Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Patents and Inventions.
An Up-To-Date Delivery Van.
[Specially Compiled for The Review.]
The Jesse French Piano & Organ Co., of
St. Louis, Mo., are the owners of the hand-
some gasoline delivery van pictured here-
with. It is the largest of its kind in theUnited
States and weighs thirty-six hundred pounds.
It travels fifteen miles per hour for one hun-
dred miles, with re-filling, and climbs fifteen
per cent, grade. It carries two pianos and
crew, and does the work of two teams. It is
equipped with a double cylinder twelve-
horse power motor and runs ten miles on one
gallon of gasoline. It cost three thousand
dollars and was built bv the St. Louis Motor
Washington, D. C, March 18, 1901.
Mounting for Piano Keys. Frederick W.
Hedgeland, Chicago, 111. Patent .No. 669,-
729.
This invention relates to a mounting for
pianoforte-keys and like musical instruments,
and has for its object to provide an arrange-
ment of this character that will prevent the
free action or movement of the keys from
being affected by atmospheric changes. It
is well known that when the atmosphere is
charged with excessive moisture, as in damp
weather, the keys have a tendency to stick,
and a free action is thus prevented, often
causing great annoyance and temporarily
disabling the instrument. Under the ordin-
ary arrangement when the wooden key-lever
absorbs moisture the walls inclosing the pins
swell and exert a side pressure on the pins,
which are usually oval in cross-section, and
cause the keys to stick or cramp.
Bridge for Stringed Musical Instruments.
James Runkles, Canton, 111. Patent No.
669,902.
This invention -relates to stringed musical
instruments, and has for its object to pro-
vide an improved bridge therefor which is
especially designed for varying the tone of
the instrument to which the bridge may be
applied. It is furthermore designed to pro-
vide improved means for adjusting the
strings toward and away from the instrument
and also to vary the distance between the legs
of the bridge for the purpose of changing
the tone of the instrument.
Carriage Co. The members of the Western
trade are evidently setting the pace in the
utilization of the latest developments in the
motor carriage field, for New York or Bos-
ton cannot yet boast of piano delivery vans
other than those manipulated in the old-time
wav.
Mr. Ide Homeward Bound.
A flinnesota Incorporation.
Laverne M. Ide, the road ambassador for
the Farrand & Votey Organ Co., who has
been on a somewhat extended Fastern trip,
spent some days in New York this week on
his way home. He reports progress right
along the line and a steady development of
Cecilian piano-player trade. Mr. Ide stated
that business at the factory in both organ
and Cecilian departments was exceedingly
brisk, and that the trade so far this year ex-
ceeded anything on record.
The Musical Herald.
An interesting publication is the March
issue of the Musical Herald, Chicago. A
portrait of that charming singer, Mme. Lil-
lian Nordica, occupies the place of honor on
the front page. It is followed by a well-
written story of her achievements in the op-
eratic field. In the several other contribu-
tions, the labors of the W. W. Kimball Co.
in the domain of pianos and organs are re-
ferred to, and in this connection the ascend-
ency of America in industrial pursuits is em-
phasized most convincingly. There is also
in this number a march entitled the "Kim-
ball," by Clara M. Schleiffarth—a swinging
and catchy piece of writing which should
become popular. The book cover contains
a large half-tone cut of many of the promi-
nent musicians who use and endorse the
Kimball pianos.
The Thorstenberg-Brandt Music Co., of
Lindsburg, Kan., are arranging for a hand-
some new store.
.
[Special to The Review.]
St. Paul, Minn., March 18, 1901.
Among the certificates of incorporation
hied with the Secretary of State yesterday,
was the following:
National Piano Co., Minneapolis; capital
stock, $100,000. Incorporators: Chas. E.
Lindberg, H. H. Coleman, H. G. Lindberg,
Jas. A. Kellogg, of Minneapolis, and George
Boltwood, Chicago.
The new company has not as yet selected
a site for its factory, and is not ready to say
when work will be commenced. Several lo-
cations are under consideration, however,
and it is said the factory will be operated
this year. It is considered probable that the
company will take over the Mehlin property.
Harmonist Agencies.
Blasius & Sons, Philadelphia, have taken
the agency for the "Harmonist" for half of
Pennsylvania. Julius Bauer & Co. will han-
dle it throughout Illinois. Heintzman &
Co., Toronto, will represent the instrument
in Canada.
The Review visited the retail headquar-
ters of the American Piano Co. on Wednes-
day and noted a number of handsome case
designs, now ready for the market. Trade
conditions are reported as healthy. The
"Harmonist" is steadily gaining ground in
all sections of the country.
Roy Starkweather, formerly with the Ann
Arbor Organ Co., has arranged to represent
a Cleveland music house in Portland, Ore.
Verney Co. Lease Factory.
[Special to The Review.]
Des Moines, la., March 18, 1901.
A meeting of the prospective stockholders
of the Verney Pipe Organ Co. has just been
held. Negotiations have now proceeded to
such a pass that the early formation and in-
corporation of the company is announced,
and a building has been leased on South
Ninth street, and there the company will
make its factory home for the first few
months. It is then proposed to erect a new
building and enlarge the factory so as al-
most to double its capacity.
The Verney Organ Co.,
will start in Des Moine.s, on
a capital stock of $25,000, of
which over half is now raised.
Stock to the amount of
$5,000 was disposed of to-day.
Mr. Verney, formerly of Ma-
son City, has been in Des
Moines several days, working
on the organization of the
company. To-night's meet-
ing of the stockholders will
dispose of several unsettled
matters and will make the
way clear for an early incor-
poration and the commence-
ment of active work at the factory.
Wm. H, Bush.
Wm. H. Bush, president of the Bush &
Gerts Piano Co., died at his residence in Chi-
cago late last Tuesday afternoon, March 19.
He had been confined to his house for nearly
a week by an attack of illness, which resem-
bled grip in form. His trouble developed
into pneumonia with a fatal termination.
Wm. H. Bush was a splendid type of
the self-made American who had done so
much to develop the great West. Since early
years he had been engaged in active business
operations, controlling vast lumber interests
before his entrance into the piano manufac-
turing domain. Into this enterprise he
brought the same business tact and fore-
sight which had made him a fortune in his
previous occupation, and the result has been
the up-building of a large piano enterprise.
He was a man of modest demeanor, never
given to boastful utterances concerning his
own business accomplishments. For years
he had been prominently identified with
religious and charitable affairs, having been
a generous donor on many occasions. One
of his recent gifts amounted to several thou-
sand dollars to one institution.
W. L. Bush, his eldest son, has been ac-
tively associated with him for years and upon
his capable shoulders the business mantle of
his father will fall.
On Friday, Joseph Stigner, employed as
a porter in Steinway & Sons piano factory
in Astoria, L. I., made a misstep while on
the fourth floor of the building and fell down
the hatchway to the ground floor. The em-
ployees rushed to his assistance and were
astonished to find him alive, After a thor-
ough examination by the physician it was
found Mr. Stigner had received a slight scalp
wound and was none the worse for his fall.