Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
3
THE CONVENTION AT THE CAPITAL.
DIANO manufacturers from different
*• parts of the country began to fill the
corridors at the Arlington in Washington
last Tuesday night, and early Wednesday
morning the first meeting of the convention
was held in the banquet hall of the hotel.
The number of members who responded
to the roll call appears elsewhere in this
paper.
The reading of the minutes followed and
afterwards the Secretary's report was read
and approved. The election of officers,
names and sketches of whom appear on
page 13, then followed. Regular routine
jfc
to meet in Chicago, and thought that if
the convention were held there it would be
the means of stimulating a greater interest
in the association among Western manu-
facturers who had hitherto remained aloof
from joining. Mr. Conway's argument
impressed the assembly, backed as it was
by his sincerity and enthusiasm, and when
the final vote was taken, it was decided
that the next annual meeting should occur
in Chicago on the second Wednesday in
May. Thus the scenes of association life
will re-open next Spring in the imperial
city on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Chas. H. Parsons, who is chairman of
the Committee on Complaints and Griev-
ances, said that his committee had no re-
port to make, but that he believed in main-
taining the committee notwithstanding
there were no visible signs of demand.
He thought that simply the fact of such a
committee being in existence has a great
moral effect upon the trade, doing "police
duty," as he called it. He said that it was
not necessary for a policeman to show
every morning a blood-stained and broken
club in order to show that he had done his
duty.
Resolutions were passed, thanking the
Washington Music Trade Association for
its courtesy to the members of the associ-
ation and for the pleasant outing which
they proposed to give them to Mount Ver-
non.
A rising vote of thanks was also given
to President Miller and Secretary Kam-
merer for their splendid work in association
behalf.
fort was made to secure additional mem-
bers for the Association, and with much
success. The past year I do not think
there has been so much personal solicita-
tion in securing new members, nor do I
think it will be the practice to any very
great extent in the future. Again quoting
our by-laws, "any individual, firm or cor-
poration manufacturing pianofortes in
America will be eligible for membership."
This plain statement certainly imposes the
responsibility of not joining upon all man-
ufacturers who are at present non-mem-
bers, and the excuse that they have not
lyn; Carl Amann, of Brambach Piano Samuel T. White, of Horace Waters &
Co., Dolgeville, N. Y. ; A. Holmstrom, Co., New York; Hon. Carroll D. Wright,
of James & Holmstrom; C. B. Gar- Washington, D. C. ; Hon. John D. Long;
ritson, of Kroeger Piano Co., New H. E. Krehbiel, Musical Critic, N. Y.
York; Ben Owen, Philadelphia; E. M. Tribune, N. Y. ; Abner McKinley, New
Boothe, of the Milton Piano Co., New York; York; E. Lyman Bill, Music Trade Review,
W. E. Wheelock, of Weber-Wheelock Co., New York; Chandler W. Smith, of Boston
New York; J. H. Ludwig, of Ludwig & Music Trade Association, Boston; C. B.
Co. New York; P. H. Powers, of Emerson Bayly, of Music Publishers' Association of
Piano Co., Boston; Chas. Jacobs, of Ma- U. S., Washington; J. G. Ramsdell, of Phil-
trmshek & Son Piano Co., New York; adelphia Piano Dealers' Association, Phila-
delphia; John G. Erck, Washington; John
C. Conliffe, Washington; Mr. Young, Wash-
ington; Henry Eberbach, Washington;
W. P. Van Wickle, Washington; Marc. A.
Blumenberg, of Musical Courier, New
York; H. E. Freund, of Musical Age,
New York; Hal Homiston, Music Trades,
New York; Francis Connor, New York;
G. Robelen, Wilmington, Del. ; Geo. B.
Armstrong, of Indicator, Chicago; and
other representatives of the local and asso-
ciated press.
ROBT. C. KArinERER-Geo. Steck:& Co.
business was then taken up, including the
treasurer's report, and among the other
questions considered were the payment of
commissions to teachers and others, trade
ethics, credits and various matters relating
to the manufacture and distribution of
pianos.
About noon recess was taken for luncheon,
and shortly past two, the meeting recon-
vened and the most serious work of the
convention began.
The time and place for the next associa-
tion meeting was carefully discussed. Mr.
Handel Pond was very anxious that the
next meeting should be in Boston. Mal-
colm Love proposed that Niagara Falls be
selected, as it was a fair compromise be-
tween the East and the West. Edwin S.
Conway extended a very warm invitation
0E0. P. BLAKE-McPhail Piano Co.
become members because they have not
PRESIDENT HENRY F. MILLER'S REPORT. been urged to is not in order. I can add
GENTLEMEN:—Referring to the duties of to this, that any pianoforte manufacturer
the President of this Association, our by- in America, doing a respectable business
laws say, "he shall make a general report and having a reputable standing in the
of the proceedings of the last year at the trade, will be most cordially welcomed to
regular annual meeting"; but as the read- membership, and their voices will be glad-
ing of the minutes and reports of the ly heard at all times either for or against
treasurer, secretary, standing and special any proposed work of the Association,
committees, and especially the report of which Article 11 of our constitution states
the executive committee, will give the de- "shall be the mutual protection and pro-
tails of our work of the past year and sug- motion of our manufacturing and trade in-
gestions for the work of the coming year, terests." As a member of our Association
as President I might well be spared mak- every pianoforte manufacturer has the op-
ing any further remarks in regard to our portunity of becoming acquainted with the
work. I shall try to cover, therefore, only best efforts of concentrated action by the
a few points which perhaps would not ap- manufacturers in bringing about desired
reforms in the trade, and opportunity is
pear in these other reports.
[Continued on page 17. ]
During our first year a considerable ef-