Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
10
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
but to observe the new law, and to do all in their Act and regrets its inability to comply, where-
power to ensure its observance by others. In upon the order straightway goes to a rival firm
this way they would have protected themselves less troubled by such scruples. One can well
Laws in This Country as Well as in England
against a form of extortion at the worst barely understand the effect of a few such experiences
Seem Ineffective to Control the Commission
Fiend Who Plies His Trade Apparently to
distinguishable from blackmail, and at the same in the case of those even most anxious to
Good Purpose in Both Countries—Some Com-
time would have gained that, additional protection observe the law; and this is why it is so deplor-
ments on Conditions in England and This
against their less scrupulous rivals which the law able to find such a low conception of the matter
Country—Writer Paints Sorry Picture.
was designed to secure them. Apart from this being adopted by some of the more eminent
aspect of the matter, it may be asked why such firms, who, as I have said above, are setting the
The question of commissions paid teachers and an invincible objection need be entertained by lead in disregarding the Act. Manifestly this is
others for influencing sales has long been a sub- honest traders to the disclosure of these pay- a law which must be either universally
ject of discussion in the piano trade in this ments to third parties. If such payments con- observed or universally disregarded, and as
country. For the one who really influences a sale stitute, as is maintained, a recognized custom of matters stand there is no doubt in which
there are half a dozen who have no grounds for the trade, and their existence is known to every direction events are shaping. What would
making a claim, their object being to get all one, why seek to conceal the fact in defiance of a improve matters would be a few prosecutions;
they can out of the piano dealer and make him statute explicitly enjoining their disclosure? The and seeing that the violations of the Act are so
believe that they have the option of preventing thousand and one abuses and possibilities ol numerous it should really not be so difficult to
fraud associated with the secret commission sys- bring these about. It needs only some one with
the consummation of a sale.
A law governing this question in a measure tem are known to all. Here is an Act of Parlia- sufficient public spirit, who has bought goods on
was passed by the New York Legislature some ment which has been passed with the express ob- which an undisclosed commission has been paid,
time ago, but the fact that this system of polite ject of putting an end to that system in the inter- to take the initiative, and any one adopting this
blackmail still prevails is proof of the fact that ests alike of honest traders and of the com- course would certainly be performing a very val-
the law is not effective, largely because the deal- munity at large. Is it not, therefore, a strange uable public service. It would be necessary to
ers or manufacturers have not taken the trouble state of things to find, not only small traders, but procure the requisite evidence, naturally; but
to bring the people indulging in these practices eminent firms of world-wide repute, going behind this need not be impossible of accomplishment,
to justice. Our English friends are very fond the Act in this fashion, and deliberately setting especially in the case of those big firms who, as
of pointing out our weaknesses to us, as well as themselves to render it a dead letter?
I have said above, boldly claim their right to dis-
our disposition to inject into commercial life the
"And in other cases much the same state of regard the statute. Here, then, is a chance for
practices of some of our low politicians, but, as a things obtains, though I have not heard of any some one ready to serve the commonwealth."
matter of fact conditions in England are cer- other instance so far in which the thing is being
tainly worse than here.
done quite so audaciously. But in every branch
CLUETT EMPLOYES ORGANIZE CLUB.
England's "Secret Commission Act," which, we of the music trade, whether organ-building, in-
The employes of the Troy and Albany (N. Y.)
may say, is a more drastic measure than that strument-making, publishing, or what not, the
passed by the New York Legislature, has been Act is being ignored, with the result that all the stores of Cluett & Sons have organized a club
entirely ineffective in preventing the payment old knaveries and rascalities directly promoted for the purpose of promoting social intercourse
of commissions and other backsheesh. Though by this system of secret bribes are as far from ex- among the men of the two branches, and W. P.
the Act was passed expressly to put down secret tinction as ever. Take the case of the wind in- Allendorph was chosen president. The club idea
commissions, such commissions are still being strument trade, in which the secret commission originated after an outing participated in by the
almost universally paid. In some cases, indeed, system has always flourished to an exceptionally staffs of both stores, followed a week later by
it is openly argued that the new law need not be vicious extent. Wind instrument makers find a baseball game, won by the Albany team, and
complied with. "This is so, I believe, says a their most remunerative source of income in the a beefsteak dinner. It is planned to have fre-
contributor to Truth, in the case of the piano requirements of the various military bands. quent meetings of the club throughout the year.
trade, the members of which have, it is under- These are maintained out of the Army funds,
BOGART'S SEPTEMBER CALENDARS.
stood, all agreed to ignore the Act, sheltering supplemented still, however, in most cases, con*
themselves behind the plea that such commis- trary to the popular belief, by grants from the
sions are a recognized 'custom of the trade.' officers. The officers and the taxpayers find the E. B. Bogart & Co. have issued their Septem-
This is really very cool. Of course such com- money; the bandmaster spends it. What hap- ber calendars, and we may add, the addenda
missions have been a custom of the trade, but it pens can be readily imagined. I have heard of sent to dealers in connection with same makes
The theme, "Harvest
was precisely to put an end to this particular bandmasters demanding as much as 50 per cent, interesting reading.
Month,"
is
handled
in
a
masterly way, for in-
custom that the Act was passed. To cite such a commission when placing an order—and getting
defense, therefore, is a piece of monumental as- it. The quality of the instruments likely to be stance, "Bogart pianos are business getters. The
surance, and it is amazing to find firms of such supplied on these terms may be readily imagined. piano which spells reliability from top to bot-
eminence as some of those engaged in this branch And this condition of affairs is continuing almost tom and wins the unstinted admiration and
of the music trade taking up such an equivocal wholly unchecked by the new Act, not only in the approval of all who use it. Just sow a few
and, be it added, risky position. For there can- wind instrument business, but in all the others Bogart pianos among your stock and we guar-
not be the slightest doubt that they are violating above referred to. The publishers, among others, antee they'll 'bear fruit' in the form of in-
the law in this way, and rendering themselves are unblushing offenders. Liberal discounts are creased sales." Dealers who are not receiving
liable as a consequence to the pains and penalties allowed to teachers purchasing music for pupils these monthly sermonettes should get their
provided in the Act. It is argued, I believe, by and schools without the smallest intimation, such names added to the list.
some of them, that in the case of an article solt as the law requires, to the actual buyer. Here,
HOYT MUSIC CO. EXPANSION.
at a fixed price the necessity for the Act does not as in the piano business, firms of the highest em-
exist; but this is ridiculous. The Act says inence are openly defying the law, and treating
The Hoyt Music Co., Fergus Falls, Minn., have
nothing about fixed prices or unfixed prices, but an Act passed less than two years ago as abso-
leased
a store in Lincoln street, that city, in the
lays it down beyond manner of dispute that all lutely non-existent.
rear of their present quarters on Mill street.
commissions paid by a vendor to an intermediary
"And so it is also in the case of the organ
must be disclosed to the purchaser, and firms trade, the violin trade, and, in fact, all round. They will move back the rear wall of their
which take upon themselves to ignore the Act In the organ trade the commission system has, present store, practically doubling their floor
because it suits their convenience to do so are of course, long been grossly abused, and here es- space, and will then sub-let what remains of the
certainly assuming a very serious responsibility. pecially it was fondly hoped that the new Act Lincoln street store.
"It may be doubted, also, if in their own inter- would have a salutary influence. As it is, with a
ESTEY ORGAN CO.'S GREAT RECORD.
ests the better class firms are acting wisely in very few exceptions, it is being absolutely ig-
adopting this course, since it is certain that they nored, and it is obvious that the few eminent
The Estey Organ Co., Brattleboro, Vt, claim
stand to lose most from the secret commission firms which have honestly endeavored to observe that they have made and sold over 367,000 Estey
system at the hands of their less reputable rivals, it hitherto cannot be expected to continue doing organs in this country and abroad.
prepared to pay anything for the sake of getting this indefinitely unless their more dishonest
business. Precisely the opposite course is that rivals are compelled to do the same. Otherwise,
The Knell Music Co., of Perry, la., have
which should have been followed. That is to say, what happens is inevitable enough. A firm is opened a branch store in Coon Rapids, la., under
the leading members of the trade should have approached with an order accompanied by a re- the management of the J. D. Royer Co. Pianos
conferred together and agreed, not to disregard quest for a commission. The firm quotes the and sheet music will be carried.
TRADE "GRAFT'^_AND LEGISLATION.
m
Extraordinary Durability
Artistic Design
Touch Light and Responsive
Correspondence with active
dealers solicited.
William Tonk&Bro.
INCORPORATED
452-466 Twill Avt., Ntw Ytrk