Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ant frame of mind. He said: " I have a
magnificent stock of pianos, which will be
sent out at once, and naturally we expect
to do a big business with the Steinway in
our section."
The securing of the Steinway agency is
a big feather in the Dreher cap, and no
doubt the plume will be worn with honors
and credit thereby accruing.
NATIONAL
vice-presidents of the Association for Cali-
fornia, and Rudolf Dolge, who was a dele-
gate from this State, manifested the liveliest
interest in the proceedings, and are enthu-
siastic over the possibilities of the Associ-
ation as a factor in promoting the interests
of manufacturers—the wealth-creators of
the United States.
In this connection we notice that at the
meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Association, held at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, in this city, last week, Rudolf Dolge,
of Alfred Dolge & Son, was appointed to
take charge of the enrollment of members
of the music trade industry in this city.
He should have no difficulty in this matter,
for we think that there are few men better
able to appreciate the great value of this
Association and the tremendous power for
good it will exercise, than the members of
the music trades.
One great feature of the National Asso-
ciation of Manufacturers is that it is entirely
free from political or private control, and it
aims—as a business body—to exert an
influence which will mark a new era in
the development of our foreign trade and a
betterment of these conditions which lead
to improved trade and brighter industrial
prospects at home.
ASSOCIATION OF MAN-
UFACTURERS.
O happening within recent years has
been of more vital importance to
the business men of this country than the
formation of the National Association of
Manufacturers, which assembled in con-
vention recently in Chicago, and whose
Executive Committee held their inaugural
session in this city last week.
The organization of so many influential
men for a common purpose, and that a
business one, signifies that the great press-
ing questions which secure stability to our
industries are no longer to be at the mercy
of politicians—that the business men are to
have a voice—and a powerful voice—in
matters which concern the well-being of
the nation.
The music trade, in common with all
industries, should extend a warm support
HE Mason & Hamlin Co., of Boston,
to this association. The purposes and
have held several important confer-
principles underlying its formation concern
ences this week and last, mapping out a
every manufacturer, great and small. It
plan of campaign for the year 1896, and
aims to enforce legislative action in such
taking a more definite position with regard
practical questions as the uniform bank-
to the especial "place" of the Mason &
ruptcy law; the promulgation of uniform
Hamlin piano in the music trade field
freight rates; the uniformity of corporation
of this country. In a conversation with
laws; the creation of a new officer of the
Edward P. Mason, president of the com-
cabinet in Washington to be called the
pany, this week, he said:
Secretary of Manufactures and Commerce;
"We have concluded in the future to
the extension of our trade relations with
manufacture pianos with the pin-block as
foreign countries, especially the Spanish-
well as the stringer system. Now, I do
American Republics; the re-establishment
not mean that this is to be construed to
of treaties of reciprocity, and the establish-
mean in the slightest that there will be any
ment of export commercial agencies at
slackening of energy on our part regarding
home and abroad.
the manufacture of pianos containing our
These are only a few of a number of sub- stringer system.
jects which are of as much interest to man-
"The importance and value of our patents
ufacturers in the music trade industry as
in that line have been commended by
in any other line.
experts, but by adding the pin-block we
Such questions as uniform bankruptcy
will be able to supply our customers with
and freight rates are particularly ripe for
whatever they desire. AH who handle the
speedy adjustment at the present time.
Mason & Hamlin line will push the instru-
Then there is the tariff, which, as President
ments containing our special system as their
Search of the Association so wisely said at
leader."
the recent meeting in this city, "should be
a business matter rather than a political
A LTHOUGH the indications of an
question."
/ " " \ early spring business in the piano
The members of the music trade who trade are not as bright at the time of
were present at the recent Chicago conven- writing as we would wish, yet the fact
tion: E. S. Conway, of the W. W. Kimhall stands that there was never more confidence
Co.; Geo. P. Bent, H. L. Story, one of the and more hopefulness in busipess. circles
N
T
than at the present time. The full vigor
of improved times is noticeable in the
majority of other industries, and there is
no reason why this prosperity should not
come our way in due time. The country
is not poor; we all know that. A few
weeks ago it showed its hand, and a good
full one it was at that. The general feel-
ing among travelers in other lines is that
spring trade will undoubtedly be good.
The feeling of confidence which pervades
the country is of marked variance with that
of the last few seasons.
At the present time it is an open question
whether it is to the interest of manufact-
urers of high-grade instruments to produce
or control a cheaper grade. Endless argu-
ments could be spun out for and against
this tendency so rife in our trade to-day.
The number of manufacturers who have
gone into this field lately have been
governed no doubt by the demand for a
commercial piano, but as long as the qual-
ity and price of the higher grade is not
sacrificed few objections can be raised.
The ridiculous statement in a local con-
temporary last week that the Chickering
and Fischer houses would amalgamate in
this city, was not taken seriously; and
wisely, for there is not an iota of truth in
the statement. It is surprising how any one
conversant with music trade affairs could
have given credence to this absurd rumor.
We understand that the initiation fee for
admission to membership in the National
Association of Manufacturers of the United
States is $50. With Rudolf Dolge actively
interested in this matter we expect to see
the names of quite a number of manufact-
urers in the music trades inscribed on the
roll of membership.
x
Notwithstanding the man)' rumors rel-
ative to the reorganization of the Weber
Piano Co., nothing definite can yet be
reported. The receivers of the Weber-
Wheelock concerns are now aiming to make
as good a showing as possible to the Courts
early in May.
As Karl Fink, of Alfred Dolge &
Son, has been variously reported in differ-
ent localities in the trade papers, during
the last few days, it may interest his friends
to know that he is at present in New York
City, and will remain here for some little
time.
The extremely cold and inclement
weather which was experienced by New
Yorkers the greater part of the past week,
interfered materially with retail trade.
Wholesale business, however, as far as we
can learn, shows a slight improvement.
A trade paper should, we think, draw
a line of demarcation between the pub-
lication of trade news and that reflecting on
the private character of a member or mem-
bers of the trade. The family affairs of
every one should be sacred.