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REVIEW
THE
fflJSIC TIRADE
VOL. LXVI. No. 20
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., at 373 4th Ave., New York.
May 18, 1918
Single Copies 10 Cents
*2.00 Per Year
Fitting the Industry for Bigger Things
T
HERE is no reason to believe that the piano business, with its allied industries, is likely to be
crippled by any present or conceivable future developments of the War. The idea that a "non-essential
industry" exists is exploded.
But the idea that a^ less essential product may and does exist is neither exploded nor even
inaccurate. It is plain truth and may as well be admitted now as later.
The present business of this country is to devote its energies to the prosecution of the Great War, not
alone, but in concert with its Allies, under the most perfectly co-ordinated international control, from the
present moment until the conclusion of a victorious peace. No possible or conceivable other interest can be
considered, whether public or private, which in any way conflicts with this supreme aim.
When we thoroughly understand this—and not a moment before—we can look squarely, sanely and
safely at the future of our industry.
The present curtailment of product is in all probability not the only such restriction we shall be called
on to face. It is always possible that the war activities of the nation may need more and more assistance
'from the industries that are not essentially connected with the war. These industries will have to adapt
themselves to the necessities of the case or go out of business.
It is not the idea of the Government to ruin or cripple any of the many non-war industries, which in the
aggregate, as unofficially estimated by George Peek, of the War Industries Board, employ more than ten
millions of workers and more than three billions of capital.
But also it must not be the idea of the business men who are running these industries that they can, or
should try to, carry on "as usual." The slogan "Business as usual" cannot be made good. War times
demand readaptations all round. We must make them.
These adaptations, these fittings into new conditions, need not, however, cause us a moment's anxiety.
Let us look at these matters sanely and we shall have no cause for unhappiness.
Take our own business, for example. Suppose, as is always conceivable, that we should have to cut
down production still more before the year is over. What will the immediate result be? In the first place,
there will be a shortage of instruments. This means that the retail trade will be able to get stiffer prices,
better terms, more cash, than ever.
It will mean that the manufacturer can raise his prices to where he can make a decent profit on what
he does turn out, and so go far along the way to recouping himself for the nominal loss.
It will mean that the Government will use-—and be only too glad to use—such parts or branches of the
manufacturers' plants as are adaptable to war work. To mention only one or two, airplane propellers and
gunstocks can most efficiently be built in piano factories.
It will mean that the manufacturers will still be able to hold together their organizations, and meanwhile
do something they have all long needed the time and opportunity to do—namely, go through their plants, study
their processes and set to work deliberately and systematically to improve them.
The improvement of the processes of manufacturing, the substitution of female for male labor, the
abolition of old methods and the elimination of waste, are all vital needs for the future of the industry. The
time seems to be coming when these things can be looked into.
There is another consideration which should prove consoling to any one who may be inclined to worry.
The product of piano factories is even now needed, to a considerable extent, in providing goods for sale
abroad that may help to stop the flow of American gold to Australia and elsewhere, which now is going out
constantly to pay for imports. American pianos and player-pianos are needed in various parts of the world.
(Continued on page 5)