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REVIEW
THE
VOL. LXXIX. No. 24 Piblished Every SaUrday. Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., 383 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. Dec. 13, 1924
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Retrospect and Prospect—1925
A Year of Constructive Achievement in the Music Industries Ends in a
Widespread Feeling of Sound Optimism for the Coming Twelve Months—
Some of the Outstanding Events of the Year in All the Trade's Branches
C
ONSTRUCTIVE in developments for the benefit of the
music industries in general, a year fertile in fluctuations of
sales volume which brought in their train a number of dis-
tributive problems, 1924 presents many difficulties in summing up
its total of achievement. In general it may be said that the year
opened with a very fair volume of sales and a public responsive
to intensive merchandising work. This was followed by a period
of depression which lasted through the Summer months, perhaps
in part due to the usual stagnation accompanying a presidential
campaign, but more probably in part to economic trends which
effectually checked demand and which only yielded to the most in-
tensive of selling work. All told, 1924 has been a fairly satis-
factory year, but it must be admitted that it did not come up to
the expectations which its first few months created.
Constructive Achievements
However, it has been replete with preparations for the future
and has scored many constructive achievements which will go far
to the solution of a large number of problems, both manufacturing
and distributing. In the piano branch of the industry, perhaps the
chief of these has been the work accomplished by the manufacturers
in laying the foundation for the ultimate solution of the problem
of service for the reproducing piano. Lack of efficient service has
been a constant obstacle toward the widening popularity of this in-
strument, and a solution became increasingly essential. The estab-
lishment of traveling schools by several of the leading manufac-
turers in this field in co-operation with the National Association
of Piano Tuners and the response which these schools brought
from the field technicians was a remarkable example of what can
be done in co-operatioa for the solution of vexing problems that
are wide in their scope and profound in their influence. To-day a
large number of field technicians, upon which the servicing of the
reproducing piano essentially depends, have had the benefit of short
but intensive instruction courses in the technical aspects of this
instrument, and already the reaction from this increased knowl-
edge has been felt. Undoubtedly this work will be continued upon
a wider scope until there will remain no excuse for any technician,
whether he be an independent worker or in the employ of a retail
merchant, for not having all essential knowledge of this modern
development in the player-piano field.
Technical Interest
In the manufacturing side of the piano industry the year has been
marked with a widening interest in acoustical and technical prob-
lems, culminating in the formation of the Technicians Association,
which, in its development, is sure to be one of the most valuable
parts of the associated activities of the industry.
Plans are now under way for a wide program of investigation
and common discussion among the leading piano factory experts
and superintendents, which cannot help but be to the ultimate benefit
of all concerned. It is in the hands of these men that the American
piano industry must rest its technical future, for it is upon their
efforts that the supremacy which this industry has won throughout
the world must be continued and even increased.
Lumber Conservation
Another development which has been marked among piano manu-
facturers has been the awakening to the vital importance of the
problem of conservation, especially as it affects the basic raw ma-
terial of the industry—lumber. Unquestionably the seriousness of
the American forestation problem has come home to the manu-
facturer, perhaps most sharply in the steadily increasing average
prices of the lumber which he uses in the production of his instru-
ments. This has made increasingly important the standardization
and careful planning of manufacturing processes in the endeavor
to eliminate the waste of lumber so far as is humanly possible. It
is also made apparent that the piano industry, in its capacity as an
industry, must take an active part in the various movements under
way for the preservation of existing forest resources and their ex-
pansion. Some ultimate solution is to be found that will eradicate
the present tension in this field. Unquestionably 1925 will see a
still wider appreciation of these conditions, and will no doubt de-
velop a greater degree of co-operation toward their elimination.
Merchandising Progress
As the past year has been marked with manufacturing develop-
ments of no little import, so has the retail music merchant advanced
in merchandising efficiency and in meeting the selling problems
which are inherent in his daily work. Despite the wide fluctuation
in demand which retail music merchants encountered, it must be
noted that throughout the twelve months of the past year instru-
ments of better quality were affected less by this condition than
any of the other types, and maintained a comparatively steady
volume of demand. This condition showed more strongly than
ever before the enduring power of quality as a selling asset, how
permanent its effects are, and how consistently it reacts upon the
American purchasing public. It threw into sharp relief the fallacy
which underlies the exploitation of inferior instruments in the en-