John C. Freund’s new publication, “Music and Drama”, prints a false article, aiming to undermine the notion of Steinway family having achieved their success without any outside help: “August Belmont lent Mr. William Steinway $100,000 during December 1859 and March 1860 at the time of the fire which destroyed Lighte & Bradbury’s factory… The money was borrowed and loaned in order to enable the Steinways to jump in and get Lighte & Bradbury’s trade. As the money was invested in the business, August Belmont has on several occasions refused to take it back, claiming that it is a definite investment which entitles him to a share in the business. It is said that he is getting an average of fifteen percent on his money.” To connect the false report with current events, John C. Freund claims that the Belmont’s interest in Steinway & Sons has been supervised by the accountant Adolph Sommer: “the firm is tenaciously upholding their bookkeeper, because he owed his appointment to the influence of the Belmonts”.