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SHEET MUSIC and BOOKS
MUSIC PUBLISHERS REFUSE ALL DEMANDS
OF SONGWRITERS' PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
T
HE demands upon the music publishers
made recently by the Songwriters' Pro-
tective Association were officially re-
jected by the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers, on December 10.
The songwriters, among other things, de-
manded a closed shop, and that any publisher
accepting a song from a non-member of
the Songwriters' Association could be black-
listed by the members. They also demanded
that they be permitted to examine the books
of the publishers for credit purposes; that
they have control of all copyrights; receive
a minimum royalty of two cents for the
first fifty thousand copies sliding upward
to eight cents if a million copies or more
were sold, and receive a guarantee of at
least $100 a year on each song for the life
of the copyright, twenty-eight years.
In their answer, signed by John G.
Payne, the publishers declared against the
closed shop and stated that they would
publish whatever song, and from anyone,
that they desire. Trie demand that the
songwriters be permitted to examine the
books was referred to as both "sinister and
insulting." It was held that such examina-
tion would give away business secrets, and
if finally deemed necessary should be made
by the American Society.
In refusing to consider transferring copy-
right to songwriters, the publishers declared
that it would make their business unprofita-
ble and impractical by affecting their com-
mercial credit and bank standing and giving
them no assets upon which to raise capital.
The publishers also turned down cold
NEW OFFICERS OF CHICAGO
MEN'S SHEET MUSIC CLUB
The monthly dinner and annual meeting
of the Chicago Men's Sheet Music Club
was held December 17. Forty-one members
were present, and the following officers were
elected to serve for the ensuing year: Mor-
ton Schaeffer, president (with Melrose Bros.
Music Co.) ; Sidney Berman, vice-president
(with Lyon & Healy) ; Carl Klein, re-
elected secretary-treasurer (with Will Ros-
siter Co.) The chairmen of the standing
committees are: Willie Horowitz, of the En-
tertainment Committee (with Robbins Mu-
sic Co.) ; S. D. Harris, of the Membership
Committee (with Carl Fischer).
the demands for sliding royalties and an
annual guarantee of $100 on each song, and
also refused to consider the transfer of any
rights covering songs now held by them.
In refusing the demands of the song-
writers, which was done in considerable
detail, the publishers expressed themselves
as being in favor of a standard contract
between songwriters and publishers to be
worked out by the American Society of Com-
posers, Authors and Publishers.
The Songwriters' Protective Association
has held several meetings to consider the
reply of the publishers to its demands, but
results of such conferences have not yet been
made public.
SAM FOX TO PUBLISH
"STEPPING SISTERS" MUSIC
The Sam Fox Publishing Co., New York
and Cleveland, will publish the music of
the new Fox Motion Picture, "Stepping
Sisters," based on the very successful play.
Two songs prominently featured in the pro-
duction, "Look, Here Comes a Rainbow,"
and "The World Begins and Ends With
You," are looked upon as winners.
DR. RENATO TASSELLI
NOW RICORDI MANAGER
The New York house of the international-
ly prominent music publishers, G. Ricordi
& Co., is now under the management of Dr.
Renato Tasselli, who came recently from
London where he made an enviable record
as director of the company's business in
Great Britain.
Dr. Tasselli, who is distinctly progressive,
has already made some noteworthy changes
in the company's catalogue, particularly in
the matter of price adjustments. On or
about February 1 the New York offices will
be moved to new quarters at 12 West Forty-
fifth street.
ROBBINS OFFERS
NOVEL DANCE FOLIO
•
An innovation in dance folios is announced
by the Robbins Music Corp. Their newest
folio is titled "The Hollywood Dance Folio,"
No. 4, and, together with the many hit songs
therein contained, there will also appear
photographs and short biographies of the
radio artists most closely identified with
these songs.
Schafer's Music House, Batavia, N. Y., has
moved to new quarters at 59 Main street.
W 1 T H G R A T 1 T U D E
F O R T H E PAST
FA I T H I N T H E P R E S E N T
IN T H E FUTURE
AN D C O N F I D E N C E
W e offer the season's greetings to our many friends' in
the Music Trade and its affiliated industries and professions
MUSIC
ROBBINS
799
GOOD
I'M
S E V E N T H
NIGHT
S O R R Y
AVENUE
22
N £ W
SWEETHEART
C U B A N
DEAR
IT'S
W H E N
C O R P O R A T I O N
T H E
SWEET
T H E D A R N DEST
M O O N
C O M E S
THE
S O N G
A N D LOVELY
T H I N G
OVER
MUSIC
LOVE
YORK
T H E M O U N T A I N
TRADE
REVIEW,
January, 1932