Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JUNE 1, 1918
THE MUSIC TRADE
war orders. The point has been made that these men, having
plenty of money^ are particularly desirable prospects for pianos
and talking machines.
Of course they are, but some piano merchants state that
in certain localities, where industrial activity is the greatest,
the extraordinary opportunities for the sale of pianos and talk-
ing machines are not as great as they appear. This is due to the
fact that the industrial centers have developed so rapidly, and
organizations have been enlarged with such speed that fre-
quently housing facilities are inadequate.
The workman, no matter how much he is making, who is
compelled by conditions to spend his hours of leisure on a cot in
a room with several other workers, due to a scarcity of homes
and lodgings, is not liable to buy a player-piano for his amuse-
ment-^at least not until he is able to find some proper place to
put it. This condition of insufficient housing facilities exists
in a number of cities just at the present time, and until it is
relieved piano men must regard much oi the prosperity of the
workman as being beyond their immediate field.
We are glad to note that the Government is giving this
subject close consideration, and a large appropriation has been
made in an effort to solve the housing problem. So after all,
our indefatigable salesmen may soon get a chance to close some
good deals among the "new rich" in the industrial domain.
IANO men generally, retailers as well as manufacturers, are,
P
or should be, deeply interested in the situation in the metal
market, particularly as to iron and steel supplies and their regula-
tion by the Government, for every curtailment in the supply of
plates or strings means just that much dropping off in the pro-
duction of pianos, which in some localities are scarce enough as
it is. The retailer should understand the conditions governing
the manufacturing of supplies for his own protection, for knowing
what proportion of pianos he may expect, he can govern his
orders to the manufacturer and regulate his business in accord-
ance therewith. In fact, a knowledge of the manufacturer's
affairs just now is vital to the dealer.
N every complicated or distressing situation in business there
I vantage
are found those who make every effort to take selfish ad-
of existing conditions, and adopt methods to that end
regardless of the ultimate wisdom of the methods or their effect
upon fellow members of the industry.
Bvcn with the music industry laboring under the stress of
war, and with the majority of its members lining up for mutual
protection, and in an effort to make the best of things, there are
those who find in the scarcity of stock and the curtailment order
issued by the Government only an opportunity to issue some
sensational advertising on their own. account—advertising that
probably will, or at least should, prove a boomerang.
REVIEW
A piano dealer in upper New York State, for instance, re-
cently issued an advertisement in the form of a letter pub-
lished in a local newspaper, under the caption "Changes Wrought
by the Great War." After reviewing conditions in the piano
and talking machine market in Great Britain and France and
stating, incorrectly, that there had been no pianos or talking
machines manufactured in Kngland in a year, he said:
"Should this war continue, it is the belief of writer that
in less than six months no pianos will he manufactured in
U. S., or phonographs. That we will follow Kngland and
France, only faster. This will no doubt, as soon as manu-
facturing stops, mean the advancing of prices and values.
This means that the second-hand piano or phonograph in
your home will he worth more. Wages are highest in our
history. Musical instruments of all kinds as they become
scarce will naturally, as they are already, advancing in price.
Fifty per cent, of phonograph manufacturing is already
stopped; 70 per cent, of piano manufacturing also is stopped.
These factories are now manufacturing for Uncle Sam
aeroplanes, . . ., etc., 70 per cent, of the great factories
from which we buy pianos and phonographs is now devoted
to aeroplane manufacturing. Four weeks ago we had sixty
pianos on hand, now only fifty. We will not be able to pur-
chase another piano, therefore our time will be devoted to
closing out these pianos at satisfactory prices to purchasers.
Pianos and player-pianos for cash and good instalment paper.
Will accept Liberty Loan Bonds at par kept for future cir-
culation as per Government wishes. To take the place of
fast reduced stock of pianos we purchased large stocks of
sewing machines, securing the agency for the best in the
world."
Certainly the trade faces a serious situation, but there is
absolutely no indication that the industry is going to be cut off
entirely, or even curtailed to a degree that will mean its ultimate
extinction. As war plans mature, and systems are perfected, the
Government will be in a position where it can take care of all
its military requirements with a minimum of hardship to the in-
dustries of peace. To "cry wolf" at this time, even for the sake
of selling a few pianos and talking machines quickly for private
gain, is an act to be condemned by every member of the industry
who believes in his country, in its future, and in the stability of
his own trade. It is fortunate that the number of piano mer-
chants who are inclined to put sensationalism first at this time
are comparatively few.
IIIJ.K details are not yet forthcoming regarding the exact
W bearing
on the piano trade of the order of Director-General
McAcloo in raising railroad freight rates 25 per cent, and passen-
ger fares to three cents a mile, and abolishing all lower inter-
state freight rates, it is possible that the average increase will
exceed 25 per cent. Meanwhile, it is announced that necessary
changes and readjustments will be made by the railroad ad-
ministration after receiving suggestions from shippers, State or
local authorities, or the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Do You Want to Expand the Retail Market
For Player-Pianos and Music Rolls?
You ran 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 he main-
tained in the p'ayer-piano--that its marvelous
possibilities must be ' \p!ained to purchasers,
and there is no worli 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