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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
I )ECEMBER 20, 1919
MIDWINTER AS THE TIME FOR CONVENTIONS
By ALEX McDONALD, Chairman, Press Committee, National Ass'n of Music Merchants
No action of the trade aroused so great an
interest and caused so much discussion as the
changing of the convention date from summer
to midwinter. As the advocates of the plan
unfolded their arguments in its favor, the op-
position melted completely, and the plan was
finally adopted with a; singular degree of una-
nimity. Since the Chicago convention adjourned
the sentiment for the -midwinter idea has in-
creased in all sections.
Surely it is the best time for the dealer to
get away, and it is the time when individual
business reasons would prompt a visit to trade
headquarters.
The old year is out of the way, the books
have been closed and have told their tale of the
year's business, and the dealer is facing the new
year. It is time for him to get in touch with
the new outlook and the new ideas for the
coming year.
Hence his visit to a midwinter convention
serves a double purpose. He can get this new
outlook and ideas of *ne manufacturers with
whom he does business and he will also have
the stimulus of the merchandising ideas en-
gendered at the convention with which to
stimulate his own business.
It is an obvious fact that the conventions are
taking on a more businesslike manner, are be-
coming more of a constructive force without
losing the social charm that has always charac-
terized them.
The amount of energy and effort put forth
by men like Messrs. Conroy, Gram, Norris,
Corley, Droop, Grinnell, DeForeest, Hamilton,
and a host of others on behalf of the Associa-
tion leaves no doubt that these serious-minded,
hard-headed business men have realized the
tangible benefits resulting from the association's
effort to justify the time and energy expended.
New York is always interesting, summer or
winter. There is always plenty to do. What
with theatres and other forms of indoor amuse-
ment there will be plenty of activity. Then
there is the Music Show, on a grander and big-
ger scale than ever, that will afford an unfailing
source of new ideas to the progressive dealer.
The music industry is assuming a new dig-
nity. It has "grown up" and is one of the
CHARACTER
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
—(Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
Manufactured by
Smith, Barnes
great factors in the industrial and commercial
life of the nation, as well as the artistic. The
favorable position in which the industry finds
itself, and the brilliant outlook ahead, should
bestir the individuals in the trade to a broader
vision, a wider horizon of business endeavor.
This cannot be accomplished by sitting at
home and communing with one's self. It is only
by rubbing shoulders with other men who,are
thinking in terms of the same problems, and
who are seeking new ideas, that one can get
the new perspective necessary in conducting
one's business.
The midwinter convention affords the oppor-
tunity. It is psychologically the time for such
ideas and the time to receive them. Viewed
from every angle, it would seem that the mid-
winter season is ideal for convention purposes,
and New York is preparing to entertain the
largest crowd that has ever attended a con-
vention.
Will you be there? There is only one an-
swer that the live dealer can give and that is
the affirmative.
Every man owes it to himself to visit the
trade center at least once a year, and there is
a double incentive this year. In fact, a triple
incentive, taking into account the Music Show,
the Convention and an annual visit to the
metropolis.
The strong case made by the advocates of
the midwinter plan must be justified by a full
attendance, a larger attendance than at any
previous convention, and New York assures
you that it will be time and money more than
well spent.
PIANO MAKERS CHECKING EVILS
Manufacturers Co-operating With Better Busi-
ness Bureau in Preventing a Reversion to Old
Methods in the Retailing of Pianos
Prompt and vigorous co-operation on the part
of manufacturers has enabled the Music Indus-
tries Better Business Bureau to deal more ef-
fectively with problems affecting trade stand-
ards during recent months, says C. L. Dennis,
director of the Bureau.
"Our Bureau has had numerous complaints to
consider during this holiday season," reports Mr.
Dennis, "and I have had before me for criticism
some advertising spasms which look like the
work of old-fashioned sales artists. Not so bad,
of course, as they were two years ago, but very
bad in the light of our advanced standards.
"The co-operation of piano manufacturers has
been invaluable in checking a tendency to re-
vert back to old methods this fall. I have asked
manufacturers for help in numerous cases, where
the'r trade names were associated with offensive
advertising, usually with the desired results.
Some manufacturers have even gone so far as to
withdraw their agencies from dealers who do not
live up to higher standards."
and
WIFE OF THEODORE BURTON DIES
Strohber Co.
Wife of Sales Manager of O. J. DeMoll Piano
Co. Passes Away After Long Illness
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, 111.
OFFICE
1872 Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, 111.
WASHINGTON, D. C, December 15.—Mrs. Con-
stance M. Burton, wife of Theodore Burton,
sales manager of the O. J. DeMoll Piano Co.,
of this city, died a short time ago at the Sibley
Hospital following an illness of three weeks due
to blood poisoning. Mrs. Burton was born in
Baltimore and had been living here with her
family for several years. She is survived by
her parents, her husband, a son, five step-chil-
dren, four sisters, and a brother.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Service!
The most abused word
in our language!
We don't talk much
about Ricca Service. In
fact, in our business liter-
ature and in our letters
we practically taboo the
word.
We much prefer to be
judged by our deeds, by
our p e r f o r m a n c e , by
making anticipation blos-
som into realization, by
the way in which we carry
the Message to Garcia.
For it is one thing to
create, design, build and
perfect a piano and quite
another to make easy its
journey from factory to
home.
It is with pardonable
pride that we point to our
unique record in both
production and distribu-
tion.
and
97-99 Southern Blvd
NEW YORK CITY
Luigi Ricca founded the House of
Ricca in 1891. Mr. Ricca was one of
America's best known musicians. His
thorough musical knowledge coupled
with his piano making ideas enabled
him to produce a real musician's piano—
the Ricca.
The Ricca heritage of quality is now
being carried forward by the second
and third generations of the Ricca
family.