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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
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NEW
YORK,
JUNE
2 3 , 1917
EDITORIAL =
the business world there is evident a marked increase in con-
I men N fidence.
The seeming scare which frightened so many business
at the breaking- of our relations with Germany has subsided.
The war is no longer a bugaboo to the business man, for he
realizes that at an early date conditions should be better than
ever, because not only the United States, but the Allies oi this
country, will expend fabulous sums of money here, and this
should result in a tremendous stimulation of business generally.
The most disturbing factor to-day, as far as it affects the
piano industry, is the high cost of living. When this matter is
regulated by law, it will mean a lot to the piano industry, because
as pointed out to The Review by a prominent piano manufac-
turer this week, the women of the country are essentially the
piano buyers, and it is the women who feel the increased cost
of living most, because they are the financiers of the house.
Some of the money which goes for the increased cost of living
would go for pianos, or other musical instruments, were there
some fair regulation of the food situation—a regulation that
would keep the cost of living within bounds—that would enable
the people of America to live as cheaply as those in such warring
countries as England, Germany and Canada. That there will
be Government regulation of food supplies is inevitable in view
of the grasping policy of a number of speculators, who look for
immediate gain rather than for the public good.
Business has been favorably affected by the news from
Washington showing the trend toward reduction of the taxation
proposed by the War Revenue bill. The first principle of war
taxation should be to discourage as little as possible those indus-
tries which go on from year to year, earning only moderate and
regular returns for their products, or for the service they render
to the public. Upon the continued prosperity of such industries,
and the millions of individuals who look to them for employment
and wages, the enduring power of the nation for war is bound
in a large measure to depend. Hence business men have not
taken kindly to the idea of trying to raise too much of the war
expenses by immediate taxation.
Then, too, there were two provisions in the House bill, which
promised to make things very irksome to business enterprises.
One of them was the tariff increase with the imposing of a 10 per
cent, duty on everything in the free list, and the other was the
peculiar excess profits tax. Both of these are now regarded as
impossible of enactment, and business men naturally breathe
easier.
Of course, it is necessary for the Government to impose
unusual taxation upon our citizens, and in order that this taxation
may be borne with the least detrimental consequences, it is im-
perative that business conditions should not be disturbed, there-
fore it is of vital interest that the people of the country should
avoid all hysterical disturbances and retain their composure,
and proceed with the conduct of their business in such a manner
as to cause the currency of the country to circulate exactly as
it does during peaceful periods. If the usual circulation be main-
tained, then while the comforts to which we are accustomed
will still be enjoyed, and all necessities provided, the taxes im-
posed by the Government can be paid without obnoxious conse-
quences to business, and the war prosecuted with the least
embarrassment to all.
Much has been uttered on the subject of economy, and it is a
most unfortunate expression to have employed for the reason that
it is susceptible of a mistaken interpretation. Extravagance
should be avoided, of course, but it would be better during the
continuance of the war to be extravagant than to be unwisely
economical.
The elimination of waste is what should be advocated and
enforced, but the people should buy as usual, dress as usual,
live as usual, and not make any sudden or radical change in their
business or other habits. Especially should this be impressed
upon women who, very naturally, will not so readily understand
the necessity for avoiding business suppression.
HE Webb, or Administration bill, designed to promote ex-
T
port trade by legalizing joint foreign selling agencies, has
passed the House, and again goes to the Senate for consideration.
This is a very worthy measure—one which has the support of
every business organization of the country, and which was so
strongly supported at the recent music trade conventions in
Chicago. It is designed to remove all doubts in the minds of
American exporters as to the construction that should be placed
upon existing anti-trust laws as applied to organizations engaged
in export trade. All the other great commercial nations permit
similar organizations.
The sponors of the bill say its enactment would enable
American exporters to fortify themselves very successfully for
after-the-war competition. The music trade industry is now
building up a very excellent business with South American coun-
tries as well as with Australia, and the bill just referred to would
afford a protection and a stimulus that is much needed if we are
to extend and maintain a market abroad.
O PR ING is convention season in this trade, and as a result,
**J during the past six weeks or so, annual meetings of trade
bodies have been occurring with a frequency that is almost be-
wildering; moreover, the meetings without exception have been
fraught with action and accomplishments.
The latest conventions were those of the music publishers
and music dealers held in New York last week, the proceedings of
which should be of direct interest to everyone engaged in the
music trade in any capacity.
Music itself is the fundamental of the business. Without
music, the piano, the band instrument and even the talking ma-
chine would be useless, and the development of the business of
sheet music production along the right line works to the advan-
tage of every section of the industry by stimulating increased
interest in music as a whole.
The music men discussed frankly the problems of their busi-
ness, they touched on subjects in open meetings that in the past
have generally been reserved for star chamber consideration.
This is the year for frankness in discussing business prob-
lems generally. The piano men and music roll men, instead of
conducting their meetings in a self-satisfied way, uncovered and