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APRIL 30, 1921
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
11
ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS URGE
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ATTENDANCE AT CONVENTIONS |
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Representatives of the Various Music Trade Bodies Set Forth Their Opinions Con- j
cerning the Importance of the Coming Conventions in Chicago
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The average member of the music industry need not be an Association fan in order to have a full appreciation of the importance
of attending the trade conventions in Chicago next month, if only to hear what the other fellow has to say about conditions. In order
that there may be no mistake as to the importance of the meetings, or of the matters to be discussed therein. The Review presents herewith
the views of the president of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, and of the officers of various allied Associations, setting forth
why Chicago should prove the Mecca of trade members during the week of May 9.
President Aldcroftt, of the Chamber, sums up the situation to a nicety when he emphasizes the importance of the members of the
industry coming to Chicago imbued with the spirit of organization, and a realization that through the medium of a perfected and func-
tioning organization the industry finds the necessary strength for offensive and defensive operations—a strength so necessary right now
with the tax tight and other matters to engage attention.
In setting forth the chief matters to come up for consideration at the various Association meetings the Association officers
have provided prospective delegates with material for thought, and there is no excuse for Association members coming to Chicago without
some understanding at least of the questions to be brought up for consideration. The papers which follow should l>e read carefully.
Come to the Conventions Imbued With the
Spirit of Organization, Says R. B. Aldcroftt
If I were to send any message to the mem-
bers in the industry for the forthcoming con-
vention, I would especially urge that the mem-
bers attend the convention; first, with the spirit
of organization, and, secondly, with a firm re-
solve to be present at and participate in the
words, we have not taken the position that we
simply want our own tax removed, but we went
further and offered our assistance in presenting
a revenue b.ll which distributes the burden of
taxation among all citizens, as it should be.
This is only possible through effective organ-
ization. All of the members of the industry
should know what we have done and what we
propose to do in the future, and the only way
to intelligently find out about this is to attend
the convention and listen to its officers and
staff making their reports and presenting their
activities in person.
Heretofore our conventions have very largely
consisted of social or business relations. That
is to say, that we attended conventions to meet
the other fellow and have a good time, and in
addition to that to sell merchandise. Of course,
these things are not primarily the object of
conventions and it is now time for the music
industry to take a more serious and settled atti-
tude of mind towards its organization work.
The officers, directors and staff of the Chamber
of Commerce and the constituent organizations
composing it have had their burden of organi-
zation work and now wish to make reports and
bear the comments of the trade upon their
stewardship for the past year. Their reports
concern the vital and important interests of the
whole trade.
The organization is fighting the battles of its
members and building constantly in such a way
that the business of the members is bound to
be vastly benefited.
We particularly urge that the members attend
the opening session of the Chamber on Monday
morning, so that the work of the convention
may be begun before a full and representative
assemblage of its members.
Alfred L. Smith Points Out the Need of Individual
Work for the Benefit of the Entire Industry
Richard B. Aldcroftt
convention sessions and thus derive the bene-
fit which they will surely get in the reports,
speeches and debates which affect their inter-
ests.
There are two outstanding subjects of vital
interest to all members; one of these will be the
reports on the work actually accomplished by
the Chamber of Commerce for the past year,
including the reorganization of the Chamber and
the actual constructive work done, and, second-
ly, the work of the Chamber upon the great tax
fight.
We have labored unremittingly for many
months upon a comprehensive, constructive and
sound tax campaign. We have enlisted the in-
terest of the members of the industry in the
work so that they themselves are aiding in the
campaign. With our association and co-opera-
tion with other trade organizations and tax as-
sociations, we have succeeded in rendering very
material assistance in centering the fight upon
a commodity sales tax. The object of this, of
course, was to furnish a proper tax substitute
measure which would have the effect of elimi-
nating the present oppressive excise tax on
pianos and phonographs and at the same time
providing a way by which adequate revenue
could be raised for the Government. In other
Someone has very aptly said: "The year of
1-921 will reward fighters." This surely applies to
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce as
much as to an individual firm, but if the Cham-
ber is to be a good fighter it must have the thou-
sands of members of the music industry all over
the country cheerfully doing their part as work-
ers.
Xot the least of the reasons why all members
of the music industry should attend the con-
ventions is the opportunity offered to learn how
to become an effective worker for "the ad-
vancement of music and the development and
protection of the music industry."
Unfortunately the difficulty the Chamber has
at times in stirring up the trade to local activi-
ties shows that many members do not realize
the importance of local work. "A chain is no
stronger than its weakest link." Trade asso-
ciations are no more active than the general
run of their membership. To the non-workers
in our industry the conventions will be an in-
spiration to personal responsibility and activity.
There are evidences everywhere that scores,
if not hundreds, of members of the industry
are very anxious to do their part, but are puz-
zled about opportunities and methods. To these
potential workers conventions will be a great
source of education. The active workers will
receive renewed inspiration and new ideas.
I cannot refrain from mentioning especially
the need of more active and intelligent work
by the entire trade in the tax fight, as the elimi-
nation of the present discriminatory and bur-
densome 5 per cent tax—to say nothing of pre-
vention of its increase to the unbearable rate
of 10 per cent—is of the utmost importance to
the trade and can be accomplished only through
persistent and intense work by the industry all
over the country. If for no other reason every
member of the trade should attend the conven-
tion in order to find out how to assist the Cham-
ber to get rid of this terrific drain on the cash
Alfred L. Smith
resources of his business. The elimination of
this tax and the substitution of a just one would
itself almost immediately repay the average
member of the industry for the time and ex-
pense of the trip. Of course, a man who is
willing to "let the other fellow do it" can take
the chance that enough members of the indus-
(Continucd on page 13)