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JUNK 7,
1924
THE
MUSIC TRADE
9
REVIEW
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce—(Cont. from p. 7)
ing of contests under the Bureau auspices and
with prizes awarded by that organization. Band
contests have also been held in Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas and North Dakota, with Bureau assist-
ants, but for prizes given by local interests. An
official contest requires a minimum of twelve
entrants.
Another new activity that is receiving atten-
tion is the county contest for high school stu-
dents to promote interest in musical perform-
ance and music appreciation. In this connec-
tion the Bureau confines its assistance chiefly to
the giving of prizes. The Bureau is also co-
operating with the church committee of the
National Federation of Music Clubs with a view
to stimulating and improving hymn singing
in churches and Sunday schools.
This tie-up of the Bureau with the National
Federation of Music Clubs is particularly effec-
tive and has shown unusual results in many
directions, chiefly in the upbuilding of junior
music clubs.
A substantial part of the report is devoted to
the story of the First National Music Week, in
which the Bureau played such an important
part. Thus far 450 cities have reported offi-
cial Music Week celebrations. Particularly sig-
nificant is the fact that President Coolidge
accepted the chairmanship of the Honorary
Committee of Governors, on which were repre-
sented the Governors of thirtv-six States and
the territories of Alaska, Hawaii and the Philip-
pine Islands.
In view of the scope of the National Music
Week work it is particularly significant and
interesting that the entire cost was kept down
to $8,000, of which $5,500 was raised outside
the Bureau and $2,500 borne by that organiza-
tion. It is estimated that the movement this
year resulted in over 200,000 inches of daily
newspaper publicity which was of incalculable
value.
The development of the Christmas caroling
and Easter caroling idea finds a place in the
report, as does the work of the Bureau in de-
veloping interest in high school credits for pri-
vate music study, on which subject the Bureau
recently issued a book that has been in much
demand among educators and music lovers.
The miscellaneous activities of the Bureau
are many and varied, including co-operation in
the harmonica contest in Philadelphia, collabo-
ration with the National Child Welfare Associa-
tion, the publication of "Musicograms" taken
over from the community service after that or-
ganization had discontinued it, assisting in the
fight against the tax on band instruments and
many others. The report also contains a list
of some of the newer and more important pub-
lications of the Bureau, the library of that or-
ganization having now reached most imposing
proportions.
Better Business and Trade Service
Bureaus' Work Reported by G. L. Dennis
f N a r e p o r t on the activities of the Better
Business Bureau of the C h a m b e r C. 1.. Den-
nis, the director, emphasized particularly the
c a m p a i g n t h a t was carried on d u r i n g the year
C. L. Dennis
against the fake publishers that for years have
preyed upon amateur songwriters. This cam-
paign has proven most successful and has re-
ceived the support of post office authorities. Of
the 136 new matters handled by the Bureau
during the year sixty-five related to the song
swindle and seventy-one to merchandising ques-
tions. Information has been secured regarding
200 song sharks, many of whom have gone out
of business. Attention is now being given to
a music roll scheme intended to defraud ama-
teur songwriters in a new' way.
Mr. Dennis also reported on the activities of
the Trade Service Bureau of the Chamber, of
which he is also director. He told of the pro-
motion helps offered by the Bureau, including
advertising tie-ups with the Music Week, Thrift
Week, Franklin Day and Better Homes Move-
ment. He told of the development of improved
business methods, including the issuance of the
book, "Accounting for Retail Music Stores"
and "Determination of Taxable Income Derived
From Instalment Sales" and of the effort made
to establish a "Depreciation Schedule of Used
Piano Values."
The information service of the Bureau re-
sponded to 265 inquiries during the year for
advertising and other advice, including that on
accounting and legal problems, collections, etc.
The service rendered by the Bureau and pro-
viding literature and service helps for the trade
is indicated in the fact that for eleven various
publications listed in the report, including ad-
vertising material for dealers' use, orders aggre-
gating over 500,000 copies have been received.
The report included a list of the various serv-
ice bulletins issued by the Bureau which, in
addition to the book on accounting, include the
technical notes of the Forest Products Labora-
tory, "Determination of Taxable Income De-
rived From Instalment Sales," "Music in the
Home Budget," "Advertising Music," "What Is
the Music Corner" and various publications in
connection with the advertising window display
contests conducted in connection with the con-
vention.
62nd Year
The
LAUTER
Dealers who feature the Lauter
have a complete group of in-
struments. They can offer a
high grade piano for every pur-
pose, no matter what their pros-
pective purchasers' r e q u i r e -
ments may be.
Each style is a perfect instru-
ment in its own particular field,
and is designed to appeal to the
most critical customer.
Lauter-Humana Player Piano
Lauter Reproducing Piano
Lauter Reproducing Grand
Lauter Small Grand
Lauter Piano
We feature the Lauter-Humana
because the amount of business
done in player pianos far ex-
ceeds that of any other type of
instrument. It is "the world's
finest player piano." The same
high quality that is typical of
the Lauter-Humana w i l l be
found in the other members of
the Lauter group.
Write for details
LAUTER CO.
591 Broad St., Newark, N J .
Chamber's Credit, Collection and Export
Work Given in Detail by Beach Barrett
D E A C H BARRETT, manager of the Credit
Bureau, reported that the facilities of the
Bureau are being utilized by a constantly increas-
ing number of applicants, there being about
12,000 inquiries during the past year, with over
7,000 new reports compiled. Closer co-operation
on the part of the members of the Chamber and
those who seek the services of the Bureau has
resulted in more efficient operation.
(Continued on page 13)
Manufacturers of
Fine Pianos