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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE QUESTION OF "ONE PRICE
(Continued from page 3.)
arranged on a basis of so much actual extra money charged as interest, and calculated on the basis of so much a
month, with a fair allowance for defaults, for just so many months.
One Price means still more than this. It must mean, to be fair, a computed and plainly set forth scale of
allowances for old pianos, according to age, with special allowances for, say, those pianos which have special
second-hand values on account of their name. The Piano Merchants' Association could agree on the actual
names in ten minutes if they so desired. But apart from this special discrimination, let age and age alone rule.
Then in ten seconds a salesman can tell his customer what will be allowed on any old piano. Of course, it may
not work every time, but if the results are counted at the end of the year it will be found that the straight way
is the profitable way.
Just the same line of argument applies to what has been christened the "throw-ins." If you are giving away
a bench or a dozen music-rolls to sell a piano, you are not maintaining one price; unless the value of the throw-in
is always the same; which, of course, it never is. If we were talking about profits only we might pause to point
out the absurdity of throw-ins from the business view-point, but we shall let that point argue itself.
Some day the piano merchants and manufacturers will establish a clearing house for trade-ins and educate
the retail trade to eliminate the throw-ins. Then, and then only, shall we have the real simon-pure one-price
system; provided that along with these reforms goes the equally important reform of equitable and accurately
calculated charges for time accommodation. One price is cash price. That great truth is at the bottom of the
whole problem. Know this and apply it; for when it is applied rightly the problem is solved.
The Bill provides for a tariff commission of six members to be
appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate, but not
more than three of these members are to be of the same political
party. The commission would have the duty of investigating the
administration and fiscal effects of customs laws in this country,
the relation between rates of duty on raw material and finished or
partly finished products, the effects of ad valorem and specific duties,
including compound specific and ad valorem duties, the classification
of tariff schedules, and in general to investigate the operation and
effect of tariff laws including their relation to federal revenues. In
these regards it would have a duty to submit reports from time to
time to Congress. It would also have to put all its information at
the disposal of the President and the committees of Congress.
business conditions continue to prevail
S ATISFACTORY
throughout the country. Reports to the Federal Reserve
Board this week reveal the fact that prosperity is well in the
saddle. In fact, from all sources it is evident that conditions are,
on the whole, more normal and stable than a month ago. It is
pointed out that railway congestion has been reduced and traf-
fic is moving more smoothly and to the limit of the capacity
of the roads. Complaints of car shortage are still heard, but con-
sidering the tremendous amount that are moving, the situation
is well in hand. Navigation on the Lakes, delayed owing to the
late Spring, has opened with a large amount of tonnage in sight.
In the piano manufacturing field there is more activity in
evidence this week, following a somewhat quiet spell. Orders
are reaching both manufacturers in the East and West with a
fair degree of regularity. It is rather interesting to note that
in the orders now reaching manufacturers straight pianos are
gaining somewhat as compared with player-pianos—a contrast
to the way orders were coming in a year ago.
HAT the administration in Washington is not overlooking the
T
promotion of American trade abroad, is evident from the active
interest manifested by President Wilson in a bill now up for consid-
eration for the purpose of boosting our foreign trade. He discussed
the details of this measure with the members of the Federal Trade
Commission, recently, and displayed a broad appreciation of the
needs of American business men for a more sympathetic attitude on
the part of the Government as well as the administration of laws
which are now somewhat inimical to the proper expansion of Ameri-
can trade. The bill in question provides for cooperative selling
agencies abroad, and places under the jurisdiction of the Federal
Trade Commission the handling of unfair competition between
American industries operating in foreign fields the same as at home.
The President has approved the bill, and its provisions have been
declared legal by the Attorney-General.
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
informaHon has been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach. It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York