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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
RMEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
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B. BRITTAIN WILIOM,
A. J. NiCKLiN,
CARLETON CHACE,
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L. M. ROBINSON,
W M . B. WHITE,
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L. E. BOWERS.
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
t jons of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
VCpal IIUCIIIS. d e a ) t w j t h ; will be found in another section of this
paper. We also publish
a number of reliable technical works, information concerning which
b
will be cheerfully given upon request.
PianA flUU
anil
"llallU
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
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Paris Exposition, 1900
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Cable address: "Elblll, New York."
YORK,
NOVEMBER
15, 1913
EDITORIAL
T
SQ
I
N the piano trade field there has been some improvement in the
business situation during the past week. Orders have been
reaching manufacturers with more frequency, and the financial
situation has shown betterment. Authorities are a unit in de-
claring that while irregularity is one of the chief characteristics of
the business situation there is little evidence of a general reaction.
Dun's says: "In certain lines and sections of the country the vol-
ume of trade is expanding with gains recorded over last year in
some instances."
Sir George Paish, editor of the Statist, one of the world's
greatest financial papers, who has been for some time studying
business conditions in- this country, cabled his paper in London
Monday to this effect:
"Conditions here are fundamentally sound, and there is no in-
flation. The disposition to go slow has created an atmosphere of
suspended animation. This slackening is increased by international
financial conditions and by uncertainties as to the course of events
in Mexico. The hope is entertained that Gen. Huerta will accede
to the requirements of President Wilson and that trouble between
Mexico and the United States will thus be averted. All friends
of Mexico should use their influence with Gen. Huerta to induce
him to accede to the requirements of the Government of the United
States. If no agreement is reached trouble is inevitable."
There is no doubt that the Mexican question is a disturbing
factor in the business world to-day. It is causing uncertainty
and uneasiness and this is a condition that interferes with stability
and progress. If the differences with Mexico can be peacefully
settled there is no reason why a high degree of prosperity should
not only be maintained, but further developed in the country.
I
E a member of the trade were to tell his friend that a certain
factory had doubled or tripled its output of pir.nos during the
year, the information would probably be received sceptically. If
the sa re party were to hint that a manufacturer is in a bad way
financially and cannot meet .ome obligations, the statement would
be not only accepted in the majority of cases at face value, but
passed along with a few hasty additions. In other words, state-
ments of successful progress must be proven, while statements of
financial we kness and trouble are eagerly absorbed and without
hesitation.
To spread, even through confidential channels, unfounded or
unproven rumors regarding the condition of a concern, is con-
temptible on the part of a business man, for though the concern in
question may suffer no actual pecuniary loss as a result of the
rumor it must suffer a more or less severe blow to its reputation
and submit it to a close scrutiny on the part of those with whom
it does business. As a matter of fact, banks and other business
institutions in great number, have been forced to the wall by the
circulation of rumors where such action was unfair. A business
may be staple, absolutely safe and worthy of confidence, and yet
be unable to realize upon its assets rapidly enough to satisfy credi-
tors frightened by rumor. Many such ruined concerns have had
outstanding accounts and other tied-up assets greatly in excess of
all claims against them, but which must be sacrificed to meet sud-
den and excited demands. An attack in the open where charges
can be met fairly cannot be condemned, but the subtle attack, the
product of the rumor mill and of idle gossip, does not measure up
to the simplest requirements of business decency. Unfortunately,
the piano trade is not free of the gossiper and scandal-monger,
despite the existence of trade associations.
HE New York Board of Education has taken a decidedly for-
ward step in deciding to utilize the pipe organs in the High
Schools throughout the city for recitals on Sunday afternoons.
The popularity of such recitals was demonstrated last season when
interesting programs were played by Samuel A. Baldwin on the mag-
nificent organ in the palatial hall of the City College. The latest
plans of the Board of Education were put into force on Sunday
last, when recitals were given on the organs in Erasmus Hall High
School and the Eastern District High School in Brooklyn, and the
Ethical Culture School in Manhattan. Recitals will also be given
next week on the organ in the Morris High School in the Bronx,
and this policy will be followed out in all the high schools having
pipe organs.
This very commendable plan of bringing the best in .nusic to
the masses should be further developed by utilizing the grand pianos
in the high schools. There is no reason in the world why piano
recitals would not prove as interesting to the public as organ re-
citals, thus affording hundreds of thousands of people an oppor-
tunity of hearing the great works of the masters written especially
for the piano. This is a matter which the Board of Education
should consider; if not acceptable this season it should be included
PEAKING of export trade, a manufacturer who has developed
in the free lecture programs for next year.
an excellent business with foreign ports, declares that many
It is evident to those who attend the free lecture courses in the men and concerns fail to take up export work because of a miscon-
public schools that the lectures on music and musical instruments,
ception of the problems involved, yet foreign trade differs in no
which have formed a very important feature of the programs for
wise from local trade except in the length of time required to trans-
the last few years, are among the most popular of the series pre- act business and deliver goods. The matter of foreign credits is
sented.
no more difficult to handle than the credit of a concern a thousand
The educational value of these lectures is enormous, and they
miles away. There are many businesses, he points out, that would
are playing an important part in stimulating a greater knowledge
greatly benefit by the addition of foreign business, without much
of music and musicians. The keen interest displayed in these lec-
additional expense of energy. Foreign trade has the value to the
tures have led to the pipe organ recitals, just announced, and this
manufacturer of being a business equalizer during panics and local
should now be followed by piano recitals. It will not be necessary
depressions: in local busy seasons the foreign trade is the safety
to pay great sums of money to foreign artists, as there are plenty
valve, on the principle that the broader the field covered by a busi-
of pianists of distinctive ability in New York to supply the require-
ness the less it is upset by market conditions, the various high and
ments of the most critical.
low areas tending to balance themselves in the sales book.
S