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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LY1HAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New Y*ork; VicePresident,
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, B. B. WILSON, Associate Editors
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Executive and Reportorlal Staff
WILBON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH, WM. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH,
L. M. ROBINSON, C. A. LEONARD, EDWARD LTMAN BILL, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
REVIEW
NOVEMBER 1, 1919
enough to say that the miners simply seek a six-hour-day for the
purpose of establishing a wage basis, and will then work eight or
ten hours daily to profit by the over-time income. Experience
has proven, however, that many of the miners are inclined to be
satisfied with a certain weekly income, and even during the crisis
of the war considered three or four days in the mines sufficient
for a week. The growing problems in the matter of coal supply
serves to direct strong attention to other sources of power supply,
water power for electricity, and oil fuel for factory furnaces. But
the answers to these questions are not coming fast enough to
afford any relief during the crisis that seems to be approaching.
ADVERTISING THAT HURTS
N business and advertising matters, merchants in a large sec-
I examples
tion of the country look upon New York as offering the best
of business progressiveness and, to a certain measure
at least, of business ethics. The advertising methods of New
York houses are particularly held up as shining examples of
what a small town merchant should do if he expects to get maxi-
mum results from his efforts.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
While the Better Business Bureau of the Music Industries
Entered as second-class matter 'September 10, 1892, at the post office at New York, N. Y., Chamber of Commerce is looking into the advertising of other
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
cities, however, there has appeared in the New York papers copy
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
of a character that reflects credit neither on the industry nor upon
ADVERTISEMENTS, $4.50 per inch single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $130.
the city in which the advertising appears. We see in New York
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
papers large announcements to the effect that those in charge of
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
Plavoi* Piann anil
a certain piano department are so generously inclined that they
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
are chopping off $100 from the price of player-pianos for the
p
j
tion
of
a r e d e a ] t with> wil
b e f o u n d i n a n o t h e r sec
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
benefit
of the public, and the terms at which the instruments are
which will be -cheerfully given upon request.
advertised, even with this low price prevailing, bring memories
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
of pre-war davs. This type of sensational advertising has always
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal,. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma... .Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal... ..St. Louis Exposition, 1904
been harmful to the industrv as a whole, but never more harmful
Gold Medal—Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
than at the present time, when legitimate retailers are hard put to
Connecting: all Departments
get instruments at any price, and must realize fair prices and a
Cable address: "Elbill, New York"
good percentage of profit to cover the overhead costs.
Vol. LXIX NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 1, 1 9 1 9
No. 1 8
The average prospective piano purchaser cannot be blamed for
assuming that if one concern can afford to make a $100 cut in
The publishers of The Music Trade Review, like all
prices, regardless of whether or not this amount is actuallv sub-
other publishers in New York City, are still severely handi-
tracted from former prices, the dealer who offers no such induce-
capped by the strike in the printing industry, which renders
ment is making outrageous profits on the product he is selling.
it difficult to issue any publication on schedule time.
Tt is verv probable that the advertising question will be sub-
verted to investicnt'on to sec iust what can be done about it. and
ft is time that such investigation was made. A sense of ethics,
THE COAL SITUATION
if nothing" else, should serve to keep some sort of check on this
HESE be parlous times for the business man, whether he be sensationalism. The trnde has enough burdens to carry now
manufacturer or distributor. On the one hand he is over- without having to bear with this tvpe of advertising.
whelmed with a demand for his products, and on the other hand
SIGNS OF UNSHAKEN CONFIDENCE
he is beset with unheard-of difficulties in getting these products
VEN thouch conditions are not of the best iust now, there is
out of his factory or warerooms. Not only are the factory work-
evidence throughout the trade of a spirit of confidence in the
ers falling away behind in production per man power unit, but
we have on hand strikes of expressmen, freight congestion, and future and what it holds for the industrv that is distinctlv encour-
on top of that the promise of a strike of coal miners. The end aging. Tn several sections, and particularly in New York, new
piano manufacturing enterprises are being launched and new fac-
is not yet.
The threatened coal strike is a matter of vital interest to all tories are being built, either to house new concerns or as additions
manufacturers. The coal situation for the last two or three to existing plants, where the business has outgrown the facil-
years has become increasingly serious, for demands for coal have ities.
Tn the retail piano trade we find the dealers enlarging and
been increasing while production has lapsed. Not only has the
price of coal risen to embarrassing figures, but it has been diffi- beautifying their stores. There mav be at the present time on
cult in some instances to get it at any price. With the war out hand onlv enough instruments to fill one corner of the ware-
of the way, and business in some measure, at least, finding itself, room, but the dealer is preparing for the business to come and
it was felt that the present winter should show some relief in arranging his premises in anticipation.
We hear of talking machine manufacturers making con-
the matter of coal supply.
tracts
for cabinets that are so large that the filling of the con-
Coal at the present time, however, is not at all plentiful, for
tracts
have
a distinct effect in curtailing the output of furniture.
the production has not been sufficient to permit of the storing of
Tn
the
music
roll field established concerns are planning and
any great amount of reserve fuel. Especially is this true in the
starting
work
on
substantial new plants designed to take care of a
case of bituminous coal, for it is not found feasible to store this
volume
of
business
that is already taxing their resources and yet
coal in any considerable quantities without danger of deteriora-
continues
to
increase.
tion, if not of spontaneous combustion. Just now the mine pro-
General industrial conditions naturally cause worry, but
duction is steadily dropping off, as the miners and their employers
come closer to a deadlock. The demands of the workers for a there is bound to be a crisis, after which the situation will become
five-day-week and a six-hour-day are so radical that they cannot settled. The manner in which the members of the music indus-
be granted without a very long and costly fight. It means even try are planning for the future offers proof positive of their atti-
less production than at present and at & higher cost. It is well tude regarding the prospects of business to come.
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, Republic Building,
Telephone, Main 6950.
209 So. State St. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BV OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
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