Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
With the army of men which may go out
in the near future in the metal trades, it
cannot be denied but that the labor ques-
tion presents a serious side.
The present state of affairs is a constant
menace to the prosperity of the nation. Low
prices are what count in our domestic as
well as foreign trade, but how can a man-
ufacturer count on a low cost when he has
no certainty as to the maintenance of a rate
of wages on which his selling price is based,
and no assurance that he may not be com-
pelled by his operatives to suspend work al-
together ?
That was clearly shown by the action of
the contractor for the construction of the
subway in our city.
If we desire to control our home market,
and a fair slice of the markets of the world,
we must eliminate the enormous waste due
to the present relations of employer and em-
ployee.
Speaking broadly, strikes are fruitless of
results other than idleness, which is costly
to both parties concerned. At present labor
has it largely its own way. Work people
can annul agreements at a moment's notice,
thus causing enormous pecuniary loss to
every employer, and they are permitted to
use all sorts of means to prevent the places
of strikers being supplied by such operatives
as are willing to work.
Before the world the labor union has no re-
sponsibilities, but let the law insist that every
union organization shall be incorporated, then
the manufacturer would have something tan-
gible to deal with if he fails to carry out his
agreement. Suit could then be brought
against a union if it failed to carry out its
agreements, and, by making the laws so
that a repeated violation of contract should
be ground in itself for the dissolution of the
charter, a further step in advance would be
made.
There should be some legislation more
direct than the issuing of an injunction
against the intimidation of men and wo-
men who are willing to work. In this coun-
try of ours every one has a right to labor
when and how he pleases, and any inter-
ference with the exercises of that right should
constitute a felony, at least where violence
is used. It is amazing the leniency with
which the ill-treatment of non-union opera-
tives is generally viewed. It is to the ad-
vantage of the best element of the labor
unions that legislation be designed which
will make the wasteful strike a thing of
the past.
The sooner this matter is placed on an un-
derstandable basis, the better it will be for
manufacturer and employee. There is alto-
gether too much ambiguous talk about the
question of "rights" when labor is being dis-
cussed.
WINS THE REVIEW PRIZE.
N a neighboring
A successful con-
testant for the Review
page we present
prize—An able article
upon the benefit of
the contribution of Al-
the one-price system
—01 h e r interesting fred H. Ford, who is
topics.
awarded the first prize
in the second contest inaugurated by The Re-
view upon the subject, "What Benefit Will
Be Derived from the One-price System in
Retailing?"
This subject has drawn forth a splendid
line of arguments, and we are inclined to
the belief that the discussion of this topic
in the columns of The Review will result
in material benefit.
We have endeavored to secure some in-
teresting contributions upon the topics which
we have named, and their publicity in the
columns of The Review must be of mani-
fest interest to dealers in all parts of the
country. There are still two topics remain-
ing, which are as follows:
Prize No. 3—"What are the Necessary
Requirements of the Modern Piano Sales-
man?"
This topic should certainly interest the
many bright minds in the retail department
of the industry, and some one of whom has
an opportunity of winning $25.00.
Prize No. 4 is particularly opportune just
now. It is:
"What Would Be the Effect of a Piano
Trust Upon the Industry?"
At this time, when scheming minds are
plotting to overthrow the industry and prac-
tically drive two-thirds of the dealers, sales-
men and travelers out of existence, it should
be a particularly delightful debating ground.
It is our intention to continue this line
of prize work, and make The Review in the
truest sense the forum of the trade. By
taking up matters which are of vital interest
to every one connected with the industry
and drawing forth the best arguments upon
the subject, it must be clear to all that spe-
cial interest is centered in the prize contest
department of The Review.
O
THE AWARD SYSTEM DETRACTS
Expositions of the
future must give up
the award system—
Has a deterring effect
upon manufacturers—
Perhaps abandoned at
St. Louis.
|VT O one can visit the
Pan-American Ex-
position without feeling
that, externally, it pre-
sents a beautiful picture.
In other words, an artistic sight fully worthy
of the opening of the twentieth century. The
complete harmony of the architecture, the
sculpture, and landscape effects, deserve great
praise. The color scheme is novel and unique,
and it is one of the distinguishing character-
istics of the Exposition; but it is a step down-
ward from the panoramic effect of the Ex-
position to the exhibits representing the va-
rious industries.
15
Of course, we must understand that, ow-
ing to inadequate government backing, space
was extremely limited, and, had there been
sufficient at the disposal of the officers of the
Exposition, it would have required fully as
large an amount of space as was needed at
Chicago. Our own industry fairly repre-
sented would fill two-thirds of the Manu-
facturers' Building at Buffalo.
But, aside from the lack of space, there
is another reason which retards many man-
ufacturers from taking part in an Expo-
sition. That is the award system, the ex-
istence of which is, by many, constituted as
a menace to the high-grade manufacturer.
There is no question but that the almost
universal distribution of awards at Chicago
did much to break down the system and
render it unpopular. It is through fear of
repeating this same offense that many have
preferred to remain outside the Exposition
breastworks rather than fight their way to
an inner position, when it is possible so many
of lesser repute will be admitted.
If the Exposition at St. Louis, which is
going to be, perhaps, equal to the one at Chi-
cago, relegates the award system to oblivion,
it will draw forth the heartiest support from
the best of American manufacturers.
DECISION CAUSING TROUBLE.
A RECENT decision
The ruling of the
Supreme Court anent
by the Supreme
preferences in bank-
Court
of the United
ruptcy should lead to
States concerning pref-
an amendment by
Congress.
erences in bankruptcy
is causing something very like conster-
nation among merchants. The Bankrupt-
cy Act forbids preferences to creditors, re-
quiring any creditor who has been pre-
ferred to surrender what he has received if
he proposes to prove any claims or receive
any dividends. By the recent decision it is
established that the receipt of money by a
creditor within four months of the time when
a petition in bankruptcy is filed by or against
the person making the payment, constitutes
a preference. Thus, if A sells to B a bill
of goods amounting to $2,000, and is paid
in cash, and thereupon sells him another bill
of goods for $4,000 on ninety days' credit,
within which time B goes into bankruptcy,
A becomes a preferred creditor. If he pro-
poses to claim his $4,000, he must give up his
$2,000. If he wants to keep his $2,000, he
must give up his $4,000. The fact that he
had no intention of obtaining a preference,
or that his debtor had no intention of giving
him one, is immaterial; the law presumes the
intention from the mere fact of payment.
Business men should bestir themselves to
have Congress amend the law so as to lessen,
if not completely do away with, the severity
of this provision.