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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
Situation With Publishers More or Less Mixed
—Recent Events in the Trade Much Dis-
cussed—The Matter of Prices—What Some
Leading Publishers Say.
The situation among the publishers of popular
music is more or less mixed this week, due to the
so-called combination referred to in recent issues
of The Review. Business is strong and brisk in
some quarters, and elsewhere there are decidedly
soft spots. This is owing, also, to the view-
point of the commentator. Firms with a mod-
est catalog and circumscribed surroundings are
prone to enlarge upon their prospects, for the
simple reason that no great volume of trade is
required to "swell them up." Where the con-
cern is of standing, with large responsibilities
and a heavy expense account, unless trade is of
real consequence, the observations are generally
based on a conservative basis. This is about the
condition of affairs this week, but there is an
air of expectancy no one endeavors to suppress.
In other words, the entire publishing trade
is wondering what will occur next. The events
of the past fortnight have presumably whetted
prepared to listen to almost anything in the line
of fresh and further developments. The truth
remains, however, that something will be done.
Just what, however, no one seems to be in a
position to predict with any degree of positive-
ness. As The Review has repeatedly remarked,
the range of prices for popular music has been
most amazing, and it seems no relief is in sight
unless it comes through the associated publish-
ers entering the retail field, as they declare is
their purpose, to improve conditions, gain recog-
nition for their production numbers and better
prices. As has also been stated, the "outland-
ers" are watching the proceedings, such as have
been revealed, with absorbing interest.
With these facts before him, a publisher of
note observed to The Review Monday: "We
never had a better March. So far as the injec-
tion of new ideas for retailing are concerned,
we are of the opinion the second corporation
was formed to watch the first. In other words,
as we understand the situation, no aggressive
steps will be undertaken by the United Co. un-
less the American Music Stores people attempt
to block them out."
Another publisher said; "This scheme may
be all right, but to us the music dealer is- the
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backbone of the trade—our bread and butter, so
to say—and we would not like to enter any com-
bination that would antagonize him. Now, why
should there be any cutting on the better class
of goods? Ditson, Schirmer, Wood, Boosey,
Schmidt, Novello and firms of that class may
shade their prices some, but it is only on non-
copyrights. On copyright music their prices are
maintained. That is the way business should be
conducted."
LEADING MEN INTERVIEWED.
On the Recent Formation of the American
Music Stores and the United Stores Co.—
Some Interesting Views.
Following the formation of the American Music
Stores and the United Music Stores Co. by two
separate groups of New York publishers, a num-
ber in the same line gave expression to their
views in the appended brief interviews:
E. S. Cragin, of Chas. Ditson & Co., said: "If
these concerns carry a diversified stock and act
in good faith toward other publishers, there is
no reason why they should not be a success. We
have no grounds whatever for doubting their in-
tentions, and until proven otherwise they should
be treated accordingly."
Fred E. Belcher, manager of Jerome H. Rem-
ick & Co.: "Best thing in the world, if carried
out, to protect prices, so far as our firm are con-
cerned, as well as for the regular dealer. While
we control a large number of department stores,
we also maintain music stores independent of
these concerns; and outside of handling our own
publications, purchase at least $100,000 of other
publishers' music in the course of the year. Na-
turally, if a publisher has a dead catalog we
cannot be expected to buy his goods; in fact,
everything that commands a sale we have in
stock. We do not blame any of the publishers
entering into this arrangement if they want rep-
resentation. That is primarily their business.
Now, we meet competition, but our policy is not
to cut prices. We are not the only publishers
who are in the department store game, and the
regular music dealer will occasionally cut. If
conditions can be bettered we are heartily in
favor of any such move, and the more engaged
in this kind of work, why naturally the move-
ment is to be praised."
Ed Marks, of Jos. W. Stern & Co. "I believe
the American Music Stores is a good proposition,
possibly, but it strikes me they are going at the
question back end first. We are fighting our own
battles and will continue to do so no matter who
or what comes up. We are entitled to represen-
tation of our production stuff on the lines in
department stores, a courtesy extended by the
little dealers. Oh, I think we can manage to
care for our business in the future as in the past,
combinations or no combinations, and we bear
no ill will toward any of them."
Willis Woodward, of Willis Woodward & Co:
"The right kind of houses have started in to im-
prove the demoralized situation, and to my mind
it is the beginning of the end. As I said, the in-
fluential publishers, who have good catalogs and
can command the capital have got hold of the
plan, and 1 am quite sure they will make it suc-
ceed."
C. L. Partee, of the C. L. Partee Music Co.: "It
is a good thing and a move in the right direc-
tion. Years ago I endeavored to get the publishers
interested in something of the same kind of pro-
ject—selling goods from one distributing point
only; but apparently they were not ready to take
hold of such an enterprise then. However, it has
my entire approval."
Harry von Tilzer, of the Harry von Tilzer
Music Publishing Co.: "I am not greatly inter-
ested. I write most all of my own music, have
no royalties to pay, sell thousands of copies to
the music trade, the department stores, etc., at
a satisfactory price, so, as far as my attitude is
concerned, I am rather indifferent to both of
these ventures."
"THE MAN ON THE STREET."
T. B. Harms Co. Now in Line—Amicitia Band
in Brooklyn—Death of Warren Crosby—A
Summer Musical Comedy—Nuisance That
Publishers Would Like to See Mitigated.
Among the incorporators of the United Music
Stores Co., T. B. Harms Co., New York, may now
be listed. They were at first averse to having
their name used officially, but that period is
passed, and Max Dreyfus, the president and
general manager, says he is now prepared to
have the company boldly announced in the fore-
going connection.
Ferd Mertens and Julia Leighton are touring
the South with the King Dramatic Co., produc-
ing "Monte Cristo." Their act is enhanced by
the use of telephones, which they use for their
song success, "Hello Peaches," which never fails
to bring them a very courteous response from
their audiences; this excellent team will shortly
be in New York and in neighboring large cities.
Warren Crosby, a song writer and arranger
of music, who shot himself, committing suicide
Saturday night, had been employed by various
New York publishers at different times. He is
said to have been very unsuccessful in disposing
of his manuscripts. As usual, the daily news-
papers contained the customary lurid accounts
of Crosby's death, and if a five dollar bill had
been found on his person at the time they would
have brazenly announced him the son of a
multi-millionaire and wedded to a society belle,
VICTOR KREMER CO.
CHICAGO
59 Dearborn St.
NEW YORK
1431 Broadway
PUBLISHERS
"Under the Tropical Moon," "Won't You
Let Me Put My Arms Around Y o u , "
"Cinderella," Inst. and Song. "Not Be-
cause Your Hair Is Curly," " W i l l the
Angels Let Me Play," "Paddy," "Can You
Keep a Secret," "Vanity Fair," " I Never
Can Forget You Dear," Kremer's Mandolin
Folio, No. 1, etc., etc.
should subscribe to M. Witmark & Sons vocal and instru-
mental " N e w Issues" so as to keep their patrons and them-
selves in touch with the latest successes. Five cents the copy is all that is charged. Fill
in and forward attached blank.
LIVE DEALERS
M. WITMARK & SONS, 144 W. 37th St., New York.
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