Evening star., 1912-11-17

mercial establishment. i'm these days
of spirited competition, and an es-
tablishment which has rounded out
such a career with an unimpeach-
able record of business integrity,
fair dealing to all. has every reason
to be proud. Such an establishment
is that of r. r. Droop x Sons Co.
Washington's foremost music mer-
chandisers To the older residents
of Washington the history of the
house of Droop is familiar, but for
the information of the present gen.
Grafton it might be well to give a
brief resume of the rise and success
of this firm.
Fifty-five years ago today the late
Edward F.. Droop. only just past his
majority. came to Washington direct
from his home in Germany and en-
tered the commercial life of the
Capital by joining forces with the
late W. G. MetZerott. then the lead
ing piano and music dealer of Wash
ington.
Mr.. Droop's business ability. speed
lily recognized. soon Won for him an
equal partnership in the business.
which continued until the death of
Mr.. Metzerott. in 1884. when Mr..
Droop opened a new establishment
in his own name. and few years
later occupied the entire space in
the new four-story buildings erected
on the site of the old one at 9oo3-G2)
Pennsylvania avenue.
In 1897 Mr.. Droop's two sons. Ed
ward H. and Carl A., became part
ners in the business, the firm being
incorporated in 1904 under the pres
ent name. The progress and devel-
opment of the establishment had
been uninterrupted since the elder
Droop first entered commercial life
in Washington. and the firms sub
sequent history has been simply
continuation and elaboration. along
modern lines. of the early success
of it's founder.
Edward II. and Carl A. Droop.
present owners of the business. are
both native sons of Washington. re-
ceived their education in this city
and have practically grown up III
the business they now successfully
conduct, getting the greater part of
their business training right in the
store with their father. Edward III.
Droop is now secretary and treas
urer of the corporation. He has
been actively engaged in the music
business since 1885,. and, besides his
splendid attainmentS in the CONNER
cial line. is well known throughout
the city by reason of his more than
ordinary musical ability and talent.
which was developed under the best
instructors.
For many years a member of the
National Association of Piano Mer-
chants of America, he served in IA
number of official capacities. and
finally was elected president of the
organization. but declined reelection
because the requirements of his busi-
ness We're so great and eXacting as
to render ii impossible for him 10
give the office the attention ii need
ed. Mr.. Droop is a member of the
Commercial Club. the Rotary Club. a
member of the board of governors
of the Retail Merchants Association,
and at last Fridays meeting of the
Washington Board of Trade was
elected president of that body.
While president of the National
Association of Piano Merchants of
America Mr.. Droop'S efforts We're
constantly directed toward an e,eva
ton OF commercial ethics. He has
always stood for straightforward
ness in advertising, and the elimina-
ton of everything that might mis-
lead the public. and his attitude in
this respect received the hearty ap-
probation of the best men in the
association of which he was presi-
dent incidentally. il may be said
that his efforts along this line have
received recognition. for not only
have other national associations
Joined in the effort for business up
lit. but many newspapers and Pc
riodicals. and the National Advertis-
ing Club Of America. are today MAX
ing continued efforts 10 eliminate
every line of questionable advertiS-
ing from their publications. and
furthermore, in several states of the
Union stringent laws have been en-
acted against any and all forms of
misleading advertising of any ma
ture.
Carl a. Droop is president of the
corporation. During his college DAYS
he manifested a strong tendency to-
ward mechanics, and 10 develop
this taste and encourage his desire
to become thoroughly acquainted
with the most intricate details of
the business which he expected to
enter, he Joined the forces in the
great piano factories of Steinway &
sons He worked there six years,
pa assing through every department.
devotihs his time chiefly to construc-
ton work rather than TO the ac-
auirement Of piano technique. and
few men in Washington excel him
In his intimate knowledge of piano
construction and fnishing-an asset
of inestimable value to the firm of
which he Is member. At the pres
ent time he is treasurer of the Ma
9
chants of America. a member of the
Washington Country Club. Cham
Der of Commerce. Board of Trade
and treasurer of the Germania Club.
Three years ago the firm. now
grown 10 proportions that place ii
in the first rank of Washington's
commercial enterprises. removed to
its present quarters, occupying the
entire new four-story reinforced con-
crete structure al the corner OF 18th
ana u streets northwest. the build
ing being constructed specially to
meet the peculiar requirements of
the business TO which il is devoted
Edward II. and Carl A. Droop are
hoth men who have the civic interests
ot Washington closely at heart In
the conduct of their business they
are firm believers in the one-price
system. and both are frank to say
they see no reason why that system
cannot profitably be applied to any
line OF merchandising. Speaking of
the business OF the firm. and its pol
lev in regard to the selling end Mr.
Edward II. DroOp remarked to a
representative OF The Evening Star:
In the earliest stages of our bust
ness careers we We're taught that
success in any line depended upon
steady application and upon winning
ard retaining the regard and conf
dence of the public. We never could
bring ourselves TO believe that
through questionable methods of ad-
vertising we could induce the people
10 think they would get something
for nothing.
II costs money to produce high
class article in any line. and. while
We realize that there are different
grades OF pianos, as there are differ
ent grades Of wool. iron or anything
else. We have constantly endeavored
to secure the best in every grade