Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
L. E. Thayer Returns.
Meeting of the N. Y. P. n. A.
The Tonk Building.
L. E. Thayer, general traveling repre-
sentative of the Starr Piano Co., who left
the early days of September for a short
pleasure trip to England, returned this
week much benefited in health by his out-
ing. He visited London, Glasgow and
other important points and made a gen-
eral survey of the situation in Great
Britain as far as the piano trade is con-
cerned. Mr. Thayer believes with The
Review that there is a field abroad for the
American piano.
SENTIMENT IS IN FAVOR OF RAISING PRICES.
The new Tonk building, 28 Warren
street, shown in the illustration on this
page, has already proved to be a valuable
acquisition for the firm. There is now
ample space for all departments of the
business of William Tonk & Bro. The
move from the old Tonk quarters at
26 Warren street was made at an opportune
A largely attended meeting of the New
York Piano Manufacturers' Association
was held at the Union Square Hotel,
Tuesday afternoon, with Myron A. Deck-
er, president, in the chair. Although the
meeting was not open to the press, yet we
understand that among the matters which
came up for consideration was the rising
market for materials used in manufactur-
ing, which robs the makers of the finished
products of a large percentage of profits.
The necessity of a general and substantial
A Connor Fall Winner.
advance in prices was discussed at length,
The new Connor upright, style 8, of and while no formal action was taken, yet
1899-1900, shown herewith,isoneof the best all the members left the meeting practical-
sellers in the new Connor catalogue, and is ly of the opinion that steps in conformity
a handsome, well-constructed instrument, with the views enunciated at the meeting
embracing every modern improvement. should be taken at once.
For the past two months or more, The
Review has been persistently urging action
in this matter of prices. Although every-
one recognized the necessity of increasing
prices, in view of the tremendous enhance-
ment in the value of materials, yet the
trouble has been that each firm has been
waiting for their neighbor to act; their
neighbor willing to follow, but not to lead,
and thus no progress has been made.
Only by concerted action are the ele-
mentary principles of trade to be con-
formed to, and we are glad to note that
the manufacturers have come together
and talked the matter over. This meeting
cannot fail to be for the benefit of the
Francis Connor has made a very happy manufacturers, interests. While there are
selection of styles this year. Every style houses in the trade, such as Chickering &
Sons and others, distinctive enough to act
is in good demand.
independently in raising prices, yet this
Big Exposition for New York. industry differs from others in that to a
large extent many manufacturers chose to
At the convention of the Senate Com- mark out their own course instead of fol-
merce Commission held in Utica, N. Y., lowing the leadership of others, or being
on Wednesday, the session opened with an guided by their action.
address by A. Abrams, of New York, upon
While this is commendable, yet had
the negligence of the State in the support many firms followed the lead of some of
of her commerce. He suggested that a the larger houses and advanced prices,
great exposition should be held in New they would have been better off and more
York city, and the convention was asked strongly fortified in their position to-day,
to petition the legislature to give support for it is a fundamental principle that busi-
to such an exposition. Such expositions, ness which can only be accepted at a loss
he said, should be held every three or four of profit is better rejected.
years.
The New York Piano Manufacturers' As-
This sentiment met with much favor by sociation has rendered the trade a service
the delegates and Henry W. Hill, of Buffalo, by its informal conference on Tuesday.
called attention to the fact that Buffalo was Manufacturers now better understand each
now organizing a pan-American exposition, other. Meanwhile from our talks with
and Mr. F. B. Thurbur, of New York, dealers we do not anticipate that there
suggested that no proposition should now will be the least antagonism to an augmen-
be permitted to detract from the exposition. tation in price over former quotations.
Francis Bacon, of New York, also spoke They as business men understand that time, just prior to the commencement of
upon the question of terminal facilities, this action has been rendered necessary an active season.
presenting the advantages of the Harlem through circumstances over which the
The building is ninety feet in height,
ship canal. He urged that a committee manufacturers have no control.
twenty-five feet wide, and each floor has a
from this convention be sent to Washing-
depth of seventy-five feet. The decorations
ton to secure an appropriation for the com-
seen in the picture were in honor of Ad-
Working Overtime.
pletion of this ship canal.
miral Dewey. The famous sea-fighter
At the factories of the Steger Piano Co., passed the Tonk building on his way to
What is good enough for Dewey should the electric lighting equipment is now the ferry after receiving the city's loving-
satisfy ordinary mortals. The great Ad- completed and in working order, hence cup from Mayor Van Wyck.
miral wears a souvenir made from historic working overtime will commence this week
metal. An opportunity to secure a fac- to continue through the month in order
Fred G. Fite is doing some excellent
simile of the watch which Dewey wears^ is that the firm may meet the demand for work in Nashville, Tenn., for the Chicker-
J}qw afforded. Full particulars op page J6- their goods,
ing piano, which he handles as a leader.