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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
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B. BKITTAIN WILSON,
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P l a V P F PijinA find
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
• l a j C l 1 l a u v ailU
t j O p S o f a technical nature relating to the tuning, refu-
Tpf*hltif*9l ftPTkilPfinPIitc lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
• C U U l l i m VC§Fai 11MC1H9. d e a l t with> w i u b e f 0und ; n another section o this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information cone ining
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 11, 1915
EDITORIAL
T was not so long ago that music rolls for player-pianos were
first placed in a free circulating library for the purpose of
being loaned to player-pianists as books are loaned to readers. The
experiment was first tried, if we remember rightly, by the Starr
Piano Co., in the library in Richmond, Ind., and proved so suc-
cessful that music rolls are now to be found in many of the public
libraries of the country, especially in the West. The most recent
and interesting development of the plan of placing music rolls in
libraries, however, is marked by the installation of a sound-proof
room in the library in Denver, Col., wherein player-pianists may
try out various rolls in the library before making their s lections
to take home. The new move is to be accepted as a great forward
step in the public recognition of the value of musical knowledge
and the means for developing that knowledge through the medium
of the player-piano. It is to be hoped that sound-proof rooms
may be installed in other libraries. They will not only prove a
source of convenience to the player-pianist who makes use of the
library's music rolls, but should serve to cultivate an interest in the
player-piano among those privileged to listen to the trying-out of
the rolls and develop more sales for the piano merchant.
I
total output is a trifle over 71 per cent.—more important still when
one considers that the Mason & Hamlin is one of the most expensive
pianos made.
N idea of the harmful effect of the great European conflict on
the export trade of the United States can be gleaned from
the figures printed in last week's Review regarding the export and
import trade in musical instruments in this country for the twelve
months ending June 30, as issued by the Bureau of Statistics of
the Department of Commerce and Labor.
It will be observed that the exports of musical instruments,
which include pianos, organs, player-pianos, music rolls and mis-
cellaneous small goods for the past twelve months, amounted to
$2,048715, as compared with $3,358,631 for the same period of
1914, and $3,799,731 in the year 1913. This shows a decrease in
exports for the past twelve months amounting in value to
$1,309,916.
This is a very substantial loss in trade in a comparatively small
field, like the music trade industry, and furnishes proof of the
serious injury which the conflict abroad has wrought upon tlv:
manufactures of this country.
The import trade also shows a decline for the twelve months
ending June 30., the figures for this year being $1,262,140, as com-
pared with $2,076,734 worth of musical instruments imported dur-
ing the same period of 1914. This shows a decrease for the twelve
months of $814,594.
Thus combined, the export and import trade in musical in-
struments show a total decline of over $2,124,510. Multiply this
some hundreds of times and one can realize how the general busi-
ness of the country has been tied up. The nations of the world
are so closely allied to-day that a disturbance in one causes a dis-
turbance in all, and when virtually all in Europe are at each other's
throats and with many markets closed, there is naturally a hindrance
to the free employment of commerce and industry that results in an
injury to all.
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HERE is big room for improvement in retail piano selling meth-
ods as practised to-day ; hence the announcement of Lawson
V. Moore, who recently entered the retail piano field in New York,
in addition to his wholesale connections, that he will inaugurate the
policy of selling pianos for cash only, and his belief that there are
enough people in New York with the proper business idea of the
bin ing value of cash to make the idea prove profitable, is worthy of
consideration. Mr. Moore's announcement brings to mind the state-
ment made at the time R. H. Macy & Co., the big New York de-
partment store, closed out its piano department, to the effect that
selling pianos for cash only had proven far from a satisfactory
proposition. The Macy house does, and always has., conducted all
departments of its big store on a strictly cash basis, and, realizing
that pianos, to be sold in satisfactory quantities, must be sold on
time, decided to give up that line. Possibly, as an exclusive piano
house, the conductor of this enterprise may be able to show that there
is a selling system under which pianos may be sold for cash in com-
petition with dozens of other piano retailers selling on instalments.
It was the Macy argument that the great majority of piano buyers
would rather pay $350 for a piano in three or four years' time than
$200 cash for the same instrument. If the Moore plan proves
a success it may serve to revolutionize a certain section of the local
retail trade. In any event the experiment will undoubtedly be
watched with much interest by both manufacturers and dealers.
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HE grand piano promises to be a decided factor in the retail
field the coming fall and winter season, judging from the
GENTLEMAN who has been studying trade conditions care-
trend that way. Leading manufacturers report an increasing per-
fully over America sent a recent communication to Th?
centage of grand output, as compared with upright production
Review in which he said: "I have been particularly interested in
during the past twelve months, and state that orders which are
now coming in tend to indicate that the grand piano will be in an the different matters advocated by The Review for trade better-
ment at intervals for years past. I have also been particularly
increasing demand.
interested in noting the growing influence of your publication in
This condition, however, is not surprising, as the larger ele-
every section of this country. Small dealers as well as large
ment of our wealthy people are installing music rooms in their
read The Review. I have found it everywhere, and also I have
homes, which, of course, are not complete without a grand piano.
*
found it quoted and referred to. We shall do more business with
Then the increased appreciation of music which now exists
you
during the coming fall."
throughout the nation has brought about a desire on the part of
This is the kind of spirit and the kind of sentiment, and here
many to own a grand piano—a desire for the most expensive type
is a letter from Louis F. McLaren. Eureka, Cal., also worth
of instrument.
reading:
It is most significant in this connection that the Mason &
"My Dear Sir:—It gives me a great deal of pleasure to attach
Hamlin Co., of Boston, states that the proportion of grands to its
T
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