Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 1 - Page 11
\
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DETROIT DEALERS SUMMING UP BUSINESS FOR 1915.
Totals, as a Rule, Very Satisfactory—Preparing for Important Meeting of Detroit Music Trades
Association—Need of Co-operation—C. W. Cross a Benedict—Other News of Interest.
(Special to The Review.)
DETROIT, MICH., December 27.—The 1915 holi-
day season is over. The piano dealers report a
highly satisfactory business, and they will now be
satisfied to have a few weeks of dulness. As we
have reported many times in this column, general
conditions in 1915 were better than 1914, although
some say not quite as good as 1913, which was the
banner year. However, irrespective of any figures
available at this time, the writer knows that De-
troit piano dealers are well pleased with 1915 busi-
ness and are exceedingly optimistic about 1916.
The J. L. Hudson Co., whose aim was to do a
million-dollar business for the month of Decem-
ber, reached that mark by December 23. Chances
are that the total sales for December will approxi-
mate $1,300,000. The piano and talking machine
departments went over their allotments.
A. A. 'Grinnell, of Grinnell Bros., Detroit, spent
a part of last week in New York City on business
for the firm.
H. S. Weil, manager of the piano department at
Weil & Co., Detroit, left this week to spend New
Year's with relatives in St. Louis, Mo., which was
his former home. In January he will make an ex-
tended trip to Chicago, New York and points
East. He announces that he has secured the ex-
clusive agency for the "Vitanola" talking machine,
which he will feature very strongly. Plans are
under way for materially enlarging the piano de-
partment.
Bush & Lane are sending out a handsome calen-
dar for 1916 which is of special design.
The January meeting of the Detroit Music
Trades Association should be one of the most
important in the history of the reorganization.
There will be new officers elected and plans out-
lined for 1916. The association should make it a
point to meet every month. Nothing should pre-
vent these meetings being held. The association
needs a live secretary, now that F. A. Denison has
left the city. There is plenty of material to select
fiom, and the man who is honored with this office
should make it his duty to see that members are
notified of every meeting and that they attend
them. What's the use of an organization when
meetings are not held regularly .and the members
do not attend? The Detroit Music Trades Asso-
ciation could be made of inestimable value to
every member of the craft. There are dozens of
subjects to be taken up and many evils that can be
eliminated by proper co-operation with one an-
other. So, let's see 1916 start with new life in the
Detroit Music Trades Association, and let every
meeting be largely attended and one that will re-
sult in great benefit. Members should not leave
everything to the officers. Remember, they de-
vote their time without one penny of compensa-
tion and it is unfair to put all of the work and
responsibility on them. Let every member appoint
himself a committee of one to see that every meet-
ing during 1916 is successful and well attended.
In the Sunday newspapers of December 26 the
J. L. Hudson Co. announced a "great sale of used
pianos and player-pianos." The sale included
OXE YEAR'S PIANO BUSINESS
WITHOUT MAKING AX OUTSIDE
MY SELLING ARGUMENTS, SYS-
TEMS AND METHODS HAVE NOW
BEEN PUT INTO ASSEMBLED.
FORM, AND CAN BE BOUGHT.
$1,000.00 WORTH OF PIANO SELL-
ING KNOWLEDGE FOR So—A 200
TO 1 SHOT ON A SURE THING—
THE PRICE IS $5.00 AND CHEAP
AT ANY PRICE—NO BOOKS WILL
HE SOLD TO DEALERS LIVING
LESS'THAN 100 MILES FROM OUR
CENTRAL STORE, HARRISBURG,
PA. SEND ORDERS TO
H. M. ELDRIDGE, JR., Mgr.
Winter Piano Company
Harrisburg, Pa.
forty-eight instruments that were taken in ex-
change.
The Michigan Music Teachers' Association will
hold its next annual convention at Battle Creek,
June 27, 28 and 29.
E. K. Andrew, manager of the J. L. Hudson
talking machine department, left December 26 for
a business trip to Cleveland, Philadelphia, New
York and other Eastern cities. The main pur-
pose is to get new ideas and to visit the Victor
factory. In the various cities which he visits he
will call at the principal talking machine shops.
C. W. Cross, manager of the Detroit branch of
the Bush & Lane Piano Co., was married on
Thursday, December 30, to Miss Minnie L. Gott-
schalk, of Quincy, Mich., one o£ the leading busi-
ness women of that city, where for the past eight
years she has been assistant cashier of the First
National Bank. The wedding was a quiet home
one, only immediate relatives being present. Mr.
and Mrs. Cross came to Detroit the following day,
where an apartment was ready at 164 East Palmer
avenue. With a splendid partner—one who is
highly educated, of great business ability and
social attainments—Manager Cross says there is
no doubt that he will be able to sell more pianos
than ever in the next twelve months. The Re-
view joins the band wagon of friends in extend-
ing its best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Cross and to
wish them a happy New Year.
EXPECTS GREAT YEAR'S BUSINESS.
E. M. Eastman, Vice-President of Smith, Barnes
& Strohber Co., Discusses Conditions and
Prospects from Optimistic Viewpoint.
(Special to The Review.)
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 28.—E. M. East-
man, vice-president of the Smith, Barnes & Stroh-
ber Co. and general manager of the company's
North Milwaukee plant, is,* as usual, one of the
most optimistic piano men in the trade. Mr. East-
man believes that unless something unforeseen
happens piano men will experience a fine business
during the coming year. Mr. Eastman says that
general business is so good that it has reacted
most favorably upon the piano trade, which is now
at the most satisfactory stage that it has been in
months. If the war should end suddenly the
period of readjustment which would result would
probably cause a temporary depression, he believes.
The only disquieting feature for piano manu-
facturers at the present time, says Mr. Eastman, is
the fact that many of the supply houses have been
raising prices as a result of activity in the field.
This, he says, has created a feeling of uncertainty
when it comes to purchasing supplies.
The Smith,' Barnes & Strohber Co. has been
meeting with such a brisk business during the past
few months that practically all the departments of
the North Milwaukee factory have been operating
full capacity. The work of taking the annual in-
ventory has now started and this has resulted in
an easing up in some departments.
Several more good export shipments, particu-
larly to Australia, have been made from the local
plant of the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.
LESS FREIGHT CONGESTION.
Pennsylvania
Railroad May
Restrictions.
Modify
Traffic
The Pennsylvania Railroad issued a statement
on freight congestion at the port of New York on
Monday which said :
"Due to the good weather which has prevailed
during the last few days, and to the fact that with
the exception of food products and certain coal it
is not accepting freight for the congested territory,
the Pennsylvania Railroad, by urging consignees
to accept freight, has been able to make some im-
pression on the vast quantity of traffic which has
been held back in yards and on sidings along its
lines.
"It is hoped if the weather conditions remain
11
favorable that some time next week the situation
may improve sufficiently to permit of modifications
in the restrictions now existing on traffic for track
and station delivery in the New York district, ex-
cept, of course, those commodities of which there
remains an accumulation.
"All arrangements for modifying the restrictions
—the embargoes—now existing on lighterage
freight, either for local points or for export, will
be made by a special bureau established at the
Pennsylvania Station, New York. This bureau
will handle all inquiries from consignees."
KRAMER'S EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING.
(Special to The Review.)
ALLENTOWN, PA., December 27.—Kramer's Mu-
sic House, 544 Hamilton street, has been using a
series of attractive, well written advertisements to
feature the various lines of pianos and player-
pianos it handles. The text is timely and effect-
ive, and the border designs are distinctive and
original. Among the pianos which have been fea-
tured in this campaign are the Steinway, Hard-
man and Lester lines. Mr. Kramer has handled
the famous Steinway piano for very many years,
and is, in fact, one of the oldest accounts on the
books of Steinway & Sons.
The first and only piano store ever opened in
Heber Springs, Ark., was started recently by Tur-
ner Hicks, who hopes to enjoy a monopoly of the
musical trade in that section of the country—for
some time at least.
The Triumph
of the
American Tone
AWARDED
The position won by the
American Steel & Wire Co.
demonstrates clearly how
right, in the end, must tri-
umph over prejudice.
The high tension cry of
years ago has entirely sub-
sided, and America's great
wire manufacturing com-
pany, by continuing its
campaign of education, has
finally won the piano trade
to see the correctness of its
position.
Gradually America's
leading piano manufacturing con-
cerns have accepted the American
standard and artists and amateurs
are now thinking less of the high ten-
sion idea and more of beauty of tone
than ever before.
The special brands of the American
Steel & Wire Co.—the "PERFECT-
ED" and "CROWN"—were the out-
come of an ever alert anticipation—
anticipation backed by the ability to
know—the ability to fight undeviat-
ingly for the maintenance of correct
principles. For years it clung relig-
iously to an ideal, in the face of the
most discouraging opposition, and
now the whole world recognizes its
triumph, which has resulted in giving
a purer musical tone than ever before,
and in showing that art is oftentimes
concealed by art.
American Steel & Wire Company
Chicago, New York, Worcester, Cleveland, Pitts-
burgh, Denver. Export representative: U. S. Steel
Products Co., New York. Pacific Coast representa-
tive: U. S. Steel Products Co., San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Portland, Seattle.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DETROIT DEALERS SUMMING UP BUSINESS FOR 1915.
Totals, as a Rule, Very Satisfactory—Preparing for Important Meeting of Detroit Music Trades
Association—Need of Co-operation—C. W. Cross a Benedict—Other News of Interest.
(Special to The Review.)
DETROIT, MICH., December 27.—The 1915 holi-
day season is over. The piano dealers report a
highly satisfactory business, and they will now be
satisfied to have a few weeks of dulness. As we
have reported many times in this column, general
conditions in 1915 were better than 1914, although
some say not quite as good as 1913, which was the
banner year. However, irrespective of any figures
available at this time, the writer knows that De-
troit piano dealers are well pleased with 1915 busi-
ness and are exceedingly optimistic about 1916.
The J. L. Hudson Co., whose aim was to do a
million-dollar business for the month of Decem-
ber, reached that mark by December 23. Chances
are that the total sales for December will approxi-
mate $1,300,000. The piano and talking machine
departments went over their allotments.
A. A. 'Grinnell, of Grinnell Bros., Detroit, spent
a part of last week in New York City on business
for the firm.
H. S. Weil, manager of the piano department at
Weil & Co., Detroit, left this week to spend New
Year's with relatives in St. Louis, Mo., which was
his former home. In January he will make an ex-
tended trip to Chicago, New York and points
East. He announces that he has secured the ex-
clusive agency for the "Vitanola" talking machine,
which he will feature very strongly. Plans are
under way for materially enlarging the piano de-
partment.
Bush & Lane are sending out a handsome calen-
dar for 1916 which is of special design.
The January meeting of the Detroit Music
Trades Association should be one of the most
important in the history of the reorganization.
There will be new officers elected and plans out-
lined for 1916. The association should make it a
point to meet every month. Nothing should pre-
vent these meetings being held. The association
needs a live secretary, now that F. A. Denison has
left the city. There is plenty of material to select
fiom, and the man who is honored with this office
should make it his duty to see that members are
notified of every meeting and that they attend
them. What's the use of an organization when
meetings are not held regularly .and the members
do not attend? The Detroit Music Trades Asso-
ciation could be made of inestimable value to
every member of the craft. There are dozens of
subjects to be taken up and many evils that can be
eliminated by proper co-operation with one an-
other. So, let's see 1916 start with new life in the
Detroit Music Trades Association, and let every
meeting be largely attended and one that will re-
sult in great benefit. Members should not leave
everything to the officers. Remember, they de-
vote their time without one penny of compensa-
tion and it is unfair to put all of the work and
responsibility on them. Let every member appoint
himself a committee of one to see that every meet-
ing during 1916 is successful and well attended.
In the Sunday newspapers of December 26 the
J. L. Hudson Co. announced a "great sale of used
pianos and player-pianos." The sale included
OXE YEAR'S PIANO BUSINESS
WITHOUT MAKING AX OUTSIDE
MY SELLING ARGUMENTS, SYS-
TEMS AND METHODS HAVE NOW
BEEN PUT INTO ASSEMBLED.
FORM, AND CAN BE BOUGHT.
$1,000.00 WORTH OF PIANO SELL-
ING KNOWLEDGE FOR So—A 200
TO 1 SHOT ON A SURE THING—
THE PRICE IS $5.00 AND CHEAP
AT ANY PRICE—NO BOOKS WILL
HE SOLD TO DEALERS LIVING
LESS'THAN 100 MILES FROM OUR
CENTRAL STORE, HARRISBURG,
PA. SEND ORDERS TO
H. M. ELDRIDGE, JR., Mgr.
Winter Piano Company
Harrisburg, Pa.
forty-eight instruments that were taken in ex-
change.
The Michigan Music Teachers' Association will
hold its next annual convention at Battle Creek,
June 27, 28 and 29.
E. K. Andrew, manager of the J. L. Hudson
talking machine department, left December 26 for
a business trip to Cleveland, Philadelphia, New
York and other Eastern cities. The main pur-
pose is to get new ideas and to visit the Victor
factory. In the various cities which he visits he
will call at the principal talking machine shops.
C. W. Cross, manager of the Detroit branch of
the Bush & Lane Piano Co., was married on
Thursday, December 30, to Miss Minnie L. Gott-
schalk, of Quincy, Mich., one o£ the leading busi-
ness women of that city, where for the past eight
years she has been assistant cashier of the First
National Bank. The wedding was a quiet home
one, only immediate relatives being present. Mr.
and Mrs. Cross came to Detroit the following day,
where an apartment was ready at 164 East Palmer
avenue. With a splendid partner—one who is
highly educated, of great business ability and
social attainments—Manager Cross says there is
no doubt that he will be able to sell more pianos
than ever in the next twelve months. The Re-
view joins the band wagon of friends in extend-
ing its best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Cross and to
wish them a happy New Year.
EXPECTS GREAT YEAR'S BUSINESS.
E. M. Eastman, Vice-President of Smith, Barnes
& Strohber Co., Discusses Conditions and
Prospects from Optimistic Viewpoint.
(Special to The Review.)
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 28.—E. M. East-
man, vice-president of the Smith, Barnes & Stroh-
ber Co. and general manager of the company's
North Milwaukee plant, is,* as usual, one of the
most optimistic piano men in the trade. Mr. East-
man believes that unless something unforeseen
happens piano men will experience a fine business
during the coming year. Mr. Eastman says that
general business is so good that it has reacted
most favorably upon the piano trade, which is now
at the most satisfactory stage that it has been in
months. If the war should end suddenly the
period of readjustment which would result would
probably cause a temporary depression, he believes.
The only disquieting feature for piano manu-
facturers at the present time, says Mr. Eastman, is
the fact that many of the supply houses have been
raising prices as a result of activity in the field.
This, he says, has created a feeling of uncertainty
when it comes to purchasing supplies.
The Smith,' Barnes & Strohber Co. has been
meeting with such a brisk business during the past
few months that practically all the departments of
the North Milwaukee factory have been operating
full capacity. The work of taking the annual in-
ventory has now started and this has resulted in
an easing up in some departments.
Several more good export shipments, particu-
larly to Australia, have been made from the local
plant of the Smith, Barnes & Strohber Co.
LESS FREIGHT CONGESTION.
Pennsylvania
Railroad May
Restrictions.
Modify
Traffic
The Pennsylvania Railroad issued a statement
on freight congestion at the port of New York on
Monday which said :
"Due to the good weather which has prevailed
during the last few days, and to the fact that with
the exception of food products and certain coal it
is not accepting freight for the congested territory,
the Pennsylvania Railroad, by urging consignees
to accept freight, has been able to make some im-
pression on the vast quantity of traffic which has
been held back in yards and on sidings along its
lines.
"It is hoped if the weather conditions remain
11
favorable that some time next week the situation
may improve sufficiently to permit of modifications
in the restrictions now existing on traffic for track
and station delivery in the New York district, ex-
cept, of course, those commodities of which there
remains an accumulation.
"All arrangements for modifying the restrictions
—the embargoes—now existing on lighterage
freight, either for local points or for export, will
be made by a special bureau established at the
Pennsylvania Station, New York. This bureau
will handle all inquiries from consignees."
KRAMER'S EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING.
(Special to The Review.)
ALLENTOWN, PA., December 27.—Kramer's Mu-
sic House, 544 Hamilton street, has been using a
series of attractive, well written advertisements to
feature the various lines of pianos and player-
pianos it handles. The text is timely and effect-
ive, and the border designs are distinctive and
original. Among the pianos which have been fea-
tured in this campaign are the Steinway, Hard-
man and Lester lines. Mr. Kramer has handled
the famous Steinway piano for very many years,
and is, in fact, one of the oldest accounts on the
books of Steinway & Sons.
The first and only piano store ever opened in
Heber Springs, Ark., was started recently by Tur-
ner Hicks, who hopes to enjoy a monopoly of the
musical trade in that section of the country—for
some time at least.
The Triumph
of the
American Tone
AWARDED
The position won by the
American Steel & Wire Co.
demonstrates clearly how
right, in the end, must tri-
umph over prejudice.
The high tension cry of
years ago has entirely sub-
sided, and America's great
wire manufacturing com-
pany, by continuing its
campaign of education, has
finally won the piano trade
to see the correctness of its
position.
Gradually America's
leading piano manufacturing con-
cerns have accepted the American
standard and artists and amateurs
are now thinking less of the high ten-
sion idea and more of beauty of tone
than ever before.
The special brands of the American
Steel & Wire Co.—the "PERFECT-
ED" and "CROWN"—were the out-
come of an ever alert anticipation—
anticipation backed by the ability to
know—the ability to fight undeviat-
ingly for the maintenance of correct
principles. For years it clung relig-
iously to an ideal, in the face of the
most discouraging opposition, and
now the whole world recognizes its
triumph, which has resulted in giving
a purer musical tone than ever before,
and in showing that art is oftentimes
concealed by art.
American Steel & Wire Company
Chicago, New York, Worcester, Cleveland, Pitts-
burgh, Denver. Export representative: U. S. Steel
Products Co., New York. Pacific Coast representa-
tive: U. S. Steel Products Co., San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Portland, Seattle.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).