Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
EDWARD IAMAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St., New York
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REMITTANCES, In other than currency form, should
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Manufacturers have been so inoculated
with the virus of "hard times" that they
find it hard to avoid "kicking"—hard to re-
alize that times are on the mend, and that
we are entering into newer and brighter
industrial conditions.
The improvement in business now per-
ceptible is making itself felt slowJy, but
surely. It is not coming on us like a
cyclone, it is true; but what boots, when
the improvement is here—an improvement
which is developing into solid proportions.
OSTLY every industry in the coun-
try makes it a point to hold an
annual exhibition in this city. The Bicycle
Show this week has been a wonderful
success. As far as we know, the only
industry which has failed to adopt this
modern method of keeping its wares before
the public is the music trade. There is no
question but a local exhibition of musical
instruments would be right "in the swim,"
were some of our leading men enterprising
enough to make a start in this direction.
NE of the problems that confronts
the manufacturer who is planning
a business policy for the year is the ques-
tion of economy—economy in manufactur-
ing, and economy in general expenses.
Every merchant at the beginning of the
New Year tries to figure a little closer than
the year past.
There are two ways of doing it.
The one by cheapening everything con-
nected with the business, from its standing
and reputation down to the employees; the
other and better way, by making each part
of the business a greater earning power.
This can be done b)^ making each part
thoroughly efficient, and by eliminating
everything that does not or cannot be made
to reach the higher standard.
To pursue this policy may cost money
—more money than was considered neces-
sary last year—but it will inevitably lead
to better results if properly employed and
thoroughly persisted in.
Cutting down expenses often takes the
form of trying to get something for nothing;
it is usually a delusion that ends in failure.
The manufacturer of the future who can
so conduct his business on the lines of true
economy as to be able to sell his products
at a closer margin without impairing his
own legitimate profits is the one who is
going to command trade in the future.
Senseless price cutting will never succeed
in attracting trade. It is always a losing
game.
Good instruments cannot be sold cheap.
M
T
(inter «d at tht New York Post Office as Second Cla ss Matter.
••THE BUSINESS MAN'S PAPER."
M
ANUFACTURERS and dealers,
with few exceptions, have now
squared up their books for 1895, and the
results, as far as we can learn, are very
satisfying.
Inventory has, during the past few years,
been one of anxiety and dread; but we are
happy to say it is not the case this year.
The improvement over the preceding
year is pronounced.
Many manufacturers expected a better
business, but, taking everything into con-
sideration, there is much to be thankful for.
O
apparently at all times ready to sacrifice
everything for office or the desire to put
into practice certain "theories."
The demands of manufacturers for such
legislation as would enable them to better
protect theii interests and to place Amer-
ican manufactures in all the important
markets of the world, have been ignored.
To this end the Convention, at its meet-
ing this week, resolved to secure such
legislation as will create a new member of
the Cabinet, to be known as Secretary of
Manufacture. They also advocated larger
markets on the basis of "reciprocity" as
well as the advisability of establishing
exhibitions of American products in the
South American capitals.
The music trade industry was poorly
represented, as far as numbers went, at the
Convention, which was attended by over
a thousand manufacturers, embracing every
branch of industry from mostly every State.
The manufacturers' plants represented
employ over a million hands, and turn out
products worth annually a billion dollars.
There can be no question as to the great
value of this Association. It is entirely
free from political or private control, and
its main purpose is to formulate such prac-
tical methods as would tend to the enlarge-
ment of our trade, both domestic and
foreign. It will also exert an influence
toward divorcing business from politics.
In this way a commonsense settlement of
the questions of tariff, currency and bank-
ruptcy is possible. These matters affect
the business world directly, and should be
considered by business men, not politicians.
NE is puzzled at the variety of
opinions now rife anent the out-
look for business in the music trade indus-
try this year. A number of manufacturers
hold that before this year closes we will
experience a mild "boom." On the other
hand can be found a large army of pessi-
mists who argue to the contrary, and prefer
to sit down and wait for the good times to
come.
These opinions are entitled to due respect
and
consideration.
HE Convention of the National Manu-
We think meanwhile that there is a
facturers' Association, which took
happy
medium between such divergent
place the past week in Chicago, was of
significance, not alone for the number and views of the situation.
A flood tide of prosperity should not be
standing of those present, but for the fact
r
that it points a new era in the development expected this } ear, nor is it possible that a
of the foreign trade of this country, and a phenomenal business will be transacted.
A better trade than last year is certain
betterment of these conditions which lead
to improved trade and brighter industrial to occur.
It will manifest itself slowly but steadily,
prospects at home.
The business interests of this country and can be accelerated by the adoption of
have been, time and time again, interfered progressive business methods.
Manufacturers who hope to increase
with and disrupted by politicians who are
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