Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
trade paper, and that our columns are made up
of live trade matter. As announced in previous
issues, we shall continue on the same general
plan as outlined in previous Specials, and the
date of publication of the next of the series will
be announced in the near future. Original ideas
count in journalism as well as in other lines,
and it must be conceded that the line of SPECIAL
NUMBERS which have been published by us have
met with warm approval everywhere. We con-
fidently assert that the next of the series will
not be lacking in point of local and of national
interest.
pUBIJSJIED
PROSPERITY OF CANADIAN MUSIC
INDUSTRIES.
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries,
$4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
insertion; unless inserted upon rates made by special
contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
'
For H wv t.b'
us drain a bumper to the memory of
Jacques Cartier, the Columbus of Canada.
take pleasure in presenting to our
readers in all parts of the world, No. 3
of the
SPECIAL SERIES, commenced by
THE
last March—the CANA-
DIAN NUMBER. We have endeavored to make
this number fairly representative of the musical
industries of the Dominion of Canada. We
have spared neither pains nor expense to make
it representative throughout. Aside from much
of historical interest we present portraits and
brief sketches of the prominent Canadian firms
who have been principals in the development of
the musical industry in their section. The im-
mediate effect of this number will result in
bringing the music trade of Canada into closer
relations with other parts of the world and into
a more intimate acquaintance locally.
MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
passing criticism upon the SPECIAL NUM-
which we have published during the
present year, it should be carefully considered
that THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW is essentially a
BERS
|NDER the benign influence of a protective
tariff, the musico-industrial affairs have
developed phenomenally in Canada duiing the
past few years. Manufactories have sprung in-
to existence from Halifax to the eastern bound-
aries of Ontario. Some of these industrial
institutions have gradually expanded until
the distribution of their wares extends to all
parts of the civilized world. In Canada to-day
every part of the piano is manufactured, and it
cannot be successfully disputed that there are
musical instruments manufactured there which
deserve to take "high rank. The total number of
musical instrument manufacturers within the
boundaries of Canada is thirty-six ; this ts in-
clusive of the smaller manufacturers, whose
yearly output is very limited indeed. According
to various estimates, the number of pianos manu-
factured there last year exceeded eight thousand,
and the manufacture of organs was exceedingly
large.
• The province of Ontario takes the lead as a
manufacturing district, as outside of Toronto
there are scattered many large establishments.
It must be conceded that the development of the
manufacture of musical instruments during the
past ten years has been phenomenal. From a
comparative study of the situation of to-day and
years ago, the deduction must be drawn that the
Canadian industries have thriven under a protect-
ive tariff. The study furnishes a lesson that the
United States well may heed. Many of the estab-
lishments employ hundreds of ha,nds, and have
branches in the principal cities of the Dominion,
and in many foreign countries as well. Taken
as a whole the musical industries of Canada
reflect much credit upon the ability, the integ-
rity and the industry of the progressive Cana-
dians.
Business during the past twelve months with
the Canadian manufacturers has been fair. It
could hardly be properly designated as booming,
yet there has been a decided improvement over
our own trade conditions. For a long and thinly
settled country lying so close to a nation of
seventy millions, it, of course, would be impos-
sible, while we were suffering from a commercial
depression, for them not to receive some reflex
of our own condition. They have suffered by
our misfortune, though the force of the blow
has been broken for them. Their commercial
affairs have maintained at all times a degree of
stability which has not been evident in the
United States. They have had no disturbances
in the currency matter, and no demand for free
silver. Their governmental affairs are econo-
mically administered ; their political issues have
been tariff reform, and the application to the
administration of public affairs of those prin-
ciples of prudence, honesty and common sense
which have been safeguards of the commercial
system of Canada. It is reasonable to suppose
that Canadians will profit by the recent change
in the American tariff. It will furnish them an
increased market for lumber, barley and wool,
and, of course, by the general result of a return
of prosperity across the border. In musical
manufactures Canada is known all over the
globe, as her enterprising men have been paying
close attention to the development of an exten-
sive foreign trade.
"CONFIDENCE IS RESTORED."
^ H A U N C E Y M. DEPEW was recently asked
^3>» to give his views upon the business situ-
ation in the United States. He said : "Con-
fidence is restored—that means everything to
us.
The industrial energy of the 70,000,000
people in the country, not yet fully developed,
is resistless when credit and stability are assured.
The consuming and purchasing powers of this
homogeneous population make prosperity for
every business, regardless of foreign demands.
"There is no end of idle money which will
now seek active employment. In less than two
years the panic of 1893-94 will be forgotten.
Mines, furnaces, mills and factories will be in
full operation ; railroads will be conveying pro-
fitable traffic, and the movement of internal
commerce and the free circulation of currency or
the equivalent in business and wages will cer-
tainly increase the demand for everything pro-
duced upon the farm or elsewhere.
'' There will be some setbacks, but only tem-
porary, and they will be followed by greater
activity. The next six years will, in my judg-
ment, mark a gratifying advance in the solid
prosperity of the country. Beyond that period
it would be rash to predict, because of the specu-
lative tendencies which come with expanding
credit.
" We have touched bottom and scraped along
it. We are now off the rocks and away from the
breakers. The panic was, in a sense, senti-
mental , and all that sentiment will soon be prac-
tically expressed in unbounded confidence in the
future.
"These ideas may seem optimistic, but the
United States is an optimistic country. Our re-
sources may be temporarily paralyzed, but with
certainty as to currency and tariff legislation we
are ripe for a long period of prosperity in busi-
ness, good wages and full employment for
labor."
The settlement of the tariff question is the
beginning of a new era of prosperity. The
country has passed through the most serious in-
dustrial and financial distress in its history.
Dr. Depew is an eminent authority upon com-
mercial matters, and it is with satisfaction that
we chronicle his optimistic views of our future
as a nation.