Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1907 Vol. 45 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUfelC TftA£>E
ices a commission of 10 per cent, of any royalty
which may thereafter accrue on the song when
published, agreeing to furnish "proper music"
for any lyrics accepted. At least this is what the
booklet specifically states. But on the receipt of
the lyric it has always been found necessary to
It is witn no small aegree or grautic&i.iOu mat augment this 10 per cent commission by a fee
we record the first results of our campaign of $10 in cash, which as a personal circular let-
against the bogus music publishing industry ter subsequently explains, "prevents the few un-
which we have waged with unceasing energy. scrupulous individuals from taking advantage of
Marked copies of The Review which have been me, and is fair to all concerned." In return for
sent to the Post Office authorities both at Wash- this sum the song writer president furnishes the
ington and New York resulted last week in music written by one of the "coterie of musi-
the issuance of a fraud order against another cians" with which he has surrounded himself
one of the concerns complained of which is now and also solicits the publishing houses with a
denied the use of the mails. Nor has The Re- view to placing the song on the market.
view contented itself with exposing the ways and
Some Interesting Misrepresentation.
means of these tricksters and submitting them
So interesting is the booklet to which we have
to the postal authorities. Evidence has been referred that we have no hesitation in quoting
taken to the District Attorney's office in an en- from it extensively. Here are some of the
deavor to bring these trade parasites to a reali- pointers in this lexicon of song writing: "I
zation that the law is a dangerous thing to tam- stand ready to help all aspiring song writers in
per with. In the meantime the postal authori- case I find their work acceptable. . . . While
ties have given us their assurance that they will the words are the foundation for the music it is
in future watch out for the illegitimate concerns a well-known fact that you cannot write good
and give them short shrift when detected. So music to poor words. . . . If you have not
far so good.
already done so, send me some of your work and
/ will give you my honest opinion of it (the ital-
A Song Writer in the Game.
It is with a sense of shame that we are now ics are ours). . . . I am personally acquainted
called upon to deal with a booklet issued by a with all the big music publishers and many of
well-known song writer, in which he tells "as their employes, and when I present a song to
simply and clearly as possible," how it was that them it receives the attention it deserves, for
he became a song writer; how he writes a song, they knoiv I would not handle a piece unless it
"the method of placing a piece on the market" had merit (again the italics are ours). . . .
. . "and many interesting facts regarding the These men (i. e., the publishers) long ago
music business." On the back page of this book- learned that I will take hold of nothing unless I
let are enumerated some nineteen songs, all of am reasonably certain of making a success of it.
which have met with some degree of success. . . . Poetical talent is not limited to any one
This information is cited to show that the song class, you find it among the rich and the poor,
writer in question has had enough experience to high and low, anywhere nature has seen fit to
know a passable lyric from a meaningless string implant the power. It is my business to dis-
of words. For some considerable time past this cover these true poems no matter from whom
man, as the president of a company bearing his they come. . . . As I have already said, the
name, has been advertising for lyrics written by first song which I wrote netted me $5,000. In
aspiring authors for whose "guide" his booklet this I was extremely fortunate, for usually the
was apparently written. In soliciting these first effort of a song writer does not bring him
"poems" he asks as remuneration for his serv- more than $500 or $600 (once again the italics
are ours). I am telling you this so that if your
song i3 accepted you will not be disappointed
when you find that your profits at first are con-
siderably less than mine were."
COMMENTS B Y - „
An "Honest Opinion."
We have shown this song writer to be a self-
constituted adviser of aspiring members of the
song writing craft. We now take him on his
merits as a critic. For this we quote but one
instance of an "hone3t opinion" given by him
of a "poem" which we reproduce in part. In a
circular letter dated March 9, 1907, printed in
imitation typewriting and filled in a t the requi-
site points with a typewriting machine having a
peculiarly blurred A, we find the following criti-
cism of the "lyric," part of which we print be-
low. "I am in receipt of your song poems and
thank you for submitting them to me for con-
sideration. After a most careful examination I
find that while all of them are good one of your
poems possesses exceptional merit, and is espe-
cially worthy of a good musical arrangement.
The general construction of the piece is excel-
lent and the theme is one which contains that
element of human interest that usually attracts
and holds the ear of the music loving public. In
fact, I am confident that if given a suitable musi-
cal setting the piece would be accepted by one
of the music publishers of New York. The poem
which I refer to is, "They'd Better Go and
Get Married" (the title is filled in by the above-
mentioned blurred typewriting machine). Below
we present part of the lyric which has "that ele-
ment of human interest that usually attracts and
holds the ear of the music loving public," quoted
verbatim as criticized and accepted for subse-
quent publication by this song writing shark
and reprinted by permission of the author, who
owns the copyright. "They'd Better Go and Get
Married and Make Their Sweetheart their Wife."
Some fellows aren't married ; yot have a let of nmn.
They siport around and blow It In, and thinks they're
having fun,
These fellows hain't no sense at all,
And you kin .jest bet your life.
They'd better g<> and get married.
And make their sweetheart their wife.
M'KINLEY 10'MUSIC
FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER
are the publishers of all the songs
SUNG BY
HARRY LAUDER
and all the successful songs
SUNG BY
VESTA VICTORIA
LIVE DEALERS RIGHT NOW ARE
Costs You 3 Cents
Write To-Day for Samples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC GO.
WM. McKINLEY, Pns.
158 Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Avc, N. Y.
VICTOR KREMER CO.
REALIZING PROFITS SELLING COPIES OF
CHICAGO
152 Lake Street
THE MOST POPULAR
MANDOLIN FOLIO
NEW YORK
1431 Broadway
PUBLISHERS
Published in the following books
"Under the Tropical Moon," "Won't You
Let Me Put My Arms Around You,"
"Cinderella," Inst. and Song.
"Not Be-
cause Your Hair Is Curly," "Will 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.
1st Mandolin dist 5Oc Introductory 20c
2d Mandolin " 5Oc
"
" 20c
Guitar Ace.
" 5Oc
"
20o
Piano Ace.
" 5Oc
"
22'Ao
t3?~Send for complete descriptive circular and
thematic booklet. Don't delay. Write at once.
NEW YORK 15 West 30th St. NEW YORK
HINDS, NOBLE <& ELDR.EDGE
SPECIAL TO THE TRADE!
THE NEW YORK PRESS UNANIMOUS IN DECLARING THAT THE FOUR BIGGEST
HITS OF CHAUNCEY OLCOTT'S CAREER ARE IN "O'NEILL OF DERRY/'
FOR
THIRTY DAYS OINL.Y
31-33-35 West I5tK Street, New York City
These 1907 Song Hita at 10c. per copy or $10 per hundred.
"EVERYONE IS IN SLUMBERLAND BUT YOU AND M L "
"TWINKLING STAR."
u
SWEETHEARTS MAY COME AND SWEETHEARTS
MAY GO."
"WHERE THE JESSAMINE IS BLOOMING, FAR AWAY."
Instrumental
P A U L A VAL.SE C A P R I C B
will pay you to keep in touch with us. Write to-day
TIIEBES-STKRLIN MUSIC CO., SI. Lonis, Mo.
Michael McGinnity
A R o s e of O l d D e r r y
Every Star Falls In Love With Its Mate
AND
O-n-e
L-i-t-t-1-e, S-w-e-e-t L-i-t-t-1-e G-i-r-1
'Almost as gummy as the waltz in the'Merry Widow.'"
—ASH TON STEVENS in The Evening Journal.
PREPARE FOR THE CERTAIN DEMAND
BY ORDERING NOW
Published by M. W I T M A R K @L SONS—Chicago,
New York,
London
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
Some batches blows their money to get 'em fancy close,
Some batches parteth with their cash, for amtomobolos,
But these fellows hSaint no sense at all,
And you kin jest bet your life,
They'd better go and get married,
And make their sweetheart their wife.
REVIEW
MARKS CHATS OFNEW YEAR'S PLANS
Some Important Publications Under Way
Which Will be Introduced During 1908.
Gets from the Iceman Is Ice" which-may yet-be
a success, who knows?) Tnere is a new ballad
to succeed, "When the Evening Breeze is Sigh-
ing Home Sweet Home," entitled "Only an Old
Fashioned Cottage, But All the World to Me,"
and a high class song, "If I Had a Thousand
Lives to Live, I'd Give Them All for You." Of
the first Mr. Marks said, "We are sparing no
expense to make this ballad the success of the
coming season. For my own part I believe it to
be the very best song of its kind in years, as it
has an entirely new and original theme." With
no writing materials at hand, "The Man on the
Street" failed to memorize a number of other
new songs—all hits apparently—which are
shortly to see the light of day.
Finding Mr. Ed. Marks in a talkative-frame of
mind, a most unusual state of affairs by the way,
as the co-partner in the house of Joseph W. Stern
& Co. is as a general rule singularly uncommuni-
cative, our "Man on the Street" took the oppor-
tunity to get from one of the heads of the firm
some advance details of their prospective publi-
The above song was set to music and through cations during the early part of the coming year.
the instrumentality of the song writing critic Asked about business during the past twelve
was printed—we were about to say published— months, Mr. Marks answered in characteristic
by one of these concerns against whom a fraud fashion: "Speaking generally we have had a
order was issued. But that's another story which remarkably good year in spite of what you so
maybe the future will unfo.d. On the above aptly describe in The Review as the 'intolerable
PUBLISHERS DISCUSS COPYRIGHT BILL.
recital of facts The Review makes no comment, conditions of the trade.' We were fortunate hav-
feeling that its strongest criticism is silence.
ing so much to do, indeed, that we could only find
An informal meeting of the leading music pub-
Misunderstood.
time to look after our own—that is the publish- lishers of New York was held at the Hotel Na-
Have you Ball & Reed's latest song, "Sweet- ing business." Mr. Marks glanced up to see if varre, on Tuesday last, to consider the new copy-
heart"? asked a young gentleman of a young de- his remark had "gone home." But "The Man on right bills recently introduced by Mr. Currier in
partment store miss, and he is still wondering the Street" with rare and most unusual diplo- the House of Representatives and the Hon. Reed
at the young lady's indignant reply: "If you macy gazed thoughtfully at an imaginary bird on Smoot in the Senate. Among those present were
talk like that to me again I'll call a floor walker." the adjoining housetop. "We could only find Isidor Witmark (M. Witmark & Sons) chairman;
time to look after our own—that is the publish- Messrs. Breitkopf and Hartel, Hamilton S. Gor-
JACOBS SUFFERS LOSS BY FIRE.
ing business," repeated Mr. Marks. And for lack don, Gus Edwards, Jules Von Tilzer, John Ab-
of a better answer our "Man on the Street" re- bott (Francis, Day & Hunter) Chas. K. Harris,
(Special to The Review.)
plied:
"Very thoughtful of you, I'm sure." By Fred Mills, Nathan Burkan (senior counsel for
Boston, Mass., Dec. 21, 1907.
this
time
the imaginary bird had flown and the the Publishers' Association) and Emil Asher.
Walter Jacobs suffered a loss of $4,000 to his
interviewer
having no further excuse for gazing
Mr. Witmark in a well chosen speech pointed
reserve stock of sheet music last week owing to
a fire in the warehouse at 99 Albany street. helplessly out of the window shifted from deli- out the extraordinary change of front shown by
The music was stored on one of the floors cate ground by asking: "Have you any new Representative Currier, who only last session de-
reached by the flames. The loss will not affect songs likely to rival 'Dearie' in public favor?" clared that his sympainies were with the com-
shipments in any way as the stock was only "Ah, that reminds me," said Mr. Marks. "Of poser and publisher. "If his present bill goes
held in reserve, the regular stock being sufficient course, you've heard of Sallie Fisher's enormous through—which I do not think it will," said Mr.
success in 'A Knight for a Day' with 'My Very Witmark, "then I can readily imagine that not
to meet immediate requirements.
Own.' Well, Clare Kimmer has just finished an- only his sympathy but that of every honest man
other song entitled 'Diana,' which Miss Maude will be extended to both publisher and composer
ISSUES FRAUD ORDER.
Lambert is going to feature- in Charles Dilling- because sympathy is needed most in the face of
The postal authorities have issued a fraud or- ham's production 'Lonesome Town' at the Stude- crying injustice." Of Senator Kittredge Mr. Wit-
der against the Melville Music Publishing Co., of baker Theatre, Chicago. It is a wonderful num- mark spoke in the highest possible terms.
55 West 28 th street, New York city, one of the ber. You must hear it." "The Man on the Chas. K. Harris said that Mr. Currier had ad-
concerns which did an exclusive business during Street," who is an ardent admirer of the popular mitted to him personally that publishers and
the past two years in "publishing" the efforts of little composer of "Dearie," did hear it, and al- song-writers had a legitimate grievance against
young composers.
though he does not agree with Mr. Marks on a makers of mechanical instruments. Mr. Harris
The Jerome H. Remick Co. will move into their great many things, he goes on record as saying also complained bitterly of the attitude of the
new building at 131 West 41st street, on, or about that in "Diana" Joseph W. Stern & Co. have got press and read letters which he had sent to sev-
eral papers on the subject of copyright legisla-
February 1st, 1908. The entire structure will be another big "hit" with a great big capital "H."
"Last Monday night," continued Mr. Marks, tion, which, however, they had ignored. Mr. Har-
occupied by this ever-growing concern.
"Miss Vesta Victoria, the well-known English ris further said that he had an appointment with
A specially painted tablet has been placed comedienne, introduced a new song which we Senator Reed Smoot in Washington on January
above the music catalog shelves in the newly have secured for publication entitled 'What Did 2, at which time he will put forth his views.
decorated reading room of the British Museum, You Marry Me For?' written by herself in col- Mr. Kerr spoke entertainingly on the inner
London, announcing that "Band parts, vaudeville laboration with a well-known newspaper man workings of politics and gave many useful hints.
songs, and less important American and colonial
It was eventually decided to call anotner meet-
(whose name by the way was not given), which
music received under the Copyrights Acts are promises to equal, if not surpass, anything she ing on Saturday (Dec. 28th) at 8 p. m., at the
not catalogued; they may be seen by supplying the has yet done in America. A despatch from Chi- Navarre Hotel, at which those present not only
superintendent with the necessary particulars." cago says that it already looks like a big suc- promised to attend, but also to persuade brother
cess, and in consequence we are getting out the publishers to do likewise. At this meeting it
song immediately with Miss Victoria's latest pic- was decided to appoint a committee consisting
ture on the cover. She has already promised largely of publishers who are also song writers,
I'M HEAD AND HEELS IN LOVE WITH YOU
to go to Washington on January 6, at the open-
to feature it for the balance of the season."
(A Sensational Hit.)
Speaking of other new publications, Mr. Marks ing of Congress, to commence a lobbying cam-
"DADDY"
mentioned two songs by Alfred Solman, composer paign. All interested in this movement can ob-
(Introduced in "The Hoyden.")
of
the successful "Bird on Nellie's Hat," and tain data on the subject from Isidor Witmark,
I MET MY LOVE IN A RESTAURANT
"With
Your in Eternity," also of "All That She of Witmark & Sons, New York.
(Tremendous Success in "The Lady From Lane's.")
R A. I N B O W
These rich batches what don't get married, perhaps
don't much love feel,
But I'm so in love wid my freckled-faced gal, I jest
jump up en down en squeal,
But bein' in love don't bile de pot,
And you kin jest bet your life,
If I but had a chicken and a cow,
I'd make my sweetheart my wife.
FIVE BIG SELLERS
(From "The Yankee Tourist." Sung by Flora
Zabelle.)
THE BROKENHEARTED SPARROW
(Theo. Bendix's Best Composition.)
All above Numbers have Fine Title Pages
THEO. BENDIX, Music Publisher
1431 Brotvdwcvy
NEW YORK
NEW MUSICAL COMEDIES
"THE TOURISTS," by Bunwld* tnd Kwkar
"THE SOCIAL WHIRL," by Herbert and Kerker
"THE ROSE OF ALHAMBRA," bv Cook and Hosmer
WE HAVE LOTS OF NEW SONGS AND LOTS OP GOOD SONGS, BUT ONLY
ON E ORE AT,
BIG, R O U S I N G H I T A N D A S U R E SELLER
IT 15
66
L
VI NO
EVE S"
Write for our New Issue Proposition
It Will Pay You
H. J. WOOD CO., Inc., Music Publishers, NEW
BROADWAY
YORK CITY
Complete Vocal Score and Special Numbers
Song Hits from t h e "Rich Mr. Hoftenheimer"
"DON'T YOU WANT A PAPER, DEARIE?" POKER LOVE
"BAG PIPE SERENADE," by Jerome D.K.rn
T. B. HARMS COMPANY
1431-1433 Broadway
NEW YORK
"DON'T
WORRY
ROSE & SNIDER
The Publisher*
"THE SONG THEY ARE ALL WHISTLING"
By the Authors of " I Wonder If You Miss Me." " Bonnie Jean." »rvd other
hits too numerous to mention.
42 WEST 28th STREET
NEW YORK

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