Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, JUNE, 19U
HE thought expressed in the
slogan which is reproduced in
the center of this page "Music
Is Essential" should also be the cen-
ter of all promotion by music mer-
chants throughout the country just
at this time. It should be impressed
on the public in every way possible.
We are indebted to the Jenkins Mu-
sic Co., Kansas Cty, Mo., who has
sent us a sign from which the illus-
tration on this page has been repro-
duced. The original is 21 inches
Carleton Chace
wide and it is printed in three colors,
- red, white and blue. It is the sign
that the Jenkins Music Co. used to
remarkable advantage during the World War I and at the
present time is displaying it in its stores, display windows
and anywhere it may make an impression. So successful
has been the use of this sign that the Jenkins Music Co. has
made the offer to supply members of the industry with
them for the price of 10c each, this being but one penny
more that it costs them in lots of 200. Here is an oppor-
tunity for dealers to get to-gether in the city in which they
live and place a bulk order, each one taking an allotment
and spreading them around where they will make an im-
pression. The address of the Jenkins Music Co., is
1217 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo.
T
Why Music
is Essential
I
N pointing out that music and musical instruments are
not luxuries but vital necessities to a nation at peace or
at war Mr. Rolfing stated: "Music and musical instru-
ments do not represent the amusement of idle and wasteful
people; they do not constitute a habit which is merely com-
forting; a veneer upon life which those who can afford it
find pleasing. Music in all its forms and the playing of musi-
cal instruments are a part of the very lives of millions of
Americans and they are better for it. They are better soi-
diers, better workers, better citizens and better human be-
ings. The appeal of music is universal. It is not merely for
some people who can afford it or who have time for it or
who have special aptitude for it. In 1939 in the United
States a million and a half children and a million adults
were playing and learning to play, the violin; four million
children in schools throughout the country and nine mil-
lion children and adults outside schools were playing and
learning to play the piano.
"The large proportion of buyers of musical in-
struments come from the lower income groups.
Incalculable thousands of
them deny themselves com-
forts and even what we
might agree are necessities,
so that their children may have the educational
and cultural advantages of music. In doing so
they are not, and they do not regard themselves as indulg-
ing in a luxury. They are realizing one of the primary
necessities of life. To them a price increase of the kind
which would be inevitable as a result of the proposed tax
would be not merely serious; in many cases it would be pro-
hibitive. Should this deterrent be offered to them? If this
were done, you would not be doing this country a service
but a disservice. You would take a step backward in the
progress of human affairs in our country. You should be
undoing what thousands of responsible educators and en-
lightened citizens in our country have striven and are striv-
ing to do."
Back this up with YOUR protests — NOW.
MUSIC IS ESSENTIAL
i±
HE National Piano Manufacturers Association
Tax Protests
and Hearings
T
interested in music to impress on the powers that be in
Washington the importance of keeping music and musical
instruments on the essential list. This was done during
World War I and can be done again.
lost no time in entering its protest against the
10% tax which the Treasury Department proposed to
levy on musical instruments. R. C. Rolfiing, president of
the association appeared before the Ways and Means Com-
mittee in Washington last month and pointed out the detri-
mental effect such a tax might have on the industry. More
important, however, was his plea that musical instruments
be kept on the "essential" list. Members of the National
Association of Music Merchants have also sent letters and
telegrams to their senators, congressmen and members of
the Ways and Means Committee protesting the tax. The
"essential" element, however, must not be overlooked. After
all music is such an essential that it is depended upon to
buoy up the morale of a people when in distress. What is
more inspiring than martial music to stir up partiotism,
what is more quieting in case of panic than music, what is
more consoling to those in trouble than music and after all
is said and done what kind of a world would it be anyway
without music And, music without a musical instrument
—well such a thing would be just a calamity. So we urge
merchants to also urge all those whom they know who are