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THE
MUJIC TI(ADE
VOL. LXX. No. 3
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., at 373 4th Ave., New York. Jan. 17, 1920
Single Copies 10 Cents
$3.00 Per Year
Bring Ideas to the Convention
I
T IS quite evident from reports reaching The Review from various sections of the country that there will be
an unprecedented attendance of men from all branches of the industry at the conventions to be held in New
York within the next fortnight or so. These reports lead to the question as to just how many of these visitors
will come to the conventions with a definite idea as to what should be done during the sessions for the general
betterment of the music trade.
The time to consider matters for convention discussion is not when the meetings are in session, but well in
advance, when careful thought can be given to the various matters and definite plans arrived at. Quite frequently
manufacturers and dealers are heard to declare that, in their individual opinions, this or that should be done by
the Association—that certain problems should be considered in convention—that new moves should be inaugu-
rated. When they are in convention session, however, they simply sit and listen to the proceedings as guided by
those who have the courage of their convictions and the willingness to express them in the open.
Some years ago it was no uncommon thing for the average Association member to declare that the destinies
of the trade organizations were in the hands of a few selected members, and that the man on the floor was simply
an ornament. Such statements may be accepted as an endorsement of the energy and zeal of the officials rather
than a condemnation of their activities. The man who sits still and keeps his opinions to himself has no right to
criticize if some things are done that are not in accordance with his views. If he presents his views and is out-
voted that is another matter, but under ordinary conditions silence is rightly accepted as indicating consent.
Association officials are only human. It is true they may be more active and possibly better informed than
the rank and file of their organizations, and the fact that they have been elected officers is to be accepted as a
tribute to their ability. But no group of a half-dozen or so officers can hope to meet and answer successfully all
questions that may arise in the trade, or to take action that will meet with the full approval of the membership.
It lies with the membership itself to express opinions that will serve to guide the Association officers in the han-
dling of various problems. In other words, the officers should be looked upon as the medium through which the
individual can have his ideas presented and carried out.
Members of the industry in various localities have their own peculiar problems regarding which the main
body of the convention may know nothing. The time to consider these problems for presentation at the conven-
tion is right now, so that if need be the delegation from this or that section can offer to the convention, in concrete
form, some tangible question, or definite plan, that can be considered properly and in good season. Those
accepted as leaders of the industry are men who have been intrusted with the affairs of the various associations
because of their ability. The members who elected them owe it to these officers to give to them the benefit of
their opinions, so that in carrying on the convention w r ork these officers can feel that they are really working in
accordance with the interests and desires of the majority.
The year that has just begun holds many problems for the music industry—problems that will have to
be solved carefully and correctly if the industry is to continue on a stable and successful basis. It is the duty
of every member of the trade who attends the conventions to come to New York prepared with logical ideas
and suggestions regarding these problems and the best manner in which they may be solved, and to give voice
to these suggestions on the convention floor.
If every Association member will come to New York with the feeling that he is part and parcel of the Asso-
ciation, and that unless he takes a real part in convention affairs he is doing an injustice to himself and to the
trade, then the 1920 conventions will go down in history as being the most resultful ever held.
The trip to the conventions is not primarily a pleasure jaunt, even though the entertainment may prove a
factor. It is a business proposition, where both time and money figure, and it should be regarded as such.