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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
KERSHNER PIANOiCO. DISSOLVED
TO PAY OBLIGATIONS IN FULL
PIANO SALES_AVERAGE UP
Portland, Me., Corporation Terminated Upon
Vote of Stockholders
Affairs of J. P. Simmons Piano Co. Being
Wound Up Satisfactorily
Declares the New York Times in Its Commer-
cial Report This Week
PORTLAND, ME., September 3.—The corporation
known as Kershner Piano Co. has been ter-
minated and dissolved by a decree of the Su-
preme Judicial Court on an action in equity-
brought by O. K. Houck, of Memphis, Tenn.,
president and a director of the company.
The company was organized in this city
January 19, 1897, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The officers were Oliver Kershner Houck, of
Memphis, Tenn., president; William H. Poole,
of Boston, treasurer; Edwin K. Milliken, of
Portland, John C. Houck, of Memphis, and
Henry S. French, of Nashville, Tenn., as di-
rectors.
At a meeting of shareholders held in this
city July 16, it was voted to institute proceed-
ings for the termination of the corporation.
Attorney B. B. Sanderson appeared for the
petitioner and attorney Robert Hale was counsel
for the company.
NEW ORLEANS, LA., September 4.—According to
a statement made last week by A. Dumser, re-
ceiver for the J. P. Simmons Piano Co., the
liabilities of the concern will be paid in full,
and a small balance will be left over to be
divided among the stockholders. It is stated
that the assets of the concern exceed the liabil-
ities by $30,000. The business will be wound
up at its present location in Canal street, but
J. P. Simmons, head of the bankrupt concern,
states that he will open a new store in another
location.
The following rather interesting summary of
piano trade conditions appeared in the section
of the New York Times devoted to commercial
reports on Sunday last:
"Piano manufacturers report that while they
have not experienced this year what they term
a normal increase in business over last year,
they have not fallen behind. They also say that
just at this time they have more unfilled orders
on their books than last year. Conditions in
the trade are looked upon as satisfactory con-
sidering the war situation and the wave of
economy that is sweeping over the country.
This, it was said, might be expected to make
itself felt in this line as soon as in any other.
Preparations for the fall and holiday trade are
under way, and a good business is anticipated,
despite the drawbacks attendant on the war."
FEATURE THE KNABE IN LOS ANGELES
Fitzgerald Music Co.'s Special Advertising in
Local Papers in Interest of That Instrument
Los ANGELES, CAL., August 31.—The Fitzgerald
Music Co. of this city carried in the local news-
papers last week an interesting and effective
column advertisement devoted exclusively to the
Knabe piano, which it handles as its leader.
OPENS WAREROOMS IN MUSKEGON This
advertisement featured illustrations of
MUSKEGON, MICH., September 3.—Lawrence P. Leopold Godowsky, world-famous pianist, who
Collins, formerly connected with Sohmer & Co. is an ardent admirer of the Knabe; Emil Sauer,
as an expert on player repairs and as piano renowned pianist, who has praised that instru-
tuner, and for the past two years employed by ment for its splendid singing tone, and Alma
the W. W. Kimball Co. in a similar capacity, Gluck, famous operatic soprano, who uses the
has opened warerooms at 147 West Western Knabe piano at all her concerts, and who is
avenue, this city, where he will handle the com- enthusiastic in her approval of the Knabe
plete W. W. Kimball Co. line of pianos and also "Mignonette" grand, which she purchased some
the Gulbransen-Dickinson Co.'s line of players. time ago.
This advertisement attracted considerable at-
E. A. Howes, piano and music dealer of tention from musicians and music-lovers who ap-
Waukon, la., has retired from business and has preciated the value of these endorsements from
celebrated artists, and who recognized in this
disposed of his musical merchandise stock, with
publicity clean, high-class advertising.
the exception of his pianos, to Prof. Phillips.
KANSAS CITY DEALERS WELL PLEASED WITH CONDITIONS
J. W. Ong Tells of Prosperous Agricultural Situation—W. G. Nourse Joins Jones Store Co. Staff
—August Was Banner Month for Wunderlich—Personals and News of Interest
KANSAS CITY, MO., September 3.—The local
piano trade situation is well summed up by J.
W. Ong, general manager of the piano depart-
ment of the Jones Store Co. here, and of the
John Shillito Co., Cincinnati, who said, in talk-
ing of general conditions:
"The Kansas corn crop is fine, and that will
mean a good business in our department, and
the reports from E. P. O'Connell, our traveler
in Kansas, who handles the trade among the
farmers, justifies me in saying that the pros-
pect for the fall is for a record-breaking sale
of pianos. We have just received three car-
loads of pianos and are taking everything we can
get, using every available space we have on the
floor and our stockroom is full.
"The cool weather the past two weeks has
helped to increase the floor drop-in trade. Dur-
ing the recent strike we advertised we would
call for anyone who telephoned to us that they
wanted to look at pianos, and I am afraid we
have started something. Just this last week
we had two telephone calls from prospective
customers to send our machine for them, which
we did, making, a sale in both cases."
W. G. Nourse has been added to the office
force of the piano department of the Jones
Store Co. Mr. Nourse was for fourteen years
general manager of the Bollman Bros. Piano
Co., St. Louis, Mo., and during that length of
time gained the reputation of never losing a
piano. For the past two years Mr. Nourse has
been on the road for the Jesse French & Sons
Piano Co., of New Castle, Ind.
The Wunderlich Piano Co. report that August
was by far the best month of the year, and way
beyond all expectations, and 60 per cent, better
than last year. The sale of eight grand pianos
during the month helped to swell the total as
well as good sales in the used piano depart-
ment.
E. C. Wood, general manager of the Werner
Industries Co., was a recent visitor in the city.
Miss Lillian Hudson has been added to the
office force of the piano department of the.
Jones Store Co. Miss Hudson has had special
training in credit work and will handle this de-
partment.
T. E. Johnston, manager of the Kansas City
branch for the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Piano
Co., has returned from a trip to Ohio.
The Jenkins' Sons Music Co. during the last
weeks in August have been holding their mid-
summer clearance sale and the amount of busi-
ness done has been larger than was anticipated.
They have been running large advertisements
daily in all the local papers.
J. L. Replogle, wholesale traveler out of
Kansas City for the Starr Piano Co., is on a
business trip to the factory in Richmond, Ind.
W. G. Means, of the Means & Pearson Piano
Co., is spending two weeks' vacation in Hutch-
inson, Kan. He will make the trip both ways
by automobile, accompanied by his wife and chil-
dren.
The Starr Piano Co. is making a few improve-
ments in its salesroom, adding a private office
with four divisions.
J. C. Means, of the Means & Pearson Piano
Co., is on a three weeks' business trip through
Kansas.
W. B. Roberts, Jr., manager of the Kimball
Piano Co., has returned from a vacation spent
in Green Mountain Falls, Colo.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
OUR METHODS^ NOT LIKED
Australian Dealers Complain About Deliveries
and Prices on Certain Commodities from the
United States, Says Consul General
Many commercial houses in the United States,
when writing to Australian importing houses for
business, fail to indicate when the merchandise
will be delivered, and frequently fail to allude to
the abnormal conditions caused by the war, re-
ports Consul General J. I. Brittain from Sydney.
While the Australian importer realizes that cer-
tain difficulties exist, he expects some assurance
as to when he may expect delivery when placing
his orders, also whether he can depend on prices
quoted being in force when the merchandise is
exported.
"There is no difficulty in selling American mer-
chandise here, provided the purchaser can be
given assurance when the goods can be deliv-
ered," says Mr. Brittain. "One importer in-
forms me that he received a letter from the
United States, saying that any merchandise pur-
chased must be paid for before it leaves the
United States and that it must be paid for at
the prices prevailing when the merchandise is
shipped instead of when the contract is made;
further, that the shipper will not assume re-
sponsibility for the delivery of the goods. It
can readily be seen that such terms would not
favorably impress any Australian importer."
DIVIDEND FOR CREDITORS
DAYTON, O., September 4.—By order of Judge
H. N. Routzohn the creditors of John A. Feter-
ley, formerly engaged in the piano business in
this city, will receive a dividend of 10 per cent,
on claims aggregating $9,315.47. Following the
insolvency proceedings, the administrator re-
ported the sum of $942.52 remaining to be dis-
tributed among the creditors.
SUPPLIES ORGANS^ FOR SOLDIERS
ALBANY, N. Y., September 4.—The Thomas Music
Stores, Inc., of this city, have just supplied the
State with twenty-one organs for the soldiers
in France. These instruments will be used for
hospital and tent service and are collapsible
when ready for moving, being about the size of
a small trunk with handles on ends.
HEARING ON COMPOSITION OFFER
SAGINAW, MICH., September 4.—The hearing
upon the application of the Bransfield-Billings
Action & Supply Co., for the confirmation of its
offer of composition to its creditors, will be held
in open court before Judge Arthur J. Tuttle, in
Bay City, September 8, according to a notice
sent out by Referee George A. Marston.
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos