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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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Vol. LXXIII
TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5983—5083 MADISON
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NEW YORK, OCTOBER 15, 1921
SQ.
No. 16
T H E REOPENING OF STEINWAY HALL
H E reopening of Steinway Hall last week, with the first public
showing of the noted Steinway collection of portraits of famous
composers and an interpretative piano program rendered by Mme.
Yolanda Mero, was an event of distinct musical importance, not only
to New York but to the country at large, for Steinway Hall shortly
after the middle of the last century was recognized nationally as one
of the real musical centers. Thirty-one years have elapsed since the
practice of giving public recitals in Steinway Hall was discontinued,
but during the quarter century preceding that time such noted artists
as Patti, MacDowell, Rubinstein, Dr. Leopold Damrosch and a host
of others of like international fame had displayed their artistry before
the music-lovers gathered in that famous auditorium.
The reopening of the hall was commented upon at length in
practically all the New York newspapers, and the attention given the
event strongly emphasized its importance from a musical standpoint.
For decades the name Steinway has been so closely identified with
things musical in America, and for that matter throughout the world,
that the word Steinway and music may be said to be almost synony-
mous in the public mind. The resumption of musical activities in
Steinway Hall, therefore, is a matter for congratulation both for the
psychological and practical effect it may be expected to have.
T
T H E PROGRESS O F T H E TAX F I G H T
T
H E advice of prominent men in the industry to the effect that
in the Federal tax fight, as in other fights, there is life while
there is hope seems to have been borne out by recent developments
in connection with the drafting of a satisfactory tax measure in the
Senate.
Although the tax situation refuses to remain set and
changes over night, there is, as this is written, a rather bright chance
that the manufacturers' sales tax plan recommended by Senator
Smoot will receive serious consideration whether or not one of the
other suggested plans is finally adopted.
Senator Smoot, who is hailed as the friend of the industry, is
putting up a strong fight for his measure and is gaining supporters
OCTOBER 15,
1921
each day. Even should his measure not be adopted in toto there is
a chance of some of the recommendations at least being incorporated
in the final tax bill. Meanwhile, through the efforts of George W.
Pound and others, various clauses favorable to the music industry
have been incorporated or reincorporated into the section of the
Finance Committee Bill covering excise taxes. Even should the
Smoot plan fail and the excise taxes be continued, the trade will at
least have the satisfaction of enjoying the rights accorded to it in
the previous measure.
Meanwhile, protests and arguments in favor of the manufac-
turers' sales tax and the elimination of excise taxes are distinctly in
order. The music industry, to say nothing of the women's clubs
and other organizations, have within recent weeks been conducting
an energetic and apparently effective campaign. On top of protests
as citizens and as representative men of the music industry, some
members of the trade have also emphasized their position as members
of the Republican Party, and therefore entitled to call upon the
Administration for the fulfilment of pre-election promises.
It may be that in the face of all arguments and protests the
Senate will draft a bill that will fail to grant to the industry relief
from discriminatory taxation, but it is generally acknowledged that
should the fight be lost in this session there are strong probabilities
that the campaign will result in a general leveling of taxes and very
likely the drafting of a tax bill on the sales tax plan some time in
the very near future.
Meanwhile the fight is not over and it is not yet time for those
who are vitally interested to rest on their oars.
T H E D E A T H O F IRA L. G R I N N E L L
I
N the passing of Ira L. Grinnell the music industry of the country
has sustained a distinct and, it may be said, irreparable loss, for,
as the founder and head of the great house of Grinnell Bros., Mr.
Grinnell had for many years pointed the way to the successful mer-
chandising of musical instruments, and through the execution of his
ideas had built up a monument that remains as a guide to those who
seek to realize the opportunities that lie in the retail music field.
From one single store, established about a half century ago, the
Grinnell business grew until at the present time it embraces a chain
of over twenty-five retail establishments, controls several musical
instrument factories, and stands high among the leaders of the
musical instrument distributing field of the country. The growth of
the business in the early days was due largely to the business ability
of Ira L. Grinnell, the founder, and its progress up to the present
time has been due in no small measure to his personal supervision.
Mr. Grinnell was the type of man who lent distinction and dig-
nity to the industry, who proved that there are really big opportuni-
ties in the music field for those who can grasp and take advantage of
them. This is the nature of his service to the industry in which he
was so long a factor, and because of that service those who have
benefited thereby sincerely mourn his loss.
T H E COMING C O N C E R T SEASON
A
CCORDING to the announcements of the various musical man-
agers there will be an unusual number of pianists, singers and
violinists of national and international reputation touring the United
States during the season just opened. The names that have already
been announced are among those to conjure with in the musical world,
several of the European celebrities coming to America for the first
time in many years. Most of these artists are known and appreciated
not alone by the regular concert and recital patrons, but by those who
have become acquainted with them through the medium of talking
machine records and reproducing piano rolls.
This active musical season should prove of direct interest and
benefit to the music merchant who sees to it that the musical events in
his locality are properly heralded before the public and that his
identity with the musical activities is clearly established. If the artist
is connected in one way or another with some of the products he is
selling, so much the better for his publicity, but the fact alone that
the artist is presenting music in its best form, and is helping in the
maintenance and development of musical instruments, is a matter of
paramount importance. The support of high-class concerts and
recitals represents music advancement work of the best sort, and it is
work in which the local retailer can assist directly. The stimulation
of interest in music means a demand for instruments that make music,
and it is upon that interest that the industry is built.