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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
INCREASE REPORTED IN EXPORTS; IMPORTS DECREASE
CLAIMS NO INTENTION TO DEFRAUD
Exports of Musical Instruments for Eight Months Ending August 31, $953,846 More Than
Total for Same Period in 1915—Imports Show Loss During Same Period of $411,278—Fig-
ures Regarding Trade in Player-Pianos, Music Rolls, Piano Players and Small Goods
Government Brings Suit Against H. M. El-
dredge, Jr., of Harrisburg, in Connection With
the Issuance of Purchasing Checks
WASHINGTON, D. C, October 30.—The summary
of exports and imports of the commerce of the
United States for the month of August, 1916,
the latest period for which it has been com-
piled, has just been issued by the Bureau of
Statistics of the Department of Commerce and
Labor. The figures relating to pianos, organs,
piano players and miscellaneous "small goods,"
duly collated, show a very satisfactory condi-
tion in the trade, and are as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
during August, 1916, amounted to $60,178, as
compared with $58,873 worth which was im-
ported the same month of 1915. The eight
months' total ending August showed importa-
tions valued at $380,066, against $791,344 worth
of musical instruments imported during the
same period in 1915, and $1,203,824 in 1914.
This gives a decrease in imports for the eight
months of $411,278.
The total domestic exports of musical instru-
ments for August, 1916, amounted to $369,193,
as compared with $253,078 for the same month
of the previous year. The eight months' ex-
portation of musical instruments amounted to
$2,562,950, as against $1,609,104 for the same
period of 1915, and $1,905,405 in 1914. This
shows an increase in exports for the eight
months of $953,846.
Of the aggregate exportations in August,
there were 381 organs, valued at $19,434, as
compared with 270 organs in 1915, valued at
$15,738. The eight months' total showed that
we exported 2,024 organs, valued at $110,709,
as against' 2,088 organs, valued at $119,494, for
the same period in 1915, and 4,902 organs,
which were.valued at $304,536, during the year
1914.
In August, 1915, we exported 1,564 pianos,
THE CONDITION OF TRADE
Encouraging Reports Regarding Business Ex-
pansion Set Forth by Dun's and Bradstreet's
in the Latest Review of Trade Conditions
Commenting on the condition of trade and the
business of the banks, Dun's Review says:
"Evidences of expansion are visible on every
hand, but many manufacturers and merchants,
with commendable judgment and prudence,
endeavor to repress demand rather than en-
courage it, and credits are closely scanned.
Obligations generally, however, are met with
greater promptness, and preliminary returns of
October failures indicate the smallest mor-
tality for the period since 1912, in spite of the
increase in new enterprises. Payments through
the banks, as reflected in bank exchanges, con-
tinue in enormous volume, total clearings this
week at the principal cities in the United States
amounting to no less than $5,279,676,582, an
increase of 32.3 per cent, as compared with the
same week last year and of 90.1 per cent, as
compared with the corresponding week in 1913."
Bradstreet's says: "Large profits on an un-
exampled business by manufacturers, unprece-
dented wages and earnings by industrial work-
ers, and high record prices for all farm products
at the height of the crop-moving season consti-
tute a combination of stimulating features such
as has never heretofore been experienced at
one time. Nevertheless, there is clear evidence
that a ground swell of speculation is sweeping
parts of the country, and in other instances
fears that there may not be enough goods to
go around tend to produce seemingly unnatural
desires to cover prospective requirements for
far-off periods."
valued at $212,217, as compared with 787 pianos,
valued at $132,435, for the same period of the
previous year. The eight months' total shows
7,816 pianos, valued at $1,205,235, as compared
with 3,687 pianos, valued at $660,976, exported
in the same period in 1915, and 3,549 pianos,
valued at $757,515, sent abroad during the same
period in 1914.
Of the aggregate exportation in August,
there were 2 piano players, valued at $134, as
compared with 8, valued at $4,000 in August,
1915.
For the eight months' period 188 of
these instruments, valued at $51,027, were sent
abroad, as compared with 197, valued at $57,925,
in 1915, and 714, valued at $115,917, sent
abroad during 1914.
The exports of player-pianos shows that 185
of these instruments, valued at $59,354, were
exported during August, as compared with 46,
valued at $13,227, exported in August, 1913.
The eight months' total shows that 1,439
player-pianos, valued at $473,739, were exported
during 1916, as compared with 792 player-
pianos, valued at $233,380, in 1915, and 792,
valued at $216,824, in 1914.
The exports of perforated music rolls for the
month of August amounted in value to $8,286,
as compared to $3,344 in August, 1915. The
eight months' total amounted in value to
$50,055, as compared with $36,967 in exports
for the same period in 1915, and $81,868 in
1914.
The value of all other instruments and parts
thereof sent abroad during August, 1916,
amounted to $69,768, as compared with $84,334
in 1915. The total exports for the eight
months under this heading foot up $672,185,
as against $500,362 exported during the same
period of last year and $428,745 in 1914.
HARRISBURG, PA., October 28.—Suit was brought
this week against Howard M. Eldredge, Jr.,
a piano dealer of 23 North Fourth street, this
city, upon information from Postal Inspector
H. E. Lucas, charging him with devising a
scheme to defraud by use of the mails. Mr.
Eldredge waived hearing before a United
States Commissioner, and was placed under bail
of $1,500 to appear in the United States Dis-
trict Court at Sunbury on December 4.
It is charged by the Government that he
caused persons to believe by alleged false rep-
resentation that purchasing checks awarded as
prizes in a baby naming contest were of value,
thus inducing a prospective customer to apply
the check to the purchase of a piano.
Mr. Eldredge contends that there has been
no fraud committed. He said that he thought
his plan benefited the purchaser, as it enabled
the latter to take advantage of the low rates.
RICHMOND MUSIC DEALERS PROTEST
File Objections to Contract Award and Use
of Corley Co. Name in Circular—Superin-
tendent Declares Corley Co. Got the Award
Because it Went After the Business
RICHMOND, VA., October 30.—Representatives of
music dealers of this city appeared before the
city school board last Friday night and com-
plained that they had not been treated fairly in
regard to the supply of musical instruments be-
ing used in the city schools. Their complaint
was based for the most part on circulars dis-
tributed through the schools, which bore the
advertisement of the Corley Co., and was signed
by Dr. J. A. C. Chandler, superintendent of
schools. Among the concerns represented at
the hearing was the Crafts Piano Co., which in-
sisted that all music houses be consulted be-
PLANS COMPLETED FOR PARADE
fore placing school contracts, and the Fergusson
Piano Men to Be Well Represented in Busi- Music Co., which asked for specific information
ness Men's Republican Parade to Be Held regarding the circular.
Saturday Night—Albert Behning Is Marshal
Dr. Chandler stated in his answer that the
Corley Co. was the only local house which
Complete plans for the participation of piano made any efforts to get school business, and
men in the Business Men's Republican Parade, declared that the other houses were not dili-
to be held on Saturday evening have been an- gent enough -in soliciting such business, al-
nounced by Albert Behning, marshal of the though they could supply the schools if their
piano trade division. The piano men will start products were right.
from the east side of Union square at Fifteenth
The circular, it was explained, followed the
street, at 7.30 p. m. sharp, going up Fourth
proposition of the Musical Supply Co., to con-
avenue to Twenty-sixth street, to Madison ave-
duct violin classes in the schools after the
nue, to Twenty-seventh street, to Fifth avenue,
regular sessions, the company to supply the
to Fifty-seventh street, where the division will
outfits. The school children were notified by
disband. The reviewing stand will be at the
circulars, and when the Corley Co. announced
Union League Club, Thirty-ninth street and
its ability to supply the outfit their announce-
Fifth avenue. The paraders will carry Ameri-
ment was also included in the circular.
can flags and plenty of red fire.
This is the most recent of several occasions
Marshal Behning has appointed L. D. Perry, that Richmond music houses have had to pro-
assistant marshal, Major E. J. Winterroth, chief test to the school board regarding matters of
of staff, and Arthur L. Wessell and Max J . one sort or another.
de Rochemont, aides. Chas. Jacob is chairman
of the finance committee.
NEW AGENCY FOR BALDWIN CO.
NEW STORE FOR LESTER DEALER
HARRISBURG, PA., October 30.—H. G. Day, pro-
prietor of the Lester piano store at 1307 Derry
street, has purchased a piece of property at 1421
Derry street, on which he will erect a modern
three-story building.
His present store will
be moved to the new building as soon as the
same is completed.
A garage will also be
erected in the rear of the store. The new
building will afford Mr. Day increased facilities
for demonstrating his full line of Lester pianos,
a line with which he has been most successful.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
Norfolk Piano Co. Will Feature That Line in
Nebraska Territory
NORFOLK, NEB., October 30.—The Norfolk
Piano Co., located in the Durland Building, on
Norfolk avenue, under the proprietorship of F.
Opocensky, has recently been opened and will
handle the Baldwin line of pianos and players.
A large number of traveling salesmen will be
employed to push the Baldwin line in the sur-
rounding territory. F. O. Burgess, of Lincoln,
Neb., is local manager of the new Baldwin dis-
tributing house.
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos