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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AUGUST 9, 1919
GEO. W. POUND URGES A DIRECT APPEAL TO CONGRESSMEN
General Counsel of Music Industries Chamber of Commerce Sends Strong Letter to the Trade,
Urging That Congressmen Be Asked to Repeal War Excise Tax on Musical Instruments
Since the signing of the armistice, and par-
ticularly since peace has been signed, the mem-
bers of the music industry have been looking
forward to the repeal of the war revenue or war
excise taxes on pianos, piano players, talking ma-
chines, music rolls, records, etc. Although await-
ing some such action by Congress it was real-
ized generally that there were so many after-
war problems coming up for consideration that
a repeal measure might wait for some short
time.
Tt is now evident, however, that with the
chaotic situation that appears to exist in Con-
gress at the present time only the energetic
efforts on the part of those interested can pos-
sibly bring about any relief from excise taxes,
which from the first were believed to be un-
warranted and for which there is at the present
time no real necessity.
Every member of the trade, whether he be
manufacturer or retailer, is vitally interested in
this matter. The heavy increase in production
costs in itself has brought up enough problems
for those who manufacture and sell musical in-
struments without having added to the burden
additional war taxes. Then, again, music has
reached a position in national life where to
tax it means to tax a genuine necessity, and, for
that matter, to tax education.
It is not sufficient for the individual member
of the trade simply to register disapproval, and
to let it go at that, but he should see to it that
his Congressman is made fully cognizant of his
attitude in the matter and be urged personally
to take such steps as will tend towards the re-
peal of the taxes. Just a casual mention of the
fact is not sufficient, for the Congressmen have
many things before them besides battling over
the details of the League of Nations, and only a
strongly emphasized appeal of protest can be
expected to receive the attention of the national
lawmakers.
The necessity for immediate and urgent ac-
tion is emphasized strongly by George W.
Pound, general counsel of,the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, who in a letter sent out
to the members of all branches of the industry,
under date of August 1, says:
"T have been watching Washington and Con-
CHARACTER
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
—(Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
Manufactured by
Smith, Barnes
and
Strohber Co.
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, III.
OFFICE
1872 Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, 111.
gress very closely for the past several months
in the hope of procuring a repeal of the war
revenue tax on music, Article IX, Section 900
(4).
"There have arisen various matters at Wash-
ington which have delayed repeal legislation,
and as yet Congress has not agreed upon any
definite policy in this regard, although we have
bills in both Houses repealing the tax on music.
"I am not a strong believer in the effec-
tiveness of circular or inspired letters and
telegrams to Congress. Every interest in the
country does that and Congress gets weary.
Rut the personal appeal? Ah, there's the
answer.
"SEE YOUR CONGRESSMAN. Talk to him of
music, the great force, music in the home. The
tax upon music is a tax on education. Impress
upon him the necessity of the repeal of this
tax. If he does not return to his home dur-
ing the Congressional recess or if you cannot
see him, write him at his home address or care
House Office Building, Washington.
"This appeal for help is to you all; manufac-
turers, dealers, jobbers, salesmen—everybody."
PURCHASES LARGE FACTORY
Company Formed by W. C. Hepperla, Justus
Hattemer and Louis C. Kauling Buys Former
Westinghouse Plant in New York
The new piano manufacturing enterprise
which has been formed by Walter C. Hepperla,
Justus Hattemer and Louis C. Kauling, the
announcement of which was made three weeks
ago in The Review, has purchased the extensive
factories at 510-532 West Twenty-third street,
New York, formerly occupied by the Westing-
house Electric Co. The property has a front-
age of 300 feet on Twenty-third street, the
main building being 217 feet long and five
stories in height, while there are several smaller
buildings containing boiler room, dry kilns, etc.,
in the rear. The entire plant will be devoted
to the manufacture of baby grand pianos ex-
clusively.
yj
*
Most Dealers just
now are like a man
with a toothache—
he won't wait for an
appointment with
the Dentist. He
wants treatment
and relief right
away. He wants
pianos to sell now,
besides a little co-
operation from the
manufacturer who
takes his money.
We are doing pretty
well on deliveries
and those dealers
who handle
ADLER PIANO CO. ENLARGING PLANT
Christman
Louisville, Ky., Factory Addition Work Begun—
Present Output to Be Doubled
Uprights Players Grands
Construction work was started recently on
a large addition to the plant of the Adler Piano
Co., Louisville, Ky., at the intersection of
Twenty-ninth and Chestnut streets. The new
addition will cover a plot of ground 60x300
feet, and will be three stories high, costing ap-
proximately $50,000.
The company will double the output of pianos,
while the present output of organs will remain
the same. The company at present manufac-
tures 4,000 pianos and 8,000 organs yearly and
the number of pianos will be increased to 8,000.
Floor space will be increased from 200,000
square feet to 300,000 square feet, and the em-
ployes will be increased from 300 to 425.
HOLDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY SALE
J. M. Fisher, of Anderson, Ind., Celebrates
Twenty-five Years in the Music Business
The J. M. Fisher music house, Anderson, Ind.,
celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary last week
with a special anniversary sale. In the adver-
tisement used in the local press the purpose of
the sale was explained to the public as follows:
The purpose of this sale is to get acquainted
with many more new customers by offering
them the best selected stock of pianos and
player-pianos. During the quarter of a century
of business, J. M. Fisher has built up an ex-
cellent trade in Anderson.
are receiving with
reasonable prompt-
ness instruments of
exceptional value
and quality in Tone,
Finish and Style—
and are making
good profits.
Isn't it worth a stamp,
to know about these
fine, artistic pianos. "
It may be that we could
ship some to you.
" The first touch tells"
Christman Piano Co.
597 E. 137th Street, New York