Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
fields. Time was in this industry when we solve at the very inception of the year.
believed in Christmas numbers. We have They cannot in justice to themselves con-
changed, for in all large editions the indi- tinue on the same lines as heretofore.
viduality of the advertiser is lost, to a cer-
Some of the manufacturers have had
; tain extent, among the many. The market sufficient courage to come out boldly and
TWENTY-FIRST YEAR •
is surfeited with enormous editions. _ The mark their instruments up to the figures
•EDWARD LYMAN BILL-
number is almost without end, and how in which the increased cost of manufacture
Editor and Proprietor
the world the reading public can ever wade entitle them to receive. Others have been
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
through the mass of Christmas literature holding off through fear of offending the
3 East 14th St., New York
which is placed before it, is a trifle be- dealers.
SUBSCRIPTION (Including postage), United States,
yond our comprehension.
Mexico and Canada, $u.oo per year; all other countries,
$300.
As far as special work goes, we believe \X7HEN the hardware men, the lumber
ADVERTISEllENTS, $2.00 per Inch, single column, per
men, the veneer men, offer their
insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dis-
in it, but not in huge volumes where the
count is allowed. Advertising Pages $50.00, opposite read-
ing matter $75.00.
wares
for
sale, they are not usually as con-
reader becomes tired with the array long
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should
siderate of the feelings of their customers
bo made payable to Edward Lyman Bill.
before he has reached the close.
Entered at the i\T«w York Post Office at Second Class MaU«r.
as the average piano manufacturer. Their
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 3o, 1899.1 T H E stencil agitation for 1899 has been wares are invariably subject to market
TELEPHONE NUMBER, 1745-. EIGHTEENTH STREBT
most argumentative, logical and con- fluctuations, while the manufacturer of a
THE KEYNOTE.
vincing. At no period in the trade his- piano is about the only "finished product
The first week of each month, The Review will
tory has the subject been ventilated in as man" who adheres to the ancient schedule
contain a supplement embodying the literary
and musical features which have heretofore
broad, fair and impartial a way as during under the new order of things.
appeared in The Keynote. This amalgamation
will be effected without in any way trespassing
the present year. The anti-stencil seed
on our regular news service. The Review will
continue to remain, as before, essentially a
too has fallen on good ground. Some of T R U S T S have come in for a large share
trade paper.
of public attention during the year.
it has gone among tares, it is true, but
"Ring out the old
There
have been several attempts to
more of the seed is growing and promising
Ring in the new."
combine a number of firms of this industry
IV/I AY The Review readers in every clime excellent returns in the near future.
into what is commonly termed a trust.
be both happy and prosperous dur-
OPEAKING of the stencil calls to mind Thus far all work along these lines has
ing the new year.
an error which appeared in The Re- been ineffectual, although it seemed on
\X7 E can now turn our attention to the pur- view of last week, which changed the en- one or two occasions as if the move would
suits of industrial affairs, and as far tire complexion of the stencil editorial. go through, in a partial sense. There are
as business is concerned, it doesn't matter The article read: ''It has been proven no such opponents of trusts as good times,
a rap whether the new century begins with clearly that the manufacturer who makes and when a manufacturer is busy he is not
this year or the next one. There will be pianos with his own name thereon is in the same humor to entertain trust blan-
just as many pianos sold, no matter which building up nothing for himself of value dishments as when times are depressed and
business demoralized. By the way, why is
way the chronological experts may decide. in the way of a trade-mark."
The article should have read: ' 'that the it that the agitators of trusts are usually
T H E best year that America has ever seen manufacturer who is not making pianos unsuccessful business men, or schemers?
in an industrial sense has now closed. with his own name thereon" . . . A Can anyone answer the query?
There has been no period in this country's word or two misprinted changes the whole
T H E American factory system is aston-
history since John Alden wooed Priscilla color of an article.
ishing the Europeans, who are accus-
wherein such general prosperity and good
tomed
to antiquated factory ideas which
times has abounded. The latter part of IV]OW is the accepted time to publish the
the year has been marred, as far as this in-
obituary list for the year. The reaper are in vogue there. It is to that perfect fac-
dustry is specially concerned, by the labor death has been more actively engaged in tory system to-day that we owe our indus-
troubles in Chicago. The piano manufac- thinning the musico-industrial ranks than trial advance, and no progressive mind can
turers of that city have been enormous in some previous years. The roll call for say but that it is due to th e large use of
losers in order to uphold a principle—a 1899 includes more of the distinguished improved machinery in our factories that
vital one, too, for without the maintenance men of the industry than its immediate this country is forging ahead of all other
lands commercially. And if additional
of that principle which they have closed predecessor.
proofs were required of the benefits of
their factories to support, all industry be-
comes insecure. It is hoped that by the DIANO manufacturers have had to en- modern machinery, it is only necessary to
counter unpleasant conditions for point to the large and successful manufac-
dawn of the new year the honest workmen
will have been fully convinced of the months. Every article which enters into turers in any branch of business, and in-
schemes and duplicity of the labor leaders. the construction of a piano has been stead- variably one will find that it is the concerns
They have stumbled long enough, and it is ily advancing in price. While they have that employ the best and latest labor-sav-
quite likely that they will be anxious to had to face this rising tide all along the ing devices that stand out as an example
approach reasonable and equable arrange- line, including labor as well, they have of the survival of the fittest.
ments with their employers.
been unwilling to ask the increase which
Labor itself, has in the same proportion
the augumented cost of manufacture should been benefited through the use of machin-
T H E paper world has been replete with entitle them to receive from the dealers. ery. When the sewing-machine was first
Christmas numbers. Gigantic edi- Soon, however, these conditions must presented to the tailor, he cried in dismay
tions, in beautifully lithographed covers, change. The manufacturing and selling "My occupation is gone." But was it? We
are in evidence on every newsstand.
prices must conform to the changed con- have more and better paid tailors to-day,
We wonder if this special edition busi- ditions. That will be one of the first earning better wages and in a vastly easier
ness is not being greatly overdone in all problems which the manufacturers will manner than ever before. Besides the pub-