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The Music Trade Review
APRIL 7, 1928
Ask for Elimination of
Set Mechanical Royalty
Morgantown, W. Va., handling the Straube,
Hammond and Gilmore pianos and talking ma-
chines. F. A. Stewart, head of the company,
was previously connected with the Baldwin
Piano Co. as wholesale representative.
Piano Factory Activity
Increases in February
Publishers* and Authors' Representatives Declare Two Cent Roy-
WASHINGTON, D. C, April 2.—Activity in the
alty Set by Present Law Imposes Hardship — Recorders
piano and organ manufacturing industry in
February showed a decided increase, according
and Publishers Fail to Reach Agreement
to figures just compiled by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department of Labor, increas-
ing 3.1 per cent over January, while payroll
totals increased 1 per cent.
Returns to the bureau from thirty-nine estab-
lishments showed 6,560 persons at work during
the month, against 6,365 in January, with a
weekly payroll aggregating $181,473, against
$179,639. As compared with February of last
year, however, the industry is working at a
very low level, employment being 15.4 per cent
less and payroll totals 18.8 per cent less. Per
capita earnings of workers in the industry for
the month were 2 per cent under those for
January, and 4.2 per cent under those of Feb-
ruary, 1927.
ASHINGTON, D. C, April 3.—Amendment of the copyright law so as to permit autn jrs
and composers to "bargain" with the companies which would reproduce their works
as to the royalty to be paid was argued to-day before the House Committee on patents,
which has the Vestal "mechanical copyright" bill under consideration.
Arguments for the measure were submitted by E. C. Mills and Gene Buck, representing the
American Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers, who declared that the royalty of two
cents fixed by the copyright law in 1909 was
a hardship. It was pointed out by Mr. Buck field. Closing of the store, according to execu-
that in the case of Victor Herbert's "Kiss in the tives of the company, is only temporary, and
Dark," the composer, the lyricist and the pub- a new enlarged store will be opened as soon as
lisher or agent received two cents for the a suitable location can be found.
records sold, while the artist who might be em-
ployed by the phonograph company to sing J. L. Hudson Music Store
the song could bargain as to the fee he was
Takes Over Janney-Bowman
to receive for his services, and might get several
Retires From Piano Trade
times as much for each record sold.
DETROIT,
MICH.,
April
3.—The
J.
L.
Hudson
"All we are asking for," he told the com-
BALTIMORE. MII, April 2.—The- Hamilton Co.,
mittee, "is that the law be amended so as to Music Store has taken over the entire stock on operating the dickering Warerooms at 309
hand
of
the
Janney-Bowman
Co.
at
Park
and
permit fhe creators of a work the right to make
North Charles street, announces its retirement
an arrangement or contract with the producers Elizabeth streets, and is now supervising the from the piano business as of April 1, and will
sale
of
this
merchandise
at
the
Janney-Bow-
of records for the rate they are to be paid. We
in future devote its activities to the handling of
believe there should be a field *of open trade man Co. In advertising the sale the Hudson talking machine and radio lines.
Music
Store
announces
having
taken
over
the
for the creator of the material."
Appearing on behalf of the mechanical pro- exclusive sale in Detroit of the Knabe, Fisher,
ducers, A. L. Smith, of the Victor Talking Ma- Franklin pianos and the Ampico, which lines
chine Co., New York, charged that the authors were formerly handled by the Janney-Bowman
had switched the bill around and declared that store. The sale also includes the stocks on
hand of Victor and Brunswick merchandise.
their testimony had taken him by surprise.
"When we left here last year," he said, "it The sale will be conducted for several weeks.
was understood that a compromise bill would Several piano dealers are negotiating for the
At a Home Owner 9 s
be worked out, and now we find a bill submitted Janney-Bowman store, as it is roomy and the
location
excellent.
which we have not had an opportunity to study,
Price
and a bill has been introduced to which we
cannot wholly subscribe."
Death of Baldwin Veteran
The new Geneva Home Organ built
Referring to the testimony taken at the
by specialists of many years experience,
hearings held last year, it was shown that both
CINCINNATI, O., April 3.—E. E. Roberts, of the
meets the demand of the professional
sides had agreed that legislation should be local retail department of the Baldwin Piano Co.,
musician in tone, quality, equipment and
tone
combinations.
drafted to provide "that a mechanical license died yesterday at the Bethesda Hospital here. Mr.
under the copyright law, if granted to one Roberts was a veteran in the Baldwin service,
Each model is equipped with a 16-foot
pedal organ.
licensee, shall be granted to any responsible having started as office boy, and had he lived
applicant at the same rate of royalty under a until Fall would have rounded out fifty years in
The cost installed in the average home
meets the average man's pocketbook.
proper and workable scheme insuring an accu- the employ of the Baldwin Company.
rate accounting for and prompt payment of
And the piano merchant finds a hand-
some profit and a splendid sales field.
royalties, with provision of adequate penalties
Correction
in case of fraud."
The new Geneva Home Organ can be
played by manuals or by rolls, with an
All factions represented agreed that such was
Miss M. A. King, New York representative
unlimited roll library at command.
the principle decided upon. Representative Lan- for Pratt Read Products, has moved her office
ham, of Texas, voiced the disappointment of to 580 Fifth avenue, the Ampico Tower Build-
Ask for details.
the committee that both sides could not agree ing. Her new telephone number is Bryant 4560.
upon a bill and suggested that in view of that In the last issue of The Review, due to a typo-
failure the committee would have to attempt it. graphical error, her address was given as 508
Fifth avenue.
Builders of the highest grade pipe organs for
W
A Real Pipe Organ
for the Home
GENEVA ORGAN CO.
Globe Piano Go. Closed
CANTON, O., April 1.—The Globe Piano Co., in
existence here several years with a retail store
in South Market street, has withdrawn from the
j ince
j
I
I
184/2
cAmcrica's
Fbremost
c
F. A. Stewart Go. Opens
churches, theatres, public auditoriums and
homes
The F. A. Stewart Music Co. has formerly
>pened its new store at 241 Walnut street,
^ S T I E F F PIANO
Will attract the attention of those
who know and appreciate tone guality
CHAS.M.STIEFF Inc.
Baltimore
Geneva, Illinois
<
*Jhe oldest
(Piano-fbrte in
(America to~day
owned and con"
trolled by the
direct decendents
of the founder