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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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aUU
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NEW
YORK,
MARCH
10,
1917
EDITORIAL
N the opinion of the National City Bank of New York there
I United
is no reason to anticipate that a declaration of war by the
States would have any immediate effect upon the busi-
ness situation in this country other than that resulting from addi-
tional stimulus. In its March circular letter the bank declares
that while war is not recommended by any one who understands
its economic effects as a means of increasing the wealth of a
country, if war must come it is certain that the United States
is more fortunately situated to withstand it, and has greater re-
sources with which to prosecute it than any of the countries
which have sustained such marvelous exertions for the last two
and a half years. After commenting upon the month of suspense,
and explaining the international questions involved in connection
with the difficulties with Germany, the City Bank discusses what
would happen in the event of war, saying:
"The Government has already entered the market for equip-
ment and supplies, and is committed to great expenditures upon
the army and navy, but doubtless its orders would be increased
and expedited. The experience of other countries, and our owai
as well, shows that war makes enormous demands upon the in-
dustries, hence there would be no reason to apprehend a sudden
reaction from the present activity. The danger would be from
the other side, that is, from an over-stimulus in certain direc-
tions at the expense of normal development.
"The industries of this country are already working to ca-
pacity, and it is difficult to see how they could do more. Under
such conditions government orders would crowd private busi-
ness to the rear, create new demands for labor and materials, and
probably raise costs to a higher level. Enlistments would neces-
sarily aggravate the scarcity of labor, and the amount of business
in sight would be likely to stimulate further construction work
for the enlargement of industries. These are the inevitable eco-
nomic derangements caused by war, and in some degree we have
already been experiencing their effects."
REVIEW
PARTICULARLY interesting and important feature of
A
The Review this week is the supplement showing the por-
traits of the Officers, Committee Chairmen and the majority ot
the State Commissioners of the National Association of Piano
Merchants, over two score in all. It is these men who, under
the leadership of President John A. Turner, are charged with
the conduct of the Association business—on whose work depends
the progress of the organization. Thus far the present admin-
istration has done things; has accomplished real results, not the
least of these being the establishment of the Better Business
Bureau. Other big things are 1 planned for the future. The offi-
cers and State Commissioners are naturally men of unquestioned
standing in the trade and there is hardly a name on the list that
is not familiar to practically every man engaged in the making
or selling of pianos. The efforts of such a representative
body should serve to stimulate greatly the membership of the
Association.
W
HATEVER the eleven or twelve Senators who, by their
filibuster, embarrassed the Government and the natjon
in one of the most critical periods in its history, may think oi
the President's policy or just how deep may be their patriotism,
the members of the piano trade are coming strongly to the fore
in lining up behind the Government, whatever action it under-
takes in connection with the present crisis.
At its annual meeting last week the Cleveland Music Trade
Association sent the following telegram to President Wilson:
"Resolved, That the Cleveland Music Trade Association, assem-
bled at its annual meeting at Hotel Olmstead, assures the Presi-
dent of the United States of the full confidence in his course
during this great crisis and its readiness to aid in every manner
the maintainence of our national rights and our national honor
in that broad spirit of humanity which has ever been the great
bulwark of our noblest traditions."
The Boston Music Trade Association at its meeting or
urday night last also adopted a resolution sustaining the Gov-
ernment and the President. The resolutions proved that in the
piano trade at least patriotism is not dead.
N last week's Review our Washington correspondent called
I Senate
attention to a bill recently introduced in the United States
by Senator Pomerene, and designed especially to regulate
"itinerant vendors." This term, as used in the new bill, is de-
clared to mean any person, either principal or agent, who en-
gages in temporary and transient business, and who hires, leases,
or occupies a room, building, or other structure for the exhibition
or sale of goods at retail. It is expected that when the provisions
of this act are studied, music trade men all over the country will
sit up and take notice, for seemingly this instrument affords a
powerful weapon against the special sale artist, so long a thorn
in the side of the legitimate piano dealer.
While the bill in Congress would apply only to the District
of Columbia—for the national legislature has no authority to
encroach upon States' rights in such matters—the important point
is that a "model statute" is presented that might profitably be
copied in every State and municipality in the Union.
It was pointed out that where the measure will most benefit
the piano trade is found in the clause which prohibits any special
sale artist from advertising or representing any sale as an insur-
ance, bankrupt, insolvent, assignee's, trustee's, executor's, ad-
ministrator's, receiver's, wholesale manufacturer's, wholesale, or
closing out sale, or as a sale of goods damaged by smoke, lire,
water, or otherwise, unless he shall file with his application for a
license all the facts to prove his representations. Each "itin-
erant" is required to pay a license fee of $100 per day, and make
a deposit of $500 at the beginning of the operation, as well as
rile a statement as to the quality and value of his goods.
It is hardly necessary to say that such a law would virtually
banish all special sale artists from the territory to which it
might be applicable. Evidently the man who wants to conduct
business through other than accepted lines is going to have hard
times of it these days. There is little room, hereafter, for the
man who misleads in advertising or selling, judging from the
activity of the advertising clubs and trade associations through-
out the country.
J