Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
charters broke up the greatest and most suc-
cessful trust the country has ever seen should
be the first to incorporate its statutes a for-
mal recognition of the principles of the vot-
ing trust, and to safeguard them when
formed by ample statutory protection.
ASSOCIATION AFTERTHOUGHTS.
M E W YORK is being rapidly depleted of
the piano men who have thronged our
hostelries during the week. At this tinv:
it is hardly possible to give but a brief review
of what was accomplished during convention
week, yet we have no hesitation in stating
that the music trade convention of 1901
marks a new epoch in trade history—an
epoch of a more perfect understanding—•
not only between piano manufacturers but
between dealers as well.
There is a manifest desire on the part of
manufacturers to stand shoulder to shoulder
in the protection of legitimate interests of the
trade; also it is manifest that they earnestly
desire to enlist the support of the army of
regular dealers in the same praiseworthy
cause. That this clear and unmistakably
emphasized desire on the part of serious-
minded business men to elevate the two de-
partments of trade will do much towards
accomplishing wished-for results is obvious
to all who have confidence in the music trade
future, and who have watched the trend of
trade thought in those particular channels.
Traditions are not easily overthrown, and
the piano men are not going at their • ap-
pointed task in an iconoclastic spirit, but
rather in a logical argumentative way they
seek to repair the certain defects which are
acknowledged to exist in the trade structure.
Both departments of the trade have been vac-
cinated with the organization virus, and the
sequel will be association progress. It means
that ere long misrepresentation and fraud will
have been eliminated in a large degree from
the trade. The Executive Committee's report
is by far the most able document that the Na-
tional Association has ever produced. The sug-
gestions made are timely and if carried out
will result in trade good. The aim of the
Association is to seek to accomplish by edu-
cational methods what it would be impossible
to do by arbitrary rulings, and by imposing
certain restrictions upon their members. The
document is well worthy of careful perusal
by every one.
The gathering was representative in char-
acter and truly national in scope, and the
men who came to New York did not come
for a mere junketing trip as has been charged
by some.
The formation of a dealers' association
has long been advocated by The Review, and
the gathering in New York has accom-
plished a splendid move in this direction pro-
vided the men who are behind the inceptive
move will not become easily discouraged by
lukewarmness and indifference on the part of
those who are prone to criticise associated
work. The men who compose the Associa-
tion have reason for self-congratulation in
the long stride towards trade betterment
which they have accomplished at the first
meeting of the new century.
\\J
E believe in eschewing boastful state-
ments as to what we have accom-
plished for we prefer to be judged by our acts
rather than words.
However we believe
that we may not be open to the charge of
boastfulness when we say that The Review
fairly demonstrated its ability to properly
take care of trade interests in anv emergency.
Each day of the Convention it issued an ex-
tra, and not merely a four page sheet, but
a splendidly printed newsy paper of from
twenty to thirty pages, and we close the week
with a mammoth issue.
C ROM Monday night until the last of the
week the lobby of the Hoffman was
thronged with music trade men from all
parts of the country. There were gathered
together in little groups, piano manufactur-
ers, dealers, supply men, wholesale and re-
tail salesmen. On the whole, it was a nota-
ble fraternal meeting of the-piano forces of
the Continent, representing points at a dis-
tance as separated as Maine and California,
and Texas and Canada.
"P HE Dealers' National Association is now
established. It is officered by repre-
sentative of men of different sections of the
country. A complete report of what the
young association accomplished appears else-
where in this paper. We shall watch the
development of this new trade combination
with exceeding interest, and there is no
reason why a sufficient interest should not
be aroused in the dealers' organization, and
it can be made a tremendous power for good
in the retailing of pianos.
HP HE REVIEW headquarters at the Hoff-
man were thronged daily with mem-
bers of the industry, who called to pay their
respects to "the paper which made the great
scoop."
r~\URINCi the entire week the trust spectre
was not visible upon the trade horizon.
It was some weeks ago when The Review
completely exposed the shallowness of the
trust scheme, and, as a matter for trade dis-
cussion, it is at the present time hardly worth
devoting space to.
Bent Robbed.
A Rather Narrow Escape for Edward H. Story.
Unfortunately, some of the visiting mem-
bers of the trade will have unpleasant ex-
periences by which to remember the New
York Convention. Geo. P. Bent's room at
the Hoffman was entered last Thursday
night while the ubiquitous "Crown" maker
was wrapt in profound slumber, and he
was relieved of a valuable gold watch and
chain, also of about $35 or $40 in money.
The thief made off also with Mr. Bent's
trousers, together with three or four pairs
taken from adjoining rooms.
The Bent nether garments were found
later and the owner at an early hour was
seeking an Ingersoll watch, which he thought
to be a safe investment while visiting in
New York.
The room of E. S. Story was also entered
and Mrs. Story aroused her husband with
the exclamation that there was a burglar
in the room. Mr. Story immediately sprang
out of bed and the alarmed thief made a
vault towards the window and vanished up
the fire-escape. The alarm was quickly
given, but he was not captured. On the
dresser where the thief was pausing when
Mrs. Story was awakened, was a valuable
diamond brooch, Mr. Story's purse and other
jewelry, so in a couple of minutes more
valuable bootv would have been secured.
Assignee May Run Shaw Plant.
[Special to The Review.]
'
Erie, Pa., May 13, 1901.
Regarding the Shaw Piano Co.'s failure,
Assignee Sherwin, when seen yesterday af-
ternoon regarding the matter, said he was
unable to say what would be done with the
plant.
It is possible that he will run the factory
for the benefit of creditors, as it is said that
the institution has been making money.
Serious Charges Alleged.
[Special to The Review.]
Huntsville, Ala., May 15, 1901.
W. S. Smith, proprietor of the large music
establishment here, owned by W. S. Smith
& Co., says that one of his traveling agents,
Ralph Higgins, is a defaulter. Higgins has
been traveling several years for him and was
always regarded as one of the best men on
the road, but it now turns up that he has
skipped with about $2,500. Higgins, it is
said, came in possession of the money by sell-
ing seven high-priced pianos and ten organs
all going at just any price for each. No
complaint has been filed against Higgins,
but officers have been notified of his disap-
pearance.
Boom for Estey Organ Co.
The Estey Organ Co., of Brattleboro, lias
begun the manufacture of church organs in
shop No. y, where a force of skilled work-
men, under the supervision of W. T.\ Has-
kell, of Philadelphia, an experienced ortran
builder is employed. This is a new depart-
TH HE dinner at Delmonico's was a fitting ure on the part of the Estey Organ ; Co.,
though under contemplation for some t me
finale to the week's happenings, and as a The firm already feels confident 01 a large
social function takes high rank. A report ami growing business in connection with
their other world-wide sales of the parlor
of the speeches made there appears else- organs, and the new industry promises to
employ a large additional force of builders.
where in this issue.