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THE MUSIC TRADE
40
Son&Ttit
REVIEW
DECEMBER 20, 1924
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Clayton F. Summy Go. Before the
Federal Trade Commission in Chicago
Citation Concerns the Marking of Net Prices on Music—Commission Charges Concern Prints
Prices in Excess of Actual Ones On Its Publications
ECENTLY there has been a series of
hearings before Examiner W. W. Shep-
hard, of the Federal Trade Commission,
in Chicago, 111., on the charges that the Clayton
F. Summy Co., of Chicago, well-known pub-
lisher and dealer in standard sheet music, is
using methods of competition that should be
changed.
It is the contention of the commission that
the Summy Co., in presenting its sheet and book
music to the public, is printing on its publica-
tions a price in excess of what they sell for
in ordinary competition and that the practice
diverts trade from other publishers who do not
use this method.
Old Custom Changed
Alfred L. Smith, secretary of the Music Pub-
lishers' Association of the United States, ex-
plained at the hearing that for years it has been
the custom of publishers to mark their music a
certain price and to allow retail dealers later
to sell the commodity at a third under the price
on the cover.
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CHICAGO
Lately, Mr. Smith declared, this custom has
been abandoned and any possible confusion has
been eliminated by the printing of the net
prices on each piece of music sold by the pub-
lisher.
Mr. Summy was the first witness called to the
stand by Harry D. Babcock, attorney for the
commission. Mr. Summy said his firm caters
particularly to teachers, appeals to them through
advertising on a basis that they receive a dis-
count so that they can make money on reselling
music to their pupils.
Chance for Overcharge
Mr. Smith, at the close of the first day's
session, pointed out that such practices might
make it possible for unscrupulous music teach-
ers to charge uninformed people a higher price
for music than it could be purchased for at
stores.
"Possibly 50 per cent of all families have
somebody in them taking music lessons and
buying music," he said. "Any one buying music
and uninformed as to the practices of marking
prices on music is in danger of being gouged.
The so-called discount allowed to music teach-
ers is frequently no discount at all, for anybody
can buy music in stores at identically the same
prices that the music teachers pay for it. Unin-
formed people are paying the profit to certain
teachers."
In the Spring of last year the Federal Trade
Commission recommended to music publishers
and dealers that all goods purchased by the
music-consuming public should carry marked net
prices so that any novice could purchase sheet
music and books with full knowledge of their
established values. Subsequently the National
Association of Sheet Music Dealers concurred
in this recommendation and the Music Publish-
ers' Association of the United State while tak-
ing no unanimous action showed evidence of
complying with the recommendation of both
the above bodies.
Net Markings
In June of this year practically all new music,
with the exception of one or two catalogs, car-
ried net-price markings. An effort was also
made shortly thereafter to remark the volumi-
nous amount of music in both publishers' and
dealers' stocks. The greater part of both new
and old music is now carrying actual retail in-
stead of fictitious figures. This applies to both
the music now being shipped from publishing
sources and that which is sold by the legitimate
dealers throughout the country.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Feist Folio No. 8
Appears in January
Latest Volume in Series Will Contain Thirty
of Firm's Successes Arranged in Dance Form
One of the Leo Feist, Inc., policies announced
early this year was that the firm would not
issue any dance folios during 1924. The plan
in the past was to issue a dance folio each
Fall; so in conformance with the above policy
the number eight folio has been delayed.
The "Feist Dance Folio No. 8" is now an-
nounced ready for sale January 1. It will con-
tain thirty of the latest song hits arranged as
fox-trots, waltzes, blues, etc. Eighteen of these
piano solos will have ukulele accompaniment.
The new issue carries one of the most strik-
ing and attractive title pages ever conceived
for a compilation of music. It is most artistic
with a color scheme that should create much
attention. They should be particularly avail-
able for window displays.
The new issue carries such fox-trot successes
as "June Night," "Doodle Doo Doo," "May
Time," "Adoring You," "Worried," and num-
bers of like calibre and such waltz successes
as "The Pal That I Loved," "Honest and
Truly," "Moonlight Memories" and "What Did
I Get By Loving You." The titles carrying
ukulele accompaniment are indicated in the in-
dex with asterisks and all pages are numbered
so that any particular material can be located
at once.
Markets Musical Specialties
Besides its popular and standard catalog of
music, the Edward B. Marks Music Co. markets
some musical specialties. Among these are the
'Ross Gorman Selected Saxophone Reeds" and
the "Boomerang" mouth organs. During the
holiday season the Marks Co. has made a
special sales drive on these products.
"Driftwood" Still Selling
The song "Driftwood" from the catalog of
Irving Berlin, Inc., is still listed as one of the
popular sellers. This number is really of the
type that could be placed in the standard and
permanent catalog of the company. At least
its wide and continued popularity remains
steady and bears indications of holding its own
against current competitors.
Cantor Sings Feist Song
Eddie Cantor recently introduced the Leo
Feist, Inc., song success "Rock-A-Bye Baby
Days" in the "Kid Boots" show now playing
at the Earl Carroll Theatre, New York. This
is said to be one of the best numbers Cantor
has sung in recent years. It is roundly en-
cored at each show.