Music Trade Review

Issue: 1922 Vol. 75 N. 2

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
RLVFW
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 Lyrnan 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 StafI
EDWARD VAN HARLINGEN, V. D. WALSH, E. B. MUNCH, LEE ROBINSON, C. R. TIGHE,
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, SCOTT KINGWILL, THOS. VV. BRESNAHAN, A. J. NICKLIN
W E S T E R N DIVISION:
BOSTON OFFICE:
Republic Bldg., 209 So. State St., Chicago.
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone, Wabash 5242-5243.
Telephone, Main 6950.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
NEWS SERVICE IS SUPPLIED WEEKLY BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN T H E 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, N. Y.,
tinder the Act of March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $6.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $150.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
P P i a n A anil
"lldllU allU
I W h n f r a l IW»nartmpntC
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
I C l l l U l l a l V C f f a l UIIClllS
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.
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
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
Cable Address: "Elbill, New York"
Vol. LXXV
NEW YORK, JULY 8, 1922
No. 2
SIGNS OF RETURNING CONFIDENCE
T
H E announcement made by several piano manufacturers in Chi-
cago that they plan to run their plants at full capacity throughout
the Summer in order to meet current and prospective demands, and
reports from manufacturers in other sections of an increasing volume
of orders, including a number of orders for Fall delivery, may be
accepted as proof of the turning of the business tide as it affects the
piano trade.
The plans of the manufacturers for maintaining an increasing
production are based not merely upon optimism, but upon orders in
hand and actually in prospect. It means that retailers in many sec-
tions are finding sales more plentiful and are recovering their con-
fidence in the immediate future of the business in which they are
engaged. All signs for Fall and Winter business are most encouraging
and, barring the unexpected, the results should be most satisfactory.
THE COAL STRIKE SITUATION
T
H E efforts of President Harding to bring together the repre-
sentatives of the coal mine operators and the coal miners for the
purpose of discussing ways and means for ending the coal strike have
the hearty indorsement of business men generally, who have come
to realize that the continued idleness at the mines and the steady
inroads into none too substantial coal reserves threaten to put the
brakes on the business development expected in the Fall and perhaps
may lead to genuine suffering.
The hint thrown out in connection with the call to the confer-
ence of drastic governmental action unless some early solution was
found for the difficulties of the miners and the operators is expected
to have an excellent effect in developing a conciliatory attitude on
the part of the warring interests.
There is no question that public opinion, while perhaps not
taking definite sides in the controversy, is nevertheless becoming
strongly antagonistic to those strikes that cause loss and suffering to
practically the entire population of the country because of disagree-
ments between minorities. The threatened strike of the railroad
shopmen is a case in point, and it is not difficult to foresee the time
REVIEW
JULY
8, 1922
when strong governmental action will be demanded, not as a last
resort but as a preventive measure.
Such action on the part of the Government can only be effective
when ways are found through legislation or by other means to force
respect for government and for the decisions in labor controversies.
Simply to use Federal agencies as clubs for the benefit of one side
or another in controversies, as has been done in the past, does not
answer the problem. Where the public welfare as a whole is con-
cerned means must be found for forcing the minority to give heed
to reason, whether that minority be made up of employers or em-
ployees.
THE SCHOOL FOR PIANO SALESMEN
U
NUSUAL interest attaches to the announcement of the formu-
lation of plans by the New York Piano Merchants' Association
for a school for piano salesmen to be opened in New York in Sep-
tember, with a course covering two weeks.
There has been for some time past considerable discussion re-
garding the desirability of some organized course of instruction for
piano salesmen to make them familiar with the latest developments
in selling methods, and the New York Association deserves credit
for taking the initiative and going ahead with the experiment.
Although new in the piano trade, the idea of schools for sales-
men has been tried out most successfully in other lines of industry,
particularly in the talking machine field, where excellent results have
been obtained. There are those of the old school who claim that
piano salesmen are born and not made and that the best instruction
is that obtained through actual experience on the floor and out in
the field. The fact must not be overlooked, however, that in the
selling of pianos throughout the country there has been accumulated
in the aggregate a vast amount of practical experience which under
ordinary circumstances is not available for the individual salesman.
Through the medium of the school he can receive instruction and
suggestions based upon the experience of those who have won
success.
The committee in charge of the plans for the school, of which
George A. Scofield is president, have gone about the work in a sys-
tematic manner and have arranged for a course that, when all details
are completed, will be most thorough and practical.
The subjects already suggested appear elsewhere in The
Review this week and give an excellent idea of the thought that has
been given to preparing a course that will be of genuine value. Cer-
tainly the experiment will be watched with unusual interest by piano
men all over the country, and it is to be hoped that its success will be
commensurate with the thought and the effort that is being put
into it.
PRACTICAL MUSIC ADVANCEMENT WORK
"To any child whose parents are unable to pay for music
lessons we offer one music lesson a week free and the use
of the piano in our studio to practice upon as our little help
and contribution to the cause of music."
This is the very plain and direct offer made by the DuBarry Piano
Co., of Seattle, Wash., in connection with the distribution by that
company of a number of interesting little booklets issued by the
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music. Regardless of how
many children take advantage of the offer, the fact that it is made
in good faith reflects a spirit on the part of the company that might
well be emulated in other quarters by music merchants who see in
the development of appreciation of music in children the real hope
for future business.
MONEY NOW MORE PLENTIFUL
F
ROM various cities of the country come reports of a notable
improvement in collections which has a significant bearing on
general business during the months to come. The willingness and
ability of instalment purchasers not only to keep up with current
obligations, but to catch up on lapsed payments, indicates a substantial
improvement in industrial conditions, sufficiently strong and perma-
nent to put thousands of workers again on their feet financially.
Improved collections are not only gratifying to the music mer-
chants who profit to the extent of having their accounts cleaned up,
but also to those who, being on the lookout for new business, find
consolation in the proof of more money being available. It speaks
well for future prospects.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 8,
1922
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PENNSYLVANIA MUSIC WEEK PRODUCES GOOD RESULTS
PIANO SALESMANSHIP SCHOOL
Preliminary Review of Recent Music Week Campaign Shows That It Awakened Much Interest
in Music Generally Which Will Eventually Prove Very Profitable From a Business Standpoint
New York Piano Merchants' Association Plans a
School Which Will Foster More Intelligent
Selling in the Retail Piano Field
The official report of the Pennsylvania State the field of music is evidenced not only in re-
The plan for the formation of a school for
Music Week, under preparation by the State De- ports of this kind, but in the individual channels,
partment of Public Instruction at Harrisburg, is too, has the State advanced its standing. 'Jade piano salesmen suggested at the last meeting of
not yet out, but a preliminary review of some of Butterfly,' written by Camille Zeckwer, a Phila- the New York Piano Merchants' Association has
the definite results of the observance has been delphian, won the $1,000 prize awarded in the been formulated by the committee appointed to
issued and is appearing in papers throughout the fourteenth festival of the Chicago North Shore carry out what is probably the most ambitious
State. This review should be of interest to all Festival Association. The award carries with it plan ever undertaken by the Association. The
members of the musical trade who wish to un- a public performance of the work at the last executive committee of the Association has ap-
derstand the possibilities of Music Week for the concert of the festival, also inclusion into the proved of the plan drawn up by the committee,
musical development of their community. It will repertoire of the Chicago Symphony during the composed of George Schofield, chairman; George
J. Sexton and Milton Weil.
be noted that, while due importance is attached 1922-23 season.
The school is to be opened on September 11 at
to the permanent musical activities directly in-
"Pennsylvania singers also won the first place
spired by Music Week, emphasis is chiefly laid in the song festival of the twenty-fifth anniver- a place to be decided upon later. There will be
upon the less tangible indirect results. The main sary of the Northeastern Singers' Association, daily classes in the morning and afternoon for
paragraphs of the review follow:
the award of first place and a $300 prize being two weeks. Hours for lectures and discussions
"Following the close of Music Week, which announced on May 30. This award was given will be from 10 to 12 o'clock in the morning and
was held throughout the State of Pennsylvania after over 200 societies from almost a dozen from 2 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The ex-
pense of the project is to be borne by the Asso-
from April 30 to May 6, the Department of Edu- States had competed.
"From these scattered events it will be seen ciation.
cation, under whose guidance the week was held,
The school, which has for its object the stimu-
reports that already there are certain tangible that Pennsylvania occupies truly a notable place
effects in evidence to show that the promotion in musical circles—a place which because of the lation of business through the infusion of new
of music and the centering of the public atten- interest created by Music Week will grow larger blood into the trade and more intelligent sales-
manship, will be in charge of a different retail
tion upon it have been productive of much good. and more influential."
For instance, the foundation of choral societies in
The Pennsylvania State authorities made use manager, selected by the committee in charge,
Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Lock Haven, Blooms- of the services of the National Bureau for the each day. The morning sessions will be given
burg, York, Corry, Crafton and Carnegie is one Advancement of Music in planning the Music over to a lecture by the retail manager in charge
of the steps accomplished. A band will be or- Week observance. They have expressed to C. M. and the afternoon sessions will be devoted to lec-
ganized in Franklin as a direct result of the week Tremaine, director of the Bureau, the opinion tures by technical men in the piano manufactur-
and orchestras in Lawrenceville, Canonsburg, that Music Week was the best-organized enter- ing field.
Pupils for the school will be recruited from the
Zelionople, Ambridge and Philadelphia are fur- prise ever undertaken in Pennsylvania and have
ther evidences of the interest aroused.
announced further that there was scarcely a stores of members of the Association; any other
"These new organizations cannot include the town which did not participate enthusiastically. concerns of reputable standing in the trade, and,
impetus given to musical organizations found in When the final report is ready Mr. Tremaine is in addition, applications will be received from the
nearly all of the colleges of the State, which exist planning to disseminate the information for the Y.M.C.A., Y.M.H.A., Knights of Columbus and
benefit of other States which may desire to hold other similar associations.
in goodly number.
Subjects for the morning sessions are as fol-
"That Pennsylvania has progressed rapidly in similar events.
lows: "Personality," "How to Get Prospects,"
"How to Handle Prospects," "Music—the Prod-
TRADE PROGRESS DURING 1922
GET BUSINESS JBYGOING AFTER IT
uct We Sell," "Player Demonstration," "Con-
How tine Du Barry Piano Co., of Seattle, De- Distinct Advances in Business Noted During tracts and Terms," "How to Close Sales," "Open
Forum." The afternoon sessions will be devoted
First Half of Year, Says Dun's Review
velops Business in Its Territory
to the following subjects: "The Upright Piano,"
The half-year just ended brought a distinct "The Grand Piano," "The Player Piano," "The
The Du Barry Piano Co., 1404-1406 First
avenue, Seattle, Wash., is among the growing advance in business, with most of the gain in Reproducing Piano," "Tone," "Piano Action,"
•:
army of optimists in the Northwest who believe confidence and actual transactions achieved dur- "Player Music and Music Rolls."
that business can be secured by going after it ing the second quarter, says Dun's review of
firmly and unceasingly. That this is not a theory business conditions. Unsettled labor conditions
HOUSE FAVORSjKILEAGE BOOKS
with this house is evident from the practical re- in some industries have long been a detriment,
sults secured by F. F. Du Barry, president of curtailing operations and enhancing costs of pro- Passes Senate Measure Providing for Issuance of
Interchangeable Mileage Books or Script for
the company, who in a recent communication to duction, and the threatened railroad strike in-
Use of Commercial Travelers
The Review remarked that "Buyers are buying creased uncertainty this week. Despite various
here when we go after them pleasantly and con- drawbacks, however, recovery from previous de-
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 1.—The House of Rep-
pression has been substantial, if highly irregular,
tinuously, and with inducements that interest."
The Review is a great believer in this policy and many interests-will be more active this Sum- resentatives on Thursday passed the Senate Bill
authorizing the issuance by the railroads of an
of "keeping at it" vigorously, withal in a polite mer than was anticipated.
Interruptions from inventories and vacations interchangeable mileage book. The original bill
and convincing way, so as to invite the attention
not only of actual customers, but of those who will be experienced as usual, but there is clearly was amended, however, to permit the Interstate
may be disposed to consider the purchase of a more work to be done this year and shutdowns Commerce Commission to determine whether
piano, player, or some other musical instrument. will be less general and extended. A new and such books should be issued or whether the rail-
Speaking about the Du Barry Piano Co. one rather unexpected phase has arisen with the roads should place on sale script books. The
is inclined to extend congratulations on the really more frequent reports of labor scarcity in cer- Commission will determine what form the books
beautiful stationery which this company uses in tain lines, the steel industry among them, and will take and whether the charge per mile will
its business transactions. A striking feature of competitive bidding for workers is heard of be lower than the regular tariff.
Various organizations of traveling men, par-
this literature is the famous Du Barry seal in in isolated instances. While there is still con-
siderable idleness in different quarters more op- ticularly the National Council of Traveling
several colors. It is dignified and artistic.
portunity for employment is now afforded, and Salesmen's Association, of which the National
the public purchasing capacity would be meas- Piano Travelers' Association is a member, have
A. L JEWETT IN NEW YORK
urably augmented if strikes were not present been fighting for special mileage books for many
Among the visitors to New York the past at coal mines and elsewhere. Such disputes in- months, advocating a rate of two and a half
week was A. L. Jewett, traveling representative variably retard progress, though they may not cents per mile for bona fide commercial travelers.
• * * *
of the Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind. Mr. wholly check it, and their effect on primary mar-
George H. Bliss, president of the National
Jewett has been traveling very extensively in the ket prices is plainly visible in the existing
Piano Travelers' Association, has sent out a let-
South, particularly Texas, for some mouths past, situation.
ter to members of that body calling their atten-
and reported improving conditions in that ter-
tion to the passage of the measure, which he de-
ritory, particularly as far as pianos and talk-
UNEMPLOYMENT^ DECREASING
scribes as a distinct victory for the work of the
ing machines were concerned.
Figures gathered by the Merchants' Associa- National Council.
tion of New York for the use of the Committee
J. L. MEISSE MUSIC CO. OPENS
on Unemployment of New York City show that
NEW JERSEY INCORPORATION
NORTHAMPTON, IMASS., July 3.—The J. L. Meisse
industry is reviving. A canvass just completed
The Chanteclair Music Shop, at 183 Market
Music Co. has opened an attractive establishment indicates a decrease in the number of workers
street, Paterson, N. J., has filed papers of in-
at 27 Pleasant street, this city. The store has now out of work.
corporation in that State. The concern is capi-
been remodeled throughout and has been hand-
Consult the universal Want Directory of talized at $25,000, consisting of 250 shares of
somely appointed. The firm has the sole repre-
sentation for the Hallet & Davis line of instru- The Review. In it advertisements are inserted stock with a par value of $100 each. Charles
free of charge for men who desire positions. J. LeClair is the incorporator.
ments here.

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