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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
tive, henceforth, with respect to certain other
tricks of trade that have been taken as a matter
Recent Governmental Investigations of Associations in Various Lines of Industry Bring Forth Some of course. For example, as our readers well
Rulings Which May Have Broad Effect on Organizations in the Piano Field
know, the mail-order houses, special sale
WASHINGTON, 1). C, August 30.—With several eyes, startling and revolutionary. The trade artists, etc., have been wont to apply to banks,
new trade organizations recently launched or body, in effect" serves notice that it will hence- commercial reporting agencies, etc., for reports
projected in the music trade and with a distinct forth be considered illegal for retailers to band as t o t h e occupation, financial responsibility, etc.,
of local prospects, and merchants in various
sentiment throughout the whole industry in themselves together to combat the inroads of
favor of a closer amalgamation of all the trade mail-order houses by means of schemes here- lines have felt that they were entirely within
their province if they could induce their friends
bodies (manufacturing as well as merchandis- tofore regarded as permissible and legitimate.
Where this lumber trade case—the first of its the local bankers not to answer such inquiries
ing) it can scarcely fail to interest men of af-
Some practical jokers have
fairs in the music trade that there is a marked in- kind ever undertaken—may suggest a parallel from outsiders.
clination in official Washington to attempt to to music trade interests is with respect to the even chuckled if they could have an anxious
bring trade associations in general under the propriety of bringing pressure to bear upon inquirer given the "wrong steer" with respect
jurisdiction and supervision of the national Gov- manufacturers. As is well known, many piano to a prospective customer. All this sort of
ernment. This turn of affairs is not, as it hap- merchants have always felt that they were not thing must stop short, however, if we heed the
pens, anything that has been induced by war only within their rights, but within their duty admonitions of the Federal Trade Commission
conditions, but it is nevertheless one of the when they refused to handle any of the prod- in its present indictment.
Rounding up and destroying mail-order cat-
most interesting developments of the period in ucts of manufacturers who as a part of their
activities supply stencil pianos and furnish goods alogs as a means of keeping them out of the
the business world.
It is generally recognized in Washington that to mail-order houses that are regarded as do- hands of susceptible individuals (and incident-
there is no need or excuse for "regulating" ing an injury to legitimate trade. Now comes ally as a means of putting the mail-order men to
trade bodies such as the organizations in the the Trade Commission and serves notice that heavy expense for printed matter) is a bit of
retailers' strategy that has been responsible in
piano and talking machine industries which are no such diversion of trade will be tolerated.
The retail lumber dealers, upward of two great measure for the plight of the lumber mer-
purely constructive in purpose and designed
only for the "uplift" of the trade and the pro- hundred in number, who have been served with chants who have been haled before the Trade
motion of a "get together" spirit. At the same a "complaint" by the Trade Commission had Commission. The particular trade upon which
time, it is obvious that if Uncle Sam undertakes this part of their mutual arrangements for the the Commission has focused its spot light is not
to exercise authority over the operations of "exchange of information" worked out to a fine the only one where firms that issue expensive
commercial organizations the new status will science. An "Information Bureau" has been catalogs are worried by snipers who induce
apply to all trade bodies—to the clubs that are maintained in Minneapolis, and a detective in children and other irresponsible persons in
almost purely social in character as well as to the service of this bureau has made it his busi- great numbers to request catalogs. Sellers of
the trade organizations that serve as pools or ness to obtain information as to the names and goods in almost every line suffer from the waste
combines that seek to dictate buying or selling methods of manufacturers who sold to mail- of advertising literature sent to prospects who
order houses or otherwise failed to properly have no intention of buying. Of course, the
policy in their respective trades.
protect
the regular retail trade. This informa- Trade Commission is in no position to attempt
The author of this suggestion for Govern-
to correct waste of advertising ammunition in
mental supervision of trade associations is none tion was promptly communicated to all the re-
the broad sense, but in the case to be heard at
tailers
in
the
circle
and
these
merchants,
by
other than the Federal Trade Commission—
Washington in September it will contend that
aptly termed "the supreme court of business." correspondence and otherwise, undertook to
no retailer is entitled to tap the pocketbook of a
bring
pressure
to
bear
upon
the
offending
manu-
This rather radical attitude has been induced
mail-order rival by diverting and destroying cat-
by certain discoveries made by the Trade Com- facturers to persuade them to desist from selling
alogs.
A merchant, the Trade Commission
goods
to
the
distributors
who
were
likely
to
mission in connection with its investigation of
serves notice, may not even trail the salesmen
the paper trade, a probe undertaken at the be- offer the wares at cut-prices.
of mail-order houses or other concerns that in-
Protecting the Mail-Order Trade
hest of the U. S. Senate and which has just been
vade his territory with the object of hampering
completed. Incidentally, the evils disclosed are
It seems from the present action that the
their selling effort.
calculated to make an impression upon music Trade Commission is likely to be mighty sensi-
men because not merely that branch of the in-
dustry concerned with the production of sheet
OHIO ASSOCIATION TO MEET
C. E. TINCHERJTO OPEN STORE
music and the makers of player rolls, but in- Resigns Position With Lybn & Healy to Go Into J. A. Coffin, Edmund Gram and J. A. Krumme,
deed every music trade man that uses stationery,
Jr., Among Speakers at Coming Meeting of
Business for Himself
printed matter or advertising in newspapers and
Piano Merchants' Association of Ohio
periodicals is affected directly or indirectly
COATESVILLE, IND., August 27.—C. E. Tincher is
when paper prices are inflated through the action planning to open a retail piano store in this city
DAYTON, O., August 27.—The eighth annual con-
of trade combines.
during the latter part of this month. Mr. vention of the Piano Merchants' Association of
Tincher has just resigned his position as North- Ohio gives promise of being the best one held
Associations Prove Too Active
According to the findings of the Trade Com- western traveler for Lyon & Healy, which place in the history of the organization. Preparations
for the meeting are progressing rapidly, and
mission, the associations in the paper trade, he held for the past two years. Previous to
though organized ostensibly for the collection his connection with Lyon & Healy, he was Henry Dreher, president of the association, is
and dissemination of statistics and like harmless with the Wegman Piano Co., of Auburn, N. Y., enthusiastic over the prospects. J. A. Coffin,
pursuits, have in reality been devoting their and has also been connected with Schmoller & president of the National Piano Manufacturers'
energies principally to other activities—co-op- Mueller, of Council Bluffs, la., and the Starr Association, has accepted an invitation to ad-
erative effort that has transcended innocent Piano Co., for which concern he opened its dress the convention, as has John A. Krumme,
Jr., president of the National Piano Travelers'
purposes and resulted in substantial suppression Middletown branch.
Association, and also Edmund Gram, president
of competition and restraint of trade. Further-
L. B. PLUMMER IN THE ARTILLERY of the National Association of Piano Merchants.
more, the trade body says that the organizations
in the paper trade are by no means the only
NEWPORT, R. I., August 27.—Among those doing The convention will begin September 11, and will
trade associations that it has stumbled upon their bit during the war in this city is Lewis B. close with the annual banquet on Wednesday
lately that, though organized for legitimate pur- Plummer, of Plummer's Music Store, which is evening, September 12. In addition to many
guests who are prominent in the piano field
poses and often engaged in helpful activities opposite the Government landing. Mr. Plummer
that serve a useful purpose, nevertheless yield to is a member of the Newport Artillery in the there will be several other distinguished guests
temptation now and then and indulge in prac- Rhode Island Militia, which is one of the oldest at the banquet, among whom are included Gov-
tices that tend to destroy competition. Hence, companies in existence at the present time, its ernor James M. Cox, John H. Patterson, of the
the Trade Commission, arguing that the good charter running back to 1741. The Plummer National Cash Register Co., and Orville Wright.
trade bodies must submit along with the bad, Music Store is one of the most up-to-date music
is appealing to Congress for legislation that will houses in the State, carrying a fine line of pianos, C. G. WOODWARDJVITH 0 . J. DEMOLL
regulate the activities of all trade associations.
Columbia Grafonolas and all the well-known edi-
WASHINGTON, D. C, August 27.—Clias. G. Wood-
tions of sheet music.
New Ruling Against Trade Organizations
ward, well known in piano circles in this city,
Quite as significant to members of all trade
has accepted a connection with the O. J. De-
G. W. OITTINS^ISITS OLD HOME
associations and especially to organizations of
Moll Co. here. Mr. Woodward resigned his
retail merchants is another move lately made
George W. Gittins, treasurer of the Estey position with the D. H. Holmes Co., of New
by the Federal Trade Commission. Here, *as Piano Co., New York, returned Monday from a Orleans, with which concern he had been con-
it happens, lumber is the line involved, but it is trip to his old home in Oswego with his mother, nected since the opening of its Aeolian depart-
the broad principle laid down that is, in many who will remain there for some months.
ment.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSIONJVATCHING ASSOCIATIONS
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos