Scan 28
Musical Courier 1893-09-27: Vol 27 Iss 707, 1893
89 lines. Read by computer on 20 September 2026. Printed page 29. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE DIPLOMAS.
3THE attention of the trade is at this moment centered upon the injunction proceedings brought against the World's Columbian Exposition by the Chase Brothers Piano Company to prevent the official promulgation of the awards and diplomas granted to exhibitors of musical instruments at the Fair.
5The court may dissolve the injunction for various reasons, such as lack of evidence, no jurisdiction or other technical or legal grounds. If it does, or did so yesterday, a writ of error may again continue the case, and if it sustains the injunction the World's Fair authorities will also appeal.
7Should the court dissolve the injunction which would permit the awarding of diplomas, they would have a legal status that would make them stronger and more influential than previous diplomas granted to piano, organ and musical instrument exhibitors, for they would have the tacit endorsement of a United States Court, which, in dissolving the injunction, would dismiss the allegations of fraud and of ignorance.
9Every good citizen is supposed to abide by the decisions of the Courts; in fact there is nothing else to do except the final arbitration. The only thing the people of this country could do, after the Dred Scott decision, was to decide the question with the sword, but civil war is out of the question in the music trade, as can be seen in the nature of the articles in our contemporaries.
11The diplomas thereupon issued would be open to the inevitable analysis of their respective merits, and the final decision would necessarily rest with THE MUSICAL COURIER.
13STRAUCH BROTHERS
14On the Value of Certain Patents in Piano Actions.
16THE method by which the exhibits in the World's Fair were judged worthy of award was based on the idea that such awards were to be given for "Peculiar merits or Points of excellence."
18This naturally brought into prominence the improvements, patented or not, which the various firms in the different industries claim to have made.
20A patent is simply a certification from the Patent Office that the examiners know of no other patents on record that conflict with or supersede the improvements claimed by the inventor.
22It should be remembered in this connection that many persons do not take out patents on improved methods in manufacture, preferring to run the risk of possible infringement rather than to disclose their improved methods to the public by patenting them. If therefore any other person should take out a patent on any such methods and sue for infringement, the plaintiff would be quickly nonsuited on the ground that these methods had already been in practical use.
24In the piano action business to-day many firms advertise patents which could not stand the legal test, that is, it would be found by a suit at law for infringement that the patent was invalid because the principles involved have been used years before, or perhaps been patented before in this country or abroad.
26We have deemed it in the interest of the trade at large to call attention to the true value of certain patents which have been taken out within the last few years for improvement in action making.
28Grand Action.
30The constantly increasing demand for grand pianos naturally brought those interested in the manufacture of grand actions to see their defects and to use their utmost endeavor to remedy them, and so bring the action to the highest possible perfection.
32In this work, which called for scientific investigation and experiment, our house led.
34Investigation in the Patent Office disclosed the fact that some of the methods now used in grand actions were all contained in patents taken out many years ago.
36All the methods of dividing the springs in a grand action are contained in these old patents, the only change being in the position occupied by the springs. These changes in position are only brought about by the improved construction of the action. The same method of regulating the jack under the butt employed to-day, as well as the regulation rail, were used years ago. All this is now patented and used by several American action manufacturers, and therefore, for the reasons we have stated, their patents are invalid.
38Upright Actions.
40The wooden damper blocks in the upright action having always given a great deal of trouble from splitting or getting loose and sliding down the wire, much attention has been given to improve this part of the action.
42Many patents have been taken out on various arrangements, the chief among which has been that of a brass tube in four or five different conditions. Some 12 years ago, while experimenting on damper blocks in our factory, we made up and used a large number of damper blocks which contained a brass bushing. They met with a great deal of success, but in view of a later improvement which we made were laid aside by us. Some years later, when enumerated the veneered bridge, increased strength of iron frame, and patent swinging desk for upright pianos, and the patent pianissimo pedal.
44Included in the catalogue are a number of strong testimonials from artists and others who have used the Baus pianos with satisfaction.
46***
48Behning & Sons received from Miss Mary Louise Clary, contralto St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, under date of September 20, the following strong testimonial: "It gives me pleasure to say that after using your piano for three years I find it to give complete satisfaction in all points vital to an artist. With its rich, full tone it seems especially well adapted to accompanying the voice in singing."
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52What a beehive that building 511 and 513 East 137th street is, and it is largely devoted to piano manufacturing too, some four or five different concerns being encompassed within its walls.
54***
56Strich & Zeidler are among the number, and we have a few words to say regarding this young firm.
58A glance about their orderly kept factory convinces one that Strich & Zeidler are attending to their business themselves. A slovenly kept workshop generally indicates slovenly work, and the reverse prevails under systematic conditions. The reverse prevails at the Strich & Zeidler factory, and the instruments turned out attest careful consideration, even to the smallest details. Strich & Zeidler are a working firm, i.e., they do manual labor at the bench, if you please. Every piano that leaves the factory represents money actually earned by the members of the firm in its construction. There is a profit to them, and it is one of the elements which is influencing their favorable progress. System, industry and a thorough knowledge of piano building are carrying the young men along in a channel of prosperity both encouraging and satisfactory.
60Their styles of pianos are handsome, work well put together, clean and substantial. Tone, musical and full. Dealers give the Strich & Zeidler pianos a strong word of commendation.
62They are good sellers.
64***
66Avoid the Crush.
68HAVE you arranged for taking down and packing your exhibition booths and exhibits for shipment and delivering the same to depots?
70We make one contract for any or all of the above under your supervision or not, as you may prefer.
72With a large number of experienced men and competent superintendents in the grounds November 1 we can save you money and worry.
74A request by mail or telephone will bring a representative at once to figure on work.
76Prompt placing of this order with us is as much to your advantage as ours.
78[The above notice is circulated among the exhibitors by a Chicago firm of builders and contractors.]
80C. H. Ditson & Co. Robbed.
82DONALD BATTERSON, an old sailor, who was employed by the New York branch of C. H. Ditson & Co. in repairing damages done by the recent fire, was arrested Monday for the theft of a number of musical instruments. Batterson stopped work Monday saying he was going to return to his home in Scotland. After his departure two valuable violins were missed and the police were informed. Two detectives were put on the case, and in his rooms they found, in addition to the violins, two large accordions, two dozen cheap clarinets, a cornet, a snare drum and large bass drum.
84He was arraigned in Jefferson Market Police Court, pleaded guilty, and was held for trial in $2,000 bail.
86***
88IT must not be forgotten that the music trade press of the United States has not only declared, but has insisted upon it, that the judges or the jury of the musical instrument department of the World's Fair were incorruptible and were experts. THE MUSICAL COURIER has never committed itself to either of the two propositions. The jury was not incorruptible; the jury was not an expert body. For certain important, particular and essential reasons THE MUSICAL COURIER respectfully asks that this should not be forgotten. These reasons will soon become manifest.
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