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THE
MUSIC
TRADE
ROTO
POLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
]. B. Spillane. 373 Fourth Aye., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373
Fourth Ave., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
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B. BRITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. M. ROBINSON. WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
W M . BRAID W H I T E (Technical Editor), K. I*. MUNCH. C. A. LRDNARD,
A. J. NICKLIN, L. K. BOWERS
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NEWS 8ERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY Ol'B CORRESPONDENTS
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anil
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
ICCWIlCal VcfJarUUcUIS
are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
REVIEW
APRIL 5, 1919
will in our present export trade, yet the demand is in evidence, and /
just as soon as we can get shipping and less restrictions on the part ',
of foreign countries we will be able to make a showing in the ship- •,
ments of pianos, players and talking machines, as well as all forms
of supplies, that will indicate in a very substantial way that the
American music industry is destined to play its part in making the
world safe for music.
HERE is a continued broadening of the improvement in busi-
T
ness and industry throughout the country; the pace continues
slow, but the advance is unmistakable, according to the weekly
financial reviews which take an optimistic view of the outlook. Con-
ditions in the music trade industry are most satisfactory, and the
demand is only governed by the supply, which still continues inade-
quate to the needs of the dealers. The situation is summed up
by Dun's Review as follows: "The reawakening of commercial ac-
tivities, although still slow to appear in not a few instances, is each
week broadening in its scoj>e. After several months of general re-
adjustment the most gratifying feature is the absence of conspicu-
ous economic unsettlement, as failure statistics demonstrate, and
optimism regarding the future characterizes practically all reports.
That business will further recover during the second quarter, if at a
lowering of the war-time level of profits, there is confident expecta-
tion, and conditions in the larger industries are now better by rea-
son of the partial breaking of the lull in steel and copper."
HERE is an increasing interest in the requirements of foreign
T
markets and in securing proper information regarding business
conditions by those who are giving consideration to the matter of
foreign trade. In this connection the sixth annual Foreign Trade
Convention, to be held in Chicago, April 24 to 26, 1919, is of
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal
Charleston Exposition, 1902
especial moment. At this conference innumerable topics will be dis-
Diploma
Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal—Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
cussed that should prove of absorbing interest.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
An especial feature of th'g convention, will be a group confer-
, 1 '
Cable address: "Elblll, New York"
ence on foreign credits, whicj| is to be held under the direction of
No. 14
NEW YORK, APRIL 5, 1919
Vol. LXVIII
the Foreign Credits Committee of the National Association of
Credit Men. In every respect the convention is bound to be a liberal
education in foreign trade, ahd it is worthy of mention that one need
not be a member of the Foreign Trade Council to attend and enjoy
= EDITORIAL
the privileges of the sessions which will be held at the Congress
MONG.the" several things that the present trip of (ieorge \\ . Hotel.
Manufacturers should be fully informed regarding every detail
Pound has* demonstrated is that in many sections of the coun-
of foreign trade so that they may be able to make their contracts
try all'that is requir&L'is.a guiding hand and a crystallization of
and arrangements with a ]>erfect understanding of conditions as
thought to bring about the formation of local associations. It seems
they exist in the countries and the trade to which they are catering.
as though the music men in certain sections were already strong
We have a great merchant marine to-day which is steadily growing
'for the association, but had simply not'reached the point where they
and which will be available for shipments of American products in
ftbd actually organized. Having been brought together to hear Mr.
Pound it is but natural that they should take advantage of the op- larger quantities just as soon as the various problems now before
the Peace Conference in Paris are solved and' the world settles
portunity to-get together on a-..permanent basis, as has'been the
down to work.
restflt in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati ami other cities.
•^WithHhe association spirit injected into the men of the trade
T is regrettable that in deciding by resolution to discontinue the
through local ^organizations it becomes a comparatively simple mat-
giving of "throw-ins" with pianos and player-pianos, the Boston
ter to interest them, in national association work and the various and
Music Trade Association recently did not "go the whole hog," as
sundry activities connected therewith. If Mr. Pound's trip results
only in the bringing to a successful culmination the plans for organ- it were, and discontinue the giving of free rolls with player-pianos.
izing local associations in a dozen or so cities, still the trip will have It is a somewhat radical move, according to some, but a move proven
by practical experience to be possible if gone about in the right spirit.
been weir worth .while.
There is at least one big department store in New York that a
OST compelling evidence that better times are not going to be considerable time ago decided to stop giving music rolls and fancy
transient,^Out; permanent, is to be found in the fact that
benches with players, and has adhered to that decision faithfully
American ejtpaijts nftw\ average more than $20,000,000 a day. without, so far as is known, losing a single sale. It is to be admitted
These figur.es as"giveri oiit.by the Department of Commerce mean
that the practice is not widespread in any sense, but the plan should
that if this tide of gold toward America can be maintained it con- grow when its practicability is once established. However, the Bos-
notes, according to exper|$, more and bigger factories here, less un- ton men have taken a decided step in the right direction.
employment, continued high wages and greater markets for^all our
products.
\ v
HAT the prominent piano merchants throughout the country
The present export trade of this country, according to official
have confidence in what the future holds for them is manifested
figures, shows that we are beginning the big battle for world trade
strongly by the reports of the establishment of new agencies for
with a flying start. Mh 1914 the United States exports totaled only
pianos of standing and reputation. Retailers taking on these new
$2,000,000,000; in 191K, duripg the closing months of the war. they
Iine9, that for the most part rank as high grade and sell at sub-
had jumped to the rate of $6,000,000,000 a year, while now. Com-
stantial prices, make the move because they believe that there is,
merce Department figures show exports are leaving•Americaa.ports
and is going to continue to be, a demand for instruments of that
class—that the prosperity of the country is going to continue suf-
at the rate of $7,500,000,000 annually. As a matter of fact, tfiey
ficiently long to permit them to feature quality pianos and sell them
averaged $21,000,000 daily during February.
in sufficient numbers to make the new agency worth while.
While musical instruments are not figuring as largely as they
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