New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-27
TIE SrEIYW4Y-WEBER PIANO VAR

INTEREST IN THE CONTROVERSY REVIVED By TIRE
VAN DYKE sUrT-sTATENENIs or Mr.. srEINwAY
AND MR.. WEBER.
Tho curious suit to recover n balance of
COS Is winch Herbert Van Dyke alleges due
from stenway Sons, appears destined to revive the
Old controversy between the firms OF Albert Weber and
steinway & Sons IN regard awards made by the
udaes the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 10 the
speotive merits OF the pianos manufactured by The
firms Van Dixie alleges. I'm eXnblt annexed to his
couulant that between october 80, 1876 aud MAY ],
1878 he performed services III investigating the trans
,ous md agreements OF George L. BrstOw and other
officials Of the Centennial Exhibition with Albert Weber
for the purpose inducing said BristOw aud officials
change their positions and records to award Albert
Weber To tho benefit OF Steinway sons; I'm nyestiga
,on Of ec ed frauds aud eorruptons duplicating the
said Weber Brstow, the judges as TO pianos and other
officials Of the Centennial Exposition and other persOns
In nrocurlug facts adayits and statements upon which
said awards we're modified; In drawing and preparing
Certificates and other documents favoriug tue
,nterests and plans Of steinway & Sons for
sold Bristow and others TO sign, and I'm
procuring the signatures OF said Brstow TO the same
e also alleges that he employed discover and 10
report 10 stein way sons ali Of the facts that he could
When abstract of Van Dykes allegations SHOWN
10 Mr.. stcinway Friday lie said " In our answer We
He never employed by ~ for tile purpose which he
alleges and the nbsurdty of his claim can be shown
very ensy. His alleged services. he says, began Oct0
Der 80 1S76. The JUDGES made tue trial of the pianos
June g. 1876. ana within week me jury had DECIDED
on the awards. and the members had dispersed. On
Ssptcuber 27, 1876, over month before Van Dyke
alleged servcts began according TO his own showing,
the awards were made public Ia Philadelphia, ana The
TRlEINE o the day had special dispatch annOuu-
eng tine result what then Is left or the claim OF this
man Who Fall OF 1870 arrested on The com
paut of Max StrakOsch who charged hm with convert
ing n hs own use the proceeds OF concert amounting
to Sl,OOOH -. -,- -. -,
Wehcr ir he was some hat surprised as well a. de-
lighted " ith pected turn affairs had taken. Ii
Van D, ko proves his charges said he, "Stenway
sons Nil be liable action BY each of for logging
ms around as they have done. Van Dyke must have
souc ground for the allegations which ne has to-
and haven't much doubt that his statements
Ne have considerable N stake In this suit, and shall
watch IT, progress with much interest n some partIcu
lara are wanting perhaps We can supply the missing
link fIou our books. But Van d. he must have some
nroofs or wouldnt attack such house. 30 lar
are concerned, court the fullest investigation OF the
matter and only desire that the bottom facts may be
brought out.
IN the Judges gave the highest award 10 stenway,
WHY did tney think 10 necessary. IN order TO refe the
claims Of what they called w0uld-be hrsclass house.
10 send TO Europe for official confirmation Of the
award This indicated that there WAS some under
hand work But they found that IL necessary do
something because cutting into their trade 50
terrbly When there the official verdict what did
they want OF an official confirmation OF the verdict"