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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
CLOSE A GREAT CHRISTMAS TRADE IN KANSAS CITY.
There have been more player-pianos and more
grands sold this winter than for some seasons past.
There will be a most active demand during the Year as a Whole, However, Nothing to Brag About—Snowfall Puts Farmers in Good Humor—
Stevens Bill Arousing Interest—What Dealers Have to Report on Conditions.
coming year for men to handle these types of in-
(Special to The Review.)
Merchants' Association is, in a a way, on record
strument. Tuners who neglect this tendency of
the trade toward the upright player-piano and the
KANSAS CITY, MO., December 27.—The year 1915 against the measure. The big department stores
grand will have reason to be sorry before the year has not been a particularly good one in the piano and the women's wear stores are the active op-
is over. I earnestly advise everyone to study up business at Kansas City, but it is certainly going ponents, while other stores are as actively its
on these two subjects.
out in a blaze of glory. The Christmas trade this partisans. The Schmelzer Arms Co., a promi-
Meanwhile I once more wish to all and sundry a year was a taste of good old times to piano deal- ment member of the association, is one of the
Happy New Year.
most active supporters of the bill, and the in-
ers, considerably ahead of the holiday business of
fluence of this firm, its weight in the association,
a year ago, and quite satisfactory within itself.
Communciations should be addressed to William
has prevented the undertaking of big campaign
The day before Christmas the first snowfall of
Braid White, care The Music Trade Review, 373 the season came, heavy, wet, and melting rapidly, work by the body against the bill.
Fourth avenue, New York City.
but still snow, providing a white Christmas. This
means something more than a sentimental satis-
NEW RULES OF PATENT PRACTICE
faction in Kansas City, and to Kansas City piano
PIANOS IN THE TRENCHES,
dealers among other merchants. It means that Approved by Secretary of Interior—Effective
(Special to The Review, i
on January 1—Make for Brevity, Speed and
the wheat of the Middle West, which has been
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 28.—Leo Burster, doing very well, has got the ideal Christmas pres-
Efficiency—Good Work Done by Committee.
son of Joseph Burster, of Oshkosh, Wis., just ent to make it happiest and to promise a bountiful
(Special to The Review.)
back from the European war front, where he yield. The wheat had been needing moisture; a
WASHINGTON, D. C, December 27.—The gen-
fought with a Canadian regiment, declares even rain would have been welcome, but the snow was
pianos are to be found in the trenches in France best, for it will give not only the desired moisture eral rules of practice before the Patent Office,
and Belgium. Young Burster, who served for five but a covering as well in case cold weather comes revised to date and to be effective January 1, 1916,
weeks in the trenches in both France and Belgium, immediately. Such snows are worth millions to were approved last week by Secretary Lane 'of the
says that the men in his division had a piano in the farmers and the merchants, therefore worth Interior, on the recommendation of Commissioner
the trench which heiped them to while away many a hundred thousand at least to the music dealers of Patents Thomas Ewing.
"The new rules," said Commissioner Ewing,
hours between engagements. He says that many who sell to people who profit by good wheat yields.
"while elaborate and technical, make for brevity,
musical instruments have found their way into
The Carl Hoffman Music Co. has had a fine
the trenches and are proving a wonderful aid in holiday business during its liquidation sale. Con- simplification, speed and efficiency."
A year ago Commissioner Ewing appointed a
cheering up the men. Burster says that the Ger- siderable of the large stock has been disposed of.
mans in a trench ninety yards away could fre- At present there is no announcement of the plans committee, of which R. F. Whitehead, Assistant
quently be heard singing to the accompaniment of after the first of the year, when it is understood Commissioner of Patents, was the chairman, and
a violin.
'\ the quarters, on which the lease has expired, must Walter F. Rogers, of Washington, former presi-
dent of the Patent Bar Association, was a member,
The parents of young Burster obtained his re- be vacated.
to make a thorough revision of the rules of prac-
lease from the British army through the Depart-
L. E. Scott, manager of the piano department of
ment of State at Washington, as he is only twenty the Carl Hoffman Music Co., spent the Christmas tice. No general revision of the rules had been
made for several years and, in the view of Com-
years old-
season with his parents at Bloomington, 111., where
missioner Ewing, it was desirable, even necessary,
his father, J. W. Scott, has been in the piano busi-
that the work should be done in the interest of the
M. J. Slason, Malone, N. Y., accompanied by ness for many years.
Ciovernment.
Mrs. Slason, was a visitor to New York this week
A Kimball pipe organ was dedicated in the
After ten months of work the results were sub-
to select some instruments for his winter trade. Gladstone moving picture theatre the evening of
mitted to patent experts and patent attorneys
Mr. Slason called at the warerooms of the John
December 22 by Prof. Bogan, of the Kimball Co.,
Church Co. and the B. Shoninger Co., whose Chicago. The W. W. Kimball Piano Co., by the throughout the country, with the request that they
give the Patent Office the benefit of their sug-
products he handles in his territory.
way, has had an excellent holiday business.
gestions in respect of the proposed changes. Hun-
N. J. Fluke, who has been selling pianos and
dreds of suggestions were made arid 4iave all been
players in eastern Kansas and western Missouri,
carefully analyzed and many of them inc
now with Wunderlich's, is spending the Christmas
in the new rules. This was the first time iii"
season in the store. He reports a fine trade the
history of the Patent Office that practitioners be-
past season and first rate prospects for the new
fore the office and the inventing public were con-
year. He sells chiefly the Mason & Hamlin and
sulted concerning the formulation of the rules and
the Steger pianos and players, though he responds
practice.
to requests for information on talking machines,
and sells them occasionally.
E. W. Furbush, vice-president of the Steger &
Sons Piano Co., was in Kansas City last week con-
ferring with Harry Wunderlich over plans for
next year. Mr. Furbush seemed immensely pleased
with the foundation being laid for substantial and
permanent business by the Wunderlich store.
In our factory plant we
Wunderlich's salesrooms had a very "thin" ap-
go to such extremes in the
pearance around Christmas, only a few pianos
matter of quality and fine
being visible and only three Victrolas being left in
stock. The trade has been first rate; six pianos
finish that no dealer can go
were delivered the day before Christmas and one
through the many depart-
Christmas Day—all Stegers—and the movement
ments without wishing to
during the past two weeks has been large in
handle the LAUTER. We
Mason & Hamlin, Steger and other lines. One
pride ourselves upon mak-
Mason & Hamlin grand was received by express
two days before Christmas, and was immediately
ing a piano of exceptionally
boxed and delivered. And in the face of this
beautiful quality, while sell-
good business, and the impetus attained, only five
ing it at a remarkably rea-
pianos had been received during the week on an
sonable price.
order of three carloads sent December 12. The
We make L A U T E R
large order was given for the considerable saving
in freight—and the pianos came singly, taking the
GRANDS, L A U T E R -
highest freight rate! E. W. Furbush, of the
HUMANAS (players) and
Steger Co., said while in Kansas City that his
LAUTER U P R I G H T S .
company was 2,400 pianos behind in its orders.
We want you to know them.
The J. W. Jenkins' Sons Music Co. devotes one
Ask us to write you.
of its large windows to miscellaneous musical
MONEY MAKERS FOR THE DEALER
merchandise, and had a very interesting one this
Christmas. The other window, however, almost
Write for Catalogues and Prices
invariably emphasizes pianos. Its holiday display
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
consisted of a Pianola, a Vose and a Kurtzmann,
and a large business was done.
1872 Clybourn Avenue
CHICAGO
The Stevens Bill is arousing considerable inter-
est among Kansas. City merchants, and the local
LAUTER
Smith,
Barnes
and
Strohber
Company
CHICAGO
Over 145,000 Pianos
in American Homes and
All Giving Satisfaction
L A U T E R CCX
Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.