Music Trade Review
Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 5 - Page 13
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TH
THE OUTLOOK IN DETROIT.
C. A. Grinnell Offers Some Original Views Re-
garding the Effect of the Automobile Craze
on the Piano Business—Local Piano Men
do Not Look for Heavy Fall Business, but
Expect
Considerable
Improvement—New
Grinnell Factory in Windsor Ready Soon—
What the Various Dealers Have to Say Re-
garding Conditions.
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Aug. 1. 1011.
There was more talk of prospects for tlie fall
and winter this week, not all so optimistic as
thafc heard last week. A semi-hurricane which
scurried through the fruit belt a week ago is go-
ing to make considerabte difference to the piano
trade in Michigan. In the fruit belt, fruit is about
alt there is to prosperity. Fruit pays so well the
farmers are tempted to tote all their eggs in one
basket. The wind blew down considerable of the
fruit, and consequently the growers are going io
be hard up, which is bound to lessen piano sales,
for agents depend on the fruit growers for their
patronage.
Also, some of the merchants insist they see the
blighting hand of presidential politics depressing
what otherwise are good conditions. '"Year after
next, before we get a real boom again," is their
word. But at that they don't expect to be reduced
to selling pencils on a corner. Crops in general
are the best Michigan has had in her entire his-
tory, and may be good enough to offset the losses
in the fruit belt.
Manager Hannon, of the Starr Piano. Co
branch, is one of the optimists. "J'm not talking
on guesswork," he said. "I'm getting orders for
fall trade already, which is pretty good proof.
We are still adding new agencies up-state, which
is some more proof."
J. Henry Ling is on the bull side, predicting a
strong revival as soon as the hot days are gone,
though he does not expect an unusual boom.
"Conditions are not exactly right for a boom,"
he said. "There is too much talk of depression in
other lines of business than ours, and even if
those conditions themselves do not affect our busi-
ness, they create other conditions which will. For
ourselves, we are feeling pretty good just now. I
sold four players and three grands last week, which
is not so bad."
C. A. Grinnell, who has a reputation for far
sightedness, is inclined to be cautions. "] don't
see anything ahead that is likely to lend any
great impetus to trade," he said. "We are hav-
ing a dull summer—every summer is duller than
the preceding one here, for more people are leav-
ing the city to spend their vacations than for-
merly. There is bound to be a quickening in the
fall, but I don't quite like the effect of this auto-
mobile business on the piano trade in Michigan.
I. have seen the argument that the automobile
business aids the piano business by creating so
much more population able to buy pianos, but it
strikes me there are two sides to it. Isn't a man
as likely to buy an automobile first for cash, then
buy a piano on contract, thus making the dealer
furnish him with capital, as he is to buy a piano
first because it is cheaper, and let the automobile
come afterwards, as I have heard'argued? That
condition pertains in Michigan more than any-
where else."
The new piano factory of Grinnell Bros., in
Windsor, Can., will be ready for occupancy in
about two weeks. They will make player-pianos
in the new plant as well as pianos.
J. A. Honea, formerly sales manager of the
Jesse French Piano Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is in
Detroit on a vacation. He will remain here until
fall.. His plans for the future are not definitely
fixed.
I. L. Grinnell, one of the firm of Grinnell
Brothers, who has been ill for two months with
pleurisy, is now improving. His condition was
at one time serious.
A. J. Mack, in charge of the tuning and repair
department of the Detroit branch of the Melville
Clark Piano Co., is absent from business because
of illness.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The foreclosure decree which gives Grinnell
Bros, complete control of the Charlevoix Hotel,
has been handed down, and the big piano firm
now owns the real estate and the hotel building.
S. E. Clark, manager of the branch stores of
Grinnell Bros., will spend nearly all of August
at Rye Beach, X. H.
A. H. Howes, of the same house, is spending
his vacation on Mackinac Island.
DEATH OF ABRAHAM H. MILLER.
The President of the Miller Organ & Piano
Co.
Passed Away Saturday—Death Re-
sulted from Accident Last December.
13
Talking Points
on
Piano Actions
(Special to The Review.)
Lebanon, Pa., July 'M, 1911.
Abraham 11. Miller, president of the Miller
Organ & Piano Co., and president of the People's
National Hank, died on Saturday at his home in
this city from an accident which occurred in the
company's factory last December when Mr. Miller
fell down an elevator shaft. For a time it was
thought that his recovery was certain, but it later
was learned that his spine was injured and he had
been confined to his bed practically ever since the
accident. The deceased was prominent in local
affairs and highly esteemed by a host of friends.
The company of which he was president was in-
corporated in 1 !!<>:'. with a capital of $100,000, all
paid in, succeeding the old established Miller
Organ Co., which business was started in 187:5.
THREE TRUSTEES IN MAIN CASE.
Creditors Vote at Recent Meeting to Have
Three Men Settle Estate—M. L. Ferson
Chosen First—Indebtedness $86 000.
(Special to the Review.)
Iowa City, la., July 31, 1911.
Creditors of W. F. Main, the piano dealer who
recently failed, voted on Thursday last to have
three trustees instead of one. The first ballot re-
sulted in the election of Morton L. Ferson. Bal-
lots were then commenced to choose the other two.
The trustees are Grover Krouth and O. A. Bying-
ton. The trustees will start at once to settle the
estate of Mr. Main, who has been adjudged a bank-
rupt.
The indebtedness is a little over $8(),0<>0, while
the assets consist of stock in the Boston Piano
Co., office furniture, equities in real estate, etc.
The valuation of the assets is hard to determine,
but if carefully handled and the real estate can be
sold to advantage, there will be considerable money
realized. A majority of the creditors were willing
to compromise on a 10 per cent, basis, but as the
costs and fees amounted to considerable, Mr. Main
was unable to realize upon his assets in so short
a time, and he decided to let the proceedings
take their course. It is understood that Mr. Main
will turn over to the trustees all the stock in the
Boston Piano Co., including the portion held by
relatives, and this will enable the sale of the con-
cern in bulk, which if done soon, may bring in
considerable money, as the business was profitable,
it is said, when bankruptcy proceedings began.
WM. SCHMER IN TAXICAB WRECK.
On Saturday last while State Comptroller Solimer
and his two young sons were on their way to the
dock where lay the "President Lincoln" of the
Hamburg-American line which was to take them to
Europe, a northbound Sixth avenue car ran into
the taxicab which they occupied and crushed it
beyond recognition. For a time it was thought that
Mr. Solimer and his sons were either killed or
seriously hurt, but when pried from the wreckage
it was found that the injuries were comparatively
slight. They continued on their way to the pier
stating that they would have the ship's surgeon look
them over. William Sohmer is the brother of
Hugo Sohmer, the popular piano manufacturer of
Xew York.
A. D, Chatelle has leased a nev» piano store in
Darlington, Wis.
It
G a far cry from the crude
piano action of days gone by to
the improved product of to-day,
and
music
in no department
trade
of
the
has the inventive
ability of man been more clearly
demonstrated
than in the piano
action industry.
There has been an obvious desire
on the part of action manufacturers
to progress.
They have never been satisfied
that the point has been reached
from
which
it is impossible to
make further advance.
Take for instance Strauch Bros.,
New Ycrk, the eminent action, key
and hammer manufacturers.
The records of the Patent Office
at Washington for many years past
will show that this concern has
ever been seeking for action ad-
vance, and it must be admitted that
this ceaseless investigation and re-
search on the part of Strauch Bros,
has placed their product in the van
of action progress.
There is no doubt about that.
Take the Lost Motion Device for
upright actions created by Strauch.
There is but one opinion regard-
ing it in the trade, and that is that
it is a creation of the highest pos-
sible value.
TH
THE OUTLOOK IN DETROIT.
C. A. Grinnell Offers Some Original Views Re-
garding the Effect of the Automobile Craze
on the Piano Business—Local Piano Men
do Not Look for Heavy Fall Business, but
Expect
Considerable
Improvement—New
Grinnell Factory in Windsor Ready Soon—
What the Various Dealers Have to Say Re-
garding Conditions.
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Aug. 1. 1011.
There was more talk of prospects for tlie fall
and winter this week, not all so optimistic as
thafc heard last week. A semi-hurricane which
scurried through the fruit belt a week ago is go-
ing to make considerabte difference to the piano
trade in Michigan. In the fruit belt, fruit is about
alt there is to prosperity. Fruit pays so well the
farmers are tempted to tote all their eggs in one
basket. The wind blew down considerable of the
fruit, and consequently the growers are going io
be hard up, which is bound to lessen piano sales,
for agents depend on the fruit growers for their
patronage.
Also, some of the merchants insist they see the
blighting hand of presidential politics depressing
what otherwise are good conditions. '"Year after
next, before we get a real boom again," is their
word. But at that they don't expect to be reduced
to selling pencils on a corner. Crops in general
are the best Michigan has had in her entire his-
tory, and may be good enough to offset the losses
in the fruit belt.
Manager Hannon, of the Starr Piano. Co
branch, is one of the optimists. "J'm not talking
on guesswork," he said. "I'm getting orders for
fall trade already, which is pretty good proof.
We are still adding new agencies up-state, which
is some more proof."
J. Henry Ling is on the bull side, predicting a
strong revival as soon as the hot days are gone,
though he does not expect an unusual boom.
"Conditions are not exactly right for a boom,"
he said. "There is too much talk of depression in
other lines of business than ours, and even if
those conditions themselves do not affect our busi-
ness, they create other conditions which will. For
ourselves, we are feeling pretty good just now. I
sold four players and three grands last week, which
is not so bad."
C. A. Grinnell, who has a reputation for far
sightedness, is inclined to be cautions. "] don't
see anything ahead that is likely to lend any
great impetus to trade," he said. "We are hav-
ing a dull summer—every summer is duller than
the preceding one here, for more people are leav-
ing the city to spend their vacations than for-
merly. There is bound to be a quickening in the
fall, but I don't quite like the effect of this auto-
mobile business on the piano trade in Michigan.
I. have seen the argument that the automobile
business aids the piano business by creating so
much more population able to buy pianos, but it
strikes me there are two sides to it. Isn't a man
as likely to buy an automobile first for cash, then
buy a piano on contract, thus making the dealer
furnish him with capital, as he is to buy a piano
first because it is cheaper, and let the automobile
come afterwards, as I have heard'argued? That
condition pertains in Michigan more than any-
where else."
The new piano factory of Grinnell Bros., in
Windsor, Can., will be ready for occupancy in
about two weeks. They will make player-pianos
in the new plant as well as pianos.
J. A. Honea, formerly sales manager of the
Jesse French Piano Co., of St. Louis, Mo., is in
Detroit on a vacation. He will remain here until
fall.. His plans for the future are not definitely
fixed.
I. L. Grinnell, one of the firm of Grinnell
Brothers, who has been ill for two months with
pleurisy, is now improving. His condition was
at one time serious.
A. J. Mack, in charge of the tuning and repair
department of the Detroit branch of the Melville
Clark Piano Co., is absent from business because
of illness.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
The foreclosure decree which gives Grinnell
Bros, complete control of the Charlevoix Hotel,
has been handed down, and the big piano firm
now owns the real estate and the hotel building.
S. E. Clark, manager of the branch stores of
Grinnell Bros., will spend nearly all of August
at Rye Beach, X. H.
A. H. Howes, of the same house, is spending
his vacation on Mackinac Island.
DEATH OF ABRAHAM H. MILLER.
The President of the Miller Organ & Piano
Co.
Passed Away Saturday—Death Re-
sulted from Accident Last December.
13
Talking Points
on
Piano Actions
(Special to The Review.)
Lebanon, Pa., July 'M, 1911.
Abraham 11. Miller, president of the Miller
Organ & Piano Co., and president of the People's
National Hank, died on Saturday at his home in
this city from an accident which occurred in the
company's factory last December when Mr. Miller
fell down an elevator shaft. For a time it was
thought that his recovery was certain, but it later
was learned that his spine was injured and he had
been confined to his bed practically ever since the
accident. The deceased was prominent in local
affairs and highly esteemed by a host of friends.
The company of which he was president was in-
corporated in 1 !!<>:'. with a capital of $100,000, all
paid in, succeeding the old established Miller
Organ Co., which business was started in 187:5.
THREE TRUSTEES IN MAIN CASE.
Creditors Vote at Recent Meeting to Have
Three Men Settle Estate—M. L. Ferson
Chosen First—Indebtedness $86 000.
(Special to the Review.)
Iowa City, la., July 31, 1911.
Creditors of W. F. Main, the piano dealer who
recently failed, voted on Thursday last to have
three trustees instead of one. The first ballot re-
sulted in the election of Morton L. Ferson. Bal-
lots were then commenced to choose the other two.
The trustees are Grover Krouth and O. A. Bying-
ton. The trustees will start at once to settle the
estate of Mr. Main, who has been adjudged a bank-
rupt.
The indebtedness is a little over $8(),0<>0, while
the assets consist of stock in the Boston Piano
Co., office furniture, equities in real estate, etc.
The valuation of the assets is hard to determine,
but if carefully handled and the real estate can be
sold to advantage, there will be considerable money
realized. A majority of the creditors were willing
to compromise on a 10 per cent, basis, but as the
costs and fees amounted to considerable, Mr. Main
was unable to realize upon his assets in so short
a time, and he decided to let the proceedings
take their course. It is understood that Mr. Main
will turn over to the trustees all the stock in the
Boston Piano Co., including the portion held by
relatives, and this will enable the sale of the con-
cern in bulk, which if done soon, may bring in
considerable money, as the business was profitable,
it is said, when bankruptcy proceedings began.
WM. SCHMER IN TAXICAB WRECK.
On Saturday last while State Comptroller Solimer
and his two young sons were on their way to the
dock where lay the "President Lincoln" of the
Hamburg-American line which was to take them to
Europe, a northbound Sixth avenue car ran into
the taxicab which they occupied and crushed it
beyond recognition. For a time it was thought that
Mr. Solimer and his sons were either killed or
seriously hurt, but when pried from the wreckage
it was found that the injuries were comparatively
slight. They continued on their way to the pier
stating that they would have the ship's surgeon look
them over. William Sohmer is the brother of
Hugo Sohmer, the popular piano manufacturer of
Xew York.
A. D, Chatelle has leased a nev» piano store in
Darlington, Wis.
It
G a far cry from the crude
piano action of days gone by to
the improved product of to-day,
and
music
in no department
trade
of
the
has the inventive
ability of man been more clearly
demonstrated
than in the piano
action industry.
There has been an obvious desire
on the part of action manufacturers
to progress.
They have never been satisfied
that the point has been reached
from
which
it is impossible to
make further advance.
Take for instance Strauch Bros.,
New Ycrk, the eminent action, key
and hammer manufacturers.
The records of the Patent Office
at Washington for many years past
will show that this concern has
ever been seeking for action ad-
vance, and it must be admitted that
this ceaseless investigation and re-
search on the part of Strauch Bros,
has placed their product in the van
of action progress.
There is no doubt about that.
Take the Lost Motion Device for
upright actions created by Strauch.
There is but one opinion regard-
ing it in the trade, and that is that
it is a creation of the highest pos-
sible value.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).