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THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
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RAY BILL, B. B. WILSON, BRAID WHITE, Associate Editors
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Vol. LXXIV
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 4, 1922
No. 5
THE CENSUS OF MANUFACTURERS
T
H E results of the census of manufactures now being taken by
the Government will be awaited with interest by those who are
desirous of having facts and figures relative to the development of
the music industry as a whole during the past few years, for, although
it is admitted that census figures are under no circumstances any too
accurate, they are nevertheless more desirable than no statistics at all.
It is most unfortunate that there have been no successful efforts
made to secure accurate production and sales figures for the music
industry, due to the lack of interest of many trade members "and to
other reasons. A number of piano manufacturers have been so prone
to quote factory capacity figures when asked regarding output that
they find it difficult to get out of the habit and down to brass tacks.
Every man connected with the trade who is in a position to judge
with a fair degree of accuracy has his own figures to offer regard-
ing the total piano output and how it is divided among uprights,
players and grands, and the various quotations differ widely.
It would seem a matter of wisdom for the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce or one of its Bureaus to endeavor to compile
an authentic census of the industry at an early date, not simply for
the sake of piling up statistics but for the information that might
thus be obtained to guide those engaged in the manufacture and
sale of musical instruments, or those contemplating entering the
field. The industry is too big to have its activities computed by the
guessing system.
HANDLING THE CREDIT QUESTION
T
H E executives of various associations in the music industry,
together with those interested in the development of association
activities, might find something of interest in the capable and thor-
oughly efficient manner in which the Music Publishers' Protective
Association handles the all-important matter of credits so far as it
affects the collecting of mechanical royalties for the reproduction
of music on talking machine records and music rolls.
Under the capable direction of E. C. Mills, this Association has
REVIEW
FEBRUARY 4, 1922
worked most successfully in eliminating many of the evils to which
the music-publishing industry was heir to, not the least important
of which was the practice of paying professional singers for using
the songs of various publishers. The Association did not simply
pass resolutions against the practice, but it prescribed and enforced
definite penalties for the violation of agreement to discontinue the
practice. It is hinted that some singers are recompensed for favor-
ing the songs of an unscrupulous publisher or two even to-day, but
the trail is so carefully hidden that the agreement still remains to
all intents and purposes airtight.
When it comes to getting facts and statistics regarding the music
roll and talking machine record trades the Association has again
demonstrated its energy. The list of record and roll manufacturers,
the names of the stencil products for which they are responsible,
and the other ramifications of their businesses, are all comprehensive.
The figures are not simply approximations as are the figures offered
by some other trade associations, but are honest-to-goodness facts
that have been investigated.
The individual roll cutter or record maker who shows an inclina-
tion to be careless about making royalty returns to publishers finds
that he has to deal with an association that does not simply plead but
delivers orders in a most emphatic fashion.
The Music Publishers' Protective Association naturally has to
deal with problems all its own, but the manner of the dealing should
prove an inspiration to other trade bodies that hesitate about being
aggressive.
PREPARING A NEW TARIFF PLAN
A
CCORDING to reports from Washington there is a strong possi-
bility that effort will be made to find a satisfactory substitute for
the American valuation clause in the Fordney tariff bill. Although
the plan has been strongly supported in many quarters, the opposition
to it has apparently been even stronger, and a modification at least
of the valuation plan is in prospect. One of the substitutes offered
for the measure is the work of Senator Reed Smoot, who has also
offered suggestions looking to the carrying out of the President's idea
regarding an elastic tariff.
It is eminently desirable that some tariff plan be fixed upon and
adopted that will provoke the least opposition from all quarters and
therefore stand a fair chance of being passed by Congress within a
reasonable time. There is no question but that the uncertainty re-
garding the ultimate character of the tariff bill has a depressing effect
upon business and the sooner the matter is settled just so much
sooner will one obstacle to a return to normalcy be removed.
THE NATIONAL PLAYER WEEK CAMPAIGN
T
HE plans now under way for the holding of a National Player-
Piano Demonstration Week, on April 15-22 should prove of in-
terest to all members of the industry who are in any way connected
with the manufacture and sale of player-pianos, for although the
idea has been launched and has been carried out by an individual
player action manufacturer, the Standard Pneumatic Action Co.,
the scope of the work is so great that the entire player-piano trade
is bound to benefit through the widespread publicity. In view of
the interest that is being shown in the plan for a national co-operative
advertising campaign to feature player-pianos, a special player-piano
demonstration week appears to be most timely. If the advertising
plan falls through players will still have had some worthy publicity,
and if the general advertising plan is carried out then it will have
been strengthened by the week of demonstration.
ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY IN OHIO
T
H E State of Ohio is rapidly achieving a reputation for being
most active in Association work, for within the State are sup-
ported and operated several very active trade bodies. First, of
course, comes the Ohio Association of Music Merchants, the most
active trade association in the country. Then there are several dis-
tinctly local and city associations, such as that in Cleveland, that serve
not only to bring competitors together on a friendly basis, but ac-
complish definite results for the protection and betterment of the
trade. Music merchants in other States where the association idea
has lain dormant or has been allowed to die off might do well to
study the activities of their contemporaries in Ohio, where music
trade associations represent something besides pleasant thoughts.