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58
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
Conducted by B. B. Wilson
UNFAIR CRITICISM OF^OPULAR SONG WRITERS.
Chicago Newspapers in Crusade Against Suggestive Songs Draw Horrifying Pictures of the Song
Writers and Their Surroundings—Where Money Paid for Plugging Songs Was Wasted.
STATE SONG FOR INDIANA.
Bill Making "On the Banks of the Wabash"
the Official Song of the Hoosiers Passes Both
Legislative Bodies and Awaits Governor's
Signature—An Interesting Precedent.
Several Chicago newspapers have started cam-
excess of their combined salaries not, and after
paigns against the suggestive or absolutely nasty commissions, etc., were deducted. Of some of
song, and one at least has chosen as its weapons the songs only the chorus was sung. How was it
According to a dispatch from Indianapolis, a
in the fight lengthy stories which deal with the
possible for any one of those seven publisher,
bill has been passed by the Senate and House of
characters of the song writers and their environ-
provided the girls spoke the truth, to get $10 Representatives of Indiana, and awaits the signa-
ment. The pictures drawn by the writers show
worth of publicity by such a method, when, with
ture of the Governor, making "On the Hanks of
the writers of the "smut" songs as moral and their voices and the ordinary character of their
tiie Wabash" Indiana's official song. It is stated
physical degenerates, doing their work in sordid
act, it would not be worth $10 to have them sing that during the reading of the bill the legislators
and unnatural surroundings, and are altogether
seven numbers of one house. Subsidizing perform- joined in singing the words of the song. Just why
disgusting, especially to those readers who take
ers may be an excellent method for plugging
•Jiat particular song was chosen is not stated.
the descriptions at their face value. The stories
songs, but care and discrimination on the part
The action of the Indianians sets an interesting
are greatly overdrawn in the majority of in- of professional managers will save much waste
precedent for legislators of other States to con-
stances, but on the plea that all reform move- and prevent double-crossing by grafting singers.
s : der. Maine might adopt Frank Daniels' late
ments must be radical, perhaps they can be
classic, "I'm On the Water Wagon Now," and
excused.
SAM H. SPECK MAKES CHANGE.
Kentucky could come back with "Here's to Good
The real trouble is that the writers and pub-
Old W'hiskey, Drink It Down," to help trade.
Will Probably Re-enter Trade as Jobber of
lishers of questionable songs are in the majority
Any one of the Texas Tommy songs might do for
of cases intelligent and prosperous members of
Sheet Music.
the Lone Star State. "In the Shade of the Shel-
the fraternity, and write and publish such songs
tering Palms" might do for Florida, but "He's Up
as a strictly business proposition, not necessarily
Sam H. Speck, >vho has long been connected
Against the Real Thing Now" should make a
because they themselves favor such songs, but on with Jerome H. Remick & Co., as general pub- strong appeal to those faithful Democrats who arc
the plea that the public prefers the risque lyrics, licity man, and more recently as manager of their Irving to grab jobs from the new President. For
and that the prolit lay in meeting the demand.
mandolin-orchestra department in addition, has New York, w*hy not choose one of the many songs
While the prevalence of the suggestive song is
severed his connection with that house and con- of Broadway or select a subject and have a new
to be deplored, it is a big question whether such
templates entering the field as a music jobber. song written for the purpose the same day.
songs ever bring desirable- results in the matter
Mr. Speck has had a long and interesting expe-
The regular State song proposition crops up
of general sales, no matter how successful they
rience in the music publishing game, and before
every now and then, but seldom gets so far as it
are with the profession. The fact remains, how-
that as a showman.
has in Indiana. Missouri soon got over the desire
ever, that the writer of the "smut" song is far
to immortalize the "houn' davvg" when Champ Clark
from being the dope fiend, gambler and generally
HOWARD
SHOW
RENAMED.
hit the toboggan as a presidential candidate, and
degenerate character he is painted, which probably
other States have had a similar experience.
removes the final excuse for his actions. With
'The Governor and the G i r l " Considered More
Meanwhile the important efforts to supersede
the high cost of living, the song writer is the Promising Title Than "La Petite Fleurette."
"The .Star Spangled Banner" as a national song
business man out for the money. There are many
have met with dismal failure despite the fact the
other things besides songs that are produced by
"The Governor and the Girl" has been selected
substitute has generally been more "singable" for
highly respected members of society, but which
as the title of a new musical comedy, with music
the
masses. It may be a fortunate thing that our
are against public policy and disgusting to the •by Jos. E. Howard and Herbert P. Stodhart and
legislators, often so fond of passing "fool'' laws,
normal person. But the excuse is the demand
music and lyrics by Theo. Stempfel, Jr., which was
cannot force the singing of any one song, even
and the desire for profit.
originally labeled "La Petite Fleurette," but it was though they may recommend it.
Does Subsidizing Singers Pay?
decided that the American title will prove more
There are music publishers who strongly advo-
suitable. The play will be produced at the Garrick
cate the plugging of their songs by subsidized
Theater, St. Louis, on March 30, with Raymond
vaudeville and cabaret" singers as being a most
and Caverly, well-known German comedians, in the
Leaves Remick & Co. to Open Chain of Moving
effective and comparatively cheap form of pub- principal comedy roles". Charles K. Harris will
Picture Theaters in New England.
licity. Other publishers subsidize singers and
publish the music.
claim that they do so against their will, that they
F. H. Burt, for some years past Eastern sales
cannot afford it but must adopt that form of pub-
manager of Jerome H. Remick & Co., has handed
NEW
EASTgR
ANTHEM.
licity to keep up with their competitors. Still
in his resignation, to take effect on Saturday of
Schirmers have just published a new Easter
other publishers, and they are so few as to be
this week, and will enter the moving picture field.
almost lost in the shuffle, claim that they do not anthem, "My Redeemer Liveth," for soprano or
Mr. Burt plans to open a chain of moving picture
tenor solo and chorus, by Will C. Macfarlane,
and will not pay a cent to have their songs sung
theaters in New Hampshire, Vermont and other
formerly of St. Thomas's Church, this city, and New England States, and has secured strong back-
by professionals, but take their chances with the
now municipal organist of Portland, Me. It is a ing for that purpose.
singers who select a number on its merit alone,
and their own salaried staff of singers. A par- worthy addition to the list of music for Easter,
and shows throughout the hand of the practised
ticularly interesting case of the manner in which
URGES A STATE ORCHESTRA.
writer for voice and organ. This new work will
many singers learn to graft—that is the real word
undoubtedly enhance Mr. Macfarlane's already
for it—from various publishers came to light in
(Special to The Review.)
high reputation in the line of sacred composition.
the offices of a prominent publisher last week.
Harrisburg, Pa., March 7, li)I3.
It is dedicated to Arthur S. Hyde and the choir
Two young ladies dropped in to try out some
Representative Speiser, of Philadelphia, has a
of St. Bartholomew's Church, of this city.
numbers, and while one was singing the other
bill before the House to-day asking that $300,000
was telling of their success in getting paid for
be expended for an orchestra capable of furnish-
using certain songs. The two girls had seven
William Jerome has written the lyrics and Jean ing music for all the small towns throughout
songs in their repertoire, for which they claimed
Schwartz the music for the new musical play,
Pennsylvania. Representative Speiser oontends
to receive $10 each per week, and they were look-
"W'hen Claudia Smiles," in which Blanche Ring that the musical instinct is highly developed in the
ing for an additional number. In other words,
will be starred. The new production will have its rural districts, and that it should be encouraged
fhe amount received for using the songs was in opening performance in Cleveland early in April. by the State orchestra.
F. H. BURT TO ENTER NEW FIELD.
GREAT BRITAIN'S MOST POPULAR HOME BALLAD
"LITTLE GREY HOME IN THE WEST
"
Music by Hermann Lohr
Promises to Create an Equal Sensation in America
Arranged in Keys of Bb, C and Kb.
CHAF*F*ELL
Send 3«» cents for One Sample Copy of EACH KEY.
&
CO.,
LTD.
-
New York, 41 E. 34tti St.
Toronto, 34T Yonge St.