Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1918 Vol. 66 N. 16

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-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
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
APRIL 20, 1918
have found very little antagonism to the plan among piano mer-
chants. Once thoroughly understanding the trade acceptance
system, the piano merchant, as a business man, becomes con-
vinced of its logic, and its value is proven not only in strengthen-
ing his credit but in keeping his business house in order. The
man who really understands the trade acceptance system, and
still insists on the open book account, quite frequently has a
strong personal reason for his insistence on the old method.
Incidentally it may be remarked that the piano manufac-
turer who puts into force the trade acceptance method now, and
has it firmly established in his trade, is going to be able to
maintain that same policy when things return to normal, when
production is freer, and there are plenty of pianos for all the
retailers.
B. BXITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. ML ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
W I I . BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
Get the Liberty Bond Habit.
CHICAGO OFFICES
E. P. VAN HAKLINGEN, Republic Building.
TOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone,
..-..
Main 6950.
. ...
209 So. State St. Telephone, Wabash S774.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Greshara Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
NEW era in the export trade of the United States was
A
ushered in last week with the signing by President Wilson
of the Webb-Pomerene bill, which permits two or more exporters
BO8TON OFFICE:
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $4.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount j s allowed. Advertising pages, $130.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
- Piann an A
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning
j " ! l a U U allU
Tprriniral
p
a r e d e a l t w i t h t w fn b e
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concern-
lecnmcai
ing
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.. .Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal. ...St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal..Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 6982—6088 MADISON SQ.
Connecting- all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New York."
NEW
YORK,
APRIL
2 0 , 1918
= EDITORIAL=
HE Allied Music Trade Division of the Liberty Loan Com-
mittee, under the chairmanship of Julian T. Mayer, has
pledged itself to raise one million dollars in subscriptions for
the third Liberty Loan, and, as was the case with the second
Liberty Loan, the committee will probably find that the figure
set will be passed by a very liberal margin. Late reports, for
instance, state that the talking machine men, who make up a
section of the Allied Music Trades Division, have already sub-
scribed something over $200,000 with their drive just getting
under way.
There is no question but that the support given to the Lib-
erty Loan by the music industry will prove most impressive to
those who have the success of the loan and the welfare of the
Government at heart. It may mean' sacrifices, but those in whose
hands lie the destinies of the nation advise us that the greater
the sacrifice the sooner the coming of peace. The point is,
however, that the music industry has done itself proud on the
two previous loans and is due to make an even better record
this time. It is not only a mark of high patriotism, but is also
something to be placed before the powers at Washington, that
should win additional consideration for the music trade.
T
One Good Bond Deserves Another.
T is most gratifying to see the growth of the trade acceptance
I another
idea in the piano trade. Hardly a week passes now without
piano manufacturer announcing his conversion to the
cause. Bankers and business men have for years preached the
trade acceptance idea. They have talked before piano manu-
facturers and piano merchants on many occasions. They found
their arguments accepted as sound.and logical, but nothing was
done. Now, however, the ice is broken. Manufacturers have
taken the bull by the horns and insisted on the trade acceptance
method of settlement, and to their surprise, in some cases, they
to combine for foreign trade without infringing the anti-trust
laws. For years it has been impossible for American manufac-
turers to compete successfully with the manufacturers of other
countries, who have operated jointly, backed by their govern-
ments, thus presenting a strong wall of opposition to Americans
gaining a foothold abroad.
With the new Webb law in force our foreign competition
may now become national competition by individuals. This
means much. It means the development of the foreign trade
of this country along, lines that will enable us to maintain the
position of our manufactured goods in competition with those
of any other nation abroad. It is a move along the lines of
co-ordination and co-operation.
For some years the most strenuous efforts have been made
to have this Webb bill transformed into a law, and the National
Piano Manufacturers' Association, as well as all the leading com-
mercial bodies of the country, have proclaimed themselves in
favor of its passage, but somehow or other it has been side-
tracked session after session. Hence it is a source of rejoicing
that the bill is now on the statute books, and that American
manufacturers have a chance not only to fight for foreign trade,
but to fight with the necessary equipment.
World-wide happenings within the past couple of years
have demonstrated most impressively that united action is neces-
sary to attain any end desired, and this is particularly true in
the matter of the building up of export trade. An individual
manufacturer may do fairly well, but a number of manufacturers
working together can do much better. Owing to the Sherman
Act, combination of any kind among exporters was impossible
hitherto, but with the signing of the Webb bill, manufacturers
are given needed freedom of action that will mean much for
the country and its industrial advancement.
German Bondage—or Liberty Bonds—Which?
T
HE Government is considering seriously the suggestion made
by so many leading business associations of the country and
referred to editorially in The Review that income and excess
profit taxes may be paid in instalments at dates extending to the
end of the year.
Recent reports from revenue collectors indicate that the
Government may receive from income and excess profit taxes in
June much more than the $2,500,000,000 estimated. Some esti-
mates based on preliminary examination of returns filed ten days
ago run close to $4,000,000,000. If these calculations of big col-
lections are borne out by further examination of returns within
the next two weeks, it is said the Treasury Department may
recommend legislation to provide for instalment payments of
taxes probably on June 15, August 15 and October 15. The
Treasury decision in this matter, however, depends very largely
on the success of the Liberty Loan in the next week or ten days.
Internal Revenue Commissioner Roper was recently visited
by a large delegation of business men who advocated his approval
of the system of instalment payments to ease the financial burden
on business in June. They came away with Mr. Roper's promise
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
APRIL 20, 1918
TIME FOR ACTION—AND CO-OPERATION
(Continued from page 3)
with the trade weakened and inconsequential, with the foundation badly shaken. It is that foundation which
must be preserved.
War work will help keep factories busy, and at the same time aid the Government—that is, if the war
work can be handled efficiently. Government orders, however, unless they are handled intelligently, can result
in the weakening of the entire fabric, without proving of any material assistance in the winning of the war.
Things must be so adjusted that factories and their equipment and organization can be kept intact and efficient
throughout the war, whether a large part of their facilities are used in filling Government orders or not. With
every manufacturer shifting for himself, and with the resulting selfishness that is bound to occur, this en$
will not be accomplished. With the manufacturers working together, however, co-operating honestly and
straightforwardly, laying the cards on the table and playing the game fair with one and the other, there is no
reason at all to fear for the future, but it must be remembered that co-operation cannot be brought about
without the hearty support of each individual in the trade. Where do YOU stand on this vital question?
that the Treasury Department will study the situation carefully,
and grant the request if the condition of the Government finances
makes it possible or advisable. This is noteworthy inasmuch as
Secretary McAdoo and Mr. Roper have hitherto expressed them-
selves as opposed to the plan.
Turn Your Dollars Into Bullets—Buy a Bond.
USINESS in the music trade industry continues to be fairly
B
active in both retail and wholesale fields, despite the unusual
conditions which now prevail in the business world, owing to
the war. Player-pianos seem to be an especial favorite these days
in all sections of the country, and the demand for these instru-
ments continues to increase, the retailers in some sections report-
ing to The Review that fully seventy per cent, of their trade is
player-pianos.
It is quite evident that the player-piano is making a special
appeal to those who desire a musical instrument in the home,
particularly to those who are not musically trained, but who love
music, and who desire to hear the best in music, and to help in
its interpretation.
There is also a very active demand for small grands, and
these instruments continue to grow in favor with the purchasing
public. The industry is facing the Liberty Loan Campaign with
perfect confidence in the success of this great undertaking, and
also with perfect confidence that the industry will maintain its
business equilibrium without any marked disturbance.
Discussing general conditions for the month, Pierre Jay,
chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York, remarked this week: "Business activity and senti-
ment show further recovery over the disturbed conditions and
uncertainties which prevailed during the early part of the year."
He pointed out that business with New York City's retail stores
is fairly active, and the country merchants are having more active
trade and are purchasing more freely. He also mentioned that
one important factor toward improved business conditions was
the fact that traffic is moving more freely; although there is still
much congestion of goods and shortage of cars.
Join the Army—the Liberty Loan Army.
a report on conditions in the piano trade in Australia, U. S.
I N Consul
Magelssen at Melbourne sounds a note of warning that
should not go unheeded. He declares that the Australian appears
to be reluctant to accept pianos of American design, as they
differ materially from those of German make. He says: "If
American manufacturers made a study of the designs of cases
most favored in Australia they would greatly improve their
market." Right now Australians are buying American instru-
ments because they cannot get pianos from any other source. In
other words, they are buying them because they have to buy
them, or go without. It is only a question of time, however, when
manufacturers in other countries will be able to produce pianos
on a peace basis and can go after the foreign trade which has
been taken away from them or is laying dormant during the war.
Manufacturers who contemplate staying in the export business
should be prepared to sell against competition, by giving foreign
buyers what they want. That's the real test!
Do You Want to Expand the Retail Market
For Player-Pianos and Music Rolls?
You can do this by educating the people in your territory to a keener appreciation of the amazing
possibilities of the player-piano. This will be admirably done for you by the volume entitled
Price, $1
THE PLAYER PIANIST
The Player Pianist deals with lucidity and
clearness upon the many problems which from
time to time confront the player-pianist and
player student.
This new volume is designed to afford a
complete and accurate guide to music appre-
ciation, player technic, music roll reading, etc.
This work is the result of many years' close
study of the player situation, and is put forth
to meet the requirements of music lovers who
desire to acquaint themselves with the artistic
possibilities of the player-piano.
The book deals with the elements of music,
of musical form, and incidentally gives a short
sketch of musical history from early times
to the present day.
There are chapters devoted to practical talks
upon the management of the various expres-
sion devices, pedals and tempo levers.
A perusal of the volume will provide the
player-pianist with a complete course of in-
struction in all of the aspects of expressive
and artistic playing.
There are chapters in The Player Pianist
upon practical studies in player interpretation,
illustrated with special drawings made from
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc., Publisher
DISCOUNT TO
THE TRADE
music rolls and designed to show how, step by
step, the interpretation of pieces may be
worked out artistically and satisfactorily.
It is conceded that interest must be main-
tained in the player-piano—that its marvelous
possibilities must be explained to purchasers,
and there is no work put forth in the entire
world—and we say this unqualifiedly—which
will compare with The Player Pianist as a
stimulator and educator.
If you are not perfectly satisfied with the
book after examination, your dollar will be
refunded upon the return of the book. That
is fair, is it not?
373 Fourth Ave., New York

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