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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MANY PIANO EXHIBITORS M^MICHIGAN STATE FAIR
Detroit Dealers Report Good Business From Annual Exhibition—Business Men Inspect Brans-
field-Billings Plant—Hudson Preparing for Anniversary Sale—Kimball Store to Move
DETROIT, MICH., September 11.—While affecting
the piano industry indirectly fhere are a few
interesting things to report this week, which
The' Review subscribers will no doubt be glad
to read, even though they are about the great
city of Detroit, of which the whole world is
talking. First we must say something about
the Michigan State Fair, which is now one
week old, and which closes on Wednesday,
September 13. As soon as you enter the main
exhibition building you can hear the sound of
pianos, organs, player-pianos and talking ma-
chines—the exhibitors demonstrating their
wares to interested and prospective purchasers.
Most of the exhibitors are giving away souve-
nirs of some kind or another.
Business the
first week was quite satisfactory, some sales
being reported by every exhibitor—but the
State Fair exhibits are not made for direct
sales as much as they are for general publicity
and working up a good list of prospects upon
which the sales force can work until after holi-
day time. The attendance the first week was
around 250,000 people—and most of them some-
time during the day found their way to the
main exhibition building.
The friendliest of
feeling exists between the salesmen in charge
of the different piano exhibits—the forces be-
ing about the same as previous years.
The officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
announced this week that their lines would
be extended to reach Detroit at a cost of $40,-
000,000, including the Detroit improvements and
extensions. This is going to be both for pas-
senger and freight traffic. It will mean a great
deal to Detroit, and once again demonstrates
the great importance of this city as an indus-
trial center.
Better shipping facilities are
bound to come with the Pennsylvania as a com-
petitor for Michigan business.
Also pleased be informed right now that
Billy Sunday is in Detroit, having started Sep-
tember 10, on a six weeks' series of evangelistic
meetings. His tabernacle at Grindley field can
accommodate about 16,000 people. He's pack-
ing them in at all performances.
The new city directory is just off the press,.
It gives Greater Detroit a population of 820,778
—and makes us stand fifth place in size in
the United States. Detroit is now only 54,000
behind St. Louis, the fourth city, having
passed Boston, Cleveland, Baltimore and Pitts-
burgh. Detroit will easily be a city of one
million population by 1920. Keep your eyes
on this hustling-bustling-breezy-growing-pro-
gressive city of Detroit.
One of the specials of the J. L. Hudson store
for State Fair was the Brinkerhoff player-piano.
Following the State Fair, comes the J. L. Hud-
son thirty-fourth anniversary sale for five days,
during which time the piano department will
feature "Ellwood" player-pianos, made by the
Melville Clark Piano Co.
Charles Howe, of the Melville Clark Piano
Co., arrived in town on Tuesday and has been
here all week, and will remain over until after
the J. L. Hudson thirty-fifth anniversary sale.
A two-story concrete garage is being erected
at the southeast corner of Jones and Second
avenues for Grinnell Bros., Detroit.
The west side business men of Saginaw,
Mich., recently made a trip of inspection through
the plant of Bransfield-Billings Action and Sup-
ply Co. there. In this plant great conveniences
have been supplied for the workmen, such as
shower baths, while the grounds around the
buildings have been graded and sodded, mak-
ing a very attractive appearance. It is one of
Saginaw's newest industries.
The Charles E. Roat Music Co., 60 West
Main street,. Battle Creek, Mich., has resumed
its series of Monday evenirfg recitals, at which
the Victrola and Apollo player-piano are
brought into action.
Milliken & White and Grinnell Bros, will
exhibit at the County Fair in Saginaw later in
the month.
Some one has asked "What's, the matter with
Eilers?" We previously reported that a now
music store was to open at Woodward and La-
belle avenues, Detroit, by Filer's Music House.
This was over a month ago. Signs on the
building still say that it will be opened as a
music house, but so far nothing further has
been done.
October first is the date set for the removal of
the W. W. Kimball Co. from Bates and Farmer,
to its new store at 78-80 Broadway.
W r ith the coming of fall we will see the
MUSICAL IMPORTS IN BRAZIL
Figures Recently Compiled Show Value of
Pianos and Talking Machines Imported into
Brazil During the Years 1914 and 1915
The Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com-
merce has recently issued a consular report con-
taining statistics relative to the imports into
Brazil during 1914 and 1915. At the port of
Bahia the total value of pianos imported in 1914
amounted to $9,007, the figures for 1915 drop-
ping to $3,653. The value of talking machines
and accessories imported in 1914 amounted to
$416, and in 1915 increased to $849.
In order to show the effect of the war, a table
showing the exports into the state of Sao
Paulo during 1913* and 1915 are given. In 1913
pianos to the value of $213,443 were imported
into the state, while in 1915 the total value of
such imports were $17,717. Other musical in-
struments, to the value of $105,119, were im-
ported during 1913, while in 1915 only $11,578
worth of musical instruments was brought in.
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completion of hundreds and hundreds of houses
and apartment buildings, which will greatly re-
lieve the housing condition of this city. It
will mean that many people who now have their
furniture in storage will bo able to go house-
keeping for themselves.
It should be a good
stimulant for the piano business J>ecause during
the past year the scarcity of homes has re-
tarded many sales of pianos, players and other
musical instruments; people who intended to
buy having no place to put them.
C. G. Longnecker, for the past two years
with the J. L. Hudson piano department, com-
ing here from the George P. Bent Co., Chicago,
has resigned, and will return to the Windy City,
having formed an affiliation with the Rudolph
Wurlitzer Co.
He will bo in the automatic
player department.
Into Santos, the second port of importance
in Brazil, the value of imports in pianos for
the year 1915 was $16,139. The figures for
Pernambuco show that in 1914 pianos valued at
$14,334 came into that port, while only $1,581
worth of pianos were imported in 1915. The
imports of talking machines and accessories
dropped from $1,821 in 1914 to $136 in 1915 in
the Pernambuco district.
NEW QUARTERS IN RICE LAKE, WIS.
RICE LAKE, WIS., September 9.—Oscar Overby
has taken occupancy of his new piano and
Victrola store in "the new Rubyor Building,
erected by W. W. Rubyor, jeweler, for the joint
occupancy of his own business, that of Mr.
Averbj', and the Rice Lake postoffice.
DINEEN FEATURING WEAVER LINE
Wm. Dineen has opened a retail piano store
at Richfield Springs, N. Y., and is handling the
Weaver line of instruments.
is the time to interest parents in a musical
education for the children. School days are
at hand: school studies are being selected — many
a musical education is being carefully planned. And
all over the country there is a movement to recog-
nize piano study as a prime factor in a child's
development.
Here is an opportunity to build new business on
a firm and continuing basis. The A. B. Chase Piano
is the ideal instrument for the pupil. Its rich, well
rounded tone enables the child to acquire a clear
conception of musical values. Its flexible,'respon-
sive action makes practice less tedious and progress
.more rapid.
In selling the A. B. Chase Piano you secure not
only the gratitude and everlasting goodwill of the
customer, but you also enjoy the prestige that
results from being associated with an instrument
of such excellence and refinement.
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