Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
11
COMMERCIAL REPORT SHOWS GREAT INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY.
Maximum Production Fails to Supply Demand in Many Lines—Skilled Workmen at a Premium
—Increase in Wages Stimulates Buying—Weather Conditions Hamper Transportation.
Discussing the business situation, Dun's Com-
mercial Agency this week points out that it is still
noteworthy that the volume of business is overtax-
ing facilities in several important lines. Though
production is at the maximum and active capacity
i< being extended whenever possible, in not a few
instances demand exceeds supply and inability to
secure prompt deliveries is causing more frequent
complaint. The labor situation, both in respect to
actual controversies and difficulty in securing an
adequate number of skilled hands, continues some-
what disturbing and acts as a brake on manufac-
turing at a time when unchecked operations are
necessary to cope with the pressing requirements.
No single struggle of gr^at magnitude is in prog-
ress, however, and such strikes as occur are usually
quickly settled. Much larger pay rolls are the rule
and naturally add materially to the ability of the
people to purchase and tend to offset the enhanced
cost of commodities, consumptive buying showing
no abatement in spite of the fact that prices are at
the highest level in several decades.
The comparatively recent development of an
urgent demand at retail found merchants through-
out the country with small stocks on their shelves,
and it is evident that the replenishment of depleted
supplies is still actively in force. Needs in many
cases have become imperative and manufacturers
are pushed to the utmost, but where reasonably
1 rompt shipments from mills and factories are pos-
sible the congestion of freight still retards de-
liveries.
Transportation difficulties have been aggravated
by storms in the West, but the heavy snowfall and
zero temperatures over a wide area further stimu-
late the movement of heavyweight apparel, foot-
wear and fuel. When it is realized that gross earn-
ings of systems making weekly returns for Decem-
ber showed a gain of 18.7 per cent, over the pre-
vious year, some idea is obtained of the volume
of traffic the railroads are handling, while the
growth of 58.9 per cent, in bank exchanges this
week reflects the magnitude of current commercial
transactions, even after making proper allowance
for the influence of speculation on the clearings.
Every other statistical record tells the same story.
Victrola XVI, $200
CINCINNATI BUSINESS NORMAL, DESPITE BAD WEATHER.
Victrola XVI, electric, $250
Thermometer Reaches Zero, but Trade Continues Active—F. B. Beinkamp Elected Vice-Presl-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce—D. F. Summey Plans Active Membership Campaign.
Mahogany or oak
(Special to The Review.)
CINCINNATI, O., January 18.—Should the rule of
promotion be followed, then the piano trade next
year can claim credit to the head of the Chamber
of Commerce being one of its members, as F.
B. Beinkamp, head of the Church-Beinkamp Co.,
easily landed the position of vice-president at the
reorganization of Cincinnati's most active com-
mercial body on Saturday. Mr. Beinkamp during
the past year has been most active in furthering the
work of the organization. In a way he specialized
on the work of the export committee, which is
attracting much interest in this city these days.
A new low record for the thermometer was es-
tablished in the Cincinnati Valley yesterday morn-
ing, when the mercury landed just below zero. The
blast from the Northwest, of course, had its effect
on business. The trade has not been so active this
month and the houses are not complaining, stating
that this is but a logical outcome of the immense
holiday buying. In a way the purchasing abilities
of the citizens so far this month are above normal,
while collections are inclined to be satisfactory.
H. A. Manning, one of Atlanta's leading piano
merchants, was in Cincinnati Friday, conferring
with the officials of the John Church Co., a favorite
line with his house.
The same officers who carried the Otto Grau
Piano Co. through last year's successful period
will be at the helm again for another twelve
months. The election was held during the past
week. The officers are: Otto Grau, president;
Joseph Volz, vice-president, and J. Fred Van Court,
secretary and treasurer. The directors remain the
same. There will be a meeting of the stockholders
this week.
H. C. Dickinson, of Chicago, was a caller on the
Baldwin Co. last Thursday.
MORE PIANO SALES
LESS WORK
Hard Work Never Made Anyone Rich
The Boss arrives at the shop last and leaves first. ___
The Janitor arrive3 first and leaver last. .SdfcUJfti - J
The answer, "Brains."
What do you know?
I sold $20,000 worth of pianos in December from my
Harrisburg store without an outside call.
Are you interested?
My book, "How to Sell Pianos," will let you on the
inside.
Price
Order from the author
H. M. ELDRIDGE, Jr.
Mftr. Winter Piano Co.,
HARRISBURG, PA.
Lee Bartlett, treasurer of the Cincinnati Dis-
ccunt Co., is visiting the principal cities in the East,
arranging for new accounts.
President D. F. Summey, of the Ohio Associa-
tion of Piano Merchants, this week will probably
take the initial step towards a membership cam-
paign. He has some new ideas in this connection
and believes the fiscal year will close with much
new blood in the ranks. Much of the work is to
be delegated to chairmen in different district*.
The progress made by the association in putting a
curb on vicious advertisers will be made a promi-
nent part of the campaign.
The Starr Piano Co. has a window display, being
a reproduction of the factory at Richmond. It is
attracting much attention. The statement was
made Saturday that the deal for the property re-
cently negotiated for by the company will be closed
next week.
TOO BUSY TO RETIRE.
J. C. Joss, of New Philadelphia, O., Fifty
Years in the Piano Business—Has Sold the
Steinway for the Past Thirty-six Years.
Although in his fiftieth year as a piano man, J.
C. Joss, of New Philadelphia, O., writes that he
finds the work too interesting to permit of his re-
tirement. In his letter, in which, referring to The
Review, he says, "If I don't do much myself, I
can enjoy reading what the other fellows are do-
ing," he also states, "I thought as a piano man I
had had all sorts of experiences and was ready to
quit, but I find that hard to do."
However, to judge from a report in the New
Philadelphia Advocate-Tribune, it would appear
that Mr. Joss is still capable of doing considerable
himself. Part of the article is as follows: "He
will continue in the music business at 225 West
High street, and will make the Steinway piano,
which he has been selling for the last thirty-six
years, his leader. He is also agent for other pianos.
In point of service Mr. Joss is one of New Phila-
delphia's oldest business men, but he is remarkably
well preserved and alert and bids fair to continue
as one of this city's 'live wires' in business for
some time to come."
INTERESTED INJFIRE DEPARTMENT.
Otto F. Mehliu, of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons, who
has for many years been interested in the Peerless
Hose Co. No. 2, of Maywood, N. J., and who is
also an ex-captain, took active part in the manage-
ment of the annual smoker of this organization at
the new Municipal Building in Maywood last Satur-
day night.
Other styles $15 to $400
Victrola
Supremacy
The supreme qualities
that make the Victrola
the certain choice of a
discriminating public
are equally important
factors in the success of
Victor dealers.
Victor Talking Machine Co.,
Camden, N. J., U. S. A.
Berliner Gramophone Co., Montreal,
Canadian Distributors.
Always use Victor Machines with Victor Records
and Victor Needles—the combination. There It no
other way to get the unequaled Victor tone.