Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MAY
11, 1918
11
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
BUSINESS FLUCTUATES IN SAN FRANCISCO PIANO CIRCLES
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Larger Houses Report Normal Trade, While Small Dealers Are Threatened With Shortage of
Stock, and Find Business Quiet—Old Eilers Store Being Remodeled—Rental Business Brisk
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., May 4.—The line of de-
marcation between the large music houses and
the smaller ones seems very distinct in this last
week of the Liberty Loan drive. The larger
houses report that business is normal or better
and that while there is a shortage in some makes
of pianos and talking machines on the whole
they are keeping fairly well supplied with goods.
The little fellows report that their business has
been materially affected by the Liberty Loan
and that there is a general scarcity of goods.
The smaller houses up to those of all except
the leaders, report that the conservative dealer
is up against a hard proposition for goods. Their
stocks have become depleted and they can only
get a part of their requirements; this, too, arrives
only after long delays. One dealer recently
had a carload order for pianos canceled after
waiting over two months for the goods to start
West. It is understood that the manufacturers
are hard pressed to get material for pianos, espe-
cially the necessary hardware, but some of the
smaller men feel that they are being discrimi-
nated against in favor of the big music houses.
Whether this condition actually exists or its ap-
pearance is the result of the smaller dealers not
fully appreciating the war conditions, there is a
certain amount of uneasiness about goods in
some of the local music houses, while the larger
houses are not worrying.
Fred R. Sherman, of Sherman, Clay & Co., is
temporarily detained from business on account
of having his tonsils removed. Mr. Sherman has
not been in the best of health for some time
and the doctors decided that his troubles orig-
inated in his tonsils.
A. G. McCarthy Homeward Bound
A. G. McCarthy, head of the talking machine
department of Sherman, Clay & Co., writes that*
he has started home from New York and ex-
pects to arrive early next week. Mr. McCarthy
has been East for the past few weeks looking
into the talking machine situation, and his let-
ters indicate that he has been successful to the
extent that the company will probably be able
to secure as much stock as it received last year.
As 1917 was the banner year with the company
in talking machines the managers feel that Mr.
McCarthy's report is even better than they ex-
pected. The talking machine manager reported
that there is a general scarcity of records in
the Eastern market due to the scarcity of shel-
lac, which is being used so extensively in the
manufacture of aeroplanes.
Eilers, Portland, Files Petition
It is reported here that the Portland, Ore.,
Eilers house has filed a petition of voluntary
bankruptcy, and that its affairs will be liqui-
dated. The story was brought here by a music
dealer who has just returned from the North
and who is said to be one of Eilers' creditors.
It is also stated here that Louis Lowenstein, the
New York attorney, who represents the major
credits of the local Eilers house, is on his way
to San Francisco and that he will use his best
endeavors to have a trustee appointed here.
Irvine Music House Is Remodeling
The Irvine Music Co., conducted by R. S. Ir-
vine, formerly vice-president of the Eilers Mu-
sic Co., is remodeling the mezzanine floor and
second story of the old Eilers location at 973
Market street. The demonstration rooms on the
east side have been torn out and six demonstra-
tion rooms will be put on the west side of the
mezzanine. The rest of the floor will be devoted
to display and the upper story to reserve stock.
Mr. Irvine says that he intends to carry a stock
of pianos and that he will also carry some make
of talking machine. What instruments he will
handle, either p : anos or talking machines, has
not yet been decided upon.
Advertised for 100 Used Pianos
Byron Mauzy recently created a good deal
of comment by advertising for 100 used pianos
for rental purposes in the new Oakland store.
The company offered to pay cash for the pianos
or to allow very liberally for the first hundred
pianos taken in exchange for the Chickering,
Sohmer, Byron Mauzy, Ampico or other pianos
for which the company is agent. The company
says that its advertisement resulted in bringing
in a number of pianos, which it will ship to Oak-
land. Reports from the new Oakland store in-
dicate that good progress in remodeling the
building has been made and that it will soon
be ready to receive goods.
Alfred A. Batkin, for over thirty years with
Byron Mauzy, has been appointed manager of
the small goods department in addition to his
duties as head salesman.
Featuring Galli-Curci Records
Edward Humphrey, manager of the talking
machine department of Byron Mauzy, is making
a great drive in his sale of Galli-Curci records
and in the publicity he is giving the singer her-
self. The constantly increasing demand for
these records is an indication of the success of
his efforts.
To Ship Two Robert Morton Organs
P. G. Jacobus, Jr., vice-president of the Ameri-
can Photo Player Co., left recently for the Van
Nuys factory to inspect two Robert Mortons
which are about ready to ship. One of these
goes to Ohio and the other to Indiana. They
are of Style No. 213, which is proving very
popular.
J. H. Merrill, who is traveling through Wyo-
ming, reports that he finds business conditions
satisfactory there, and especially in the Cheyenne
district. He has just sent in an order for Style
Xo. 50 Fotoplayer De Luxe from this territory.
American Photo Player Co. Line for Africa?
The American Photo Player Co.'s goods will
soon be used on every continent in both hemi-
spheres. So far none has gone to Africa, but
an inquiry from the southern part of the Dark
Continent indicates that in the near future
Southern melodies and rag-time will be carried
to the old home of the American negro. The
only question apparently in doubt in the African
theatre man's mind is whether or not the in-
struments will stand the severe climate. As
they are guaranteed to stand any climate this
objection will doubtless be speedily removed
on further correspondence.
Goes After Music Roll Business
Miss Isabella Miller, in charge of the player
roll department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., is
about to depart on a well-earned vacation. Miss
Miller has a system of follow-up which is bring-
ing many orders to her department. Whenever
a player is sold by the company she takes one
of the company automobiles the same afternoon
and visits the new owner. She gives a demon-
stration of playing with a selection of rolls that
is proving very satisfactory in its results to the
company, while the purchaser is delighted that
the Wiley B. Allen Co. takes such an interest in
its patrons.
Miss L. Lank, with the Q R S Co.. is leaving
for San Diego on a two weeks' rest and pleas-
ure trip.
A. L. Quinn Helping the Government
A. L. Quinn, of the Q R S Co., is one of the
most up-to-date men in the music trade of San
Francisco. He has been a hearty supporter of
the Liberty Loan drives and is now starting a
little War Savings Stamp drive of his own. Mr.
Quinn declares that on his next trip on the road
no bell boy or waiter shall receive a single cent
from him as a tip. He intends to carry a lot
of War Savings Stamps with him and when he
. thinks a service deserves recognition in the
future he is going to pass them along with a
little lecture on thrift.
An Estey player has been furnished to the
boys of Company E, 311th Infantry, at Camp
Dix, N. J., through the efforts of John A. Smith,
custodian of the State House at Trenton, N. J.
ACOUSTICAL
ENGINEER
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