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THE: MUSIC TRADE
These maximum rates will probably represent increases over the
minimum rates of about 20 per cent, on the average, though the
percentage will not be uniform in all cases—and will be levied upon
the products of countries which discriminate in any way against
the commerce of the United States.
With regard to the maximum and minimum schedules, the
Committee will desire to learn the probable effect of such increases
as are suggested in the way of restricting importations, also as to
the probability of our being able to secure trade concessions from
foreign countries on the basis of the proposed double column tariff.
It is the especial desire of the Committee that an effort be made
by the respective interests desiring to make representations to get
together in advance and appoint spokesmen. The advantage of this
will be to simplify the work of the Committee greatly. In the
music trade, there is no desire to change the existing tariff law.
Manufacturers of both pianos and piano actions are satisfied with
the present duty and none has expressed a desire of having
changes made. It is stated, however, that there will be an effort
made and arguments produced favoring the reduction of the present
duty.
I
T will be recalled that efforts were made before the McKinley
Tariff became a law to lower the duties on pianos and actions
and piano manufacturers of this country should see to it that they
are well represented at Washington on November 28.
The Review sounded a note of warning some months ago,
stating that a tariff commission had been appointed to gather
statistics from various European countries relative to the cost of
labor in Europe as compared with America. We suggested that it
would be well for the Piano Manufacturers' National Association
to appoint men to take this matter in special charge and to prepare
some statistics in order to refute any statements which might be
made by those who favor a lower tariff.
We have written to President Frank A. Lee, of the National
Association, asking him if appointments had been made to represent
the piano industry at Washington, and have been advised that no
representatives have been named up to date. President Decker, of
the New York Association, remarked that he was not aware of the
hearing at Washington until The Review called his attention to this
subject and thought presumably New York would be represented,
but believed that the matter should properly be handled by the Piano
Manufacturers' National Association.
A matter of this kind requires no little time to handle correctly,
for it is necessary to produce some statistics showing the dif-
ference of cost between European countries and this. Now it
is not an easy thing to obtain the exact cost on any article. Manu-
facturers are not likely to say exactly what it costs them to pro-
duce a certain product and it is figures that the tariff committee
desires to get, not general statistics along academic lines as to the
advantage of protection to this country. It should be understood
that from various sources a vast amount of information has been
collected which will guide the actions of the men who have the
tariff bill in charge.
T
HE demand for piano players is steadily growing and many
dealers are convinced that they will have considerable trouble
getting their delayed orders filled for the holiday trade. There is
no question as to the selling .power of piano players to-day. The
tremendous advertising which this special product has received in
magazines and periodicals of national circulation, has given an
accentuated impetus to the business, and as a result the player is a
force to be reckoned with in piano selling. And what a wonderful
development the player industry has undergone within a brief
period! When we consider the possibilities of the product of 1908
and compare it with the creations of a few years ago, we must admit
that the results of inventive minds have been well illustrated in this
special industry. And we have not reached the limit yet, for there
seems to be no halting in the player progress. Inventive minds are
concentrated upon making betterments wherever possible in player
mechanism, and as a result of this concentrated energy, we should
see improvements from time to time, which will be helpful in a large
degree. Player development is moving steadily on. The holiday
demand for players will measure well up to the banner period of
1906. There is a very large exchange business being carried in
which the player mechanism is the decidmg factor in sales making.
REVIEW
The lid is now off prosperity.
Now is the time to he up and doing.
System, more system, that's what counts.
Loyal service makes a generous paymaster.
Do not delay ordering or you will miss sales.
Evidently Emperor William talked too blamed much.
Contentment is a good thing.
thing.
Sometimes it is too much of a good
An average brain and a good bump of clear grit are powerful forces
in achieving success.
The last two months of the year will bring up the business average
very materially. Well, we can stand it.
Study the success of other men and gradually you will find yourself
imbued with the spirit that makes them winners.
It is not always what a fellow says of his own accomplishments, but
it is how the world views them, that fixes the real status.
LIGHT EVIDENCE.—An Irish soldier on sentry duty had orders to
allow no one to smoke near his post. An officer with a lighted cigar ap-
proached, whereupon Pat boldly challenged him and ordered him to put
it out at once.
The officer, with a gesture of disgust, threw away his cigar, but no
sooner was his back turned than Pat picked it up and quietly retired to
the sentry box.
The officer, happening to look around, observed a beautiful cloud of
smoke issuing from the box. He at once challenged Pat for smoking on
duty.
"Smoking, is it, sorr? Bedad, and I'm only keeping it lit to show to the
corporal when he comes, as evidence agin you."—Tid-Bits.
GOOD PAY, SHORT HOURS.—A certain cottage and its old mistress
had improved so greatly in comfort and appearance that a visitor shrewdly
surmissed that the son of the house, a lazy ne'er-do-well, had turned over
a new leaf. He inquired about it.
"Yes, sir, my son's in work now," said the smiling old mother. "Takes
good money, he does, too. All he has to do is to go twice a day to the
circus and put his head in the lion's mouth. The rest of his time 'e 'as
to himself."
JUST WHAT SHE WANTED.—The lectuier had been describing some
of the sight? he had seen abroad. "There are some spectacles," he said,
"that one never forgets."
"I wish you would tell me where I can get a pair of them," exclaimed
an old lady in the audience. "I'm always forgetting mine."
A WORKER.—"Does your Representative in Congress do much work?"
"I shou.d say so." answered Farmer Corntossel.
"In what way?"
"Gettin' Imself re-elected."
THE LAW OF COMPENSATION.—The law of compensation works
perfectly in national politics. The maJDrity get what they want and the
minority enjoy the function of criticizing it for four whole years.
A HOPE.—When prosperity dees come we hope it will run more to
culture than to red automobiles.
REVISED.—"You told me," said the young man, dejectedly, "that
you would marry me when Bryan was elected. Did you mean that?"
"Yes, I meant it," said the girl, flushing modestly, "but I'd been given
the wrong tip. I really thought he'd be elected."
By mutual consent the terms of the compact were abrogated then and
there.
BETWEEN THE ACTS.—Robbie (at the opera)—"Mamma, what does
papa keep going out between the acts for?"
Mother—"Sh. He goes out for opera glasses."
FORCE OF HABIT.—"I wish, John," said the editor's wife, "that you'd
try not to Le so absent-minded when we are dining out."
"Eh? What have I dene now?" '
"Why, when the hostess asked you if you' d have some more pudding
you replied that, owing to a tremendous presure of your space, you were
compelled to decline,"—Tid-Bits.