Music Trade Review
Issue: 1920 Vol. 70 N. 24 - Page 9
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JUNE 12, 1920
down at the heel. Since the Fall of 1914 they
have been unable to secure new or repair their
George W. Gittins, of the Estey-Welte Organizations, Warns the Trade of the Necessity for Pre- old rolling stock and motive power. A few
weeks ago representatives of sixty-six roads met
paring Against Unfavorable Transportation and Labor Conditions Next Fall
in Chicago to go over the situation. They found
George W. Gittins, president of M. Welte & procuring at least a few instruments beyond his that it will require two billion one hundred mil-
lion dollars to put the railroads of the coun-
Sons, Inc., and treasurer of the Estey Piano immediate requirements.
try in condition where they can handle the nor-
Co., is engaged in issuing to the music trade a
Mr. Gittins says, among other things:
most important statement conveying the re-
"Retail piano merchants have nearly four mal business of the nation. Their immediate
sults of a careful inquiry into transportation and months between now and the heavy Fall busi- needs call, among other things, for 6,000 loco-
industrial conditions, together with his conclu- ness and they should take advantage of this motives and 200,000 freight cars, and even if they
had this vast amount of money in hand this
sions as to their effect on the trade next Autumn time to get some stock ahead.
and Winter.
"They need not hold back in the expectation minute they could not get this equipment in
Mr. Gittins is embodying his analysis of the that prices are going lower. In my opinion, time to do any good by this Fall.
"Right at the present time there are miles of
situation in a series of statements which will there is not the slightest chance of seeing piano
prices come down this year. In fact, there are loaded freight cars standing on the tracks within
many indications that they will have to go still 100 miles of New York which cannot be moved
for lack of motive power.
higher.
"Now, when the pressure of the great national
"In the first place, a dealer is fortunate if he
can get any stock ahead over and above his day- crop movement sets in and the great annual
to-day requirements. If he were to start in right coal shipments against the cold weather begin,
now to acquire a few instruments more than and the huge cotton and other shipments inci-
he needs for present use he will find it a mighty dent to the late Summer and early Autumn get
slow process, because there aren't enough in- under way, what are the chances of the piano
struments being made, or in sight, to go around. merchant going to be for getting a normal sup-
"In the second place, dealers will find this ply of merchandise to his order? The answer is,
Fall that when the heavy demand sets in they none at all, and it takes no great amount of
will be going through the worst traffic condi- acumen to see it.
"Then, too, there is the labor situation to con-
tions the country has ever known. Embargoes
and freight congestion will be worse than they sider, and with no desire to express views of
an alarmist nature T feel impelled to state in
were during the war.
"If piano manufacturers could be assured of all frankness that I should not be at all sur-
working straight through from now till Christ- prised to see another general strike called in the
mas at full capacity and could be assured of piano manufacturing trade. Indeed, it is being
making shipments promptly when their instru- actively agitated right now.
ments were ready to ship there would still not
"So, taking into account that all piano manu-
be enough to meet the requirements.
facturers are willing to make their shipments
"In the player action field alone there will be subject to prices that prevail at time of ship-
a shortage of 60,000 actions this year—5,000 ment, there is the best of reasons why dealers
should use every possible effort at this time to
player actions a month.
George W. Gittins
"The railroads of the country are all run get what instruments ahead they can."
be forwarded by direct mail to the retail mer-
chants, much in the manner of his "Never Go
partment has had the best Ampico business in
Back" articles which aroused such keen interest
its history. The sales have been most satisfy-
last Spring, and in addition has given to this
ing, Knabe Ampicos being purchased by promi-
Annual
Rose
Festival
Looked
Forward
to
by
All
paper a synopsis of his views, which will be
Music Merchants—Uprights Popular in Astoria nent citizens, whose ownership of these instru-
found of general interest to the whole trade.
ments is a high recommendation.
The New York manufacturer makes no secret
The Lacy & Cline Music Co., of Astoria, Ore.,
PORTLAND, ORE., June 5.—All Portland is get-
of the fact that he anticipates some unfavor-
able contingencies for the coming fall trade. His ting ready for the Shrine and the Annual Rose is doing an excellent business. This is the larg-
investigations reveal that the railroad situa- Festival, which immediately follows the big con- est store in Astoria, a city that is growing fast
tion is anything but hopeful for an early solu- vention. Music dealers out here are hoping and and becoming an important business center. It
tion of the difficulties that already beset them rather expecting to have the pleasure of greet- is the largest fishing town in the United States
and are proving, even at this time, a serious ing publishers and dealers from the East during and the big catch this Spring insures big piano
deterrent to normal business. He also faces, the convention and festival. Visiting dealers sales during the season. Mr. Lacy and Mr.
frankly and outspokenly, the prospects of a re- will surely find something worth while on the Cline are Portland visitors this week. They
currence of the labor troubles that so seriously Pacific Coast, where sultry summer weather is carry the Baldwin line and the Hobert M. Cable
pianos and Edison and Columbia phonographs.
interfered with the normal output of the piano unknown.
Frank Anrys, James J. Black and Miss Mac Upright pianos are the favorites in Astoria at
manufactories last Fall.
For the good of the whole trade he earnestly Shintaffer, of the Wiley B. Allen Co.'s head- the present time.
admonishes the merchants against allowing quarters in San Francisco, are Portland visitors
themselves to be caught in the same unguarded this week. Mr. Anrys, who is the general man- AEOLIAN HALL CLOSED ON SATURDAY
condition that the troubles of last Fall found ager of the company, says that as a general
Beginning on June 5 and continuing through
many of them, with depleted stocks and clamor- thing business is not moving as fast as it did
ing clients, but no means of obtaining goods to last year. People are recovering from the de- the months of June, July and August, Aeolian
supply the excellent demand that prevailed. He lirium of reckless spending and are spending Hall will be closed on Saturdays, as a result of
the recent decision of the officials of the com-
urged that every piano merchant strive at this money more carefully.
This month the Lipman-Wolfe Co.'s piano de- pany that the two-day holiday that would thus
time to fortify himself against future needs by
be afforded the employes each week would tend
toward the general welfare of the organization.
In order to make possible the closing of the hall
for the entire day on Saturday, the closing hour
on each of the other days of the week has been
advanced from 5 to 5:30 p. m.
DEALERS MUST WATCH RAILWAY AND LABOR CONDITIONS
NOTES FROM THE PORTLAND TRADE
PIANO HOUSE BUYS NEW BUILDING
Grands
Uprights
Players
WILLIAM TONK & BRO., Inc.
Tenth Ave., Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Sts., New York
OMAHA, NEB., June 7.—The Schmoller & Mueller
Piano Co., Steinway dealers of this city, whose
building was destroyed by fire early last Spring,
has purchased the Relmont Hotel property at
1518 Dodge street. The purchase price is said
to be $135,000. It is the expectation of the of-
ficials of the company that they will be able to
move into their new quarters about the first of
September. Temporary quarters are now being
occupied on Fifteenth street.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions
of any kind.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JUNE 12, 1920
down at the heel. Since the Fall of 1914 they
have been unable to secure new or repair their
George W. Gittins, of the Estey-Welte Organizations, Warns the Trade of the Necessity for Pre- old rolling stock and motive power. A few
weeks ago representatives of sixty-six roads met
paring Against Unfavorable Transportation and Labor Conditions Next Fall
in Chicago to go over the situation. They found
George W. Gittins, president of M. Welte & procuring at least a few instruments beyond his that it will require two billion one hundred mil-
lion dollars to put the railroads of the coun-
Sons, Inc., and treasurer of the Estey Piano immediate requirements.
try in condition where they can handle the nor-
Co., is engaged in issuing to the music trade a
Mr. Gittins says, among other things:
most important statement conveying the re-
"Retail piano merchants have nearly four mal business of the nation. Their immediate
sults of a careful inquiry into transportation and months between now and the heavy Fall busi- needs call, among other things, for 6,000 loco-
industrial conditions, together with his conclu- ness and they should take advantage of this motives and 200,000 freight cars, and even if they
had this vast amount of money in hand this
sions as to their effect on the trade next Autumn time to get some stock ahead.
and Winter.
"They need not hold back in the expectation minute they could not get this equipment in
Mr. Gittins is embodying his analysis of the that prices are going lower. In my opinion, time to do any good by this Fall.
"Right at the present time there are miles of
situation in a series of statements which will there is not the slightest chance of seeing piano
prices come down this year. In fact, there are loaded freight cars standing on the tracks within
many indications that they will have to go still 100 miles of New York which cannot be moved
for lack of motive power.
higher.
"Now, when the pressure of the great national
"In the first place, a dealer is fortunate if he
can get any stock ahead over and above his day- crop movement sets in and the great annual
to-day requirements. If he were to start in right coal shipments against the cold weather begin,
now to acquire a few instruments more than and the huge cotton and other shipments inci-
he needs for present use he will find it a mighty dent to the late Summer and early Autumn get
slow process, because there aren't enough in- under way, what are the chances of the piano
struments being made, or in sight, to go around. merchant going to be for getting a normal sup-
"In the second place, dealers will find this ply of merchandise to his order? The answer is,
Fall that when the heavy demand sets in they none at all, and it takes no great amount of
will be going through the worst traffic condi- acumen to see it.
"Then, too, there is the labor situation to con-
tions the country has ever known. Embargoes
and freight congestion will be worse than they sider, and with no desire to express views of
an alarmist nature T feel impelled to state in
were during the war.
"If piano manufacturers could be assured of all frankness that I should not be at all sur-
working straight through from now till Christ- prised to see another general strike called in the
mas at full capacity and could be assured of piano manufacturing trade. Indeed, it is being
making shipments promptly when their instru- actively agitated right now.
ments were ready to ship there would still not
"So, taking into account that all piano manu-
be enough to meet the requirements.
facturers are willing to make their shipments
"In the player action field alone there will be subject to prices that prevail at time of ship-
a shortage of 60,000 actions this year—5,000 ment, there is the best of reasons why dealers
should use every possible effort at this time to
player actions a month.
George W. Gittins
"The railroads of the country are all run get what instruments ahead they can."
be forwarded by direct mail to the retail mer-
chants, much in the manner of his "Never Go
partment has had the best Ampico business in
Back" articles which aroused such keen interest
its history. The sales have been most satisfy-
last Spring, and in addition has given to this
ing, Knabe Ampicos being purchased by promi-
Annual
Rose
Festival
Looked
Forward
to
by
All
paper a synopsis of his views, which will be
Music Merchants—Uprights Popular in Astoria nent citizens, whose ownership of these instru-
found of general interest to the whole trade.
ments is a high recommendation.
The New York manufacturer makes no secret
The Lacy & Cline Music Co., of Astoria, Ore.,
PORTLAND, ORE., June 5.—All Portland is get-
of the fact that he anticipates some unfavor-
able contingencies for the coming fall trade. His ting ready for the Shrine and the Annual Rose is doing an excellent business. This is the larg-
investigations reveal that the railroad situa- Festival, which immediately follows the big con- est store in Astoria, a city that is growing fast
tion is anything but hopeful for an early solu- vention. Music dealers out here are hoping and and becoming an important business center. It
tion of the difficulties that already beset them rather expecting to have the pleasure of greet- is the largest fishing town in the United States
and are proving, even at this time, a serious ing publishers and dealers from the East during and the big catch this Spring insures big piano
deterrent to normal business. He also faces, the convention and festival. Visiting dealers sales during the season. Mr. Lacy and Mr.
frankly and outspokenly, the prospects of a re- will surely find something worth while on the Cline are Portland visitors this week. They
currence of the labor troubles that so seriously Pacific Coast, where sultry summer weather is carry the Baldwin line and the Hobert M. Cable
pianos and Edison and Columbia phonographs.
interfered with the normal output of the piano unknown.
Frank Anrys, James J. Black and Miss Mac Upright pianos are the favorites in Astoria at
manufactories last Fall.
For the good of the whole trade he earnestly Shintaffer, of the Wiley B. Allen Co.'s head- the present time.
admonishes the merchants against allowing quarters in San Francisco, are Portland visitors
themselves to be caught in the same unguarded this week. Mr. Anrys, who is the general man- AEOLIAN HALL CLOSED ON SATURDAY
condition that the troubles of last Fall found ager of the company, says that as a general
Beginning on June 5 and continuing through
many of them, with depleted stocks and clamor- thing business is not moving as fast as it did
ing clients, but no means of obtaining goods to last year. People are recovering from the de- the months of June, July and August, Aeolian
supply the excellent demand that prevailed. He lirium of reckless spending and are spending Hall will be closed on Saturdays, as a result of
the recent decision of the officials of the com-
urged that every piano merchant strive at this money more carefully.
This month the Lipman-Wolfe Co.'s piano de- pany that the two-day holiday that would thus
time to fortify himself against future needs by
be afforded the employes each week would tend
toward the general welfare of the organization.
In order to make possible the closing of the hall
for the entire day on Saturday, the closing hour
on each of the other days of the week has been
advanced from 5 to 5:30 p. m.
DEALERS MUST WATCH RAILWAY AND LABOR CONDITIONS
NOTES FROM THE PORTLAND TRADE
PIANO HOUSE BUYS NEW BUILDING
Grands
Uprights
Players
WILLIAM TONK & BRO., Inc.
Tenth Ave., Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Sts., New York
OMAHA, NEB., June 7.—The Schmoller & Mueller
Piano Co., Steinway dealers of this city, whose
building was destroyed by fire early last Spring,
has purchased the Relmont Hotel property at
1518 Dodge street. The purchase price is said
to be $135,000. It is the expectation of the of-
ficials of the company that they will be able to
move into their new quarters about the first of
September. Temporary quarters are now being
occupied on Fifteenth street.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions
of any kind.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).