Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
pianos for those who engaged in their
manufacture.
This is demonstrated by the fact that
many manufacturers of cheap pianos have
failed during the past twelve months. Let
us be once fairly on the road to business
prosperity, and we will predict that the
demand for cheap pianos will become much
curtailed. They will become improved in
quality and prices will be advanced. The
American people, as a whole, wish a good
thing when they have the money to pay
for it, and a cheap piano, that is, a very
cheap piano, in our opinion, may be prop-
erly termed an emergency piano.
The One Grade Matter.
The "Courier" tosses off the one grade
matter as if it was an airy nothing; not
even worthy of argument, but let us see.
There are prosperous manufacturers to-
day who are making two grades of instru-
ments. They affirm that the dealers
would buy a cheap piano elsewhere if they
did not supply them; and they reason
that they may as well get the trade as to
have it directed into other channels.
Again there are men who claim that by
concentration of energy on one particular
make, their labor will receive more gener-
ous returns than if it were divided on two
or three lines.
Personally we are of the opinion that the
concentration of energy and ideas upon a
certain object will be more certain of
achieving success than if that energy was
weakened by division. However, on this
important matter men disagree, according
to their local environments. There are
those who prefer to conduct the piano busi-
ness on a high minded basis, holding
the instruments far above the commercial
plane. They place the piano as a true art
creation, not as a piece of merchandise
made of metal and wood. Others place it
on purely a commercial basis, and conduct
the piano business the same as a manufac-
turer of boots and shoes or clothing con-
ducts his.
We affirm that the matter of making
one grade of pianos is not at all settled,
and in our opinion never will be, because
there will be always a difference of opinion
regulated by the success which crowns the
efforts of the different makers.
Dolge not in the Argument.
The "Courier" brings the name of Alfred
Dolge & Son into its arraignment, where
we claim it has no proper place. Mr.
Dolge is a manufacturer and merchant.
His wares are offered for sale, and he has
no more right to discriminate as to whom
he shall sell, provided he considers the sale
a good one, than a dry goods man has the greatly improved, and the atmosphere
right to exclude a man from his store who cleared materially in this trade when
manufacturers come together for a common
comes in to become a customer.
It is true Mr. Dolge is the best known good.
Years ago, when we perfected the
felt-maker on earth, but pray does he not
make different grades of felts? That he machinery for an organization for the
has not been generous in credits to the cheap music trades of this country, we were an-
piano makers is evidenced in the fact that tagonized by every music trade paper in
his firm have been creditors to only moder- the land. They exerted influence, and
ate amounts in the concerns that have the result was a great many men stood
failed. Dolge & vSon have no right to de- aloof from joining the association. • Others
mand what grade of piano a man intends claimed that they could run their affairs in-
to produce. Strictly speaking, if the cus- dependent of any organization, a claim
tomer leaves them an equivalent for the i which was perfectly right and proper; but
wares, that settles the matter as far as they a man in joining an association would not
are concerned. They do not cater to a relinquish any of his rights or indepen-
special class and the Dolge name should dence.
Disorganization Permits Evils,
not have been introduced in the "Courier'
article.
The disorganized condition of the trade
Credits—Unity the Salvation.
to-day enables the continuance of certain
When the "Courier" introduces the mat- evils which render it difficult for the legiti-
ter of credits and dilates at length upon mate trade to overcome. There never has
the irresponsibility of many dealers, we been a time in the history of America, or
think it is correct, and when it attacks, in of the world, for that matter, when the
a comparative way, the Fisher plan at De- people have not arisen in case of an emer-
troit and the Smith & Nixon plan at Cin- gency.
cinnati, we claim that neither one of these
Human slavery existed for many years in
plans would have been possible had the this country, and it was sanctioned by our
piano trade of America organized a Constitution, but it was an evil and it had
National association, which would have to be uprooted. In the uprooting process
regulated the granting of credits and other the Civil War became necessary, but the
matters of similar importance which would dark stain of slavery was wiped forever
have naturally come up for discussion be- from the fair face of America.
fore a business organization.
There are evils existing in the music
A National music trade association was trade—many of them, but there are in-
a pet theory of ours years ago. We have fluences at work which shall uproot them;
held to it, believed in it, and say still that their annihilation is only a matter of time
the time will come in the American music —it will come as sure as fate, and it will
trades when a National music trade asso- take a National music trade association to
ciation will become a necessity. We say do it.
had this organization been perfected
#
#
That
talented
member
of the trade, A.
years ago, the Smith & Nixon matters
Clifford
Cox,
favors
THK
REVIEW readers
would not have been possible; because the
this
week
with
a
"Specialty
Talk." Mr.
men composing that firm could not have
Cox's ability as a salesman at Stein-
obtained such enormous credits.
way Hall is well known, and a perusal of
We say the Fisher plan would have not the interview would show that he is a deep
been possible either, because Mr. Fisher student of the philosophical conditions un-
would have been unable to have procured derlying the trade structure.
the pianos of the various makes which he
NAHUM STETSON returned Monday from
is now offering at cut rates in Detroit.
a flying trip West.
An association organized on broad and
CALVIN WHITNEY is tarrying in our midst.
comprehensive lines, an association which He is enthusiastic over the political outlook
shall uphold the weak and crush the un- in the West.
worthy, will yet solidify and dignify the
A REPORT from Brazil, Ind., says that
music trades of America.
the W. W. Kimball Co. are opening a
branch store in that town.
Association will bring Relief.
C. F. TRETHAR denies the report that
It is absurd, in our opinion, to talk about Paderewski has lost his mind as well as
the piano business as going to perdition. his hair.
The piano business has simply conformed
A DISPATCH from Concord, N. H., says
to the times, and when times are better the new factory of the Prescott Piano Co.
there will be an upward trend of affairs in is now open for inspection.
our musico-industrial field.
CIEOR(;E CLAN- COX, Rochester, N.
In our opinion, however, matters will be came to town yesterday.