Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
L S. SHERMAN DISCUSSES PACIFIC COAST CONDITIONS.
Why Piano Display at Panama-Pacific Exposition Will Not Be Representative—Sherman, Clay
Headquarters for Visiting Trade—How Canal Will Aid City—Business Quiet but Coast
Less Pessimistic Than East—Tariff Law Hurts Farmers — Strengthening Branch Stores.
Leander S. Sherman, head of the famous house
of Sherman, Clay & Co., of San Francisco and
dean of the music trade on the Pacific Coast, spent
a couple of days in New
York last week on his way
home from Atlantic City,
where he attended the
convention of the National
Association of T a l k i n g
Machine Jobbers and se-
L. S. Sherman.
cured the convention of
that body for San Francisco in 1915.
Mr. Sherman is enthusiastic regarding the prog-
ress made in getting the grounds and buildings of
the Panama-Pacific Exposition in shape fo.r the
opening next year. He stated that the work was
over three-quarters finished and that the demand
for space exceeded the allotment available.
"The piano exhibits will be hardly considered
representative," said Mr. Sherman, "owing to the
fact that all instruments must be entered on a com-
petitive basis and be subject to the decision of a
jury of awards. In this connection it is surpris-
ing to learn that tone, the final and most impor-
tant feature of piano, has been eliminated as a
basis for award. The result has been naturally
that the manufacturers of pianos of standing have
hesitated to exhibit them on a competitive basis
under the present regulations, for they feel that
they have everything to lose and nothing to gain
in comparison with cheap instruments which often
show up well as a simple piece of cabinet work.
"We had planned, at one time, to have a special
building on the Exposition grounds and a recital
hall in connection therewith, where our lines of
pianos and other musical instruments could be ex-
hibited and demonstrated, but satisfactory arrange-
ments could not be made. We will, ho.wever, run
cards, in connection with our advertisements in
those cities in which we have branch stores, in which
we will invite Exposition visitors to make their
headquarters at our main store in San Francisco
and have their mail delivered in our care. We
plan to establish a sort of a branch post-office for
that purpose and feel that the conveniences offered
to visitors will be appreciated by them.
"The opening of the Panama Canal will prove a
boon to Pacific Coast cities and especially to San
Francisco, where unusual facilities are provided
for taking care of the increased volume of shipping
that will result therefrom. The Canal, by cutting
off several thousand miles of the trip to the East
coast or to Europe, will effect a wonderful saving
in both freights and time.
"Business conditions on the Pacific Coast at the
present time are not as satisfactory as might be,
and reflect the spirit of unrest that is apparent in
trade circles in the Eastern sections of the country.
I have found, however, that the greatest pessimism
exists on the Atlantic Coast and that, as one pro-
ceeds through the Middle West and to the Far
West, the tone of things is not calculated to be so
discouraging.
"Conditions generally have tended to bring about
an era of conservatism in the conduct of the piano
business in all its branches. The majority of the
piano houses on the Pacific Coast are bidding only
for the better class of business; and, although
there is no general tendency to cut down the num-
ber of branch houses or agencies, there is no ap-
parent desire to increase the number of distributing
factors and thus get outside of the safety zone.
"Unfavorable conditions among the fruit grow-
ers of California have also had their effect on the
music trade as upon every other line of business,
though it is hoped that the effect will not prove
permanent. The new tariff has proven disastrous
for many engaged in the raising and packing of
citrus fruits and also for those engaged in the
beet sugar industry which, some time ago, held
promise of reaching tremendous proportions. In
the North, too, in Washington and Oregon, the
lumbermen have suffered by the new tariff which
has permitted the flooding of the Coast markets
with Canadian lumber which enters free.
"On the Pacific Coast, as in every other part of
the country, we are suffering from an excess of
legislation, much of it carelessly drafted or actually
vicious in character, and there is not much im-
provement to be expected until there is a halt called
on the busy lawmakers. This is proven by a uni-
versal eight-hour law, which is now before the
California legislature and which is worrying busi-
ness men in all lines considerably. The bill as it
now stands, provides an eight-hour day for every
employe in all lines in the State, and the extent of
its operation is indicated by the fact that, if the
bill becomes a law, and it probably will, the cook
that prepares the family breakfast will not be al-
lowed to remain on duty and prepare the dinner at
the usual hour the same evening. The piano trade
will not be affected by such a law, if it passes, as
seriously as some other lines of business, but it is
sure to feel the after-effect, even though indircetly.
"Sherman, Clay & Co. are not expanding their
distributive system, but are developing steadily the
business within the present confines. At this time
we operate nine branch stores, all of substantial
proportions, and have only recently renewed, for
long terms, the leases on several of our stores in
different cities, including those in Portland and
Seattle. In Spokane we have just made arrange-
ments for the entire remodeling of our present
building. It is planned to tear out the entire in-
terior of the building, leaving the four walls stand-
ing, and then rebuild with steel and concrete to
make a Class A fireproof structure. In Portland,
Los Angeles and other cities we occupy Class A
buildings and are securing structures of that char-
acter whenever possible. In San Francisco we are
also arranging for a considerable addition to our
present store and, on the whole, are viewing the
future with the utmost optimism."
While in New York Mr. Sherman, who, by the
way, appeared hale, hearty and in fine fettle,
called at Steinway Hall and Aeolian Hall for the
purpose of seeing the officials of the companies.
Sherman, Clay & Co. are also exclusive distrib-
uters on the Pacific Coast for the products of the
Victor Talking Machine Co. and the extent of this
business, under the management of A. G. McCar-
thy, is to be realized from the fact that the com-
pany carries at all times a minimum stock of over
$250,000 worth of Victrolas and records.
TO PROSECUTE USERS OF STRAUCH NAME SAYS A.T. STRAUCH.
Strauch Bros.' Executive Emphatically Expresses His Position Toward Manufacturer or Dealer
Who Has Used Their Name on Piano—Never Made or Interested in Firm Making Pianos.
The fact that a piano bearing the name of
"Strauch & Sons" has been put on the market by
some dealer or manufacturer was brought to the
attention of Albert T. Strauch, of Strauch Bros.,
20 Tenth avenue, New York, the long-established
piano action makers, this week. "We have known
this," he said, "for about a year, and I wish to
have the trade distinctly understand that the in-
strument has no connection with this firm and that
the name is being used to confuse the buying pub-
lic with absolutely no authority from us. Further-
more, any piano bearing this name is a rank stencil
and those who are using it are unquestionably
trying to deal on the reputation, quality and merit
which we have taken nearly fifty years to build up.
"Although we have been active in trying to dis-
cover who is making and using this piano we have
not discovered them directly, but have learned
enough to. know that the instrument is the cheap-
est kind of a stencil and must be made by a very
cheap kind of manufacturer, from the mere fact
that he would stoop so low as to try and conduct
his business through false representation by using
the name of 'Strauch & Sons.' That the name
has been used to confuse is sho.wn by the fact that
in the firm of Strauch Bros, are a father and two
sons, as is well known throughout the industry.
"In this way it might be implied that we are
associated with a company which is manufacturing
a piano under a different combination than the
present name and competing directly with tho.se
firms with whom we are seeking to do business,
which is not the case. As I stated before, we have
known this thing for over a year, and as soon as
we discover the manufacturer who has used this
name we will not only prosecute him to the fullest
extent of the law but will also bring those to
justice who have sold such an instrument. We
are determined to protect the good name of
Strauch Bros., which has always stood for the
greatest integrity and highest quality of product,
and we do not wish to have it besmirched by hav-
ing it used on a cheap thump box of a piano, to
say nothing of having it used at all by someone
else.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, N E W YORK
Manufacturers of
"We have learned enough to make us believe
that the manufacturer who is making this instru-
ment is located in the Western part o.f the country.
It is evident that no manufacturer of a product of
character and quality would stoop to such dishon-
orable methods, but with all our efforts to dis-
cover who he is, he has been so. ashamed of his
actions that he has been very careful not to let it
be known who he is. I wish to warn any dealer
who may have sold or is now selling a piano tear-
ing the name of 'Strauch & Sons' that he is
handling a cheap instrument in no way connected
with the firm of Strauch Bros, or the Strauch
action, and should we discover who he is we will
prosecute the seller as well as the manufacturer
of the instrument."
The house of Mrauch Bros., whose extensive
factories are located at 20-30 Tenth avenue, New
York, has been making piano actions since 1867,
when the house was founded by Peter D. Strauch,
father of Albert T. and William E. Strauch, the
present heads of rthe business. Later they com-
menced manufacturing hammers and keys. The
piano key business was sold over a year ago, and
they are now manufacturing, as they have for over
forty-five years, piano actions and piano hammers,
having never manufactured or been interested in
any company manufacturing or selling pianos. The
quality of the Strauch actions and hammers has
always been considered of the highest, and they
have an enviable reputation throughout the trade.
The business has always been conducted along
the highest plane, its executives being well known
for their straightforwardness and square dealings
in all matters.
KOHLER & CAMPBELL SOUVENIR.
Kohler & Campbell, Inc., Fiftieth street and
Tenth avenue, New York, have sent to all the
guests who were entertained at the beefsteak din-
ner given by the Kohler & Campbell industries
last month a handsome souvenir in the form of a
photograph of the dinner and a copy of the unique
menu used on the occasion.
* -
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos