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REVIEW
THL
VOL. LXXX. No. 22 Published Every Saturday. Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., 383 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y., May 30, 1925
10 Cents
Year
National Music Industries Convention
Annual Meetings of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce and
Its Divisional Unit Associations to Be Held in Chicago, at the Drake
Hotel, During the Week of June 8 to June 13—Resume of Program
W
ELL within the next ten days the 1925 Conventions
of the Music Industries of the country will be in full
swing at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, one of the favorite
.. convention places, with an attendance that promises to
crowd some previous records, if it does not surpass them, in spite
of a rather pessimistic outlook of a few weeks ago.
Word comes from many sections of the country, and particu-
larly from the Middle West, that a host of retailers, as well as the
usual delegations representative of other divisions of the trade, plan
to be in Chicago for the week to look over the new things displayed
at the Drake and elsewhere and to absorb information directly and
indirectly that will tend to help them to improve business.
"Make America Musical"
The slogan for this year's convention is "Make America Mu-
sical," the creation of Alex McDonald, of New York, a member
of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Music
Merchants, and that slogan has been stressed strongly in all pub-
licity sent out in connection with the conventions. In view of the
part taken by the trade bodies in the development of a broader
musical appreciation on the part of the public, and the future ac-
tivities planned in that direction, the slogan is most apt and is
worthy of strong emphasis.
Exhibits Big Feature
After experimenting last year with the prohibition of official
exhibits in New York, which had little effect so far as the checking
of displays went, the Association executives have again bowed to
the will of the majority and have arranged to permit exhibits of
Association members at convention headquarters during the week
of the meeting, under, certain restrictions that may or may not be
observed, although they should be for the good of the cause.
That those with new trade products to show are keen to take
advantage of the opportunity to get them before the dealers at con-
vention time is shown by the fact that in the Drake itself close to
100 manufacturers have reserved display space with half as many
more located in local warerooms and branch offices in Chicago.
All these are in addition to those manufacturers located in Chicago
who have arranged special factory displays and plan to keep open
house.
Quality, Not Quantity
As has been the case for several years past, an effort has been
made in arranging convention programs, and particularly those of
the merchants, to give attention to quality rather than quantity in
the matter of addresses and discussions, it being felt that it is more
profitable to discuss thoroughly a few important subjects than to
gloss over a score or more.
With the meetings limited to two days there is not much oppor-
tunity for a prolonged program, but there are several important
items which will receive attention, including the wisdom of estab-
lishing a flat carrying charge on instalment accounts to replace
current interest charges, the radio situation as it affects the retail
music merchant, the latest developments in the phonograph in-
dustry, the question of service in the retail store, and other matters
both timely and of general interest.
The Carrying Charge Question
It is understood that particular emphasis will be placed upon
the discussion of the advisability of dealers establishing definite
carrying charges on instalment accounts to replace present interest
charges on unpaid balances. An increasing number of retailers
have adopted the carrying charge idea with a view to having the
customer who seeks accommodation in the matter of payment carry
his proper share of the burden of financing such accommodation,
as he rightfully should. It is generally conceded that the charging
of flat interest does not give the dealer a proper return. In The
Review this week is presented an extensive symposium showing
just what retailers throughout the country are doing in the matter
of carrying charge, which information should prove of genuine serv-
ice to Association members in carrying on an intelligent discussion
of the matter.
Advertising Contest
One of the outstanding features of the Chamber of Commerce
meeting will be the awarding of the prizes for the best advertising
in the several specified classes submitted by music houses. This
event has aroused much interest during previous years, and is be-
lieved to have had the effect of improving materially the advertis-
ing of the entire music trade. Certainly the competition has served
to bring forth some excellent examples of good advertising which
might well be followed by those who stick to the old ideas of mak-
ing the printed appeal to prospects.
This year the advertising competition holds further interest,
for there will be shown for the first time outstanding examples of
direct-by-mail publicity, this new class having been added at the
suggestion of various representative concerns in the industry who
make use of this direct mail service and strongly advocated by
The Review, following last year's meeting.
Bait
Advertising
Another matter of importance, too, will lie the report of the
committee on bait advertising, which has been charged with the