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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
RETAIL PRICES MUST BE INCREASED
(Continued from page 3)
luxuries, and a large proportion of the public is getting- more money with which to pay the increased prices.
Why, therefore, should the retail piano man hesitate and suffer?
The argument will probably be advanced that increased prices will reduce the number of sales, and this cry
will most frequently come from those who deal in medium-priced or low-priced pianos. Yet it is a known fact
that even in normal times the makers of high-priced instruments generally have about all the business they can
take care of. The proportion of those who may be kept from buying through an increase in prices will be more
than offset by the proportion of those who graduate into the class of piano prospects through the high wages
that go with wartime prosperity. It is acknowledged that the war activity has brought with it a new class of
piano purchasers, a class made up of those who, in ordinary times could never hope to. have enough money to
purchase an instrument.
If there was ever a time to find a legitimate reason for increasing piano, player-piano and music roll prices,
that time is now. Neglect of the opportunity may cause serious embarrassment in the near future.
one of the most momentous in the century and a half of their coun-
try's independent existence, for it brings to them such an oppor-
tunity as they never had before to declare to the world their devo-
tion and love for the form of government for which their fathers
fought and died and which men are again called upon to defend
to the death lest democracy be placed in imminent danger.
"The sum of $3,000,000,000 is asked of the 100,000,000 people
who live in our happy land in order that our Government may take
that magnificent part of which it is capable in defending the theory
of 'government by the people' against an autocratic government
which would make all peoples everywhere eventually subject to its
will. Three billion dollars! A sum scarcely one-eightieth part of
the vast wealth which under this free Government our people have
been able in a brief span of years to save and accumulate."
ESPITE the many delays and inconveniences which manu-
facturers have suffered in making shipments to our neigh-
bers in the South, the value of our trade with Latin-America
during the past year has assumed tremendously impressive fig-
ures. Pianos, players and talking machines are included in this
increase, we are pleased to say, and they would have figured to
a larger degree were it possible to make shipments easily.
For the past few months particularly, it has been almost
impossible to make shipments of musical instruments to South
America without a delay of from three to four months—a con-
dition which is not by any means pleasing to those merchants
who have placed the orders. The call for ships to meet Euro-
pean war demands has not only caused a veritable famine irr
ships making Southern trips, but the freight rates have assumed
figures that are almost prohibitive.
D
Meanwhile, shipments from this country to South America
in the fiscal year 1917 had a total value of $259,559,458 against
only $99,423,957 in 1915, or more than two and a half times
greater. Exports to Argentina, Brazil and Colombia were more
than doubled; to Peru more than tripled; to Uruguay nearly
tripled, and to Chile nearly quadrupled.
Of course, it is not to be forgotten that enhanced values have
something to do with the larger figures, nevertheless the oppor-
tunity of the country is obvious. As to imports, 1917 figures
likewise more than doubled those of 1915, the total being $542,-
212,820 against $261,489,563 in 1915. The greatest increase was
from Chile, the gain being more than four times. For the
first time Argentina heads the list of South American countries
in exports to the United States, with a total of $152,612,411
against $73,776,258 in 1915 and against Brazil's total of $151,-
638,245.
This is certainly a most satisfactory showing and empha-
sizes the opportunity which this country has before it of develop-
ing an even larger trade with Latin-American nations.
The chief thing, however, is to hold this trade, not only
during the period of the war, but to hold it permanently there-
after. We must solidify our relations with South American coun-
tries, so that our business transactions are congenial and our
products offered in styles and finishes satisfactory to the market.
With the improved banking facilities which now exist, there
is no reason why the United States should not obtain and hold
a greater portion of the trade which hitherto has gone to Euro-
pean countries. We can have it if our manufacturers plan and
act wisely, and in this connection they should receive support
from the Government in the development of their operations.
PEASE PIANOS
1844
1917
Leaders for Seventy-five Years
The Fenimore Cooper Piano
Made by the Pease Piano Co.
for the Famous American
Novelist
Were recognized leaders three-
quarters of a century ago and
retain the same prominent
place today
Your territory may be open
PEASE
PIANO
Leggett Avenue and Barry Street
Write for booklet
Pease Grand, Style B
COMPANY
BRONX, NEW YORK