Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1914 Vol. 59 N. 15

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
but the men who triumph over difficulties and temporary interfer-
ences are going to be stronger in the end.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
CARLETON CHACE,
AUGUST J. TIM PE.
L. M. ROBINSON,
WM. B. WHITE,
GLAD HENDERSON,
L. E. BOWERS.
BOSTON OFFICE
CHICAGO OFFICE:
K p V N
lnnw H Wirsnir «B* Washington St
-
* HARLINGIN, Consumers' Building.
8 2 So S t a t e S t r e e t
'
* , " ' " . .««r
° -
Telephone, Wabash 5774.
Telephone, Main 6950-
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate,
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings. Rasinghall St., E. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada,
$3.f>0: all other countries, $6.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts, a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages $110.00.
REMITTANCES, In "ther than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
I.yman Mill.
PlflVPr PiiUlA UftA
Departments conducted by an expert
1 1OJC1-I laiiV ailU
t i o n s o f a technical nature relating to
T i t p X f t l i l n l l i l f l U d l l D
and repairing of pianos and
V p
C n p a d r l t I n l l i i P e n i l t i e a . d lating
ea]t wjth w i u b e f o u n d jn a n o t h e r
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information
will be cheerfully given upon request.
wherein all ques-
the tuning, regu-
player-pianos
are
gect i on of th i s
concerning which
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Diploma
Paris Exposition, 1000
Silver Medal••.Charleston
Exposition, 190S
Pan-American Exposition, 1001 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1004
Gold Medal..Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1005
LOVG DISTANCE TELIFEONES—NUMBEB8 5982—5983 MADXSO2T «Q.
Connecting' all Departments
Cable address: "Elblll. Hew York."
NEW
YORK,
OCTOBER
10, 1914
EDITORIAL
'"I" HERE is a lot of common sense, timeliness and sane counsel
•L in the remarks recently made by Judge E. H. Gary, head of
the United States Steel Corporation, when he says: "What this
country needs now more than ever is more courage. This is not
the time for Americans to be 'quitters.' It is tine for prudence
and economy, but not for hysterical economy. There is danger that
some of our business men in their overcaution will wreck the
mechanism of their own organizations and injure everyone else."
There is undoubtedly a tendency to extreme pessimism on the
part of many of our business men, superinduced naturally by the
disturbed conditions both in the financial and business worlds
which have prevailed since the starting of the European war.
Meanwhile, business men would do well to consider wisely and care-
fully before becoming victims to a course of action that prudence
and foresight should enable them to avoid. As a writer in The
New York World aptly expressed it the other day: "The unex-
pected disturbance of the world's commerce and the immediate
effects felt in this country seemed to cause many people to lose
their heads and fall under a paralyzing fear that deprived them of
all energy and initiative. Reasonable retrenchment in many direc-
tions and careful husbanding of resources for the time being was
the obvious course of wisdom, but 'hysterical economy' that meant
hoarding and suspension of effort would only be a step toward
disaster.
"With reason Americans have boasted of the greatness of their
country and the variety and extent of its markets. They have been
confident of their capacity to face trials that would exhaust the
strength of other nations. To yield to the first impulse to believe
that all trade must be bad because business in some quarters has
suffered a setback is to ignore the facts. It is as imprudent as it is
unnecessary."
Judge Gary's good advice is well worth heeding by members
of the music trade industry. The critical, period . in the business
world is rapidly passing, and the outlook to-day for the United
States is most hopeful. Tt is the time for courage and optimism,
on the part of everyone in the business field—a trying time truly—
E members of the piano trade, both manufacturers and deal-
ers, responded, and are responding nobly, to the appeal of the
Southern planters to "buy-a-bale-of-cotton," for were the purchases
of the various concerns combined they would probably amount to
several thousand bales. The Southern dealers are buying the cot-
ton or taking it in exchange for their own protection, for much of
their prosperity naturally depends upon the prosperity of the cotton
planter. There is already a big question in the minds of the finan-
cial experts as to whether the cure of the cotton situation in the
South will not prove worse than the disease when the next crop is
to be marketed. At the present time the purchase of cotton at ten
and twelve cents a pound has served to inflate the market value of
the commodity, and when, later on, the cotton now in the hands of
the non-users, who purchased to "help out" is put on the market
together with the unsold of this year's crop, and with the full new
crop the planter will find that the market is in a condition far worse
than at present.
The South has been for some time past the "boom" section of
the country. While other sections were standing still or advancing
slowly in the matter of business increase the South has been pro-
gressing in an astonishing and gratifying rate. The present crisis
has proven, however, that "King Cotton's" tenure of office is as un-
certain as that of some human monarch and that permanent pros-
perity cannot be built up on one commodity. If the planters heed
the warning to give their attention to diversified crops well and
good. If they don't the "buy-a-bale" movement will fail in its
mission. The country will answer the appeal of the cotton planter
once because the conditions are exceptional and a lesson had yet to
be learned. If the appeal becomes a habit, the purse strings will
not remain so loose.
Piano men should join with other merchants of the South in
urging planters not to depend entirely upon cotton for their prosper-
ity—to realize the fallacy of putting all their eggs in one basket.
I
T is significant that the exports from the Port of New York in
the third and fourth weeks of September ran almost six million
dollars more than last year in spite of the nearly total loss of ex-
ports to Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Belgium. In four
weeks, ending September 26, Great Britain and the British posses-
sions took eleven million dollars more in New York exports than
last year, and Denmark, Norway, Greece, Spain, Cuba and other
countries, a substantial increase. With the approach of foreign
exchange to normal figures, the trade of New York shows a won-
derful capacity for a swift revival—a condition which is certain to
show a steady improvement and place the country on a sounder
financial basis as the increase of our export trade necessarily de-
creases our indebtedness to foreign nations. Musical instruments,
of course, are playing but a minor part in these exports, but the
situation, as outlined elsewhere in The Review, shows a distinct
change for the better that is most encouraging in every respect.
have received a number of communications from Review
W E readers
in which writers have taken extreme views re-
garding the European situation and the causes which led up to the
deplorable war. These we have not published, nor do we propose
that the columns of this paper shall be open to controversial argu-
ments concerning war conditions in Europe.
No good can come through such discussion, and we feel that
the management of a trade publication should exclude from its
pages matters of this nature. Many of our readers have pro-
nounced views upon the subject, and why should we offend the sensi-
tiveness of anyone by throwing our columns open to bitter dis-
cussions.
We shall maintain this stand, and it is useless for anyone to
send in to us opinions praising or abusing either side in the great
European struggle. We preach neutrality and we shall practice it.
R
EPORTS from Review correspondents throughout the coun-
try the past week are couched along lines that indicate
steadily improving conditions of business in their respective
localities. Locally, manufacturers state that orders are more
plentiful, than for months.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
GROWTH OF OUR EXPORT TRADE.
LOOKS FOR A GOOD FALL TRADE.
GIVES DINNER TO SALES FORCE.
The Paralysis of Commerce, It Appears, Is Now
Ended, for Exports from the Port of New
York Last Week Broke Records—The Start
of New and Better Business Conditions.
Warren C. Whitney, Vice-President of the A. B.
Chase Co., Believes That Business Will
Show Steady Improvement—On Extended
Business Trip Through the West.
Foster Piano Co., Troy, N. Y., Host at Banquet
at Which Interesting Speeches Are Made on
Trade Subjects by Firm Members.
(Special to The Review.)
TKOV, N. Y., October 5.—The Foster Piano Co.
last week tendered the members of its sales force
a banquet at the Rensselaer Hotel. About twenty
attended and the guest of honor was Russell
Mitchell, manager of the W. S. Hill Advertising
Co., of Pittsburgh. Mr. Mitchell delivered an ad-
dress on salesmanship, with particular attention to
problems which confront piano salesmen. Fred
C. Foster, Egbert Foster and William C. Feather,
members of the firm, made short speeches and con-
gratulated the men on their excellent work and the
bright prospects. Others who attended the ban-
quet were J. F. and S. B. Foster, of Schenectady;
Fred Hancock, G. W. B. Wells, L. C. Hathaway,
Louis J. Lynet, A. W. Farr, C. E. Lynd, B. C. Bar-
num, Edmund D. Northup, Frank Caffrey and
Charles Evans.
The check to American prosperity, due to tlu-
war's convulsion of finances and temporary paraly-
sis of commerce, is ended. A very marked boom
throughout the United States, except possibly parts
of the South, wili soon be generally felt. The tide
seemed to turn last week, but the official figures of
exports given out some days ago show definitely
that the tide has turned.
The total exports from New York to all for-
eign countries during the first nine weeks of war,
as compared with the same weeks last year, were
as follows:
W e e k of
Aug.
1
Aug. 8
Aug. 15
Aug. 22
Aug. 29
Sept. 5
Sept. 12
Sept. 19
Sept. 26
1914.
$14,670,910
12,071,056
10,723,082
8,477,361
10,214,302
20,032,132
13,906,351
17,308,190
20,032,132
NORWALK, O., October 5.—Warren C. Whitney,
vice-president of the A. B. Chase Co., who re-
turned from his extended vacation in northern
Minnesota a couple of weeks ago, has been tied
close to the factory attending to the many matters
that accumulated during his absence.
Mr. Whitney agrees with man^ other members
of the trade that the present disturbance in Europe
will eventually serve to stimulate the industries
of the United States, but holds that there are many
1913.
$16,343,572
13,515,717
14,834,851
15,797,498
12,158,997
16,810,536
15,393,386
14,561,782
16,810,536
A neutral country like the United States, which
is also the greatest producer of the agricultural and
manufacturing necessities of life, gains in time of
war the stimulation of industry and the demand
for the food that can no longer be produced in
countries ravaged by war.
Our imports will be far below the normal as long
as the war lasts. But our exports are going to
increase by leaps and bounds from this time for-
ward.
That means prosperity. Even the cotton situa-
tion, the only doubtful spot, is improving. During '
September we exported only 60,000 bales, against
(572,000 bales last year. But in the week ended
yesterday alone we exported 65,800 bales, compared
with only 20,400 the week before.
Exports to France were about the same last
week as in 1913. German exports decreased $6,-
300,000, while exports to Great Britain increased
last week $9,000,000. This is a showing that is
most significant.
HIS TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
H. A. Tonolla, a Piano Man of Practical Ex-
perience, Has Developed Lively Retail Busi-
ness in Ossining During Past Two Decades.
(.Special to The Review.)
OSSINING, N. Y., October 5.—H. A. Tonolla,
who handles the Mehlin, Radle and other makes of
pianos with great success at 160 Main street, thi
city, is celebrating this week the twentieth anni-
versary of his entrance into the business field in
Ossining.
Mr. Tonolla, who is a practical piano man, got
his first training as an apprentice in New York fac-
tories when the square piano was in vogue, and
after passing through the various stages of factory
work, took up piano tuning as his special work.
Mr. Tonolla then began to sell pianos, and has
developed a substantial business in that line in Os-
sining and vicinity.
Mr. Tonolla represents the third generation of
piano men in his family, his father and grand
father having also been piano makers in New
York, and at one time manufactured the George
C. Tonolla piano in that city. The anniversary
celebration has received much attention in the local
press.
(Special to The Review.)
NEW 0UARTERSJN ROANOKE. VA.
H.
B. Hash Piano Co. Now Located at 123
West Campbell Avenue, That City.
(Special to The Review. >
ROANOKE, VA., October 5.—The H. B. Hash Pi-
ano Co., formerly located at J ,' OM Henry street, is
now doing business at 123 West Campbell avenue.
This new store is a decided improvement over the
previous location. The Moor space is much greater
and the firm has greatly increased its stock, which
consists of an excellent line of pianos. H. B. Hash
has been in the piano business for many years, as
well as W. G. Stouffer, who was formerly con-
nected with the Kroeger Piano Co.
AUTOMATIC PRICE REDUCTION.
Novel Scheme Put Into Effect" by Meiklejohn
Co., of Providence—Issue House Organ
Called "The Open Book."
Warren C. Whitney.
(Special to The Review.)
problems to solve before the piano manufacturers
of this country can hope to dominate in the ex-
port field and that development along that line must
be made on a conservative basis.
"I look for a fair business this fall and winter,"
said Mr. Whitney, "and, when the war is con-
cluded, feel that we can then look for a greatly in-
creased business which will continue steadily for a
number of years."
Mr. Whitney has just left on an extended tour
of the West and will call on the majority of the
A. B. Chase Co. representatives in that section of
the country before his return.
PROVIDENCE, R. I., October 6.—An interesting ad-
vertising scheme which is now being used by the
Meiklejohn Co., of this city, is the maintenance of
a house organ called "The Open Book." In this
house organ are many interesting subjects pertain-
ing to pianos and player-pianos, and short stories
regarding current topics take away the absolute ad-
vertising feature of the book. In the September
issue an interesting subject is one on which an au-
tomatic price reduction system maintained by the
company is exploited. Regarding this the com-
pany states:
• "No piano dealer knows why certain pianos in
the stock move slowly, or fail to be sold. The
tone is good, the case attractive, the price is fair,
but the instrument does not find a buyer.
"Hereafter when a piano of any make remains
too long on the floor of any one of our three
stores, the price will be automatically reduced five
per cent, each month until sold.
"Our plainly marked price is the same to every
buyer. To credit purchasers the terms are lib-
eral in the extreme, covering a period of approxi-
mately three years for payments.
"Of course, you will want to make yourself some-
what acquainted with the regular stock and price
of our pianos and player-pianos, in order to ap-
preciate the advantages of the automatic reductions,
and we are sure that frequent visits will be of ad-
vantage to you in every way. The automatically
reduced instruments will be listed from month to
month in 'The Open Book.' "
Following the announcements are given the names
of pianos of well-known makes in which the regu-
lar price is stated and also the price, minus the
five per cent, for the month.
HAROLD BAUER ARRIVES
In San Francisco—Famous Pianist Will Reside
in the United State Indefinitely.
(Special to The Review.)
BOSTON, MASS., October 5.—Henry L. Mason, of
the Mason & Hamlin Co., has just received a tele-
gram from Harold Bauer, stating that the famous
pianist has arrived in San Francisco with Mrs.
Bauer, and that he is well and looking forward to
his concerts this season with great interest, more-
over that he will remain in America indefinitely,
having canceled his European tour next year.
Commenting on the latter, Mr. Mason remarked:
"I know that a great many music lovers will be
glad to know that Mr. Bauer will be in America
SELECTED ASJ)FFICIAL PIANO.
indefinitely, for many have written and asked me
The Amateur Musical Club of Peoria, 111., which in person whether he would teach at all this coming
has a membership of over 1,000 musicians and mu- season. I presume now that he may do so, after
sic lovers, has announced that the A. B. Chase con- his important concerts are over."
Harold Bauer, who plays the Mason & Hamlin
cert grand will be the official piano of the club in
piano, is an old-time admirer of this instrument.
all its concerts during the coming season.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD. N E W YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos

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