Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 13 - Page 3
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
flUilC TMDE
VOL. XLVII. No. 13. Published Every Saturday by Edward LymanBill at \ Madison Ave., New York, September 26,1908.
ganization of the piano and musical instrument
dealers, and, while it was looked upon with
favor by each of the individuals seen, they all
American Exporters Should Emulate the Suc-
expressed the belief that such a movement would
cessful Methods of European Firms—Indif-
be impracticable and could not succeed. The
ference of Many American Manufacturers.
dealers say that the relations between the houses
in Houston make a peculiar situation, and one
(Special to The Review.)
that is not found in any other line. They admit
Washington, D. C, Sept. 29, 1908.
Consul C. S. Crowninshield of Naples has sub- there is keen competition between them and
mitted the following report to the Department such jealousies exist that would at the outset
of Commerce and Labor regarding the extension preclude the possibility of a satisfactory organi-
of American trade in Italy and other foreign zation. The managers appear to regret this con-
dition, but do not as individuals see what can
countries and the indifference frequently shown
be done to change it."
by American manufacturers in that direction.
Robert N. Watkins, of the Will A. Watkins
The classes which seem to be preeminently in-
different to this subject are American tradesmen Co., Dallas, Tex., however, endeavored to set
and manufacturers. American consuls have often matters straight in a letter published in the Post,
remarked upon this indifference. During the and in which he said:
nine months that the writer has been consul
"I notice an article in your paper of the Gth
here the consulate has been visited by only two entitled 'Not in the Trust,' in which it is stated
American agents who were interested in increas- that there is such keen competition between the
ing the foreign business of the firms which they piano dealers of Houston and such jealousies
represented. Neither of these persons spoke exist as would preclude the possibility of a satis-
Italian or Neapolitan. Their success in estab- factory association.
lishing trade connections was slight.
"The object of an association is to do away
This consulate is inundated with letters and with all of this jealousy which does no one good,
catalogs from American firms who wish to in- either the dealers themselves nor the general
crease their foreign business. The catalogs are public. To show the practicability of an associa-
placed on file, as requested, but they are never tion, I quote from President C. A. Grinnell, of
asked for or consulted. The post-office depart- the National Piano Dealers' Association of
America, who is a member of the Detroit Music
ment is the sole gainer.
01 her countries adopt different methods. Eng- Association, and speaks of it as follows: 'We
lish and German houses send exparienced sales- have had an association in Detroit for some six
men, who speak the language and are thoroughly or seven years, and consider it quite a success.
capable of canvassing the market and establish- We make every dealer feel that every other dealer
ing the desired connections. Their system is suc- was his friend, and it has been much more pleas-
cessful. Until the American exporter takes an ant, as well as more profitable, to do business in
intelligent interest in the extension of his trade this section since the organization of our associa-
and shows himself conversant with European tion.' "
methods, the American consul (with the best
will in the world) can be of small use to him.
EXTENSION OF FOREIGN TRADE.
IN DEFENCE OFj\SSOCIATIONS.
R. N. Watkins Replies to Newspaper Article In-
sinuating That Trade Associations Are
Trusts.
Publicity, as a rule, is very desirable in the
business world, but it would seem as though the
following article from a recent issue of the
Houston (Tex.) Post would not go far toward
indicating to the citizens of that city that an
abundance of melody had instilled harmony into
the ranks of the piano dealers. The story read:
"At least there is one class of business in
Houston that cannot be accused of combining to
extort profits from their patrons, and whatever
charges of trust methods that are brought in
other lines certainly cannot apply to retail mu-
sical instrument dealers. This was demonstrated
to a Post reporter one afternoon, who, having
seen a story in one of the trade papers advo-
cating the organization of piano dealers of Texas
into local and State associations, sought to as-
certain as to whether they had been approached
upon or had considered the advisability of such
organization.
"The universal expression was that no move-
ment had been made in this city toward the or-
SING
$ 0 O°PER\EAI? NTS -
VIOLATIONS OF FACTORY LAWS.
State Labor Department Watching Closely—
Seventy-Eight Prosecutions in July.
Piano manufacturers in New York would do
well to look closely for violation of any of the
factory laws in their premises, for the State
Labor Department is becoming very strict in the
matter of inspection owing to the apparent in-
difference of some manufacturers to the factory
laws. The following report covering the month
of July has been made public by Commissioner
Joh,n Williams: "Cases of prosecution com-
menced were seventy-eight, divided as follows:
Employing children under legal age, employing
children without certificates more than eight
hours a day and after 5 p. m., sixty-two; employ-
ing women more than ten hours a day, nine;
failure to provide lights in halls, two; locking
factory doors during working hours, two; allow-
ing unsanitary conditions to exist, two; failure
to provide wash and drying rooms in foundries,
one. Of the cases tried, fines were imposed in
five, sentences suspended in four, and dismissals
had in nine.
INTERESTING A. B. CHASE BROCHURE.
Booklet Entitled "A. B. Chase Piano in Fine
Homes" Is a Remarkable Production Show-
ing How the Chase Pianos Are Environed in
the Homes of America's Elect.
The general attractiveness of the literature is-
sued by the A. B. Chase Company of Norwalk,
Ohio, has frequently been commented upon in
these columns.
The new A. B. Chase booklet, which has just
been issued, is in entire harmony with the A. B.
PROTEST AGAINST LOWER RATE.
Chase plan of publicity and it is unique in many
respects. It is entitled "A. B. Chase Pianos in
Western Railroads File Petition With Inter-
Fine Homes" and in the introductory, an in-
state Commerce Commission Asking for a Re- teresting and convincing argument is made,
hearing of Missouri Rate Bill.
showing how the A. B. Chase pianos have found
resting places in the homes of cultured people
Representatives of the railroads operating be- in all parts of the country.
tween Chicago and Missouri River points held a
In the pages which follow appear excellent re-
conference recently to draw up a petition to be productions from photographs of various resi-
presented to the Interstate Commerce Commis- dences of notables who have purchased A. B.
sion for a rehearing of the Missouri River rate Chase pianos. Among the names of the owners
case. The Commission's ruling, becoming ef- appear people high in the financial, business and
fective September 25, makes a reduction of nine political life of this country. Some of the views
cents per hundred on all first class shipments are remarkably interesting and it shows in a
between the Atlantic Seaboard and the Missouri most convincing manner that the A. B. Chase
River. The western railroads claim they will piano is popular in all parts of the country and
have to bear the burden of the reduction and if that it has a select line of admirers.
the petition is denied they will apply to the
Such a volume as this, when placed in the
United States circuit court in Chicago for an hands of salesmen and dealers, must necessarily
injunction against the enforcement of the Com- be a great aid in convincing purchasers that the
mission's ruling.
A. B. Chase piano has been tested, tried and
admired.
NEW PIANO HOUSE IN LEXINGTON, KY.
The Lexington Piano Co. will shortly open a
store in Lexington, Ky., where they will handle
pianos, organs, small goods and sheet music. T.
L. Campbell, formerly Lexington representative
for the Rudolph Wurlit/,er Co., Cincinnati, will
be manager.
INCORPORATE IN KENTUCKY.
The J. H. Templeton Piano Co., Nicholas Coun-
ty, Ky., have incorporated with capital stock of
$10,000. Incorporators: J. H. Templeton, Harry
Kennedy and Frank Kennedy.
THE
flUilC TMDE
VOL. XLVII. No. 13. Published Every Saturday by Edward LymanBill at \ Madison Ave., New York, September 26,1908.
ganization of the piano and musical instrument
dealers, and, while it was looked upon with
favor by each of the individuals seen, they all
American Exporters Should Emulate the Suc-
expressed the belief that such a movement would
cessful Methods of European Firms—Indif-
be impracticable and could not succeed. The
ference of Many American Manufacturers.
dealers say that the relations between the houses
in Houston make a peculiar situation, and one
(Special to The Review.)
that is not found in any other line. They admit
Washington, D. C, Sept. 29, 1908.
Consul C. S. Crowninshield of Naples has sub- there is keen competition between them and
mitted the following report to the Department such jealousies exist that would at the outset
of Commerce and Labor regarding the extension preclude the possibility of a satisfactory organi-
of American trade in Italy and other foreign zation. The managers appear to regret this con-
dition, but do not as individuals see what can
countries and the indifference frequently shown
be done to change it."
by American manufacturers in that direction.
Robert N. Watkins, of the Will A. Watkins
The classes which seem to be preeminently in-
different to this subject are American tradesmen Co., Dallas, Tex., however, endeavored to set
and manufacturers. American consuls have often matters straight in a letter published in the Post,
remarked upon this indifference. During the and in which he said:
nine months that the writer has been consul
"I notice an article in your paper of the Gth
here the consulate has been visited by only two entitled 'Not in the Trust,' in which it is stated
American agents who were interested in increas- that there is such keen competition between the
ing the foreign business of the firms which they piano dealers of Houston and such jealousies
represented. Neither of these persons spoke exist as would preclude the possibility of a satis-
Italian or Neapolitan. Their success in estab- factory association.
lishing trade connections was slight.
"The object of an association is to do away
This consulate is inundated with letters and with all of this jealousy which does no one good,
catalogs from American firms who wish to in- either the dealers themselves nor the general
crease their foreign business. The catalogs are public. To show the practicability of an associa-
placed on file, as requested, but they are never tion, I quote from President C. A. Grinnell, of
asked for or consulted. The post-office depart- the National Piano Dealers' Association of
America, who is a member of the Detroit Music
ment is the sole gainer.
01 her countries adopt different methods. Eng- Association, and speaks of it as follows: 'We
lish and German houses send exparienced sales- have had an association in Detroit for some six
men, who speak the language and are thoroughly or seven years, and consider it quite a success.
capable of canvassing the market and establish- We make every dealer feel that every other dealer
ing the desired connections. Their system is suc- was his friend, and it has been much more pleas-
cessful. Until the American exporter takes an ant, as well as more profitable, to do business in
intelligent interest in the extension of his trade this section since the organization of our associa-
and shows himself conversant with European tion.' "
methods, the American consul (with the best
will in the world) can be of small use to him.
EXTENSION OF FOREIGN TRADE.
IN DEFENCE OFj\SSOCIATIONS.
R. N. Watkins Replies to Newspaper Article In-
sinuating That Trade Associations Are
Trusts.
Publicity, as a rule, is very desirable in the
business world, but it would seem as though the
following article from a recent issue of the
Houston (Tex.) Post would not go far toward
indicating to the citizens of that city that an
abundance of melody had instilled harmony into
the ranks of the piano dealers. The story read:
"At least there is one class of business in
Houston that cannot be accused of combining to
extort profits from their patrons, and whatever
charges of trust methods that are brought in
other lines certainly cannot apply to retail mu-
sical instrument dealers. This was demonstrated
to a Post reporter one afternoon, who, having
seen a story in one of the trade papers advo-
cating the organization of piano dealers of Texas
into local and State associations, sought to as-
certain as to whether they had been approached
upon or had considered the advisability of such
organization.
"The universal expression was that no move-
ment had been made in this city toward the or-
SING
$ 0 O°PER\EAI? NTS -
VIOLATIONS OF FACTORY LAWS.
State Labor Department Watching Closely—
Seventy-Eight Prosecutions in July.
Piano manufacturers in New York would do
well to look closely for violation of any of the
factory laws in their premises, for the State
Labor Department is becoming very strict in the
matter of inspection owing to the apparent in-
difference of some manufacturers to the factory
laws. The following report covering the month
of July has been made public by Commissioner
Joh,n Williams: "Cases of prosecution com-
menced were seventy-eight, divided as follows:
Employing children under legal age, employing
children without certificates more than eight
hours a day and after 5 p. m., sixty-two; employ-
ing women more than ten hours a day, nine;
failure to provide lights in halls, two; locking
factory doors during working hours, two; allow-
ing unsanitary conditions to exist, two; failure
to provide wash and drying rooms in foundries,
one. Of the cases tried, fines were imposed in
five, sentences suspended in four, and dismissals
had in nine.
INTERESTING A. B. CHASE BROCHURE.
Booklet Entitled "A. B. Chase Piano in Fine
Homes" Is a Remarkable Production Show-
ing How the Chase Pianos Are Environed in
the Homes of America's Elect.
The general attractiveness of the literature is-
sued by the A. B. Chase Company of Norwalk,
Ohio, has frequently been commented upon in
these columns.
The new A. B. Chase booklet, which has just
been issued, is in entire harmony with the A. B.
PROTEST AGAINST LOWER RATE.
Chase plan of publicity and it is unique in many
respects. It is entitled "A. B. Chase Pianos in
Western Railroads File Petition With Inter-
Fine Homes" and in the introductory, an in-
state Commerce Commission Asking for a Re- teresting and convincing argument is made,
hearing of Missouri Rate Bill.
showing how the A. B. Chase pianos have found
resting places in the homes of cultured people
Representatives of the railroads operating be- in all parts of the country.
tween Chicago and Missouri River points held a
In the pages which follow appear excellent re-
conference recently to draw up a petition to be productions from photographs of various resi-
presented to the Interstate Commerce Commis- dences of notables who have purchased A. B.
sion for a rehearing of the Missouri River rate Chase pianos. Among the names of the owners
case. The Commission's ruling, becoming ef- appear people high in the financial, business and
fective September 25, makes a reduction of nine political life of this country. Some of the views
cents per hundred on all first class shipments are remarkably interesting and it shows in a
between the Atlantic Seaboard and the Missouri most convincing manner that the A. B. Chase
River. The western railroads claim they will piano is popular in all parts of the country and
have to bear the burden of the reduction and if that it has a select line of admirers.
the petition is denied they will apply to the
Such a volume as this, when placed in the
United States circuit court in Chicago for an hands of salesmen and dealers, must necessarily
injunction against the enforcement of the Com- be a great aid in convincing purchasers that the
mission's ruling.
A. B. Chase piano has been tested, tried and
admired.
NEW PIANO HOUSE IN LEXINGTON, KY.
The Lexington Piano Co. will shortly open a
store in Lexington, Ky., where they will handle
pianos, organs, small goods and sheet music. T.
L. Campbell, formerly Lexington representative
for the Rudolph Wurlit/,er Co., Cincinnati, will
be manager.
INCORPORATE IN KENTUCKY.
The J. H. Templeton Piano Co., Nicholas Coun-
ty, Ky., have incorporated with capital stock of
$10,000. Incorporators: J. H. Templeton, Harry
Kennedy and Frank Kennedy.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).