Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
SPECIALTY TALKS.
stationary? If you look for an appreciable
advance or decline, will you state your rea-
sons?
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE " REVIEW " UPON THE LIVE MATTERS OF THE DAY AND
MR. BRAUMULLER—Yes, there will be but
little change. The price to-day is as low
for a first-class piano as it is possible to
make it; the tendency is rather upward.
Interview XV.—Otto L. Braumuller.
REVIEW—Do you care to express an opin-
ion respecting the general outlook for the
T TNDER the above head THE REVIEW I found but one silver man. McKinley "cheap" piano?
\J proposes to give weekly the expressed will certainly be elected.
MR. BRAUMULLER—There will always be
views of some members of the trade upon
With his election will come, to my way "cheap" pianos, but this special line of
matters which are of live interest.
It of thinking, a prompt return to prosperity, goods has seen its best days.
should be understood that the answers to the demand for pianos will be greater than
REVIEW—Have you any remarks to
these inquiries will be published in every ever before, and I believe the manufac- make on the subject of advertising in its
instance without editorial criticism. In turer who is poorly stocked up will get relation to the piano industry?
other words, every "specialty talk" will left.
MR. BRAUMULLER—I think a good pro-
fairly express the sentiment of the individ-
REVIEW—What impresses you as being duct is worth talking about.
I believe in
ual under whose name it appears, rather to-day the most vital subject for discus- printers' ink, and lots of it; like the run-
than the editorial belief of THE REVIEW. sion relative to the advancement of music ning water or the growing grass, it does its
There will be no distortion; no boiling trade interests?
work while we sleep; all kinds of adver-
down. The answers will be published with-
MR. BRAUMULLER—The trade should tising is good; some better, none bad, but,
out change or comment, and in every case
to insure good business,
the individuality of the one whose opinions
requires personal and
are written will be preserved. We propose
close attention. A man-
in this way to build one of the most inter-
ufacturer should know
esting features which a trade paper can offer
his agent personally;
to its readers. This week Mr. Braumuller
should visit him, no
favors us with a talk.
matter how small a
dealer he may be, and
they should work in
REVIEW—Mr. Braumuller, your reputa-
harmony.
The manu-
tion as an alert thinker, active road man
facturer should study
and successful piano manufacturer is gen-
his agent, know his
erally acknowledged in trade circles. If
wants; and should sup-
you will oblige THE REVIEW readers with
ply him with all kinds
a few pertinent thoughts and suggestions
of advertising matter;
on trade matters generally, your observa-
but the most important
tions will be fully appreciated.
What, to
thing is to make the
your way of thinking, are the chief causes
best piano, let it be
of present day business depression?
"absolutely first class."
MR. BRAUMULLER—Many causes: Want
REVIEW —Do you look
of confidence, a general distrust and a fear
for any radical changes
that our present monetary system would
of style in piano con-
be changed.
struction during the
REVIEW—Do you anticipate a big McKin-
next five years or so?
ley victory in November next, and what
MR. BRAUMULLER —
are the immediate trade prospects, should
No, except there will
that much to be desired event take place ?
be perhaps more small
MR. BRAUMULLER—Most emphatically,
grands made and sold,
yes. As you are aware, I have but recent-
but the present upright
ly returned from a flying business trip
is very popular, and
through the States of Minnesota, Wiscon-
will hold its own.
sin, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois,
/
ANSWERED BY LEADING MEN IN THE TRADE.
Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsyl-
vania and New York. I was more than
encouraged by the excellent reports I heard
on the situation politically. I had been
under the impression while East, that
everybody in the West had gone silver
mad, but I found a very different and
brighter state of affairs. Many of the
States I visited are classed among the
doubtful States for McKinley. I took par-
ticular pains to come in contact with gen-
tlemen who are in touch with the situation
in their respective districts, and from
what I gleaned I am fully satisfied that the
feeling for McKinley is very, very strong,
and that he will carry every one of the
States I have visited.
I tell you the silver craze is dying out.
Nearly every Democrat I met was either
for the Sound Money Democracy or for
McKinley. Of all the dealers I visited,
REVIEW — Do
OTTO L. BRAUMULLER.
guard carefully the lines of credits; keep-
ing as far as possible from consignments
and too much installment. Quick cash
sales at close prices are better than high
prices and long time.
REVIEW—Do you think—conceding that
trade is not what it should be—that the mu-
sic trade industry is in any worse condition
than the majority of other industries?
MR. BRAUMULLER—No, the music trade
has held its own, better by far than many
other lines. The majority of the failures
are paying one hundred cents on the dollar,
and to-day have taken their place again
only to profit by the experience. I do not
speedily anticipate any further failures of
any importance.
REVIEW—Do you expect the present
prices of pianos to remain comparatively
you
think that the output
of pianos in this country will materially
increase during the next five years?
MR. BRAUMULLER—Yes, but we must try
to catch some foreign trade. Mexico and
Central America are adjacent, and we
should supply those countries with all the
pianos they buy.
REVIEW—From general observation, Mr.
Braumuller, do you think the tendency of
the day lies in the direction of an increased
demand for the better class of pianos, or of
the cheaper grade of instrument?
MR. BRAUMULLER—I think the better
class of pianos will have the call.
REVIEW—In your road experience, do
you meet with much unfair competition?
MR. BRAUMULLER—NO,
we are a jolly
set, hale and hearty.
REVIEW—Provided times were normal,