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THE
MUSIC TRADE
But with the impulse given to production these conditions are
rapidly changing-, and, as we view it, this year should show a sub-
stantial increase over that of the past.
At this time of year money is somewhat tied up and in some
instances collections slower.
That always occurs in January.
The usual hoarding of cash to tide over the turn of the year
shows temporarily good balances. It pays dividends, redeems
coupons and liquidates interest charges most pronounced with the
approach of January.
In various lines of trade there is evidence of good business.
Not only are architects extremely busy on preliminary work,
but manufacturers of builders' hardware are actively assisting in the
preparation and calculation of specifications which runs up into vast
sums.
It is certain that there will be a continuance of activity in build-
ing and on a larger scale than during the past season.
In New York contracts are being placed and those which are
contemplated include the expenditure of many millions of dollars.
B
UYERS in some of the leading wholesale houses predict diffi-
culty in obtaining supplies in some of the lines when needed.
The manufacturers on the other hand, profiting by past experi-
ence, are declining to assume obligations that will congest order
books with contracts at low prices, to be later executed by the use
of high-priced material with enhanced labor cost.
There is already some difficulty apparent in holding experienced
and competent employes at prevailing rates, in view of the steadily
increased cost of living and the greater demand for their services.
There has been some discussion of a big railroad strike which
might involve other lines. That is not imminent, however. There
is a good deal of agitation in regard to labor and it is not improbable
that the labor question may command attention within the near
future.
There is no denying the fact that the upward trend of every-
thing must necessarily have a tendency in carrying wages towards a
higher level.
There is one thing certain that a discussion of these things has
a tendency to stiffen prices.
It gives strength to the market value of merchandise which
would not exist if prices were tumbling.
Raw material is steadily advancing and in some essentials, par-
ticularly lumber, prices are hardly fixed from one day to the other.
As we have pointed out in early issues of The Review, there
is no question but that piano prices must advance.
There is no other way out of it.
It is certain that the manufacturers have given the dealers every
consideration.
They were justified by existing conditions to have raised prices
very materially some time ago, but many of them refrained from so
doing and continued their old price schedule, which meant a material
lessening in their profits.
Now, when good times are again with us and a good buying
market exists in every trade, it is folly for one moment to assume
that the men who compose any special industry will continue to do
business without making a good substantial profit.
They will not.
Business which does not pay a profit is useless.
The mere turning of one dollar over for another does not help,
and business men in every line are justified in making a reasonable
advance where their prices do not afford them a fair margin of
profit.
I
N his recent message President Taft called attention to the
deficit which exists annually in the Post Office Department.
Supplementing this, Postmaster-General Hitchcock, in his re-
cent report, stated that the revenues of his department fell $17,479,-
770 below the expenditures in the last fiscal year.
He went on to say that the two great sources of loss are the
second-class mail matter and the rural delivery.
To remedy this loss he suggests a higher charge for mailing
magazines, which include trade publications, than for carrying news-
papers, on a plan which will be recognized the length of the haul
by establishing zone systems in which certain rates shall be charged.
President Taft and his advisers are unquestionably to be com-
REVIEW
mended for the policy of economy which they are endeavoring to
apply in various departments.
It is, however, open to question whether it is desirable as a
part of this plan to insist that the Post Office Department should be
placed upon a new revenue producing foundation.
This department is conducted for the benefit of the people as
are those of the judiciary, the army, the navy, none of which are
expected to make money.
Now, if the second-class rate of one cent per pound for reputable
publications is a subsidy, it is distinctly a subsidy to the public and
not to the publisher.
Every advantage under these rates accrues to the public and
not to the publishers, and it follows therefore if any substantial ad-
vance is made it will be added to the subscription price and there-
fore paid by the reader.
Then, too, every legitimate publication is a business builder for
the Government, for when we think of the first-class letter postage
which is the direct outcome of the carrying of a publication through
the mails it will be seen that the Government is receiving excellent
returns for its original investment.
Then again, in a broader way we spend millions of dollars for
educational purposes and every paper which goes through the mails
carries a knowledge of some sort which is beneficial to the people
of the country.
Any change in the law which will increase the cost of mail
matter will no doubt be a move in the wrong direction, and if the
readers of The Music Trade Review disapprove of this plan it will
be well to indicate their views to their Senators and Representatives
in Congress.
VEIN
A NASTY DIG.—"As nasty a dig as I ever administered in my news-
paper career in Virginia City," said Mark Twain, "was directed againat a
man named Ferguson.
"Ferguson, at Christmas time, invited me to see the presents he had
given his wife. They were magnificent gifts. The man expected, of
course, a write-up."
"Well, he wasn't disappointed. The next day, in a prominent place
on the first page of the Enterprise I inserted this paragraph:
" 'John H. Ferguson's Christmas gifts to his wife are being much
admired. They include a diamond stomacher and many other beautiful
specimens of cut glass.' "
Mrs. Tenstun—Do you keep Brown's weight reducer.
Chemist Boy—Yes, mum, we sell it in pint, quart and gallon bottles.
Mrs. Tenstun—How much do you think I ought to have?
Chemist Boy—Perhaps you'd better have the lot, mum!
COMPANION PIECES.—The musical young woman who dropped her
peekaboo waist in the piano player and turned out a Beethoven sonata,
has her equal in the lady who stood in front of a five-bar fence and sang
all the dots on her veil.
THEY WERE "OVER."—He was a regular patron of the restaurant.
Perhaps that is why he felt justified in making clever remarks to the wait-
resses, remarks which they were puzzled to know how to answer. One day,
however, the smallest and timidest girl happened to be serving this irri-
tating customer, and it fell to her to answer him in kind.
"I'll have some steak," he said, coming in late for dinner, "and some
squash, and some—got some baked potatoes, fine, brown, baked pota-
toes?"
"Baked potatoes are all over," said the girl.
He leaned back in his chair and gazed at her quizzically.
"Baked potatoes all over, are they?" he replied. "All over what?"
"With," she replied, simply.
A STORY FOR THE MARINES.—Discussing the Mauretania's powers
one night at dinner, Captain Pritchard said:
"Her powers would seem incredible if prophesied in my youth. They
would have seemed as incredible as the story about the dandy four-master
schooner Yankee Bird.
"Yankee Bird's crew, you know, awoke one morning and found that
there was a round turn in the lanyard of every blessed hammock.
"The mystery, after a long debate, was solved by the second officer,
who discovered that the crack boat had rolled so heavily to the swell that
she had capsized, but, owing to her marvelous lines, had at once come up
smiling on the other side."