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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DETROIT'S PROSPERITY PROVES STRONG ATTRACTION.
Manufacturers in All Lines Establishing Agencies in That City—Piano Men Prepare to Take
Care of Big Demand—Salesmen Find Autos Convenient.
(Special to Tlu Review.)
DETROIT. ,
MICH., October 12.—The trade letter
the first of October issued by one of our leading
banks commented as follows: "Detroit the Dy-
namic" is on the eve of one of the greatest periods
of prosperity which this city has ever known. For
months Detroit has been the one garden spot in a
rather barren field of business stagnation extending
from coast to coast. Big business of every de-
scription has been attracted to this agent. Agencies
by the hundreds are being established in Detroit by
outside manufacturers seeking relief from the de-
pression existing elsewhere by making bids for a
share of the prosperity enjoyed here. The strength
of Detroit in money resources is illustrated by the
report of one of the Detroit banks that it is now
carrying gross deposits of $43,0011,000. The banks
of Detroit were never in a better condition and
never more able to finance the huge financial un-
dertakings which the city's business demands.
The Northern Piano Co., Boyne City, Mich., has
incorporated with an authorized capital stock of
$10,000.
At the Saginaw County Fair, conducted all of
last week, the following concerns made exhibits:
Gregory Music House, pianos and Victrolas; Ger-
main Piano Co., pianos and Victrolas, and the Her-
zog Art Furniture Co., art furniture.
The Detroi: Music Co. is rearranging its first
floor to make it more adaptable for its growing
trade. On the right hand side two large booths
are being built finished in white enamel and plate
glass. Each booth is 8 by 10 feet in size. One
will be used for demonstrating player-pianos and
player music, while the other booth will be for
demonstrating Columbia machines and records.
Some time ago Manager Trebilcock added the
Columbia line as an experiment. He says he finds
it to be a good thing and really stimulates the piano
business, because it brings more people to his store.
He told The Review correspondent that business
was 35 per cen:. ahead of last year for the first
nine monthr. of 1!<15.
Henry F. Stucke, manager for a number of years
of the Grinnell Bros, store at Traverse City, has
been transferred to Detroit, where he has been
given a prominent place in the sales department.
He has been with the company for about nine years.
The congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, Windsor, Ont. (across the river from
Detroit), voted last week to cancel its contract
with a German organ company for a $15,000 instru-
ment, which was ordered before the war. When
the firm failed to fulfil the agreement it was de-
cided to cancel the contract. It was also the
desire of the congregation to sever all dealings
with a firm that was an enemy to Great Britain.
Not only will the church ask for the refund of
$2,500 sent to Germany as first payment, but will
sue for $1,000 damages for failure on the part of
the firm to keep its agreement.
The Cable-Nelson Piano Co., 128 West Main
street, Kalamazoo, Mich., is offering a Henderson
piano to the highest bidder. Those who want to
bid must come to the store or fill out a coupon and
mail it in. They can bid whatever they want and
can dictate their own terms. On October 15 the
bids will be opened and the person making the best
offer receives the instrument, irrespective of what
it may be. C. H. Brown, manager of the store,
says he has received several hundred bids.
A Cecilian player-piano is being exhibited in the
Woodward avenue display window of Bush &
Lane, which was just completed this week. Man-
ager Cross, of this store, makes up each morning
a bargain bulletin "For To-day Only," listing spe-
cial bargains on second-hand and used instruments.
H. J. Marsh, R. J. Wilkinson and C. J. Long-
necker, salesmen of the J. L. Hudson piano depart-
ment, own motor cars, which they find is a big
asset as well as convenience in getting around to
their customers. Those not having machines are
provided one by the company for use one day each
week. The company also maintains a driver.
The twelfth annual summer resort sale of Grin-
nell Bros., which was originally announced for two
weeks, has been extended another week. While
the business the first week was better than the
second, the sales are still plentiful.
A. B. Howard and C. F. Behnke are in charge
of the new A. B. Smith piano store opened October
2 at 16 East Elizabeth street, Detroit. The store is
17 by 90 feet, and includes the first floor and base-
ment. It is only a stone's throw from Woodward
avenue. Over thirty pianos can be displayed on the
main floor. The company operates a chain of
stores in Cleveland, Akron and other Middle West
towns. The company does a strictly one-price busi-
ness, according to Mr. Howard.
Percy Guest, small goods buyer for Grinnell
Bros., Detroit, is extremely enthusiastic over the
ukulele instrument and looks for a big holiday
business. He says that already he has many of the
best people in town assure him that tiny would buy
them for Christmas presents to give their daughters.
The store is selling from three to four every day.
The Arcadia Auditorium was not big enough to
hold the throng of people who went there to hear
Geraldine Farrar sing on Monday evening, October
11. Detroit gave the opera star a great reception.
Harry H. Zickel, manager of the Cable piano
store, Detroit, says business is "magnificently good. 1 '
He says there have been no dull periods in the
past two years. He regrets that his store is not
large enough.
J. Henry Ling, Detroit, reports that trade is im-
proving in all departments. And that it is almost
back to the record year. Mr. Ling is experiencing
no trouble in getting stock for fall and holiday
trade, which, he believes, will make selling much
easier for the remainder of the year.
President Mark P. Campbell, of the Brambach
Piano Co., was in Detroit for several days this
week. The Brambach line is sold in Detroit by
Grinnell Bros., J. L. Hudson Co. and the J. Henry
Ling store.
The J. L. Hudson music store has been showing
this week the section of an Angelus player-piano
and the diaphragm pneumatics in one of its win-
dows.
Roy L. Dupraw, manager in Michigan for the
Clough & Warren Co., says he is getting good re-
sults from the State and county fairs at which he
had exhibits. "This particular class of business is
unusually good this year," he remarked. "While
in the past we always got enough business to pay
our expenses, this year we will also make a profit.
We are still working on the prospects secured at
the fairs and find that we can land a good per-
centage of them. There isn't much use exhibiting
at fairs unless you follow up prospects you get."
GREAT MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HAWAII
Proven by Demand for Leading Pianos of American Make Experienced by Thayer Piano Co.—
Has Met with Great Success—Adds A. B. Chase Line—L. E. Thayer Recovered.
(Special to The Review.)
and his oldest son, Wade, who, in addition to being
HONOLULU, T. H., September 30.—The great de- secretary of the piano company, is also secretary
velopment in music in Hawaii is no better indicat- to the Governor of the Hawaiian Islands. Ernest
ed than by reference to the success that has at- Gieseke, vica-president of the company, was for-
merly of Denver, and for many years connected
tended the efforts of the Thayer Piano Co. of
this city. The busi-
n e s s was founded
some years ago by
L. E. Thayer, well
known in the United
States as g e n e r a l
traveler for the Pack-
ard Co. and the Starr
Piano Co. for many
years, and through
careful and expert at-
tention has become a
decided factor in the
music world on the
Islands.
RLAYE& PIANOS
Since he has been
located in Honolulu
Mr. Thayer has rep-
resented the Stein-
way and Starr lines
of pianos, but last
winter he also added
the A. B. Chase lin;
to the list during the
visit of W. C. Whit-
ney, vice - president
and general manager
of the company, to
Thayer Piano Co.'s Warerooms in Honolulu.
this city. The Thayer Piano Co. recently moved
with the Knight-Campbell Music Co. of that city.
into handsome new quarters on one of the most
Mr. Thayer's friends will be glad to know that
prominent streets of the city and directly opposite
he has now practically recovered from a rather
the Alexander Young Hotel, in front of which is
serious illness and is able to take an active part
a small, beautiful park, in which the Hawaiian
in the business again. Several weeks ago, while
Band plays very frequently. Mr. Thayer is ac-
on a trip to Hilo with his wife and son Wade, he
tively assisted in the conduct of the business by
had a slight attack of paralysis, but prompt and
his son Arthur, who is treasurer of the company,
careful attention brought him around all right.
CREDIT MEN TO DINE ON OCT. 2 1 .
TO OPEN SALESMEN'S SCHOOL.
The twentieth annual fall meeting and dinner of
the New York Credit Men's Association will be
held in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Astor on
Thursday evening, October 21. John W. Weeks,
United States Senator from Massachusetts, will
speak on "The Relations of Government to Busi-
ness." The other speakers will be H. G. Moore,
Peoria, 111., head of the National Association of
Credit Men, and Justice William H. Wadhams, of
the Court of General Sessions.
The School of Salesmanship conducted by the
W. W. Kimball Co. at its Chicago headquarters
will open as usual this month with Eugene Whelan
in charge. The school will have weekly sess'ons
and listen to addresses by successful men.
Quite elaborate alterations are being made in
the store of the Wissner Piano Co., Ansonia,
Conn., including the remodeling and enlarging of
the show windows.