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The Music Trade Review
The Board adopted the following resolutions:
Whereas the puzzle contest and credit check
scheme has made its reappearance in the music
trade in selling pianos;
Whereas the National Association of Music
Merchants in past years has made a determined
stand against this type of fraud; and
Whereas the Post Office authorities and Bet-
ter Business Bureaus have joined the association
in its condemnation of this trade evil and fraud
upon the music-loving public;
Therefore be it resolved: That the National
Association of Music Merchants resume an ag-
gressive attack upon the scheme and be it
further resolved: That the executive officers of
this Association be instructed to work with the
Post Office authorities and Better Business Bu-
reaus and other agencies to abolish this fraud,
and be it further resolved:
That all affiliated associations and individual
music merchants in all cities where the puzzle
and coupon scheme makes its appearance, be
requested to report the details to the national
executive offices.
This resolution was adopted following a pres-
entation by Mr. Dennis of reports of the revival
of the scheme in several cities in Pennsylvania,
New York, Ohio and California.
Shirley Walker presented proposals for the
convention activities for the National Associa-
tion of Music Merchants based upon his ex-
perience as secretary and active manager of the
Western Music Trades convention held in San
Francisco in July. A vote of thanks to Mr.
Walker for this presentation was given.
It was reported that a vote by mail of the
Board of Control has resulted 49 to 10 in favor
of New York City for the 1928 convention. The
following resolution was then passed:
Whereas the Board of Control of the National
Association of Music Merchants in October,
1926, decided to drop the precedent of alternat-
ing its conventions between New York and
Chicago,
Whereas: The sentiment of many members
favored a change in the place and methods of
holding the national conventions for the purpose
of greater effectiveness in promoting a stronger
retail distribution for the music industry, and
further for publicity purposes,
Therefore be it resolved: that the Board of
Control of the National Association of Music
Merchants hereby determines that the 1929 con-
vention of Music Merchants, following the 1928
convention in New York City, be held in Wash-
ington, D. C., or Atlantic City, and
Be it further resolved: That the manufacturers
and other branches of the trade represented in
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, be
requested to meet the week preceding or the
week following the Music Merchants' conven-
tion; and
Be it further resolved: that the manufacturers
who support the national organization work in
its several branches be invited to exhibit at the
1929 convention of music merchants subject to
rules and restrictions to avoid interference with
meetings and other convention business, and
Be it further resolved: That the convention
program be a rounded one representing the va-
rious branches of the retail music business, in-
cluding piano, phonograph, radio, small goods,
sheet music, etc., and
Be it further resolved: That the manufacturers
and their representatives be invited to attend
and to participate in the discussions of the con-
vention toward the end of a better understand-
ing between the retailers and the several other
branches of the music industries.
It was decided to hold the 1928 convention the
first week in June in New York City and to
carry out as far as possible the policies outlined
for the 1929 convention relative to the program
and exhibits and participation of manufacturers.
The Board voted that rules and regulations gov-
erning the 1928 convention be drawn up as soon
as possible by the convention committee to be
appointed by President Roberts. The instruc-
tions to this committee will cover the points
regarding the invitation to manufacturers and
SEPTEMBER 17, 1927
their representatives that all exhibits be closed
during meetings, that the manufacturers and
their representatives be invited to participate in
the merchants' meetings and to restrict activities
that interfere with the merchants' sessions and
that no refreshments be served in exhibit rooms.
Manufacturers who do not abide by the rules
set forth by the committee will be requested not
to exhibit at future meetings.
F. J. Bayley, of Detroit, reported on the pub-
licity gain for the Detroit convention of Michi-
gan Music Merchants' Association last month
through the Detroit Civic Music Carnival, and
presented for inspection of members of the
board a portfolio of newspaper clippings, photos,
etc., of interest on the event.
Otto B. Heaton, as State Commissioner for
Ohio, reported the appointment of A. L. Maresh,
president of the Cleveland Music Trades' Asso-
ciation, as assistant commissioner to represent
the national association in Ohio.
The Board voted to invite representatives of
the Ohio Association to attend as guests of the
Board a breakfast meeting of the Board of Con-
trol on Sunday morning, and the president,
O. H. Boyd, of Marion, Ohio, and Rexford C.
Hyre, secretary, Cleveland, accepted this invita-
tion.
President Roberts presented on behalf of the
Board an invitation for the Ohio Association to
apply for a charter in the National Association
under an arrangement whereby the Ohio mem-
bers desiring to maintain national membership
may do so by paying $5 dues through the state
association to the national association.
Mr. Grinnell reported that the Federal govern-
ment agents were confiscating all goods found
in places violating the prohibition law, and de-
stroying or auctioning all such goods found,
including pianos and other musical instruments
regardless of ownership under instalment leases.
Mr. Heaton said that this practice had been
stopped in Ohio. President Roberts felt that
the practice was illegal and that he would take
it up as a director of the Chamber as to action
to protect music trade interests.
Jay Grinnell recommended that music mer-
chants throughout the country be advised of
the advertising value of a medium as the De-
troit Shopping News. The executive secretary
was instructed to inform members of this way
of advertising.
Those who attended the meeting of the Board
included President C. J. Roberts of Baltimore;
Shirley Walker, San Fiancisco; Frank J. Bayley,
Detroit; Jay Grinnell, Detroit; Edmund Gram,
Milwaukee; M. V. DeForeest, Sharon, Pa.; Joel
B. Ryde, Indianapolis, Ind.; George B. Wiswell,
Joliet, 111.; A. H. Howes, Detroit; Fred P. Stieff,
Baltimore and C. L. Dennis, New York.
Increased Duties in the
New French Tariff Law
tured goods. In certain lines, although the dis-
crimination has not been nominally very large,
it has been sufficient under conditions of close
competition to turn practically all of the French
purchases to countries other than the United
States. The present French action considerably
aggravates the unfavorable situation as it exists
at present.
The American Embassy at Paris has made
representations to the French Government
against the increased handicaps on American
trade with France, expressing the readiness of
this country to proceed at once with negotia-
tions for a commercial treaty and requesting
assurance from France that pending the con-
summation of the treaty negotiations no higher
duties be imposed upon American goods than
upon similar goods of German origin. The re-
ply of the French Government to these pro-
posals is expected at an early date.
American Musical Instruments Will Pay Four
Times the Duty Imposed on Competing
German Imports
WASHINGTON, D. C, September 14.—American
musical instruments exported to France will
pay four times the. duty imposed upon similar
imports from Germany and other favored na-
tions under the new French tariff established
in connection with the recently consummated
Franco-German treaty, according to an analysis
of the treaty and tariff just made by experts
of the Department of Commerce.
By the terms of the treaty, Germany grants
France the benefit of the conventional duties
of the German tariff, which are those hitherto
paid by the United States and other countries
enjoying favored-nation treatment in Germany.
Our treaty with Germany insures to American
goods the benefit of the new reduced duties,
which, however, apply to comparatively few
commodities i-n which our trade with Germany
is of importance. On the other hand, France
giants Germany favored-nation treatment on
the basis of existing rates on some com-
modities, and Germany is accorded the new
minimum duties established by the partial re-
vision of the French tariff, which went into
operation simultaneously with the treaty, affect-
ing over 400 items.
In the case of merchandise on which the
United States has been paying the minimum
French duties, the treaty places Germany on
an equal status, as equal competitors in lines
from which Germany has been largely excluded
since the war. On an important range of other
products, however, including certain musical
instruments, preliminary instructions to French
customs officials are to deny to American prod-
ucts the new minimum duties established in
connection with the treaty and subject them
to the new general duties, which are usually
four times as high as the new minimum rates.
Unless this situation is modified, it was stated
at the department, American exporters in lines
subject to the new fourfold general duties will
be practically excluded from the French market.
Under arrangements made effective by France
in 1910, many lines of American manufactures
have not been enjoying the duties granted to
goods from other countries. Since that time
the importance of these discriminations has
increased as American exports have come to
include an increasing proportion of manufac-
Wurlitzer Salesmen Dinner
Is Held in Buffalo
Branch Managers and Salesmen Gather in Con-
ference in That City at the Hotel Statler
BUFFALO, N. Y., September 12.—Officials, of the
Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. entertained their large
staff of branch managers and salesmen at dinner
in the Hotel Statler, September 8. Farney R.
Wurlitzer, president of the company, presided
as toastmaster and gave a brief and optimistic
address on the outlook for Fall business. Other
speakers were Thomas P. Clancey, general sales
manager of the Wurlitzer Manufacturing Co.,
of Tonawanda, Rudolph Wurlitzer of Cincinnati,
Eugene Farney and Cyril Farney of Chicago.
The latter three made the trip to Buffalo for
the particular purpose of being in attendance at
the dinner. The committee on arrangements was
composed of the following men: William G.
Ennis, Western New York district manager;
Walter Wendell, factory superintendent, and
James Ryan, New York City manager.
Leases New Quarters
The Luthmers Piano Co. has leased the J.
Valbert Building on Main street, Flora, 111., as
its future headquarters, and will handle a com-
plete line of Baldwin pianos and Brunswick
phonographs.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.