Music Trade Review
Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 10 - Page 12
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Dealers Express Their Views as to Fall Trade.
THIRD INSTALLMENT OF RESPONSES TO A LETTER OF . INQUIRY SENT OUT BY THE REVIEW
OPINIONS THAT WILL INFORM MANUFACTURERS AS TO THE SITUATION IN EVERY
SECTION OF THE UNION—DIVERGENT OPINIONS EXPRESSED BUT UNAN-
IMOUS AS TO PROSPERITY AFTER M'KlNLEY's ELECTION.
FACTS AND NOT HEARSAY OUR MOTTO.
we expect a steady trade, the same as we
have been having for the past three years
under the "gold cure" standard. Our trade
has been steady—ly decreasing.
After the election? We only wish we knew.
We sit up all night trying to figure it up so
that we can wager on the result correctly.
The sentiment out here has stopped grow-
ing for free silver; it has reached that point
where it is impossible for it to grow any
more. The growth was practically ended
some time ago, when the last gold-bug in
Colorado was anarchistically and heretically
slugged into that "deep sleep" by a vulgar
silver brick. He kicked to the last because
it was not a refined gold brick. Some peo-
ple are never satisfied.
We have no statement to make in par-
ticular about the effect of the great political
contest that is now going on. To tell the
truth, we don't think; we don't have to;
for since all the music trade papers are
kindly doing our thinking for us, why should
we sweat over these great financial ques-
tions?
Our personal opinion is that after the
election is over, every music dealer in the
country will give thanks, with the hope
that we may once more get some music
trade news from them that is worth read-
ing, instead of so much vile abuse, of not
only people who do not share their political
views, but also of each other.
Out here all are anarchists, repudiators,
heretics, crazy lunatics, etc., and between
Silverites, Gold-bug-ites, Populites, Prohi-
bitionites, Free-Trade-ites, Protection-ites,
Hanna-ites, Amorites, Moabites and Ama-
lekites, we are almost crazy. You see we
have to change our coat so often every day
that we go home at night feeling very
weary, and we wish that we had never been
born. " May the Lord be with you till we
meet again," and we wish that the best fel-
low will win next November. Yours for
honesty and truthfulness.
tribute to our removal sale, for we are
about to enter larger and better quarters
on the opposite side of the street. During
the summer months business was bad, as
every one seemed to hoard their money,
rather than to invest it in things that were
not strictly necessary, but now people with
money all consider the election of a sound
money ticket reasonably sure, and are there-
fore more confident of good times.
We do not think that trade will be at all
fitful before the Presidential election, but
expect a continuance of good business, and
after election we expect to do such a busi-
ness as we have never done before. Our
installment accounts have fallen somewhat,
but not very much more than in the last
two or three years. We do not think that
the present uncertain condition that is com-
plained of so much in the rest of the coun-
try will be at all hurtful to us any longer.
What are the prospects for trade in With best wishes and thanks for various
your line say during the months of Sep- notices.
tember and October?
Do you expect a steady trade, or will The savings banks have interfered with cash
sales.
it be fitful until after the Presidential
election?
H. E. LAKE, Keene, N. H.—I am not ex-
pecting a very large trade until after elec-
After the election what then ?
In your section is there a growing sen- tion, and think it will be better then if Mc-
timent favoring free silver or does the Kinley is elected; but if Bryan should by
gold standard maintain the most adher- any chance succeed, no one knows what
to look for.
ents?
There is but very little free silver senti-
Have there been more delinquents on ment in this section, as most of us are in
piano installment paper during the pres- the habit of paying one hundred cents on a
ent summer than for several years pre- dollar, although it has been rather slow
vious ?
lately. There has been very much more Improved business and hopeful outlook for
Any statements regarding the effect of difficulty in collecting installments this year
fall and winter.
the great political contest upon business than before, and from the fact that so many
CLARK,
WISE & CO., Oakland, Cal.— Our
in your locality will be read with inter- New Hampshire savings banks have had business is better since the first of Septem-
est, and any personal opinions that you an injunction placed upon them, cash sales ber, and we feel hopeful of a fair trade this
may interject will likewise be highly are very much cut down, as a large part of fall and winter. Our collections are no
piano and organ customers usually take the
appreciated.
money from the savings banks to buy with. worse than usual.
In sendin? you this communication it
Probably the most important enquiry is
shall expect an improvement in all kinds
is my aim to gain the opinion of some of I business
about the election agitation—it is boiling.
if
McKinley
is
elected,
as
con-
of the leading dealers in widely separated fidence will be restored.
We are for silver, and while we do not feel
localities regarding trade conditions in
radical enough to warp our judgment there
their respective States-
can be no doubt but that California will go
The situation in Denver, Col.
for Bryan—it is virtually conceded by the
Quite a number of replies have already
W. W. MONTELIUS, President of the Republicans—the whole coast will go for
been printed, the third installment of Montelius Piano Co., Denver, Col.—You silver. All doubt about Oregon and Wash-
which appear herewith. As it is impossible ask us what are the prospects for trade in ington has been removed. Our county
to print the entire symposium in one issue our line during the months of September is the strongest Republican county in the
of THE REVIEW, answers will appear dur- and October. Out here we have two class- State, but at the last county election as well
es of people; one of which are already our as last municipal the Populists were suc-
ing the coming issues until the opinions of customers,
and the other we are trying cessful witJwut fusion. A fusion of Pops
representative dealers in every State and awfully hard to sell instruments to. The and Democrats has been arranged and there
Territory are placed before our readers. •
first class read the Western papers, and of can be but the Bryan solution. Several of
course
see our splendid inducements as ad- our vSan Francisco Republican daily papers
We feel that this means of gaining a
vertised.
The other class read the Eastern were strong for silver prior to the Republi-
knowledge of present trade conditions will
papers, and they are so impressed with the can convention at St. Louis, and now to ad-
be of the utmost value to the trade. The strong, logical arguments of the Eastern vocate gold they find it rather difficult to
writers represent the conditions actually thinkers that they think everything will be uneducate the masses.
existing in the various sections; hence these much cheaper after McKinley is elected, so
contributions will be appreciated and val- they stand us off. Now you can draw your
own conclusions from this as to what our Texas for Bryan by 100,000 majority.
ued because they are authoritative.
Indian summer trade will be.
COLLINS & ARMSTRONG CO., Fort Worth,
You want to know if we have more de- Tex.—Prospects for fall and winter are
Prospects for fall trade have never been better. linquents on our piano installment paper only fair; during September and October a
PHILIP WERLEIN, New Orleans, La.— during the present summer, etc. We em- steady, moderate trade. After the election
With regard to prospects for fall trade, phatically say "yes." All of our customers no change. Crops play the part here and
etc., will . say that our prospects for fall believe that Bryan is going to be elected they are short, and prices are very low for
trade have never been better. Everything and then we will have fifty-three cent dol- farm products. There have been more de-
seems to be going our way. This month lars, so that they are standing us off right linquents during the summer than ever be-
we have been doing a splendid business along, intending to pay their claims for fore in our history of twelve years.
Politics is proving an injury to all busi-
and find that cash, instead of being scarce, about fifty cents on a dollar. This makes
is more plentiful than usual. This we at- our collections very hard. As for ourselves, ness, and ours is no exception to the other
UTHENTIC information regarding
the prospects for fall tiade is being
anxiously sought for by manufacturers with
a view to preparing stock and making other
plans in this connection. It must be con-
ceded that reliable information on this vital
subject can best be furnished by the dealers
of the country, who from their own exper-
ience, and the conditions which surround
them, are enabled to make intelligent fore-
casts as to the coming season.
Recognizing the importance of obtaining
definite information as to the prospects for
fall and winter trade, THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW sent out the following letter to
prominent dealers in all sections of the
United States:
A
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Dealers Express Their Views as to Fall Trade.
THIRD INSTALLMENT OF RESPONSES TO A LETTER OF . INQUIRY SENT OUT BY THE REVIEW
OPINIONS THAT WILL INFORM MANUFACTURERS AS TO THE SITUATION IN EVERY
SECTION OF THE UNION—DIVERGENT OPINIONS EXPRESSED BUT UNAN-
IMOUS AS TO PROSPERITY AFTER M'KlNLEY's ELECTION.
FACTS AND NOT HEARSAY OUR MOTTO.
we expect a steady trade, the same as we
have been having for the past three years
under the "gold cure" standard. Our trade
has been steady—ly decreasing.
After the election? We only wish we knew.
We sit up all night trying to figure it up so
that we can wager on the result correctly.
The sentiment out here has stopped grow-
ing for free silver; it has reached that point
where it is impossible for it to grow any
more. The growth was practically ended
some time ago, when the last gold-bug in
Colorado was anarchistically and heretically
slugged into that "deep sleep" by a vulgar
silver brick. He kicked to the last because
it was not a refined gold brick. Some peo-
ple are never satisfied.
We have no statement to make in par-
ticular about the effect of the great political
contest that is now going on. To tell the
truth, we don't think; we don't have to;
for since all the music trade papers are
kindly doing our thinking for us, why should
we sweat over these great financial ques-
tions?
Our personal opinion is that after the
election is over, every music dealer in the
country will give thanks, with the hope
that we may once more get some music
trade news from them that is worth read-
ing, instead of so much vile abuse, of not
only people who do not share their political
views, but also of each other.
Out here all are anarchists, repudiators,
heretics, crazy lunatics, etc., and between
Silverites, Gold-bug-ites, Populites, Prohi-
bitionites, Free-Trade-ites, Protection-ites,
Hanna-ites, Amorites, Moabites and Ama-
lekites, we are almost crazy. You see we
have to change our coat so often every day
that we go home at night feeling very
weary, and we wish that we had never been
born. " May the Lord be with you till we
meet again," and we wish that the best fel-
low will win next November. Yours for
honesty and truthfulness.
tribute to our removal sale, for we are
about to enter larger and better quarters
on the opposite side of the street. During
the summer months business was bad, as
every one seemed to hoard their money,
rather than to invest it in things that were
not strictly necessary, but now people with
money all consider the election of a sound
money ticket reasonably sure, and are there-
fore more confident of good times.
We do not think that trade will be at all
fitful before the Presidential election, but
expect a continuance of good business, and
after election we expect to do such a busi-
ness as we have never done before. Our
installment accounts have fallen somewhat,
but not very much more than in the last
two or three years. We do not think that
the present uncertain condition that is com-
plained of so much in the rest of the coun-
try will be at all hurtful to us any longer.
What are the prospects for trade in With best wishes and thanks for various
your line say during the months of Sep- notices.
tember and October?
Do you expect a steady trade, or will The savings banks have interfered with cash
sales.
it be fitful until after the Presidential
election?
H. E. LAKE, Keene, N. H.—I am not ex-
pecting a very large trade until after elec-
After the election what then ?
In your section is there a growing sen- tion, and think it will be better then if Mc-
timent favoring free silver or does the Kinley is elected; but if Bryan should by
gold standard maintain the most adher- any chance succeed, no one knows what
to look for.
ents?
There is but very little free silver senti-
Have there been more delinquents on ment in this section, as most of us are in
piano installment paper during the pres- the habit of paying one hundred cents on a
ent summer than for several years pre- dollar, although it has been rather slow
vious ?
lately. There has been very much more Improved business and hopeful outlook for
Any statements regarding the effect of difficulty in collecting installments this year
fall and winter.
the great political contest upon business than before, and from the fact that so many
CLARK,
WISE & CO., Oakland, Cal.— Our
in your locality will be read with inter- New Hampshire savings banks have had business is better since the first of Septem-
est, and any personal opinions that you an injunction placed upon them, cash sales ber, and we feel hopeful of a fair trade this
may interject will likewise be highly are very much cut down, as a large part of fall and winter. Our collections are no
piano and organ customers usually take the
appreciated.
money from the savings banks to buy with. worse than usual.
In sendin? you this communication it
Probably the most important enquiry is
shall expect an improvement in all kinds
is my aim to gain the opinion of some of I business
about the election agitation—it is boiling.
if
McKinley
is
elected,
as
con-
of the leading dealers in widely separated fidence will be restored.
We are for silver, and while we do not feel
localities regarding trade conditions in
radical enough to warp our judgment there
their respective States-
can be no doubt but that California will go
The situation in Denver, Col.
for Bryan—it is virtually conceded by the
Quite a number of replies have already
W. W. MONTELIUS, President of the Republicans—the whole coast will go for
been printed, the third installment of Montelius Piano Co., Denver, Col.—You silver. All doubt about Oregon and Wash-
which appear herewith. As it is impossible ask us what are the prospects for trade in ington has been removed. Our county
to print the entire symposium in one issue our line during the months of September is the strongest Republican county in the
of THE REVIEW, answers will appear dur- and October. Out here we have two class- State, but at the last county election as well
es of people; one of which are already our as last municipal the Populists were suc-
ing the coming issues until the opinions of customers,
and the other we are trying cessful witJwut fusion. A fusion of Pops
representative dealers in every State and awfully hard to sell instruments to. The and Democrats has been arranged and there
Territory are placed before our readers. •
first class read the Western papers, and of can be but the Bryan solution. Several of
course
see our splendid inducements as ad- our vSan Francisco Republican daily papers
We feel that this means of gaining a
vertised.
The other class read the Eastern were strong for silver prior to the Republi-
knowledge of present trade conditions will
papers, and they are so impressed with the can convention at St. Louis, and now to ad-
be of the utmost value to the trade. The strong, logical arguments of the Eastern vocate gold they find it rather difficult to
writers represent the conditions actually thinkers that they think everything will be uneducate the masses.
existing in the various sections; hence these much cheaper after McKinley is elected, so
contributions will be appreciated and val- they stand us off. Now you can draw your
own conclusions from this as to what our Texas for Bryan by 100,000 majority.
ued because they are authoritative.
Indian summer trade will be.
COLLINS & ARMSTRONG CO., Fort Worth,
You want to know if we have more de- Tex.—Prospects for fall and winter are
Prospects for fall trade have never been better. linquents on our piano installment paper only fair; during September and October a
PHILIP WERLEIN, New Orleans, La.— during the present summer, etc. We em- steady, moderate trade. After the election
With regard to prospects for fall trade, phatically say "yes." All of our customers no change. Crops play the part here and
etc., will . say that our prospects for fall believe that Bryan is going to be elected they are short, and prices are very low for
trade have never been better. Everything and then we will have fifty-three cent dol- farm products. There have been more de-
seems to be going our way. This month lars, so that they are standing us off right linquents during the summer than ever be-
we have been doing a splendid business along, intending to pay their claims for fore in our history of twelve years.
Politics is proving an injury to all busi-
and find that cash, instead of being scarce, about fifty cents on a dollar. This makes
is more plentiful than usual. This we at- our collections very hard. As for ourselves, ness, and ours is no exception to the other
UTHENTIC information regarding
the prospects for fall tiade is being
anxiously sought for by manufacturers with
a view to preparing stock and making other
plans in this connection. It must be con-
ceded that reliable information on this vital
subject can best be furnished by the dealers
of the country, who from their own exper-
ience, and the conditions which surround
them, are enabled to make intelligent fore-
casts as to the coming season.
Recognizing the importance of obtaining
definite information as to the prospects for
fall and winter trade, THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW sent out the following letter to
prominent dealers in all sections of the
United States:
A
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