The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-05
THE MUSIC TRADE
ANOTHER BRANCH IN wBrou
VANNAH LEADS THE so1rz 40


Bates-some Facts About its p
ness for 10000. ''-
1t is a continual matter of surnr;sa.
observers OF business in Savannah tba. '.Uss
great piano and organ trade of the ..' 'as
should be transacted in this citv -'a
perity in the cotton. naval
or lumber trade is reasonably exnaot.s
surrounded as we are by increasing ~
duction in these lines. But it is verv t p~
to see why we should surpass our neigbha'l
in the sale of musical
struments. The fact of
matter is that this state OF THINGS ba, 'us
brought about entirely by the extr.on s'n
nary enterprise of single concern-ts.
Ludden g. Bates Southern Music HouaS
Enterprise and energy alone. bowors0
could never have established such a b,.n.
ness as is yearly transacted by this bor.a
The general history of Ludden & Ra,o. =
quite well known in this part of the ,ror,l
A very small beginning, just twenty yaaa.
ago, IN the race or great obstacles. a ma
Vicious growth. year by year. in snita -
endless encouragement, and the final 49, "
ment OF trade nearing half million of J";
lars yearly. uOl'
1t is not so well known, however rh..
were the personal char acteristics " ans
abilities that alone accomplished this wor orb
AS IN many other cases OF great CONNER
clal success. the marvellous growth of TnJJH.'
& Bates was due to a rare combinatio.
personal qualities in the founders Of the nv. ~
Germ. W. Ludden was an educated nv
fessional musician as well as ~
experienced and very clever msn
of business-a decidedly rare conhina
tion-musiciaps in general not BEING notod
for ability in practical affairs. He had sIso
an Intimate acquaintance with many of H.
leading manufacturers of Pianos and Or
gans, and close relations with some of the
great publishing houses. These facts ems
bled the new firm to establish a snlendid
connection, which has never ceased r. ~
| one of the strong points in the success n
the house. No amount of push or enterprise
could have built an enduring trade with
any but the instruments of the ereatast
manufacturers, aud Ludden & Batas
have always held the general southern
agency for the most celebrated makers.
julius A. Bates, as junior partner, brought
to the new house qualities no less important
A born advertiser. which means not merely
the ability TO scatter printers ink, india
flaming circulars. or post disfguring sign
extraordinary insight into what peons
wish to buy, and the unfailing sense tn
know that it is entirely useless-worse than
useless-to advertise any but meritorious
instruments, or to make any offers than
cannot be little more than lived I'D to- Mr.
Bates had also a very keen appreciation
of the weaknesses of the piano and
| organ trade as usually conducted. This led
to the adoption of the one price system,
| almost an unheard of thing in the sale Of
| musical instruments. Every one said that
1t meant sure failure. The majority Of the
| trade believed and still believes that it ia
| necessary TO sell at cost, even at a sacri-
| fee, to very close buyer, and to make
| double profit out of the unwary or inexperi-
| enced. Said Mr.. Bates: "Its the SQUARE.
| honest way to sell instruments, and we'll
sell that way or die trying to. But we won't
die. People know good thing
when you explain it to tnemn And
as he happened to have unusual ability in
giving people clear insight into the new
| plant became and remained one Of the
strong elements Of success in the business
| a success, because it is absolutely lived up
to. no subterfuges beng tolerated on the
| part of over-zealous agents or statesmen.
1t is elements of the kind mentioned-as
well as increasing and liberal enterprise, that
have placed Ludden g. Bates Southern
Music House at the head of the southern
music trade.
In 1884 the business was incorporated, Mr.
Ludden retiring from active share in the
business but remaining as president Of the
company, and giving invaluable assistance
in New York, where most of his time 10
spent. For some years Mr.. Bates health
had been in a precarious condition. due to
over work, and realizing, almost too late,
that mi oot1Id Inc trOl 90 i'm y0rfQnk
business, others were associated In the
management. At the present time the
officers and directors are: w. Ludden,
president; J. H. Bates, vice-president ard
general manager; Jaspersen Smith, treas
urer; John d. Murphy, secretary, the two
latter assuming the active management OF
the details of the business.
Some idea of the general increase OF busl-
ness IN the south, as well as the growth Oh
l. & B. s. M. H., may be gained from the
fact that in 1889 the house sold over SoO,OOO
more than in any other year Of its existence,
and 1890 promises still greater results, being
already largely In excess of the same period
of 1889. A glance through the crowded
warerooms and offices of L. & B. occupying
five floors of one of the largest buildings IN
the city, is an interesting experience. Inc
house takes great pride in its small army OF
helpers, and boasts that every employe
is an expert in his special line. IL is tne
only piano house in the south, as far as
known, where a piano or organ could Dc
built outright from the manufacturer
parts.
This notice would hardly be complete
without reference to the spirit always
displayed by Ludden & Bates In fostering
interest in music in Savannah.
At large expense it controls Armory
hall, where it has given series OF INFORMAL
concerts that have attracted the most cuI-
tured musicians and amateurs. IL Is eA~
pected that these musicals will be con-
tinued indefnitely, and their influence 10
refining and educating musical taste can
not be overestimated.
Altogether, Ludden & Bates Southern
Music House is matter of pride, not ony
TO its stockholders, but to the general puOnc
as well, and expressions of this feeling nave
never been lacking either from the people
or the press, the latter having always been
most kind in praise of an enterprise winch
has had, to say the least Of 1t, most un
looked for and gratifying success in pusr
ness which cannot fail to add to the nap.
piness and refinement of thousands p"
homes,
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