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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
GLAD. HENDERSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
AUGUST J. TIMPE,
W. H. DYKES,
L. E. BOWERS.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
W M . B. WHITE,
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
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Telephone, Central 414.
Telephone, Main 6950.
Room 806.
PHILADELPHIA:
MINNEAPOLIS a n d ST. PAUL:
ST. LOUIS:
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LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
W. LIONEL STURDY, Manager.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
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Lyman Bill.
An important feature of this publication is a complete sec-
tion devoted to the interests of music publishers and dealers.
Music Section
PljIVPP 9nil
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
1 lajCl allU
t j on s o f a technical nature relating to the tuning, reg-
Tppfinifjll l)pnjll*tmpntc
ulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
• C U I l l l i a i 1/CfUll IMIClllS. fc a \ t w ; t i 1( w j]] ^ e f o u n d in another section of this
pa aper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
•hich will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal. . .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma. ...Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. ...Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES- NUMBERS 4677 and 4678 GRAMERCY
Connecting all Departments.
Cable a d d r e s s : "ElbilL N e w York."
NEW
YORK,
NOVEMBER
1 8 , 1911
EDITORIAL
I
REVIEW
in 1904 and 64,111 in 1909. In this instance it appears to us that
the figures for the previous year are too high.
As a whole, however, the preliminary report issued by Census
Director Durand is of exceeding interest. It shows the rapid
growth of the music trade industry, and emphasizes its importance
and national influence. And in this connection it is well to remem-
ber that our exports of pianos to foreign countries are also steadily
growing, and, despite the cheaper labor abroad, the American piano
is rapidly winning an appreciation and larger trade throughout the
world. This, however, is more prticularly the case in the past few
years, the figures for 1910-1911 being most satisfactory in this
respect.
r
I ^HERE are a good many business men who do not hesitate to
-L say that our archaic banking system does much to demoralize
business.
Declaring that the banking and currency system of the United
States is in disrepute abroad and seriously hampers the prosperity
and growth of the country, Isidor Straus, treasurer of the National
Citizens' League, which has for its object the promotion of a sound
banking system, recently discussed some of the suggestions made
by James J. Hill in the latter's address at the Illinois Bankers' Con-
vention.
"If it is doubtful, as Mr. Hill states," Mr. Straus said, "whether
the National Reserve Association can be kept free from control by
politics on the one hand, and from powerful combinations of capital
on the other, then it is the business of the nation to find a way and
a means. In my opinion, there is no problem before the business
interests and the citizens of this country so important as the ques-
tion of banking and currency reform.
"Mr. Hill says that the bankers themselves should originate
and execute a scheme of reform. I contend that the matter of a
good banking system is of more vital interest to the people at large
and all should have a hand in it.
"This country, with its wonderful resources, its tremendous
developments, ought to be the credit exchange center of the world.
Instead, we have an archaic banking and currency system that is
in disrepute abroad, and that handicaps seriously our everyday
prosperity and growth.
"We are either stifled by a currency famine, as in 1907, or
overburdened with a plethora of money, as to-day. A good bank-
ing system would relieve either situation. Nothing else will.
"In the last few weeks the Bank of Germany increased its loans
and banknotes by $400,000,000 and decreased its cash by $60,000,-
000. If such a condition should be forced upon the banks of this
country New York City would be plunged into a panic so severe
that business would be shaken to its foundations from one end of
the country to the other. We have no agency to prevent such a
catastrophe. As it was in Germany after three days business was
normal again.
"The National Citizens' League is organized to keep this prob-
lem out of politics and to see that the final plan shall be absolutely
free from dangerous control by ambitious financial interests."
We have talked for long about correcting our banking system,
but the policy of doing nothing still obtains.
NTERESTING figures were those relative to the manufacture
of musical instruments, pianos, organs and materials, pre-
sented in the preliminary report of the thirteenth census, which were
printed in The Review last week. While these figures are subject
to such revision as may be necessary after a thorough examination
of the original reports, still the growth of the trade during the five
years from 1904 to 1909 to which the figures refer, is such as to
enable the members of the trade to point with pride to the size and
influence of the industry. The total capital employed reaches the
imposing sum of $103,234,000, which is divided among 507 estab-
lishments employing about 42,000 men the year round. The in-
crease for 1909, as compared with 1904, is estimated at 51 per cent
EN are often met with, plain in person, plain in feature,
plain in dress, without anything whatever about them cal-
The figures given regarding music trade products by kind and
quantity during the five years' period—1904-1909—are worth noting. culated to impress the mind, and you are surprised at the informa-
The output of pianos for 1909 is placed at 374,154, as compared tion that they are rich and made every dollar of their money. On.
with 261,197 in 1904, an increase of 43 per cent. These figures inquiry, it will be found that all their efforts were concentrated in
are somewhat higher than The Review reports, and will undoubt- one pursuit, about which they know everything and outside of
edly stand some revision. This total output of pianos is classified which they know nothing; and you feel almost angry that a man
as follows: Uprights, 330,918; uprights with player actions, of such little information should have been so successful in making
34,495; grands, 8,741. Player attachments made separate from so much money; while you, with your superior cultivation and
greater intelligence, have made and saved up none; but you forget
pianos, 10,898. Pipe organs, 1,224. Reed organs, 64,111.
Two notable declines are recorded, as compared with 1904. that the man has paid more for his money than it is worth. It has
Piano players show a decrease of 47 per cent, and reed organs a cost him all his measure of human intelligence. As proof, would
decrease of 43 per cent. The figures relating to both of these in- you take his sordid mind and his gold, and give him therefor all
struments will also stand revision, for it appears therefrom that we you have learned?
manufactured 20,391 piano players in 1904, as compared with 10,898
A DVERTISING vitalizes business by giving the thoughts of
in 1909. It is extremely doubtful whether such a number of cabinet
your customers new directions. It halts the vagrant fancies
piano players were made in the years mentioned. At least the fig- i \
ures for players need revising. The same criticism may be made of the inert, and starts their imagination until they are alert to the
regarding the figures on reed organs, which are placed at 113,065 good points of your piano and player products.
M