Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE
EXPECT BUSY FALL TRADE.
Publishers Are Now Getting on Their Battle
Armor for the Fall—Effort to Better Prices
in the Metropolitan District Meeting With
Success—Situation Discussed by a Publisher
Noted for His Conservative Tendencies.
REVIEW
GILDER GETS_A LETTER.
The Celebrated Poet Gets a Letter from One of
the Fake Publishing Houses—Would Like to
Examine Some of His Work.
41
than the usual themes employed, and Mr. Dillea
has recognized every opportunity given him for
the elaboration of it. Of course, there are situa-
tions comical and mirth-producing, with an oc-
casional pensive strain which capitally affects.
The rebuff administered the self-styled "pub-
"THE MAN ON THE STREET."
lishers" who advertise for "song-poems," by the
fraud order issued by the Post Office Depart- Meeting to Establish Minimum Retail Price—
Admittedly the quietest summer in a business ment against a Chicago concern in this category,
United M. S. Co. Retire from Boston Field
sense for years, the publishers are now looking should be a sufficient warning to the public.
—New Stern Music—Remick
Personals-
forward and preparing for what each and every The following letter to Richard Watson Gilder,
Dreyfus to Control Edwards Catalog—Other
one believes will be a surprisingly busy fall editor of the Century Magazine from the M
Interesting Items.
trade. Publishers of popular numbers may be Music Co. is a fresh example of nerve and as-
credited with the observation, as the houses in surance, made ridiculous by the person to whom
Tuesday of last week a conference of the de-
better grade music are only passing through the it is addressed:
partment store music buyers was held with the
usual dulness customary at this time of the year.
"I have been informed that you have achieved board of directors and managers of the American
The past ten days have shown some improve- some success in a literary line, and as I am in Music Stores in New York. The purpose of the
ment in the matter of sales, and firms without search of poems that can be set to music I take meeting was to establish a minimum retail price.
good sellers in their catalog have received and the liberty of addressing you. * * * In the Fully 75 per cent, of the prominent department
spoken of the current situation in anything but first place I would like to have the opportunity stores in the city were represented, and there was
enthusiastic tei.ms. The mails at the opening of of examining some of your work. If I find that a disposition, however, to put the selling price
the week were better than for a long time, orders it comes up to my standard I shall be more than on a higher and more profitable basis. In fact,
of encouraging size being noted and remittances pleased to make you an offer upon it immedi- the opinion was well-nigh unanimous that on
in settlement of overdue accounts being regarded ately; but in case I cannot use it I shall return "sales days'' the minimum price should at first
as excellent indications of a revival of business it to you at once, if postage is inclosed for that be 12 cents, and subsequently be advanced gradu-
in the near iuture.
ally until 15 or 18 cents were reached. Another
purpose. * * *
An effort to better prices in the metropolitan
"As you are no doubt familiar, there is a great meeting was held Tuesday, when formal action
distiict seems about to be crowned with success. deal of money in some writing; yet many excel- with this end in view was taken. In Newark,
The change may be gradual, and the advances lent songs have been written that have never N. J., a scale had been agreed upon previously
slow in deference" to possible public criticism, been published simply because the author lacks by the leading music dealers, especially those
but a higher miDimum selling price at retail is confidence in his own work. It is my business interested in the department stores. 'At these
in sight, according to the representations of
to discover these true poems, no matter from several conferences Jerome H. Remick & Co. was
prominent puMiehers and large handlers of
whom they come, and to turn the author's talent present in the person of Fred B. Belcher, man-
popular music. Should this movement prove suc- into money for both the poet and myself. Do not ager of the eastern business. The American
cessful here its good influence will spread and feel that because you have some simple little ditty Music Stores have recently opened two branches
become effective in other parts of the country at home you need foe ashamed to present it to in Newark.
where prices have become demoralized through me; its very simplicity may be its charm.
various basic causes.
The United Music Stores Co. have retired from
Therefore, I ask that you send in your manu-
Commenting on the present condition of af- script without further delay, for right now is Boston, Mass., having closed out the depart-
fairs a publisher of known conservative views the time of the year that the big music publish- ment formerly operated in connection with the
lemarked to The Review as follows: "We can- ers of this city are looking for next season's suc- Dodge-Spear Co. During the last few weeks
not deny that the summer so far has been one cesses." Isn't this rich.
Bacon, Chappell & Co., Syracuse, N. Y., have be-
of unprecedented sluggishness. The dull period
come the representative of the United Music
set in early, and has held complete sway since.
Stores Co. The latter's retail price is declared
"THE CIRCUS CLOWN."
Now, however, we see a rift in the clouds, and
to be 20 cents, or six for $1, a schedule President
we are all getting ready for a more active mar-
Herbert Dillea makes his bow to the public in Shapiro avers will be vigorously maintained, as
ket, which we believe is in sight. Productive a new role for his recent attainments, which a profitable business is being transacted on this
s*tuff promises to be particularly strong, as you many are not aware of. Always popular and basis.
may gather from the early threatened announce- genial, he is well known as a composer of de-
ircnts, an understanding about retail prices is lightful songs, but his ambition has always been
The following are the latest prints from Jos.
about being arranged, and altogether the pros- of the aggressive kind that would not rest on W. Stein & Co.: Vocal—"She Was a Grand Old
pects for a more satisfactory trade are better present fame. In his inmost heart Mr. Dillea Lady," by S. R. Henry; "Marie," by Chas. Shack-
than a year ago."
knew he would not be satisfied until his name ford; "Yankee Rose," by Halsey K. Mohr; "In
ranked with those composers whose work is the Valley Where My Sally Said Good-Bye," by
along the line of light opera, musical comedy
and the like, and to that end he has striven.
To-day, even before his work (which is being
ri'.she^d through for rehearsals) is ready for the
CHICAGO
NEW YORK
public, his success is assured, and he can con- 59 Dearborn St.
1431 Broadway
gratulate himself that his perseverance has led
PUBLISHERS
to the achievement of "The Circus Clown."
"Under the Tropical Moon," "Won't You
Mr. Dillea's songs have always been known
Let Me Put My Arms Around Y o u , "
By the writers of
for their humor, and he has put that necessary
"Cinderella," Inst. and Song. "Not Be-
"WAITING AT THE CHURCH"
asset into his new musical comedy, with the
cause Your Hair Is Curly," " W i l l the
result that many of the songs give promise of
Angels Let Me Play," "Paddy," "Can You
being "hits" from the start. One in particular,
Keep a Secret," "Vanity Fair," "I Never
"Mamie Ryan," is among the best numbers that
15 West 30th Street
Can Forget You Dear," Kremer's Mandolin
Mr. Dillea has done. "The Circus Clown," from
Folio, No. 1, etc., etc.
NEW YORK
its subject, admits perhaps of greater latitude
Vesta Victoria's New Hit
VICTOR KREMER CO.
JOHN!
FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER
OUR "NEW ISSUE' 9
PROPOSITION
is of Interest to all dealers—we furnish
you with any quantity ol our new
thematic catalogues without charge.
We publish "The Good Old U. S. A,"
"Just a Little Rocking Chair and You."
"Keep on the Sunny Side," and other
big hits.
Let us get In touch with you—write us.
F. B. Haviland Pub. Co.
125 W. 37th Street, New York
Y FA/T7 T I P / k f p D C should subscribe to M. Witmark & Sons vocal and instru-
* J * W i j •'*-«•«-'*-•••*••-» mental "New 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.
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Hereby agree to take one each of your "NEW" Vocal and Instru-
mental Publications as soon as issued at 5 CENTS PER COPY. This to begin
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