Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
In tne World of Music PublisHing
rapidly bringing ruin to every dealer where large. The plan is working admirably, not
they operate. We feel inclined to raise our only with our own editions and publications,
prices rather than cut, but in scanning the sit- but also those of Chas. Ditson & Co., John
Interfere Seriously With Business—Publishers
uation I must say the settlement of this ques- Church Co. and others. Its success only proves
of Popular Music Affected—Complaints Made
tion is now squarely up to the publisher."
that the trade is ready to do what is right
That Publishers Are Selling Under Rates—
Max
Dreyfus,
president
and
general
manager
when the matter is placed before them in a
Interesting Chat With Mr. Dreyfus and Mr.
of the T. B. Harms Co., remarked: "We do not tangible and proper shape. We are very well
Standin on the Situation.
pretend to compete on the ordinary grade of
pleased."
Despite the reported favorable market, pub- popular lines, aiming to publish a better class
lishers acknowledge a drop that seems in ex- of music. At the same time we have sold to
REV1EWOQRAPHS,
plicable. Each has an explanation to offer, the Knox stores, but at our prices. There was
but, strange to say, differing materially from a time when one could work off a lot of dead
Sol Bloom returned to New York from Chi-
the others. However that may be there is cer- stuff, but that time has gone by, and these peo- cago, Saturday last, where he had been attend-
tainly something amiss. Dealers are taking ple now want only the hits, and at seven and ing the funeral of his father, Garrison Bloom,
their usual quantites and jobbers are busy, while eight cents. You know they sell everything at who died on the 4th inst., after a lingering ill-
publishers speak of doing a normal business, ten cents, and where does the publisher paying ness. The services were held at the family resi-
yet the latter keep discussing the unsatisfactory royalties and the dealer come in? The Knox dence. The senior Bloom was in no way con-
state of prices with more than ordinary vehem- stores can afford to lose $25,000 on music and nected with the music business, but was widely
ence. This is about the situation with publish- charge it to advertising for the benefit of their known therein and highly respected.
ers of popular music, who rank themselves as general stock of merchandise. These concerns
the main factors in the business. Houses whose want the crowds in their places, and there is
Among the new songs which look like whirl-
output consists of standard, educational or classi- nothing that draws women more quickly and wind hits for the Gus Edwards Music Publish-
cal publications are not to be considered, the positively than cheap music. The crisis is cer- ing Co., are a little gem of a song, "In a Little
popular people say, when the matter of prices tainly here at this moment, and has reached Canoe With You," by Wood and Edwards; also
is under consideration, though it is admitted, that final stage when the publishers alone can a burlesque Indian Song, "Pocahontas," by Bry-
they have troubles of their own in this respect. fix the matter. Something should be done a t an and Edwards, which promises to surpass the
The latter show a disposition, however, to grap- once, especially as I have, on the best of au- famous "Tammany" song in popularity. Among
ple with the question and settle the vexatious thority, that the Knox and Woolworth concerns the stars this song has already been placed with
matters arising thereunder, which is decidedly are either effecting a consolidation or an of- are Jeff DeAngelis, William Norris and Eddie
to their credit. The other class of publishers, fensive and defensive buying agreement."
Foy. Sounds good. No? Yes?
it seems, instead of taking any steps to ex-
Geo. L. Standin, manager of the Enterprise
tricate themselves, are getting deeper in the Music Supply Co., spoke in the following strain:
The "life" of songs has been variously esti-
mire and with this unfortunate state of affairs "This matter of prices is a large question. The mated in a general way and by experts. Not
the entire trade is demoralized. At least opin- talked of drop in business recently was due to infrequently this "sizing up" is far from correct.
ions to this effect are frankly expressed, of
the election, and now that it is over trade is as- The jobber has his own gauge and his observa-
which a few follow:
suming its proper tone. The publisher gen- tions are not altogether flattering to the pre-
The manager of a progressive firm, who erally feels a depression first, and then our turn tensions of writers who, in their own estimation,
wishes not to be quoted, said to The Review: comes about a month later. The jobber has been are invincible when it comes to popular ap-
"During the last week or ten days trade has knocked for demoralizing prices, but this is proval. "Depends very much who is the pub-
dropped off in a most mysterious way. Our only a subterfuge of the publisher to conceal lisher," casually remarked the acute middle-
house is doing its normal business, but for all his own misdeeds. Of course, we all know that man. "Songs from houses supposed to have a
that there is something wrong; a crisis or publishers are cutting things wide open by sell- great name are so much alike that a month
ing at seven and eight cents to the Knox stores. usualy suffices to place them on the shelf per-
panicky condition due to the uncertainty of
prices. It is a well known fact that at least Woolworth & Co. are now putting in music, and manently. You can't fool the public. They
three New York publishers are selling their on the same basis, but the two are apparently are on in no time and get wise mighty quick."
goods at under-rates to the Knox stores and it agreed they will handle only the best selling
is causing no end of trouble. Besides these lines, the hits. They are getting them too, and
Cardinal Gibbons has written an autograph let-
five and ten cent stores will not take in any- the regular dealer can go hang. We are im- ter to Mrs. Jeannette M. Thurber, congratulating
thing but the good sellers, the hits at their own portuned to sell the K. and W. stores; but we her on the completion of the twentieth year of
price, and they are getting them too. A buyer have peremptorily declined their business, ex- the National Conservatory of Music of America,
of consequence was here yesterday and told me cepting at the established prices. The pub- which was founded by her on October 28, 1885,
we would be eventually compelled to sell the lishers must now come to the rescue or to and chartered in 1891 by special act of Congress
what level- prices may go can only be con- of the United States. "May it grow in strength
Knox or Woolworth companies, which were
jectured."
as it grows in years," are his concluding words.
UNCERTAINTY OF PRICES
Complete vocal score and Separate Numbers of
"THE ROSE OF THE ALHAMBRA"
Book and Lyrics by CHAS. EMERSON COOK.
Music by LUCIUS HOSMER.
Featuring the well-known prima donna,
Mme. LILLIAN BLAUVELT.
Supplementary Songs in the following productions :
EDNA MAY'S New Musical Play.
"THE CATCH OP THE SEASON."
"RAINING"
By Jerome D. Kern
SHUBEKT Bnos.' English Musical Comedy Success,
"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."
"HOW'D YOU LIKE TO SPOON WITH ME."
Max. C. Eugene's hit, "IN ROSELAND" Intermezzo
Published by
T.
B. HARMS CO.
126 West 44th St.
NEW YORK
"The House Melodious."
GUS EDWARDS
MUSIC PUBLISHING CO.
Publishers Lillian Russell's Song Hits,
"If a Girl Like You Loved a Boy Like Me."
"Somebody's Sweetheart I Want to Be,"
and "Napoli," an Italian Love Story.
We predict the above songs the biggest sellers of
the ensuing year. So don't let a good thing slip
by AGAIN, but order now, and you'll get a GOOD
rate, and save money.
Gus Edwards Music Pub. Co.
1512 Broadway, New York.
SCHIRMER'S SCALE OF PRICES
Formulate a Rate of Discounts for Teachers
and Schools in Certain Editions.
The price agreement formulated by G. Schir-
mer, New York, and placed before dealers in
Greater New York for their approval and signa-
ture, has been carried through successfully and is
now in full force and effect. It is as follows:
"No greater discount than fifty (50) per cent,
shall be given the general public and teachers
on sheet music or school music and the cabinet
editions published by G. Schirmer, John Church
Co., B. F. Wood Music Co., Oliver Ditson Co. and
Peters & Co., and other editions of a standard
and educational character. The discount of 50
per cent, on editions and 60 per cent, on sheet
music is to be allowed to schools only. These
'rates do not apply to so-called popular music,
such as is generally handled by department
stores.' "
Mr. Tindale, of the Schirmer house, talking
with The Review, said: "You may say our effort
to secure a uniform and satisfactory schedule
of prices on standard and classical music has
been entirely successful. The scale proposed is
now being observed by 100 dealers, small and
DO YOU KNOW ?
ALICE DARLING !
SWEETHEARTS FOREVER!
MISSES AND KISSES !
TANGLEFOOT JOE !
THE GALLANT BRIGADE !
If not-send Ten Cents in Stamps
and Get Acquainted !
The Moore Music Co., Inc.
Frank B. Perry, Nlgr.
1345 Broadway,
NEW YORK.
JEROME H. REHICK & CO.
ANNOUNCE
"MY
IRISH MOLLY O"
BY JEROHE & SCHWARTZ
The terrific hit in "Sergeant Brue," sung
by Blanche Ring, and other big hits by Je-
rome & Schwartz.
JEROriE H. REHICK & CO.
DETROIT and CHICAGO.
45 West 28th Street,
-
NEW YORK