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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
sions that Western manufacturers as a
whole are averse to joining the association
on the ground that it is likely to interfere
with their liberty of action in matters of
standard, prices, etc. Do you believe such
prejudice exists, and if so, are there any
good reasons for their hesitancy?"
"Yes, I fear that such an attitude as the
one you mention is not uncommon in the
West. Yet there are absolutely no grounds
for distrust or suspicion. It would never
do to attempt the regulation of standards
or prices in any section of the country. Such
a thing has never been dreamt of for a
moment to my knowledge. Individual
rights must be protected at all times, and
we would be the last to interfere with
them.
" Our aim is to bring the manufacturers
together for interchange of views and
opinions on matters of common interest to
all alike. In time, through these meet-
ings, certain lines of action concerning
guarantees, and a score of other im-
portant trade features will be discussed
and agreed upon. Such resolves as
may be taken will be for mutual benefit
and protection, not for the purpose of
restraining the action of individuals in
conducting their own affairs."
"As president of the local organization,
it is presumed, from what you have said,
that you are satisfied with the outcome of
Wednesday's meeting?"
"More than satisfied. We anticipated a
lively discussion, which might carry over
the formation of a permanent organization
to a second meeting. Instead of obstruc-
tion and delay, we found perfect unanim-
ity, not one word of dissent being uttered.
This bodes well for the wider success of
the enterprise. There were no 'myste-
ries' or 'secrets' connected with the meet-
ing. It was an assemblage of businessmen
for the transaction of business.
"And right here let me say that the ut-
terances of dissatisfaction credited to the
representatives of certain trade journals
present near the place of meeting on
Wednesday were brought to my notice of-
ficially, and call for some comment. It is
happily the privilege of every American
citizen to say who shall and who shall not
be invited to participate in his delibera-
tions. As with citizens individually, so
with them collectively.
" It was well understood from the
beginning and announced that represent-
atives of the trade journals would be in-
vited to the dinner. It was equally well
understood that the business meeting was
one of and for piano manufacturers only.
They were to meet and decide as to the ad-
visability of forming a National Associa-
tion. A public report of the proceedings
was not called for or expected. Had this
been the case, the journals would certainly
have been notified.
" I may safely say that the protests
openly uttered against the exclusion of trade
journal representatives from a meeting to
which they^had not been invited, and to
which our association had no right to in-
vite them as it was a meeting of piano
manufacturers only, and after we re-
ceived them the home association no
longer had charge, were unjust to the mem-
bers of the association, one and all. It
seemed too much like a desire to inform
them exactly how they ought to conduct
their own business.
" I t will be conceded, I think, that the
existence of the music trades brought
about the creation of the music trade jour-
nals. The journals were not the creators
of the piano-making industry, however
much they may have contributed to its
cultivation and development.
"Trade journals, as adjuncts, do good
service. To the best of our ability we
reciprocate. The advice and suggestions
of their directors are always respectfully
considered, even if not followed. But dic-
tation is entirely out of place under the
circumstances — so much so that plain
speaking is called for, in order that there
may be no misunderstandings in the
future. Every manufacturer has the right
to use or not to use the trade press. Piano
manufacturers are not inimical to a proper-
ly conducted trade press. We were pleated
to have the editors at our dinner."
"About what percentage of the piano
manufacturers of the United States are now
included on the rolls of the national as-
sociation ? "
"Approximately, one-third. A consider-
able number not yet with us have signified
their intention of joining. Various reasons
for holding back are given. There is good
cause to believe that at least one-half of the
manufacturers will be in the organization
before long. If they could but realize the
immense practical gain, I am sure none
would remain indifferent."
"Having succeeded in forming a perma-
nent organization, what business do you
propose to transact in the near future?—
has any definite program of projected re-
form been prepared? "
"I have already stated our chief aim.
Experience in the local organization has
proved that from the good fellowship
brought about by meetings has sprung
much timely discussion of important trade
topics and beneficial results."
AT THE
BANQUET.
George P. Bent, Theodore B. Brown,
A. Brambach, James S. Gray, Ed. Behr,
Chas. L. Burchard, Chas. Baumeister, R.
Kochmann, O. L. Braumuller, Henry
Behning, Jr., Levin Blasius, J. Burns
Brown, F. Connor, Frank C. Decker, Jacob
Doll, Robert Proddow, A. H. Fischer, H.
B. Fischer, H. S. Gordon, T. Floyd-
Jones, Wm, P. Haines, F. W. Lohr,
Leonard Peck, G. A. Gibson, Andrew
Holstrom, C. A. Jacob, Geo. C. Crane, C. B.
Garritson, Julius Krakauer, F. Kranich,
G. F. Blake, Henry F. Miller, B. H.
Janssen, il. Paul Mehlin, John Evans, A.
I. Newby, C. H. Parsons, W. H. Poole,
S. K. Ewing, Geo. D. B. Prescott, G. N.
Taylor, Col. H. W. Gray, Justus Gray,
J. R. Mason, Chas. J. Gross, J. V. Steger,
Jos. Shoninger, S. Hubbard, F. Bauer,
William Strich, Robert A. Widenmann,
N. Stetson, F. G. Smith, Sr., George Nem-
bach, G. N. Grass, Frederick Dietz, Mal-
colm Love, Henry Behr, William J. Behr,
W. C. Burgess, T. Leeds Waters, Samuel
T. White, Wm. E. Wheelock, John A.
Weser, Winfield S. Weser, Wm. F.* Decker,
J. K. M. Gill, C. H. Henning, F. G.
Smith, Jr., Robt. C. Kammerer.
The editors of the various trade papers
of New York were all present and Presto
of Chicago was represented by C. A.
Daniel.
Panels are Practically Indestructible.
^
BESIDES THEY ARE THE MOST ARTISTIC ADORNMENT THAT CAN BE
PLACED IN PIANOS. . •. MANUFACTURERS CAN BE SUPPLIED WITH
SPECIAL DESIGNS.
only by THE HOMER D. BRONSON CO., Beacon Falls, Conn.