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would require 125 years. My wish stems
from the belief, that any merchant hav-
ing the responsibility of helping guide
an organization such as ours would
quickly perceive the redoubtable value
of united action.
Need a Strong Organization
"He would be immediately convinced
of the need for a strong and active asso-
ciation in the music retail industry. He
would immediately understand how the
efforts of a minority to establish sound
business practices would be ineffectual
if the majority choose to go in other
directions.
"He would understand how friend-
ships acquired in the course of coopera-
tive trade association work are valuable
and mutually beneficial, how the im-
agined "horns" of his competitors fall
away with first hand acquaintanceship.
"He would be sold on cooperative ac-
tion as the most direct, economical and
effective means of coping with the many
industry problems which cannot be
solved by individual action.
"The realization that his association
could not speak authoritatively for the
industry, unless it had the moral and
financial backing of the big majority
of the best thinking minds in the busi-
ness, would be swift and sure.
"He would appreciate why one could
not expect, upon joining the associa-
tion, to immediately receive amazing
benefits without any individual effort.
"He would learn the fallacy of join-
ing the organization with the idea of
remaining for a limited period, until
membership could prove its value in
the conduct of his business.
"He would soon be telling his fellow
merchants that the correct approach
NEW NAMM OFFICERS: STANDING L TO R—RAY S. ERLANDSON, BOARD CHAIR-
MAN,
PARKER M. HARRIS, TREAURER; FRANK O. WILKING, AMC TRUSTEE.
SEATED L TO R—RUSSELL B. WELLS, VICE-PRESIDENT; HARRY E, CALLAWAY,
PRESIDENT; BEN F. DUVALL, SECRETARY
is to join with the objective of stand-
ing by the association indefinitely, ex-
erting the fullest influence to prove that
our collective future will be brighter
if we all join, and through pooling
our resources make possible a valuable
program of real benefit.
"He would see that a successful or-
ganization is not self-starting—that it
requires the continuous enthusiasm of a
united group which must express itself
through its association, devising, then
activating a program and making it
work effectively.
"He would not think of his trade
association as a miraculous device
whose magic would forever insure him
against competition, loss or undesirable
problems. He would realize that worth-
while results are only possible if he
contributes his financial support, the
THE NEW NAMM DIRECTORS: STANDING L TO R—CHARLES B. ADAMS. J. A.
BROWN, WM. R. STEINWAY, E. R. McDUFF. SEATED L TO R—E. E. FORBES, SR.,
CHARLES O. MORGAN, EMORY PENNY, WM. H. SCHMOLLER II
giving of his personal time, and his
thought and counsel to the work in
hand.
"His pride would grow while parti-
cipating in the better conditions brought
about by his trade association because
he had done his share. He would
shrink from any thought of a free
ride—at his fellow merchants' expense.
"In the perilous and uncertain period
which lies ahead of us, his faith would
be reaffirmed in the value of coopera-
tive action, and unification of purpose
and objectives.
"Having learned the value of all
these things, he would promise himself
to work and work hard, together with
his fellow members toward their com-
mon objectives, and swear to do all
in his power to help build a strong
and efficient trade association for this
great retail industry of ours.
"These are the things, ladies and
gentlemen, which I have forcefully re-
alized in these past two years. It is these
things that make me proud of this
Association, proud to be a part of it
and to have had a hand in helping ot
build its strength.
"If the magnetism of our value and
service continues to develop during
the years ahead, we will grow and be
strengthened—approaching our future
always with eagerness—never with fear.
The guest speaker at the Opening
Luncheon was Dr. Kenneth McFarland.
Kducational Consultant for General
Motors, who entitled his address "Four
Buckets of Paint" which appears on
page 7 of this issue.
LeMair's AMC Address
Another speaker was Louis C. Le-
Mair, President of the American Mu-
(Turn to Col. 3, Page 8)
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, AUGUST, 1952