Music Trade Review
Issue: 1912 Vol. 55 N. 18 - Page 8
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE: REVIEW
MILWAUKEE'S BUSY PLANTS TELL OF TRADE ACTIVITY.
PIANO MEN ENTERTAINED.
Difficult to Meet Demand for Pianos in the Piano Factories of Milwaukee, Despite the Fact
That Overtime Is General—Almost Impossible to Secure Sufficient Labor—New Player-
piano from the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Plant Will Soon Be Ready.
Floor Staff of O'Neill-Adams Piano Department
Guests at a Dinner Given by C. A. Wagner,
President of the Lyrachord Co.—Manager
Wheatley Reports an Excellent Business—
Autopiano for the U. S. S. Delaware.
( Special to The Review.)
Milwaukee. Wis., Oct. 29, 1912.
The scarcity of labor and the consequent neces-
sity of employing over-time to get out the work
at hand is the most impressive feature of the situa-
tion among the piano manufacturers in Milwaukee
at this time. The Gram-Richtsteig, Waltham, Wil-
son, Smith, Barnes & Strohber, Kreiter and other
of the piano concerns in this territory simply can-
not get enough competent help to bring their
operative forces to the point where break-neck
speed is no longer required to cope with orders.
The North Milwaukee plant of the Smith,
Barnes & Strohber Co. is suffering more particu-
lar!), perhaps, than any of the others from the
heavy demands upon its present working force and
inability to get as many suitable workmen as could
be needed. An over-time schedule has been made
effective, according to E. M. Eastman, second vice-
president and superintendent. The North Milwau-
kee plant is putting the finishing touches on a new
player-piano, which Mr. Eastman believes will
become, one of the most popular players on the
market. It will be medium priced, of exceptional
quality and in every respect conform with standard
Smith, Barnes & Strohber standards. Mr. East-
man went to Chicago on Saturday to spend a few
days in conference with C. A. Smith, president of
the company, who is recovering from injuries in
an automobile accident last week.
The entire floor staff of the O'Neill-Adams Co.'s
piano department was present at a most enjoyable
dinner held at the Park Avenue Hotel, 33d street
and Fourth avenue, last Friday night. C. Alfred
Wagner, president of the Lyrachord Co., was the
guest of honor and made a forceful and enthu-
siastic speech that was heartily, applauded by the
forty-odd diners. C. M. Wheatley, manager of
the piano department, and Otto A. Gressing, man-
ager of the new Victrola department, also made
speeches that were greatly appreciated by the staff
members. A general talk on business conditions
and prospects was participated in by all the guests,
and the evening was voted a thorough success.
B. F. Traub, formerly with the Indianapolis
PLANS FOR FORMAL OPENING.
HARMFUL PUBLICITY IN DETROIT.
store of the Aeolian Co., has been appointed head
floor salesman by Manager Wheatley. Mr. Traub
The Advertising of Supposedly New Pianos at
Special Program Arranged for Opening of New
has had a wide experience in the piano field, and
Ridiculously Low Prices to the First Cus-
Starr Piano Co. Branch in Cleveland, 0.
has been remarkably successful with the O'Neill-
tomer Who Appears at the Store in the
(Special to The Review.)
Adams line.
Morning Is the Latest Development in the
In a chat with The Review, Manager Wheatley
Cleveland, O., Oct. 29, 1912.
Many Schemes of Attracting Trade Which
stated that sales in the past fortnight had ex-
Arrangements have been completed and invita-
Has Appeared in Detroit Recently.
ceeded all expectations. "As a matter of fact,''
tions sent out for the formal opening of the new
(Special to The Review.)
said Mr. Wheatley, "we cannot secure goods
quarters of the Starr Piano Co., of Jefferson ave-
Detroit, Mich., Oct. 30, 1912.
quickly enough to take care of our rapidly in-
nue, this city, on November 1 and 2 and an elabo-
Though the puzzle contest form of piano adver
creasing sales. The success of our new depart-
rate musical program has been planned for
tising has been eliminated from Detroit by the the occasion. A removal sale has resulted in the ment has been pleasing."
potency of a court decision, the music trade here clearing up of most of the stock in the old store
A recent sale that pleased Manager Wheatley
is suffering from other publicity efforts equally on Superior street, and a carload of pianos has
immensely was that of two Autopianos to the
as baneful. The establishment which used to trade been placed in the new quarters. Manager La
U. S. S. "Delaware."- This sale took place while
in make-believe gold bonds now is advertising
the fleet was in New York harbor, and adds an-
Roche is enthusiastic regarding both the new store
brand new, splendid upright pianos at $28, $33 and and the business prospects.
other name to the long list of warships now sup-
$69.
plied with Autopianos.
The sale of the first mentioned is limited to
CONCERTS TO MAINTAIN ORGAN.
the first customer to appear in the morning. No
DE RIVAS & HARRIS RAISE PRICES.
one calling at or near the hour of opening has yet
How Portland, Me., Officials Plan to Cover Cost
Compelled by Increase in Cost of Supplies and
been able to discover that he is the first customer,
of Keeping New City Organ in Commission.
Labor
to Increase
Wholesale
Price on
the prize give-away instrument always having been
Pianos
and
Flayers.
"'just sold a few minutes before." Then the pros-
The great pipe organ recently given to the city
pect is guided to a stencil piano, which is trading
of Portland, Me., by Cyrus H. K. Curtis, the
It was announced this week by the DeRivas &
on the reputation of the Steinway as much as it prominent publisher of Philadelphia, has raised the
Harris Piano Mfg. Co., Willow avenue and 135th
can by being labeled "Steinhauer." A couple of
important problem of meeting the expense of
street, New York, that the wholesale price of
hundred dollars is asked for this piano.
maintenance, and several plans have come under
its pianos and player-pianos has been raised owing
consideration. It has finally been decided to meet
An investigation discloses that the three pianos
to the general increase in the cost of production.
the maintenance expense by giving a series of
that are priced in two figures are ancient played-
J. S. Harris, head of the company, stated that
fortnightly
concerts
throughout
the
winter,
at
out affairs that the average buyer wouldn't pay de-
they had no alternative, as everything, even to
which an admission fee is charged. Tickets for
livery charges on if offered to him for nothing.
labor, had increased to such an extent that the
the
entire
series
will
be
sold
at
$5.
The
instru-
The legitimate piano dealers are wondering
move was necessary in order to make any legiti-
ment has been installed in the City Hall and Will
whether there ever will be a way devised to purify
mate profit.
C
MacFarlane
is
the
organist.
the Detroit trade and get it in its entirety upon a
plane of dignity such as the good stores are striv-
A "MAN OF MARK."
ing for.
MITH ORGAN CO. INCORPORATES.
A. P. Willis, president of Willis & Co., Ltd..
The new branch store of the Lauter Co., at 107
The Mith Organ Co., Inc., Tonawanda, N. Y., Montreal, Can., is a resident of Westmount, the
East State street, Trenton, N. J., has been formal-
has been incorporated with capital stock of $40,-
very fashionable suburb of that city, and the West-
ly opened under the direction of Manager Schmidt. 000 for the purpose of manufacturing and dealing
mount News, in a recent issue, in discussing "Men
in musical instruments. The incorporators are.
In addition to the Lauter piano and Lauter-
of Mark in Westmount," published a long and in-
Samuel J. Elliott Philip H. Combert and Frederick
Humana, the new store also carries in stock the
teresting story of Mr. Willis' life and accomplish-
W. Smith.
ments.
Cable and Sterling pianos.
MERCHANTS
STOREKEEPING is a new Trade Review
G OOD
for Retail Merchants who sell Nationally Adver-
tised Goods.
You may have your name placed on the complimentary
mailing list and receive the paper without charge, on
application.
Good Storekeeping carries with it the privilege of re-
ceiving a moving picture slide bearing your name, with-
out expense or obligation to you.
EVERYWHERE
Other helps furnished at no charge are cuts for home
newspaper advertising, post-card announcements, etc.
The November Number of this splendid new publica-
tion is just off the press, and your copy is ready for you.
Valuable information is given from trade papers re-
garding hardware, groceries, jewelry, dry goods, music
goods, drugs, toilet preparations, furniture, house fur-
nishings and department store lines.
IT TELLS HOW TO PROFIT BY THE EFFORTS OF GREAT NATIONAL ADVERTISERS
THE: MUSIC TRADE: REVIEW
MILWAUKEE'S BUSY PLANTS TELL OF TRADE ACTIVITY.
PIANO MEN ENTERTAINED.
Difficult to Meet Demand for Pianos in the Piano Factories of Milwaukee, Despite the Fact
That Overtime Is General—Almost Impossible to Secure Sufficient Labor—New Player-
piano from the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Plant Will Soon Be Ready.
Floor Staff of O'Neill-Adams Piano Department
Guests at a Dinner Given by C. A. Wagner,
President of the Lyrachord Co.—Manager
Wheatley Reports an Excellent Business—
Autopiano for the U. S. S. Delaware.
( Special to The Review.)
Milwaukee. Wis., Oct. 29, 1912.
The scarcity of labor and the consequent neces-
sity of employing over-time to get out the work
at hand is the most impressive feature of the situa-
tion among the piano manufacturers in Milwaukee
at this time. The Gram-Richtsteig, Waltham, Wil-
son, Smith, Barnes & Strohber, Kreiter and other
of the piano concerns in this territory simply can-
not get enough competent help to bring their
operative forces to the point where break-neck
speed is no longer required to cope with orders.
The North Milwaukee plant of the Smith,
Barnes & Strohber Co. is suffering more particu-
lar!), perhaps, than any of the others from the
heavy demands upon its present working force and
inability to get as many suitable workmen as could
be needed. An over-time schedule has been made
effective, according to E. M. Eastman, second vice-
president and superintendent. The North Milwau-
kee plant is putting the finishing touches on a new
player-piano, which Mr. Eastman believes will
become, one of the most popular players on the
market. It will be medium priced, of exceptional
quality and in every respect conform with standard
Smith, Barnes & Strohber standards. Mr. East-
man went to Chicago on Saturday to spend a few
days in conference with C. A. Smith, president of
the company, who is recovering from injuries in
an automobile accident last week.
The entire floor staff of the O'Neill-Adams Co.'s
piano department was present at a most enjoyable
dinner held at the Park Avenue Hotel, 33d street
and Fourth avenue, last Friday night. C. Alfred
Wagner, president of the Lyrachord Co., was the
guest of honor and made a forceful and enthu-
siastic speech that was heartily, applauded by the
forty-odd diners. C. M. Wheatley, manager of
the piano department, and Otto A. Gressing, man-
ager of the new Victrola department, also made
speeches that were greatly appreciated by the staff
members. A general talk on business conditions
and prospects was participated in by all the guests,
and the evening was voted a thorough success.
B. F. Traub, formerly with the Indianapolis
PLANS FOR FORMAL OPENING.
HARMFUL PUBLICITY IN DETROIT.
store of the Aeolian Co., has been appointed head
floor salesman by Manager Wheatley. Mr. Traub
The Advertising of Supposedly New Pianos at
Special Program Arranged for Opening of New
has had a wide experience in the piano field, and
Ridiculously Low Prices to the First Cus-
Starr Piano Co. Branch in Cleveland, 0.
has been remarkably successful with the O'Neill-
tomer Who Appears at the Store in the
(Special to The Review.)
Adams line.
Morning Is the Latest Development in the
In a chat with The Review, Manager Wheatley
Cleveland, O., Oct. 29, 1912.
Many Schemes of Attracting Trade Which
stated that sales in the past fortnight had ex-
Arrangements have been completed and invita-
Has Appeared in Detroit Recently.
ceeded all expectations. "As a matter of fact,''
tions sent out for the formal opening of the new
(Special to The Review.)
said Mr. Wheatley, "we cannot secure goods
quarters of the Starr Piano Co., of Jefferson ave-
Detroit, Mich., Oct. 30, 1912.
quickly enough to take care of our rapidly in-
nue, this city, on November 1 and 2 and an elabo-
Though the puzzle contest form of piano adver
creasing sales. The success of our new depart-
rate musical program has been planned for
tising has been eliminated from Detroit by the the occasion. A removal sale has resulted in the ment has been pleasing."
potency of a court decision, the music trade here clearing up of most of the stock in the old store
A recent sale that pleased Manager Wheatley
is suffering from other publicity efforts equally on Superior street, and a carload of pianos has
immensely was that of two Autopianos to the
as baneful. The establishment which used to trade been placed in the new quarters. Manager La
U. S. S. "Delaware."- This sale took place while
in make-believe gold bonds now is advertising
the fleet was in New York harbor, and adds an-
Roche is enthusiastic regarding both the new store
brand new, splendid upright pianos at $28, $33 and and the business prospects.
other name to the long list of warships now sup-
$69.
plied with Autopianos.
The sale of the first mentioned is limited to
CONCERTS TO MAINTAIN ORGAN.
the first customer to appear in the morning. No
DE RIVAS & HARRIS RAISE PRICES.
one calling at or near the hour of opening has yet
How Portland, Me., Officials Plan to Cover Cost
Compelled by Increase in Cost of Supplies and
been able to discover that he is the first customer,
of Keeping New City Organ in Commission.
Labor
to Increase
Wholesale
Price on
the prize give-away instrument always having been
Pianos
and
Flayers.
"'just sold a few minutes before." Then the pros-
The great pipe organ recently given to the city
pect is guided to a stencil piano, which is trading
of Portland, Me., by Cyrus H. K. Curtis, the
It was announced this week by the DeRivas &
on the reputation of the Steinway as much as it prominent publisher of Philadelphia, has raised the
Harris Piano Mfg. Co., Willow avenue and 135th
can by being labeled "Steinhauer." A couple of
important problem of meeting the expense of
street, New York, that the wholesale price of
hundred dollars is asked for this piano.
maintenance, and several plans have come under
its pianos and player-pianos has been raised owing
consideration. It has finally been decided to meet
An investigation discloses that the three pianos
to the general increase in the cost of production.
the maintenance expense by giving a series of
that are priced in two figures are ancient played-
J. S. Harris, head of the company, stated that
fortnightly
concerts
throughout
the
winter,
at
out affairs that the average buyer wouldn't pay de-
they had no alternative, as everything, even to
which an admission fee is charged. Tickets for
livery charges on if offered to him for nothing.
labor, had increased to such an extent that the
the
entire
series
will
be
sold
at
$5.
The
instru-
The legitimate piano dealers are wondering
move was necessary in order to make any legiti-
ment has been installed in the City Hall and Will
whether there ever will be a way devised to purify
mate profit.
C
MacFarlane
is
the
organist.
the Detroit trade and get it in its entirety upon a
plane of dignity such as the good stores are striv-
A "MAN OF MARK."
ing for.
MITH ORGAN CO. INCORPORATES.
A. P. Willis, president of Willis & Co., Ltd..
The new branch store of the Lauter Co., at 107
The Mith Organ Co., Inc., Tonawanda, N. Y., Montreal, Can., is a resident of Westmount, the
East State street, Trenton, N. J., has been formal-
has been incorporated with capital stock of $40,-
very fashionable suburb of that city, and the West-
ly opened under the direction of Manager Schmidt. 000 for the purpose of manufacturing and dealing
mount News, in a recent issue, in discussing "Men
in musical instruments. The incorporators are.
In addition to the Lauter piano and Lauter-
of Mark in Westmount," published a long and in-
Samuel J. Elliott Philip H. Combert and Frederick
Humana, the new store also carries in stock the
teresting story of Mr. Willis' life and accomplish-
W. Smith.
ments.
Cable and Sterling pianos.
MERCHANTS
STOREKEEPING is a new Trade Review
G OOD
for Retail Merchants who sell Nationally Adver-
tised Goods.
You may have your name placed on the complimentary
mailing list and receive the paper without charge, on
application.
Good Storekeeping carries with it the privilege of re-
ceiving a moving picture slide bearing your name, with-
out expense or obligation to you.
EVERYWHERE
Other helps furnished at no charge are cuts for home
newspaper advertising, post-card announcements, etc.
The November Number of this splendid new publica-
tion is just off the press, and your copy is ready for you.
Valuable information is given from trade papers re-
garding hardware, groceries, jewelry, dry goods, music
goods, drugs, toilet preparations, furniture, house fur-
nishings and department store lines.
IT TELLS HOW TO PROFIT BY THE EFFORTS OF GREAT NATIONAL ADVERTISERS
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).