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THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
BRINGS WESTERN AGGRESSIVENESS INTO THE EAST.
The Standard Piano Co., Newark, N. J., Under the Management of Walter W. Forbish,
President, Makes Fine Record During First Year—Developing Nelson Co. Trade.
One o,f the most pretentious buildings devoted
to the sale of pianos in Newark, N. J., is that of
the Standard Piano Co., at the corner of Central
avenue, and Broad street and close to the heart
of Newark's retail business center. The acco.m-
STOCK-TAKING IN CINCINNATI.
the
All this was accomplished with a staff of never
more than eight salesmen, inside and outside com-
bined, which speaks for itself.
Mr. Forbish is also doing some excellent work
as Eastern wholesale representative of the H. P.
Home of the Standard Piano Co.- -Insert—W. W. Forbish, President.
panying illustration gives an excellent idea of the
exterior appearance of the Standard Co.'s building
and also includes a portrait of Walter W. Forbish,
president and general manager of the company
and the man responsible for its success.
The Standard Piano Co. was organized in May,
1913, by Mr. Forbish, who came direct from the
Pacific Coast for the purpose, and has a capital
stock of $100,000, all paid in. Mr. Forbish came
to Newark well qualified to take the reins of the
business and drive it to success. He entered the
trade as a protege of the late C. A. Elmendorf,
and was connected with the Kimiball Co., under
his direction for over eleven years holding special
sales and doing other wo.rk in the territory be-
tween Chicago and Seattle. After leaving the
Kimball Co. Mr. Forbish spent some years with
the Baldwih Co. as Pacific Coast traveler before
joining the force of the H. P. Nelson Co. During
its first year, according to Mr. Forbish, the Stand-
ard Go. sold over 1,000 pianos and player-pianos
for over $312,000, with a good percentage for cash,
and all instalments averaging 3 per cent, or better.
Nelson Co., and manages to spend considerable
time on the road, doing much of his traveling via
automobile. The Standard Piano Co, which oc-
cupies the basement and first three floors of the
big building, handles H. P. Nelsori pianos almost
exclusively, and there are at the present time over
500 instruments on the wareroom floors, including
a sample of every style in the H. P. Nelson line.
This arrangement is particularly convenient, for
dealers within a radius of 100 miles or so of
Newark can visit that city and pick out their
sto.ck personally and have it delivered at short
notice. When possible, the pianos are delivered
by automobile trucks, of which the company op-
erates several at all times.
Mr. Forbish is a strong believer in display ad-
vertising of the sensational type, and has man-
aged to stir things up considerably in 'Newark
with his announcements of special sales. He also,
takes a lively interest in business matters generally,
and is a member of the Newark Board of Trade,
Newark Advertising Men's Club and the Elks'
Lodge No. 44.
INVENTORY DOES_NOT INTERFERE
for ten days. The company had prepared for this
event, however, by accumulating a large stock of
rolls, and this stock has stood them in good stead
during the past week. There has been no delay
in shipments to the trade, because of this before-
hand preparation.
"Our business has been going along very satis-
factorily," said Paul J. Stroup, manager of the
company, in a chat with The Review. "A feature
of our orders the past few months has been the
comparatively large number of inquiries received
from dealers over a wide expanse o.f territory who
were not listed as old customers. These inquiries
indicate, to my mind, a resumption of general
business activity, and, needless to say, we are per-
fecting our plans to give our trade every possible
service and co-operation during the fall and winter
seasons, when it is most needed to take care of
the demands."
With Shipments of Universal Music Co. Rolls
to Increasing Roster of Customers—Man-
ager Stroup Pleased with Business Outlook.
In accordance with its usual custom at this time
of the year, the Universal Music Co. started on
Monday of this week to take its yearly factory
inventory, which necessitated the closing of the
factory for a few days. By reason of the careful
management and manipulation that characterized
this year's taking of inventory, however, the ship-
ping department suffered practically no delay, and
shipments have already been resumed with unusual
promptness and dispatch.
It was also found necessary to replace certain
of the machinery in the factory, and several de-
partments of the factory were accordingly closed
11
Factories and Retail Houses Getting in Shape
for Fall Activities—Excellent Results for
Baldwin Co.—Cable Company to
Handle
Talking Machines—Goodman Piano Co. Wins
Important Suit in United States Court—
Triton Co. Is Organized—Other Happenings.
(Special to The Review.)
CINCINNATI, O., June 30.—Stock-taking time has
arrived for many of the retail houses and some of
factories, causing an internal activity which will
last for several days. In a general way the mer-
chants are well satisfied with what has been ac-
complished during the past twelve months. There
is more complaint about existing conditions, but
the merchants are inclined to look upon the matter
with a view of realizing that they are getting as
much as their competitors.
E . E , Roberts, of the Baldwin Co., this morning
was of the opinion that the books of this corpora-
tion on July 1 would show the business of the past
six months to be the equal or slightly ahead of the
corresponding period of 1913, which year is claimed
to have produced the greatest results for the com-
pany. Arrangements have just been made for the
taking over of another floor in the east building,
which will give the firm the four upper floors. The
additional space will be occupied by the advertising
department.
By August 1 the Cincinnati branch of the Cable
Company will figure in the local market as a com-
petitor for business in the Victor field. Formal an-
no.uncement of the entrance of the company into
that phase of the musical arena was made this
morning by Manager Summey. No special ar-
rangements have been made as yet for the intro-
duction of the new department. Some preliminary
plans for booths have been considered. These, of
course, will be installed on the ground floor.
Major George, the former salesman for the
Starr Piano 'Co., who was recently arrested at Den-
ver at the instance of this concern, is now at the
jail in Brookville, Ind. It is understood the Brook-
ville Bank also has a claim against the prisoner.
The Goodman Piano Co., of Cleveland, has won
its fight for the recovery of a player-piano fro.m
Philip Bierman, of Middletown. The referee in
the case has reported to the United States Court
that the company is entitled to the recovery of the
piano even though it had no,t recorded its chattel
mortgage. The decision was on the grounds that
no trustee had been appointed and the piano was
claimed among the bankrupt's exemptions.
Rudolph Wurlitzer will take a prominent part in
the newly organized Retail Merchants' Association,
formed under the direction of the Chamber of
Commerce last week. He was elected temporary
secretary. The organization will go after trade in
the local territory and boost the town and its pos-
sibilities.
The Ohio Triton Phonograph & Sales Co., of
Cleveland, has been formed by L. Desenberg,
William J. Smith, H. H. Nichols, P. L. Idleman
and Fred B. Fishman, with a capitalization of
$10,000.
Wilbur C. Roberts, the Cable representative at
Kno.xville, accompanied by Mrs. Roberts, were in
town yesterday. Mr. Roberts reported a good
spring business in his district.
Earl Conway, of the Hallet & Davis Co., was in
town last week and called on his local representa-
tives, Graul & Kayser.
President Frank A. Lee, of the John Church Co.,
has left the hospital and is resting at ho.me. He
will be able to visit the office by the end of this
week.
It became known to-day that Fred Wagner, one
of the oldest members of the Cincinnati branch of
the Aeolian Co., has resigned and will leave the
piano trade until he recovers his health. He has
had charge of the Hamilton branch several years.
It is understood E. N. Guise will succeed him.
The present officers of the Rudolph Wurlitzer
Co. were re-elected at the annual meeting las-t
week. The fiscal year closed June 1, the books
showing a handsome increase over the previous
year.