Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION BANQUET.
In a banqueting hall gay with bunting,
echoing with music and with song, the
Convention of the National Piano Manu-
facturers' Association of 1898 passed into
history.
Viewed from every standpoint, the ban-
quet, given by the National Piano Manu-
facturers' Association last Wednesday
evening, in the Hotel Brunswick in Boston,
was one of the most notable social affairs
ever witnessed in this trade.
The decorations of the banqueting room
were of such a character as to cause one to
believe that patriotism in good old Boston
was the theme of the hour. American,
British and Cuban flags were intertwined,
while red, white and blue streamers were
draped from the ceiling across the room.
Over the guests' table was a huge shield on
which was emblazoned the letters, " Wel-
come to Boston, National Piano Manufac-
turers' Association of America."
Around the side walls were placed
shields of the different States represented
in the Association. The States included
were New York, Massachusetts, Illinois,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New
Jersey, New Hampshire and Maryland.
National colors were everywhere; badges,
miniature flags and even the boutonnieres
were red, white and blue flowers. In fact,
one realized that the spirit of patriotism
NAHUM STETSON.
was as rife in Boston as it was in the old
days when the embattled farmers fired that
shot which was heard around the world.
The menu cards were also illuminated
with miniature flags and the ribbons which
attached them were of the same National
colors. The menu itself was excellent,
and well served.
The floral decorations, too, were of vari-
ous and pleasing kinds. Harps and lyres
HENRY F. MILLER.
utmost technical skill, but conducive to
the refined enjoyment of countless thous-
ands of our people.
In time of war the immediate attention
and interest of our people may be diverted
to the national arena of great events, but
it is not less important at such a time than
in time of peace that the skilled industries
of our people should not be permitted to
languish.
Please convey to the members of your
association my earnest wishes for its con-
tinued prosperity and that their visit to
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may
be full of personal enjoyment to them as
well as of benefit to their business in-
terests.
The Chairman: The Mayor of Boston
has very kindly consented to come here to
this meeting to talk on a subject which is
attracting the attention of business men
all over the country. I take great pleas-
ure in introducing as the first speaker of
this evening, Mayor Quincy; his subject
will be ' Organization.'
(Cheers.)
His Honor Josiah Quincy, Mayor of
Boston: Mr. Chairman and gentlemen
of the National Piano Manufacturers' As-
sociation. I am sorry to say that I have
predominated, while on ^the individual
tables were scattered banks of flowers.
After the superb menu had been dis-
cussed at length, President Miller arose
and introduced the first speaker, Josiah
Quincy, Mayor of Boston. Mayor Quincy
talked at length upon ' 'Organization." The
next speaker was the Rev. Dr. Edward
Everett Hale, then H. E. Krehbiel, the
musical critic of the New York Tribune.
Mr. Chas. H. Parsons of New York, made
the closing address.
The committee on arrangements were
wise in not having an extended list of
speakers. This is often the case at many
banquets and no matter how brilliant the
oratory may be, it becomes somewhat tire-
some after one has been sitting a number
of hours.
Intervals between the speeches were
filled in by the singing of patriotic songs.
Expressions of regret were read by the
secretary received from a number, inclu-
ding one from Governor Wolcott of Mas-
sachusetts, who wrote:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
courteous invitation, re-enforced by a most
interesting personal letter, to attend the
reception and dinner of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association of America, to
be given at the Hotel Brunswick in this
A. H. FISCHER.
city on Wednesday evening, June 8th.
It would give me much pleasure to be lost a good portion of my voice speaking
present and to speak a word of cordial at an out-door flag raising yesterday, and
greeting to the members of the Associa- I suppose that is as good an excuse as I
tion on behalf of the Commonwealth of could offer at the present time. It gives
Massachusetts, and I regret sincerely that me a great deal of pleasure, Mr. President,
the pressing nature of my official duties at to come here to-night and extend my cor-
dial welcome on behalf of the city of Bos-
the present time compels me to decline.
It seems especially appropriate that this ton to the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association should hold its first meeting in Association. We are very glad to have
a city where the industry augments, and you here. We feel highly honored that
which still holds its important position as you have selected Boston as the first place
a manufacturing centre. You are en- in which to hold your meeting.
gaged in a trade not only requiring the
You have asked me, Mr. President, to