Music Trade Review
Issue: 1899 Vol. 28 N. 7 - Page 6
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
present as suggested by Mr. Dutton, with
a view later to national or other legislation.
We have no sympathy with the views
expressed that the Piano Manufacturers'
Associations, national and local, are organi-
zed simply as mutual admiration societies.
This idea has been spread broadcast by
the editor of one of our local contemporar-
ies, who has persistently belittled and buf-
fooned the Association and its splendid ef-
forts toward regulating abuses in the trade.
We agree with Mr. Parsons that, "in deal-
ing with questions of this kind, what we
need is strength and wisdom. 'In union
there is strength.' 'In the multitude of
counselors there is wisdom.' "
""THERE is one point, however, that must
be emphasized and it is this : The
stencil question has been brought to the
attention of manufacturers by manufac-
turers who complain, and with justice, of
the evil which now exists. Whether the
leaders of the movement in favor of the
Redington bill succeed in their efforts, or
not, it must be conceded that they have
forced the issue on the Association, and no
matter what action is taken at Albany, the
stencil question cannot fail to become a
subject of careful consideration and earn-
est discussion at the convention to be held
this spring.
No member of the trade in touch with
the conditions to-day will deny that the
wholesale manufacture of "thump boxes"
and the unscrupulous use of certain names,
is an evil which needs eradication or treat-
ment. The law of the "survival of the
fittest," or "patience and not legislation,"
may be an effective remedy, as Mr. Parsons
thinks, but from this point of view there
will always be a wide divergence of opinion.
There are to-day in this country and
there has been for that matter at all times
a lot of intelligent men who believe that
we can settle our international difficulties by
a peaceful interchange of opinions, but yet
there never has been a great achievement
in the Nation's history that has not been
brought about through war or force. It
has ever been thus, and it will be so for all
time.
In the solution of the stencil evil or other
evil, force, or law, or whatever it may be
termed, will be more effective in clarifying
the trade atmosphere than a laisscz faire
policy.
The National Association is well equipped
to handle exhaustively the various phases
of the stencil situation at the forthcoming
convention. No one can deny that it is a
question which vitally affects the interests
of the trade. The results that now seem
impossible of realization by individual
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
effort cannot fail to blossom into fruition
under the rays of concentrated energy. In
associated effort there is power.
OUR GROWING EXPORT TRADE.
STATISTICS are usually as dry reading
as political economy, but they are in-
teresting when they tell of business pros-
perity and the nation's advancement. This
week we are able to present on page 17 the
figures relating to the imports and exports
of musical instruments for the twelve
months ending December, 1898.
For that period there has been a decrease
in imports amounting in value to $17,879
and an increase in exports, footing up
$310,709. This amount is distributed as
follows: Increase in organ exports $55,398;
increase in piano exports, $12,250; increase
in miscellaneous musical instruments,
$243,066. If we add to these figures $19,-
879, the decrease in imports, which vir-
tually means a gain in trade, we have a
grand total of $330,588.
These figures, in an industry whose out-
put comes largely under the heading of
luxuries, are significant,- and in sympathy
with the tremendous expansion of our
foreign trade which has been so noticeable
in all lines during the past twelve months.
Now that manufacturers are more and
more realizing our opportunities in foreign
markets it is certain that the close of 1899 will
witness a tremendous development of ex-
port trade not only in miscellaneous
musical wares but in organs and pianos as
well.
There is no reason in the world why we
should not command an almost exclusive
control of the great South American trade.
If manufacturers study the market closely
and can fill demands for instruments
suited for the different countries, and sell
at a suitable price they will win out. Of
course it means .capital and indefatigable
effort, but that is characteristic of the
American manufacturer who is now be-
coming a power in all sections of this
terrestrial sphere.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.
A BILL has been introduced in the New
York State Senate by Thomas F.
Donnelly, empowering the Attorney-Gen-
eral to break up the operations of illegal
combinations of capital in this State. The
only legislation needed to enable the At-
torney-General to proceed successfully is a
law of procedure to supplement the com-
mon law which declares combinations and
consolidations for the purpose of restricting
trade, unlawful and against the public
policy. Under the proposed law any cit-
izen may file his complaint and the At-
torney-General will have the legal tools at
his disposal to get all the information he
needs, and after he gets it he can proceed
under the common law to drive out the
trusts just as the Attorney-General of Ohio
is proceeding against the Standard Oil
Company.
DIANO shipments and business generally
have been seriously disturbed by the
great blizzard which held sway the opening
days of the week. Manufacturers in this
city and Boston, in fact all over this and
adjoining States, have been holding back
large shipments of pianos until the weather
moderated. From conversation with man-
ufacturers on this topic during the week,
we should calculate that about three hun-
dred pianos will have found their way to
various shipping points in this city when
the icy king condescends to be less exacting
and better disposed toward the business
interests of the country.
IN the early days of piano making in this
country, the Franklin Institute of Phil-
adelphia was always an aid and a stimu-
lator towards worthy effort in the develop-
ment and perfection of the American piano
as in everything that gave impetus to the
advancement of art, science and manufac-
turers. Last week it attained its seventy-
fifth year of usefulness and is well entitled
to the hearty congratulations which have
have poured in on the present manage-
ment of the institution. It is noticeable
that the Franklin Institute has not been
content to rest on laurels won, but has
grown with the times, always being in the
forefront in everything that contributes
to the advancement of the American in-
ventor and manufacturer.
Ernest J. Knabe, who was a visitor td
the city during the blizzard, left for Balti-
more on Tuesday, and like a number of
other eminent men had to capitulate to a
snow-drift near Wilmington, There was
considerable delay, but one and all viewed
the situation philosophically and arrived at
their destination in due course.
1 (transfer Ornaments
X
DECALCOMANIA
+*,
X X X fOS X X A
ii
GUITARS, MANDOLINS. ZITHERS
PIANOS and ORGANS
j
XXX ALSO XXX
Marquetrie and Pearl Transfers
Name Plates and Trade Marks
I Cbc /n^cycrcord Company
•5
j
1
. . . Rmtricin
MAIN OfFICE
CHICAGO. U. S A.
ATTYTVT
/na*uficliir
NEW YORK and ST. LOUIS
8
present as suggested by Mr. Dutton, with
a view later to national or other legislation.
We have no sympathy with the views
expressed that the Piano Manufacturers'
Associations, national and local, are organi-
zed simply as mutual admiration societies.
This idea has been spread broadcast by
the editor of one of our local contemporar-
ies, who has persistently belittled and buf-
fooned the Association and its splendid ef-
forts toward regulating abuses in the trade.
We agree with Mr. Parsons that, "in deal-
ing with questions of this kind, what we
need is strength and wisdom. 'In union
there is strength.' 'In the multitude of
counselors there is wisdom.' "
""THERE is one point, however, that must
be emphasized and it is this : The
stencil question has been brought to the
attention of manufacturers by manufac-
turers who complain, and with justice, of
the evil which now exists. Whether the
leaders of the movement in favor of the
Redington bill succeed in their efforts, or
not, it must be conceded that they have
forced the issue on the Association, and no
matter what action is taken at Albany, the
stencil question cannot fail to become a
subject of careful consideration and earn-
est discussion at the convention to be held
this spring.
No member of the trade in touch with
the conditions to-day will deny that the
wholesale manufacture of "thump boxes"
and the unscrupulous use of certain names,
is an evil which needs eradication or treat-
ment. The law of the "survival of the
fittest," or "patience and not legislation,"
may be an effective remedy, as Mr. Parsons
thinks, but from this point of view there
will always be a wide divergence of opinion.
There are to-day in this country and
there has been for that matter at all times
a lot of intelligent men who believe that
we can settle our international difficulties by
a peaceful interchange of opinions, but yet
there never has been a great achievement
in the Nation's history that has not been
brought about through war or force. It
has ever been thus, and it will be so for all
time.
In the solution of the stencil evil or other
evil, force, or law, or whatever it may be
termed, will be more effective in clarifying
the trade atmosphere than a laisscz faire
policy.
The National Association is well equipped
to handle exhaustively the various phases
of the stencil situation at the forthcoming
convention. No one can deny that it is a
question which vitally affects the interests
of the trade. The results that now seem
impossible of realization by individual
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
effort cannot fail to blossom into fruition
under the rays of concentrated energy. In
associated effort there is power.
OUR GROWING EXPORT TRADE.
STATISTICS are usually as dry reading
as political economy, but they are in-
teresting when they tell of business pros-
perity and the nation's advancement. This
week we are able to present on page 17 the
figures relating to the imports and exports
of musical instruments for the twelve
months ending December, 1898.
For that period there has been a decrease
in imports amounting in value to $17,879
and an increase in exports, footing up
$310,709. This amount is distributed as
follows: Increase in organ exports $55,398;
increase in piano exports, $12,250; increase
in miscellaneous musical instruments,
$243,066. If we add to these figures $19,-
879, the decrease in imports, which vir-
tually means a gain in trade, we have a
grand total of $330,588.
These figures, in an industry whose out-
put comes largely under the heading of
luxuries, are significant,- and in sympathy
with the tremendous expansion of our
foreign trade which has been so noticeable
in all lines during the past twelve months.
Now that manufacturers are more and
more realizing our opportunities in foreign
markets it is certain that the close of 1899 will
witness a tremendous development of ex-
port trade not only in miscellaneous
musical wares but in organs and pianos as
well.
There is no reason in the world why we
should not command an almost exclusive
control of the great South American trade.
If manufacturers study the market closely
and can fill demands for instruments
suited for the different countries, and sell
at a suitable price they will win out. Of
course it means .capital and indefatigable
effort, but that is characteristic of the
American manufacturer who is now be-
coming a power in all sections of this
terrestrial sphere.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.
A BILL has been introduced in the New
York State Senate by Thomas F.
Donnelly, empowering the Attorney-Gen-
eral to break up the operations of illegal
combinations of capital in this State. The
only legislation needed to enable the At-
torney-General to proceed successfully is a
law of procedure to supplement the com-
mon law which declares combinations and
consolidations for the purpose of restricting
trade, unlawful and against the public
policy. Under the proposed law any cit-
izen may file his complaint and the At-
torney-General will have the legal tools at
his disposal to get all the information he
needs, and after he gets it he can proceed
under the common law to drive out the
trusts just as the Attorney-General of Ohio
is proceeding against the Standard Oil
Company.
DIANO shipments and business generally
have been seriously disturbed by the
great blizzard which held sway the opening
days of the week. Manufacturers in this
city and Boston, in fact all over this and
adjoining States, have been holding back
large shipments of pianos until the weather
moderated. From conversation with man-
ufacturers on this topic during the week,
we should calculate that about three hun-
dred pianos will have found their way to
various shipping points in this city when
the icy king condescends to be less exacting
and better disposed toward the business
interests of the country.
IN the early days of piano making in this
country, the Franklin Institute of Phil-
adelphia was always an aid and a stimu-
lator towards worthy effort in the develop-
ment and perfection of the American piano
as in everything that gave impetus to the
advancement of art, science and manufac-
turers. Last week it attained its seventy-
fifth year of usefulness and is well entitled
to the hearty congratulations which have
have poured in on the present manage-
ment of the institution. It is noticeable
that the Franklin Institute has not been
content to rest on laurels won, but has
grown with the times, always being in the
forefront in everything that contributes
to the advancement of the American in-
ventor and manufacturer.
Ernest J. Knabe, who was a visitor td
the city during the blizzard, left for Balti-
more on Tuesday, and like a number of
other eminent men had to capitulate to a
snow-drift near Wilmington, There was
considerable delay, but one and all viewed
the situation philosophically and arrived at
their destination in due course.
1 (transfer Ornaments
X
DECALCOMANIA
+*,
X X X fOS X X A
ii
GUITARS, MANDOLINS. ZITHERS
PIANOS and ORGANS
j
XXX ALSO XXX
Marquetrie and Pearl Transfers
Name Plates and Trade Marks
I Cbc /n^cycrcord Company
•5
j
1
. . . Rmtricin
MAIN OfFICE
CHICAGO. U. S A.
ATTYTVT
/na*uficliir
NEW YORK and ST. LOUIS
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