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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer. C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
L 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, Win. A. Low.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAY BILL, B. B. WILSON, BRAID WHITE, Associate Editors
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CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
L. E. BOWERS, Circulation Manager
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EDWARD VAN HARLINGEN, V. D. WALSH, E. B. MUNCH, LEE ROBINSON, C. R. TIGHE,
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
D
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P I o n A aUU
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tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
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are dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. W« also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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Cable Address: "Elbill, Nevr York"
Vol. LXXV
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 9, 1922
No. 11
SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS
OW many music merchants have endeavored to ascertain the
H
relative portion of income received in the respective States or
territories as compared with the gross income of the nation as a
whole, thus gaining some idea of the relative value of their business
prospects? If the attempt is made earnestly the results are likely
to be surprising.
The National Bureau of Economic Research in New York, for
instance, has been compiling some figures along this line and makes
the interesting announcement that three States, New York, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, with about one-fifth of the country's popu-
lation, receive one-fourth of all incomes in the United States, while
on the other hand a group of twelve Southern States, with more
than twenty-one per cent of the gross population, receive less than
fifteen per cent of the total income. On a per capita basis people
of the Pacific Coast States receive a larger average income than
those of any other regional group.
Some interesting contrasts are reported in the figures repre-
senting the incomes of various States. New York, for instance,
had a gross income in 1919 of $9,047,859,000, or one-eighth of the
income of the country, as compared to Nevada With its State income
of only $65,791,000.'
Statistics may not mean a, great deal to the average business
man, but in cases such as this they serve to reflect the business pos-
sibilities of given territories. If goods are to be sold there must
be available money to buy them and the more money the more pos-
sibilities for successful sales campaigns.
GOOD MUSIC AS AN ATTRACTION
announcing the opening of the new Eastman Theatre, the
I it N is $5,000,000
gift of (jeorge Eastman to the University of Rochester,
stated that an effort will be made to draw the masses to the
theatre for the purpose of hearing good music by offering motion
pictures as the chief attraction.
SEPTEMBER 9,
1922
While any move to spread the gospel of good music is to be
supported, it hardly seems a matter of wisdom to build up musical
appreciation through outside mediums. It has been demonstrated
on all too many occasions that the public will respond to good
music for itself and it does not require outside attractions to insure
the gathering of an audience.
The motion picture theatres, especially the larger ones in such
cities as New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, have played a promi-
nent part in bringing good music close to the public and through
the medium of symphony orchestras and great organs have offered,
and still offer, programs of great worth. A noteworthy fact is,
however, that quite as many apparently go to these big theatres to
hear the music as go to see the films, which proves that music
itself has drawing power.
If it is still found necessary to feature motion pictures and
other attractions for the purpose of getting the masses together
to hear good music, then much of the success of the advancement
of music campaigns that have been carried on for several years
past appears to be overestimated. The Eastman project for the
advancement of music is so colossal that music itself would appear
to be the sole and only attraction required.
THE VALUE OF SALES CONTESTS
contests have been accepted in the piano trade
S ALESMEN'S
at least as one of the most direct means for stimulating business
during a stipulated period and the majority of the contests have
resulted in an increased volume of sales sufficiently large to more
than offset any trouble and expense involved in the contest itself.
There are those who hold that the average contest is calculated
to fool the piano merchant by bringing in within a few weeks and
under great pressure business that would be garnered anyhow within
a reasonable time and that the let-down of the sales force after
the contest more than offsets the stimulated effort.
The fact remains, however, that sales contests actually bring
the business into the store and with it money that keeps the business
going. If the sales can be closed to-day, rather than a month hence,
it makes the effort worth while, for it makes way for a greater
turnover in stock and gives the merchant the use of the money in
the interim.
There are very few salesmen who will not respond more or
less strongly to the contest incentive. They may have been putting
forth really honest efforts before, but the idea of winning over the
other fellow will result in a surprising increase in energy. It may
be that the prize itself is not of sufficient value to impress the
salesman, but the idea of winning it and the spirit of triumph alone
make the effort worth while. The statement has been made that
the average man will do more for a cigar than he will for a dollar,
and the same .idea holds good in the sales contest.
INCREASING FREIGHT TONNAGE
the freight tonnage handled by railroads may be accepted as
I F some
indication of the general condition of the country's busi-
ness, then the industrial and agricultural situation has returned
close to normal. The figures issued by the American Railway As-
sociation indicate that during the last three weeks in July the ton-
nage of commodities other than coal handled by the railroads of
the country was only one-tenth of one per cent less than the maxi-
mum freight volume ever handled, the record being set in October,
1920.
During the last week in July, for instance, the carloading was
859,733, or close to 65,000 cars more than for the corresponding
period last year. This despite the falling off of coal shipments
as a result of the strike.
There is no question but that with the effects of coal and rail
strikes, and with the efforts to overcome coal shortages, the
railroads are being hard put to handle all the freight offered dur-
ing the Fall months, which will mean delays if nothing worse.
There is apparent a strong tendency on the part of merchants lo-
cated at a distance from their sources of supplies to place their
orders as early as possible and specify immediate delivery in order
to offset any transportation delays.
That there is such a vast volume of freight offered to the rail-
roads speaks well for the favorable condition in which the ma-
jority of the industries of the country find themselves to-day.