Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
OCTOBER 11, 1919
REVIEW
GENERAL STRIKE TIES UP NEW YORK PIANO FACTORIES
PHIL-HAR-CHEE INCORPORATION
Piano Workers' Union Carries Out Strike Threat—Manufacturers Standing Together and Will
Fight Closed Shop Plan to Last Ditch—New York Chosen for Big Test
New Company Capitalized at Half a Million Dol-
lars to Make Piano Players Invented by T. F.
Cheek—Factory Opened in New York City—
C. I. Phillips Is President of New Concern
The strike of local piano workers, which has
been threatened for some time past, is now a
reality, and as The Review goes to press, prac-
tically every piano manufacturing plant in Greater
New York is shut down as a result of the walkout
of the employes. What few factories are operat-
ing are able to do so only with skeletonized
forces, and are able to do little or nothing so far
as production is concerned.
Although the organizers of the union met with
considerable difficulty in lining up the workmen,
and called the strike before completing the organ-
ization, a number of the workmen were free to
admit that while personally satisfied with condi-
tions, they considered discretion the better part
of valor, and left their work to avoid conflict with
the strikers. In several instances during the
early days of the trouble it was necessary to call
the police to disperse crowds of disorderly pickets
who were endeavoring to force employes out of
plants still in operation. The piano workers
started going out on Monday of last week, and
the exodus continued until Wednesday of this
week when the employes of some West Side
factories joined the ranks of the strikers.
At the latest meeting of the manufacturers,
held on Monday of this week, the decision for-
merly arrived at to stick together and fight the
strike to a finish, closing their plants entirely
rather than submit to union domination, was re-
affirmed amid considerable enthusiasm. So far
as can be learned, not a single manufacturer
dignified the demands of the union by presenting
an answer to the ultimatum of that body. It is the
general concensus of opinion among the manufac-
turers that the walkout of all the employes at one
time was particularly fortunate, and that it will
mean u quick end of the strike. The entire craft
cannot stay out of work indefinitely, but their
staying would have been materially increased had
a number of plants remained open, and their em-
ployes contributed to the support of the strikers.
That the retailers throughout the country are
fully alive to the situation, and are backing the
manufacturers whole heartedly, is evidenced by
the number of letters that have been received
from dealers during the week pledging support.
The retailers admit that a strike at this time, with
the further cutting down of an output already
inadequate, will work considerable hardship on
them. They feel, however, that a fight has to be
made, and that their support will be a quicker
success for the manufacturers.
It appears that New York has been elected as
the battle ground by the new union, and upon the
results here will depend the action taken by piano
workers in other cities, including Chicago, where,
although demands were made and backed up
with a threat strike, the strike action was post-
poned indefinitely at the last moment. The same
situation prevails in Boston, and, according to
reports, in other cities. The real fight is on the
closed shop, and recognition of the union. The
manufacturers have expressed their willingness
to confer with their employes as individuals, or
through their own factory or organiaztions, but
refuse to treat with outsiders, whether they be
union officials or not.
That the manufacturers are more or less con-
fident of their position was indicated at Monday's
meeting, which was adjourned subject to the call
of the chair, thus signifying that there was no
necessity for another meeting unless warranted
by some new turn of affairs.
MME. MERO'S SUCCESS IN RECITAL
A. B. CHASE CHOSEN IN MICHIGAN
Well-Known Pianist Wins Hearts of South
Americans With Her Playing
Five Instruments Placed in Michigan Union by
Ann Arbor Dealer—New Building for Students
and Alumni Recently Completed
Word comes from South America that Yolando
Mero, the noted pianist, who has been touring the
South American countries with her husband, Her-
man Irion, of the executive staff of Steinway &
Sons, has achieved notable success in a number
of recitals given by her in Buenos Aires and
other cities. Mme. Mero took a Steinway piano
with her on her trip and used that instrument ex-
clusively in all her recitals. Owing to the diffi-
culty in securing transportation back to the
States, it is probable that Mr. Irion and his wife
will be marooned in South America for some little
time to come.
H. J. SCHAFER WITH McPHAIL CO.
Well-Known Piano Man Elected Secretary of
That Company—Widely Acquainted in Trade
BOSTON, MASS., October 6.—H. J. Schafer has
Warren C. Whitney, of the A. B. Chase Piano
Co., New York, announced this week the com-
pletion of an important deal in Ann Arbor, Mich.,
whereby the A. B. Chase piano has been chosen
by the Michigan Union for use in the handsome
building just completed. The Michigan Union is
used for the entertainment and comfort of the
thousands of students of the University of Michi-
gan and its alumni and the concert hall will be
the scene of some notable concerts during the
coming year. The deal was put through by Mrs.
M. M. Root, manager of the University Music
House, and included an A. B. Chase concert grand,
a style W small grand and three style L uprights.
Two grand pianos have also been placed in
the Heidelberg University Conservatory of Music,
Tiffin, O., for concert work. The addition of
these two instruments makes the equipment of
this institution's music department almost entirely
composed of A. B. Chase pianos.
joined the forces of the A. M. McPhail Piano Co.,
this city, and has been elected to the office of
secretary of the company. Mr. Schafer was for
several years secretary and treasurer of the Hallet
"THE AEOLIAN" FOR OCTOBER
& Davis Piano Co. He enjoys a wide acquaint-
ance in the trade and insofar as his new duties will First Issue of Fall Full of Entertaining News
Regarding Aeolian Co. Workers
permit will keep in close touch with the retailers.
The October number of "The Aeolian," the or-
gan of the Aeolian Employe's Association, and
A. E. Norberg, superintendent of the New York the first issue for fall, made its appearance last
factory of the Q R S Co., was married on October week. As usual the little volume is full of in-
1st to Miss Melita Roefer, at the home of the teresting personal news regarding the members
bride's parents in Elkton, 111. After a brief of the Aeolian Company's wareroom and factory
honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Norberg will make staff, one of the features being a report, illustrat-
ed, of an outing held recently by the employes
their home in New York.
of Ferry & Foster, Ltd., Aeolian Co. agents in
The Wunderlich Piano Co., Chicago, 111., has Sunderland, England. There is also news from
Aeolian branches in Australia and Spain.
recently been dissolved.
A. E. NORBERG A BRIDEGROOM
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PIANOS
The incorporation of the Phil-Har-Chee Piano
Player Corp. with a capitalization of $500,000 was
announced this week. The officers of the com-
pany are C. I. Phillips, president, Albert A.
Hartley, secretary and treasurer, and Tolbert F.
Cheek.
Mr. Phillips is very well known throughout
the piano industry, having been connected with
the Gillden Varnish Co. twenty-one years, fifteen
years of which he has been New York manager.
The Phil-Har-Chee piano player is the inven-
tion of Mr. Creek, who is also well known in the
piano industry, having for many years been con-
nected with the development of the player-piano
and identified with the Auto Pneumatic Action
Co. of New York.
The offices and the factory of the company are
located at 738-748 East 136th street. Already
they have received orders which will give them
a nucleus for a considerable output this year.
According to the company's statement, the Phil-
Har-Chee electric attachment can be installed in
all player-pianos, new or old in a few hours time
in the factory or in the home. It does not de-
mand special cut music and will play all roll
music including that specially cut for expression.
The attachment rewinds and replays automati-
cally. It is electrically operated and does not
interfere with the foot power operation of the
player.
In a interview with a representative of The
Review, Mr. Phillips stated this week that the
demand for this attachment has been entirely
beyond their expectation. "We are not really
ready yet," he said "to fill orders, but we are
doing so on a limited scale. We are sending a
few attachments along as fast as we can, but in
another month we will undoubtedly be able to fill
all orders."
PIANO MERCHANTS DISCUSS STRIKE
Hold Meeting and Agree to Stick Together in
Ignoring Demands of Union—Move Caused by
Walkout of Tuners and Repairmen
Local piano merchants held a meeting at the
Bush Terminal Sales Building on Thursday after-
noon of this week to consider the present strike
situation as it affects their interests, the meeting
being presided over by George A. Scofield, presi-
dent of the New York Piano Merchants' Associa-
tion. The meeting was necessitated by the fact
that a number of piano tuners and repairmen em-
ployed in warerooms have joined the union of
factory employes, or have struck in sympathy
therewith. The piano merchants agreed, as did
the manufacturers, to sit tight and not to meet
the demands of the men or to hire new help
while the strike is in progress. A committee of
three was appointed to confer with the manufac-
turers, regarding strike matters and the handling
thereof.
NO HEARINGS ON TAX REPEAL
Government Authorities Unwilling to Grant
Hearing Until Regular Session in December
George W. Pound, counsel and general mana-
ger of the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce, returned from Washington this week after
some time spent there in the interests of the
music industries. There is no change in the tax
situation now and the authorities at Washington
are unwilling to grant any further hearings on
the repeal of the excise tax during the remainder
of the special session. Nothing can be done until
December when the regular session will he con-
vened.
ORGANS
E5TEY PIAND COMPANY NEW YDRH CITY