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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques
t j o n s o f a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
p
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a r " dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concern-
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NEW
YORK,
JANUARY
19, 1918
EDITORIAL
T
HERE has been so much printed about the contemplated cur-
tailment of certain industries, or at least curtailment of the
supplies used therein, and so many denials from officials of the
published reports, that the average business man has been kepi
on the anxious seat not knowing which way to turn or just how
or where to jump. Out of the mass of official and semi-official
suggestions, however, one of the most interesting, and at the
same time most practical, was that offered at the recent Wat-
Conference of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States by
George N. Peek, Industrial Representative of the War Industries
Board, who said : "So far as I know, it is not the purpose of the
Government to classify any industry in its entirety as non-essen-
tial. There are, however, many non-essential portions of some
industries—such as odd styles and sizes which have appeared as
a result of over-competition—and I think it will only strengthen
those industries if some of the petty subdivisions disappear."
Certain interests in the piano manufacturing trade might
with profit pay heed to Mr. Peek's suggestion. The cry for
standardization in player-piano manufacture has already gone
forth. There is no question but that some manufacturers are
finding themselves burdened with too many styles of instru-
ments in their line, styles that do not vary s.o greatly as to make
their elimination felt to any extent. Fewer styles means econ-
omy in buying standardized hardware and other materials; econ-
omy in factory space, and economy in production generally.
To reduce a line of twelve or fifteen separate styles down to
four or five models represents a good piece of business at any
time, and particularly so under the stress of war.
T
HE unusually severe weather which has prevailed for the
past couple of weeks, as well as the disorganized condition
of the railroads, owing to the matter of freight shipments, has
resulted in a great many factories in the music trade industry
throughout the East being seriously discommoded through lack
of coal supply. Several factories in New York and Boston have
JANUARY 19, 1918
had either to run on a short time basis or to close down entirely
for a few days.
The condition is a serious one, and it has led to some mis-
conceptfons regarding the attitude of the Government toward so-
called "non-war" industries. This belief is based upon hints and
suggestions in the daily papers some time ago, that fuel was
to be withheld from factories making so-called non-essentials
and other absurd statements that the products of such concerns
were not to be transported by the railroads, or to be put aboard
ships for export.
The Fuel Administration most emphatically denies this at-
titude, and in our Washington letter elsewhere, Dr. Garfield cor-
rects this mistaken impression and points out that any such
move would result disastrously to the industrial fabric of the
country. It is aimed, however, to make the best use possible
of the country's fuel resources, and in this connection a confer-
ence was held last week between representatives of the various
industries and Government authorities whereby a necessary sav-
ing of coal will be arranged for along the lines suggested by the
industry itself, the quantity saved varying according to the char-
acter of each industry and its needs. In the meantime it is ex-
pected that as soon as the delivery conditions are normal, which
will be probably possible when the zero-like weather which has
prevailed for the last month disappears, the factories will get a
sufficient supply of coal to meet their needs. Let us hope that
this will be soon, for in piano factories particularly, heat is an
absolute essential.
l IE appointment of Geo. W. Pound as a member of the Com-
T mittee
of One Hundred to advise with Fuel Administrator
Garfield regarding ways and means for solving the present fuel
problem, is to be regarded in the light of a victory by the music
industry, of which Mr. Pound is now the official representative.
Mr. Pound is now in a position to keep in close touch with any
contemplated move looking towards any probable curtailment of
the coal supply for the music industry, and with that knowledge
at hand will be in a position to prepare and offer those logical and
businesslike arguments which he is so capable in drafting in the
interests of the trade.
RESIDENT EDMUND GRAM, of the National Associa-
P tion
of Piano Merchants, is of the opinion that State Com-
missioners should not be content to rest upon the honors that
the association has granted them, but should endeavor to build
up the National Association membership in their respective ter-
ritories, and in co-operation with the membership campaign
carried on from general headquarters. In urging the signing
up of new members Mr. Gram says: "Non-members should no
longer be allowed to sit back and take advantage of the many
benefits afforded them by the good work of the association,
through its committees and bureaus whereby every dealer, large
or small, is benefited."
The National Association of Piano Merchants is doing, and
planning to do, big things for the industry. It has established
a Better Business Bureau to protect the legitimate piano man
against the fraudulent advertiser. Through its membership in
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce the association is
able to offer its members representation at Washington in con-
nection with matters of national importance. What is accom-
plished for the protection and benefit of the trade as a whole, is
accomplished for the protection and benefit of every individual
in the trade, and the dealer who is willing to profit by the results
of the association's work either directly or indirectly, should at
least be willing to give to the association his full support both in
a financial and a moral sense.
HP HE F. A. North Co., Philadelphia, has found a practical way
1 to make its service flag mean something more than a purely
decorative piece of bunting. As has been reported in The Re-
view, that company has already sent eighteen pianos to various
camps in the East to provide entertainment for the soldier boys.
Each of the instruments has been donated in the name of one
of the North Co. staff now in the service, and thus it is in the
nature of a most desirable memorial. As the company had forty-
five men on its honor roll, it is quite likely that more pianos
will find their way to camps before very long-.