Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC 1-RADE REVIEW
THE KRELL-FRENCH PIANO CO. INCORPORATE.
Albert Krcll Interests Jesse French in a Quarter of a Million Corporation—Ten Dealers Take Stock—
A Co-operative Plan—Will Locate in Springfield or St. Louis.
The affairs of the Krell Piano Co. have
been the subject of considerable discussion
during the past few months, increasing as
the break between the officials of the concern
became more apparent.
The turning point came in the retirement
of Albert Krell from the presidency and
his move to enlist a number of dealers to
become interested in a new manufacturing
concern which he proposed to establish at
Springfield, Ohio.
Last week we announced the election of
Dawson J. Blackmore to the presidency of
the Cincinnati concern, and H. J. Ryland to
succeed Mr. Blackmore as secretary and
treasurer.
The Krell Piano Co. have issued a letter
which does not require a vivid stretch of
the imagination to construe as a reflection
upon the actions of Albert Krell, who, in
the meanwhile, has been quietly organizing
a new concern, in which, he affirms, will be
interested ten of the most important dealers
in the United States.
This new piano corporation will be known
as the Krell-French Piano Co. The articles
of incorporation of the Krell-French Co.
have been forwarded to the Secretary of
State at Columbus. The capital stock will
WHERE THIS COUNTRY MADE GAINS.
[Special to The Review.]
Washington, D. C , July 8, 1901.
The Pacific Ocean is the only spot on the
statistical map of the world which presents
an unfavorable appearance in the study of
our commerce in the fiscal year just closed.
This is chiefly due to the fact that the Treas-
ury Bureau of Statistics has been unable to
present any figures of our exports to the
Hawaiian Islands during the fiscal year, ow-
ing to the fact that the Hawaiian Islands
are now considered a customs district of the
United States, and that exporters to those
islands take advantage of that fact and de-
cline to furnish the information formerly
supplied under the law, which required all
exports and imports to be stated when pass-
ing out of, or into, the country.
To all other parts of the world the figures
of our exports show a large increase. To
South America our exports have increased
six million dollars; to Africa, six millions;
to North America, ten millions; and to Eu-
rope, a hundred million dollars during the
eleven months ending with May, 1901, as
compared with the corresponding months
of the preceding fiscal year; while to Asia
and Oceania there is an apparent reduction
of over twenty million dollars.
A comparison of the growth of our ex-
port trade with that of other nations of the
world shows that the United States in the
-fiscal year just ended has made the greatest
increase. During the available portion of
POOLE
be $250,000. Behind Albert Krell in this
move is Jesse French, the millionaire piano
man, who has branches scattered all through
the Southern States.
Mr. French is one of the most success-
ful members of the trade and he would not
have his name associated with a new move-
ment unless he intended to support it in a
most emphatic way. He is a large stock-
holder in the Starr Piano Co., Richmond,
Ind., and has extensive real estate holdings
in St. Louis, where his position is an elevated
one in business circles.
Albert Krell is indeed fortunate in having
associated with him a man of such business
and financial strength. The other dealers
who are stockholders in the Krell-French
combination are well known. This is the
first move which has been launched, where-
by dealers themselves have become interested
in a co-operative plan to manufacture pia-
nos, hence it possesses more than ordinary
interest.
The place of manufacture, although not
definitely settled upon, will probably be
Springfield, Ohio. Other points have been
considered and we understand that the choice
is between St. Louis' and Springfield, with
chances in favor of the latter.
H
THE STRAUCH STANDARD.
The present position won by Strauch Bros.,
the eminent action, key and hammer manu-
facturers, furnishes a splendid illustration
of how success may be gained by rigidly
adhering to an elevated standard.
It is well known that the Strauch actions
are found only in high-grade pianos. The
makers of the Strauch wares concluded that
their name must be associated with the best
products of the music industry, and it is now
being pretty well understood in trade cir-
cles that Strauch means a guarantee of grade.
Frequently they are in receipt of commu-
nications from manufacturers praising their
wares in unstinted language. One which
came from a Western manufacturer this week
included the following:
"When I have a Strauch action, I've got
it all, as no other action fits up and produces
the touch that a Strauch action does. This
is my experience at least."
THE REVIEW WINNER
Acknowledges Receipt of Prize Money—Some Items
of Interest Concerning Mr, Ford's Career.
735 Canal Street,
New Orleans, La., July 5, 1901.
Mr. Edward Lyman Bill,
Editor Music Trade Review, New York.
Dear Sir:—Your favor of the 2d inst. re-
ceived, enclosing check for Twenty-five Dol-
lars ($25.00) as prize for my essay on ' T h e
the fiscal year, the increase in exports from Benefit to be Derived from the One-price
the United States has averaged nine million System in Retailing/' Please accept my
dollars per month; that of the United King- thanks.
Alfred H. Ford.
dom, three millions per month; Russia,
*
*
*
*
three millions; France, two millions; Can-
The successful contestant is twenty-nine
ada, two millions ; Austria-Hungary, one mil- years old and for the past six years has been
lion ; Mexico, one million ; Germany, a loss on the salesman's staff of the Grunewald
of two millions per month; Spain, a loss of house of New Orleans.
two millions per month; and Belgium, a
Previous to that he was with his father,
loss of one million per month.
Nathan Ford, formerly of St. Paul, but now
of Des Moines, Iowa.
BUSINESS VS. HEAT.
Young Mr. Ford was reared in a piano
atmosphere,
so to speak, and shows the ben-
T^HE extreme heat which marked the end
efit
of
an
early
training. His essay upon
of June and the first part of July has
the
advantage
of
maintaining the one-price
naturally had a depressing effect upon busi-
system,
published
in last week's Review,
ness of all kinds, save that of liquids. It
should
be
carefully
digested by the many
is astonishing, however, from the reports
thousands
who
read
this
paper weekly.
that we have received at this office during the
last two weeks, that there has still been much
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
activity manifested in the retail department
of this industry. If orders continue to come
Carefully prepared and tastefully produced
in and one-half of the increase of business catalogues, containing illustrations and de-
is realized that is promised during the fall, scriptions of latest styles in pianos, have
what will the manufacturers do to supply the just been issued by Foster & Co., Haines &
demand? It is a pretty warm time just at Co., and the Martin Bros. Piano Co., of
present to consider the material increase of Rochester, N. Y. Dealers who have not re-
piano stock, yet it is certain that the manu- ceived or seen these publications should make
facturer who can supply orders quickly next it a point to look them up. They contain
fall will be largely sought for. He will much of interest.
be "it."
The Wilcox & White Co. have been dis-
Chas. J. Edwards, formerly with S. R. playing in the show windows of their New
Leland in Worcester, has become a depart- York branch, 164 Fifth avenue, a fac-simile
ment manager for the Thiebes-Sterlin Music of the Symphony organ sold to the King
of Greece through their London house.
Co., of St. Louis.
PIANOS
Precious, Perfect, ^Peerless
As to Tone, Touch, Design
Durability and Value. . . •
5 and 7 APPLETON STREET, BOSTON, M A S S .