Music Trade Review

Issue: 1896 Vol. 22 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
SPECIALTY TALKS.
REVIEW—The import trade in musical
publications is probably very heavy; does
the export trade compare at all favorably
with the import?
QUESTIONS PROPOUNDED BY THE "REVIEW" UPON THE LIVE MATTERS OF THE DAY AND
Mr. Cragin—No, you must remember
ANSWERED BY LEADING MEN IN THE TRADE.
that the European composers have a world-
wide reputation, while, with a few excep-
tions, our composers are only known in this
Interview IV.—Edward S. Cragin.
country; but I am glad to say that the de-
mand for American publications is increas-
NDER the above head THE REVIEW
life of the so-called "popular" song?
ing, and as we now enjoy the benefit of the
proposes to give ' weekly the ex-
Mr. Cragin — The so-called "popular
International Copyright Law, I presume
pressed views of some member of the trade songs" of to-day last from six months to a
some
of our American publishers will es-
upon matters which are of vital interest.
year.
tablish
agencies in Europe within the next
It should be understood that the answers to
REVIEW—Is it necessary that both words
few
years.
these inquiries will be published in every and music of a song should be "taking" in
issue without editorial criticism. In other order to ensure popularity?
REVIEW—What impresses you to-day as
words, every "specialty talk" will fairly
Mr. Cragin—No, sometimes the story,
being the most vital subject for discussion
express the sentiment of the individual then again the melody, will carry a song to
in matters relating to the music publishing
under whose name it appears, rather than success.
business?
the editorial belief of THE REVIEW. There
REVIEW—Is competition in the musical
Mr. Cragin—The protection of American
will be no distortion; no boiling down. publishing business unusually severe?
copyright publications against infringe-
The answers will be published without Are prices fairly stationary?
ment by foreign publishers, as well as
change or comment, and in every case the
Mr. Cragin—No, I cannot say that it is.
the importation into the United States by
individuality of the one whose opinions are Prices are fairly satisfactory, although some
dealers and others of woiks which are pro-
written will be preserved. We propose in of the smaller publishers are cutting prices
tected by U. S. copyright, laws.
this way to build one of the most interest- and selling their publications at cut prices
REVIEW—In a department covering so
ing features which a trade paper can offer
large
a field, and with your large experi-
to its leaders. This week Mr. Cragin talks
ence,
it is possible that a few desirable in-
from th^ music publisher's standpoint:
novations and
realizations should be
RKVIKW—The music publishing business
made or reached in this special department
is, we suppose, in common with other music
of the music trade industry, a discussion of
trade departments, in none too flourishing
which might be of value and interest to the
a condition just now. Do you look for a
trade at large. A few suggestions would
speedy return to prosperity?
prove acceptable.
Mr. Cragin—For this season of the year
Mr. Cragin—One of the evils of the mu-
we are doing as much as formerly, expect the
sic
trade just at present is the mania that
usual increase of business in the fall. Our
some
of our publishers seem to have for
sales for the first six months of this year
selling
their publications to department
show quite an increase over the corres-
and
other
stores at ruinous prices, which in-
ponding months of 1895.
jures the trade of the regular music dealers
REVIEW—Has the large output of so-called
in all of our large cities. I hope the pub
•'cheap music" during the last few years
lishers will see the folly of doing business
seriously affected the "legitimate" sheet
in this way, and in the near future may
music business?
adopt prices that will be more uniform.
Mr. Cragin—Do not think so. The so-
REVIEW — Is there an increasing demand
called cheap music publishers have nearly
for
classical music in this country?
all come to grief within the last few years
Mr.
Cragin—Yes, it is only within the
and are fast fading out of sight.
last
twelve
or fifteen years that we com-
REVIEW—Few departments of business
menced
publishing
vocal and instrumental
probably require a more complete method
collections
of
classical
music. We are add-
of systematization than that of the sheet-
EDWARD S. CRAGIN.
ing
new
collections
every
year and it is a
music department in a large publishing to department stores, which, of course,
fact
that
they
are
the
best
sellers in our
house. Presumably the system of arrange- affects our trade somewhat; it is not, how-
stock.
Teachers
and
the
musical
public
ment of stock and so forth is as nearly per- ever, as serious here in the East as in the
generally
demand
music
of
a
higher
order,
fect as it seems possible to make it?
large Western cities.
tlnis
causing
an
increased
demand
for
clas-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it is; although
REVIEW—Does the music publishing bus-
sical
music.
we are always on the lookout for new ideas, iness to-day offer a better field for the
and during the summer months devote a "bright young man" than it did—say—ten
REVIEW—The preparation of catalogues
great deal of time to rearranging our stock. years ago?
in your business must be an important de-
We consider any expenditure in this direc-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, I think it does. As partment, necessitating a good deal of care-
tion as money well spent.
ful labor? Your advertising department
the population of our country increases, nat-
presents, probabty, a splendid field for
REVIEW—Is the supply of musical MSS., urally there is a greater demand for musi-
the up-to-date intelligent advertising man?
speaking from a general standpoint, equal cal publications.
to the demand? In what special depart-
Mr. Cragin-—Yes, I do not know of any
REVIEW—Are the existing copyright laws
ment of composition does it seem to you is in this country sufficiently fair and compre-
branch of business that presents a better
there most room for the aspiring composer? hensive?
field for an up-to-date intelligent advertis-
ing man than the music publishing busi-
Mr. Cragin—Yes, good music set to
Mr. Cragin—No, they are not. We hope
ness.
words of an original story (not trash); through the efforts of the Music Publishers'
REVIEW—In a business covering so wide
also brilliant and melodious piano pieces Association, of which I am Treasurer, to
an area, it is highly probable that among
of medium difficulty, and sacred selections have the present Copyright Law amended
its followers are a number of men of marked
of medium difficulty for solos and quar- in the near future, with a view to making
ability and special aptitude. Do you care
tettes, which are tuneful and effective, may it an adjunct of greater value to the pub-
to make reference to any prominent men in
also be added to the list.
lishing interests of this country than it is
the music publishing business who have
REVIEW—What is the average length of
now.
U
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
achieved marked distinction in their par-
ticular line of business?
Mr. Cragin—Among the older publishing
houses I recall the following names that are
prominent in the music trade. Of course
there are a great many prominent men con-
nected with the general music business who
cannot be classed as publishers: John C.
Haynes, Chas. H. Ditson, A. P. Schmidt,
Frank A. Lee, Pres. J. Church Co.; D. L.
White, Pres. White, Smith & Co.; Carl
Fischer, Theo. Presser, E. Meyer, of E.
vSchuberth & Co. ; Hamilton Gordon, the
Schirmers, Ponds, Brainards, Platt Gibbs,
of Chicago Music Co., and I. F. Bowers, of
Lyon & Healy, Chicago, Pres. Music Pub-
lishers' Ass'n. Of the later publishers
would mention Harms & Co., Witmarks
Sons, Howley, Haviland & Co., Jos. Stern
& Co,, Brooks & Denton, and W. Wood-
ward & Co.
Chase & Smith's Schedule.
HE schedules of liabilities and assets of
Chase & Smith, the assigned piano
and music dealers, was filed last Satur-
day. The firm's total assets are $73,-
809.06 nominal, $40,037.62 actual; liabili-
ties, $53,175.44. Mr. Chase's individual
assets are $1,800 nominal and $185 actual;
liabilities, $375. Mr. Smith's individual
assets are $577 nominal and $300.75 actual;
liabilities, $1,400. The total nominal assets,
firm and individual, are $76,186.06; actual,
$5°>5 2 3-37- Total liabilities, $54,950.44.
T
Great Commercial Possibilities.
T
HE keen business eyes of this age are
looking longingly and hopefully to the
Latin countries of Central and South Amer-
ica. With an aggregate population of over
30,000,000 using the Spanish tongue and
with the trend of political events swiftly
and surely bringing this country into clos-
er touch and sympathy with those peoples,
there is no more promising field for Amer-
ican ingenuity and activity. The barriers
that have prevented active competition
there are being rapidly broken down. The
brief experience under the wise recipro-
city clause of the McKinley act served to
open the eyes of our merchants and manu-
facturers to the posibilities of commercial
conquest. At present our trade in the
south countries is even less than our trade
with the 5,000,000 people of Canada. This
condition, however, will soon change. The
probabilities point unmistakably to the re-
establishment and enlargement of recipro-
city in the near future, says the Troy
"Times." Under the impetus thus gained,
with a better understanding brought about
by the manifest determination to stand by
the Monroe doctrine, there is little ques-
tion but that most splendid opportunities
will be opened for our surplus products and
manufactured goods.
In connection with this thought, United
States Consul Donnelly, resident in Mexico,
urges the commercial importance of a
knowledge of Spanish, which is the lan-
guage of that region. No better prepara-
tion can be had for a mercantile life than
the knowledge of Spanish. The next de-
cade will doubtless witness a marvelous
growth in our trade relations with our
neighbors of Central and South America,
and the Spanish speaking American will
find ample opportunities to make use of his
abilities.
as fond of a little joke as denizens in other
parts of the country, and while the package
had been lying in a conspicuous place in the
lobby of the hotel, word had been passed
around that it might be well to fix up a little
joke on Mr. Simmons, so the lid of the box
was carefully pried off, and a jug of the fin-
est product of Kentucky extracted from
therein, and the space from which it was
taken completely rilled by a number of
Simmons' Surprise.
bottles containing water. The lid was
carefully nailed down, while the jug was car-
THE WELL-KNOWN KENTUCKY DEALER IN-
ried to Mr. Simmons' room unknown to him,
VITES HIS FRIENDS TO TAKE THAT DRINK
and just at the time when Mr. Simmons'
WHICH IS DISTASTEFUL TO ALL TRUE
proposition
to adjourn was made he was
INHABITANTS OF THE BLUE GRASS
greeted by rounds of laughter, and the
STATE.
long-looked-for product of Kentucky was
R. J. P. SIMMONS, the well-known
brought forth, sampled and pronounced
dealer of Louisville, Kentucky, has
good.
been spending a few days in town. He has
many kind, considerate and thoughtful
friends in that State not alone noted for its Merchants' and Manufacturers'
brave men and fair women but for good
Exchange.
whiskey as well, who thought that his pil-
grimage to and sojourn in New York might
NUMBER of Buffalo's (N. Y.) most
be made more agreeable and pleasant if
prominent business houses are con-
they shipped him a quantity of that famous
templating
the formation of a Merchants'
product of the blue grass region.
and Manufacturers' Exchange for the pro-
Mr. Simmons was advised by his friends tection of creditors on the plan of the one
of a shipment which they had made to him now in operation in Detroit and some other
of his favorite brand. After having sam- cities.
pled the Manhattan product and fully real-
The system is based upon the submission
izing its inferiority to the genuine Ken-
of the experience of the entire member-
tucky brand, Mr. Simmons passed the word
ship to each other. It is purely mutual
around among his friends to meet him at a
exchange. Any member desiring to know
certain hour at his room last Tuesday,
the standing of a customer of the other
where he would dispense liquid refresh-
members has the name circulated by mes-
ments with that liberality which only a true
senger among its entire membership, each
Kentuckian knows.
subscriber stating his experience with the
At the appointed hour there gathered in name.
his room a number of gentlemen whose
We wonder how this plan would work in
features were peculiarly expressive and de- the music trade.
noting clearly the existence of a thirst. Mr.
Simmons requested the baggage man to
THE annual meeting of the Colby Piano
bring up the box bearing a Southern ex-
press company's stamp, dated Louisville. Co., Erie, Pa., will be held in this city
After it was deposited on the floor he quick- next Monday, July 20th.
ly divested himself of his coat, laid aside
AN interest in the music house of S. E.
his hat, seized a hammer and tore off the Clark & Co., Detroit, Mich., has been pur-
cover. There lay a tempting array of bot- chased by John West, a well known busi-
tles. Mr. Simmons' eyes sparkled with a ness man and mill proprietor of Clarkston,
pleasurable anticipation as he surveyed Mich.
them, quickly; extracting a cork, he filled
OF all the numerous instruments em-
a number of glasses, and lo, the liquid bore
ployed in our time the oldest and most
instead of an amber hue, a look resembling
widely known are the drum, harp, and bag-
water.
pipe. The first of these, simple as its con-
The Kentuckian tasted his medicine, and struction is, has literally played an import-
a look of blank disappointment stole over ant part in music. It originated in the
his face as he muttered, " Those boys down north of Asia, and was for more than 2,000
there have filled a bottle with water just years the only instrument known to the
for fun, but there is the stuff a little lower. " rude and roving Tartars.
Drawing out another bottle he examined
THE Risser Music Co. of Des Moines, la.,
the contents of that. The look of disap-
filed
articles of incorporation this week
pointment deepened and became one of real
pain; another and still another, and the with the county recorder. The capital stock
same result. With the eyes of the thirsty is fixed at $10,000. The incorporators are
onlookers fastened on him Mr. Simmons Kate and Amelia Risser and F. E. Thomp-
could hardly give proper expression to his son. The company will succeed to the
feelings; while the perspiration began to music business of Risser & Co.
ooze out all over his face and fell with a
THE Hollenberg Music Co. of Little
plunk on the floor, he said in accents low, Rock, Ark., are factory representatives for
"By thunder, this is a sell, those fellows the Hallet & Davis piano. They have
have fooled me, let's adjourn to the bar."
placed thousands of them in the homes of
We must now go back and tell another Arkansas, Loviisiana and Texas, and every
part of the story. New Yorkers are quite one has given satisfaction.
M
A

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