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THE MUSIC TRADE
THE
fflWICT!(ADE
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
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
B. BIITTAIN WILSON,
CARLBTON CHACE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
GLAD HENDERSON,
A. J. NICKLIN, W M . B. WHITE, WILSON D. BUSH, L. E. BOWERS, V. D. WALSH,
BOSTON OFFICE I
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Telephone, Main 6950.
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REVIEW
optimistically of conditions in their respective territories, and
emphasized the point that at no time was there a larger demand
for instruments of recognized standing than today. They pointed
out that price is not the great consideration as in other years.
People are buying grands, uprights and players that are expen-
sive in price, and where cash sales are not the vogue, are paying
larger initial cash payments in time sales.
In the piano trade there is always a slowing up of business
in the summer time, but it is notable that there is a larger degree
of activity prevailing 1 this year than ever before, and this is es-
pecially true where dealers are giving more attention to advertis-
ing and where extra work is being done by the sales staff in the
matter of rounding up prospects.
As we have emphasized time and time again the summer
time need not necessarily be a dull period in the piano trade.
The merchant who has had the foresight to prepare plans for a
summer campaign, and who is carrying them out with enthusiasm,
cannot escape getting good results. Just watch those piano mer-
chants who are as wide awake in the summer as in the fall and
winter months, and you will observe that their business is show-
ing steady strides toward enlargement.
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REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
Edward Lyman Bill.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
Plovoi*
and
rlfljvl ~B Piann
idUU OBU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
p
d e a i t w i t n , will be found in 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
Diploma... .Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
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NEW YORK. J U L Y 1, 1 9 1 6 .
EDITORIAL
A
T last the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce plan is in
the way of actual accomplishment. From a hazy idea pre-
sented something over a year ago, a definite outline for the or-
ganization was formulated at a meeting of representatives of
various trade bodies in February, and last week the plan as set
forth, and the constitution and by-laws, appealed so strongly to
the various trade bodies that the manufacturers, merchants,
travelers and music roll manufacturers' associations all agreed to
join the new body when it comes into being. The formal organi-
zation meeting of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce
will be held in February, 1917, and before the annual convention
next year this trade-wide body will have become a thing of
reality.
Paul B. Klugh, father of the idea, is to be congratulated
upon the success of his efforts. When Mr. Klugh first broached
the plan it was practically called visionary by some. There were
various members of the trade, however, who could see its logic.
Hard work and persistent work, meanwhile, has resulted in victory,
and it is to be hoped that Mr. Klugh's ideas regarding the effec-
tiveness of the new organization will work out as successfully as
his ideas regarding its formation.
T
HE acute situation in regard to Mexico has been a more or
less disquieting factor in the business world during the past
ten days, and in the piano as well as other lines, for a time, there
.developed an uneasiness in the business field which happily is
•now rapidly disappearing. Financially and industrially, the
United States is in splendid shape to withstand any demand that
may be made upon it in the matter of war or otherwise, and after
the flurry of excitement which is inevitable in connection with a
discussion on war matters, it is certain that business which has
been so active this year, will continue on its path toward further
achievements.
Piano merchants from widely separated sections of the coun-
try who were in New York last week, expressed themselves most
T
HAT any genuine campaign for trade advancement through
the medium of "Music in the Home" pages of special music
sections in local newspapers should be conducted in co-operation
with the piano trade organizations has been evident on a number
of occasions. Facts and figures regarding the trade should be
accurate—in fact accuracy in all matters is the only basis upon
which a campaign can achieve permanent success, and the piano
men should be called upon to give accurate figures regarding their
industry.
In the excellent four-page supplement issued by the New
York Globe on Friday of last week, which marked the holding
of the trade conventions in New York, the statement was made
that while in 1910 the output was 350,000 pianos, valued at
$100,000,000, "it can be estimated that the output for the current
year will amount to 500,000 pianos and 800,000 player-pianos, bring-
ing to the manufacturers almost one billion dollars."
Juggling with figures in this manner does no one any good,
although the newspaper is not wholly to blame. Even official
figures regarding the piano industry are frequently so glaringly
inaccurate as to be humorous.
i i \ J E R E in our schools should be laid the cornerstone of our
1 1 greatness as a musical nation." In this one sentence is
to be found the kernel of the argument put forth by Prof. Fleck
in his address before the piano manufacturers and merchants at
the Convention last week, in support of the movement for trade
advancement. "How is it possible for the musical world or the
commercial forces of the musical world to enlarge their activities
when they make no effort to create a musical public?" said Prof.
Fleck. "The Jesuitic motto is 'give me the child and you take
the man.' Your motto seems to be 'give me the man and to hell
with the child.' The Church here has made its preparations for
the future.
"It is a self-evident fact that every man expects to do busi-
ness ten, fifteen or twenty years from now. Now, then, the ones
who should be our future customers fifteen or twenty years from
now are the little kiddies who at present are running our streets
and schools, and who are making life generally interesting to
everybody, but not in a musical way. These little human beings
will be the great forces of the future. They will be our prominent
citizens, our active business men, teachers and politicians, and
perhaps piano manufacturers.
"What provisions are you making to mold these young
people a* factors and appreciators in the world of music? What
efforts are you making to influence them as future buyers of
pianos? Nearly everyone insures his life and property. Is it
for the present? Have you insured yourself for your future busi-
ness? Have you done anything to enlarge your possible field of
operation? No, you make a piano today and sell it tomorrow."
Prof. Fleck did not present merely an address, but an ar-
raignment of present trade conditions that should make every
piano man, whether manufacturer or merchant stop, look and
listen.
The members of the trade who heard or who have read Prof.