Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 10

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President, J. B. Spillane,
373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, J. Raymond Bill, 373 Fourth Ave.,
New York; Secretary and Treasurer, August J. Timpe, 373 Fourth Ave., New York.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff :
B. BWTTAIN WIISON, CAULETON CnACE, L- M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
W M . BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICE:
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Main 6950.
CHICAGO OFFICE
E. P. VAN HARLINCEN, Consumers' Building,
220 So. State Street. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings. Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS Sl'PPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class
Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $4.50 per jnch, single column, per insertion On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $130.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
SttiA
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
aUU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
rtonapfmontc
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
I l t p d l I l l l d l l b . d e a ] t w , t h > W1 ']] b e f o u n £ 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
Diploma ...Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
S t Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. ..Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New York."
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
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Small Pipe Organ as an Instrument for Home Use
HE increasing wealth and culture of the American people,
T
and the growing appreciation of music in the home, is re-
sulting not only in a growing demand for expensive pianos,
particularly of the grand type, but there is also evident a de-
sire to secure instruments of larger orchestral possibilities in
the home, which is becoming manifest in the demand for pipe
organs of the portable type, a condition which is bound to
make its impress in the music trade field in the no distant
future.
Pipe organ manufacturers have hitherto given little atten-
tion to the trade possibilities of the small pipe organ in the
home, simply because of the difficulty in securing standardized
supplies in the construction of these instruments. This com-
plaint, however, will soon be removed, for we understand that
a Western concern, noted for its enterprise and foresight, is
preparing to meet and supply the demand in this special field,
thus pipe organ manufacturers will be able to enter into the
manufacture of this type of portable organ in the home in per-
fect confidence that they can secure standardized parts, and
thus bring into the home an instrument of great musical possi-
bilities—one that will satisfy those who desire a means of
musical expression and of orchestral coloring other than the
piano.
For too long the pipe organ has been overlooked as an essen-
tial of the musical equipment of the home. This has been due
to the indifference of the manufacturers, some of whom have
been schooled to the idea that the pipe organ was created for
religious purposes only, and its use confined to ecclesiastical
edifices. But, as F. E. Morton said in his interesting address
before the Illinois Council of the National Association of Or-
ganists, recently: "The pipe organ need not rear itself gi-
gantic, solitary and aloof in cathedral seclusion. There is room
T
HE car shortage and railroad traffic congestion, which has
been serious for some months past and which has had a most
detrimental effect upon all lines of industry gives little promise
of early relief. Long before the diplomatic break there was a
scarcity of ocean tonnage that made it almost impossible to free
European bound freight for some weeks after the cars had
reached the seaboard. The general tie-up of freight following
Germany's threat has added materially to this embarrassment,
with the result that at the present time, as one railroad man puts
it, "the tide of freight has backed right up to the doors of the
factories."
The food situation, particularly in the East, lends a
new aspect to the car shortage question, for, as the cars are" re-
for it in every assembling place and out in' the homes of the
every-day people. The small portable pipe organ is the musical
possibility of the immediate future." He added further: "The
pipe organ in the living room may seem fantastic at the first
glance, but there is nothing in the construction of the organ
that will not adapt itself to the diminutive reproduction, and
the demand is certain as soon as the manufacturer, recognizing
the possibilities of the field, devotes himself as zealously to
it as he does now to the installation of some monumental
instrument."
The artistically designed pipe organ of portable type—the
instrument that will harmonize with the furnishing of the
music room, or sitting room in the home—is destined to be a
factor of prime importance in broadening out the trade possi-
bilities of the piano dealer. He may not see it today, as he did
not see the future of the perfected talking machine, but the
members of the trade are wise who give their consideration
to the possibilities in this field.
Every purchaser* of an expensive piano, either grand, up-
right, or player, is a possible pipe organ purchaser. The greater
use of the smaller types of pipe organs in theatres and public
places indicates their broadening influence, but the pipe organ
for the home will be a development unique in that it will typify
American enterprise, skill and ingenuity when once manufac-
turers enter the field with a proper appreciation of the immense
domain to be covered.
Price is not and never can be a consideration when an in-
strument is presented that merits the consideration of those
who can be made to desire it, particularly when it fills the needs
both musically and aesthetically of those who have the finan-
cial requirements, and who desire to express in orchestral form
the best in music.
leased at the seaboard they are being rushed back for food prod-
ucts and embargoes placed on many other classes of freight that
are essential to manufacturers.
With the actual shortage of metal products, including steel;
with an increasing shortage in freight cars and a dearth of coal
that has served to close down many factories, the outlook for
the manufacturer in any line is not overbright. Government
action will serve to solve the question and that action should
come without delay.
PEAKING of slogans: "Greater Prosperity Through Greater
Foreign Trade" has been adopted by the "National Foreign
S
Trade Council," which met in Pittsburg recently.
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

Download Page 4: PDF File | Image

Download Page 5 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.