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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
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N E W S SERVICE I S S U P P L I E D WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN T H E LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
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under the Act of March 3, 1879.
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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
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.
Player-Piano and
Technical Departments
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Diploma
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal
Charleston Exposition, 1902
Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal—Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
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Cable Address: "Elbill, New York"
Vol. LXXIV
NEW YORK, JUNE 3, 1922
No. 22
THE CONVENTION CURTAIN RISES
ITH IN a day from the time this issue of The Review
reaches its readers the convention hosts will he hound for New
York for what is expected to he the largest and most important series
of association meetings in the history of the trade—important not
alone on account of the elaborate programs prepared, but important
because of the opportunity that will he afforded for the discussion
of the many problems that have developed in the industry, and for
that matter in all industries, as a result of prevailing business condi-
tions.
The staff representatives of The Review will cover all the con-
vention sessions, a full report of which will appear in the issue of
June 10. Every member of the trade who can so arrange his plans
should attend the meetings personally, and the next best thing for
those who cannot come to New York is to study the proceedings as
reported in full in The Review.
press for a number of years have been free to acknowledge the suc-
cess of The Review in showing the way in many journalistic projects.
This was the first publication, and for many years was the only pub-
lication, to feature a special section devoted to player-pianos. It was
also the first, and to all intents and purposes the only publication, to
maintain a technical department for the information and guidance
of tuners and repairmen. It has built up and organized a national
news service that supplies the news that the trade wants to know
and should know from two weeks to a month in advance of com-
petitors.
The standing of The Review in the industry, and the support
that has been given it, serve as an acknowledgment of its dominating
position. By showing the way, The Review is doing a real service to
the industry.
THE FREIGHT RATE REDUCTION
T
HE announcement last week of the order issued by the Inter-
state Commerce Commission for a general cut in railroad freight
rates throughout the country, averaging 10 per cent, is of great inter-
est to manufacturers and merchants everywhere, for the excessive
freight charges have long been recognized as a distinct drag upon
business and a hindrance to the work of bringing conditions back to
normal.
Even with the 10 per cent reduction freight rates will still be
too high, and it is hoped that further reductions will be made to
bring transportation charges back to a reasonable standard, even
though they may not reach the pre-war level.
It might also be well for the Interstate Commerce Commission to
look into the passenger traffic and order reductions in passenger rates,
which also have a tremendous influence on selling costs. These are
days when goods must be sold, and when the salesman must go about
the country and engage in the work of filling his order book, and the
expense accounts that result through the boosting of railway fares
and hotel rates must be added to the cost of the merchandise.
Increases that were made on the plea of wartime necessity
should not be continued under the same old excuse. As business has
gone through the process of liquidation and gotten down to some
sort of sound basis, so should transportation and traveling costs be
adjusted to meet the new conditions. A recommendation to this
effect coming from the music industries assembled in convention
should have some effect.
W
OUR P R E - C O N V E N T I O N NUMBER
OLLOWING the precedent established a number of years ago,
The Review last week issued its annual Pre-Convention Num-
ber, in which were embodied not only complete details of the con-
ventions with the business programs and entertainment features, but
the lists of exhibits during convention week and the announcements
of the various manufacturers.
The Review instituted the practice of issuing a Pre-Convention
Number years ago because it realized that material that could logi-
cally be incorporated in such an issue was of genuine interest and
importance to the trade at large and was calculated to add materially
to the interest in, and success of, the annual meetings. We find that
this policy has won the endorsement not only of the trade but of at
least one competitor who has seen fit to carry out the same idea.
This is indeed gratifying, for not only is imitation the sincerest form
of flattery, but for other publications to again follow the leadership
of The Review means a material advance in music trade journalism.
Those in the trade who have followed the progress of the trade
F
JUNE 3, 1922
THE RISING TIDE OF ORDERS
R
EPORTS from various manufacturing industries regarding the
volume of orders that have been received during the last fort-
night or so indicate that there has been a definite turn in the busi-
ness tide and that retailers are again doing a sufficient business to
warrant the placing of orders with manufacturers on something like
a substantial basis.
A prominent supply manufacturer reported last week that more
orders had been received during the six-day period than for any
one week since the first of the year, and that there was every indi-
cation of a large numix^r of orders yet to arrive. Several manu-
facturers of small grands, and particularly player-pianos, state that
there is a notable quickening in demand for these instruments from
the retail trade.
A significant fact is that these orders are for immediate delivery,
and in a number of cases have been accompanied by requests for rush
delivery. It should only take a few weeks of this better business to
place the retail trade in a frame of mind to anticipate future require-
ments by placing advance orders with the manufacturers.
It would seem the proper time to again emphasize the wisdom
of this course in order to enable the manufacturers to build up and
maintain their factory organizations on a basis that will permit of
the prompt filling of Fall orders. As it stands now even a fair
volume of business will tend to cause shipping delays, which are
likely to mean lost retail business in quite a few cases.
Incidentally, the unmistakable signs of improving condilions
justify the stand taken by far-sighted merchants and manufacturers
earlier in the year, when business was at a very low ebb, in refusing
to be frightened and to succumb to an indigo funk of pessimism.
Business has not gone to the proverbial dogs, all the calamity
howlers to the contrary, and each succeeding week brings fresh proof
that the worst of the depression is over, and that a steady improve-
ment in conditions can confidently be expected to continue.