Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRKDE
THE HARDWOODS OF LOUISIANA.
J. P. Simmons' Suggestion —Make Cases in New
Orleans—What a Prominent Journal Says in
this Connection.
"Why not interest this next convention of
piano manufacturers in our hardwoods and
climatic conditions?
"Lets get up a faithful exhibit of well cured
hardwoods and astonish them with our un-
used resources.
"Lets make them see all they are missing.
"If we can interest them, all the better.
1 f not, sooner or later some one is going to
take hold of this industry. Let's set the ball
a-rolling. It is something we ought to do.
Let's do it."
Will the Progressive Union kindly take
notice?
Here's an opportunity to plant another nail
in the great structure of manufacturing en-
terprise on which you are laboring.
Invite Mr. Simmons to elaborate his prop-
osition and have his confreres of the New
Orleans delegation to Baltimore, W. N.
Grunewald and Philip Werlein, investigate
the matter and give their views. Rene
Grunewald, who, by the way, is building
steadily a reputation for Southern manufac-
tures along a parallel line, may be a most
valuable witness.
CURTAZ ON DEPARTMENT STORES.
Harry Curtaz, who sails for Europe to-
day, remarked while calling this week upon
The Review:
J. P. Simmons, general manager and mem-
"While East I have taken occasion to go
ber of the Junius Hart Music House, New
through every department store that is en-
Orleans, La., has made some valuable sug-
gaged in selling pianos. Some of the ar-
gestions which have been placed before the
rangements are excellent. I am convinced,
Progressive Union of that city for consider-
too, that department store competition never
ation. Mr. Simmons is of the opinion that
need be feared by the regular dealer who
the South, or in other words, New Orleans,
proposes to sell goods absolutely in their
is the legitimate point where should be man-
class.
ufactured the piano cases for the South, and
"I saw a second-hand Chickering piano at
in this connection the Harlequin, a promi-
Wanamaker's marked in plain figures at a
nent publication of the Crescent City, has
price considerably more than we would have
this to say:
offered the same instrument on the Coast.
Mr. Simmons has just returned from a
"They do not sell goods cheaper, but the
convention of piano manufacturers and deal-
public, to my mind, believes in the one-price
ers in Baltimore, being one of a committee
system, and believes that fair values are placed
authorized by New Orleans to invite the con-
(;n pianos in these department stores. They
vention to come here next session. In this,
bring in a business element which is desir-
the delegation did not succeed, but they did
the next best thing. They secured the na-
able.
AN HONOR WELL BESTOWED.
tional convention for 1904. Indeed, I am
"It seems to me from what I have observed
prompted to believe that they did the very
that
a good many of the regular dealers here
John
A.
Norris,
vice-president
of
the
best thing when Mr. Simmons' great project
are
not
fully appreciative of the rich piano
Smith
&
P>arnes
Co.,
arrived
in
New
York-
is considered. For, one year might not give
time to mature well his plans. By 1904, with last week en route to Boston and other New territory which they have to work. In San
the Progressive Union's aggressive aid, England points. Mr. Norris is receiving Francisco and throughout the Coast our
preparations should be in shape to vitalize congratulations upon his election to this of- salesmen do a great deal of work after hours.
the idea.
They make social calls ; in fact, some of the
fice, as everyone felt that he was well worthy
One of the greatest commercial depart-
best
work is done after the store is closed.
the
honor.
Since
his
connection
with
the
ments in piano building, suggests Mr. Sim-
firm of Smith & Barnes the piano has been
"Of course all business is run on easier
mons, is in the cases, the wood-work. Of
course, this is not the most important thing put into the largest firms in America and the lines in the East, according to my observa-
regarded from the standpoint of music, of
instrument as it stands to-day shows enor- tion, than on the Coast, or even in the mid-
tone—but it is certainly a great item in piano mous advance over the old piano, and the
dle West.
manufacturing finance.
determination
of
the
manufacturers
is
to
"We are looking for a big trade in San
"The forests of Louisiana," says Mr. Sim-
mons, "are filled with the hardwoods most make it of unique value to its agents and to Francisco.
precious in the world for the making of show what concentration of efforts and the
"There will be no changes in our line of
piano cases. They are of the greatest vari- right surroundings will do to put a piano pianos, and while here, I have placed some
ety. Much of it is of the kind already in to the front and keep it there.
large orders. I am taking a good long va-
use. Much of it has utility untried, but to
cation, and 1 may remain in Europe a year.
the thinking mind absolute. It is capable of
RECOVERS PROMISSORY NOTE.
It is twenty years now since I have taken
the most delicate and mature curing and of
LSpecial to The Review.]
a finish championing the woods of the world
what I may term a vacation, and I think
to produce a superior. Much of it possesses
Rochester, N. Y., June 16, 1902.
twenty years of hard work entitle a man to
a beauty unsurpassed and a rareness which
A Supreme Court jurv has returned a ver- a good long vacation.
will make it in the highest degree valuable. dict in favor of Mrs. Henry Ward in her
"I have received the most encouraging re-
When I say this, I speak a fact, trite to every
man acquainted with the various woods of action against DeWitt C. Gibbons to recover ports regarding business since I have been
Louisiana. Such woods as ash, gum, oak a promissory note held against her. Mrs. East, and shall leave with the satisfaction of
and the like, already used to a vast extent, Ward was represented by Geo. D. Forsyth. knowing that a good record will be made
we have in bountiful abundance. I am sure
Some time ago the plaintiff bought a
that on investigation we could show the piano of Gibbons & Stone, giving her note during my absence."
While in New York Mr. Curtaz supervised
trade new woods of unlimited advantage and
of great value and beauty. Our cotton wood, for the purchase price, about $400. Later the publication of three charming little com-
1 am informed, is capable of the highest Mrs. Ward complained that the piano was positions for piano, which are full of mel-
polish and great beauty. Every day is prov- not what it had been represented to be by ody and musical feeling.
ing new things for well-cured heart cypress, the salesman who made the sale, and she re-
Mr. Curtaz is head of the firm of Benj.
both in strength, lightness, finish and aston- fused to keep the instrument. There was a
Curtaz & Sons, whose line is one of the
ishing durability. It too has been discovered
to-be capable of a polish challenging the best; trade of pianos made, which was also not sat- finest that could be selected. It includes
and every one knows that our cypress swamps isfactory. Mrs. Ward demanded her note Chickering & Sons, Mason & Hamlin, Vose
are without peer throughout the world. Wal- back, but she cotdd not get it. Then she and Sterling pianos.
nut and pecan grow well to culture and brought suit.
abound in many localities without the aid of
man.
ARRANGING FOR WEBER ROOMS.
REEVES HAS THE EVERETT.
"The point is sharply this. We have in
A. J. Reeves, of Helena, Mont., was in
this State great unused wealth in hardwoods.
The Weber agents are very much in evi-
There is no business in the world in which New York last week after a visit to the dence in these days as enterprising and pro-
they could be used to greater advantage than Everett factory in Boston, where he went gressive men who take a keen interest in the
in pianos. Every one in my business knows to survey the magnificent plant. Mr. Reeves
advancement of the Weber interests. As
that pianos manufactured for use in a vast
an example, S. W. Raudenbush & Co., St.
portion of the South have to be specially is taking on the Everett piano.
adapted to climatic conditions. Here is the
Paul, in remodeling their building, are set-
F. A. Pelton, the well-known dealer of
place to make this product. We have the Boston, who is building up a splendid trade ting apart a large room for an exhibition of
wood and the climate. I feel sure that there
Weber art styles. It will be handsomely
is chance for a great and prosperous indus- with the Henry & S. G. Lindeman piano,
trial development in this industry. It em- is quite enthusiastic about its selling qual- decorated and in every way worthy of the
ploys the highest class of skilled labor which ities, and his enthusiasm is based upon actual Raudenbush firm's good repute. Cluett &
in the course of years we could train here at results.
Sons, Troy, have recently added a "Weber
home. Indeed, I understand that in our in-
room'' to their establishment. Other Weber
dustrial schools—such as the Southwestern
Grinnell Bros., the famous Detroit deal- agents are progressing along similar lines.
—this is a part of the training at the option ers, who control seven large branch stores,
T
of the student.
recently placed an order with the Sterling And they are all doing a lively W eber busi-
ness.
Co. for five hundred pianos.
"Now why not be practical?