New-York tribune., 1900-10-28

ley or turn of the Rhine or mediaval sanctuary
across the waters
MEN OF FEW WORDS.
Should inquistor presume to ask how man
who plays for pennies came into possession of
such costly looking instrument he would doubt
less be rewarded by series Of rapid shrugs and
sidewise gestures Of the hands A half dozen
street piano players thus approached by a
Tribune reporter the other day before
found who could speak with his tongue instead of
his hands. The last italian answer to the ques-
ton whether he owned his piano not replied:
Il no ownO de piano. I make de musk"
He was a bright eyed fellow. but his lantern jaws
did not tell Of any too much spaghetti and black
bread.
Who owns the piano?" the reporter asked.
DE mano, he keepa de saloono," was the answer.
How much do you pay the saloonkeeper a day."
"Twenty-fva da centa."
How much do you make day?"
"Oh," and here shrug after another.
Il no know. Mayba dolla, mayba dolla haffa,
mayba two dOlla" BY dint of many more ques-
uons the reporter learned that the fellow earned
each day an average Of a dollar and quarter thus
making dollar profit On that amount he was
able, he said. support a wife and daughter and
send back weekly remittances TO Italy.
SAVE MONEY TO BUY THEM.
He said that most Of the Italians rented their
pianos, but saved a little money from day to day
until they could buy for themselves The
saloons where the instruments might be rented
were scattered throughout the Italian quarters Of
the city. Some saloonkeepers owned as many as
twenty pianos, involving an investment OF as much
s2 900. At the rate Of 25 cents day for each
machine the made a yearly profit of about
81 800. 75 per his capital dividends which
put shame many gilt edged security in Wall
Street There were two ,saoonkeepers in Baxter-st.
the piano player said, who did a big business in
this line.
The reporter went the Baxter-st. resort about
two hours before midnight. Eight Italians had al
ready arrived each dragging his instrument after
him The saIoonkeeper was found behind the bar
busily filling a small feet of "schooners." AS the
musicians tired from a long days exertions
the owner of their machines called them to the bar
and invited each to drink
How many pianos do you rent out this way?'
the reporter asked the saloon man. who al once
"6bo1t twenty" was the answer
You charge % cents each one?"
"Yes%I make about IS a day, said the dealer in
How much do these pianos cost?" was asked.
COST FROM SIS TO $50
From S75 10 $3.50. when brand new Those"
pointing the eight which had just been returned.
cost 500 apiece"
The wholesale dealer IN music then went 10
say that most of these who rented their machines
were newly landed immigrants, who AT once set
10 work buy n push piano y ith savings. He said
that unmarried man could live 40 cents
dav and save more than he spent
'rhe pianos seen the streets Of this city
in This business here and one IN Philadelphia. The
firm Of Gravano & Zarbella, which not only does
large business in making street pianos but In
nairing them. is the top floor Of the hnt-irOn
shaped building In Chatham Sqrare, with tho city
Hail branch OF the elevated railroad one side
and the South Ferry on the other
HOW THEY LOOK inside
On this top floor a Tribune reporter found 5gnOr
Crsvano the head member Of the firm. Ho was
busily employed repairing old machine. The
front had been taken on exposing row OF strings
three FOR each note; Of hammers. padded
with chamois skin. and huge wooden cylinder
bristling with iron pins. SignOr Grayano explained
that the cylinder had ten sets Of pins for nnny
tunes one turn Of the cylinder finished n tune
and a new melody was begun by shifting tho cyIin-
der sidewise far enough so that different set OF
uinR might strike the hammers
He said that his knowledge there two
hundred street pianos in the city, but he deplored
the fact that there were now toe many for the
r,,bIic's fullest appreciation. Many however
earned enough he said, in this city In summer to
enable them 10 go South IN winter He knew of ten
who had gone to Cuba, believing that that island
would afford a hed for exploitation and profit.