mm
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
VOL. LXV. No. 23
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman BUI, Inc., at 373 4th Ave., New York. Dec. 8, 1917
slnK
±Z£?$**
$2.00 Per Year
Musical Instruments
|E are entering the twilight of a year that will go down in history because of the entry of the
United States in the great world war. Animated by unselfish motives, and imbued with the
most exalted aims for the betterment of humanity, the people of this country, irrespective of
position, have joined forces behind the President in his efforts to maintain American rights
—to bring about a successful ending of the war, and the attainment of an early peace.
Broadly considered, it has been a year of prosperity in the music trade industry, although
the adjustment of industrial and general conditions to meet the exigencies brought about by war demands
has necessarily been somewhat of a disturbing factor for the past few months.
As in other industries, prices of everything that enters into the construction of musical instruments
have increased during the year, and despite the most skilled factory management and closest supervision of
costs, the completed piano and player to-day is costing considerably more to produce than it did twelve
months ago. At that time pianos had shown an increase in cost of from twenty to sixty dollars each, and
we then advised, as we do now, that the manufacturer, in view of the continued upward trend in the raw
material markets, should see to it that his prices are in accordance with the increased production cost.
It is not necessary for the piano manufacturer to apologize for passing some of the burden of increased
cost to the retailer, and eventually on to the buying public. The facts are that he is entitled to a fair profit
on his investment, and this cannot be secured unless the vital question of costs is studied, and wholesale
selling prices arranged in accordance.
National achievement along co-operative lines, is not as easy in a democracy as in an autocracy, yet what
may have seemed impossible of accomplishment in this country a few months ago has been brought about
to a most impressive and successful degree through the concentration of all branches of national effort.
Through the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce our Government has been made aware of the
desire of the music trade industry to aid and co-operate in every way possible to the end that the resources
of the Nation may be so expanded as to meet all w 7 ar eventualities.
Our industry is now, as in all times of storm and stress, fulfilling a great mission. It is supplying the
men in the camps, in the trenches, in the navy, in the homes of those families whose sons are, or soon will
be, in France, with music—the greatest inspiring and uplifting force known.
To our people to-day, whether in civil or military life, music is as essential as food or raiment. The
experiences related by chroniclers of the war in Europe—three years of it, remember—emphasize that aside
from military bands, the piano, the player, the talking machine, even the humble harmonica, are doing more
to maintain the spirits and morale of the military forces than any other known agency.
And music is doing the same for Uncle Sam's forces. The center of interest in every camp on this
continent is the spot where the player-piano or talking machine occupies the place of honor—so report the
heads of the Y. M. C. A. and the K. of C , those splendid organizations that are doing such great work for
the comfort and entertainment of our soldiers.
Viewed in a purely material way, the music trade industry may be considered picayune when compared
with our great steel, coal, shipping or munition industries, but we venture to say that musical instruments
are as vital factors in the winning of the war as are those industries which come under the more common
appellation of "essentials."
Man power is still paramount in military strategy, despite the amazing creations in the domain of
(Continued on page 5)