Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1901 Vol. 33 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TWENTY-SECOND
YEAR.
RMEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
EBITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
J . B. S P I L L A N E , MANAGING EDITOR.
Executive Staff:
THOS. CAMPBELL-COPELAND
WALDO E. LADD
GEO.
W. QUERIPEL
A. J. NIGKLIN
ETery Saturday tt 3 East 14th Street, New Yorfc
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States, Mexico
and Canada, $2.00 per year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEnENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per
Insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount
is allowed. Advertising Pages $:o.oo, opposite reading matter,
$75.00.
REniTTANCES, 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, JULY 6, 1901.
TELEPHONE NUMBER, 1745-EIQHTEENTH STREET.
THE
ARTISTS'
DEPARTMENT
On the first Saturday of each
month The Review contains in its
" Artists' Department" all the cur-
rent musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or ser-
vice of the trade section of the paper. It has a
special circulation, and therefore augments mater-
ially the value of The Review to advertisers.
DIRECTORY OF
The directory of piano manu-
u f « ° r . / . T , nc-o. facturing firms and corporations
MANUFACTURERS w h i c h w i U a p p e a r n e x t Week will
be of great value as a reference for dealers and
others.
EDITORIAL J2?
PIANO TRUST MATTERS.
DERHAPS there is
Promoter has talked
himself into publicity
—A cash forfeit to be
demanded—The atti-
tude of the trade press
—Vulnerable spots in
the trust.
no more dominat-
ing topic of trade dis-
cussion to-day than the
one relating to the pro-
posed piano trust. If the promoter's sole
object was to make himself talked about in
connection with a gigantic scheme, he has
been successful to an eminent degree; but,
whether he has approached any nearer the
possibilities of success in the satisfactory cul-
mination of his pet plans is doubted by the
greatest minds of the industry.
All trust promoters thrive on sensational-
ism, and, they continually serve that por-
tion of the trade, whom they hope to win,
with the most seductive tales regarding the
superb benefits to be gained through trust
associations. They also disseminate (?)
statements that some of the most influential
men of the industry have joined, when they
have not seriously considered the trust.
On the other hand, in order to keep an-
tagonistic elements in a neutral position, the
piano trust promoter also circulates the calm-
ing information that the proposed trust will
not be absorptive in any respect; that the
men will be retained in every department,
and that its sole object "is to make money
for those who are interested."
In the latter statement he omits to say
"money for the promoter," for the promoter
has no interest whatever in the future money-
making power of the concerns which he has
succeeded in amalgamating.
It is folly to suppose for one instant that
the operations of a piano trust would be
different from that of others. It was only
last week when a gentleman related in the
office of The Review the experience of a
nephew of his who was in a combination
which had been absorbed by one of the suc-
cessful greater trusts of the day. Without
the slightest warning, every employee was
thrown out and the place closed down un-
ceremoniously. With a piano trust in work-
ing order, past pledges would be unheeded,
out would go by the hundreds manufac-
turers, dealers, travelers and salesmen.
The whole success of a trust rests wholly
upon its ability to destroy competition, to
absorb, and at the same time to reduce its
expenses in every possible way, by closing
factories, by cutting off men wherever it can.
That is plain common sense, and we expect
the same of every business institution; but
a successfu) trust being an aggregation of
many organizations, possesses in itself a de-
structive strength which is incalculable.
If any member of the industry is in favor
of the trust and desires to give an option
on his business, that is his affair; but, as
far as this newspaper institution is con-
cerned it looks upon the source of the piano
trust with suspicion and mistrust, conse-
quently as a friend of the industry, it advo-
cates the most minute examination into any
proposition made, and the demanding of a
cash forfeit when an option on a business is
desired.
This course is followed in mining deals
and many others, and if Steinway & Sons
placed a seven million valuation upon their
business, granted an option on same for a
period of sixty days and demanding at the
same time an amount of cash equivalent to
ten per cent, of the purchase placed in a
bank, to become forfeited and subject to
their order, if the deal failed to go through,
why, it is more than probable that we should
hear less and less of the piano trust rumors,
until they dwindled into mere nothingness.
Why not quickly clarify the inky and
mysterious atmosphere in which the trust
promoter desires to secrete himself, by in-
sisting upon a forfeiture of a certain amount
of cash when an option is desired, provided
the deal does not go through ? It is rumored
that the promoter succumbed when one man
whom he approached asked him to put up
or keep quiet. He departed in silence—some-
thing unusual for him.
Everyone, presumably, has a price for his
business; but he should not be asked to give
up certain business secrets, devote hours of
his valuable time to parleying with the pro-
moter, without receiving some recompense.
A cash forfeiture is quite the thing. Like
the cuttlefish when evading his adversary,
the promoter immediately throws out an
inky blackness which disguises all conditions
around the trust scheme, and at the same time
he is using without authority some of the
distinguished names of the industry.
We have never been believers in the suc-
cess of schemes carried along the lines of
bluff, and we do not believe in the ultimate
success of the piano trust idea in the hands
of its present manipulator.
If the demand for a formation of a piano
trust came from the men whose interests
are directly involved, it would be an affair
in which the outsider would have compar-
atively little interest beyond a criticism, but
when the desire for a trust formation is
centered wholly in a gang of speculators who
seek to enmesh the industry, why then it is
quite time that every interested individual
took a positive stand. In this connection it
is interesting to note that in the entire trade
press of the country we have only been able
to locate two papers which have taken an
unequivocal stand regarding the trust mat-
ter. All the others are fencing or hedging.
They are to-day for the trust, to-morrow
against it. In other words, a weather-vane
policy, which shows that they could not be
relied upon in any emergency. The industry
should carefully note the attitude of the trade
press toward the trust.
Even if a combination which included a
part of the industry were effected, could it
be successful? Would not it contain within
itself the seeds of destruction which would
rapidly germinate when brought under the
powerful opposition rays?
A piano trust possesses too many vulner-
able points, in our opinion, to ever make it
a success. Combinations are possible, but
they will come of those on the inside, rather
than through the agency of scheming pro-
moters. Combinations have been steadily
going on within this industry for years, and
they will so continue.
INCORPORATE LABOR UNIONS.
"THE events of the
Will labor troubles
affect the piano in-
dustry in the fall?—
The o r g a n i z a t i o n
growing— Labor uni-
ons should incorporate
—Something tangible
then.
past week show
that labor troubles are
not among the remote
possibilities for the pi-
ano manufacturers during the coming fall.
Dold has been active in all parts of the union
where there are piano workers, and has
succeeded in perfecting his organization to
a remarkable degree, all reports to the con-
trary notwithstanding.
He has under his control to-day an active
organization with constantly augmenting
membership, and the past history of this
man does not warrant in adhering to the
belief that the power under his control will
not be exercised.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
With the army of men which may go out
in the near future in the metal trades, it
cannot be denied but that the labor ques-
tion presents a serious side.
The present state of affairs is a constant
menace to the prosperity of the nation. Low
prices are what count in our domestic as
well as foreign trade, but how can a man-
ufacturer count on a low cost when he has
no certainty as to the maintenance of a rate
of wages on which his selling price is based,
and no assurance that he may not be com-
pelled by his operatives to suspend work al-
together ?
That was clearly shown by the action of
the contractor for the construction of the
subway in our city.
If we desire to control our home market,
and a fair slice of the markets of the world,
we must eliminate the enormous waste due
to the present relations of employer and em-
ployee.
Speaking broadly, strikes are fruitless of
results other than idleness, which is costly
to both parties concerned. At present labor
has it largely its own way. Work people
can annul agreements at a moment's notice,
thus causing enormous pecuniary loss to
every employer, and they are permitted to
use all sorts of means to prevent the places
of strikers being supplied by such operatives
as are willing to work.
Before the world the labor union has no re-
sponsibilities, but let the law insist that every
union organization shall be incorporated, then
the manufacturer would have something tan-
gible to deal with if he fails to carry out his
agreement. Suit could then be brought
against a union if it failed to carry out its
agreements, and, by making the laws so
that a repeated violation of contract should
be ground in itself for the dissolution of the
charter, a further step in advance would be
made.
There should be some legislation more
direct than the issuing of an injunction
against the intimidation of men and wo-
men who are willing to work. In this coun-
try of ours every one has a right to labor
when and how he pleases, and any inter-
ference with the exercises of that right should
constitute a felony, at least where violence
is used. It is amazing the leniency with
which the ill-treatment of non-union opera-
tives is generally viewed. It is to the ad-
vantage of the best element of the labor
unions that legislation be designed which
will make the wasteful strike a thing of
the past.
The sooner this matter is placed on an un-
derstandable basis, the better it will be for
manufacturer and employee. There is alto-
gether too much ambiguous talk about the
question of "rights" when labor is being dis-
cussed.
WINS THE REVIEW PRIZE.
N a neighboring
A successful con-
testant for the Review
page we present
prize—An able article
upon the benefit of
the contribution of Al-
the one-price system
—01 h e r interesting fred H. Ford, who is
topics.
awarded the first prize
in the second contest inaugurated by The Re-
view upon the subject, "What Benefit Will
Be Derived from the One-price System in
Retailing?"
This subject has drawn forth a splendid
line of arguments, and we are inclined to
the belief that the discussion of this topic
in the columns of The Review will result
in material benefit.
We have endeavored to secure some in-
teresting contributions upon the topics which
we have named, and their publicity in the
columns of The Review must be of mani-
fest interest to dealers in all parts of the
country. There are still two topics remain-
ing, which are as follows:
Prize No. 3—"What are the Necessary
Requirements of the Modern Piano Sales-
man?"
This topic should certainly interest the
many bright minds in the retail department
of the industry, and some one of whom has
an opportunity of winning $25.00.
Prize No. 4 is particularly opportune just
now. It is:
"What Would Be the Effect of a Piano
Trust Upon the Industry?"
At this time, when scheming minds are
plotting to overthrow the industry and prac-
tically drive two-thirds of the dealers, sales-
men and travelers out of existence, it should
be a particularly delightful debating ground.
It is our intention to continue this line
of prize work, and make The Review in the
truest sense the forum of the trade. By
taking up matters which are of vital interest
to every one connected with the industry
and drawing forth the best arguments upon
the subject, it must be clear to all that spe-
cial interest is centered in the prize contest
department of The Review.
O
THE AWARD SYSTEM DETRACTS
Expositions of the
future must give up
the award system—
Has a deterring effect
upon manufacturers—
Perhaps abandoned at
St. Louis.
|VT O one can visit the
Pan-American Ex-
position without feeling
that, externally, it pre-
sents a beautiful picture.
In other words, an artistic sight fully worthy
of the opening of the twentieth century. The
complete harmony of the architecture, the
sculpture, and landscape effects, deserve great
praise. The color scheme is novel and unique,
and it is one of the distinguishing character-
istics of the Exposition; but it is a step down-
ward from the panoramic effect of the Ex-
position to the exhibits representing the va-
rious industries.
15
Of course, we must understand that, ow-
ing to inadequate government backing, space
was extremely limited, and, had there been
sufficient at the disposal of the officers of the
Exposition, it would have required fully as
large an amount of space as was needed at
Chicago. Our own industry fairly repre-
sented would fill two-thirds of the Manu-
facturers' Building at Buffalo.
But, aside from the lack of space, there
is another reason which retards many man-
ufacturers from taking part in an Expo-
sition. That is the award system, the ex-
istence of which is, by many, constituted as
a menace to the high-grade manufacturer.
There is no question but that the almost
universal distribution of awards at Chicago
did much to break down the system and
render it unpopular. It is through fear of
repeating this same offense that many have
preferred to remain outside the Exposition
breastworks rather than fight their way to
an inner position, when it is possible so many
of lesser repute will be admitted.
If the Exposition at St. Louis, which is
going to be, perhaps, equal to the one at Chi-
cago, relegates the award system to oblivion,
it will draw forth the heartiest support from
the best of American manufacturers.
DECISION CAUSING TROUBLE.
A RECENT decision
The ruling of the
Supreme Court anent
by the Supreme
preferences in bank-
Court
of the United
ruptcy should lead to
States concerning pref-
an amendment by
Congress.
erences in bankruptcy
is causing something very like conster-
nation among merchants. The Bankrupt-
cy Act forbids preferences to creditors, re-
quiring any creditor who has been pre-
ferred to surrender what he has received if
he proposes to prove any claims or receive
any dividends. By the recent decision it is
established that the receipt of money by a
creditor within four months of the time when
a petition in bankruptcy is filed by or against
the person making the payment, constitutes
a preference. Thus, if A sells to B a bill
of goods amounting to $2,000, and is paid
in cash, and thereupon sells him another bill
of goods for $4,000 on ninety days' credit,
within which time B goes into bankruptcy,
A becomes a preferred creditor. If he pro-
poses to claim his $4,000, he must give up his
$2,000. If he wants to keep his $2,000, he
must give up his $4,000. The fact that he
had no intention of obtaining a preference,
or that his debtor had no intention of giving
him one, is immaterial; the law presumes the
intention from the mere fact of payment.
Business men should bestir themselves to
have Congress amend the law so as to lessen,
if not completely do away with, the severity
of this provision.

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