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DECEMBER 9,
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
1922
13
MAKING THE ENTIRE MUSIC TRADE
PART OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Richard W. Lawrence Outlines Plan of Conducting the Activities of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce Under Supervision of Strong Committees
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When Richard W. Lawrence was elected
president of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce members of the industry frankly
looked forward to some interesting develop-
ments in the conduct and activities of that big
central trade organization, and those who have
kept in touch with the situation have not been
disappointed, for not only has there been much
accomplished already since the conventions in
June, but the work done so far this year prom-
ises much for the industry in 1923.
Mr. Lawrence brought with him into the or-
ganization his knowledge and experience as an
organizer and the idea that the ultimate suc-
cess of the Chamber depended not upon one
man or several men, but upon the co-operation
of the leading minds of the industry' in laying
out and supervising the work. The result has
been the appointment of a number of live com-
mittees that are really working committees and
have taken hold of the various activities of the
Chamber in a most encouraging way.
In response to a request for an interview,
President Lawrence left an important meeting
of the committee co-operating with the National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music for a
few moments and took occasion to air some of
his views and policies—policies, incidentally,
that have already been strongly approved.
"Trade organizations," said Mr. Lawrence,
"to be conducted successfully must have organ-
ized staffs of paid workers, but the fact that
these men are paid, in the opinion of some,
apparently suggests constant criticism, due most
generally to a misunderstanding of their work
and accomplishments by those who are inclined
to find fault. The result is that these employes
cannot do their best work for the reason that
the time that should be devoted to constructive
effort is frequently occupied in making explana-
tions to some one who is unfamiliar with the
real facts of the situation.
Building Up Real Working Committees
"Under our policy we are seeking to over-
come this condition by bringing together com-
mittees that are thoroughly representative of
the trade and who are made up of men whose
opinions are not only valuable in themselves,
but are calculated to carry weight with their
fellows. These men will tell the story of the
work accomplished under their direction by the
paid staff.
"Simply to appoint a committee and let it
work out its own salvation has proven on previ-
ous occasions to be the wrong method. The
committee members get together once, talk a
while, and then go their respective ways. When
the next committee meeting is called the ex-
cuses are numerous, but the attendance is dis-
appointing.
"In bringing together our new committees
we have gone to great lengths to explain to
the members in detail just what work the vari-
ous departments and bureaus are engaged in
and just what has been accomplished. The
result has been most satisfactory, for the actual
accomplishments have been sufficient to cause
little short of amazement on the part of those
who have been informed of the facts. As a
result of this thorough understanding of the
subject in hand, committee members have be-
come enthusiastic, and, realizing the extent and
importance of the project, have given us their
earnest and constant co-operation.
"The committees in charge of the various
activities will consider and pass upon the various
programs advanced by the Bureau heads and
make suggestions that, in their experience, they
feel are worth while, but one of their important
functions will be to go into their respective
divisions of the trade and explain what is being
accomplished as they know and see it and what
the new programs call for in way of general
Richard W. Lawrence
support. It is* believed that this plan will not
only give the individual trade member a more
intimate knowledge of the Chamber's activities
and thus win his support, but will leave the
Bureau heads free to carry on their work with-
out unnecessary interference, and therefore
more competently and with greater success.
Extent of Advancement of Music Work
"There is, for instance, a general knowledge
of the success of the National Bureau for the
Advancement of Music, and of the broad scope
of its work, but those in active charge of the
Bureau have had insufficient time to bring to
the attention of all trade members the great
results that have been obtained and the impor-
tance of the work as a whole. The committee
members of the Bureau were surprised, indeed,
when all the facts were learned, and their re-
sulting enthusiasm is bound to be communicated
to the trade as a whole.
"The Credit Bureau is another big factor in
the Chamber's work that is of utmost impor-
tance and has accomplished great results, even
though obviously as a matter of policy little
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can be said regarding its confidential activities.
"The fact that it is widely used and highly
successful and that members of the trade give
vital information to that Bureau frankly and
freely, in full knowledge that it will be kept in-
violate, is in itself a strong commentary on
the status of the. Chamber and the regard in
which it is held. During October 873 requests
for credit information were received.
Importance of Legal Work
"The Legal Department is another division
that is vitally important. Every one knows the
success of the legal division in eliminating much
of the burden of special wartime taxes, but
there is the constant menace of new and danger-
ous legislation that can only be combated suc-
cessfully because the trade is organized with a
legal bureau prepared to fight in its interest.
Possibilities of Statistical Service
"One of the chief functions of the impor-
tant Trade Service Bureau of the Chamber,
as I see it, is the gathering of accurate statistics
regarding the industry, particularly along the
lines of production and distribution, and there
are innumerable ways in which such information
can prove of inestimable value to the individual
manufacturer or merchant. The time will come
when the Chamber will have at hand at various
periods of the year accurate figures regarding
available finished instruments in factories and
under production, and the number of instru-
ments in dealers' warerooms and warehouses
and gross sales to the public. These figures will
prove a most valuable guide to all concerned
as indicating trade requirements, and thus
enable the trade to make their plans based on
facts instead of hunches.
"This statistical service, when perfected, will
unquestionably do much to solve the present
labor problem in the industry by enabling the
manufacturer to regulate his production on a
basis that will give his employes steady work
all year around, a most potent element in keep-
ing his organization intact and in attracting
new recruits to the industry.
"The figures that are received from individual
manufacturers and merchants will be held con-
fidential and inviolate by the Chamber and will
be used only as a basis for compiling general
statistics.
Credit Work Reflects Confidence
"The experience of the Credit Bureau has
shown that the Chamber has the confidence of
the trade, and the statistical information of
our Trade Service Bureau will enhance this
confidence.
"The main thing to emphasize is that the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce is not,
and cannot be, a one-man proposition, nor can
it be operated successfully by a small group
of men. It is an organization by, of and for
the trade, and to be successful demands the
thought, advice and guidance of the best minds
of the industry, in all its subdivisions."
Past experiences often indicate the things to
avoid in the future.
For over 25 years Specialists
in high grade Piano Cases
Paterson Piano
Case Co.
PATERSON, N. J.