Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
NOT INCLINED TO PLACE ORDERS EARLY.
Notwithstanding the Fact That Dealers Generally Admit Indications Point to an Excellent Fall
Trade, Yet They Do Not Favor the Early Placing of Orders—Some Expressions of Opinion
From Men in All Sections of the Country—Collections Are Quite as Good as Last Year—
Business Will Keep Up in Spite of Election—Crop Indications Are of the Most Encouraging
Kind—Some Opinions Which Indicate the Condition of the Trade Barometer in Many
States.
This week we present the third of a series oi" interesting interviews with piano merchants in
the various parts of this country. The interviews are of more than ordinary interest inasmuch
as we are entering upon the warmth of the Presidential campaign. Some of the questions pro-
pounded are:
How, in your opinion, will the coming Presidential campaign affect business in your locality?
Do you look for a reduced trade until after election?
What are the general conditions of crops in your locality?
.' Would you care to compare business, both in character and volume, with that of 1903?
Have you found collections slower than last year?
Do you believe in placing orders now for fali stock for future delivery?
W. J. DYER & BRO., St. Paul, Minn.
"In our opinion, whether with or without good
reason, the Presidential campaign does undoubt-
edly affect business interests. While the senti-
ment through the Northwest, we think, is over-
whelmingly favorable to the continuance of the
present administration, yet the mere fact that
there is a possibility of change suggests caution,
and caution is contagious. We think these condi-
tions will continue until after election.
"The general condition of crops is very favor-
able. It is too early to speak definitely as to the
outcome. Up to the present time we have every
reason to expect satisfactory results.
"We think the volume of business in the year
1904 will be somewhat less than 1903, but while
such is the case, and collections are to some ex-
tent affected, we have no doubt whatever of hav-
ing a satisfactory trade, taking the year as a
whole.
"Replying to your last question as to placing
orders now for future delivery, we think there is
no probability of difficulty in getting orders filled
as the trade demands."
"I believe that business will compare favorably
with last year. I look for good fall trade, which
will make up for shortage, if any, the first half
of the year.
THE H. M. BRAINARD CO., Cleveland, O.
"We have found trade unusually quiet this sum-
mer, and do not look for any great improvement
until after the Presidential election is settled. It
is our experience that business is more or less
affected by the excitement of the Presidential
year, although we look for very much improved
conditions after election. Our crops are fine and
money generally easy, so there should be ho hind-
rance to an excellent fall business, which we fully
anticipate. Collections are, however, very slow,
and general conditions not as good as a year ago.
We always prefer to place our orders about as we
need the goods, and do not, as a rule, have to
wait to have our orders filled.
11
however, to place definite orders for future de-
liveries."
BARRETT BROS., Binghamton, N. Y.
"We do not think the Presidential campaign
will affect business to any extent in our locality,
although we do look for a reduction in the vol-
ume of business from last year. The crops in this
section seem to be in fair condition, and the farm-
ers comparatively prosperous. Up to date our
business has been fully equal in volume to that
of last year. Collections are somewhat slower,
but we are agreeably surprised at the volume of
business done by our house since January 1, as
we had looked for a decrease in trade."
W. H. RIDER, Kingston, N. Y.
"I do not think the Presidential campaign will
affect my business any more than previous ones.
Of course, it always does affect business some-
what. The crops are fairly good, and the collec-
tions slower this year than last. I never place
orders for future delivery."
A. SHIEL, Burlington Junction, Mo.
"As I see it, the Presidential campaign is not
apparently cutting much figure. People are not
taking much interest, less than formerly; that
matter would not affect trade interest. The
short crop will have more to do with lack of trade
than any other matter. Oats are entire failure;
wheat very poor; hay good; corn, the principal
crop here, not half crop. Business slower than
last year. Collections fair, yet shrewd business
men will move forward with some degree of cau-
tion. I am speaking for a few counties in north-
western Missouri."
J. E. SIMMS, Albert Lea, Minn.
"It is quite obvious that the Presidential cam-
paign will materially affect business interests in
"We read The Music Trade Review regularly this locality, and that we cannot hope for an in-
with considerable interest, and are very glad to creased volume of trade until after the Presiden-
respord to your inquiries to the best of our abil- tial contest is settled. Business conditions have
been very unsatisfactory in this vicinity, as a re-
ity."
sult of the partial failure of crops for two years
in succession, but farmers and business men are
SCHMOLLER
&
MUELLER
PIANO CO.,
L. G. BROWNING, Hudson, N. Y.
now more hopeful for the future, as an abundant
Omaha, Neb.
"I anticipate that the piano trade will be some- harvest of small grain is asslired, and the corn
"In our opinion trade will slightly fall off dur- what affected this year, as it is generally dur- crop, on which so much reliance is placed, prom-
ing the Presidential campaign. After the election ing a national campaign, but to an extent I do ises a good yield, with favorable weather condi-
wo look for a heavy increase in business.
not consider discouraging.
Crops are good tions during the month of August. It has been
"General crop conditions are very good.
throughout the country and manufacturing in a necessary to use conservative business methods
"Our business as compared with last year's is healthy state. The summer months have been during the year 1903, and the cautious dealer will
not only favorable but shows a good percentage of quite dull and collections slow, which I do not hesitate about placing very large orders for goods
increase, both in the amount of sales and the think is o»ving to scarcity of money. People have for future delivery. It will afford great relief to
quality of the instruments.
been prosperous and are indulging in summer the piano dealer during the coming year if ready
recreations, taking their vacations at summer re- cash can be substituted to a greater extent for
"Collections never have been better.
"We believe in placing orders for the fall trade, sorts and paying little attention to the home mat- monthly instalment notes."
in fact, have already done so with some of our ters or in paying bills. I never had a better
spring trade, and am looking for a good fall trade,
line.
JOSEPH M. MANN PIANO CO., Providence,
"We wish The Music Trade Review continued with prospects in view, to place orders for it."
R. I.
success."
"Taking other Presidential campaign years as
J. W. MEIKLEJOHN & CO., Pawtucket, R. I. a precedent, to say nothing of the poor trade con-
MINNEAPOLIS
MUSIC
CO., Minneapolis,
ditions that have existed the entire year, this year
"Our expectation is for an increased business
Minn.
certainly can be no exception, although I am
during
balance
of
1904.
We
should
naturally
look
"We were well satisfied with the sales during
pleased to state one large branch of our local in-
the spring and summer months. Sales did not for a reduced trade until after election, unless we dustry, namely, the woolen business, has more
come quite as easy as a year ago; however, our were employing extraordinary efforts to offset it. life in it than for some few years past at this
business is growing and we expect to sell more Being in a manufacturing center, we are hardly season of the year, which is tho telling point in
in a position to offer information regarding crop
pianos this year than in 1903.
that industry, though on the other hand, cotton
conditions.
"Collections are about up with the average for
goods, which, as you know, is another great in-
"Compared with 1903, our first six months' busi- dustry in our section of the country, is just the
July and for the month of May and June; payers
called for extensions. The coming Presidential ness shows a very satisfactory increase.
reverse, to say nothing of the far-reaching cotton
election is less talked of than any previous elec-
"Collections have been somewhat slower than strike now on at Fall River; therefore, for these
tion in our experience, therefore we do not ex- usual during the last quarter, owing largely to and other reasons, it is only the actual business
pect the business to be much affected on this*ac- depression in cotton industry here.
of the next few months that can determine your
count.
"We expect to place orders within a few days, question positively.
"The prospects for crops in this State and the to complete our stock and to negotiate for the
"Regarding your question as to how our busi-
Dakotas are very good. We hear encouraging re- coming season's supply. It is not our intention, ness compared both in character and volume with
ports every day in this respect."
A. U. COATES, Perry, la.
"The outcome of the election this fall is so cer-
tain in this State, if not also in the nation, that
it will not affect trade in this locality. Crop pros-
pects are very flattering.
"Crops the past two years not having been good,
make collections very bad, as well as sales a little
slow.
BEHR BROS. & CO
PIANOS,
29th Street and I Ith Ave.,
NEW YORK.
HIGHEST STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.