Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
APRIL 10, 1926
39
The Music Trade Review
Canada, left the shores of Lake Ontario. Like British Columbia is from Old Broadway. They lieve Me If All Those Endearing Young
the forty-niners he went seeking for gold and seem to think it is an overnight run from New Charms," "Coming Thru the Rye" and thou-
staked his claim in British Columbia. There York, whereas, in reality, it is over 3,500 miles. sands of old favorites which have been sung
was one thing he knew he had and that was a For first-class mail matter it takes at least six and resung for decades are always in demand
lot of energy and good intentions, which were days and for second and third-class matter it in folios.
really all the requisites the West Coast re- requires almost twice that length of time. It is
Walter Mathias
quired. The only other musicians there were really urgent that publishers realize this in
Walter Mathias operates the music and small
the Indians with their tomahawks. Shortly making their shipments to western Canada—and goods department at the Kent Piano Co., Ltd.,
after his arrival in Vancouver Fred established in quoting any special offers through the mail at 339 Hastings street, West. Just briefly giving
the music department at David Spencer's, Ltd., sufficient time should always be allowed." My a few facts of what happened to Mr. Mathias
a department stgxj»fwhere it has continued to suggestion to Fred was that he print a detailed before he came to Vancouver I can say that he
grow and flotfrish in a very encouraging man- Canadian Pacific map right on his order blanks. lived in the eastern part of Canada and was
An Important Episode
ner. Fred gave me some data on the business
employed by Whaley-Royce and Nordheimer's
he is doing, stating this January was the best
I have known Fred and Mrs. Weaver for for quite some time. He always had a great
he had experienced in five years and that his many years and they are always extremely cor- desire to go to Australia and he finally did.
entire business during 1925 was far in excess of
dial to me whenever I am in Vancouver. On When he arrived at Sydney the Nicholson firm
the previous year.
this occasion Fred asked me whether I had been put him on the job as manager. However, he
One of the successful ideas employed which to the new Beer Garden at the Hotel Van- had heard about and was sold on the activities
has helped to increase his gross sales is his couver. "The best in the city," he said. As the of western Canada. He visualized all the beau-
scheme to promote his mail-order business. He store closed upon our exit, we were thrillled by ties he had heard of and knew he would even-
sends out assortments of educational material a gorgeous sunset and when we had recovered tually settle in Vancouver, where they have the
to reliable teachers and students with a letter I said, "Now for the beer garden." We went right sort of people and climate, not too hot,
telling them that they may keep this merchan- over to the hotel where we each had eight of
not too cold, not too modest and not too bold.
dise for three days on approval. At the end the good old-fashioned steins of real beer. After I asked Mr. Mathias how long he had been
of that time they are to return any numbers the eighth we both decided we had better take in the music business. He wouldn't tell me but
they do not wish to keep and a remittance for the air. The next thing in order was to call he smilingly said he was there when "Ta Ra Ra
those they retain. This idea has worked out for Mrs* Weaver and take a ride through Stan- Boom De Ay" was a big hit. Figure it out for
much more beneficially than the cut-and-dried ley Park. Fred was driving while I was praying yourself.
mail-order proposition. The stock of Fred but thank the Lord nothing happened. We had
The department consists principally of a com-
Weaver's department comprises the complete a good dinner, went to a good show and re- plete line of every requirement for education
turned
to
the
beer
garden,
because
Mrs.
Weaver
Schirmer and Wood lines and a general line of
in music. All the best-known lines are handled
music. He makes his popular music department hadn't had any beer as yet that day. We were as well as a small stock of popular music.
just eight ahead of Mrs. Weaver and what the
his big feature.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Mathias I met
Fred Weaver is as busy as a beaver. Try and total was is nobody's business.
Miss Ethel Harris, whom he calls his right-hand
Fletcher Bros., Ltd.
see him during the day in the department, and
bower. Miss Harris is a very capable lady, and
then try and find him in the evening when he
The general offices of Fletcher Bros., Ltd., when not occupied in the music department does
is conducting the Weaver Orchestra. Speaking are at Victoria, B. C. Joseph Fletcher is presi-
(Continued on page 42)
of his orchestra, Fred mentioned that his band dent. In a short interview with the manager of
has the distinction of having played further the Vancouver branch, Frank Furk, it was in-
North than any other white band in North teresting to be told that they hardly have been
America. Last Spring it made a trip and went able to keep a sufficient quantity of Steinway
as far as White Horse on the Yukon, Alaska. products on hand to supply the demand. They
It must have warmed up the natives with its also carry the Duo-Art, Williams, Craig and
hot tunes.
other pianos, Aeolian pipe organs, talking ma-
Fred is a composer, too. His latest number chines, records, musical instruments of all kinds
is entitled "Dawn" and is published by Pallma and a large sheet music department.
March Victorious
William Routh is in charge of the music de-
& Co. It is doing very well, the sales are rap-
(Mabel Metzger-Wright)
idly increasing, so he is looking forward to partment and he told me that the sales were
Pacific Patrol
showing a steady increase. While Mr. Routh
the song becoming a standard.
(Mabel Metzger-Wright)
The David Spencer, Ltd., firm is spending himself has been in this city for a comparatively
Reliance March
$2,000,000 for a new building, twelve stories short time he has made splendid progress, due
(Clifford)
high. There Fred hopes to have one of the to his ability, experience and exactness in sell-
Victorious Eagle
finest departments on the entire West Coast. ing service. Mr. Furk attributed the success
(Rosey)
He said: "Wait until you come around again, of the firm to its high-grade merchandise and
American Beauty March
Maurice, you'll find me all dolled up and I'm the high standard of methods employed in giv-
(Williams)
very optimistic about the music business to ing service.
Knights of Columbus March
come." David Spencer, Ltd., is to the West
Collections and Folios
(Clifford)
what the T. Eaton Stores are to the East Coast
While the modern semi-classic songs and the
Valiant Volunteers
of Canada.
Black and White ballads sell fully as well in
Fred also stated: "While business is keeping Canada as elsewhere, collections and folios are
(Mabel Metzger-Wright)
up splendidly, we encounter a lot of difficulties much more in evidence. It is a known fact
Order Through Jobber or Direct
due to the fact that there is a tremendous that the Canadians and the English are lovers of
amount of time lost in transit. It is very evi- good songs—ballads, folk songs, home songs,
A good deal of this type of material is
dent that the majority of publishers are not etc.
Publishers
familiar with the distance between Vancouver found in folios where you get quantity and qual-
New York City
and New York; they have no idea how far ity for a reasonable sum. Such songs as "Be-
School, Lodge and
Assembly Marches
Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc.