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Music Trade Review

Issue: 1919 Vol. 68 N. 6

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
J. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., 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
Executive and.Reportorial Stall:
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
W M . BKAID W H I T E (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICE:
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington
CHICAGO
St.
E.
P.
OFFICE:
VAN HARLINGEN,
Republic
Building,
Telephone, Main 6950.
209 So. State St. Telephone, Wabash S774.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
N E W S SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OCR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED I N T H E LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered as second-class matter September 10, 1892, at the post office at New York, N. Y.,
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
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 is allowed. Advertising pages, $130.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, I n c
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
are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concern-
ing which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Player-Piano and
Technical Departments
FEBRUARY 8,
export trade will rest in a considerable measure the future pros-
perity of American industry.
The members of the National Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, and of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, with
which it is affiliated, have on numerous occasions emphasized just
what a substantial export trade in pianos means to the industry,
and to the country as a whole, in providing an outlet for increased
factory production and in serving to maintain a trade balance with
foreign countries. The export trade that has been handled by
American manufacturers has been done generally on an individual
basis, the manufacturer either digging up for himself facts regard-
ing foreign trade practices or doing business through some export
commission house. Both methods have their limitations, and for
the manufacturer to depend upon his own resources in handling
foreign business proves a rather expensive proposition unless the
volume of business is unusually large.
An export clearing department established by the Manufac-
turers' Association, or by the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce, could secure this information and have it available for all
members of the trade at a pro rata charge that would prove very
small. Mr. Setley's suggestion is neither premature nor idealistic.
It represents a practical idea that should at least be given fair con-
sideration.
is not the money outstanding or the favorable terms upon which
I on T goods
are sold that keep business going, it is the money collected
outstanding accounts that serves that important purpose. A
realization of this fact is indicated by the importance attached to
collection work by both manufacturers and retailers, and particu-
larly the latter.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Reports from various sections of the country indicate that col-
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.. .Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal. . . . S t . Louis Exposition, 1904
lections
have not only been improved, but are keeping up to a high
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
standard, and with the practice once established among his cus-
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 6982—6083 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
tomers of meeting obligations promptly the piano merchant should
Cable address: "Elblll, New York."
see to it that the idea is spread and gains ground rather than allowing
Vol. LXVIII
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 8, 1919
No. 6
it to languish.
It is, of course, but natural that collections right now should
be satisfactory. Wages are abnormally high, money is plentiful,
EDITORIAL
despite the Liberty Loan and War Fund drives, and the customer
who has not the money to meet his instalments right now is not likely
MERICAN export trade will be greatly benefited by the drastic to have money in the future. The answer is, therefore, to collect
cut in cargo rates made by the Shipping Board to European
or repossess, making due allowances, of course, for special cases
ports last week, and which has been followed this week by a 50 in which misfortune figures.
per cent, rate reduction on shipments to Australian, South African
An instalment sale is only completed when the final payment
and Far Eastern ports. These moves make it possible for American
is made, and title transferred to the purchaser. While the account
shipping and commercial interests to compete with the interests of
is being carried on, it costs money in the bookkeeping department,
Great Britain and other foreign nations which recently cut prices
in the collection department and in the bank. Proper attention to
to all world ports.
the collecting system serves to clean accounts up quickly and reduce
The announced cuts in rates will meet with popular favor, for
this expense. The order of the day is to collect promptly and ener-
maritime freights have assumed enormous figures during the past
getically. Either the customer can pay for the instrument or he
few years, owing to the war. The cost of shipping pianos and
cannot—if he can he must; if he can't let the instrument be repos-
talking machines to Australia and South Africa has been almost
sessed and sold to somebody who can pay. It is not a question of
prohibitive, and now that a reduction of 50 per cent, goes into force
sentiment. It is a question of getting cold cash with which to carry
it means that freights come within a reasonable basis in the con- on and protect the retailer's business at a time when the future, even
sideration of an enlarged export trade of American goods.
though bright, is uncertain.
Another move on the part of the War Trade Board, announced
ROMINENT business authorities throughout the country are
this week, will tend to give export trade a broadened scope, and
as a unit in agreeing that the future prosperity of the United
give the American exporter more freedom for the conduct of his
business. This is to be found in a relaxation of restrictions and a States depends in a large measure on the consistent and energetic
development of a world trade on the part of the manufacturers of
simplification of procedure which in most cases takes the form of
this country. These men see in the increase in foreign commerce
easing the exporter's task of procuring export licenses.
the means for keeping our factories working at capacity, our work-
A great deal of red tape was compulsory during the war. It
men employed at substantial wages, and the attainment of a note-
was vitally necessary while actual hostilities were in progress, and
worthy position in the commercial circles of the world by this
of course it was necessarily cumbersome. The present policy and
country.
tendency of the War Trade Board in the relaxation of export re-
Musical instrument exports are playing, or should play, a promi-
strictions is to transfer as many kinds of export shipments as is
nent part in the development and maintenance of this foreign busi-
possible from the first class to the second class; in other words,
ness that is to come to us. We have been told in the past that
present policies aim to do away with individual licensing whenever
one
of the faults of the piano industry has been overproduction, and
possible, and to substitute for this a system of licensing governed
that
this overproduction has been responsible for long wholesale
by the commodity in question, or the country of destination.
terms and various other abuses growing out of strenuous competi-
tion. With the foreign markets taking a good proportion of our
HE very pertinent suggestion made by A. V. W'. Setley, vice-
products, this question of overproduction should not rise up before
president of the Estey Piano Co., to the effect that the National
us as a ghost of the past, but the output of our factories should be
Piano Manufacturers' Association might with profit establish an
absorbed so readily and so easily as to make good business practice
export clearing house department, is worthy of considerable con-
the usual rather than the unusual thing.
sideration, by those who realize that upon their development of
A
P
T
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
FEBRUARY 8,
THE
1919
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
PORTLAND PIANO MEN ENTERTAINED
HOLLAND CO. OFFICERS ELECTED
SECURES TONK AGENCY FOR JAVA
Employes of Bush & Lane Piano Co. Guests of
Company at Elaborate Dinner Recently
George B. Norris Re-elected President and
George B. Morrill Becomes Secretary
Mr. Van der Kieft, Dealer in Batavia, Places
Substantial Order With Wm. Tonk & Bro.
PORTLAND, ORE., February 1.—The Bush & Lane
Piano Co. gave an elaborate banquet to the mem-
bers of the local branch recently. Thomas Wil-
kinson, manager of the local company, was pre-
sented with a handsome silver tea set by the
employes of the store. James I_oder, manager
of the phonograph department, gave an inter-
esting talk and showed the growth of the de-
partment and the remarkable sales made of the
Sonora talking machines. A handsome Sonora
furnished most of the music for the dancing,
which was indulged in after the banquet. Er-
win Erenyi was toastmaster and contributed
greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. A num-
ber of excellent toasts were responded to by
those present; the management of Mr. Wilkin-
son met with unqualified praise by all and sin-
cere confidence was expressed in his ability and
helpfulness.
A. M. WRIGHT ELECTED PRESIDENT
Becomes Head of Mason & Hamlin Co. at
Annual Meeting Held Last Week
BOSTON, MASS., February 3.—The annual meet-
ing of the Mason & Hamlin Co. was held at the
company's headquarters here last week and the
following officers were elected: A. M. Wright,
president and general manager; Henry L.
Mason, vice-president; William P. Marsh, vice-
president; H. M. Matteson, secretary and treas-
urer, and Leonard M. Wright, assistant secre-
tary and treasurer.
The board of directors
consists of the five officers, together with F. T.
Heffeliinger and F. B. Wells. A very satis-
factory business year was reported, considering
existing conditions, and plans for future develop-
ment were discussed.
BREAKING RECORDS IN TWIN CITIES
Piano Merchants Enjoy Unusually Busy Janu-
ary—Changes Among the Local Sales Forces
—Some Developments Being Watched
MINNEAPOLIS and
ST. PAUL, MINN., February 3.
—January was a source of joy to the piano
dealers of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The old-
est of them all vows and avows that he never
has seen such a January before and never ex-
pected to see one like it. February also has
taken a flying start at a record. It should be
understood that the activity is with the dealers
in the high-grade makes. Player-pianos and
grand types are in constant demand and are
staple articles of trade.
W. S. Collins, head of the Cable Piano Co.,
left Saturday for Ashland to give the branch a
"once over."
Charles E. Havens has detached himself from
Howard, Farwell & Co.'s St. Paul staff to join
the P. A. Starck Piano Co.'s Minneapolis staff.
He will have as associate E. H. Anderson, a
returned soldier, and also a former Howard,
Farwell & Co. salesman.
There is some speculation in St. Paul as to
where R. W. Bonyea is going to locate, whether
it will be at the old Carlin place or some other
equally prominent place. Over in Minneapolis
they want to know what changes will be made
in the Watson-Marshall Piano Co. because of
the death of Edward A. Marshall.
The Raudenbush works continue in active
operation and seem to be set for a run of a
year or more, barring a short rest in July for
overhauling.
MINNEAPOLIS,
MINN.,
February 3.—George B.
Norris was re-elected president of the Holland
Piano Mfg. Co. at the corporation's annual meet-
ing in this city, January 31. H. G. Johnson was
re-elected vice-president, and George B. Mor-
rill, who has been acting as secretary for some
weeks, was given the full title and authority. It
was reported that the factory at Menomonie,
Wis., has been operated at full capacity for
some time, and that the output readily is be-
ing- disposed of. The management was directed
to consider the matter of putting out some new
designs and will work out some plans which are
expected to materialize in a few weeks.
TEXAS BUSINESS EXPANDS
Bush & Gerts Piano Co., of Houston, Tex.,
Opens Branch Store
HOUSTON, TEX., February 1.—The business of
the Bush & Gerts Piano Co. at 807 Main street,
this city, under the direct management of II. W.
Horton, has increased to such an extent that
an additional store has been opened at 717
Travis street, this city, which will be operated as
an annex to the Main street store. The com-
pany has announced the opening of the new
store in elaborate advertisements, several of
them occupying two full pages in the local
newspapers. The Bush & Gerts Piano Co. fea-
tures among other makes the Mason & Hamlin,
Hardman, Bush & Gerts and Starr pianos and
players, together with Victor, Aeolian-Vocalion
and Starr talking machines.
Among the recent visitors to the plant of
Wm. Tonk & Bro., Thirty-sixth street and
Tenth avenue, New York, was Mr. Van der
Kieft, who placed a substantial order with the
concern, and will open an agency in Batavia,
Java, the most important city and island be-
longing to the Netherlanders. Mr. Van der
Kieft stated upon his arrival that he was in-
terested in the Tonk line owing to the fact that
he had heard that the Tonk instruments were
most reliable for Oceanic countries, where the
climate is extremely hot and damp.
REMODEL LESTER CO. WAREROOMS
READING, PA., February 3.—Numerous improve-
ments are being made in the warerooms of the
Lester Piano Co., at 15 North Fifth street this
city. The interior of the store has been re-
arranged, three new demonstration rooms in-
stalled, and new and elaborate furnishings pro-
vided. The Lester warerooms have been estab-
lished in this city for a number of years, and the
company has just renewed the lease on its pres-
ent quarters.
TO OCCUPY LARGER QUARTERS
Taylor's Music House, Northampton, Mass.,
has arranged to occupy new quarters at 98
Pleasant street, that city, in order to meet the
demands of its growing trade. The company
features the Mason & Hamlin, Sohmer, Kurtz-
niann, R. S. Howard and other makes of pianos,
as well as Victrolas.
EXPORT TRADE DECREASES, IMPORTS ALSO DECREASE
Exports of Musical Instruments for Year Ending November 30, 1918, Show a Total Loss of $74,410
Over Exports for Preceding Year—Statistics on Importations Show a Decrease
WASHINGTON, D. C, February 3.—The summary
of exports and imports of the commerce of the
United States for the month of November, 1918,
the latest period for which it has been com-
piled, has just been issued, and is as follows:
The dutiable imports of musical instruments
during November, 1918, amounted to $24,789, as
compared with $77,134, which were imported
during the same month of 1917. The eleven
months' total, ending November, 1918, showed
importations valued at $513,158, against $564,698
worth of musical instruments imported during
the same period of 1917, and $485,524 in 1916.
This gives a decrease in imports for the eleven
months of $51,540.
The total domestic exports of musical in-
struments for November, 1918, amounted to
$472,589, as compared with $508,632 for the same
month of the previous year.
The eleven
months' exportation of musical instruments
amounted to $4,280,323, as against $4,354,733 in
1916.
This shows a decrease for the eleven
months of $74,410, as compared with last year.
Of the aggregate exportations in November,
1918, there were 119 organs, valued at $6,497,
as compared with 166 organs in 1917, valued at
$10,818. The eleven months' total showed that
we exported 1,516 organs, valued at $101,123, in
November, 1918, and 2,076 organs, valued at
$125,443, for the same period of 1917, and 2,695
organs, valued at $144,243, during 1916.
In November, 1918, we exported 946 pianos,
valued at $192,449, as compared with 1,729
pianos, valued at $278,405, for the same period
of the previous year. The eleven months' total
shows 9,454 pianos, valued at $1,809,116, as com-
pared with 12,518 pianos, valued at $1,996,890,
for the same period of 1917, and 10,553 pianos,
valued at $1,608,656, sent abroad in 1916.
The exports of player-pianos show that 376
of these instruments, valued at $150,158, were ex-
ported during November, 1918, as compared
with 369, valued at $107,686, exported in No-
vember, 1917. The eleven months' total shows
that 3,434 player-pianos, valued at $1,162,587,
were exported during 1918, as compared with
3,256, valued at $999,607, for the same period
of 1917, and 1,948, valued at $627,269, during the
year 1916.
Of the aggregate exportations there were 6
piano players, valued at $940, in November, 1918,
as against 23 piano players, valued at $3,966,
for the same period of 1917. For the eleven
months' total period 172 of these instruments,
valued at $44,109, were sent abroad, as compared
with 185, valued at $53,610, in 1917, and 231,
valued at $62,544, sent abroad during 1916.
The exports of perforated music rolls for the
month of November, 1918, amounted in value to
$15,438, as compared with $15,238, in November,
1917.
The eleven months' total amounted in
value to $135,610, as compared with $113,156, in
exports for the same period in 1917, and $70,027,
in 1916.
The value of all other musical instruments
and parts thereof sent abroad during November,
1918, amounted to $107,112, as compared with
$92,519, in 1917. The total exports for the
eleven months under this heading foot up $1,-
027,772, as against $1,066,027, exported during
the same period of last year, and $943,143 in
1916.
For over 25 years Specialists
in high grade Piano Cases
Paterson Piano
Case Co.
PATERSON, N. J.

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