Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
to the men who have seen the pernicious results of this manner
of piano selling to learn that their brethren in Richmond have gone
squarely on record as condemning the certificate scheme of adver-
tising.
Now, if we analyze the resolutions passed, of course, we will
find that there is no penalty attached to a member who conducts a
business contrary to the resolutions, but it is a fact that the asso-
ciation has gone on record as discountenancing the use of certifi-
cates in conducting special sales and further it requests its mem-
bers—not merely suggests but requests, mark you—to aid in the
crusade against the sales issuing such certificates.
This association action which came over as unfinished busi-
ness from the Detroit Convention has been settled admirably and
no amount of argument or no attempt to belittle or nullify the work
on technical or parliamentary grounds can succeed.
T
HE fact remains that the Dealers' National Association has
gone before the world as opposing the form of coupon-cer-
tificate advertising which has demoralized trade conditions for the
past twelve months.
Now, any member of the association who learns that a fellow
member is adopting this form of advertising is certainly justified
in referring his action to the grievance committee of the asso-
ciation because the members discountenance the use of certificates
and they request the members to aid in a crusade against this move.
Now, it naturally follows that if a piano merchant is using
this method of creating piano sales in certain districts, he is liable
to be called upon for an explanation by his fellow members be-
cause he is conducting business contrary to association views.
This does not mean that the dealers can compel men to do
certain things which they do not wish to do.
It is absurd for one moment to think that, and no resolutions
can be upheld unless there is sentiment behind them which makes
for their actual adoption and incorporation into business methods.
There is no penalty clause imposed, but every man who is a
member of the Dealers' National Association who hereafter issues
certificates is proceeding contrary to the expressed rules of the
organization.
The result of the Richmond Convention certainly constitutes
a magnificent triumph for the men who have labored long and
arduously to remove the certificate plan of piano selling from the
trade.
No one can deny that the victory has been won in so far as
it affects the association and the next thing is to see that this senti-
ment is encouraged and stimulated all over the country.
Whatever The Review has done in arousing trade sentiment on
this particular subject was done with a view of assisting the best
interests of the trade, and while we have been forced to antagonize
the policies of some friends and clients, yet that was unavoidable,
for where there is a principle at stake the only way is to fight for
that principle, hew to the line and let the chips fall where they may.
Certainly President Droop and the gallant coterie of men who
stood behind him in the association are to be cotigratulaed upon
the result of their excellent work.
The whole thing has ended without arousing any wordy war-
fare, which ofttimes leaves unpleasant legacies.
As we view it, the Dealers' Association has certainly accom-
plished a great deal and accomplished it in a way which reflects
credit upon the good sense of the officials back of the association.
Now, it is all over and every member of the association who
was at Richmond has had an opportunity of recording his vote.
Now then get together for business!
There are plenty of opportunities for legitimate trade building
all around and it is to improve them that one's energies should be
bent.
There are many matters in connection with modern business
which are broad and comprehensive and will afford ample oppor-
tunity for the full exercising of business talents.
T
HE decision to hold the annual convention of the Dealers' and
Manufacturers' Associations at different times has met with
the full and complete approval of the manufacturing and distrib-
uting element everywhere.
It is a fact that few men can afford to cut out two weeks
from their active business life to be given over to association work
at one time.
They can best divide the time into two periods.
Then again it is believed that more attention will be given to
a fair consideration of the business interests when there are less
distracting influences.
In other words, the attendance of manufacturers at the manu-
facturers' sessions would be much larger if the meetings were not
held when the dealers were present in large numbers and the same
applies with equal truth to the dealers' gatherings.
So, it is definitely settled that 1910 marks the last time when
the two associations will meet for continuous convention work.
The policy of holding trade expositions has not been fully
settled.
A good many favor making the exhibition an annual feature
and there are some who affirm that the plan lias not been fairly
tried out at Richmond.
To begin with, the attendance of the dealers was not as large
as had been anticipated.
Richmond is not on the direct line of travel between the great
East and West.
Its hotel accommodations are extremely limited and a good
many refrained from going there on that account.
Then again, the exhibition was located at such a distance from
the hotel that it required a twenty-minutes' ride on the car to reach
the exposition doors. So, too much time was taken out of a busy
convention day going and coming to the place of exhibition.
Still the exposition feature was certainly a credit to the indus-
try, for never before in the history of this trade has such a repre-
sentative line of pianos and player-pianos created by as many differ-
ent concerns been assembled under one roof.
Of course, the number of pianos carried by many of the great
retail houses of America would far eclipse the total shown at Rich-
mond, but the variety and the examples of the piano-maker's art
were interesting.
The booths were well arranged and everything was done that
could have been arranged by the management, to whom all credit
is due.
IN LIGHTER VEIN
DEFINED.—An optimist is a man who believes as fully in his gar-
den in summer as he does in winter.
GOOD QUIETUS.—"I shall tell my daughter that if she persists in
marrying Jones I'll not leave her a cent."
"It'll do more good to tell that to Jones."
OBEYING ORDERS.—Mrs. Slangem (upstairs)—Bridget, have you
turned the gas on in the parlor, as I told you?
New Domestic Jewel—Yes, ma'am; can't you smell it?
RIGHT AT THE START.—Officer (to recruit who has missed every
heavens, man! Where are your shots going?
Recruit (tearfully)—I don't know, sir. They left here all right!
s n o t)—Good
TOO FEW.—"That humorist says there are only eight real jokes in
the world.'"
"Well," answered Miss Cayenne, wearily, "why doesn't he occasion-
ally write one of them?"
MODERN IMPROVEMENT.—"Think of the history that has been
made by our great city," said the Philadelphia man. "After all, our city
is in a sense the cradle of the American nation."
"No," answered the New York man, "not the cradle, the dormitory"
PROPERLY RESENTFUL.—"Bill, what share did you get of your
grandfather's estate?"
"I got what was left after every other feller had been provided fur."
"Then you are the residuary legatee."
"I ain't nothin' of the sort, blame ye! I'm an honest, hard-working
coppersmith!"—Chicago Tribune.
SHAKESPEARE'S IRISHMAN.—An Englishman and an Irishman
were having an argument on the subject of Shakespeare. "I defy you,"
said the former, "to find a single Irish character in the whole of his
works."
"Well, I can give you two, at all events," replied the Irishman—
"Mi?s O'Phelia and Corry O'Lanus."
He forgot Hamlet's intimate friend who stood beside him while he
was contemplating his uncle in devotion, and observed, "Now could I
do it, Pat, while he is praying?"—Springfield Republican,