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The Music Trade Review
REVIEW
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published Every Saturday by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. Spillane, Randolph Brown; Secretary
and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Assistant Secretary, L. B. McDonald; Assistant
Treasurer, W«i. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
W M . J. DOUGHERTY, Managing Editor
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION:
FRANK W. KIRK, Manager
E. J. NEALY
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Telephone: State 1266
BOSTON OFFICE:
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
Telephone:
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Vol. 88
I
Cable:
Main 6950
Elbill New York
No. 8
February 23, 1929
Our Trade Watch Towers
HE music industry has had several examples recently
of the manner in which properly organized trade asso-
ciations can work in the interests of, and for the pro-
tection of, their members. One of these cases had to do with the
prompt action taken in connection with proposed State legislation
inimical to the retail division of the trade, and others to services
rendered in opposing national legislation against the interests of a
majority of the industry and to making recommendations favor-
able to its members in other directions.
Not so long ago The Review carried as a news story, and
commented upon editorially, an announcement that an effort was
being made in West Virginia by the State educational authorities
to levy a retail sales tax on luxuries, the bill as originally drafted
including musical instruments in that category. President C. J.
Roberts of the National Association of Music Merchants got in
touch immediately with leading music dealers in the State, with
the result that through their concerted action the part of the bill
applying to musical instruments was stricken out. There may be
West Virginia Removes
Luxury Tax on Music
Prompt Action of President of National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants and Dealers of
the State Brings Satisfactory Results
C. J. Roberts, president of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants, has been advised
by R. A. McKee, of the McKee Music Co.,
Charleston, W. Va., that through the efforts of
the music merchants of that State, reported by
the National Association, the section of the pro-
posed new State law providing for a tax on
the sale of luxuries, which at first included
musical instruments, has been amended to
eliminate those instruments. Mr. McKee writes:
"We have been successful in eliminating
music from the House Bill 142 and Senate Bill
61, and as the bill now stands it only imposes
a luxury tax on the following items: perfumes,
cosmetics, and all toilet articles, malt extract in
all forms and combinations, tobacco, and all
tobacco products, candy, chewing gum, ginger
ale, and all soft drinks, theatre and moving pic-
ture tickets, dances and carnivals, and playing
cards.
"We have succeeded in having the musical
part of this bill stricken out, but of course they
FEBRUARY 23, 1929
an effort to reintroduce the section, but backed by the national
body the dealers of the State are watching it and are prepared
to act immediately. Here is one case where, undoubtedly, thou-
sands of dollars annually have been saved for the music mer-
chants of West Virginia through the alertness of the National
Association officials, and gives assurance of the willingness of
these men to respond to the call for action in any State where an
organized protest is required.
In the matter of national legislation we find the Music Indus-
tries Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of
Music Merchants working together in opposition to the Vestal
Bill, which would amend the existing copyright law to the extent
of permitting copyright owners to bargain with those who repro-
duce music mechanically on rolls or records for the privilege of
using the copyrighted selections. The opposition is based on the
fact that it would mean a substantial increase over the present
fixed royalty of two cents per copy, thus adding to the cost of
rolls and records and increasing sales resistance, and in addition
would make the law apply to coin-operated instruments, and place
an added burden on those who manufacture and sell such instru-
ments.
The Chamber, too, has been representing the industry at the
hearings on proposed amendments to the Tariff Act, and after
consulting with various trade interests has made many recom-
mendations covering different types of musical instruments, in
some cases urging that the present tariff rates be maintained and
in other cases that they be increased.
The services thus rendered by the great organizations should
arouse the interest of the individual members of the industry in
those bodies to the extent of assuring their affiliation. In State,
and particularly national legislative movements, the individual, un-
less he is in himself unusually powerful, stands little chance of
making an impression whether he opposes or supports a measure.
Backed, however, by an association representative of the industry
as a whole, his opinion bears real weight, if only from its im-
portance as a political factor to be reckoned with.
The manufacturer or dealer who stands aloof from association
work but still profits through the efforts of the organization is
simply riding on the other fellow's ticket. There is little excuse
for this for the rate of fare is negligible. The strength of the asso-
ciation, which enables it to work for the benefit of the industry as
a whole, depends upon the support of individual members. It can-
not function properly without that support.
may try to come back with an amendment of
some kind before the Legislature adjourns. I
will watch the matter, and if anything turns
up I will advise you."
The attention of the trade was first called
to the proposed Luxury Tax Bill in West Vir-
ginia through a news story, and an editorial in
The Review, and President Roberts of the Na-
tional Association of Music Merchants got in
touch immediately with members of that organ-
ization in West Virginia and urged that they
take action immediately in opposition to the
measure. The successful results of this prompt
move are evidenced from Mr. McKee's report.
Leo Reed to Direct
Freshman Sales Promotion
The appointment of Leo Reed as director of
sales promotion for the Chas. Freshman Co.,
Inc., has been announced by Clarence A. Earl,
president of the Chas. Freshman Co., and chair-
man of the board of the Freed-Eisemann Radio
Corp. Mr. Reed, who is a well-known figure
in the radio trade, was, for several years, man-
ager of a number of retail radio stores in Pitts-
burgh and vicinity. For some time past he
has represented the Freshman interests in Pitts-
burgh.
Spence Music Go. Buys
Out Munson & Sons Railroads to Handle
All Express Shipments
The Spence Music Co., of Zanesville, O., has
purchased the music stores of H. D. Munson &
Sons in that city and Newark, O. The Munson
business is one of the oldest in southeastern
Ohio, having been established in 1869, while
the Spence Co. was organized 10 years ago.
Wilkes' Music Store in Gloversville, N. Y.,
will move from 16 Church street to 89 North
Main street on April 1. The main store of the
company is in Amsterdam, N. Y.
WASHINGTON, D. C , February 18.—All express
shipments in the United States will be handled
by the railroads themselves after March 1
through a corporation to be known as the Rail-
way Express Agency, Inc., which will take over
the business of the American Railway Express
Co., the organization which in 1920 took over
the business of the majority of express com-
panies. Approval for the change was given by
the Interstate Commerce Commission.