Music Trade Review

Issue: 1921 Vol. 73 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 2,
1921
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEET
MERCHANTS' EXECUTIVES MEET
Important Matters Discussed at First Meeting of Officers of Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce Held Since the Chicago Convention—Preliminary Plans Made for 1922 Gathering
Members of Executive and Advisory Boards of
National Association of Music Merchants Hold
Session in New York on June 24
The first meeting of the new board of direc-
tors of the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce since the Chicago convention was held in
the Chamber's headquarters in New York last
week and resulted in a lengthy discussion of a
number of important matters, particularly con-
cerning the finances of the Chamber and plans
for raising further revenue. In view of the un-
certainty of conditions, no definite budget was
made, but it is expected that plans will be made
assuring the continuance of the present activi-
ties of the Chamber, particularly in relation to
the tax, and by the time the board next meets in
September the situation will be more stabilized.
'It is felt by the Chamber officials that by the
practice of economy in operation, and with finan-
cial support from the talking machine industry
and from certain piano manufacturers who are
not now using stamps, the revenue of the Cham-
ber will be sufficient until Fall. In the mean-
time, F. B. T. Hollenberg has been appointed
chairman of a committee to interview personally
the few important piano manufacturers who have
not yet agreed to the stamp plan, while General
Manager Smith will go after the talking machine
people. The Chamber's vote was cast on.refer-
endum No. 36 of the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States in accordance with the Cham-
ber tax revision policy—for the repeal of all
wartime excise taxes, and for a sales tax to
bring in the whole amount of additional income
necessary. Under "Forms of Sales Taxes" the
Chamber vote was cast for "On goods, wares and
merchandise."
In response to a request received from the
National Association of Music Merchants it
was decided to develop the Trade Service Bureau •
of the Chamber, begun last year, particularly in-
formation for merchants on business forms and
systems, advertising matter, etc.
A meeting of the Executive and Advisory
Boards of the National Association of Music
Merchants was held on Friday of last week at
the Elks' Club, New York, for the purpose of
discussing a number of matters of Association
importance, including preliminary plans for the
1922 convention of that body, which is to be held
in New York.
It was proposed to hold the annual mid-year
conference of the Association executives in New
York next Winter, subject to call of President
DeForeest, possibly at the time of the Automo-
bile Show.
Action was taken requesting the Music In-
dustries Chamber of Commerce to further the
trade service work proposed by Secretary Den-
nis, to furnish retail helps in advertising and
selling, collections, business forms and informa-
tion about the music industry. This was in line
with the discussion and resolution of the Chi-
cago convention in May.
Another resolution discussed was that regard-
ing a music trade exhibition for the 1922 con-
vention. This is in the hands of a committee
named by the resolution, which includes Presi-
dent DeForeest, C. A. Grinnell and P. E. Con-
roy, who were instructed to confer with manu-
facturers regarding an exhibit.
Following the meeting, luncheon was served
at the Elks' Club, and those members who rep-
resent the Music Merchants in the Chamber of
Commerce attended the board meeting of the
latter body. Those who attended the conference
included President M. V. DeForeest, Secretary
C. L. Dennis and Alex. McDonald, E. Paul Ham-
ilton, John G. Corley, Henry Dreher, C. A. Grin-
nell, F. B. T. Hollenberg and Alfred L. Smith,
general manager of the Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce.
The matter of retaining Edward A. Leveille, of
Chicago, to handle national traffic problems af-
fecting the music industry was presented by C.
C. Conway, president of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association, and will be acted
upon at the next meeting of the board.
R. B. Aldcroftt, president, and Alfred L.
Smith, secretary and general manager of the
Chamber, and M. V. DeForeest, president of the
Merchants' Association and a director of the
Chamber, were appointed a committee to make
such necessary preliminary arrangements for the
1922 conventions as will enable the division
member associations to develop their individual
plans, particularly the Merchants' Association,
which, on account of its size and importance, re-
quires time to formulate the plans for its impor-
tant convention affairs.
A committee of the Chamber is to be appoint-
ed to confer with Messrs. DeForeest, Grinnell
and Conroy of the Merchants' Association rela-
tive to the holding of a trade exhibition at the
time of the annual conventions. If this proves
impossible the joint committee will make such
arrangements as will assure the closing of indi-
vidual exhibitions during the sessions of the
conventions. It is realized that the trade exhi-
bition is a very valuable adjunct of the conven-
tions and it is hoped to get the benefit of it and
at the same time eliminate interference with
the conventions.
There were present at the meetings the fol-
lowing officers and directors: Richard B. Ald-
croftt (president), C. C. Conway, John G. Corley
(treasurer), M. V. DeForeest, Ralph L. Freeman
(second vice-president), Henry Dreher, Fred
Gretsch, C. A. Grinnell, F. B. T. Hollenberg,
Hermann Irion, Paul B. Klugh, M. P. Moller,
John C. Wickham and Alfred L. Smith (secre-
tary and general manager).
HOW TO VOTE ON REFERENDUM REGARDING EXCISE TAXES
MIESSNER PIANO POPULAR
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce Issues Bulletin Showing How Music Dealers Can Regis-
ter Their Protest Against Present Excise Taxes Through U. S. Chamber Referendum
Several New Agencies Established by the Jack-
son Piano Co.
For the information and guidance of its
members and through them of the members of
the Chamber of Commerce of the United States
who are uncertain how to cast their votes on
Referendum No. 36 of the United States Cham-
ber on the subject of tax revision, the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce issues the
following:
Vote in favor of Proposition I, repealing
wartime excise taxes in relation to particular
businesses.
Proposition II, repealing wartime excise
taxes upon transportation and communication,
does not particularly concern the music indus-
try and the Chamber never has taken a definite
stand in the matter. On general principles,
however, the Chamber is opposed to all wartime
excise taxes.
Which one of the Propositions A, B, C and
D, under "Substitute Taxes," you vote on de-
pends on how you vote for Proposition I and
II. If you vote on Proposition I and II as
suggested above you are supposed to vote also
for Proposition D, and D only, placing the
cross under "Use for a sales tax to bring in
the whole amount." However, this arrange-
ment appears to make one's vote on the sales
tax proposition of no consequence unless one
happens to have voted on Propositions I and II
according to the majority vote. This appears
to be a defect in the wording of the various
propositions under "Substitute Taxes."
It
would have been better if these questions had
each asked for the form of substitute tax rec-
ommended in case it is finally decided by Con-
gress to eliminate the various taxes mentioned.
NEW TUNERS' JOURNAL ISSUED
MILWAUKEE, June 23.—The Jackson Piano Co.,
of this city, is having quite an active Summer
trade on the Miessner piano. The new family
style, three feet ten inches in height, is being
favorably accepted by the trade everywhere.
Both the foot-power player and the reproduc-
ing instruments are going exceedingly well.
Since the adoption of the new policy to go direct
to the dealers and eliminate the jobbing propo-
sition the company has established a number of
strong agencies. Sales Manager E. J. Jordan, on
a recent trip through Iowa and Nebraska, estab-
lished a number of important new agencies,
among which are the Mickel Music House,
Omaha; E. J. Walt, Lincoln, Nebr.; Gaston
Music Co., Hastings, Nebr., and Davidson Bros.,
Des Moines.
New Monthly Periodical Is Announced as Offi-
cial Organ of National Tuners' Body
NEW SALES MANAGER IN BUFFALO
The members could have voted for or against
the sales tax as a method of raising all of the
amounts. In order to overcome this defect
some organizations in favor of sales tax are
urging their members to vote for the sales tax
under all four propositions, A, B, C and D, so
that there will be no question of their vote be-
ing counted in favor of the sales tax.
Under (a) of "Forms of Sales Taxes" vote
in favor of "Use of a sales tax on turnovers to
bring in the whole amount."
Under (b) of "Forms of Sales Taxes" vote
in favor of "On goods, wares and merchan-
dise."
The first issue of the Tuners' Journal, an-
nounced as the official organ of the National
Association of Piano Tuners, Inc., has just been
issued and proves a well-handled and interesting
volume. The publication offices are in Kansas
City, Mo., and Thomas J. O'Meara, a well-known
tuner, is the managing editor.
The first issue is devoted chiefly to extended
reports and comments on the annual convention
of the Tuners' Association held in Chicago early
last month.
The United Music Corp., of Kittery, Maine,
dealer in musical instruments and supplies, has
secured a charter of incorporation in that State,
with a capital of $250,000.
Edward W. Ament Takes Charge of Piano De-
partment of New Wurlitzer Co. Store
BUFFALO, N. Y., June 27.—Edward W. Ament has
been appointed sales manager of the piano de-
partment of the new Wurlitzer store in this city,
one of the finest establishments of its kind in the
State. Mr. Ament was formerly connected with
the Clark Music Co. in Syracuse, and before that
was with Cohen & Hughes, Inc., in Baltimore,
and has taken up his new duties with much en-
thusiasm.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
6
PRAISES CHRISTMAN GRAND
Writer of Spanish Music and Widely Known
Pianist Uses This Instrument in Concert
Among the interesting letters which are re-
ceived from time to time by the Christman Piano
Co., 597 East 137th street, was one which was
Julio Osma
received recently from Julio Osma, composer
and pianist, who is well known throughout the
musical world, in which he states:
"It has been a pleasure to me to play on your
pianos. I am sure that the qualities of touch
and tone are unsurpassed and any pianist will
have a great delight in playing on them. I have
used the Christman pianos before in my concerts
while traveling through the United States and,
as stated before, have always admired them.
"With the aforesaid in mind I do not hesitate
to recommend them highly and will do so to my
pupils."
Julio Osma began his musical education when
he was six years old and at the age of twelve
became organist of the French college at Barce-
lona, where he graduated with the degree of
JULY 2, 1921
Bachelor of Arts at the age of seventeen. After
VACATION TIME IN TWIN CITIES
continuing his studies in piano at Barcelona for
some time, he went to Paris and finished his Local Music Dealers Resting Up for Fall Cam-
paigns—Agricultural Conditions Make for
musical education.
Optimism—Items of Interest
He then went to South America and there
dedicated himself to the teaching of music, hold-
ST. PAUL and MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., June 27.—
ing several Government positions as Professor
of Music in the principal colleges, under the Music merchants and their assistants are think-
supervision of the Gov- ing as much about recreation and rest as about
ernment.
He finally driving for business, for the annual vacation
founded a Conservatory period is on and the schedule of holiday re-
of Music and Declama- cesses is being followed in all the Twin City
tion in the city of San establishments. From now until the latter part
Jose, Republic of Costa of August no one figures on any considerable
Rica. This conservatory amount of sales of any class of musical instru-
was patronized by the ments and particularly pianos, for things don't
m u n i c i p a l authorities come that way in the Northwest.
Some dealers in Minneapolis and St. Paul
and became a great in-
stitution.
Besides this seem to think that they have experienced bet-
work he dedicated part ter business during the past week than during
of his energies to the for- the previous week, but they confess that the
mation of symphonic or- improvement has not been of material conse-
quence. It is quite true that there is a better
chestras.
In 1917 he came to the feeling throughout the rural sections, due to
the promise of an immense harvest. The
United States and has
optimism that should accompany this knowl-
traveled in concert tours
edge is tempered somewhat by the fact that the
extensively, but it is as a
indications point to low prices for agricultural
composer that the Amcr-
products, but even so the quantity of the yield
can public is most interested in and best ac- will probably bring in considerable ready money.
quainted with him.
In the cities retail business is cramped con-
The most conspicuous works of Osma are his siderably by unemployment and industrial diffi-
Spanish songs, among which are "Songs of My culties, various minor strikes complicating the
Spanish Soil."
conditions. An industrial revival is expected,
SOUTH AFRICAN IMPORTS
The importation of musical instruments into
the Union of South Africa shows an increase of
approximately 700 per cent in 1920 over the im-
ports of 1919, according to a report appearing
in the June 22 issue of Commerce Reports.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
BECAUSE our workmen work
for more than mere wages and
build more than mere mer-
chandise
HOUSE WOVEN FELTS
STAND
PREEMINENT
however, by the middle of July, due to the open-
ing of the railway shops in the Twin Cities and
throughout the Northwest. Other industrial
plants which have been closed are expected to
follow the lead of the railroads.
Manager Helriegel, of the Cable Piano Co.'s
St. Paul branch, experienced good trade last
week. The sales largely took the form of up-
right pianos. The ratio of grand and player
sales hardly was up to normal by comparison.
The Foster & Waldo Co.'s export Autopiano
sale still remains the big thing in Twin City
circles. The prices quoted attract buyers and
with very good reason. Mr. Foster states that
pianos and phonographs in their customary
orbits are keeping to traditions.
The Stone Piano Co. is making a determined
bid for the piano and phonograph trade through
the medium of the daily press and is obtaining
results. While the game at present is no easy
one it is fairly well established that particular
effort directed to the proper channels produces a
corresponding effort.
GOES AFTER SALES AND GETS THEM
S. B. Lewis, of Northumberland, Pa., Closes
Sixty-seven Sales from a Truck in Six Weeks
That there is business to be had by the sales-
man who really goes after it with the proper
energy is indicated in the ease of S. B. Lewis,
of the sales staff of Meisers' Music House,
Northumberland, Pa., who some time ago started
a selling campaign from a truck, covering terri-
tory within a radius of fifteen miles of head-
quarters. In six weeks Mr. Lewis brought in
sixty-seven real sales, sixteen of them for pianos
and player-pianos, and fifty-one for talking ma-
chines. Meisers' Music House features the Bjur
Bros, line of pianos and players, together with
Victrolas and records.
PLEASED WITH A. B. CHASE PIANO
Contributing Member
AVuftic Industries
Chamber of Commerce
Mi
Unionville, Conn.
J. L. Roberts, sales manager of the Jesse
French & Sons Piano Co., Montgomery, Ala.,
A. B. Chase Co. dealers, recently received a
letter of praise for the A. B. Chase instrument
purchased by Herbert Galloway, Montgomery,
Ala. The text of the letter follows:
"In answer to your recent inquiry, beg to ad-
vise that we are well pleased with the A. B.
Chase piano we purchased of you some time
ago. A number of musicians have tried this
piano and pronounce the tone and quality sec-
ond to none."

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