The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-06
A REPORTER S SEARCH
For Musical Items for the
Trade Issue.

The reporter had become nothing but huge
interrogation point He had been ''hustling"
for week, interviewing the prominent business
houses, getting facts and figures for the Trade
Issue. Reporters never grow weary, but a
slight feeling of lassitude was making its way
from his brain down his spinal marrow, or vice,
versa, when his meditations were disturbed
by the editorial query:
Have you seen Ludden G. BatesY"
The reporter sat bolt upright. He met the
editorial eye fixed upon him in whitening sus.
plcion He tried to make an explanation, but
the SUBJECT was too much for him, and he stole
OUT OF the editorial gaze, convinced that the re-
portorlal board and laundry bill depended upon
an immediate survey of the music trade. Truth
to tell, the reporters mind had been so loaded
with strictly practical data that the ornamental
branches had escaped him.
He fastened up Broughton street. entered
inquired for Mr. Bates. ''Mr. Bates is in Chau-
tauqua, N. Y, was the reply.
The reporter explained his mission. and in re.
turn was shown the following message:
"CHAuTAuoUA, N. Y.
Entirely satisfied with the years trade Sales
larger than ever. Prospects never better. Kind
regards to all Savannah friends.
u. A. BATES"
The reporter gazed about him at the busy
workers in search of substitute. His per
plexity was ended by running against Mr. John
D. Murphy, who was in the act Of bowling gen
tleman out
Facts about the music trader With pleasure
You noticed the gentleman was talking with?
he is a country merchant, an intelligent shrewd
md if,h ar 20 rrlr
OF instruments. After a careful examination
he concluded that he might take Chickering
If the price suited him. The price was named
Why, said he, that's exactly what so and so
paid for just such piano, and l expect to buy
closer than he does l explained to him that
we had but one price to all cash buyers, and
while we would gladly accommodate him, we
were obliged to live up to our rule Very well ;
said he, 1 will buy from the manufacturer, and
he started to leave the wareroom. Wait a
moment, Mr. -, said l. If / can convince
you that our price on this piano is lower than
that of the manufacturers will you buy from
us Certainly said he, smiling with a kind
of don't-half- beieve-it air. Then showed him
letter from AIessrs. Chickering g. Sons, in
which they plainly state that our prices are
lower than theirs for their own pianos. That
settled it and the sale was closed at once.
tell you this because it illustrates the fact
sometimes doubted, that we are selling pianos
and organs at or below New York prices, and in
spite of that do not find it necessary to deviate
from our rockrooted rule of one price to eUeru
man"
But don't you have trouble in carrying out
that rule?" asked the reporter.
Very seldom. Once in a while we meet a
customer who will not be convinced, and we are
forced to give him up until he has written or
inquired everywhere and, finding our prices
lower than those of other houses, comes back
and buys
''iiow do you find sales at present9'
f6r ft,o e
are feeling confident of good crops and are buy
ing earlier than usual Our last years business
was over 100000, and it is still increasing"
where are SO many Instruments placedg'
asked the reporter. ut has always been as great
amystery to me as where the pianos go to. How
can one house sell such a number Of pianos and
organs every years.
"a very natural question" said Mr.. Murphy
But you must remember that our trade is con
fined to no small territory. Our Mr.. Bates has
always had the reputation of being an ingenious
tireleSS and bold advertiser, not only through
the newspapers, but in many other effective
ways, and we have often been assured by gen
tlernen who are in a position to know, that our
house is as well known as any in the trade,
either north or south
printers ink is a great thing, modestly ad-
mitted the reporter.
True but printers ink is worse than useless
unless it is backed up by meritorious instru-
always pursued the policy of representing only
nose Instruments which were unquestionable
HadeTS in their respective classes, and which
demonstrated their fitness to Withstand the
trying features of our climate"
'Is the southern climate harder on instru-
ments than that of the north?"
Probably not, when everything is considered,
but there are certain instruments manufactured
north which aCiH not endure the conditions
tot "a eft
of this and our first inquiry, when asked to eX-
anime new line of Instruments is: Are they
80 built as to resist our climatic conditioner"
"Your trade is not confined to Georgia, then?"
asked the reporter
"By no means. OF course we give our closest
attention to our home territory, but we make
large sales in nearly every southern state"
THE NEWS is particularly interested in the
condition of city trade, Mr.. Murphy, what can
YOU tell us about that?'
'eYou observe the appearance Of this floor
said Mr.. Murphy, pointing to the instruments
displayed in every available space. THAT is
the best answer l can make. Last year we
began to be- crowded in our principal ware
room, which is on the second floor, and we were
compelled to dispense with all other lines, and
confine ourselves strictly to music, in order to
get more room for our instruments The great
increase in variety of cases since the manufact-
urers have adopted mahogany, oak and walnut,
has also had its effect in making new ware
rooms necessary. In fact a dealer can, nova
DAYS hardly give purchaser fair idea of the
immense variety of new and tasteful cases
without large wareroom to display them in.
Altogether, We think the prospect of an in
creased city trade very fattering. We have
devised several new plans of selling, by which
we are able to give the easiest terms ever known,
and we fnd-it safe to give people all the &C
commodation they ask in the way of easy in
stallments, as the vast majority are honorable
and scrupulous in carrying out their contracts
At this moment Mr.. Murphy was called upon
to show an instrument, and the reporter turned
his attention elsewhere.
The Music and Musical Merchandise Depart
ment he was informed, has largely increased
its business the past year and is preparing
for a brisk season. The reporter was shown
new inportations of accordions, guitars, har
mOnicas, strings etc, and great variety Of fine
American banios, guitars and mandolins made
especially for the trade of this department by
the best American factories.
sSheet music" said Mr.. Richards the popu
lar music clerk" is Overwhelming. The best of
il is. that the demand for a higher class of
music is fast increasing, and while we shall
have a greater stock than ever of all popular
new music Mr. Smith has decided to carry
stock of the best foreign and classic editions,
which will make our shelves about as complete
as those of any house in the country"
The reporter also exchanged word or two
with Mr. Corner, the house cashier, and Mr..
"ColIectionS." said the latter, have been slow,
- yiuerf Mr. Iviian