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THE: MUSIC TRADE:
WHY WERE THEJUJES RAISED?
A Few Members of the National Association of
Piano Dealers Not Present at the Convention
Have Asked the Question—Need of a Bureau
of Publicity as Well as That of Freights.
It was unanimously voted at the Richmond
convention of the National Association of Piano
Dealers of America to increase the annual dues
from $5 to $10. All of the members who were
in attendance at that meeting understood quite
thoroughly the many reasons for the increase. A
few members who were not present have written
for information, and while there has been no seri-
ous objection raised by these members making in-
quiry, it is deemed advisable to reiterate some of
the causes for making the increase. It was in
order to obtain money to accomplish the very
things which would help the dealers, and thereby
stop the complaint that some dealers made in the
past, that the association accomplished little or
nothing.
It need scarcely be said to the members who
have followed closely the history of the associa-
tion that in its early days the chief requirement
was members. Every effort was made by all the
officers, and particularly the efficient secretary and
the membership committee, to secure new mem-
bers. With the small fee of $5, however, there
was little income. The expense of convention
badges, stationery, postage, etc., consumed all the
money obtained from dues, and during the first
three or four years the conventions generally
closed with a deficit. As the membership increased
and the association found itself with some surplus,
an appropriation was made to assist the manufac-
turers in maintaining a freight bureau. Colonel
Moore was engaged and for two years served the
association. During this time he succeeded in hav-
ing certain classifications reduced and prevented in
several cases a raise in the freight rate on pianos,
in this manner saving the piano dealer ; thousands
of dollars in freight. At the Detroit convention
REVIEW
the association found itself without sufficient funds
to continue the contribution to the freight bureau
and was obliged to discontinue Colonel Moore's
services. During the year the railroad companies
have made several rulings which add very much
to the freight rates in the .piano line. In carload
shipments, for instance, the minimum was raised
so that it was necessary to pay the companies for
more freight than it is possible to get in a car in
order to obtain carload rates at all. The evident
purpose of the railroads to increase freight rates
all along the line seems to make it imperative that
the association have some one to look after the
interests of the piano dealers. The dues were
therefore raised this year, and the association
agreed to contribute a sum not exceeding $2,000
to help maintain the freight bureau, and Colonel
Moore was re-engaged to look after our interests.
To Establish Press Bureau.
The association also desires to establish as soon
as possible a regularly paid press bureau. Many
dealers are complaining because the sale of auto-
mobiles interferes with piano sales. Many mem-
bers believe that the popularity of the automobile
is not due alone to the pleasure it affords its own-
ers, but to the large amount of newspaper publicity
which is given automobile matters. It is a well-
known fact that the automobile news printed by
the papers is prepared by press agents of automo-
bile interests. To maintain these press bureaus
nearly every large automobile manufacturer and
dealer contributes liberally. As an instance of the
value placed upon such services by the automobile
trade, it is only necessary to cite the fact that
E. L. Pelletier, an automobile company's publicity
promoter, is credited with receiving a salary of
$50,000 a year, and obtains in addition, in recog-
nition of his services, $200,000 worth of stock in
the concern which he represents.
The officers of the association believe that a
press agent regularly employed to prepare matter
of interest to the musical public and of value to
the piano trade can stimulate the demand for
musical instruments and supply the public with
such facts through the newspapers as would be
helpful in many ways to dealers generally. To
have such articles prepared systematically and reg-
ularly would necessitate the employment of one
skilful in such work. These articles could then be
sent directly to the members, who could easily
have them inserted in their local papers. Natu-
rally they would not advertise any particular piano
or any particular dealer, but they would increase
interest in music generally and would be written
with the express purpose of benefiting the piano
trade.
When the members of the National Association
of Piano Dealers of America fully understand all
that the association is trying to do they will be
very willing to assist by their dues in this work.
Other Matters Under Consideration.
There are many other matters under considera-
tion which the officers believe will be of great
benefit to the members, and the officers arc always
ready and willing to receive suggestions from
members everywhere, and new ideas arc continu-
ally being offered. To do things the association
must have money, and as long as the officers arc
giving their services free and paying all their ex-
penses, the membership should be glad to give
their little sum with which to do the work.
The association, as a social organization, has
accomplished a great deal in bringing dealers to-
gether for a mutual interchange of ideas, but there
is still greater work to perform in advancing the
interests of the music trade as a whole. Other
industries accomplish much through such co-opera-
tive methods. If the members will really take an
interest in the association's work, suggesting to
the officers in what way they believe our trade
may be benefited, and furnish by their dues a
sufficient amount to enable real work to be clone,
they will have many reasons to feel gratified at
the results.
James R. Saunders has purchased the interest
of his partner, Mrs. L. C. Doncy, in the Columbia
Piano Co., Yoakum, Tex.
The Piano Dealer's Opportunity
SEEBURG ART STYLE ELECTRIC
First in the Field.
It pays to handle electric coin operated pianos.
They sell for double the price of good regular
pianos and yield the same percentage of profit.
The Dealer gets his money quicker.
They are in demand when the regular piano
business is in its dullest period.
The pay is sure. The public pays for the piano
and the dealer practically collects from the public.
The SEEBURG Electric Coin Operated Pianos
possess many exclusive talking points and advantages.
They are artistic in appearance and appeal to the best
class of trade.
-
Write at once for illustrated catalog and full in-
formation.
Our long experience is at the service of Seeburg
dealers in planning effective sales campaigns.
J. P. SEEBURG PIANO CO.
General Offices:
Factory:
718-23 Steger BIdg., Jackson Blvd. and Wabash Ave.
CHICAGO
1276-1282 Clybourn Ave.
SEEBURG STYLE A.