Music Trade Review
Issue: 1922 Vol. 74 N. 2 - Page 10
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
10
JANUARY 14, 1922
TWIN CITY DEALERS OPTIMISTIC
JOHN L. STOWERS OPTIMISTIC
NORMAL TRADEJN CINCINNATI
Start of New Year Presages Better Business for
Local Music Merchants—Foster & Waldo
Doing Good Ampico Trade—Other News
Head of Howard Stowers Co., Visiting New
York, Says Cuba Can Be Helped by Re-
ciprocal Tariff Agreement—Looks for Normal
Conditions in All Lines Within a Year
Music Dealers Busy With Inventories—Various
Opinions Regarding the Outlook for 1922
Show General Prevalence of Optimism
CINCINNATI, O., January 7.—The chief news of
the Cincinnati piano trade is that there is very
little to say. The first week of the New Year
was normal—which is to say that it represented
very much of a lull after the holiday trade. There
has, of course, been very little advertising done
and very little concerted effort on the part of
the sales forces of the various companies. It is
time to recuperate energy and make inventory.
There was enough business, however, to satisfy
most of the dealers that January is not going to
be a total disappointment. The number of sales
made was satisfactory. A great many custom-
ers appeared in the salesrooms and displayed in-
terest, but many seemed to have the impression
that in some miraculous fashion piano prices
would take a great drop after Christmas. Not
all remained to buy.
W. R. Graul, of the W. R. Graul Piano Co.,
thought that the business of the week was not
quite up to expectations. He said: "No one is
advertising a great deal at this time, and no one
is making particular effort to sell. The week
was characteristic of the first week of all years."
Mr. Graul is prominent in Ohio piano circles,
and expressed the belief that the dealers of the
State were finding the week as quiet as it was
in Cincinnati.
E. I. Pauling, of the Starr Piano Co., de-
scribed the week as normal. Mr. Pauling is
far from satisfied with business conditions in
general, but anticipates better things. He said:
"A great deal of good should come out of the
proposed plan to stir up trade, which will create
action by the country's business men, backed
by millions of dollars, for the purpose of plac-
ing before the public the fact that only one
John L. Stowers
course will revive trade-buying. Our business
that the conditions in Cuba had somewhat im- during the first week in January was dull, as
proved since the last time he had visited the usual, at that time."
States.
Mr. Pauling took dinner during the week
"I believe," he said, "that within a year condi- with Clarence Gennett, treasurer of the Starr
tions will straighten themselves out satisfac- Piano Co., who passed through Cincinnati on
torily in Cuba, but the United States can help it his way to the South to visit the Southern stores
along tremendously by proposing some recipro- of the concern. "Mr. Gennett," said Mr. Pauling,
cal tariff agreement. I really believe that it is "is very much encouraged at the prospects for
to the interest of all manufacturers here in the 1922. He expressed the certainty that business
States to have such 'an agreement because they is going along in good shape, and will continue
arc vitally interested and will be more liable to to improve."
secure payment for their goods than if no
B. Faulconer, of the John Church Piano Co.,
such agreement was made. The export business expressed optimism. He said: "The first day
to Cuba from the United States is normally of the week was remarkable. If each succeed-
$500,000,000 per annum, but I note at the present ing day had held up to the same standard we
time that it has" dropped to $160,000,000. If a should have had a banner week. Of course, we
reciprocal tariff agreement is made it will mean didn't have a banner week. The first of January
that the United States will be in a position to in any year is not the usual time for that, and
control the most of the outside trade going into the fact is still more evident this year. But
Cuba. The Cuban government thought once of we are optimistic. It pays to be optimistic. No
trying to secure a loan of $50,000,000 per month, business ever was improved by being called poor
but I believe they have now decided to make and left to go at that."
economies so that they can finance themselves.
During the week J. G. Truitt, of Noblesville,
I believe that the non-employment is really Ind., called at the John Church Co., offering for
worse in Cuba than it is here in the States or in sale an attractive and serviceable style of piano
many other countries, and people do not have bench.
much money to spend, therefore business is at
J. F. Van Court, of the Otto Grau Piano Co.,
present quiet, but the outlook is much brighter concurred in the general expression of dealers.
than at this time last year."
He said: "Business is dull, of course. We do
A. B. CHASE PIANO CO. MOVES
not expect anything else at this time of the year.
But if this is a season of dullness, we fully ex-
VISITORS TO AEOLIAN HALL
New York Offices Now Located in the Berkeley
pect better things to come."
Building
Henry Dreher, of the B. Dreher's Sons Co.
E. E. Roberts, of the Baldwin Piano Co., said:
Cleveland, O.; Clarence Campbell, of the Knight- "The week was good, considering just what week
The A. B. Chase Piano Co., Inc., moved its Campbell Music Co., Denver, Col.; Howard Hill, it was. We expect much better trade in the
New York headquarters this week from 9 East manager of the music department of the D. H. very near future." C. H. DeVine, of the Aeolian
Forty-fifty street to the Berkeley building at 20 Holmes Co., and M. V. DeForeest, of Sharon, Co., expressed virtually the same thought in
West Forty-fifth street, according to an an- Pa., were among the visitors to Aeolian Hall slightly different words.
nouncement made by Warren C. Whitney, presi- this week.
dent. The company had been located at the East
It is the way a man sticks to a thing that marks
Forty-fifth street address almost three years and
Consult the universal Want Directory of him as a success or a failure. Many a fellow
the move was made on account of the selling of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted has won out at the eleventh hour just because
the building recently.
free of charge for men who desire positions. he wouldn't let go.
ST. PAUL and MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., January 9.—
This year of 1922 is not to be such a poor year
after all if the first week thereof may be re-
garded as a pace setter for the music trades of
the Northwest. Almost holiday returns were
the rule and everybody is content for the time
being. It is not in the line of reason, however,
to look for any great animation in any line
in the Northwest during February and March,
for the weather and custom are against any-
thing of the kind. But an active January will
help to tide the merchants over the inevitable
dull season and the indications are that the
month will bring goodly returns.
"We look for the results," said Joseph Frank,
of Hurley-Moren-Frank Co. "We are sure to
have a greatly increased demand for small goods,
owing to the widespread interest in music in
the schools. These sales, of course, are small,
but as long as they are plentiful and bring in the
cash why should we complain? It can hardly
be said that there is any general demand for
pianos; at least, we do not find such to be the
case. We have customers, but think we should
have more."
One of the very nice features of the first week
of 1922 with Foster & Waldo Co. was the sale
of a number of Ampicos in the Knabe. Such
sales count up in the totals and in other ways.
Mr. Foster is of the opinion that the music mer-
chants will have fairly good business for a fort-
night or more, but makes no predictions beyond
that time.
President Edward R. Dyer, of the Metropoli-
tan Music Co., is rejoicing over the closing of
a contract with the University of Minnesota for
six Steinway grand pianos. One is to be a big
concert grand and the others will be the large
parlor grands. Delivery will not be made until
next August, when the new department of music
of the University will be ready for its equip-
ment. The sale is about the most notable in the
piano line in some years so far as the Northwest
is concerned, and President Dyer is entitled to
some credit for the achievement.
Stone Piano Co. people are going after busi-
ness just as hard as ever. Manager John E.
Gerlick is of the opinion that, no matter how
hard the times may be, there are some people
in the community who have money and are in
position to purchase musical instruments if the
prices and other conditions are right. Acting on
this theory, he pulls and works every string
known to the trade—all the time—and he smil-
ingly confesses that his men and women are
selling not only Vocations and records but also
pianos.
To anticipate the rigors of a Minnesota Win-
ter the piano men who can afford it are going
South. W. J. Dyer, of W. J. Dyer & Bro., has
gone to Southern California. So has S. W. Rau-
denbush, of Raudenbush & Sons. C. L. Waldo,
formerly of Foster & Waldo, and who still has
his office in the old place, left last week for the
Los Angeles country.
Fv.)R TONK, UE/MJTY
'AND LASTING
„
ACCOMPUSHMCNT
John L. Stowers, president of the Howard
Stowers Co., 82 Brown Place, New York, ar-
rived in New York from Cuba on Monday of
this week and will remain in the city for a week
or ten days.
While talking to a representative of The Re-
view on Monday, Mr. Stowers said that he felt
fhe WERNER INDUSTRIES CO. Chi
SSCAL
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
10
JANUARY 14, 1922
TWIN CITY DEALERS OPTIMISTIC
JOHN L. STOWERS OPTIMISTIC
NORMAL TRADEJN CINCINNATI
Start of New Year Presages Better Business for
Local Music Merchants—Foster & Waldo
Doing Good Ampico Trade—Other News
Head of Howard Stowers Co., Visiting New
York, Says Cuba Can Be Helped by Re-
ciprocal Tariff Agreement—Looks for Normal
Conditions in All Lines Within a Year
Music Dealers Busy With Inventories—Various
Opinions Regarding the Outlook for 1922
Show General Prevalence of Optimism
CINCINNATI, O., January 7.—The chief news of
the Cincinnati piano trade is that there is very
little to say. The first week of the New Year
was normal—which is to say that it represented
very much of a lull after the holiday trade. There
has, of course, been very little advertising done
and very little concerted effort on the part of
the sales forces of the various companies. It is
time to recuperate energy and make inventory.
There was enough business, however, to satisfy
most of the dealers that January is not going to
be a total disappointment. The number of sales
made was satisfactory. A great many custom-
ers appeared in the salesrooms and displayed in-
terest, but many seemed to have the impression
that in some miraculous fashion piano prices
would take a great drop after Christmas. Not
all remained to buy.
W. R. Graul, of the W. R. Graul Piano Co.,
thought that the business of the week was not
quite up to expectations. He said: "No one is
advertising a great deal at this time, and no one
is making particular effort to sell. The week
was characteristic of the first week of all years."
Mr. Graul is prominent in Ohio piano circles,
and expressed the belief that the dealers of the
State were finding the week as quiet as it was
in Cincinnati.
E. I. Pauling, of the Starr Piano Co., de-
scribed the week as normal. Mr. Pauling is
far from satisfied with business conditions in
general, but anticipates better things. He said:
"A great deal of good should come out of the
proposed plan to stir up trade, which will create
action by the country's business men, backed
by millions of dollars, for the purpose of plac-
ing before the public the fact that only one
John L. Stowers
course will revive trade-buying. Our business
that the conditions in Cuba had somewhat im- during the first week in January was dull, as
proved since the last time he had visited the usual, at that time."
States.
Mr. Pauling took dinner during the week
"I believe," he said, "that within a year condi- with Clarence Gennett, treasurer of the Starr
tions will straighten themselves out satisfac- Piano Co., who passed through Cincinnati on
torily in Cuba, but the United States can help it his way to the South to visit the Southern stores
along tremendously by proposing some recipro- of the concern. "Mr. Gennett," said Mr. Pauling,
cal tariff agreement. I really believe that it is "is very much encouraged at the prospects for
to the interest of all manufacturers here in the 1922. He expressed the certainty that business
States to have such 'an agreement because they is going along in good shape, and will continue
arc vitally interested and will be more liable to to improve."
secure payment for their goods than if no
B. Faulconer, of the John Church Piano Co.,
such agreement was made. The export business expressed optimism. He said: "The first day
to Cuba from the United States is normally of the week was remarkable. If each succeed-
$500,000,000 per annum, but I note at the present ing day had held up to the same standard we
time that it has" dropped to $160,000,000. If a should have had a banner week. Of course, we
reciprocal tariff agreement is made it will mean didn't have a banner week. The first of January
that the United States will be in a position to in any year is not the usual time for that, and
control the most of the outside trade going into the fact is still more evident this year. But
Cuba. The Cuban government thought once of we are optimistic. It pays to be optimistic. No
trying to secure a loan of $50,000,000 per month, business ever was improved by being called poor
but I believe they have now decided to make and left to go at that."
economies so that they can finance themselves.
During the week J. G. Truitt, of Noblesville,
I believe that the non-employment is really Ind., called at the John Church Co., offering for
worse in Cuba than it is here in the States or in sale an attractive and serviceable style of piano
many other countries, and people do not have bench.
much money to spend, therefore business is at
J. F. Van Court, of the Otto Grau Piano Co.,
present quiet, but the outlook is much brighter concurred in the general expression of dealers.
than at this time last year."
He said: "Business is dull, of course. We do
A. B. CHASE PIANO CO. MOVES
not expect anything else at this time of the year.
But if this is a season of dullness, we fully ex-
VISITORS TO AEOLIAN HALL
New York Offices Now Located in the Berkeley
pect better things to come."
Building
Henry Dreher, of the B. Dreher's Sons Co.
E. E. Roberts, of the Baldwin Piano Co., said:
Cleveland, O.; Clarence Campbell, of the Knight- "The week was good, considering just what week
The A. B. Chase Piano Co., Inc., moved its Campbell Music Co., Denver, Col.; Howard Hill, it was. We expect much better trade in the
New York headquarters this week from 9 East manager of the music department of the D. H. very near future." C. H. DeVine, of the Aeolian
Forty-fifty street to the Berkeley building at 20 Holmes Co., and M. V. DeForeest, of Sharon, Co., expressed virtually the same thought in
West Forty-fifth street, according to an an- Pa., were among the visitors to Aeolian Hall slightly different words.
nouncement made by Warren C. Whitney, presi- this week.
dent. The company had been located at the East
It is the way a man sticks to a thing that marks
Forty-fifth street address almost three years and
Consult the universal Want Directory of him as a success or a failure. Many a fellow
the move was made on account of the selling of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted has won out at the eleventh hour just because
the building recently.
free of charge for men who desire positions. he wouldn't let go.
ST. PAUL and MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., January 9.—
This year of 1922 is not to be such a poor year
after all if the first week thereof may be re-
garded as a pace setter for the music trades of
the Northwest. Almost holiday returns were
the rule and everybody is content for the time
being. It is not in the line of reason, however,
to look for any great animation in any line
in the Northwest during February and March,
for the weather and custom are against any-
thing of the kind. But an active January will
help to tide the merchants over the inevitable
dull season and the indications are that the
month will bring goodly returns.
"We look for the results," said Joseph Frank,
of Hurley-Moren-Frank Co. "We are sure to
have a greatly increased demand for small goods,
owing to the widespread interest in music in
the schools. These sales, of course, are small,
but as long as they are plentiful and bring in the
cash why should we complain? It can hardly
be said that there is any general demand for
pianos; at least, we do not find such to be the
case. We have customers, but think we should
have more."
One of the very nice features of the first week
of 1922 with Foster & Waldo Co. was the sale
of a number of Ampicos in the Knabe. Such
sales count up in the totals and in other ways.
Mr. Foster is of the opinion that the music mer-
chants will have fairly good business for a fort-
night or more, but makes no predictions beyond
that time.
President Edward R. Dyer, of the Metropoli-
tan Music Co., is rejoicing over the closing of
a contract with the University of Minnesota for
six Steinway grand pianos. One is to be a big
concert grand and the others will be the large
parlor grands. Delivery will not be made until
next August, when the new department of music
of the University will be ready for its equip-
ment. The sale is about the most notable in the
piano line in some years so far as the Northwest
is concerned, and President Dyer is entitled to
some credit for the achievement.
Stone Piano Co. people are going after busi-
ness just as hard as ever. Manager John E.
Gerlick is of the opinion that, no matter how
hard the times may be, there are some people
in the community who have money and are in
position to purchase musical instruments if the
prices and other conditions are right. Acting on
this theory, he pulls and works every string
known to the trade—all the time—and he smil-
ingly confesses that his men and women are
selling not only Vocations and records but also
pianos.
To anticipate the rigors of a Minnesota Win-
ter the piano men who can afford it are going
South. W. J. Dyer, of W. J. Dyer & Bro., has
gone to Southern California. So has S. W. Rau-
denbush, of Raudenbush & Sons. C. L. Waldo,
formerly of Foster & Waldo, and who still has
his office in the old place, left last week for the
Los Angeles country.
Fv.)R TONK, UE/MJTY
'AND LASTING
„
ACCOMPUSHMCNT
John L. Stowers, president of the Howard
Stowers Co., 82 Brown Place, New York, ar-
rived in New York from Cuba on Monday of
this week and will remain in the city for a week
or ten days.
While talking to a representative of The Re-
view on Monday, Mr. Stowers said that he felt
fhe WERNER INDUSTRIES CO. Chi
SSCAL
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