Music Trade Review

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Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
MEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Staff:
GBO. B. KELLER.
\V. N. TYLER.
F. II. THOMPSON.
EMILIEJ FRANCES MAUKU
L». E. BOWERS. B. BUITTAIN WILSON, Wsf. B. WHITE. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKI.IN.
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Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
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l.yuiiin
Bill.
Directory ol Piano
~
I ~
~
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms sind corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
f 0 I . dealers nnd others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prim
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.Charleston Kxpolstion, 1002
Diploma.Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal. .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold il/cd««.Lewls-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
MAY 19, 1906
EDITORIAL
T
ill*- musk" trade conventions of 1906 have been remarkable in
some respects. l>oth of the organizations have exhibited
great drawing power, for many of the members have traveled
thousands of miles to be present and take part in the various busi-
ness sessions.
That fact alone shows interest in organization work, and a
fixed belief on the part of the participants that much good can IK-
evolved from the coming together of the creative and selling forces
of the industry.
The attendance at the various sessions was unusually large.
In this respect it differed from some of the former meetings, be-
cause at Atlantic City, particularly, there was a dearth of men pres-
ent at some of the meetings, due either to indifference or to a desire
to follow up personal pleasures outside of the convention hall. The
Washington meetings were characterized by a seriousness, which
shows that the men are interested in the possibilities of good which
may come through organized effort.
P
RESIDENT MEHLIN emphasized the fact in his report that
there was more of a friendly spirit evidenced among piano
manufacturers than would have been possible before the association
came into existence. He said that piano manufacturers had come
to regard their business in a more satisfactory manner than ever
before, and it was evident that each year progress is being made in
the organization. Mr. Mehlin wisely stated that it was impossible
to eradicate all of the evils in a short time, and that it was unwise
to attempt any radical reforms. He also made the point that the
greatest benefits possible through association effort could only be
accomplished by all the members taking an active interest in the
work.
A
DECIDED gain in membership has been made during the
year, and there are to-day over one hundred piano manufac-
turing firms and corporations who arc members of the national
organization. This certainly makes the manufacturers' association a
powerful influence in any direction which it elects to throw its power.
It was announced that some concessions had been obtained from
the railroads, and that a recommendation had been made bv the
REVIEW
Eastern Classification Committee for a second-class rating on car-
load shipments of boxed pianos, players and organs.
This will mean, when once the new tariff is in operation, a sav-
ing of money to dealers in many sections of the country. Advantage
has already been gained in the far western territory, and it is pro-
posed to follow up the question of obtaining concessions in the
south.
I
N referring to the trade press, Mr. Mehlin said: "The attitude
of the trade press in general towards our association during
the past year is deserving of special notice. A more friendly and
better understanding has existed, which 1 hope will continue. The
influence of this association, and of its members should be exerted
to encourage honorable enterprise by the music trade papers." The
attitude of all of the straightforward, honest music trade papers
has been thrown from the beginning towards the support of the
association, and the first national gathering of piano manufacturers
in this country took place at the invitation of and under the auspices
of The Music Trade Review in 1889, when the first national organ-
ization was formed, which was the direct ancestor of the existing
one.
The only opposition which has ever been manifested towards
the association came from that dishonest section of the trade press
who saw that the association's steady growth would develop a
strength which would be useful to put an end to abusive journalism.
This decp-nx>ted antagonism began at the outset, and it reached
its climax some years ago when the manufacturers themselves
found it necessary to pass resolutons supporting one of their mem-
bers in his legal action to protect himself against the cruel and ma-
licious attack of a blackguardly sheet which sought to disrupt the
association.
T
IME was, however, when piano manufacturers were more timid
than they are to-day, and in their isolated position individuals
fell easy prey to the man who Haunted the black flag of jounrdistL"
piracy. It was a common thing to see columns of abuse aimed at
a number of the leading manufacturers, who, rather than to permit
this sort of thing to go on. and fearing an injury to their business,
came to an "understanding." Efforts to destroy the organization
became more pronounced, and boasts were insolently made that the
blackguarding journalist would have the association seal]) at his belt.
It has turned out, however, the other way, and the war-locks of the
senile decadent now grace the girdle of the national organization,
which, if it had done nothing else, it would have justified its right
to existence by stamping out that kin 1 of journalistic piracy which
has so long fattened upon the weaknesses of individuals.
M
AXY of the papers which were read at the dealers' meetings
appear elsewhere in this paper, and are full of interest, and
are well worthy of preservation for occasional reference. The sub-
jects treated have direct relation to the retail department of the
industry, and the topics were broadly handled by men who were
thoroughly acquainted with their subjects by reason of long and
direct association with the points discussed.
I'hilip Werlein, the retiring president of the Dealers' Associa-
tion, has been indefatigable in bis efforts to promote interest in that
organization, and that he has been successful is evidenced in the
roster-roll of the organization, which is larger than ever before in
its history. The dealers' association is doing good, and it is helpful
to the best interests of the trade in many ways.
T
H E R E has been criticism made in some quarters that the
meetings as they were planned this year absorbed too much
of the manufacturer's and dealer's time.
It is impossible to regulate matters of this kind to please every
one, and probably a little respite from business at such a gathering
as was held in Washington, with pleasant interchanging of ideas
between competing members of the trade, becoming acquainted with
the other fellow's personality, accomplishes good. This is a hustling,
busy age, and perhaps the most of us do not spend enough time
away) from business to appreciate the good that often lies in the
hearts of our competitors.
The mellowing influence of association work is marked, and it
has a decided tendency to tone down the rough edges of competitive
life. The story of the Washington conventions makes interesting
reading, and a detailed report of it appears in this paper.