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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
HERE has been a slight slowing up of activity in the music
T trade
industry in the past month, but this condition is tem-
THE
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
;
(C. L. BILL, Executrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
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B.
BKITTAIN WILSON,
A. J. NICXLIN,
BOSTON
CARLBTON CHACE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
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WILSON D. BOSH,
L. E. BOWERS,
OFPICEt
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PlavAl* Piann anil
• lajCl "I lallU OlIU
I W h n f o a l IW>nartm4>ntc
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
leciuiicju u e p a n m e n i s .
d e a l t withj will b ? f o u n d i n ano ther
section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1903
Diploma.... Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
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NEW YORK, JUNE 10, 1 9 1 6 .
EDITORIAL
T
porary, for general business and financial conditions indicate in
general that the fundamentals are sound, and that a continuance
of the good times which now prevail will exist. A calmer
and more conservative tone is now evident in all quarters which
indicates that business men are moving cautiously.
The Federal Reserve Board, in its report issued this week,
estimates that the high tide of the country's prosperity has been
nearly reached, this opinion being based upon a summary of
reports on business conditions from Federal Reserve Agents of
the twelfth regional district. There is a general recognition of
the probability that a readjustment of prices will have to be
met at a lower level after the war is over, and manufacturers
and dealers alike are consequently making purchases only as
necessity compels them.
Reports to The Review indicate that the backwardness of
the crops, owing to weather conditions, has retarded activity
in piano sales in many sections of the country. Warmer and
more settled weather is fast removing this deterrent factor to a
larger trade and seasonable conditions are now looked for.
Convincing evidence of the remarkable activity in general
business now prevailing in every part of the country is provided
by the enormous volume of bank exchanges during May in prac-
tically all the leading cities in the United States, the total,
according to the statement prepared by Dun's Review, which
includes returns from 131 centers, amounting to $20,445,769,417.
This is an increase of 40.5 per cent, as compared with the
same month last year and of no less than 56.1 per cent, as con-
trasted with the corresponding month in 1914.
1V/IANY complimentary letters have reached The Review
AVI office this week from members of the National Associations,
Piano Manufacturers, Merchants and Travelers, in which many
nice things are said regarding the Pre-Convention number of
The Review, which was issued from this office last week. These
letters emphasize that the efforts of The Review to co-operate
with the associations in making the coming conventions in New
York the greatest ever held have been keenly appreciated.
It has been a great pleasure for The Review to join hands
with the members of the National Associations in bringing to
the attention of the industry throughout the entire country the
importance of the coming conventions, and the very complete
plans which have been perfected for the entertainment of the
visitors, as well as the importance of matters discussed at the
various gatherings.
The Pre-Convention Number was issued at a date that will
enable it to reach subscribers in the Far West and Pacific Coast
in time to awaken interest and arouse those who are hesitating,
so that they may perfect their plans and surely attend the pros-
perity conventions of the industry which open in New York
the week of June 19.
HE subject of price maintenance, as one of the greatest fac-
tors in correct merchandising, is receiving wider recognition
every day, and much interest is being concentrated on the hear-
ings on the Stephens Bill, which are now under way before the
House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
The advocates of this bill now include the majority of the
principal industries of the country as well as a large number of
department stores, many of which, however, have been fighting
the measure as inimical to their interests. A saner and more
practical view of the Stephens Bill has been taken by wideawake
business men, who realize that the fixed price is the solution to
the evil of cut-throat sales methods, which in so many industries
have been pulled down to a low level.
A great stimulus to the passage of the Stephens Bill was the ]V/r ANUFACTURERS are coming to realize the value of the
AVI motion picture as an educational advertising medium more
fact, announced recently in The Review, that the standard price
and more. Many of the great industries have prepared special
principle as embodied in this measure has received the endorse-
ment of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States by a films, showing the different processes which enter into the manu-
facture of their particular product. A recent issue of The Review
three-to-one vote of that great body. This is a specific endorse-
ment from an organization representing the very leaders in the showed scenes from a reel of this kind prepared by the Ashland
Manufacturing Co., makers of gut strings, in which the entire
manufacturing and business world of America.
process of manufacture is shown. The Baldwin Piano Co. recently
The music trade industry, through its various associations,
used a series of films, showing the manufacture of a piano, from
is on record in favor of the Stephens Bill. Resolutions, however,
the time the logs were felled to the final polishing of the finished
amount to nothing unless they are backed by actual practical
instrument in an advertising campaign which it conducted in Texas.
work. At no time was it as necessary as it now is for members
Other piano manufacturers are in evidence in this connection. A
of the music trade industry to get in touch with their representa-
tives in Congress and inform them in a most emphatic way as well-known furniture store in Brooklyn recently had taken a
motion-picture called "A Twentieth Century Courtship," in which
to why they favor this measure, and why it should be enacted
real movie actors were used. The film showed the interior of the
into law.
main floor of the store, and also a beautifully appointed bedroom.
A strong public sentiment in favor of this bill has been
The leading lady is shown selecting furnishings for her new home,
created, thanks to the educational campaign carried on by the
and in this way the many different styles of furniture carried by
American Fair Trade League, and it is now up to the members
the concern are well exhibited.
of the various industries who believe that the Stephens Bill would
place business on a higher ethical and safer business plane, to
The Wanamaker store in Philadelphia recently exhibited to
become personally interested in the success of the Stephens Bill,
the employes of the store a picture showing every phase of the
for price maintenance is the great fundamental factor in correct
furniture industry. Lumbering in California, in the Maine pine
merchandising.
forests, and in other great lumber sections, was shown. Then the