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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TO-MORROW: THE WORLD'S MARKETS
(Continued from page 3)
In the thousand lines where up till now we have depended upon foreigners, we must prepare not only to
supply our own demand, but to enter the world markets in competition with others.
The musical instrument trade of this country is potentially in a strong world-position. Even though
American piano makers have never seriously attempted to capture foreign markets, yet we know that American
pianos are the best in the world, and can be made more efficiently as to costs than any others. They can
therefore enter any market, when adapted to the special needs of that market.
Great days, ominous days, are ahead of us. They may be days of unexampled prosperity or days of deep
depression. Our trade is only one of many that must begin now to adapt itself to changing conditions, to a
new era in world-history. We cannot stand still.
The new Chamber of Commerce, now apparently to be our national trade voice, has great work before it;
no less than the awakening of a trade-consciousness and a determination to face a new future with new ideas
adapted to it.
advertised and through properly directed effort, local newspapers
can be induced to give it an advance notice and also review it
afterwards. It serves to place the recital in the light of an im-
portant musical event of general interest. The sales staff can
afford to concentrate on recitals of this kind, and the names of
those who attend can be secured by having them apply for in-
vitatkms, so that a prospect list of real value can be prepared.
The secret would appear to lie in having a definite plan for
giving recitals and profiting by them, not in wasting time and
effort on recitals that are given without definite reason or proper
preparation. In the metropolitan centers, such as New York,
the number of those interested in music is sufficiently large to
make the weekly recitals worth while propositions, for new audi-
ences can be gathered for each occasion. The dealer in the town
elaborate recital at irregular intervals a much better proposition.
RECENT decision handed down by Judge Seabury, rela-
A
tive to notices on invoices and letterheads which refer to
the acceptance of orders and other contracts, should prove inter-
esting to piano manufacturers generally. This decision, which
is in keeping with previous opinions rendered in this and other
States, is the latest ruling on the question, and in New York
State is supreme. The case in question is that of the Sturte-
vant Co. vs. the Fireproof Film Co., reported in 216 N. Y., page
The defendant had printed upon its office stationery in
type, "All agreements are contingent upon strikes, fire, ac-
cidents, or delays beyond our control. All prices are subject to
change without notice, and contracts and orders taken are sub-
ject to the approval of the executive office at Hyde Park, Mass."
These sentences were printed in very small type, and defendant
claimed that the proposal for the sale of certain motion-picture
films was subject to the approval of the executive office at
Hyde Park.
In refusing to uphold that contention, Mr. Justice Seabury
says: "These sentences are printed in very small type.
The language of the proposal is clear and explicit, and this pro-
vision, which is printed in small type, cannot be allowed to
change, alter or modify it unless it were part of the proposal.
When an offer or contract is expressed in clear and explicit
terms, matter printed in small type at the top or bottom of the
office stationery of the writer, where it is not easily seen, which
is not in the body of the instrument or referred to therein, is
not necessarily to be considered as part i>f such offer, proposal,
or contract."
The wording used by the film concern is similar to a general
statement which is used by many manufacturing concerns
throughout the country, and which has hitherto been supposed
to serve as protection against unforseen conditions which would
prevent the delivery of an order at the specified time. Under
the above decision, however, these notices have little or no value,
should the purchaser care to sue the manufacturer for non-com-
pliance with the contract. In order to provide against possible
unpleasant complications, piano manufacturers, and in fact all
others who enter into contracts where there is even a possibility
that labor troubles or factory break-downs may interfere with
the fulfillment of the same, should incorporate into the con-
tract itself the statement which is usually printed at the top of
the letterhead. This will then make that proviso a part of the
original contract, and will protect the manufacturer against any
unforeseen contingencies which may prevent the fulfillment of
the contract as originally written.
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
information 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