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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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Plavoi* Piann anil
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
T
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Vol. LXXII
NEW YORK, MARCH 19, 1921
No. 12
R O Y A L T I E S ON MUSIC ROLLS
O
NCE again the trade learns of attempts being made to bring
about a better understanding between player roll manufacturers
and music publishers, to the end that royalty rates and methods of
payment may be established that, while still providing a satisfactory
income for the publisher, will at the same time lighten the burden for
the roll manufacturer. As has been pointed out before, the establish-
ment and maintenance of a harmonious relationship between pub-
lishers and roll cutters is a matter of general interest to the trade,
for the continued success and popularity of the player-piano depends
ill a chief measure upon a plentiful supply of the popular hits of the
day as well as the classics in roll form, and offered at a reasonable
price.
The coming of the word roll has been the factor that has com-
plicated the problem of the roll manufacturer, because it has placed
in the hands of the publisher power under the law of naming to
whom he shall, and shall not, release his word.rights and the price
he may demand for such rights. The royalty for the music, of course,
ig fixed under the Copyright Law at two cents, but the publisher
feels that when he releases his rights to the words as well as to the
music he is giving up all his property and should be compensated
accordingly. The roll men, too, have their arguments regarding the
benefits that they can offer to the publisher, and why the royalties
that have been demanded and paid and which have amounted in many
cases to as much as twelve cents per roll, should be reduced.
Fortunately the publishers and roll men are getting together on
dhe basis of friendship, and are discussing the problems rationally,
which leads to the belief and hope that the former interests will realize
their desired royalties, while still granting to the roll men the relief
that the present business situation demands.
MARCH 19, 1921
ticularly the meeting of the National Association of Music Merchants,
promise to be the most constructive and helpful in the history of the
trade.
The Association officials have long realized that trade problems
have developed that require, and are worthy of, serious study and
discussion, and efforts are being made to provide for the discus-
sion of these problems during the conventions. It is realized, for in-
stance, that the retail music merchant is not only affected by condi-
tions in his own branch of the industry, but is likewise affected by
problems that face the wholesaler, the manufacturer and the supply
man. It is also realized that there are peculiar conditions affecting
the handling and sale of pianos, talking machines, musical merchan-
dise, sheet music, etc., and that a study of the successful methods
applied to each of these divisions is much more to be desired than
a broad treatment of the conduct of a retail music store as a whole.
The tentative convention program provides for the discussion of all
the various problems of the retailer from all angles.
It must be admitted that during the past several years conven-
tions have shown marked improvement in the matter of usefulness.
There have been so many matters calling for organized consideration
that it has not been a difficult matter to prepare constructive programs,
and the result is the trade has been educated to a point where the
old-time convention, affording an excuse for jollification, rather than
for business, can find no excuse for being.
With the present costs of traveling and hotel accommodations
at high peak, and with so much demanding the attention of the
average member of the trade in his home office, it is not only right
but distinctly essential that those in charge of the conventions arrange
a program that will compensate the Association member for the time
and money invested in attending the sessions.
K E E P U P T H E TAX F I G H T
W
H I L E Congress is debating the question as to when and how
to take up the work of revising the War Revenue Act, it be-
hooves business.men, and particularly members of the music industry
who have been laboring under such flagrant discrimination during
the past couple of years, to put renewed effort into their campaign
for bringing about the elimination of excise taxes and the substitu-
tion therefor of a commodity sales tax, applicable to all lines of
business, and calculated to spread the tax burden evenly.
Those members of the trade who have not received or taken oc-
casion to study the recommendations made by the Legal Committee of
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce should lose no time in
acquainting themselves with the arguments presented therein, and
see to it that those arguments, through their own efforts, receive as
much publicity as possible.
The time to campaign against the continuance of unfair tax
legislation is now, and not after the revised bill has become a law.
THE REPRODUCING PIANO
T
HE development of the reproducing piano, and the more general
public recognition and appreciation of that instrument, will
unquestionably be one of the features of the trade during the pres-
ent year that will be worth watching and studying. There has been
nothing meteoric regarding the progress made by the reproducing
piano. Its development has not been hurried, but has been along
consistent and persistent lines which have been calculated to pre-
serve quality and maintain ideals rather than to gain quick but
perhaps temporary results.
The reproducing piano has been presented to the public during
the past few years in a way that is bound to attract attention and
respect. It has appeared on the stage with leading orchestras and
with noted artists, and may be said to have found a place for itself
in the musical sun. It has been exploited consistently along artistic,
rather than commercial, lines in the belief that artistic success must
naturally lead to commercial success.
During the coming months it is probable that the concert-going
public will have presented to it some new types of reproducing
pianos, and the more of this sort of work that is done the better
it will be for all those who are interested in the reproducing piano
and
who see in it the instrument of the future. What is needed is
THE IMPORTANCE O F T H E CONVENTIONS
to have the majority of the public, or at least the majority of those
UDGING from the preliminary program arranged by those in
whose appreciation is desired, become familiar with the reproducing
charge of arranging the details for the several annual conventions
type of instrument, what it represents from a musical standpoint,
in Chicago during the week of May 9, these gatherings, and par- and what it is intended to accomplish.
J