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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
RMLW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
J. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373
Fourth Are., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAY BILL, B. B. WILSON, BRAID WHITE, Associate Editors
WILSON D. BUSH, Managing Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
L. E. BOWERS, Circulation Manager
Executive and Roportorlal Staff
EDWARD VAN HARLINGEN, V. D. WALSH, E. B. MUNCH, L. M. ROBINSON, C. A. LEONARD,
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
Player-Piano and
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
Technical
Departments
are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
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LONG
DISTANCE
Vol. LXXI
TELEPHONES—NUMBERS
5982—6988
Connecting all Departments
Cable address: "ElbUl, New York"
MADISON
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 4, 1920
8Q.
No. 23
NEW TRADE-MARK LEGISLATION
T
H E members of the music industry, particularly the manufac-
turers, should be interested in the plans that are being made to
bring about what are considered both desirable and necessary changes
in the trade-mark law, in order to give manufacturers more com-
plete protection in that direction. The idea of having a special
Registrar of Trade-Marks at the head of a new bureau separate and
apart from the Patent Office is to be regarded with particular favor
because it will be calculated to simplify the process of securing trade-
mark protection. Then, too, the establishment of a national trade-
mark is worthy of special consideration in view of the development
of export trade. With American goods going to all parts of the
world in increasing quantities, the "Made in America" trade-mark
should prove not only an excellent advertising medium, but an
accepted guarantee of the quality of the product offered the foreign
buyer. It is very likely that the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce will take a part in the work of supporting this new trade-mark
legislation.
MUSIC STORES AS MUSICAL CENTERS
M
USIC merchants generally might well study and emulate the
methods adopted by M. V. DeForeest, head of the DeForeest
Music House in Sharon, Pa., in making their establishments real
musical centers in their respective localities. Mr. DeForeest has so
closely identified himself and his store with musical affairs in West-
ern Pennsylvania that it is not exaggerating greatly to say that for
a person in Sharon or vicinity to think of music makes him think
of DeForeest's.
Recently Mr. DeForeest held his second "Music Week" in
Sharon, and carried out a program that enlisted the interest and sup-
port of various musical and literary clubs of the city, the Chamber
of Commerce, the public and high school pupils and their instruc-
tors, and in one way or another close to 100 per cent of the popula-
tion, so it seemed.
To carry out this program meant a considerable expenditure
of time, money and energy, but the results will be worth the outlay,
DECEMBER 4,
1920
as was proven last year by the first music week. As a result of
hooking up with music in his territory, Mr. DeForeest has succeeded
in building up a musical establishment in the small city of Sharon
that would do credit to the metropolis. It all lies in going after
business in the right way, which does not mean that a knock-down-
and-drag-in sales campaign alone solves the problem entirely.
In speaking of music week attention may also be called to the
success of the elaborate program carried out in Little Rock, Ark.,
last week as a result of the efforts of music merchants and the
various musical organizations of that city and vicinity headed by
Col. Hollenberg and assisted by Robert Lawrence of the National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music. The week's celebration
enlisted the support of churches, schools, theatres and business
organizations, and there was something musical going on practically
every hour for seven days. Nor were the colored population neg-
lected, for they had special sings and musical programs arranged
for them that were quite as elaborate and satisfying in every particu-
lar as were those planned for the white citizens. In short, the appeal
of music was made universal.
The Little Rock experience indicates what can be accomplished
through co-operation among music merchants and energies properly
directed, and it is probable that the Little Rock program will be
adopted as a model for music weeks in other cities.
AMERICAN PIANOS IN AUSTRALIA
E
VEN those American piano manufacturers who have built up a
substantial export trade with Australia are no doubt surprised
to learn of the fact that during the past few years American musical
instruments have reached the point where they dominate the trade in
that country. In fact, the figures offered by the Australians them-
selves show that nearly 95 per cent of the total piano and player
imports into that country come from the United States.
It is, of course, understood that the two principal factors re-
sponsible for this substantial proportion of trade were the cutting
off* of the German market entirely, and the inability of British manu-
facturers to meet Australian demand during and immediately after
the war. The British are making a supreme effort to re-establish
themselves in the Australian piano field, and have, it is understood,
even called bankers to their aid. But the fact remains that American
instruments have proven really popular in Australia owing to their
general high quality and have won a place that manufacturers in
other countries will find hard to wrest from them.
The condition in Australia affords some idea of what can be
accomplished in establishing foreign markets for American musical
instruments provided the proper effort is made.
A NEW REPRODUCING PIANO FIELD
T
H E growing use of the reproducing piano in theatres is a matter
of much interest, presenting, as it does, a new and promising
field for this latest piano product. In most cases the theatre man-
agement has installed a reproducing piano in place of the usual
orchestra and has thus effected a real saving in wages. This is
particularly true where the orchestra was called upon to play for
only a few minutes during one or two intermission periods.
Where the reproducing piano has been tried it was apparent
that audiences who attend the performance of a drama or straight
comedy enjoy the reproduction of the playing of noted pianists
more than they do the music of a mediocre group of human musi-
cians. At least a larger percentage of the audiences remain in their
seats to hear the piano music, which even in these arid days is
significant.
COMPLETE LINES AND EXTRA PROFITS
O
NE of the leading papers in the furniture trade has made a
canvass of retail furniture dealers to determine what products
besides furniture were carried in the various stores. The results
are of particular interest to the music industry, for according to
the figures 2,990, or 13 per cent of the 23,000 furniture stores in-
vestigated, handle pianos, while 15,510, or 67 per cent, handle talk-
ing machines. These figures should prove worthy of some thought
on the part of those piano merchants who have decried the move-
ment to bring about the establishment of real music stores through-
out the country—stores in which all kinds of music and musical
instruments might be found. The furniture men believe, evidently,
in carrying more than one line when there is profit in it.