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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
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 Ave., New York; Secretary, Edward Lyman Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., 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 Reportorial Staff
tDWARD VAJJ HARUNGEN, V. D. WALSH, E. B. MUNCH, LEE ROBINSON C. R. TIGHE,
EDWABD LYMAN BILL, SCOTT KINGWILL, THOS. W. BKESNAHAN, A. J. NICKLIN.
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NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered as second-class matter September 10, 1892, at the post office at New York, Nl Y.,
under the Act of March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION
(including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
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ADVERTISEMENTS, $6.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
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REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
p
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.
and
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Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal... .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma...- .Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal—Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE
Vol. LXXIII
TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5983—6983 MADISON
Connecting all Departments
Cable Address: "Elbill, New York"
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 10, 1921
The Music Trade Review extends its hearty greetings
to the entire industry, sincerely hoping that every
member thereof may experience in fullest measure
the genuine happiness of a most Merry Christmas.
SUMMING UP THE SITUATION
T
H E Review presents in this issue a comprehensive survey of
business conditions throughout the country, particularly as they
affect the music trade or are calculated to affect it during the
months to come. As a whole, the music merchants are an optimistic
lot and, judging from the reports have, in most instances, sound
reasons for optimism. In presenting this report to the industry,
The Review feels that it is doing a real service, as it is offering
both manufacturers and retailers something on which to base their
calculations for next year's business.
The various special articles also featured in this issue are from
men in and out of the industry who are in a position to speak with
authority on the subjects which they have chosen. Particularly
pertinent are the discussions of the value of good will and the
financing problem as it promises to develop. It will soon be time
for members of the industry to start on the development of next
year's campaign, and the more thorough knowledge they have of
conditions the more sure will be their movements.
THE QUESTION OF THE TARIFF
H E tax question now being out of the way, the next bidder for
the attention of the trade is the Fordney Tariff Bill. The
hearings on this measure began this week and are expected to con-
tinue for a fortnight, during which period the various important
questions involved will be threshed out thoroughly. The members
of the music industry are not alone interested in the amount of tariff
T
1921
protection granted the domestic manufacturers of musical instru-
ments and parts, but are also directly interested in the general
provisions of the measure and the possible effect of any over-
drastic tariff on the development of foreign trade as a whole.
The unusual world conditions that exist at the present time,
the disorganization in certain countries and the general depreciation
of foreign currency serve to complicate materially the problem of
framing a tariff measure that will act for the benefit of American
manufacturers and at the same time not cause harmful reaction.
In the framing of any measure affecting imports or exports there
must be considered the question of international trade, for it has
already been proven that no country can live within itself and prosper.
THE BUREAU OF INDUSTRIAL MUSIC
T
HOSE members of the trade who have been actively interested
in the advancement of music and in all the several channels that
have been followed to date should be extremely interested in the
announcement of the organization of the Bureau of Industrial Music
by the Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Cal., under the
direction of Miss Antoinette R. Sabel.
Despite the title, the new Bureau is not a strictly business propo-
sition, but is designed to act as a clearing house for the musical
activities of that city, to help in the organization of choruses, bands
and orchestras among the employes of the various local industries,
for the purpose of realizing the benefits that such organizations
represent in business.
A particularly commendable feature of the work will be that
of making it possible for individuals of genuine musical ability to real-
ize upon their talents rather than to let their gifts remain unheralded
while they are engaged in earning livelihoods in ordinary fields of
endeavor. Los Angeles has done a number of fine things for music,
but nothing finer than the organization of this new Bureau of
Industrial Music. It marks a distinct forward step in the work of
putting music in its proper place and keeping it there.
SQ.
No. 24
DECEMBER 10,
REDUCED FREIGHT RATES PROMISED
T
H E announcement from Washington to the effect that there
is a likelihood of a general reduction in freight rates, under
orders from the Interstate Commerce Commission, is of particular
interest to business men generally, for although heavy freight rates
are not entirely responsible for the high level of commodity prices,
there is no question but that they add materially to the cost of
goods set down at the dealer's store and complicate the problem
of getting retail prices down to a normal level.
It is pointed out that, with the elimination of the excise tax
on musical instruments and a disposition on the part of retailers
of pianos to accept a normal profit and make their money on large
turnover rather than upon individual sales, there lies a real op-
portunity for the development of substantial business during the
coming year. There are many factors, however, that serve to main-
tain the high price level and which are out of the control of the
dealer himself. It all serves to prove the contention that the work
of readjustment is not a one-man job.
ONE MERCHANT SEES THE LIGHT
H
ONEST confession, it is declared, is good for the soul and the
following letter sent to The Review recently from a Southern
dealer should, on that theory, prove most beneficial, not only to
himself, but to other retailers who have been drifting along and
getting into bad habits. The letter reads:
"Dealers in this territory have sweated blood and have suffered
privation, persecution and profitless work and worry. Now come
repossessions, repentance and more work and worry, but thank God
we have all learned a lesson—at least your humble servant has.
"No more long-drawn-out lease accounts for me; no more pur-
chasing heavily in anticipation of a wonderful business. It shall
be good old reliable goods-for-your-money or short-time paper. I
shall court business from those who are able to purchase, who
demand quality and can pay for it.
"I shall not cut out the instalment business entirely, but a very
brave effort shall be made to secure this time business from those
who can assure me of their ability to live up to their contract. I
feel that your paper will help me to live up to my present resolve.
Hence the check for the renewal of my subscription."