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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
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OBO. B. KBIXER,
A.
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L. B. Bow BBS,
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lkiflicii* C D < i f l f t n
An important feature of this publication is a complete sec-
l w * U » * V . i J m » U M J H » ti on devoted to the interests of music publishers and dealers.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
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NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26, 1910
EDITORIAL
B
USINESS competition is always with us.
It is stimulating-, or at least it should be, because it helps
to sharpen one's business instincts.
Of course, there are kinds of competition, but it is a fact that
some of the concerns which have been rated most soundly in allega-
tions concerning- their unbusinesslike methods have gone on ever
advancing, while those who have berated their methods have been
steadily declining.
Now, is it not a fact that a good many men fall into an easy
habit of blaming competition when they find that they are up
against business conditions which they cannot readily meet?
Is it not a fact that most men who cry against competition sim-
ply make an open acknowledgment of their own weakness?
Competition is a mouth-filling word, but one thing is certain,
no business house could go on cheating the people for years and
still keep on advancing.
No man can fail to keep his obligations to the public without
encountering snags which will end in his trade dissolution.
Things do not work out that way.
B
USINESS conditions during the past w^eek have improved
and there is greater activity in trade circles than has existed
at any time during the month.
Bank clearings last week were twenty per cent, larger than in
the corresponding period last year, and the railways that have
reported for the month of January show earnings on an average
of more than fifteen per cent, in excess of those for that same
month a year ago. This is an infallible indication as to the relative
volume of business the country is doing.
Notwithstanding improved conditions it cannot, however, be
said that business is booming by any means.
Some of the factories in New York are not in receipt of a
plentiful supply of orders.
There is more activity in the West than in the East and there
REVIEW
are some business men at the head of important interests who evi-
dently do not realize the necessity of adopting different policies in
the conduct of their enterprises.
It is surprising when we look back over tbe history of this
trade to see how some men have forged ahead and others, who
were specially favored by conditions, have drifted far to the rear.
The change about has been wrought by the difference in men
and it shows after all that ability and progressive ideas form better
assets than wealth and good credits at the banks.
The trouble with some men is that they believe because they
occupied a strong position some years ago that they can hold it
indefinitely.
Surely a great mistake—a costly error of judgment.
No man holds a position in this or any other industry by in-
herited right and we are undergoing constant changes which the
wise man studies and adjusts his affairs accordingly.
It is an active age and no one can drift with the business tide
without effort. The first thing they know they are on the rocks
and then there is trouble. Plcntv of it.
.-••-•
C
OLLECTIONS have improved materially and our special re-. v
ports indicate that there has been a decided improvement in •
this important department all over the country.
Dealers cannot watch their collections too closely.
.',!••
. It is the vital spot of business.
,-_--* --'
A man may fool himself by the belief that because he is doing
a bulk trade that he is making money.
He may be losing money and fooling himself all the while.
He may be putting out pianos in the homes of people who are
unable to pay and that is not good business.
No one can watch the collection department of a business too
closely.
Pianos are well sold when they are placed with people who
have the ability to pay and a good collection department permits
of but few delinquents—it compels purchasers to live up to their
obligations.
Those who are in arrears should have good explanations why
they are placed there.
T
HE belief that the corporation tax will be pronounced uncon-
stitutional is steadily growing in the music trade and else-
where.
Various associations of manufacturers are co-operating in an
effort to secure relief from the publicity required by paragraph 6
of the new Federal corporation lax law. It is believed that this
provision of the statute should by all means be repealed, and a
strong effort is to be made to induce Congress to take such action.
The publicity requirement is claimed to be discriminatory and
unfair, as it gives a business organized as a partnership an advan-
tage over a business organized in corporate form. Some difference
of opinion prevails on this phase of the question, and it would, of
course, be much more satisfactory to all concerned to have the
entire act repealed. In view of the possibility that the act may be
declared unconstitutional, numerous manufacturing corporations are
being advised to make the reports required and pay the tax, but to
do both under protest. Action of this kind will enable claims to be
made for the refund of the amounts paid in case the law fails to
stand the constitutional test.
^ H E railways are the great trade arteries of the country and
^
unless they are kept up to a high point of efficiency in service
and in rolling stock industries of all kinds will suffer thereby.
Every trade will be affected because every manufacturer and
merchant depends upon the efficiency of the railroad interests to
transport speedily raw materials and finished products.
Are the managers of the railroads doing what they should to
keep up the confidence of the manufacturing community in the
directing power of the great railroad interests?
It is conceded that there are less cars and locomotives In service
now than two years ago. Business has been restricted to a con-
siderable extent during the winter, especially in the West, by the
car shortage and the lack of motive power to forward cars under
load. The car and locomotive shops, however, are not as well sup-
plied with orders as they should be, and the manufacturers of mis-
cellaneous equipment find the situation even more disappointing-.