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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vrte-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
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B. BRITTAIN WTLSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
WM. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
tions of a technical
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nature
u relating g to the tuning,
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regulating
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and
d repairing
i i of f pianos
i
and
d player-pianos
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p
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are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concern-
ing which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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Exposition Honors Won by The Review
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Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
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NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 15, 1917
EDITORIAL =
these days of war no business man in any line can afford to
I tion N overlook
keeping in touch with the mass of wartime legisla-
that is being put into force by national, State and city gov-
ernments. There are conditions to be faced in the matter of
transportation, labor and conservation of resources that have not
been covered by law previously, but which are now the subject
of special legislation, often, by necessity, of a very drastic nature.
The manufacturer and merchant, through the medium of
daily newspapers and through his local commercial bodies, such
as the Chamber of Commerce, should make every effort to keep
in touch with all these new laws and consider those which are
calculated to affect his business in any particular. Most of the
legislation is of a nature that can be obeyed with little hardship,
but is almost certain to cause considerable trouble wherever
violations occur.
In special war legislation the rule that ignorance of law ex-
cuses nobody holds just as strongly as in peace times, and the
burden of knowing and observing the law rests with those whom
it affects. It will be well for the piano men to be on their guard.
REVIEW
The promised corn yield of three and a quarter billidft
bushels is dependent upon escape from an early frost, but in affl
events the yield will be large.
The increase in spring wheat estimates of 1,400,000 bushels
over the August 1 forecast is based upon greater yields resulting
from threshing in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa than had
been expected.
It is estimated that the corn crop will total 3,248,000,000
bushels, against 3,191,000,000, the August forecast, 2,583,000.000,
last year's crop, and the 1911-15 average of 2,754,000 ; 000 bushels.
Figures bearing upon the other important crops likewise show
an increase.
This gratifying condition is most vital, because, after all, the
prosperity of the nation at all times, but more particularly in
these days of war, when we have got to feed Europe as well as
ourselves, centers on whaf comes from the ground. The mem-
bers of the music trade industry, and in fact all branches of busi-
ness, have reason to feel optimistic over the outlook.
RESUME of the reports which have been received week
A
by week during the summer months from all parts of the
country shows conclusively that the summer.season now ending
has been unusually good in the.music industry. Hot weather
is supposed to bring more or less of a cessation of business in
any line, and especially in the piano trade. The unsettled con-
ditions attendant upon the entrance of this country into the
European conflict disarranged the ordinary channels of trade
to a certain extent during the early part of the summer, yet
despite these facts, the piano dealers have experienced an ex-
ceedingly profitable season. In some instances the amount of
business done during the months of July and August has equaled,
and even exceeded, the business done during October and No-
vember of last year, two months which were admittedly very
good throughout the trade.
It does not take an optimist to predict that the fall and winter
trade will be prosperous—even though the prediction be based
solely on the amount of business done during the last three
months by retail piano men. Agricultural conditions are in
every case up to normal, and in many instances the crop produc-
tions will be the largest that the country has even known. Un-
employment is at a minimum; wages are good, and despite the
increase in retail prices which has accompanied a shortage of
raw materials, consumers are spending their money generously.
The harvesting of the crops, and the added stability which will
come with the increasing activity in many lines which cooler
weather is bound to bring about, will assure a continuance and
an increase of the prosperity which the country has enjoyed
during the summer season. Piano dealers are bound to obtain a
fair share of this prosperity. Musical instruments will be in
greater demand this fall than ever before; in fact, the problem
consists not in creating a demand, but rather in securing suffi-
cient instruments to take care of the demand which is already
here. The piano dealer who has placed advance orders sufficient
to assure himself of an adequate supply of instruments will find
that the fall and winter will bring with it an exceptionally satis-
factory and profitable business.
credit conditions as far as they are influenced
D ISCUSSING
by war developments in the United States, the National
Association of Credit Men in its report this week remarks: "We
have come to recognize the absolute necessity of hygienic laws
HILE price regulation and other legislation in Washing- in the physical world. The productive credit man must recog-
ton bearing upon war developments has been halting busi-
nize the need of observing certain hygienic laws in the credit
ness to some extent throughout the country, there is now evi- world. The germs of commercial disease may be traced and
dent a better feeling, due to the opening of the fall season and
may be suppressed by the application of the proper treatment.
the advent of cooler weather. The lethargy of the summer is
From time to time we want to isolate the noxious germs with
being shaken off, and business men are settling down to the con- which the credit man will have to contend and which he will
viction that, despite the war, trade will be brisk this fall and
have to get the best of if credit hygiene is to be made effective.
winter. Everywhere exists the determination to go ahead with
Take, for instance, the effect of high prices and unusual condi-
business as usual.
tions brought about by the war and forced upon the merchants
of limited capital.
Fundamentally, conditions are most satisfactory.
Crop
estimates just issued by the Government for September show
"It is foolish not to recognize that the trend of prices and
big gains over the forecasts of August 1 in all grains. The en- the strain of unusual conditions are going to call for greater skill
tire wheat crop promises to bring 668,000,000 bushels, as com- on the part of merchants than was ever required of the present
pared with 640,000,000 bushels last year.
generation, and unless the credit man is alert to recognize the
W