Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 22

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
fession. At the same time he must admits
that the piano manufacturers had a right to
take such concerted action as they deemed
expedient to prevent the unprincipled man
from plying his nefarious trade under the
convenient cloak of trade journalism.
Trade journalism is a legitimate as well as'
a necessary adjunct to manufacturing. It^
is, when confined to its proper functions,
an educator and an abettor of trade.
Music trade manufacturers as well as
manufacturers in other lines recognize this,
and we do not believe that they have any
desire to abridge either the freedom or the
independence of the papers which fairly
represent them. They do not mean how-
ever, to permit virulent abuse to flourish
under the guise of honest criticism.
The statement is authoritatively made
WM. M KIN LEY.
that the "Press Committee" of the Associ-
ation will be its president, Adolph H.
On this platform the Republican Party
Fischer, William Steinway and John
has nominated as its standard bearer,
Evans. With a committee of such invin-
Wm. McKinley, of Ohio, and Garrett A.
cible standing it cannot be disputed that
Hobart, of New Jersey.
the press matter has reached beyond a
Major McKinley's record, both in public
theory to a condition. This condition
and private life, is stainless, and he is
would not have arisen had the men engaged
thoroughly capable through his wide ex-
in music trade journalism confined their'
perience in public life to occupy the chair
work to legitimate lines.
of Washington with credit and honor to
Passing over the blackmailing editor,
himself, and with due regard to the inter-
there is another class which have just as
ests of the' entire people of the United
much deteriorated and tended to degrade
States.
the operations of self-respecting journalists.
The news of the nominations was received
That is the men who seek under the
with hearty approbation by the business
promise of securing trade and all that, to
people of this city, and in the piano trade
extort large sums of advance money from
especially the consensus of opinion, irre-
gullible manufacturers; the same men who
spective of political belief, is that the clear
come around and ask as a personal favor,
and forceful platform adopted at St. Louis
don't you know, "to pay this quarter's ad-
will be the means of at once stimulating
vertising in advance," and "just to cash
business and help to put an end to the long
this little note as a matter of accommoda-
period of depression through which we are
tion."
now passing.
It is time, quite time, that such mendi-
The improvement in trade may not be
cant methods were held up and exposed by
startling in volume, but it is satisfactory to
the Association's search-light. It does not
note that there is some prospect of things
require cathode rays to show the utter rot-
being on the turn toward better times.
tenness of such institutions.
The money which has been tied up ow-
What right has a man who is publishing
ing to the absence of security in our
a music trade paper to ask for money in ad-
Government, will now be • loosened, and
vance anymore than a manufacturer should
with the business atmosphere cleared and
demand of a dealer to pay the money on his
purified, we can afford to be optimistic to a
pianos which will be delivered three
reasonable extent as to the future.
months, or perhaps six, from the date of
#
#
payment? The journalist who asks pay-
Perhaps the strongest criticism that can ment in advance and asks for monetary ac-
be brought to bear upon the Manufacturers' commodations from piano manufacturers,
Association in the passing of their resolu- simply conducts his business on advanced
tions concerning trade papers, is that they loans.
have placed the entire music trade press
Suppose, for illustration, that Mr.
under suspicion for what they admit to be
Hearst, of The Journal, a paper in which
the unprincipled work of the few.
Steinway & Sons are advertisers,should send
No honest music trade journalist can fail a representative to Mr. Steinway asking
to admit that the passage of these resolu- for payment in advance for a year's adver-
tions was a serious reflection upon his pro- tising? We are inclined to think that the
against three years of business stagnation
and national mal-administration.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL
Editor and Proprietor.
PUBLISHED
EVERY
SATURDAY
3 East 14th St., New York
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year; Foreign Countries, $4.00.
per
ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, singlo column,
olu
I i
Insertion.
O
On quarterly or yearly contracts. special
speci dis-
l l d
count t « allowed.
REMITTANCES, In other than currency form, should
t» made payable to Edward Lyman BilL
Bnteredat the New York Post Office as Second' dais Matter.
NEW YORK, JUNE 2o, 1896
TELEPHONE NUMBER 1745. — EIGHTEENTH STREET.
"THE BUSINESS MAN'S PAPER."
HE Republican Convention has done
its work, and done it well. It has
built a platform of principles which is in-
spiring in its Americanism. It is strong,
unambiguous and convincing in all the
vital issues which affect the prosperity and
welfare of our country.
True to its traditions, the great questions
which affect the interests of the business
world—the protection of our industries,
the soundness of our currency, and the se-
curity of the National credit, are vigorous-
ly defined.
There is no hedging or evasion in the
declaration for a gold standard currency.
Right through, the entire platform is ad-
mirable, because there is no sailing tinder
false colors. It is such a declaration of
principles as will help to restore confidence
in the business world, and inspire the faith
of European countries in our securities.
It means the restoration of a national
policy of strength, progress and order as
T
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
representative would make an accelerated
exit down the back stairs from Mr. Stein-
way's office without having in his posses-
sion that little check.
If a music frade journalist expects or
hopes to receive the same courtesy which is
extended to other lines of enterprise, he
should so conduct his work that he is en-
titled at least to he respect of his consti-
tuency.
t
Let the slogan be:
No trade paper bulldozing.
No advertising payments in advance.
No moneyjloans to maintain newspaper
mendicancy. 1
.
j.
#
#
S t r a n g e , indeed, what remarkable
changes a day will bring forth. Before
the recent sale of the Haines Bros, property
to Mr. Johnson, a number of the papers
here in the city were engaged in flinging
mud at William P. Haines and his associ-
ates. Now the same papers are tumbling
over one another metaphorically in their
haste to clamber on the Haines Bros.' band
wagon. Suppose the sale had resulted dif-
ferently, .would they have manifested the
same eagerness? We are inclined to think
"nit."
#
#
In criticising the action of the Piano
Manufacturers' Association of New York,
in passing resolutions of sympathy extended
to Mr. Wm. E. Wheelock, the Musical
Courier asks if the Association can afford
to remain silent when another of its honest
members fail, and further, it cites the case
of Gildemeester & Kroeger and Hardman,
Peck & Co., concluding that the action of
the Association directly implies that Mr.
Wheelock's failure is the only honest one
among its members; that its silence in the
other failures may be interpreted as a di-
rect affront to the other concern mentioned.
It occurs to us that our contemporary in
attempting to build elaborate evidence in
support of its own imputations, has over-
looked the main fact in the case, which un-
questionably was influential in causing the
resolutions to be passed.
Wm. E. Wheelock was a former presid-
ing officer of the Piano Manufacturers' As-
sociation, and it is customary, in fact, it is
almost etiquette, among commercial bodies
to pass resolutions sympathizing with their
former presiding officers in any misfortune,
financial or otherwise, which may befall
them. This course of procedure has be-
come almost so universal among associa-
tions of every nature whatsoever, that it
has almost become an unwritten law to ex-
tend association sympathy to a former exe-
cutive in his hour of trial or misfortune.
In passing these resolutions, the New
York Piano Manufacturers' Association
only gave evidence that it was actuated by
the spirit of the age, as evidenced in the ac-
tions of other commercial-financial bodies.
Therefore, the criticism of our contem-
porary may be construed by many into
meaning nothing less than a desire on its
part to foment discord among the members
of the Association.
Either that or an open display of igno-
rance on its part of what properly consti-
tutes Association ethics.
As to its criticism on the resolutions
passed concerning the trade press, they
seem to us to be written in just as ab-
surd a vein. Is it not possible that there is
a certain soreness on the part of our con-
temporary regarding the action of the As-
sociation which may have drawn forth this
feeling of antagonism to what it terms
"Association ethics?"
#
-#
While other papers are contracting, cut-
ting down and all that sort of thing, THE
REVIEW has not been reduced in size.
There are reasons why.
The worth of this paper is appreciated by
advertisers. Its utterances have weight
with the dealer everywhere.
Us news
columns supply up-to-date service in every
particular.
Take this issue,or any issue, for that mat-
ter, and compare it page by page with any
paper that you may receive, and you will
understand why the advertising columns
of THE REVIEW remain full to overflowing
during the usually dull months of the
summer.
Advertisers know and appreciate the
value of a reliable medium. They know
that it pays to advertise in THE REVIEW.
They know that they receive excellent ser-
vice. They know that each issue of THE
REVIEW is built upon lines which conform
to the principles adopted in modern journal-
ism. They know that every issue is built
by a competent staff of experts who are all
actuated by one impulse to produce a paper
of merit—such as can command the re-
spect of the trade by appealing to its intel-
ligence. They know that it requires work
—adaptation — adhesiveness — to produce
such a paper. They know—well, they
know a good thing when they see it.
#
#
A visit to the warerooms of Hazelton
Bros, is always a pleasure. Among the
styles on display something new can al-
ways be found—pianos that can stand
criticism—whether in the regions of tone
or case—with any on the market. Again,
there is an artistic environment which is
not only pleasing from an aesthetic stand-
point, but is most appropriate, and be-
fits the character of the house and the pro-
ducts.
The house of Hazelton Bros, stands to-
day among the most progressive in the
trade. They are up-to-date in business
methods, as well as in manufaeturing.
They maintain a distinct position, and
they always make it a study to hold it with-
out any undue blowing of trumpets. Their
methods are conservative, but, just the
same, progressive. This is evidenced in
all departments of their business. It is
hardly necessary to speak about the popu-
larity of the Hazelton pianos. They are
favorites in all sections of the nation.
#
#
The many friends in the trade of ex-
Governor Levi K. Fuller will be pleased to
learn that his stay in Atlantic City has
proven highly beneficial, and he left for his
home in Vermont last Thursday, greatly
itnprjved in health. Ex-Gov. Fuller has
endeared himself to the trade at large by
his active and earnest work in its interests,
and this has been manifested even when
his time was occupied /by affairs of state.
The connection of such a personality with
the music trade industry is an honor, and
we trust that his restoration to health will
be speedy and complete.
#
#
Albert Weber's methods for obtaining
newspaper notoriety may be questionable,
but the fact remains that Mr. Weber in
some way or other manages to keep before
the trade and public through the columns
of the press.
This week an advertisement appeared,
signed by Albert Weber, in the Times, ask-
ing for twenty-five men to contribute $10,-
ooo each to form a stock company. We
have not as yet heard that the desired ten
men have materialized who manifest strong
desire to form the stock company which
Mr. Weber mentioned.
There is also a rumor that Mr. Weber
will commence, in the near future, to
manufacture pianos under the financial es-
pionage of a well-known Harlem piano
manufacturer.
This report, like many another, is circu-
lated without any appreciation on the part
of the promoter of the endless care which
falls upon a newspaper man to trace it up
in this hot weather, has not at the time of
our going to press been verified.
There is one thing mighty certain. If

Download Page 4: PDF File | Image

Download Page 5 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.