Music Trade Review

Issue: 1898 Vol. 26 N. 21

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
• »• E D W A R D LYMAN
Edltor and Proprietor
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
3 East 14th St., New York
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$3.00.
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count is allowed. Advertising Pages $50.00, opposite read-
ing matter $75.00.
REMlTTA^Li'.^. in other than currency form, should
be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
NEW YORK, MAY 21, 1898.
TELEPHONE NUMBER,
I745--EIO.HTEENTH STREET.
THE KEYNOTE.
The first week of each month, The Review wil)
contain a supplement embodying the literary
and musical features which have heretofore
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
will be effected without in any way trespassing
on our regular news service. The Review will
continue to remain, as before, essentially a
trade paper.
THE COMING CONVENTION.
of Boston and one of the ablest organizers
in Massachusetts, will talk upon the sub-
ject of "Organization."
Mayor Quincy comes from distinguished
ancestry, he being the third of the name
to occupy the position of Mayor of Boston.
He is considered one of the best posted
men upon organization of the present day,
and has taken a material interest in the
business development of his native city.
The Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale,
author of the work ' ' A Man Without a
Country," will say something of a patriotic
character, bearing particularly upon his-
toric Boston and its people. There will
be other distinguished names to add to
the list which will be announced later.
The Boston Music Trade Association,
which organization should not be con-
founded in the slightest way with the
National Association, will tender a banquet
to the visiting members of the Association
and invited guests at the Hotel Tuileries
on Commonwealth Avenue on the evening
of the 7th. This will be an elaborate
affair, and will be held in the Napoleon
Banquet Hall of that celebrated hostelry.
The Boston organization has also ap-
pointed a committee to entertain the offi-
cers and members of the National Associa-
tion, and their guests at lunch on June
8th. It is also stated that they will give a
tally-ho ride to the visiting members as a
sort of finale to the Convention.
This
will be on June 9th. Thus it will be seen
that the Boston trade and the members of
the National Association, who have the
Convention arrangements specially in
charge are planning for one of the largest
affairs that has ever occurred in the annals
of the music trade. Nearly every State
where pianos are manufactured will be
represented.
A S announced in The Review last week,
there is to be no postponement of the
National Convention of Piano Manufactu-
rers, which will be held next month in
Boston.
It seems to us that the members have
acted wisely in permitting no postpone-
ment to occur. The national interest is
thoroughly aroused in the Association and
to postpone the important meeting might
result in diminishing rather than accen-
tuating it. President H. F. Miller re-
marked this week to us in Boston: '' We
propose to hold the Convention, even if
the Spaniards are bombarding our city at
the time. It will be, I believe, a success-
ful affair from every point of view."
Now there is a good straight ring about
that and it means that the element of suc-
The membership of the Association is
cess is there.
A glance at the list of the various com- steadily increasing and now includes a
mittees which appears in another portion large proportion of the manufacturing
of this paper will show that competent element of the country. There are some
men have the Convention arrangements in points in the West which are not repre-
charge, and that intense interest is mani- sented, but it is hoped that they will re-
fested in the successful outcome of the spond promptly to the secretary's call,
thus making the affair more comprehen-
meeting.
It is understood that the business meet- sive in scope.
ing will take place on the morning of June
Invitations have been extended to the
8th. It is probable that this will be con- officers of the music trade associations in
fined entirely to members of the organiza- the different cities of the country, such as
tion, while in the afternoon of the same Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis and
day a convention will be held which will Milwaukee. The members of the music
be open to the members of the press and trade press will be invited. John H.
guests of the Association.
Fahey, secretary of the Associated Press
In the evening of the same day, the Na- of New England, will be present, also an
tional Association banquet will be held at invitation will be extended to the presi-
the Hotel Brunswick. A number of emi- dent of the Manufacturers' Association of
nent men will respond to toasts on that America.
occasion. Josiah Quincy, present Mayor
There is evidenced a strong desire on
the part of the piano manufacturers to
co-operate with dealers throughout the
country in endeavoring to bring a1 out
better conditions in the trade. That the
legitimate dealers of the country arc also
anxious to do all that lies in their power
to assist toward trade betterment is fully
evidenced by the sentiment contained in
the many letters which have been received
at The Review office, many of which have
been published in reply to our query
"What is the Remedy? "
Studying the trend of trade events, we
are firmly of the opinion that 1898 will be
a memorable year in many particulars.
First, we believe that the association, in
a variety of ways, will have a beneficial
influence upon the trade of the country.
There is no mistaking the fact that it is
knitting the various elements closer to-
gether, and that when men get settled
down to the serious contemplation of busi-
ness problems, they find that they can de-
rive more benefit by working together
than by swaying apart.
While some are pessimistic regarding
the association's future and tend to throw
disparagement upon its workings, yet we
believe that they must acknowledge the
honesty of purpose and the seriousness of
intent of those who are actively engaged
in furthering the association's interests
and extending its lines of operation.
It is easy to be pessimistic when optim-
ism means hard work. It is easy to stand
aside and say of this runner that he limps,
and of that one that his stride is ungainly,
and that no race can be won with such
running. It is quite another thing, how-
ever, to be in line with the rest, running
like the rest, toiling with the rest, straining
every faculty of strength to win the goal.
Success and development are to come, but
they will not come of idle waiting, nor by
criticising the sincerity of those actively
engaged, or lamenting over the impossi-
bility of doing anything in this particular.
The Association has come to stay, and
that it will work out its own destiny which
will result in trade benefit, we have no
doubt. It is true the results may be ac-
complished slowly because traditions must
be overcome and prejudices removed, all of
which will be achieved in time.
One great stumbling block in association
matters is this: People expect too much
in too short a time, forgetting that the ex-
isting condition of affairs must be over-
thrown before they can be replaced by a
new structure built upon the ruin« of the
old.
While there are many who may have
pet theories regarding this or that mat-
ter, they will be afforded an opportunity
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
to air them at the forthcoming Conven-
capturing the elusive trade which we, our-
tion.
selves have assisted in getting away from
The wheat will be thoroughly sifted
from the chaff by those who have the mat-
under our immediate control.
We are prone to shout that we are a
ters in charge.
It requires time, good engineers to es-
brave and patriotic people, in fact history,
tablish a safe foundation for large edifices;
well bears out the fact that we lay a just
caissons have to be sunk and extensive
title to the claim, but still we allow our-
preparations made before the huge blocks
selves to be thrown into a nervous tremor
can be piled with safety hundreds of feet
on the first war flurry.
in the air.
is distributing enormous sums of money
It requires time to get a good foundation
for any organization.
It is not the work
of a few hours or a few weeks.
In order
The Government
weekly; that money is being circulated
among our people,
and the
argument
really is strongly on the side of business
to perfect it in every way and make it of
betterment rather than business depres-
great utility to the trade requires constant
sion.
work and years of application and study.
EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING.
But those matters which are formed pri-
marily for the good and benefit of all
HP HE art of advertising has advanced, in
our opinion, to the dignity of a sci-
should not be frowned down upon or be-
littled by those who themselves refrain
ence.
from taking an active part therein.
cerns who have interpreted
Any-
There are in our trade a few con-
the signs
thing that leads to trade betterment and
of
trade aggrandizement should be encour-
and striking forms of advertising.
aged rather than .belittled.
haps there has been none more strongly
The suggestions presented in The Re-
view of last week regarding Association
matters attracted much
attention.
We
have received a number of letters com-
mending the scheme.
It is probable that
there will be at the Convention in Boston
some important results achieved and that
association
matters
will
be
materially
the day, and have evolved original
Per-
marked than the line of Vose advertise-
ments which have been designed by that
popular member of the trade, Mr. E. W.
Fiirbush.
The Vose advertisements, have caused a
great
deal of comment and have been
looked forward to with much interest; and,
after all, when an advertisement is talked
about, it means that the wares which are
simplified
portrayed in its make-up are also com-
WAR AND BUSINESS.
T H E merchant who, on receipt of war
news, hurries to send in a counter-
mand of orders, only aids to maintain the
business depression from which this coun-
try is suffering, and unjustly so, at the
present time.
Instead of standing up to
his guns and shouldering his responsibili-
ties as a patriotic citizen should, the man
who hurries to get in under cover, cancels
orders, cuts down expenses and all that, is
only assisting to maintain the condition of
the times.
He has really permitted him-
self to get a little scared when there was
really no occasion for it.
A little more
back bone, a little more consideration for
the manufacturer is in order.
If we would
mented upon—therefore the main object
of the advertisement is gained.
The Vose advertisements
have been
strong, clear and original, and there has
been something more to them than a mere
catchy "ad."
Take the cover page of The
Review this week for instance.
There is
not a word said thereon, about the Vose
pianos, but the strong, triumphant faces
of the Vose contingent is apparent as the
downcast, dejected opponents are brought
in, while under it are the words, " T he
competitors'fate."
This is original adver-
tising, and in these stirring war times it
becomes peculiarly up-to-date in
every
respect.
Raymore Pushing.
attend to our own bvisiness, leaving those
[Special to The Review.]
who are at the front to settle our little af-
Albany, May 16, 1898.
Harry J. Raymore has accomplished a
good deal of work since he formed and as-
sumed the management of the Raymore
. Piano Co. The factory has been rehabili-
tated, and Mr. Raymore and his associates
are working together with a vim which
presages well for the future of the busi-
ness. There is no mistaking the fact that
the Raymore Piano will be an active factor
in trade politics in the near future.
Samuel Winslow, of varnish fame, and
Lawrence C. Miller, of Hammacher, Sch-
lemmer & Co., were in town to-day.
fairs with Spain, we would assist mater-
ially towards the betterment of business
conditions.
One of the striking results of the break-
ing out of the war, has been the general
tendency to scare on the part of mer-
chants.
If we would exercise a little more
patriotism, it would be beneficial all around.
Sampson and Schley are after the elu-
sive Spanish fleet.
In the meanwhile we
had better be devoting our energies to
Nomination of N. P. fl. A,
Officers.
The nominating and membership com-
mittee of the National Piano Manufactur-
ers Association, consisting of Messrs. Geo.
A. Gibson, Win. Dalliba Dutton and Robt.
Proddow have favored members with the
following communication under date of
May 17th:
Nominations for Officers and Executive Committee for
1898-1899.
For President. HEXRY F. MILLER, Boston, Mass.
For IM Vice-Pres., A. H. FISCHER, New York.
For 2d Vice-Pres., HAN DEL PON I), Boston, Mass.
For Treasurer, GEORGE P. BENT, Chicago, 111.
For Secretary, ROBERT C. KAMMEBIiR, New York.
For Executive Committee.
NAHUM STETSON, New York.
LOUIS P. BACH, New York.
THEO. B. BROWN, Worcester, Mass.
GEO. F- BLAKE, Boston, Mass.
FRED. P. STIEFF, Baltimore, Md.
R. A. WIDENMANN, New York.
To the Members: We, the Nominating
and Membership Committee, desire to
state to the members of the Association,
after careful study of the subject of the
nominations, the conclusion to which we
have come is this: That in view of the
fact of the excellent work which has been
done during the past year by the present
incumbents of the various offices in the As-
sociation, and, also, that there has not, as
yet, been sufficient time for them to put
into practical operation the various plans
which they have prepared for the work of
the Association, we think the wisest course
for the Nominating Committee is to re-
nominate all of the present officers, which
we have done, thus enabling them to com-
plete their preliminary work and next sea-
son place the organization in working
order in the hands of a new set of officers.
While we believe in rotation in office and
are opposed to continuing the same men in
the same positions as a rule, for more than
a year at a time, the course which we have
indicated seems to us best, under the pres-
ent circumstances.
Right You Are.
. A million dollars a day sounds like an
exaggerated estimate of the cost of a war
with so insignificant an antagonist as
Spain.
As a matter of fact the expenditures of
the Government, which are certainly not
less than a million dollars a day, are less
than half the cost of the war to the
country.
The loss to the regular conduct of manu-
facturing and of wholesale and retail trade
is not the less real because it cannot be ex-
pressed in statistics.
Any unnecessary prolongation of the war
through halting tactics means a loss to the
country of much more than a million dol-
lars for every day so wasted. — N. Y.
World.
Geo. C. Endicott, brim full of energy is
back again at his desk in the Chickering
factory, after a trip occupying some weeks
and extending as far as the Pacific Coast.
W. B. Tremaine, of the ^Eolian Co., ar-
rived in town on Thursday and expects to
leave again to-day.

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