Music Trade Review

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tHE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
If profits have been excessive it is
not demonstrated in the wealth of the
men who have devoted their life and energy
towards making and selling pianos. It
costs too much to sell pianos. What
is the remedy ?
We have made this an issue, simply be-
cause we believe that the position is a cor-
rect one for an independent trade paper to
assume. The columns of this paper are
open for the other side of this story, if there
is another side.
#
#
It is possible that a bill may be passed
by the New York Legislature during its
coming session, whereby outside manufac-
turers offering their goods in the State of
New York may be prohibited from placing
the name of our imperial city upon their
wares, from the fact that all goods offered
for sale within the limits of this State
must be branded with the name of the city
of their manufacture unless the concern
shall maintain offices and conduct a general
business at such points as are indicated by
names stamped or engraved upon their
product.
Such a law would prohibit piano manu-
facturers from outside points from stencill-
ing the name of New York upon such por-
tions of their goods as are sold within the
limits of this State.
The A. B. Chase Co., Norwalk, O., who
have a selling agent in New York, would
then be compelled, should they desire to
use upon their pianos the name of our
city, to maintain a direct representation
at this point.
It is surprising that such a reputable
concern, manufacturing a high grade of
goods—a credit to any institution in the
land —should wait until legal measures are
taken before they abandon the use of our
city in selling their instruments, a use
which, to our mind, is not only unfair to
our manufacturers here, but a gross viola-
tion of business ethics as well. Such in-
struments as the A. B. Chase should
not find it necessary to masquerade under
the name of New York. They are reliable
instruments, well made and should be sold
under their true colors. Is not Norwalk,
O., good enough, pray? That is where
they are made and every A. B. Chase piano
branded New York, under the present con-
dition, is falsely branded.
Piano Dealers Assign.
[Special to The Review.]
Fremont, O., Dec. 20, 1897.
Darst & Terry, piano and organ dealers,
have assigned to T. A. Lang. Cause, poor
collections.
A Chicago Incorporation.
[Special to The Review.]
Chicago, 111., Dec. 20, 1897.
The Secretary of State licensed the in-
corporation of the following company on
Saturday: United Makers and Dealers'
Piano Co., Chicago; capital stock, $10,000;
incorporators, Edwin B. Smith, Herbert
M. Beck and James O. Twitchell.
Hallet & Davis in St. Joseph, flo.
The Hallet & Davis Co., of Boston,
opened up a permanent branch house in
St. Joseph, Mo., on Wednesday last. It is
located at 713 Edmond street, and is under
the management of William Philpott, who
has been connected with the company fora
good many years.
The Norris Co.'s fleeting.
At the annual meeting of the J. A. Nor-
ris Co., Chicago, held in that city last
week, the old officers were re-elected.
The business report submitted was unani-
mously approved. H. L. Mason, who was
present, was much gratified at the splendid
showing which this concern has made
under the management of Mr. Norris.
The present officers are E. P. Mason,presi-
dent; H. L. Mason, vice-president, and
J. A. Norris, secretary-treasurer.
The "Capen" Traveler.
Big, hearty and good natured, John
Summers, general traveler for the Brock-
port Manufacturing Co., Brockport, N. Y.,
dropped into town Wednesday. Mr. Sum-
mers had just returned from an extended
trip West, where he has done effective
work for the Capen piano. John has strong
faith in the instrument which he sells, and
has closed some big contracts with leading
dealers throughout the territory which he
I question if any member of the company covered.
can define just what right they possess to
Schubert Plans.
use the name of New York upon their in-
" Yes," said Peter Duffy, president of
struments. It would be interesting reading.
the
Schubert Piano Co., when we called in
As we have taken this matter up at con-
to see him this week, «' I think the outlook
siderable length we would say that we for '98 is excellent, and of course we in-
would be most happy to give publicity to tend to push our business strongly. As
any argument which the concern could we will control direct from New York in-
made in defense of their position in using creased territory, it means increased effort
New York upon their instruments. If they on our part. Mr. R. S. Howard, with
are prepared to make such an explanation whom as you know I have arranged to re-
present the Schubert on the road, will be in
The Review would only be too glad to town early in January, and together we
present it to our readers.
will map out our '98 campaign."
Wherein the "Fischer" Excels.
HENRY B. FISCHER DISCOURSESON HIS SOUTH-
ERN TRIP AND THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS
.,
OF FISCHER DEVELOPMENT.
"There has been a vast improvement in
the volume of Southern trade during the
past twelve months," said Henry B.Fischer
on Wednesday in response to a question
asked by The Review during a call at
the Fischer factory. Mr. Fischer has just
returned from an extended Southern tour
in the interests of the firm.
"That refers, of course, to the Fischer
interests? " queried The Review.
"Certainly," was the answer, "although
from observation during my travels, I feel
justified in saying that the statement I
have just made to you covers, in a general
way,the whole field of commerce."
"Now that the year 1897 is drawing to a
close, do you care to say anything as to
the record of the Fischer products since
January last?"
"I can tell you this much: Our output
for 1897 is largely in excess of what it was
for 1896. Of course, it is too early for
exact figures."
"How about 1898, Mr. Fischer—have
you mapped out a plan of campaign yet?"
"We have. It will be aggressive and
consequently progressive, because we
know exactly where and how to put forth
our best energies."
"In your travels during 1897, Mr. Fis-
cher, were you satisfied with what you saw
and heard concerning the attitude of your
out-of-town representatives and the results
of their endeavors in your behalf?"
"Yes, most assuredly. By their loyal
endeavors they have done much to
strengthen the older strongholds and de-
velop those more recently occupied."
'• It has been noted by The Review that
Fischer Grands are largely in evidence in
and around New York City as well as in
other large centers of population. To
what do you attribute the increase? "
" T o a growing recognition of their
merits and advantages. The grand piano
is the king of musical instruments. It
alone can fully interpret those hidden
mysteries that music ever reveals to those
who seek. As you know, we take a special
pride in our small or Parlor Grand. Its
size adapts it for use in small music rooms
and parlors, taking up less space than the
old style square piano, and its enormously
increased power and volume of tone, re-
sponsive touch, and true musical quality,
satisfy fully the desires and demands of
the true musician."
"When visiting the Fischer warerooms,
The Review has frequently remarked the
beauty and rareness of the firm's designs
this year in uprights. Have they met
with general approval?"
*'I am glad in oneway that you men-
tioned the uprights. In all our experi-
ence, we have, perhaps, never equaled
this year's efforts in the matter of good
styles in uprights. We have received
many compliments and our representatives