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EDITORIALLY
DEALERS AGAIN SHOWING
INTEREST IN NEW PIANOS
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I
F the interest of the dealers means anything, then the piano
business is in for a marked improvement within the very
near future, for in both the New York and Chicago mar-
kets there have been reported an increasing number of retail
dealers looking over lines of instruments, and generally mak-
ing arrangements for future deliveries. The orders have not
been large, and there is little evidence of carloads shipments,
but nevertheless orders have been and are being placed, and
that in itself is a good sign that the retail end of the business
is looking up.
In addition to the dealers who are calling on manufactur-
ers, there is reported an increasing number of inquiries re-
garding this line or that, and in a substantial number of cases
these inquiries are followed by orders. Not only are the
cheaper instruments receiving consideration, but the higher
grade products are likewise getting their share of attention.
It is generally reported that supplies of used instruments
are now pretty well thinned out, which fact alone is a matter
of general congratulation. There are still some dealers who
are looking for used instruments, but apparently with little
success, which will probably mean that they must resume the
selling of new products. It may not mean an overnight re-
covery in piano sales, but the sentiment is distinctly better and
the outlook generally much improved.
ALL SLAMS AT THE PIANO
ARE NOT OUTSIDE THE TRADE
E
VERY time the daily newspaper publishes an article that
reflects on the piano or makes fun of it, the members
of the trade rise up in indignation, write letters to the
editors and demand that the true facts be set forth. In fact
in many instances it seems that some piano men give much
time that might better be devoted to other purposes in looking
for attacks on their industry. This defensive attitude is all
very well if it is not carried to too great extremes, for the
inclination is often to exaggerate the importance of the
derogatory article.
While the piano man is quick to defend his industry against
outside comments, it is a remarkable fact that all too many
members of the trade do not hesitate to make equally
derogatory remarks within the confines of their own industry.
Just now, as always, the scandal-mongers are busy, and one
has but to travel around the trade to hear comments and
conjectures regarding the financial stability of this or that
concern, of how this or that manufacturer is losing business,
of the changes and possible changes in personnel, and so
forth. Then, too, we find the men still in business who talk
of it with all the enthusiasm of a man who has just been ad-
vised by his doctor that he has three months to live.
It is to be granted that the business situation is not, and
has not been for some time, of a character to arouse great en-
thusiasm, but the members of the trade must remember
that if they themselves feel free to disparage piano business,
they are in no position to resent similar comments on the part
of the daily press. We have all heard of the families who,
8
while always fighting among themselves, never fail to unite
on common ground against outside interference. The unity
at a critical stage may be admirable, but it doesn't save the
family's reputation for being disorderly.
The same rule
applies in business.
THE AMERICAN PIANO CO.
CREDITORS PAID IN FULL
L
AST month the creditors of the American Piano Co.
were sent by the receiver, the Irving Trust Co., final
checks in full settlement of their claims against the com-
pany, and it was stated that after this full settlement was
made there were still some assets left for distribution among
the stockholders. This was good news not alone to the men
involved with the company, but to the trade at large, for it
reflected the stability of the piano business when properly
handled. The Irving Trust Co. takes particular pride in
its record in this particular case because it is the first instance
since this bank has been acting as receiver that creditors have
been paid in full, and certainly in the music trade such a
culmination of a receivership is a rarity. Perhaps our memory
fails us, but it seems as though the last corresponding incident
was some score of years ago when the Detroit Trust Co. made
a similar record in the Karrand case.
When the American Piano Co. was placed under receiver-
ship it was stated that assets were considerably in excess of
liabilities, but were so frozen that cash w T as not available for
carrying on the business. The same claim has been made in
many other cases but not always so well substantiated.
The cleaning up of the company's affairs is a matter for
general congratulation. Given proper publicity it reflects
to the credit of the trade as a whole, and moreover will make
the road much easier for those who had the courage to take
over the company's affairs and organize the American Piano
Corp. It proves that the piano business is still a business.
WHAT IS THE DEALER DOING
ABOUT RADIO PIANO LESSONS?
y
OU piano dealers in cities of 25,000 population and
larger and in the smaller communities too, what are
you doing and what are you going to do to tie up with
the national broadcasting of piano lessons, the introductory
programs of which have been under way for several weeks
with the actual lessons to begin in April? The Music In-
dustries Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of
Music Merchants and other organizations in the trade are
working hard to develop a program that will be practical for
the average dealer and within a moderate price range, but all
that preparation will be of no value unless the individual
music merchant builds up the proper background in his own
community.
The broadcasting of piano lessons on a countrywide basis
is either going to be the greatest success or the greatest failure
ever experienced by the trade. The opportunity is there.
The broadcasting company is doing its work. The trade
organizations are cooperating, and it is up to the dealer him-
self whether, through his efforts in his own community, he is
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
March, 1931