Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
In tKe Musical MercKandise Domain
jewels used in connection with the same device
OTTO PLANT CLOSES DOWN.
as employed on phonograph recorders and repro-
The Small Goods Contingent While They Find ducers alleged to be covered by patents issued Trustees Take This Action Until Such Time
as Certain Litigation of the Regina Co. Is
Business Light Are Looking Forward to an to Thomas A. Edison. It is claimed the defen-
Cleared Up—Over 150 Men Employed—As
Excellent Business in the Early Fall—Sales dant in the suits instituted had been infringing
Soon as Accounts Are in Shape It Is Said
these inventions.
with Aggressive Houses Continue Large.
There Will Be a Reorganization.
With general business not as fruitful as its
TWO NEW SPECIALTIES.
By a decision of the trustees of the music
most earnest practitioners might wish, but still
box manufacturing firm of F. G. Otto & Sons,
growing better despite the all too prevalent pes-
One is the "Chordophon," a combination of the on Sherman avenue, Jersey City Heights, the
simistic talk, the small goods contingent have music-box mechanism with zither effects. The
plant has been closed and will remain closed
divergent views of the situation. The minor music is furnished by a perforated metal disk,
until a final accounting has been made, unless
note is not so frequently heard as in other made familiar in certain styles of music boxes,
the trustees succeed in getting rid of the entire
branches, and the tendency to look on the bright and in operation the strings of a zither, with
bond issue, which has been the subject of so
and expectant side is more strongly emphasized. ordinary arrangement and setting, are picked
much litigation with the Regina Co., with which
Especially is this true of calculations bearing on mechanically. The instrument, which is consid-
firm that of Otto & Sons have been in litigation
the fall trade, which the best informed and the ered quite a novelty by wholesalers to whom it
for a number of years past. The plant was
closest observers of trade currents still insist has been shown, can be run either with a crank
closed this week and 150 men were thrown
will be of the most flattering description.
or with the spring action controlled by lever or out of work.
The week's total of sales, as reported by the key. The article comes either in an enclosed
At the office of the concern it was stated that
aggressive houses, is keeping up wonderfully upright case, and open with parts in view. The in all probability the plant would remain closed
well. No particularly soft spots are mentioned, "Chordophon" is of German origin, its manu- for at least three months, as it will take that
and even a shortage of stock is referred to as facturers being in this country at present en- time to get the accounts in shape to show the
one of the possibilities, though foreign invoices deavoring to secure a selling agent.
trustees just where they stand in the matter of
are coming in promptly.
Another novelty is an improved violin peg. liabilities and assets. I t is claimed that the
This encouraging resume of the market was They are described as the "never-slip" friction plant is doing a good business and that there are
given The Review early in the week: "Orders pegs, made of the usual material, but when set now orders that would keep it running at full
are coming in, and what is better, the shipping are held firm by a simple metal device. It is force during the entire summer, and that much
directions are for early dates or immediate de- claimed these pegs can be adjusted and removed will be lost as a result of the trustees' action.
livery. This applies to a large proportion of
as easily as the kind in ordinary use. The in-
As soon as the accounts are got into shape it
the bills. To be sure, we are right after the strument is not injured and there is no wear on
is said there will be an attempt at reorganization
trade, present them lines no up-to-date house can the strings, and after hours of playing i t is
on the part of the trustees and that an effort
well afford to be without, and at prices that claimed the violin is still in perfect tune.
will be made to put the plant on a basis where
must necessarily cut some figure, and there you
it. can conduct business without further litiga-
are. Our road men are working like beavers,
tion. That this can be done with as little delay
E.
D.
Easton,
president
of
the
American
and it is telling. The best results are from the
as possible is the expressed wish of many busi-
far West, for it seems business there must be of Graphophone Co., leaves New York on the 28th
ness men not connected with the concern, for
a different aspect from what it is on the East- inst., on the liner "Kaiser Wilhelm II.," for his
the loss of an industry of this sort to the Hill
ern seaboard, or even in the Central States. annual tour and inspection of the company's
would be a very serious one.
European
agencies.
The
list
includes
London,
Trade here is of the hum-drum kind; a little
The litigation in which the firm has been
going on, but not to be compared with that Cardiff, Glasgow, Antwerp, St. Petersburg, Ber-
interested
for some time has been expensive and
lin,
Vienna
and
Milan.
He
will
be
abroad
about
nearer the setting sun. Southern trade is also
costly. The Regina people have a judgment for
looking up, and to a man up a tree with a good a month.
infringement of patent which has not yet been
pair of eyes, and free from political bias and
paid. Recently an attempt was made to sell a
hide-bound business ideas, 'every prospect
bond
issue and mortgage the plant, but this was
pleases and only man is vile,' if the quotation
fought bitterly by the Regina people, who
is permissible."
claimed that it was an attempt to get rid of pay-
ing the judgment. The case is still in the courts
and has not yet been decided.
TO MAKE LEATHER CASES
It is possible that the Regina people may see
For All Kinds of Musical Instruments in Grand
in this latest move another attempt to get rid of
Rapids—York & Kennedy the Firm Name.
paying the judgment, but the trustees disclaim
any such attempt. On the contrary they say
(Special to The Review.)
their idea is to put themselves in possession of
Grand Rapids, Mich., June 20, 1904.
the accounts, so that intending bond""buyers may
" M I S MASTER'S VOICE' 1
J. W. York, the progressive band instrument
know just where they stand, to reorganize the
manufacturer of this city, who recently pur-
company, to pay the judgment and to commence
chased the plant of Medberry & Kennedy at
business again with a clean record and without
Norwich, Conn., will, with E. N. Kennedy, at
a judgment or debt of any kind hanging over
once engage in the manufacture of high-grade
them.
cases for band and orchestral instruments in the
The plant is a valuable one. This is conceded
old quarters of J. W. York & Sons. Machinery
by all who know its extent. It comprises two
and appliances of the latest and most approved
big buildings on Sherman avenue and another
design have been installed, and all kinds of
on Franklin street. These plants are equipped
On
every
order
for
Records
we
will
cases, including leather, veneer and wood, as
with costly machinery for the manufacture of
allow
the
return
for
full
credit
of
well as other specialties, will be manufactured.
musical instruments of almost every automatic
1-3 as many records as you order.
The new firm will be entitled "York & Ken-
description. There is also much stock on hand
nedy." The directors are as follows: Presi-
No matter how old or shopworn they
for the manufacture of these goods.
dent, J. W. York; vice-president, E. N. Kennedy;
may be, provided they are "Victor
The trustees profess to believe that when a
secretary and treasurer. F. W. York. Mr. Ken-
final accounting has been made and the figures
Records"
and
not
broken.
In
order-
nedy will be the practical man of this company.
are presented to the public, there will be no
ing under this plan, always give a
He has to his credit many inventions, and the
trouble in reorganization, for they say the firm
second choice list, as we reserve the
leather and veneer cases which he manufactured
is perfectly solvent and in excellent condition
in the East are highly spoken of.
right to substitute, if necessary, to
for doing business, but that confidence has been
make up the full number.
undermined because of the reports of litigation,
judgments, etc., that have been going on for the
L. A. CHEPOT ENJOINED.
The Largest and Most Complete Stock
past few years.
in the United States.
Louis A. Chepot, Newark, N. J., has been en-
joined by Judge Archibald, of the United States
Alex. Hirschfield, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed
Circuit Court, District of New Jersey, from
through New York on his way to Europe, where
manufacturing his so-called "deep cupped styles,"
he goes periodically to visit his "vaterland." Mr.
77 Chambers St., New York.
and from regrinding and repolishing sapphire
Hirschfield is one of the old-time Weber agents.
NO PESSIMISM HERE.
ReturnYourOldRecords
and Get New Ones.
THE VICTOR DISTRIBUTING * EXPORT GO.