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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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PlavOP
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
t l a j t o i n n s o f a n a d technical nature relating to the tuning, rcgu-
*
repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
X I I a I e p d n i l i e U I S . dealt wjth, will De found in anotner section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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NEW Y O R K , J U L Y
2 1 , 1917
EDITORIAL
buying pianos right now the retailer can take advantage of present
prices even though they be above normal. Three months from now
he may be called upon to pay prices that are almost staggering. The
market is steadily going up, and it is certain that any pianos bought
now will have all been sold before there will be any chance of
prices dropping. It's good business and self-protection to buy now.
GOOD many munition plants whose orders with foreign
A governments
had run out are now booming again under the
demands of our own Government. The labor situation, which
has shown signs of bettering, is again thrown into a critical state
because these munition plants have not only stopped the gradual
release of their employes, but are now making a vigorous drive
to draw a decidedly larger labor force from other industries.
The policy pursued by the munition makers in their quest for
skilled workmen is not in all cases commendable. In a great
many piano and supply manufacturing centers employment
agencies have been opened in cities and men have been lured off
under the argument that working in a munition plant is the
easiest way to dodge active war service. This may be business
in its colder aspects, but its patriotism is truly questionable.
Not infrequently the claim is added that the names, addresses,
etc., of the workmen have been furnished to the munition makers
by the Government. To the best of our knowledge the Govern-
ment has not adopted any discriminating policy which would
tend to drive workmen from an occupation for which they are
well fitted into one which they must learn from the start. The
patriotism involved in this argument is also questionable.
But worst of all is the failure on the part of certain munition
employment agencies to recognize that certain individuals are
so placed in a manufacturing organization as to be practically
indispensable to the operation of a plant. There are men in each
factory who are like the jewel pivots in a watch movement—
their absence is crippling. Is it granting too much if munition
makers diverge from the road of utter selfishness enough to co-
operate with the manufacturers whose plants they are drawing
from, to the extent of ascertaining which men are vital?
Surely the taking away overnight of those whose presence is
absolutely essential to the operation of other important factories
and other important interests is not practical under the roof
of true patriotism!
EPORTS received from dealers this week indicate that a large
HE farmers of the country, aided by Mother Earth and favor-
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number are fully cognizant of the conditions they may be
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able weather conditions, have made a magnificent response to
called upon to face in the fall, and are already making up their
the demands of President Wilson for an enlarged crop this year.
orders with a view to having the necessary pianos on their floors
The Government report issued last week gives promise of the
as soon as possible, to preclude any possibility of running short of
greatest
corn crop on record, and wheat, though below the maxi-
stock later in the year. It is easily realized that this is an unusual
mum, is still above last year's supplies. Potatoes and all other
year, and the trade cannot be content to rest on its oars during what
crops will be simply tremendous.
may be called the term of summer dulness, but must take advantage
We need these great crops not only for ourselves, but to feed
of any lull to put their business houses in order, to analyze the
our allies. It must be remembered that a vast sum will be paid
present situation carefully, to anticipate their requirements, and,
for these crops that go to Europe, and this combined with the
most important of all, see to it that the manufacturer is advised of
greatest industrial activity in history will result in such circulation
those requirements at the earliest moment.
of money as to insure the music trade industry, and in fact every
The piano merchant who places his orders now may perhaps
other industry in this country, experiencing the greatest activity
be unable to get all the instruments he needs when he wants them,
in years.
but he will at least have had the satisfaction of trying to protect
We are now realizing that with good crops, and the vast sum
his interests. The merchant who delays in placing his orders will
later find himself with practically empty warerooms and no one of money which the Government will expend this year for all kinds
of supplies for war purposes, that we are facing an unusual spell
but himself to blame.
of activity in which the music trade industry is bound to share.
The freight situation will probably get worse before it gets
better. It is certain that the congestion will continue, and possibly
become intensified as the demand of the Government for rolling
HE campaign for the broadening of the work of the National
stock increases. This means that the merchant is going to have a
Piano Manufacturers' Association, through the putting into
hard time getting his pianos from the factory, even if the manufac-
effect of a definite system of contributions to carry on the work,
turer is able to make them in sufficient quantities.
is now actually under way, and a letter explaining the action taken
The manufacturer for his part is faced by a shortage of both
by the association in Chicago, together with the zone system of
supplies and labor, and by prices that are jumping over night. He
contributing to the association funds, has been sent out to all
cannot from the very nature of things anticipate the fall require-
members. The response to the letter should be prompt and liberal,
ments of the dealer without some co-operation from that end, and, for with ample funds at hand the association can do things not
therefore, cannot afford to tie up a considerable amount of capital
only for the benefit of its own members but for the trade at large.
in supplies at present prices, unless there is some assurance of that
Certainly it is better to distribute the burden of cost equitably
supply being needed.
among all members of the association than to have the burden car-
Hardly a day passes but that some manufacturer is called upon
ried by a few concerns who in some cases contribute much more
to urge his dealers to order early, and the fact that members of
than their just share.
the retail trade are taking this advice is to be commended. By
It is not the time for procrastination. Members of the asso-
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