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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
O one, we take it, should minimize the importance of the
movement now apparently becoming popular among
public libraries of adding to their collections of books other col-
lections of music rolls, to be treated in the same way as books
and to be loaned out under the same conditions. It is easy to
see in this a very hopeful symptom, for there can be no doubt
that the player business must be the immediate beneficiary of
any movement whatever that seeks to interest the general public
in music.
P'or one thing, the very fact that libraries are recognizing thf
music roll as a legitimate music record shows that the general
public have already begun to do the same, for institutions usually
follow rather than lead public opinion. For another thing, the
fact that the libraries will offer only good music, and will do
their best to encourage their borrowers to use the available rolls
intelligently, is of itself a direct boost for the player trade, since
whatever tends to produce a better appreciation of music means
the selling of more players, and also of more straight pianos
throughout the country.
Nobody need fear that the growth of musical appreciation
among people in general need, or will, mean any contempt for
the player. No one, in fact, need be afraid that as people get
to know the player better and to understand it more clearly they
will like it less. Very much on the contrary; since the principal
existing reason for people not liking the player is that they do
not know it.
The trade, in point of fact, can do nothing immediately
more valuable to its own interests than to encourage by every
legitimate method this growing movement. In an article pub-
lished in the recent number of the Player Section is to be found
some discussion of this matter, and we earnestly call the atten-
tion of all dealers to this.
N
to the technical education movement in the United States and
making a strong appeal for a similar officially-backed movement
in England. The writer of the article in the English journal, in
bringing forward testimony in favor of the idea, uses language
and alleges reasons virtually identical with the language, the
arguments and the testimony which have been brought forward
over here.
It is plain that the technical education problem brought
about by the player is universal and must be met everywhere.
All the more then is the reason for the American player industry
to support all legitimate effort in this direction. In connection
with this, it is pleasant to learn that the Chicago Board of Educa-
tion has taken a further step in the direction of opening a class
in player construction and repair, as is indicated by a form letter
sent out by Superintendent Ella Flagg Young to the Chicago
manufacturers, dealers and tuners, asking their definite co-opera-
tion. The movement in the West is getting a start anyhow, and
it now remains for us to see how far it will go.
T
HAT tendency may not be immediately apparent which is
bringing us slowly but surely towards greater simplicity
in player construction, yet there is no doubt to the seeing eye of
its existence. One of the most remarkable facts in the present
day history of the trade is seen in the steady march of invention
towards a general simplification of player design. The single
valve system, for long decried by many, seems plainly to be
forging to the front and to be gaining steadily in favor. Obvi-
ously this is due to the greater and more matured experience of
designers, which is enabling them to overcome earlier difficulties.
In exactly the same way it is clear that the control systems
of player-pianos are steadily being brought down to something
like standardization. The double divided hammer rail, the
thumb sustaining lever and the sensitive pedal control are to-day
the dominating features of the contemporary player mechanism.
It may not be out of place to observe that this paper has from
the first advocated definite simplifications and refinements, and
has argued in their defense month after month. Now they are
coming; in fact, already they are here.
I
T is interesting and significant to learn that the movement
-for better technical education in the piano trade is receiving
considerable attention, not only at home but abroad. In glancing
over a recent number of our contemporary, the London and Pro-
vincial Music Trades Review, of London, England, we observe
a letter from a London member of the trade drawing attention
THE " C O I I M O L A
W
LINE
OF AUTOMATICS
Distinctively
Different
— Different from other coin-
controlled instruments be-
cause of their mechanical
superiority and absolute re-
liability.
Here is one of our electrics
with panel off, showing the
simplicity of its arrangement.
We dwell on this, knowing
that the dealer knows that
it is .the trouble-free electric
that pays.
Watch for new styles an-
nouncement and send for
proposition.
A "TROUBLE-PROOF COINOLA" SHOWING STEEL ORCHESTRA BELLS.
OPERATORS PIANO COMPANY
9
1911 CLYBOURN
AVENUE
CHICAGO
ENERAL business is looking up
most decidedly, and the opinion of
everybody whose opinion is worth having
is that we are in for a really good year.
Nineteen hundred and thirteen was not
much to brag about, but we all managed
to survive, and in all probability we did
ourselves more good than harm by learn-
ing how to do business in a manner per-
haps more contracted, but certainly more
sensible.
Periods of expansion are followed
by periods of contraction. Depression is
not necessarily periodic, as some seem to
think, but when a time of depression has
existed it is invariably followed by at least
an equal time of expansion. Such a time
is now before us. Let us make the most
of it.
One thing is obvious, that the player-
piano is going to figure in a much larger
way in the trade this year than ever before.
It is destined to form the largest part of
the business of the progressive dealer—
the man who understands the player, and
who will present it and its distinctive fea-
tures to the public in a manner that will
be educational and convincing.
G