Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The Banquet of the Boston Trade Association.
It was-long years ago, while the American
colonies were young, that the famous " tea
party " occurred in Boston Harbor. The men
who figured conspicuously in that affair, and
whose deeds helped to kindle the fires of the
Revolution, were attired in the guise of Ind-
ian warriors.
Since those days Boston has become noted
for her tea parties, and last Saturday night
the men who accepted the hospitable invita-
tion of the Boston Music Trade gathered
around the banquet board at the Hotel Bruns-
wick in that city. They were not decked in
the paint and feathers which characterized the
" tea party " of their early ancestors, but in-
stead they wore the conventional evening cos-
tume; but at the same time the chests of rea-
son which were opened at that meeting may
cause it to be quite as memorable in the annais
of the music trade of this country as was the
early party in the affairs of the Nation's birth.
The sentiments expressed by the speakers
that night will live long in the minds of those
who listened to the words of reason dropped
by profound thinkers, and in our mind the
doings of that meeting, scattered broadcast,
as it will be, all over this land, will have a ten-
dency to knit this trade closer together, and in
a large degree contribute toward centralizing
the different associations which now exist in
this trade into a national body. Hence this
latest Boston " tea party " may contribute in a
large degree toward a new revolution—a trade
revolution.
It was the first meeting held in this trade
at which the matter of trade associations, their
effect upon business, was made really the
" piece de resistance " to the remarks of all
the speakers.
The banquet was preceded by a reception in
the parlors of the hotel.
Henry F. Miller, president of the Associa-
tion, after secretary Chandler W. Smith had
read letters of regret from Governor Rogers
W. Wolcott, Geo. H. Chickering, Adolpho
H. Fischer, F. C. Seely, made a few well-
chosen introductory remarks.
Among other things, Mr. Miller spoke of
the importance of an organization to those en-
gaged in the manufacture of musical instru-
ments. He then traced the growth of the
piano industry in Boston from the days of
Benjamin Crehore down to the present time.
He spoke feelingly of the men who in days
past contributed so much to the growth of the
industry in Boston, and also their interest in
assisting to make Boston a city of great mu-
sical culture. Mr. Miller said, in answer to the
-question frequently asked, " What becomes of
the pianos? " " They go into the homes of the
people all over our land, over the mountains a great many manufacturers and dealers to
and by the lakes, and in far-away hamlets can supply the great wants of the people, and no
be found pianos bearing upon their name- one man and no small number of men can
board not only the name of the maker but the hope to supply this want. There must be
word Boston. In this sense the manufacturers many engaged in the same industries to meet
are a benefit to Boston by advertising it as a a general public demand, and it is the recogni-
tion of this fact that has led to the organization
musical centre."
Mr. Miller then spoke in a contrasting way of the many trade bodies of this city.
" To me it seems one of the most encourag-
of the old with the new—in the olden days
when a few pianos per week was considered ing signs of the past twenty years that the
a fair output, " and now it is said that one con- growth of friendly feeling in trade circles has
cern in Boston has turned out a number of brought to them strength and power to wield
pianos in one year which approximated five a mighty influence in the community. To me
the formation of a new business organization
thousand."
He then dwelt upon the great men of the is of great public interest. It means something
past, and each mention of the name of Jonas more than that business men have banded to-
gether for their own interests. Business men
as a body exert an enormous influence over
the conduct of public affairs. Such organiza-
tion is closely connected with the body politic
of city, St&te, and Nation.
" Great opportunities for the advancement
of the good of the whole community lie before
them, and in them is a distinct public gain.
They are broader in scope and influence than
the limits of any particular trade. Therefore,
I trust you will see the importance of allying
your association with other business organi-
1
zations. It is when many such associations
are united that the business men become a
great power for the general good.
" It seems to me well that Boston should
lead other cities in this matter, that the com-
mercial growth and development of Boston
should be influenced by its business men, and
through them that the prosperity of all the
people should be promoted.
" It is something not always appreciated
that, while all lines of business and all trades
HENRY fF. MILLER, PRESIDENT.
have their individual interests, they must de-
pend for prosperity very largely upon the
Chickering was received with hearty applause. prosperity of the city. Your aim should be to
Mr. Miller then paid a tribute to the great men strengthen the idea of the dependence of your
who have recently been gathered in by the business upon the general well-being of all
great Reaper—Ernest Knabe, Governor Full- trades and all people."
Every one in the banquet hall then arose and
er, William Steinway.
He then spoke of the musicians, and of the helped to swell the chorus of " The Star Span-
famous Boston Symphony orchestra, and gled Banner." At the close of every speech,
made a pleasing mention of the new musical and during the courses of the dinner, there
was music by an orchestra and the concerted
theatre in Boston—Steinert Hall.
singing
of old and popular melodies.
There were no set toasts, and the first one
Jerome K. Jones, president of the Commer-
upon whom he called was Josiah Quincy,
Mayor of Boston. Mayor Quincy made an cial Club of Boston, was next introduced.
impressive address. While not a trained ora- Mr. Jones is a charming speaker, and his re-
tor, he is in every sense an entertaining talker. marks were listened to with great interest. He
" I am a strong—I may say, an enthusiastic said:
" Primarily, the purpose of a business firm
—believer in trade organizations of this char-
acter," said the Mayor, " and I feel that the or corporation is to make dividends; but in
city is to be congratulated upon this addition this intelligent age there is something else be-
to the many trade bodies of Boston. It takes side the making of dollars in business. The