Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1900 Vol. 31 N. 16

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSid TRADE REVIEW
TWENTY-SECOND YEAR.
It is easy to understand, while such be-
lief prevails, why there should be a serious
interruption to business as long as there
is • a possibility of a radical change in af-
fairs at Washington ; therefore it would not
be surprising, all things considered, if a
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
spirit of conservatism ruled the markets to
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
an extent sufficient to seriously affect
J . B. S P I L L A N E , MANAGING EDITOR.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER,
business.
But this is not the case.
THOS. CAMPBELL-COPELAND
WALDO E. LADD
:
From
personal observation, as well as all
Executive Staff
GEO. W. QUERIPEL
A. J. NICKLIN
reports which are being received from a
PntHished Every Saturday at 3 East 14th street, New Yort great variety of sources, we are inclined to
the belief that a large volume of business in
and
almost every branch of trade is assured.
insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount
is allowed. Advertising Pages $50.00, opposite reading matter
$75.00.
Within the last week there has been a
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be
made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
noticeable tendency to hold back a trifle
Entered at the Nezv York Post Office as Second C?ass Matter.
among the more conservative men of the
NEW YORK, OCT. 20, 1900.
country. This, however, amounts to very
TELEPHONE NUMBER, I745--EIQHTEENTH STREET.
little when we compare it with the business
On the first Saturday of each month The
Review contains in its "Artists Department"
paralysis which we were facing four years
all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or
ago.
service of the trade section of the paper. It has
Naturally, the conservative views of
a special circulation, and therefore augments
materially the value of The Review to adver-
customers are bound to have their impres-
tisers.
sion upon local merchants to such an ex-
AFTER THE FOG.
A SURVEY of the situation in the West- tent that business during the next three
ern states reveals a condition of af- weeks may be somewhat lessened. We
fairs which inclines one to optimistic be- may expect that, but this will be only tem-
liefs. It might be supposed at this time porary, and after election we will be face
that a depressing influence would pre- to face with the largest trade demands
dominate in manufacturing and commer- which this country has ever seen.
We have noticed among sanguine piano
cial circles; still there has been no presi-
dential election which has occurred within dealers recently a tendency to stock up for
the past thirty years where there has been the coming trade which they claim they
as little interruption to business by reason will be unable to meet if their warerooms
of the political agitation as that one which are not well filled.
In our own opinion, piano manufactur-
occurs next month.
ers
will be unable to supply, with anything
In the presidential election, on the
threshold of which we stand, there are approaching promptitude, the demand
possibilities of a complete reversal of the that will come upon them for rush orders
policies of the existing administration, from almost every part of the country after
thus threatening a condition of uncertainty election has been decided, assuming that
which would be decidedly unfavorable to it will result in maintaining sound money
and protection principles.
business interests.
The prosperity of the masses in the cen-
The faith of the people, however, in the
tral
West furnishes an adequate reason for
result of the election is plainly evidenced in
the comparatively little interruption to the belief in a very satisfactory condition
business. Of course, there are a number of trade. The farmers have been blessed
of deals of great magnitude made which with good crops and fair prices for several
are dependent wholly upon the result of years, even if this year's crop has fallen
the election, still in every locality that we below their expectations.
The workingmen have likewise been
have visited during the past six weeks we
have found a most optimistic feeling pre- well employed for a sufficient time to feel
vailing and the popular trend of thought comfortable.
The enormous increase in our savings
in the direction of upholding that adminis-
banks
deposits in almost every State tell
tration which has been instrumental in
these indisputable facts. It is impossible
creating such widespread prosperity.
to
go behind cold statistics, and the figures
Business men seem to think that a change,
by the enthronement in power at Wash- which are revealed by the savings banks
ington of men who advance theories deposits, tell in glowing terms of the real
where now satisfactory facts exist, would prosperity of our people.
The purchasing power of the population
result in bringing about sixteen days of
business depression to one of business as a whole, is far above the average for the
decade, hence the stimulating influence of
prosperity.
REVIEW
a well distributed prosperity governs the
movement of manufactured goods.
It is improbable that anything in the na-
ture of a shock will be imparted to general
confidence by the result of the approach-
ing election, and the conclusion is irresisti-
ble that the volume of business will con-
tinue to grow and that the coming year
will be one of more than ordinary substan-
tial results.
After the election fog clears there will
be an unprecedented demand for pianos.
HP HE new law which compels those doing
business under a title or more or less
fanciful firm name to file the names of the
proprietors, has caused a great rush to the
offices of County Clerks in this State in or-
der to avoid the penalty provided for non-
registration. The new law, as generally
endorsed, is giving greater protection in
the granting of credits and has met with
no criticism even from those to whom its
provisions apply.
We have heard the new law warmly
praised by piano men.
PLAYING WITH STRAWS.
/ ° O O D men are rare.
There are, however, many men in
business who fail to accomplish all that
they should with the means at their com-
mand, simply because they do not know
how to secure from others the maximum
of their efficiency.
There are principals in business who in-
sist on commanding all the little details of
their affairs and directing every little item
in its operation. In other words, they
seem to prefer to play with straws rather
than build houses.
If such men be really able, of keen dis-
cernment, correct judgment and experi-
ence, they may be successful, but it is safe
to say that the successes fall short of what
they should be.
As a matter of fact, the most successful,
all things being equal, is the one who knows
how to use others and is willing to use
them.
That is executive ability.
It is necessary not only to surround one's
self with good men, but to use their ability
in a correct way.
There are men who will advise improve-
ments in business methods in selling pianos,
either wholesale or retail, and who will
bring to the business the same care and
pride that they would devote to an enter-
prise of their own.
If these qualities are encouraged by the
master mind the highest results possible
under the circumstances will be secured.
But if they are kept down and annoyed by
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The ONLY music TRADE paper which
the principal, then muoh valuable energy
received
any award at the Paris Exposi-
is wasted.
tion
of
1900
was The flusic Trade Review
There should be no discouragement of
which was given the GRAND PRIX, the
the conscientious and capable employee,
HIGHEST official recognition obtainable
because the feeling will be generated soon for any exhibit in any division of art, me-
that there is no use to do anything of es- chanics or industry.
pecial value, for the "old man will knock
land. Widle in a Western city recently
it all in the head."
There is no man living that knows as we saw a poll taken of a gathering of
much as does himself, plus half a dozen traveling men and 90 percent, of the num-
others, and if he can add the energy and ber present were in favor of supporting
ability of the others to his own and make the republican ticket.
Traveling men for Bryan and the bogus
of it a harmonious whole, he will meet with
dollar!
success not otherwise obtainable.
We have in mind a certain institution in
Tommyrot!
this industry where the man at the head is
AN HONOR TO JOURNALISM.
possessed of such a cantankerous disposi-
tion that he actually seeks to thwart by T H E R E is evident soreness on the part
every possible way the ambitions and en-
of the conductors of some journals
terprises of those who are his superiors, as who maintained exhibits at the Paris Ex-
far as intellectual qualifications are con- position at the lack of official recognition
cerned. Still, he holds the reins of power, which they received. Some of these jour-
which, if guided the right way, would re- nalistic enterprises incurred considerable
sult in a tremendous expansion.
expense, but failed to receive a high award,
But he seeks to depress rather than ex- while the Grand Prix was bestowed upon
the collection of technical and trade jour-
pand.
TT would seem from present indications nals which were invited by the United States
as if the labor outbreak in piano manu- Government to participate in the Exposi-
facturing circles would be perhaps quieted tion.
No higher tribute has been paid to class
before it spreads beyond the confines of
Cincinnati. Of course, rumors have been journalism than this awarding by the au-
flying around as plentifully as leaves in thorities of the Paris Exposition of the
Vallombrosa, but as a matter of fact, these Grand Prix. While The Review does not
rumors are founded on the flimsiest kind claim individual credit for the distinction
of hearsay and amount to practically noth- which it received in the official notification
ing. There is not, at the present time, from the United States authorities that it
anything above or beneath the labor sur- was entitled to use the award of Grand
face in New York which portends a com- Prix, we are willing to waive all of that
ing storm, all reports to the contrary not- and say that it is a common glory in which
all trade journals should share, that the
withstanding.
Of course, it is impossible to predict with profession should have received such a spe-
any degree of certainty what may occur cific recognition as the giving of the high-
est prize at the Exposition. This is the
after the election takes place.
first time in the history of great expositions
when class journalism—or any journalism,
THE DRUMMERS' VOTE.
for
that matter—has been so honored.
COME of the politicians are fond of stat-
ing that the "drummers" are all for
"GOOD OLD TIMES/'
Bryan on account of the trusts having
T H E R E are always men who will take a
thrown them out of employment.
most pessimistic view of the times.
A more absurd statement has never been
advanced in any campaign, for, as a mat- It was not so long ago when business con-
ter of fact, it is well known that there ditions were comparatively satisfactory and
never were as many traveling men on the men of to-day refer to that period as the
road as at the present time, nor has there one of the "good old times." They say:
ever been such a demand for them.
"Ah, we shall never see such conditions
It is true, in certain lines combinations again; " and still, as a matter of fact, when
have rendered unnecessary the employ- we come to analyze in a comparative way
ment of as many travelers as heretofore. the conditions of those days with the pres-
These men, however, have been utilized ent, we find that business in the " good old
in other departments of the business, but times" was restricted, and discouragement
in a general way the American drummer and timidity were general.
is more in evidence than ever before. His
There is more encouragement in the
persuasive eloquence may be heard with business prospects of to-day than at any
convincing force in every hamlet in the time in the history of this nation since it
passed beyond the purely agricultural stage
and entered the manufacturing arena.
There are some men who always think
the bottom has fallen out of everything in
the piano business and that money making
times will never come again, yet to any-
one who is not willfully blind, it is clear
that we are on the eve of an extremely
busy period. The season is only begin-
ning, and the great bulk of business is
yet to be done, and within a few weeks
manufacturers will be wondering how on
earth they are going to fill their orders,
and dealers all over the country will be
grumbling because they cannot get their
pianos just as they want them.
It is not easy to have transactions crowd-
ed into an uncomfortably short period.
No doubt it would be much nicer to have
the trade distributed throughout the year
and transacted in a leisurely and dignified
manner. It is unpleasant to have a fam-
ine one month and a feast the next, instead
of three square meals every day, but as
business cannot always be done in an ideal
way, the shrewd business man is he who
adapts himself to circumstances, not over-
elated at one time and not unduly cast
down at another.
As a matter of fact the people of this
great big country have got to have pianos,
and many of them have to have the money
to buy them with, therefore why not take
advantage of the times and be happy and
develop the idea of cash sales in such a
way that huge slices of trade can be se-
cured which shall be quickly remunera-
tive.
It is the nimble piano sixpence that
makes the wealthy piano dealer, and the
present is a pretty good time in which to
exploit that theory.
More cash.
Larger installments.
No hundred dollar pianos at retail.
Straight business.
QOME of the papers are having consider,
able to say about the entree of G. K.
Barnes, as a stockholder in the Cable Co.
Has there ever been a time since the for-
mation of the Chicago Cottage Organ Co.,
when Mr, Barnes was not a stockholder in
that concern which has been succeeded by
the Cable Co. ?
THE CIRCULATION OF RUMORS.
TT is surprising what widespread circula-
tion rumors which reflect upon the
credit or stability of business institutions
obtain within a comparatively brief time.
Our attention has been recently called to
a report regarding a certain manufactur-
ing institution in this State which was al-
leged to have encountered financial diffi-

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