hy. Eilers, president of the company, that the
present business will be concentrated in Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Spokane
and large capital employed in the expansion, of
the business after the majority of the branch
stores are eliminated.
"The rapid developments of the last few years
in the musical field call for the employment of
greater capital to handle the business," stated Hy.
Eilers, "and in order to provide for the needs pf
an increasing business concentration of money
and men at the most desirable points is the rule
now for the Eilers houses.
"As to the Spokane situation, I am pleased to
say that plans are now under way for the con-
solidation of all the Eilers Music House interests
in eastern Washington into one local company.
The distributive freight rates into Spokane have
made it possible to reach a larger territory.
"This business will be organized as a local com-
PIANO MBNJN COUNCIL.
pany, to be known as the Spokane Eilers Music
House, with a capital of at least $300,000. In this
organization a number of old-time employes can
secure stock in the concern,
"The directors of the new company have not
been decided upon, but they will be five in number.
George A. Heidinger, who commenced the Eilers
business in Spokane, will be the president and
general manager. W. L. McCabe will be secretary,
and W. A. Heidinger, treasurer.
"Besides these quite a number of men who have
been connected with the Eilers Music House will
undoubtedly become members of the new organi-
zation as stockholders, among "them W. L. Smith,
A. W. Sawyer, A. Ison, Charles Findley, W. H.
Avery, L. L. Miller, who at the present time looks
after the northern Idaho interest; C. H. Viggars,
Robert Jones, George J. Griebler, M. L. Conniff,
I. W. Slagle and E. O'Callaghan
"The scope of the work will require the carry-
ing here of a greatly increased wholesale and also
a somewhat increased retail stock, for everything
will be shipped in carload lots from the factory
direct to the Spokane house. In our operations we
shall embrace all of northern Idaho and that part
of Washington east of the Cascades."
TO HASTEN CLAIM SETTLEMENT.
BURGESS BUYS JflETAIL BUSINESS.
W. C. Burgess, for a Quarter of a Century Asso-
ciated with the Wegman Piano Co., Will
Hereafter Confine Energies to Retail Trade.
(Special to The Review.)
AUBURN, N. Y., November 2.—An important
change has occurred in the Wegman Piano Co., of
this city. William C. Burgess, for twenty-five years
associated with the Wegman Piano Co., of this
city, in the capacity of secretary, treasurer and
general manager, has severed his active relations
with the manufacturing branch of that business.
The change took place November 1, on which
date Mr. Burgess assumed control of the retail
store conducted for many years by the Wegman
Piano Co. at 133 Genesee street, this city.
Mr. Burgess has purchased outright the assets,
lease and good will of the retail store, and will
run this business in his name from now on.
While Mr. Burgess intends to devote his time
and attention to the development of his retail busi-
ness, it is understood that the manufacturing
branch retains his services in an advisory capacity.
WANTS D1SCHARGEJN BANKRUPTCY.
(Special to The Review.)
BiNGHAMTON, N. Y., November 3.—It is re-
ported here that the attorneys for the Automatic
Musical Co., of this city, will shortly apply to
the United States District Court for the discharge
from bankruptcy of that concern.
Richard W. Lawrence and Louis P. Bach Ap-
PURCHASES_AN INTEREST.
Senator Olapp, of Minnesota, has introduced a
pointed to Represent the Music Trades in
bill in the National Legislature "to prevent undue
A. Repert, formerly in the silk trade, has pur-
Members' Council of Merchants' Association
delay in the settlement of freight claims." Ninety chased an interest in the C. F. Smith Piano Co.,
of New York—What It Stands For.
days are allowed in the bill for settlement of all Hazelton, Pa., and the name of the concern has
domestic claims.
been changed to the Smith & Repert Piano Co.
Richard W. Lawrence, president of the Autopiano
Co., and Louis P. Bach, treasurer of Kranich &
Bach, have been appointed representatives of the
music trades on the Members' Council of the Mer-
Charges of Wholesale Duplication of Leases Follow Arrest of Officers of Company—Heller
chants' Association of New York. In Greater
and Butler Deny Forgery Charge—District Attorney Takes Hand in Matter.
New York, the organ published by the Merchants'
(Special to The Review.)
duced to swear out a warrant for the arrest of the
Association, the Members' Council is described as
MILWAUKEE,
WIS.,
November
4.—The
affairs
of
Heller officials. Lewis denied that the note in
follows:
The Members' Council was created to serve as the bankrupt Heller Piano Co. seem to be grow- question, which the Heller people sold to Herman
a forum for the public discussion of business and ing more and more complicated and the recent ar- F. Franke, a Milwaukee business man, had ever
rest, as reported in last week's Review, of Hugo been signed by him. District Attorney Yockey
economic questions.
Its membership is representative of practically Heller and Harry F. Butler, president and secre- says that this is only one of many schemes which
every branch of the trade and commerce of the tary, respectively, on the charge of forging a prom- the Heller concern has been following in an effort
issory note and piano contract, only goes to indi- to keep its head above water.
city, large and small.
cate the earlier assertions made that there had
It seems that Lewis, the hotel keeper, was asked
It will hold luncheon meetings each month at
been questionable methods followed.
by the Heller Co. for permission to have an electric
which addresses will be made upon important and
Heller and Butler appeared in District Court piano installed in his hotel and saloon. Later, it is
timely subjects by the men who are best qualified
to speak. The subjects chosen for discussion will en November 1 and secured a continuance of their alleged, Heller and Butler went to Franke, who
relate to live business issues and trade problems case until November 5. Both men, who are out on holds more than $11,000 worth of Heller paper, and
claiming that they had sold the piano to Lewis,
bail of $2,000, deny that they forged the name of
affecting business interests in New York.
showed a promissory note for $600, which was to
Daniel
J.
Lewis,
proprietor
of
a
hotel
at
Cudahy,
As a whole, the Council is a body designed to
Wis., to the note and contract, and they are en- run for forty months at 6 per cent. They also ex-
stimulate an intelligent public interest in matters
deavoring to lay the blame upon a salesman in the hibited a contract, calling for a monthly payment
affecting the trade and welfare of the city.
of $15 for forty months. Franke, it seems, think-
Each trade group in the membership of The employ of the Heller concern at the time the al-
ing that the signatures were genuine, discounted
leged
forgery
was
committed.
Merchants' Association having at least five mem-
the note for $550 cash. Lewis says that he sus-
"It
is
apparent
that
there
is
nothing
to
these
bers is entitled to one representative in the mem-
pected nothing until about a month ago, when
bers' council, and each group receives one ad- charges," said Hugo Heller, president of the de-
Franke asked him if the note and contract were
funct
concern.
"Personally
I
know
nothing
about
ditional representative for each additional ten
genuine.
the
transaction
with
Mr.
Lewis.
The
matter
was
members up to fifty; but no group can have more
handled by a salesman in the employ of the Heller
Referee in Bankruptcy E. Q. Nye in the United
than five representatives in the Council.
Piano Co. Neither Mr. Butler nor I know any- States District Court officially declared the Heller
The powers and duties of the council provide
thing about the details of it until we find this man." Piano Co. bankrupt on October 28, after the claims
that it shall recommend from time to time to the
District Attorney Edward Yockey has taken a of creditors had been adjudicated and it was found
board of directors of the association subjects which
Kvely
interest in the Heller case and is determined that there would be no contest to the bankruptcy.
it decides should be taken up by the association
The referee and the receiver, the First Savings
for the benefit of commerce and for the welfare to sift the various charges which have been made.
& Trust Co., are now in full charge of affairs.
He
has
secured
Special
Investigator
Edward
Tracy
of the community. The representatives of any
The Heller officials have been ordered by the
group, acting through their chairman, may recom- to assist him, and it is said that scores of deals
mend investigation or action on the part of the are being unearthed where leases and contracts Court to file their schedule of assets and liabilities
association with respect to matters affecting their were duplicated many times. The arrest of Heller by November 7, but attorneys for the company are
and Butler was demanded by the district attorney sparring for more time and want at least eleven
particular line or group of trades.
when he unearthed the Lewis case, where alleged days longer than the allotted time, which would
make the date of the filing about November 18. Cred-
Clarence W. Rink, a piano dealer of Fergus forgery was committed.
Every firm or business man holding Heller paper itors are awaiting with interest the filing of the
Falls, Minn., has given up the piano business to
take a position in the internal revenue service, with, was asked by the district attorney to check up, schedule, when it can be learned just what the
and when the Lewis case came up Lewis was in- liabilities are.
headquarters in St. Paul.
HELLER CO. AFFAIRS BECOMING MORE COMPLICATED.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, N E W YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos