Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Ramaker Co. in Portland are very satis-
factory and prove that this move has been
Projected Changes in San Francisco to Be the Topic
one which will affect the business of that
of the Hour—Wiley B. Allen Absorbs the Pa-
cific Music Co. in Los Angeles—Gives Them a firm in the entire Northwest as Mr. Gilbert
Large Chain of Territory—Visitors to Sher- who is active in Portland, has a large sec-
man, Clay & Co. and Kohler & Chase—Gen- lion under his charge and as he is a man of
eral Business Reported Satisfactory.
maguifient personality and business equip-
[Special to The Review.]
ment the interests of those whom he rep-
San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 4, 1904.
resents are assured.
Welcome rain at last. It will be good
E. E. Walter, traveling representative of
news that the entire State of California has the Hobart M. Cable Co., was one of the
been drenched by heavy rains for twenty- recent visitors to the firm of Kohler &
four hours, insuring abundant crop, grain, Chase, who do a fine business with this
and fruit, and feed for cattle. The pros- particular line. The removal of Kohler &
perity of California does not depend upon Chase to Kearney and Post streets seems
financial, industrial or political conditions, to have been a very successful venture for
but upon rainfall. We now have plenty of the January sales make a fine showing. The
the latter.
small Knabe the "Mignon" style has made
There is nothing definite to say at writ- a remarkable "hit" and they can hardly sup-
ing concerning matters in San Francisco, but ply the demand for this superb instrument.
rumors continue to thrive and cannot be
Among the visitors to Sherman Clay &
downed. Early in the season, that is before Co. were Clarence Gennett, of the Starr
the Weber Co. began to make radical changes, Piano Co., and also Frank J. Woodbury,
it was strongly believed that the conditions of the Jewett Piano Co. This remarkable
here would not be changed, as the upbuild- Western firm is once more settled and the
ing of the Pianola and Aeolian interests was elegance of their quarters well repay them
so admirably looked after by the Kohler & for what they have undergone in annoy-
Chase firm. The same may be said of Clark ance during the reconstructive period.
Wise and the Weber piano, but taking into
The records show a large Steinway busi-
consideration the policy all along the line as ness for the season at hand, and the sales
published by the Music Trade Review, no of A. B. Chase and Estey pianos illustrate
sophistry can be brought to bear upon those the activity and the wide territory of this
interested that their relations will not be dis- house. The Emerson piano out here is
turbed.
one of the greatest "sellers" in the world of
The only reasonable solving is a consolida- pianos and Sherman Clay & Co. well de-
tion between Clark Wise and the Filers house serve the rich harvest that they are reaping
and color has been lent to this by the presence for the years of intelligent and honorable
in this city of Ben U. Steinman, a capitalist of forging that they have done.
Sacramento, who is understood to be the
financial backer of the Pommer-Eilers inter-
LAFFARGUE & CO.'S PROGRESS.
ests. It is said that these affairs interfere
Many Tributes Received From Well Pleased Dealers
with the peace of mind of all people con-
Anent the Pianos Made by This House—Much
cerned, and that it affects all of the Coast
Admired at the Knabe Warerooms in Wash-
points cannot be questioned.
ington.
There is little use in going into details as
J. Geo. Laffarguc, of Laffarguc & Co.,
everybody knows that the large concerns of
Southern Boulevard and East 134th street,
San Francisco have stores extending North
left town on Wednesday for a two weeks'
and South. Now we learn that Wiley l\.
tour in the firm's interests. The Laffargue
Allen has completed a magnificent circuit
& Co.'s connections were much strengthened
through acquiring possession of the Pacific
in TQ03, largely owing to the good work of
Music Co. in Los Angeles. This gives Mr.
Mr. Laffargue on the road during several
Allen a long and important chain of territory
lengthy trips. New connections were made
and one which he will cover with the aggres-
and these have since been firmly held as a
siveness for which he is known over the en-
result of the firm's fixed policy of giving ex-
tire country. Mr. Allen has already demon-
ceptional values.
strated that he is a power to be reckoned with
The Laffargue pianos not only represent
wherever he appears upon the scene of action
this policy, but they are—and always have
and from North to South he has made a repu- been—conspicuous for good tone, artistic
tation for himself that makes him the desir- style, perfect finish and excellent wearing
able agent for everyone who wishes a repre- quality. Flattering recognition of the Laf-
sentation. The southern connection will give fargue claims along these lines is frequent.
Mr. Allen the Knabe in that section, as it is The latest is from Wm. Knabe & Co., who are
with the Allen & Gilbert-Ramaker Co. in now exhibiting the Laffargue styles at their
Washington warerooms. The experience of
Portland and Seattle.
the Knabe manager at the Capital city is that
Should the Weber piano go to Kohler & the Laffargue piano is a quick seller and gives
Chase, to join the Pianola, of course there perfect satisfaction. The new Laffargue
are those who think that this would delight Stvle A is in everv wav admirable.
Mr. Allen, as the Knabe which has been for
many years with Kohler & Chase would not HEARING WILL OCCUR NEXT WEDNESDAY.
Argument in the hearing which involves
play second, neither would the Weber, so
tiie
cancellation of a certificate of incor-
here is another phase of the question. At
poration to a so-called Zon-o-phone Co.,
present Mr. Allen is doing admirable work and
its issue to the Universal Machine Mfg.
for the Steck Piano as also for the Everett Co., instead is set down peremptorily for
both of which he is pushing very actively. Wednesday next, at 10:30 a. m. in the New-
York Supreme Court, P. 1, special term,
The reports from the Allen 6^ Gilbert- before Judge Leventritt^
NEWS FROM THE PACIFIC SLOPE.
13
PIANO TUNERS ORGANIZE.
Will Meet an Wednesday, When By-Laws Will be
Formulated—Membership Includes Well Known
Men—A Chat With Vice-President Hart.
Wednesday evening the Piano Tuners'
Association of New York will hold
its
second
meeting
at Teutonia
Hall, Third avenue and i(>th street,
when a committee will be appointed
to formulate a constitution and by-laws. The
committee will include two or three others
besides the following executive officers : Wil-
liam B. White, with James & Holstrom, presi-
dent ; Alexander Hart, Apollo Co., vice-presi-
dent; Frederick Dietz, .Hardman, Peck &
Co., treasurer; C. A. Gregory, Jacob Bros.,
secretary. The organization will also be
further perfected, the membership being con-
fined to tuners of established reputation, and
is to be recruited on the invitation plan. Ad-
dresses on pertinent and practical subjects
will be delivered by prominent members.
Speaking to The Review on Tuesday of the
association, Vice-President Hart an en-
thusiastic proselyte, said:
"The object of the society is not to imitate
or encroach upon the functions proper to a
labor union, but rather to provide a controll-
ing body of the most competent practitioners
to the end that the reputation and dignity of
the tuningart and the professional standing of
its members may be raised to and maintained
at the highest level. Membership is strictly
limited to those who can show conclusively
that they possess the necessary qualifications
to fit them for the most delicate and correct
work in their line, or who hold positions re-
quiring such qualifications with reputable
houses. It is also desired to further promote
the social as well as the moral standard of the
tuners in order to bring them together and
endeavor to uplift the profession."
Ultimately it is the purpose of the associa-
tion, if their plans carry, to issue certificates,
which will confer on the holder an official
recognition of his professional standing as a
competent tuner and regulator. Perhaps in
a few months a banquet will be given to pro-
mote the social aims of the organization.
Secretary Gregory's address is 21 Fast Four-
teenth street, New York Citv.
GEO. P. BENT'S RINGING WORDS.
[Special to The Review.]
Chicago, Feb. 8, 1904.
Geo. P. Bent, member of the Grand
Jury, has written a protest which appears in
to-day's Chronicle against the action of the
State's Attorney in refusing to call a spe-
cial grand jury to ivestigate labor lawless-
ness.
The protest is written in that healthy
vigorous style for which Mr. Rent is noted.
He states in the letter how he was called
into the office of the State's Attorney who
endeavored to convince him that owing to
a lack of sufficient evidence he ought not
to vote for the bills against the leaders of
what Mr. Bent terms "Strike Societies."
It would be a good thing if we had more
men of the sterling Americanism and in-
dependence of Geo. P. Bent.
The Howland Piano Co., of Boston, have
been incorporated with a capital stock of
$50,000. President, Chas. H. Howland;
treasurer, Albert E. Knowlton.