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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
33°
REVIEW.
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OUR CENTENNIAL NUMBER.
THIS number of the Music TRADE REVIEW is intend-
ed as a memento of the part taken by the music trade
of New York city in the Centennial celebration. It is,
in its own way, commemorative of the hundreth anni-
versary of the immortal Washington's inauguration as
First President of the United States of America. As in
duty bound, both as Americans and as custodians of the
interests of the trade, we have striven to accomplish
something worthy of the occasion. We present a full
and graphic description of that portion of the pageant
which was devoted to the illustration of the progress
within the past century, and of the present condition, of
industries connected with the art of music. The pic-
torial embellishments are the work of our specially re-
tained photographers and artists, of whose skill they
are wondrously beautiful examples. They include views
of the parade; portraits of prominent manufacturers and
others by whom the arrangements for a worthy repre-
sentation of the music trade were initiated, developed
and carried out; pictures of the badges worn and of the
flags and banners displayed, etc. It is with great grati-
fication, and some pride, that we present to our readers
this souvenir of a great national event. Long live the
Republic of the United States! Long may her arts and
manufactures stand among the chiefest glories of her
people, and attract the wondering and unstinted, admira-
tion of civilized mankind!
MEN OF T H E MUSIC T R A D E , T H E TIME
TO ORGANIZE A P R O T E C T I V E
UNION I S NOW.
FOR more than a year the Music TRADE REVIEW has
strongly advocated the necessity of the members of the
music trade of America forming a Protective Union.
We have, from time to time, through the columns of
this journal outlined our views and have given potent
reasons why such an organization would eliminate from
the trade many existing evils which are sapping this
business trade to its innermost depths. From far off
California we cull the following from the San Francisco
auguration of the immortal Washington be also com-
memorative of the dawn of a new era in the annals of
the music trade. Let there be active steps taken at
once in this matter.
The columns of THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW are open
to the expression of ideas upon this subject, and in our
next issue we hope to be able to present the views of
members of the trade upon some plan for organization.
The first step taken should be to decide upon some
time and place for a meeting, where a full discussion
of plans of procedure can be taken.
Who will take the initiative move?
Weekly Chronicle:
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW:
A valuable journal for the trade; it is ably edited,
and we notice that it takes a bold stand in favor of a
reform in the credit line, which it suggests can be
effected by the organization of a Piano Makers' and
Dealers' Protective Union. It gives potent reasons
why such a movement should be made, and of the bene-
fits the trade would derive from it.
Yes, we alone, of all journals claiming to represent
the growing musical industries of this vast and rapidly
developing country, have taken this for a leading issue
for over a year.
We propose to continue right on and " fight it out on
this line if it takes all summer;" but, from recent indi-
cations, we believe that ere this summer shall have ap-
proached " the sere and yellow" the men who com-
pose the best elements of our trade will have fully
realized the urgent necessity of forming an organiza-
tion to protect themselves against the doings of irre-
sponsive dealers whose actions and speculations are a
blot upon our fair trade.
The recent great failure will have this effect, to set
the manufacturers thinking as to what can be done
towards crushing that tendency which has constantly
been growing, namely, that of granting unlimited
credits and renewals to men who are not deserving of
such favors.
The only practical way to relieve this, which all
admit is a growing evil, is for the manufacturers to
form a Union patterned after the similar associations
of all great trades. The commendable feature of such
organizations could be adopted while all that is objec-
tionable could be easily avoided.
We have received many communications from prom-
inent individuals signifying their willingness to take
part in perfecting such an association, and urging us to
continue on our course until we shall have arrived at
success on our part.
Possibly, in accordance with the laws of nature and
the theories of some economists, " each man for him-
self " should be the rule, but the elements which have
formed modern society have eliminated much of that
purely se'fish feature and have made life tolerable. It
is pure folly to advocate such a theory in connection
with a vast industrial trade.
The only key to the advancement of the situation is
expressed in the one word Union. Would not such a
Union as we advocate, with headquarters in this city
where members of the trade could meet to discuss
vital questions, be of advantage to the entire music
trade? A place where petty jealousies and animosities
could be laid aside and all could substantially aid each
other and advance their general interests.
Information regarding the standing of individuals,
which could not be obtained elsewhere, could be ob-
tained here on the perfection of such a plan as we have
suggested.
It is claimed by some that harmony cannot exist in
the music trade.
Such reasoning does stand after the scenes we have
just witnessed during the Centennial parade, and, Gen-
tlemen of the Music Trade, let this be the beginning of
a harmonious solidification. Let the celebration com-
memorating the one hundredth anniversary of the in-
MR. BLUMENBERG has recently been advertising the
Henry F. Miller & Sons Piano Company, at Boston,
Mass., pretty extensively. In so doing he has not very
seriously harmed that eminent house. Blumenberg's
little scheme will not work. As we pointed out in our
last issue, all his boastings, and criticisings, and self-
glorifyings may be condensed into a very few lines of
print. He would save much time and space by express-
ing himself thus:—"Gentlemen of the piano trade, I
have an infallible test of your pianos. Advertise in the
Musical Courier, and your pianos will be perfect. Re-
frain or desist from advertising in my columns, and, hey
presto! Every piano in your factories and warerooms
must necessarily be a trashy, worthless thumping-box.
Yours condescendingly, Marc A. Blumenberg, High
Priest and Chief Conjurer of the Music Trade of the
Universe." Marc, however, instead of putting his case
in this simple way, spins out an interminable yarn, full
of spite, rant, and egotism. But, be his vaporings long
or short, does he think that piano men are fools enough,
or lunatics enough, to believe in them? Still, when he
sees his advertising patronage dwindling week by week,
he is driven to some trick or another in order to fill up
his paper. So he fills it with "1,1, I, I, I."
Weak as such tactics must in any case be, IVarc
weakens his position still more by employing the use-
less weapons of malice and petty vindictiveness. In
our former issue we asked this question:—" How would
Blumenberg like to see in print a letter written by him
to a certain pianist who is on very friendly terms with
the Miller Company, in which the words ' what is the
matter with the Millers, and why can't we do some busi-
ness, " or words to a similar effect, appear ? " " Print that
letter!" howls Marc, with a desperate attempt at virtu-
ous defiance. Perhaps we may print it; but it will be
at our own volition, and not at the command of Mr.
Blumenberg. Just now we will print something else
about the Millers which may prove interesting to that
gentleman. We have it on good authority that the
first attack made by Blumenberg on the Millers in this
recent continuous advertising of their house was occa-
sioned by the Millers not only giving an advertisement
to J. C. Freund, but speaking well of him. How's that,
old dog in the manger ? Good thing to " print," eh ?
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.
J\ SERIOUS error occurs in the report of the com-
mittee authorized to collect subscriptions from
the trade for the purposes of the piano-makers'
parade. The report states that a subscription was re-
ceived from the Mathushek Piano Company. This is
not so. The Mathushek Piano Company were asked to
subscribe, but refused. Messrs. Mathushek & Son,
however, responded to the invitation cordially, and
with a generous contribution, and yet their name does
not appear in the Committee's report. It would be
manifestly and grossly unjust to Mathushek & Son
were this error allowed to remain uncontradicted.
M
MR. P. H. POWERS, of the Emerson Piano Company,
Boston, Mass., has returned from his Southern trip
greatly improved in health.