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8
The Music Trade Review
MARCH 30, 1929
the country, this strong voice will be heard and heeded in Wash-
ington's official circles.
REVIEW A
(KcKislered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published Every Saturday by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
President, Raymond Hill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. Spillane, Randolph Brown; Secretary
and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Assistant Secretary, L. B. McDonald; Assistant
Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
WM. J. DOUGHERTY, Managing Editor
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION:
BOSTON OFFICE:
FRANK W. KIRK, Manager
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
E.
J.
NKALY
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Telephone:
Main 6950
Telephone: State 1266
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Vol. 88
I
Cable: Elbill New York
No. 13
March 30, 1929
Let Us All Co-operate
HE announcement appearing elsewhere in the news col-
umns of this issue that on April 8, at the Congressional
Club in Washington, representative members of the
music industry will gather with a group of people who are promi-
nently identified with the artistic life of the country to discuss ways
and means of formulating plans for the establishment of a Depart-
ment of Fine Arts under Governmental auspices at the National
Capital merits the serious consideration of all.
Thanks to the energetic and aggressive spirit of Frederick P.
Stieff, chairman of the special committee of the National Associa-
tion of Music Merchants, this movement, which had its incipiency
in a resolution introduced by Mr. Stieff at the 1928 convention in
New York last June, has gathered much momentum and already
the interest of many leaders in art, as well as civic and social
life, has been enlisted and much constructive groundwork is ex-
pected to be established at this meeting next month.
There is an urgent as well as a serious need for a Department
of Fine Arts, in Washington, one enjoying Federal recognition and
support, and already the leaders in painting, architecture, sculp-
ture and literature, not to omit music, have given unequivocal in-
dorsement to this worthy movement. This is a movement that de-
serves the wholehearted support of every member of the music
business at large. And the best co-operation one can give at this
time is through correspondence with the Congressional representa-
tives at Washington, calling their attention to the movement and
making a strong appeal for their hearty support. Certainly this
is the least any trade member can do and surely, when Washington
is flooded with letters on this subject emanating from all parts of
Godard Store Has Formal
Opening of New Quarters
SVKACIISK, N. Y., March 22.—The formal open-
ing of the new quarters of Godard's at 436
South Warren street, this city, was held last
week and attracted a host of visitors. This is
the fifth building occupied by the company
since it was established in Syracuse, each re-
moval being made necessary by expanding busi-
ness.
New quarters comprise four floors and base-
ment, the first floor is given over to the main
showroom and is beautifully decorated and fur-
nished, the equipment including oriental rugs,
artistic lamps, wall tapestries and fine furniture,
Income Tax Shows Buying Power
NY falling-off in business that occurred in various lines
during 1928 is not chargeable to lack of income in pur-
chasing power if figures just released by the Treasury
Department are even fairly accurate. According to a current de-
partment report income tax returns filed early this month repre-
senting either partial or full payment of tax on 1928 income ex-
ceeded payments made during the same month last year by from
$75,000,000 to $80,000,000. It is estimated that the March collec-
tions will be close to $600,000,000 and that the increase applicable
to the current fiscal year will be substantial—$150,000,000.
No better evidence of the sound foundation upon which the
nation's business is resting can be asked for than the income tax
figures for it is a recognized fact that the average individual is
more likely to minimize his income than to exaggerate it when he
files his tax returns. Let the music merchant who is in doubt
regarding the buying power that exists in his own field get in
touch with the nearest branch office of the Treasury Dept. and
ascertain the increase in incomes reported in 1928 over those for
1927. In practically every instance he will be given figures that will
surprise him. His next problem will be to devise ways and means
for getting his share of the income that remains from 1928 earn-
ings as well as the income that is being realized by the prospects
in his territory right now.
A
Our Exports Grow
CCORDING to a survey just completed by the Special-
ties Division of the Department of Commerce, exports
of musical instruments from the United States in 1928
had the value of $18,131,205 as compared with $17,673,367 in 1927.
This does not represent a sensational increase in export business,
but it does show that there was a steady and substantial growth,
a fact which should prove encouraging to those American manu-
facturers who see in the foreign field an opportunity for business
volume that will stimulate production activity and bring in greater
profits.
It is to be remembered that there were a number of conditions
affecting export trade of musical instruments during 1928, such as
unfavorable tariff increases in certain countries, particularly Aus-
tralia. It seems, however, that a cutting-down in one direction was
offset by an increase in another with Latin America proving the
most important market and taking over 50% of all export ship-
ments of musical instruments from the United States, showing a
sufficient increase in fact to offset a loss of approximately $2,000.-
(XX) in exports to Oceania.
It may be that no increase of foreign trade of musical instru-
ments will be sufficient to offset the losses that have occurred in
this country, but the growth of export business will, for those who
go after that business intelligently, provide an outlet that should
prove valuable and important.
all to provide a suitable setting for the pianos,
phonographs and radios displayed.
On the second floor is the grand display room
with a section given over to reproducing
models. On this floor, too, is a room devoted
to uprights. A commodious recital hall is a
feature of the new establishment.
Hefling Music Co. to Move
NEW PHILADELPHIA, O., March 25.—The Hiefling
Piano Co. announces it will move in April to
its own building, now nearing completion, on
Fair avenue NW just off Broadway. The new
store will embody all the modern music store
appointments and much of the equipment will
be new,
Henry Hewitt Visits
New Orleans Trade
NEW ORLEANS, LA., March 23.—Henry Hewitt,
sales manager of the M. Schulz Co., Chicago,
visited New Orleans last week and called on
J'arker Harris, general manager of the Music
Shop, d>?>7 Raronne street. Mr. Hewitt was very
optimistic in his views for the future of the
piano industry as well as the music trade as a
whole.
The 1'latt Music
leased. quarters in
fornia and Brand
will open a branch
Co., Los Angeles, Cal., has
the new building at Cali-
streets, Glendale, Cal., and
there.