Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the outcome must be a piano trust, which
shall control both the manufacturing and
retailing of musical instruments.
From the inception of the trust scheme in
the piano trade we have been firm believ-
ers in its impracticability. We believe,
too, that the dangers to small industrial
establishments from consolidations of the
present day are overrated except in those
cases in which they absolutely control cheap
raw materials or secure exceptional facili-
ties from common carriers. In the latter
respect, public opinion has some voice,
and its power should be invoked. For the
ambitious, progressive and talented indi-
vidual there is as much of an opportunity
as there has been. It is capital not brains
whose rewards are shrinking inevitably.
A piano trust would be a difficult com-
'bination to build.
It does not require much capital for a
makeshift piano plant, capable of turning
out a few pianos a year. There are many
of them in this country now, and the for-
mation of a trust would mean an increase
in this special branch of competition. Were
it a settled fact that a piano trust had been
formed, scores of young piano manufactur-
ers would spring into life within a month,
all agreeing to undersell trust prices, for-
getting that low prices are indirectly the
causes of the formation of trusts. At least
they have forced the issue a half century
earlier than it would have come under
prosperous conditions. Great concentration
of wealth is always balanced by great pov-
erty, and any measure which tends to bring
about an impoverished condition of the
masses is ruinous to the country.
Our friends should lose no sleep from
the piano trust scheme.
The power of such a corporation is
far less than appears on the surface
. so far as the capacity for cheaper
production is involved.
They are at
a disadvantage usually in possessing a
smaller or greater number of plants or
parts of plants which are inadequate or in-
efficient. Stripped to fighting form, nim-
ble in movement, supple in limb, small
producers have ample opportunities for a
profitable career in this or any other in-
dustry. We are face to face with new
conditions and principles, but the scope
and usefulness of business men is not re-
stricted by the application of those princi-
ples. The new era puts a premium on
brains and energy—on youth and strenu-
ousness. There can be no trust of brains.
While one may assume that, theoretically,
consolidation is a powerful instrument of
economic progress, that those who struggle
against the swiftly running tide are des-
tined to sink, yet as a matter of fact, nearly
all of the great aggregations are vulner-
able to some extent. This is shown in the
history of the majority of consolidations.
The seed for their destruction is already
sown before they are combined, and de-
struction is inevitable unless successful,
able management overthrows inherent
evils.
"THE $75.00 BOX/'
MANUFACTURER of national re-
pute remarked the other day, "if
the price-cutting evil continues in the
manufacturing branch of the business, it
is difficult to predict what will be the
ultimate outcome."
Manufacturers should be reminded of an
element which has been instrumental in
bringing about these conditions. We do
not mean that an individual has changed
economic laws, but we do claim that an in-
dividual has been instrumental in accele-
rating the conditions which should not
have reached us for a decade yet.
To explain.
Years ago when there was not a piano
manufactured within the precincts of
Greater New York for less than $100, an
editor of a music trade paper began to rant
about the "$75.00 Box." Week after
week the words "$75.00 box" were kept
in huge type at the head of a column. As
papers were scattered throughout the
Union this educational work went steadily
on, that pianos were offered at $75.00 when
as a matter of fact they were not.
Dealers after a while began to try to
force the manufacturers down in prices.
Through the same instrumentality state-
ments containing wholesale cost of instru-
ments and all parts thereof, in fact every-
thing which enters into the compilation of
pianos was given at length, showing how
these " $75.00 boxes " could be built, when
as a matter of fact they were not then in
existence.
All this began soon to be felt by the
manufacturer. We have in mind a case
where one of the best known manufactur-
ers of Boston was visited by one of his
western dealers, who, during his visit, de-
manded lower prices, producing a clipping
from this same authority showing that the
manufacturer could build pianos at a ridic-
ulously low rate, and that he was growing
wealthy out of the enormous profits which
he received. To show how superficial,
how illogical, how unfair was the cam-
paign carried on by this agency, we would
state that this man who attempted to
browbeat a manufacturer of well-known
pianos, had his veneers, in his statement,
figured at a price ten times lower than the
manufacturer had paid for any veneers.
A
ever placed upon instruments which he
manufactured. And this sort of education,
which was calculated to lower the entire
industry, was carried on to the detriment
of the manufacturers.
As the result of natural laws we should
have ultimately reached a position of low
cost of production.
We should have
reached this stage in a few years, and
we should have arrived at it fairly, had
not our pace been hastened by an influence
which has had a tendency to blacken
everything with which it has come in con-
tact—an influence which has lowered the
dignity of the trade—which has assailed
the integrity of individuals—which has at-
tacked personal honor—which has never
yet been credited with assisting toward a
trade benefit, or performing any act of
honor which should entitle it to the respect
or consideration of the members of this
industry.
Do you know the influence, gentlemen?
Who cried the " $75 box " ?
Reflect a moment.
A Gabler Brochure.
IN GREEN AND GOLD THE NEW STYLE GAB-
LER.
Piano manufacturers have been quick to
appreciate the advantages of aesthetic ad-
vertising. We have frequently noted in
The Review the many charming brochures
which have been sent us by enterprising
manufacturers. One of the latest we have
received is the Gabler brochure, a charm-
ing little work with covers of green and
gold. It is of convenient size, printed on
handsome tinted paper, and tells briefly of
the conquests won by the Gabler in the
sound world. There are illustrations and
minute descriptions of the new style Gab-
ler uprights as well as the new Gabler
grand.
We have recently had the pleasure of
inspecting the new styles C, S and M,
and affirm that while the cuts are very
clear they do not do full justice to the
architectural beauties of the new Gabler
claimants for trade patronage. One must
see and hear them to fully appreciate their
merits. The word Gabler, which is now
used in place of the entire firm name, upon
the fall board of the instruments, is a
change for the better. It is brevity now
in everything. The little work referred
to will form a valuable medium for the
salesmen and dealers to make the Gabler
instruments better known to the public.
The catalogue was compiled and arranged
under the direction of Ernest Emil Gabler
and it shows that young Mr. Gabler has
artistic ability of a high order.
A German inventor has discovered that
celluloid can be used for the manufacture
of the vibrating parts of musical instru-
ments, in place of metal, the substitute
being entirely free from rust and having a
tone equal to that of the metal reeds.