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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AUGUST 24, 1918
11
REVIEW EDITORIAL APPEALS TO PITTSBURGH PIANO MEN
Retailers Quick to Agree That Coming Opportunity for Big Sales Volume Lies in Agricultural
Districts—Some Opinions—S. Hamilton Co. Featuring Fotoplayer Line
PITTSBURGH, PA., August 19.—Pittsburgh piano
dealers expressed hearty sympathy with the
strong and logical editorial under the caption
of "Agricultural Prosperity and the Piano
Trade," which appeared in a recent issue of The
Music Trade Review. The general sentiment
among the dealers seen indicated that there was
a hitherto sparsely worked field for the legiti-
mate piano dealer and that the advice in the
editorial was of such a character that if worked
out in a' careful and conscientious manner there
would be an ample and satisfying result for the
earnest and patient seeker after trade in agri-
cultural districts.
It was stated that too long had the farmer
been left to the whims and caprices of certain
elements in the piano industry whose sole idea
was to make a sale, get the cash and move on
to conquer new fields, oftentimes leaving the
unlucky buyer of a cheap and unsatisfactory in-
strument to bewail his purchase and to "set
the dogs" on the honest salesman who very
often unwittingly follows in the train of the
sharper.
F. H. Groves, of the Groves Piano Co., one
of the energetic piano dealers of the Steel City,
stated that he was in full accord with The Re-
view editorial and declared "that the farmer
nowadays has more ready cash to spend than
ever before and that he is willing to buy a good
piano and pay the price if he is convinced by
the right party."
Mr. Groves, however, stated that at the pres-
ent time He was specializing in the sales of the
Mathushek and Steger & Son's pianos to the in-
dustrial workers of the Pittsburgh district. In
commenting on this he said: "I find that there
is a decided demand for good pianos among
the steel and iron workers of this territory.
This I ascribe to the fact that they are earning
the highest wages ever paid for that class of
work. Every two weeks they are paid enor-
mous salaries and they are willing to pay cash
for a piano if they see it is to their interest to
do so. I also find that the cheap stenciled piano
is no longer having the sale in the homes of
the workers that it used to have in bygone
days when the lure of a low price consummated
a sale. Nowadays reputable pianos that are na-
tionally advertised have the right of way."
Mr. Groves stated that his sales for the past
few weeks had been excellent, and that he was
encouraging his prospects to take advantage of
the present opportunity to buy as he anticipated
that by December 1 there would be a pro-
nounced shortage of pianos in this city.
Burt Hengeveld, sales manager of the piano
department of Hamilton's, also emphasized the
fact that the rural communities afforded a fine
field for the development of trade for reliable
piano houses. He stated that he was convinced
that the farmers were ready and willing to buy
good and high-priced instruments if they could
be convinced that it was a money-saving prop-
osition to do so.
At the Henrick Piano Co. it was learned that
it was the policy of the firm to cater to the
agricultural trade, who to-day have more ready
cash than ever before and are willing to spend
it. The Henrick Co. specialize in the Decker
RAYMOND
PIANOS
Known to the Public for over
50 YEARS
as alway*
one of
THE BEST
We have a fine offer to
make to live wire dealer*
Raymond Piano Co.
88 Brown Place
New York
& Son and W. P. Haines pianos. They re-
ported that they were well stocked with pianos,
having anticipated a probable scarcity this fall
and winter and made provision accordingly.
The Schroeder Piano Co. through their new
branch at Butler, Pa., which is under the man-
agement of Peyton Harding, are making a spe-
cial bid for the agricultural trade in Butler and
adjoining counties. The rural residents in that
section not only are reaping in golden shekels
by the crops they harvest, but many have in-
terests in coal, oil and gas concerns, and these
are fine dividend payers. As a result there
are very few farmers who do not have high-class
automobiles and talking machines. A special
effort is being made by Manager Harding to
reach this class of buyers and convince them of
the usefulness and pleasure that a piano or
player-piano will afford them during the long
winter days and evenings.
The S. Hamilton Co., who have been appointed
sales agents and representatives for the Foto-
player by the American Photo Player Co., of
San Francisco, have installed two of the Foto-
players on the third floor of their building on
Liberty avenue, this city, which will be used
for demonstration purposes. W. I. Forrey, who
for some years was connected with the motion
picture industry, has been assigned to the new
department and will have charge of the demon-
strations and sales agency work. The territory
to be covered by Mr. Forrey consists of west-
ern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Vir-
ginia. Installations of the Fotoplayer have been
made at the Kelly and Shearer Theatres at Johns-
town, Pa., the Wilkins Theatre at Tyrone, Pa.,
and one each at motion picture houses at Ebens-
burg, Pa., and Bradford, Pa. Mr. Forrey is
quite enthusiastic over the prospects that are
before him in this section and he anticipates that
a large number of motion picture houses and
small theatres will dispense with their orches-
tras of six or more men and in their stead in-
stall a Fotoplayer. The Hamilton Co. are plan-
ning to install a third Fotoplayer of a much
larger size in their demonstration rooms.
\V. J. McCarthy, of the piano department sales
force of the C. C. Mellor Co., is spending his
vacation in the mountains of West Virginia.
John Fisher, manager of the Victrola depart-
ment of the C. C. Mellor Co., has returned from
a vacation trip to Muskoka Lakes, Canada.
Prof. Richard Griffiths, aged sixty-three, for-
merly instructor of music in the public schools
of Avalon, Bellevue and Ben Avon, died at his
home in Wilmington, N. C, after a brief ill-
ness. Prof. Griffiths was well known in Pitts-
burgh music circles and was at one time chor-
ister in the Avalon Presbyterian Church. ].
In the passing of Charles W. Cooper Pitts-
burgh has lost one of the active promoters of
music and musical art. A native of Lancaster,
Pa., where he was born February 3, 1823, he, in
early life, became identified with music interests
in that city and Philadelphia. He located in
Pittsburgh in 1860 and soon became associated
with the prominent musical organizations of the
city and was a member of the old Symphonic
Society. In 1887 Mr. Cooper retired from active
life but kept up a deep interest in musical af-
fairs. He was active in Masonic circles and
was the oldest past master in the State. At the
time of his death, although ninety-five years
of age,- he was in full possession of all his fac-
ulties.
WILLIAM H. TURNER PASSES AWAY
William H. Turner passed away at his home
in Santa Barbara, Cal., last week, after a long
illness. He was formerly connected with the
Marshall Pipe Organ Co. and later organized
the Moline P,ipe Organ Co. at Moline, 111. He
had been a resident of the State of California
since 1894.
Its Musical
Merit
Sells It
It is not alone because of
the scarcity of musical
talent that the demand is
increasing for the
OPERATORS
Midget
Orchestrion
Owners of cabarets, restau-
rants and movie theatres have
discovered that the Midget
Orchestrion produces effects
obtainable only by a large
orchestra.
Never before has there been
such a golden opportunity
for dealers to sell automatics
to this class of trade. Write
for details of our free trial
offer—write now.
OPERATORS
PIANO CO.
LOUIS M. SEVERSON, Pre..
16 South Peoria Street
CHICAGO, ILL.