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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
CARLETON CHACE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
GLAD HENDERSON,
A. J. NICKLIN, AUGUST J. TIMPE, WM. H. WHITE,
WILSON ]>. HUSH,
L. E. ROWERS.
IOHN
JOHN
BOSTON OFFIGESs
ON 124 Washington St
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324 Washmgton St.
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CHICAGO O F F I C E :
HARLINGEN, Consumers' Building,
telephone, Wabash 5774.
Street
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
LONDON, EDGLANDt l Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
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KKM1TTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
SinA
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
allU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
I)onai*ftnontc
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
If C p d l l U i e i l l b . d e a l t w i j h > w i l l b e f o u n d i n another 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, 1902
Vipioma
Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
IMOTXQ DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting- all D e p a r t m e n t s
Cable a d d r e s i : "ElblU, New York."
NEW YORK, JANUARY 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 .
EDITORIAL
A GENTLEMAN associated with one of the supply branches of
l\
the piano trade and who for the past two years has been
making a close of study of the actual trade situation from the stand-
point of the manufacturer recently commented on the lack of tech-
nical knowledge in the piano trade and the subordination of such
knowledge to commercialism—a condition which unfortunately is
not getting any better.
"It is surprising," said the gentleman in question, "to learn of
the woeful lack of exact knowledge of piano designing and construc-
tion in many piano factories. Things are done, especially in the
designing and construction of the scale, without definite knowledge
apparently of what the effect is going to be, which is noticeable in
a great many of the instruments on the market to-day—for instance,
such as reducing sizes of scales to fit a smaller piano and increasing
the weight of the strings to compensate for the shorter length with-
out making corresponding changes in the bridge and soundboard.
When such an error is discovered the lack of understanding of facts
generally results in the continued addition of weight of metal, with
the result that the instrument is subjected to a tremendous and un-
necessary strain and becomes the bane of those who are called upon
to regulate and tune it.
"There have been numerous suggestions for technical education
in the trade. Schools are conducted in New York, Chicago and
other cities at various times, but the real development of the tech-
nical education in the trade lies in the hands of the National Asso-
ciation of Piano Manufacturers' and the various associations in
different cities. A substantial amount set aside by the National
Association for the furtherance of technical education would pro-
duce tremendous dividends, through the medium of exact knowledge
on the part of piano builders and a consequent development of the
American piano itself.
"Were technical education actually under the control of the
manufacturers' association, and carried out broadly, there would be
a weeding out of those pianos that represent actual errors in the
fundamentals of scale designing and primary construction. Ihave
heard it stated by a manufacturer that he did not favor the technical
education of employes, because he feared they would then
branch out for themselves or turn over shop secrets to com-
petitors.
"When such a piano manufacturer or superintendent is faced
with facts he is soon forced to admit that the only shop "secrets" to
be turned over are generally the errors. He finds out that competi-
tors are doing things the same way he is and believe they., too, hold
valuable trade secrets. There is only one way to build a good piano
—the proper way, and that way is open to anyone 1 who has at hand
the facilities for gaining knowledge and who possesses the willing-
ness to study and learn. Some day, it may be in another generation,
the National Association will give earnest attention to the question
of technical education under its own auspices and at its own expense,
but meanwhile valuable time and unrecoverable opportunities are
being lost."
LSEWHERE in this issue of The Review is contained a state-
ment from Attorney-General Gregory rehtive to the attitude
of the Department of Justice and the new Eederal Trade Commis-
sion towards big business generally. The Sherman Act has long
been regarded as the medium through which the Government could,
and did, hinder the economic progress of the country at large.
Many men of large affairs have been prone to regard the Govern-
ment, so far as their business was concerned, in the light of a natu-
ral and hereditary adversary lying in wait for them with the
avowed intent of bludgeoning them with the anti-trust and other
laws which seem aimed directly against the expansion and upbuild-
ing of business upon a large scale.
The very frank outline, given by the Attorney-General, of the
fair and adequate policy which the department will pursue in the
administration of the anti-trust laws, will receive the approbation
of business men generally, who are anxious to see the prosperity
which is increasingly evidenced throughout the nation preserved.
Mr. Gregory's statement shows a spirit of co-operation, rather than
of antagonism, on the part of the Federal Government towards the
business interests of the country that is refreshing and reassuring.
America is great not simply because of her hundred-million
population, nor yet alone by virtue of her almost inexhaustible natu-
ral resources; she is great in a large measure because of the sta-
bility, progressiveness and efficiency of the great business enter-
prises which have made her prowess known and her influence felt
throughout the civilized globe.
Why, then, should the Government, made powerful by virtue
of commercial supremacy, seek to wilfully and unnecessarily antago-
nize the very thing which is responsible for its greatness?
This policy of economic hari-kari, unfortunately too evident in
times past to go unnoticed, has been superseded by a policy that will
properly safeguard the interests of the public without throttling
business development, if we read aright the views of the Attorney-
General, and his recent announcement will have a strengthening
effect all along the line, and will help materially to add to that confi-
dence in our country, our Government, and our commercial enter-
prises which is absolutely necessary for the achievement and preser-
vation of sound national prosperity.
E
ROM Roston comes the astounding news that, believing thor-
oughly, but economically, in the value of music in its public
schools, where the future citizens of the "Hub of the Universe" are
taught the famous Back Bay accent, the City Fathers have recently
sent to the piano manufacturers and dealers of Boston requests
for sealed bids on five upright pianos for school use, to cost $150
tach, or less!
And this following hard on the announcement, through especially
prepared newspaper articles, that the School Department was mak-
ing every effort to increase and r:fine the appreciation and study
of music in the schools!
The specifications further require the bidders to deliver the
pianos, furnish stools and covers, repair all damages, guarantee each
instrument for one year, and take over and remove the old-fashioned
square pianos which these uprights are to replace. The specifica-
tions do not require that the dealers furnish a musician to play the
piano whenever necessary, but this is due probably to an oversight
on the part of these stalwart advocates of refined musical taste.
Such a request coming from men who are presumably suffi-
ciently erudite to control the means by which the future generation
will receive whatever education and polish it may possess, is a sad
F