Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
OCTOBER 18,
1924
IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC PUBLISHING
Conducted By V. D. Walsh
Doings in the Sheet Music Trade in
the Big City by the Golden Gate
Maurice Richmond, of the Richmond Musical Supply Corp., Sums Up Conditions in San Fran-
cisco—Written Exclusively for The Music Trade Review
C A N FRANCISCO, CAL, October 9.—Upon
^ arrival at San Francisco I was pleasantly
surprised to find that popular boy, "Ed" Little,
of Sherman, Clay & Co., polishing the Golden
Gate. I said to him:
"May I come in?" His
immediate reply was,
"Why, c e r t a i n l y ,
here's the key to the
Gate; coine right in;
California is here to
greet you with music."
Ever since our gen-
ius, I r v i n g Berlin,
wrote that popular
ditty for the "Music
Box Revue," "Cali-
Maurice Richmond
fornia in September,"
and described it so beautifully my goal has been
to reach California during that period of splen-
dor. Bright and early the next morning, in mak-
ing the rounds from the very beginning, I was
confronted with that real California hospitality
where the clasp of the hand is warm, strong and
ever cordial.
Sherman, Clay & Co., of San Francisco and
every city of any importance on the entire
Pacific Coast, are very active with their Fall
campaign in each department. It seemed as
though the entire working force was in absolute
harmony in sort of a clock-time "tempo." Need-
less to explain the importance of this wonderful
institution in every department of the industry.
If Mr. Dun or Mr. Bradstreet had many more
AAA ones they would all belong to this house.
Ed Little, the manager of the music depart-
ment—wholesale, retail as well as the publishing
department—reports excellent business through-
out the entire chain of stores, a substantial gain
over last year. Their publishing business is
excellent, the following being the outstanding
hits in their catalog in the order in which they
are selling to-day: (1) "Sleep," (2) "The West,
a Nest and You," (3) "Rock-a-bye Baby Blues,"
(4) "Oriental Love Dreams," (5) "I Don't Know
Why" and (6) "When the Shadows Fall."
Their varied publications in the book line are
not only in demand in North America, but are
of much significance throughout the world.
A lady of no little importance dropped out
of sight quite suddenly from an Eastern city
without notifying the governor or mayor and
was transported and lured by the charms of the
Western sun to San Francisco. She visualized
her hope, which afterwards became a fact, to
be associated with Sherman, Clay & Co. She is
Miss Lillian Bain, head of sales in the player-
roll department. The guy who originated the
line, "Step on the gas," is obsolete in the speed,
accuracy and pep displayed in this "little speck
of intelligence." Yes, small in stature, but oh,
my, what selling ability!
Jimmy Haley, the boy with the perpetual pep,
responds to bell No. 1 on Ed Little's desk in
dispatching orders to the music publishers.
Now, listen, boys, all you traveling music
men, you never need to go broke when coming
to Frisco—"this is the low down." I came in
clean from Salt Lake (the Lord knows the
water was almost crystal) and so flat without
any sharps and the first victim was Ed Little.
I handed him a modest piece of paper in the
form of an order "Pay to cash"—it has often
been called a check. Ed's reply was, "Make it
enough, old boy. You say you are going to
cover the 'Lone Star' State. Some of the
boys in Texas are kind of tough on a New
York tenderfoot." Maybe I did not take ad-
vantage of that—nearly four figures, sh!—it is
too good to keep to myself—so remember, boys,
this is the place—"try and get it."
In the same block is located the Wiley B.
Allen Co., with branches in other centers, a
progressive, high-grade organization whose
policy is "first and last" square dealings with
the public and the best values obtainable. The
artistic ensemble and the interior decorations
appeal to one upon entering.
Henry Grobe, who calls himself "the music
man," is really one of the high-brows in San
Francisco musical circles, a splendid mixer with
the musical profession. It is really sort of a
"musical emporium" and a thoroughfare for
the select. I have heard someone say if it is
to be had try "Grobe's." I, for one, am thank-
ful, having been to Frisco before the 1906 fire,
and having known Mr. Grobe long before that
time, I am really glad that the incident did not
molest nor cause any mental or physical an-
guish to this important individual. Added to
this he is a regular fellow, knowing the differ-
ence between rye and Scotch. He is surely some
happy man, a proud daddy of two huskv
youngsters and a sweet and loving life's com-
panion.
The well-known Kohler & Chase house has a
complete music department owned and operated
by Reece & Fuhrman, two music men who need
no introduction on the Pacific Coast. The retail
department is managed by Karl Fuhrman, who
is without a doubt one of the few super-posted
men in everything there is to know about music.
Karl makes a splendid showing, and claims to
have made 100 per cent gain over sales after
having taken over the department. Mr. Reece
is the manager of their jobbing department in
which they are catering to the general wants
of the music dealer. Adrian always appears to
be the busiest guy on the Pacific Coast when
he confronts a strange face for no reason at all,
but I believe that it is probably due to the fact
that in years past he was the soft-hearted guy
for a lot of hard-luck pests, and has made up
his mind the easiest way to avoid repetition of
past experiences is to do the rush act.
Another important music house that is de-
serving of a lot of credit for its continuance
in spite of the many hardships and difficulties
of conditions is J. P. Broder, who is leasing
the music department in Hauschildt's Music
Store. There are only a few of us left who still
remember the old firm of Broder & Schlam. I
believe that these were the early days of this
firm's existence. Mr. Broder is the reflection
of the type of individual the professional man,
musician and teacher likes to mingle with—his
department is a sort of place that gives one
relaxation during dull moments. His stock is
most complete and, through his years of knowl-
edge he is able to meet every requirement in
music. In all the years that he has been in
business I do not know of anyone who has
been obliged to send a collector around for
his bill.
The H. C. Hanson Music House is an estab-
lished firm of considerable importance. It has
often been said that when musicians come from
out of town they would sooner miss a message
SONGS THAT SELL
What'll I Do?
Charley, My Boy
Driftwood
When I Was the Dandy and You Were
the Belle
Red Hot Mamma
Lazy
I Can't Get the One 1 Want
Oh, Baby (Don't Say No—Say Maybe)
Mindin' My Business
She's Everybody's Sweetheart
Old Familiar Faces
Nobody Loves You Like I Do
—
Nobody's Child
Where Is That Old Girl of Mine?
Indiana Moon
Morning (Won't You Ever Come 'Round)
(New)
No One Knows What It's All About
(New)
Come Back to Me (When They Throw
You Down) (New)
Superstitious Blues (New)
Dance Folio No. 8
X Universal
Special 1925 Edition
Peterson's Ukulele Method
World's Favorite Songs
Lundin's Tenor Banjo Method
—
Song Gems from Irving Berlin's Third Annual
MUSIC BOX REVUE
An Orange Grove in California
The Waltz of Long Ago
Little Butterfly
Learn to Do the Strut
Outstanding Song Hits from
TOPSY and EVA
Rememb'ring
I Never Had a Mammy
IRVING BERLIN, Inc.
1607 Broadway, New York
from home than to go away without visiting
Hanson's. The specialties of this house are the
best in brass and string instruments. The saxo-
phone is one of its outstanding features.
He says that wherever there is a boy instead
of a toy there should be a saxophone. The
music department is elaborately displayed and
is ably managed by Miss Hazel MacDaniels,
who knows her p's and q's so much so that she
has given Mr. Hanson very little worry.
The musical public of San Francisco is enjoy-
ing its annual treat given by the San Francisco
Opera Co., consisting of many of the artists
from the Metropolitan and Chicago opera com-
panies, as well as many well-known local artists.
This affair is attracting very large and select
audiences. The success is partly due to the fact
that some of the fair sex who are acting in the
capacity of cordial hostesses have been selected
from the firm of Sherman, Clay & Co. Every-
one says: "What a lot of beautiful girls they
really are." No wonder some of these "wise
birds" are buying season tickets. Tt was over-