Music Trade Review

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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-Prtsident,
B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373
{ . 'ourth
Aye., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAYMOND BILL, B. B. WILSON, Associate Editors
WILSON D. BUSH, Managing Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff
V. D. W A U H , WJI. BKAID WHITE (Technical Editor). E. B. MONCH. L. M. ROBINSON,
C. A. LEONARD, EDWARD LYMAN BILL, SCOTT KINCWM.L, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
WESTERN DIVISION:
BOSTON OFFICE:
Republic Bldg., 209 So. State St., Chicago.
JOHN H. WILS*N, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Wabash 5774.
Telephone, Main 6950.
LONDON,'ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
l'EBKUAKY 2 1 , 1920
Then there is a lack of new roadways to serve industrial centers
—there are increased operating expenses causing a deficit to be met
by the Government, thus compelling the shipper to pay heavier
freight tariffs and at the same time additional taxes to meet this
deficiency. Then we have talk of the nationalization of railroads
under the Plumb plan.
''..•'
All this is very interesting and very pertinent to the music
industry, and through organized channels it should be able to voice
its views on railroad matters, as well as on other questions of
national importance. The railroads represent the connecting link
between the manufacturer and the distributor and upon the efficiency
of that link depends the success of the industry.
THE BRINSMEAD CLOSING
HE announcement from London that the noted, firm of Brins-
T
mead had shut down their piano manufacturing'plant, owing to
the high and ever increasing prices of labor and materials, aroused
an unusual amount of interest in the music trade in this country,
for the move is to be accepted as one of deep significance. It may
not be that any American factory will find it necessary to shut down
for the same reason. It is to be hoped not, at least, but the far
that one-of-the most prominent British manufacturers has taken the
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, Nev* York
Entered as second-class matter September 10, 1892, af the- pest office at New YbrJt, N. Y.,> step gives the American -trade cause to ponder more deeply regard-
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
ing ways and means to meet and overcome the problems of the day
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
that are steadily growing in number.
Canada, $3.50; all other countries. $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $6.00 per inch single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $150.
^ During ..the past .couple of .years Americans have been well
REMITTANCES, in other- than currency, forms, should be made payable to Edwara
trained'to the habit Of paying unheard-of prices'for about everything
Lyman Bill, Inc. .'
"
"
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques
they have occasion to buy, and with clothing and food advanced 100
onii
ailU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
Il/»n.<>l>tni4>ntc regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
per cent or more, the percentage pf increase in piano and player-
v v | H I l llUCUlo are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
piano prices seems really moderate. The question is just how long
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
before the reaction sets in—before the maximum is reached.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
It has been said that in the past the piano trade was among
Grand Pnx..
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma. ...Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
the
last
to feel the real benefits of prosperity and among the first
Gx>ld Medal— Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
to
suffer
from any reaction. It may be that the saying is ndt based
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 6982—6983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
entirely
upon
fact, but there is sufficient proof of it to make the
Cable address: "Elbill, New York"
American manufacturer study conditions closely and keep his house
No. 8
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 21, 1920
in order in preparation for any eventuality.
Vol. LXX
One prominent piano man, recently deceased, offered it as his
opinion that piano-making costs and retail prices would keep on
THE RAILROAD SITUATION
mounting until such time as instruments started to "back up into
T the recent Conventions the Traffic Bureau of the National
the factory and that then the situation would adjust itself in the
Piano Manufacturers' Association was ordered continued more • natural course. Judging the situation as it stands to-day, it will be
as a matter of form for what might be accomplished in the futiire
many, many months before the factories will have any pianos on
than with any idea that the Bureau itself could, with the railroads
hand for which there are not already orders on file.
under Government control, prove of any great benefit to piano
manufacturers at this time. There is no question, apparently, about
A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION
continuing the work in connection with the development of the In-
F THE attitude of the majority of the merchants who attended
ternal Waterways, or lending the strong endorsement of the Asso-
the Convention regarding the piano shortage and higher prices
ciation to the Merchant Marine program.
. • •
is
to
be accepted as the attitude of the retail trade as a whole, then
In view of constant developments in the railroad situation, eyen
the
.manufacturers
have reason to feel confidence in the support
under Government management, it would seem a matter of policy
they
are
receiving
and
will receive from those who distribute their
for piano manufacturers, together with manufacturers and mer-
products.
chants in every other line, to keep in close touch with the situation
The merchants, at least the majority of them, appear to have
through approved committees and be prepared to lend their support
a
more
or less accurate knowledge of actual conditions and of the
to, or voice their protest on, moves or contemplated moves on rail-
problems
the manufacturers are called ujxm to face, and a goodly
road management that are calculated to affect industry.
number
of
the retailers were loud in their praise of the manner in
The success of industry in any country depends primarily upon
which
the
manufacturers
had taken care of their regular and old
transportation and men who cannot be classed as alarmists comment
established
representatives
at considerable sacrifice when they could
with grave concern upon the conditions that now surround the con-
have
received
higher
prices
and at least more liberal promises from
duct of American railroads. Rates have increased and promise to
those
concerns
who
wanted
hvlp in the emergency and were willing
be still further increased, with service that does not show corre-
to
pay
generously
for
it.
sponding improvement. As a matter of fact, freight service has
It was significant that of several score retailers interviewed,
been one of the problems of manufacturers for many months. There
there
were few who actually lost sales through lack of instruments
have been embargoes for this or that reason, drastic orders regard-
in
stock,
except in cases where grands of particular make were
ing routing and loading, the cutting of free loading and unloading
demanded.
In other words, where several lines were handled, it
time, and the increasing of demurrages.
was
possible
from among them to build up a stock that would serve
This has resulted largely from lack of equipment. The supply
to
take
care
of
the ordinary demand.
of freight cars, locomotives particularly, is woefully short, for dur-
This is not to be accepted as an indication that more produc-
ing the war period, though freight tonnage increased tremendously,
tion is not desired or urgently needed. Retailers have been kept
the addition of new rolling stock did not begin to compare with pre-
on pins and needles in fear of what might happen should conditions
war figures. So-called scientific management has not served to re-
lieve this shortage to any great extent, and,-even were new equip- remain the same or grow worse. They would like very much to
have all their orders filled completely and promptly, but they at the
ment to be ordered in quantities deemed necessary, it apparently
same time exhibit a spirit of forbearance that should prove most
would be several years before orders could be filled with existing
pleasing to the manufacturer.
facilities.
A
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