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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
present time, I have no plans in mind for its ex-
pansion, and certainly none for its contraction.''
Opening of the Great Waterway Between the Oceans W i l l Create New Business Opportunities
Mr. Chase, who arrived in New York late last
in That Section, Says George Q. Chase—What the Panama-Pacific Exposition Really Means
week, accompanied by Mrs. Chase, was a delegate
— A g a i n s t Competitive Awards for Pianos—Business Conditions Excellent in California.
to the United Slates Chamber of Commerce, which
convened at Washington this week, and discussed
"The plans for the Panama-Pacific Exposition
officials. After careful consideration, however, the
business subjects of more than ordinary import
arc progressing at a very satisfactory pace, and
management decided that if they abolished the
This annual gathering is one of the most import-
judging from all present indications, the exposi-
awards in the piano department they would nat-
tion will certainly be ready for its formal opening
urally be obliged to abolish all awards in the wine, ant events in the business world, and as a delegate,
on schedule time," said George Q. Chase, vice-
food and similar departments where there is a de- Mr. Chase was in a position to acquire valuable
knowledge regarding the general prosperity of the
president and general manager of the prominent
cided difference in opinion and taste that must be
country, and the immediate outlook. According to
piano house of Kohler & Chase, San Francisco, considered. The management could not see its
his present plans, Mr. Chase will remain in the
Cal., who arrived in New York this week. As Mr. way clear to make a discrimination in favor of
East about three weeks, visiting Boston for a few
Chase has taken a keen interest in the detailed ar-
the piano department, and as it was at variance
days, and probably spending a week or so at At-
rangements for the 101- r ) exposition, his views on
with all precedent to abolish all competitive awards
lantic City.
the subject are based on the latest reports from the
for all exhibits, the management decided to allow
It was somewhat of a conincidence that Mr.
scene of the exposition.
the competitive awards for the piano department
Chase should register on this trip at the new
to stand as originally planned.
"As a matter of fact," continued Mr. Chase,
Hotel Biltmore within three days after the hotel
"the exposition management is considerably ahead
"Even under these conditions, however, I am
management had placed an order with William
of time just now so far as the construction of the certain that there will be a far better piano exhibit
Knabe & Co. for the exclusive piano privileges of
various buildings is concerned, and many of the
at the Panama-Pacific Exposition than there was
the new hotel. As Kohler & Chase represent the
most important buildings are well under way. Ac- at St. Louis. This is indicated by the fact that at
Knabe piano on the Coast, Mr. Chase was naturally
cording to present plans, it is expected that all
the present time enough applications have already-
well pleased with the selection of these instruments
buildings in the exposition will he completed with-
been received from piano manufacturers to take
for the latest of New York's magnificent hostelries.
in six months before the opening date. After the
all of the ri,0UU square feet that had been alloted
exterior is finished the ornamentation and decora-
NEW COMPANY INCORPORATED.
tion of the various buildings will be started, as the
official program provides for the entire comple-
The Collins-Pilcher Piano Co., New Orleans,
tion and decoration of all the buildings within
La., has been incorporated with capital stock of
several months before the scheduled opening time.
$25,000. The officers of the company are Henry
This program will allow the exhibitors plenty of
W. Collins, president; George W. Pilcher, vice-
time to place their exhibits in their individual
president, and 1. G. Hubbard, secretary and
booths without any'undue haste, and will also allow
treasurer.
f )i- the l:i.;leful furnishing and decoration of the
booths without rushing everything at the last mo-
SECURES STEINWAY AGENCY.
ment.
O. J. Wigell. the well-known piano dealer of
"it is hardly necessary to state that the Coast is
Rockford, 111., announces that he has secured the
enthusiastic over the prospects of the 15*15 ex-
agency in his territory for the Steinway and other
position. Washington, Oregon and California are
makes of pianos. Mr. Wigell formerly handled the
all preparing to share in the general prosperity
Steinway piano for several years and appreciates
that seems assured for the exposition year, and
its value as an asset to his business.
are planning to take care of the visitors to the
Coast with characteristic Western hospitality.
PIANO HOUSE MAKES PROGRESS.
There will undoubtedly be many visitors to the
(Special to The Review.)
exposition who will make their permanent homes
DE MOINKS, 1A., February 9.—The Solomon
on the Coast, and this increased population will
Piano Co. at 207 Sixth avenue, second floor, re-
probably be scattered fairly evenly among all the
ports a good demand for their regular and
Coast States.
player-pianos. Mr. Solomon is exclusive agent
"From a business standpoint, however, it is not
for Steger players and pianos and also carries
the exposition that is causing so much enthusiasm,
George Q. Chase.
'he Singer line and other makes. This concern
but the opening of the Panama Canal that is re-
for piano exhibits. We hope that all the manu- has been located at the above address for eight
sponsible for the optimistic predictions of the
facturers
whose lines we handle will decide to years and its business has shown a steady in-
business man, on the Coast. The opening of the
exhibit
at
the exposition, although 1 have not yet crease from year to year.
Panama Canal means the creation of new business
discussed
this
subject with them.
opportunities for the Coast, and these opportuni-
"Our
own
business
during 1013 was very satis-
ties will certainly be used to excellent advantage.
factory, as we closed the second best year in our
Nominally, the Panama-Pacific Exposition is sim-
ply the means of announcing the completion of the history, and we scored this record, notwithstanding
canal, and although it will be productive of con- the fact thai the first half of the year was con-
siderably behind our expectations. Business con-
siderable business activity, it is the canal itself
ditions on the Coast are generally fair, with a de-
that is the most important feature in the minds of
cided tendency towards the better. I am somewhat
the business men of the Coast.
disappointed in the reports from the East, although
are inducing wide-awake
"There has been considerable discussion through-
the outlook is considered promising by the large
out the piano trade in connection with the methods
dealers to secure our agency.
majority of business men.
adopted by the officials of the exposition in refer-
Our player business is progressing excellently,
ence to piano exhibits. It has been argued by well-
and with the strengthening of this department
informed piano men that the authorities made a
If you are building for the
of our business during the past year, we feel cer-
serious mistake in announcing competitive awards
future you cannot afford to
tain that 1014 will prove a record-breaking player
for the piano exhibits, and this discussion is. be-
year.
Our
players
now
consist
of
the
Knabe,
Kran-
overlook them.
coming more general as the date of the exposition
ich & Bach, Vose, Fischer. Shoninger and Kohler
approaches. Personally. 1 was always opposed
Famous since 1856 for their
& Chase, and with this comprehensive line, we are
to the policy of offering awards for pianos in
in
a
position
to
adequately
handle
the
needs
of
all
quality, they will surely
competition at the exposition, and was one of sev-
our player patrons on the Coast,
eral who broached this subject to the exposition
please
your most critical cus-
"Considerably to our agreeable surprise, the
tomers.
high-class upright and straight grand pianos more
than held their own during the past year. We had
You will increase your sales
naturally expected that the player-piano would
make serious inroads on this part of our
and profits if you have them.
business, but our sales total showed a higher per-
The moit reasonably-priced competitor of the high-
A postal will bring full detail*.
est priced make. A piano of appearance, durability
centage of this class of instruments than we had
and quality. With a tone so sweet and mellow that
closed during 1912.
"THE QUALITY COUNTS"
it insures satisfied customers. Just touch a key and
"My visit to the East is partly of a business,
listen. Absolutely high grade.
but more of a pleasure nature. The business end
NOTICE TO DEALERS
of it will consist of visiting the factories of the
There i* a little more open territory. Do you want
various manufacturers whose products we handle,
it? Write for particulars.
Established 1 8 6 6
and discussing general plans for the coming year,
including
new
case
designs,
etc.
We
are
well
sat-
699
East
135th
Street
NEW YORK
LESTER PIANO CO., Philadelphia, Pa.
isfied with our line as it now stands, and at the
WHAT THE PANAMA CANAL MEANS TO THE PACIFIC COAST.
DECKER TONE
DECKER CONSTRUCTION
DECKER FINISH
LESTER PIANOS
DECKER & SON, Inc.
I