Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
the advertiser so much as a constant use of a particular illustration
or trade mark which may be used in connection with the advertise-
ment.
Such an advertisement may not draw custom at once, but when
a man desires something he is pretty sure to associate a small trade
mark or a peculiar kind of type or illustration with the article which
he desires.
W
HAT a contrast between some of the modern piano plants
and the factory organizations existing thirty years ago!
It is just that difference—just that advance—which has helped
to make it possible to produce instruments of astonishing value at
remarkably low figures.
Notwithstanding the great advances which we have made, it
is certain that further improvements in factory system as applied
to piano making will be made.
Yet we know of some factories where it seems that every
square foot of space is utilized in such a manner that the maximum
of production is maintained at all times.
Now the management of industrial enterprises is in a state of
evolution.
The tremendous growth of the past few years has caused
methods which were previously satisfactory to become inadequate
to present needs.
Many details which in the days of smaller affairs could be
absorbed by personal inspection must now be made matters of
recprd.
' Every man who is conducting an industrial enterprise realizes
full well the advantage of having. everything systematized and
recorded and there are few qualities which are more to be desired
in equipment—methods and men—than that of efficiency.
There are many systems which are so heavy and cumbersome
that the proprietors do not know what it costs them to build certain
creations—pianos if yog will
It is extremely difficult for some men to tell just what it costs
them to produce certain products.
Now, if they do not know, how can they tell with any certainty
whether they are marketing their goods at a profit or a loss.
i It is just this same condition which exists in many lines that
causes business failures.
It is absolutely necessary that a man should know what it costs
to manufacture and market an article.
Without this knowledge he is certainly proceeding along unsafe
lines.
T
HE attitude of the daily papers toward the piano industry
as reflected in their determination not to permit the names
of the pianos played by the famous artists of the day to be used
in reviewing concerts, is a subject which has been referred to at fre-
quent intervals in The Review. In speaking of automobiles, or motor
boats, aeroplanes, or a great many other things in general use, they
do not hesitate to use the names of the makers, but when it comes to
a piano—one of the greatest and most beneficent influences in our
civilization—the blue pencil is always ready to do its work.
It is about time that manufacturers and leading dealers in their
localities should make inquiries of the editors of their local papers
as to this inconsistent and unfair attitude. The first to fall in line
in this connection is Philip Werlein, of New Orleans, La., the
former president of the National Piano Dealers' Association, who
has sent the following communication to all the New Orleans news-
papers :
*
"Gentlemen:—We would like, as a mere matter of information,
to ioQ,o^..why it is that when a piano concert is given, the name of
the piano cannot be used in the account of the performance. We
would also iike to understand why, when the name of the artist,
using a certaKf 1 designated make of piano, is mentioned, that the
name of the piano cannot be used, such use of name being con-
strued by you as advertising.
"Our interest in this matter at this time is occasioned by our
noticing the constant naming of the make of automobiles used by
the different automobile racers. We also notice the names of new
automobile concerns and the line of goods that they are to sell.
This is never done for the piano people, although we believe that the
piano advertising is of more financial value to your paper than
automobiles. We don't understand this policy and we would appre-
ciate enlightenment."
REVIEW
Now, this is the right kind of work, and the answers to this
communication will be awaited with interest. It is an example
that can be followed by dealers in other sections of the country
with good results. It is good publicity and follows out association
suggestions. It is time that the editors and publishers of the daily
papers should realize that their policy of discrimination is unfair
to a great industry such as ours.
IN LIGHTER VEIN
A PEEVISH PATIENT.—"You are unreasonable," declared the phy-
sician.
"Whx so, doc?"
"You stuff yourself with forty kinds of rich grub, and then kick be-
cause you have to take two kinds of medicine."
Exasperated Purchaser—Didn't you guarantee that this parrot would
repeat every word he heard?
Bird Dealer—Certainly I did.
"But he don't repeat a single word."
"He repeats every word he hears, but he never hears any. He is as
deaf as a post."
ALL THE SYMPTOMS.—"That kid of mine was born in a log bunga-
low."
"Which makes him a Presidential possibility to start with."
"Exactly so. As soon as he gets a little older I'm going to have him
chop down a cherry tree and also split it into rails."
HIS EXCUSE.—"Didn't you see me waving my hand for you to
stop?" said the irate woman, out of breath, when she caught up with the
car half way down the block.
"Yes, mum," replied the conductor, touching his hat; "I see you
waving your arms, but I thought you was trying to attract the attention
of somebody in one of them aeroplanes!"
WELL-CONNECTED.—The Maple—What is the oak so conceited
about?
The Elm—He is the original oak under which Washington stopped
In 1776.
The Maple—But the souvenir fiends have left him only a blackened
stump.
The Elm—That's it. He has extensive branches in every city and
town in the country.
AN ARCTIC LUNCH.—"You were twenty miles from the North Pole
and starving!" exclaimed the credulous housewife. "And how did you
save yourself?"
"Why, mum," responded Frigid Fred, as he wiped away a tear, "in
me starving moments I remembered de Eskimo dogs. Pushing out
through the snow I twisted one of der tails an' den—an' den
"
"And then what, my poor man?"
"I—I got a cold bite."
WAITING ON THE WAITER.—He was a kindly, courteous colored
waiter, and he treated me well. When he presented his check I said, "You
have waited on me very well, now let me wait on you. I would like to
hand you this piece of Gospel bread that will last you longer than this good
breakfast will me—'God so loved the world that He gave His only be-
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.' "
He said, "That's true, that true, sah." The Lord knows whether he
ate the bread or not, but I noticed that he took my tip of two dimes.—
The Bible To-day.
DID NOT NEED THE SYMPATHY.—A couple of old salts met after
a long absence, and the following animated conversation opened:
"Well, old man, how are you getting on?"
"First rate! I have taken a wife."
"A very sensible idea."
"Not a bit of it; she's a regular Tartar."
"Then I'm sorry for you, mate."
"There's no need; she brought me a large vessel as her marriage
portion."
"Then you made a good bargain, after all?"
"Nothing to boast of, I can tell you. The ship turned out a worthless
old tinder-box."
"Then I'm sorry I spoke."
"Bah! You can speak as much as you like. The old tub was well
insured and went down on her first voyage."
"So you got the pull there, anyhow."
"Not so much, mate; I only got five hundred pounds out of the job
as my share."
"That was too bad."
"Too bad? Nothing of the sort! Wife was on board and went down
with the rest."