Music Trade Review
Issue: 1904 Vol. 38 N. 20 - Page 8
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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN DILL,
Editor and Proprietor.
J. B. SP1LLANE. Managing Editor.
EXECVTIVE STAFF:
THOS.
CAMPBELL-COPELAND,
W. MURDOCH L I N D ,
GEO.
GEO.
ERNEST L. WAITT, 255 Washington St.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
W. QUERIPEL.
CHICAQO OFFICE:
BOSTON OFFICE:
R. W . KAUFFMAN.
E M I L I E FRANCES BAUER,
B. KELLER,
A. J . N I C K L I N ,
E. P . VAN HARLINGEN, 36 La Salle St.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
R. J. LEFEBVRE.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE:
S T . LOUIS OFFICE :
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
ALFRED METZGER, 325 Davis St.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SVBSCR PTION (including postage), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS. $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $50.00; opposite read-
ing matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
THE ARTISTS'
DEPARTMENT
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains in its
"Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore aug-
ments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
e
n i B F r T n o v «f PiANn f "^^
directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
ound on a e 32
u««««»>£.,. J2t
P g
will be of great value as a reference for
MANUFACTURERS
dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, MAT 14, 19O4.
EDITORIAL
T
HE dual trade convention at Atlantic City promises to be
the largest in point of attendance ever held in this trade.
It is possible that a special train may be run through from
Chicago, at least enough members have already signified their
intention of coming East together, so that the railroads have as-
signed special cars for their conveyance.
Well, it will be a delightful time, for Atlantic City is a good
place to tarry during the last of M*ay and presumably much bene-
fit will result from the various meetings and exchanges of
opinions, which will be voiced during the last week of the month.
T
HE topics which will be discussed at both meetings are cer-
tainly of live interest to piano men everywhere. The ques-
tion of business betterment will be considered from various
viewpoints. The question of profits will be treated of in a large
way, and if there is one subject more than any other that is of
warm, throbbing interest to piano men, it is that of profits.
The margin of profit has steadily lessened for the manufac-
turer, owing to the constant rising tide in the cost of creating in-
struments. With expenses growing, and profits diminishing, the
salvation of the average manufacturer during the past several
years has been in an increased volume of trade.
REVIEW
We are of the opinion that money and time are well expended
when it tends to bring about a betterment in trade conditions.
Now if the ultimate results of the dealers' organization is to
eliminate many of the harassing difficulties and evils which
have insidiously crept into this trade so that every man selling
pianos can profit thereby, why all the time and money is wisely
expended.
ND still again, if the result of the meetings amounts to
nothing more than a friendly handshake, a pleasant chat, the
discussion of trade topics, even then the time and money will not
have been poorly spent.
Perhaps one of the great weaknesses of most organizations
lies in the fact that the men who control its destinies are over-
ambitious, and desire to accomplish too much. They spread
their energies too often over a large surface instead of con-
centrating them upon one or two matters of vital interest to the
trade. It would be better far to win on one thing which is of
obvious benefit to the trade than to discuss without bringing to
successful issue a dozen topics, all of which it is impossible to
take up and deal with seriously and efficiently.
A
HFRE has been some severe criticism upon the methods
employed by solicitors for advertisements for a souvenir
to be given out by the Dealers' Association at Atlantic City.
Judging from some of the arguments which have been ad-
vanced by certain of the solicitors it would seen as if the organ-
ization were sadly in need of funds. On the whole the situation
is not pleasing to many of the members of the Dealers' Organ-
ization, some of whom are strongly opposed to the souvenir plan
and who figure they are placed in a peculiar light by some of the
representations made by the advertising solicitors. The so-
licitors say that the dealers are to entertain the manufacturers
at dinner and that costs real money.
Some of the manufacturers have not hesitated to express
their opinion in strong terms of disapproval. Indications point
to some lively debates in the good old association times at At-
lantic City.
T
HE month of May has opened with more encouraging pros-
pects and a promise of better business than any month of the
new year. The season over a larger part of the country has
been extremely late, but the piano merchants have not suffered
as much by a slowness of trade as men in other lines, who pur-
chased large stocks of seasonable goods. A jump from winter to
summer without an intermediate lap causes the specialty mer-
chant much sorrow, but with the piano men it is different.
Of course it is true that it will not be easy to recover busi-
ness which has been lost from various causes during the opening
months of the year, but indications point to an excellent piano
trade during the months of May and June.
T
AWS are steadily being placed upon our statute books which
render the path of the rascal one of greater difficulty.
The dishonest merchant who, finding he is about to fail, is
willing to sell out his stock in a lump to an equally dis-
reputable purchaser and leave his creditors in the lurch will find
his path more beset with danger than has been the case in the
past. The State of New York, which some time ago enacted
legislation designed to deter and to punish such sales, has just
passed a law making the act still more stringent and rendering
HE dealer has also increased competition in the way of de-
it, in the words of the Credit Men's Association of this city, "al-
partment stores, and catalogue houses, which have not
most impossible for any debtor to sell out his stock of goods,
made his lot an altogether idealistic one. He has to figure the
pocket the proceeds and laugh at his creditors." The District
same as the manufacturer upon a steadily increasing cost in sell-
of Columbia is also in line, Congress just before adjournment
ing a piano, so there are problems on both sides and plenty of
having passed a measure designed to control sales of stocks in bulk
them, and each will have a keener appreciation of the other's
within the District.
troubles after the general fraternizing at Atlantic City. Not-
withstanding the many vexations which have beset both manu-
HE great Exposition at St. Louis is now fairly launched.
facturer and dealer the trade has steadily advanced in character
In nearly all respects it surpasses all previous expositions
and volume.
and while there are some superb exhibits of the creations of the
music trade industry, it is to be regretted that the space devoted
NE dealer writes: "I believe thai if the dealers placed the
to
the display of musical instruments is not greater.
same time and energy upon their regular business that they do
The visiting millions, while they may be charmed with the
upon association affairs, that they would produce results which
exhibits at the Fair, will form an incorrect idea of the magnitude
would be more beneficial to them. It all takes a good deal of
and importance of the industry as compared with others.
time and what is the profit?"
L
T
T
O
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN DILL,
Editor and Proprietor.
J. B. SP1LLANE. Managing Editor.
EXECVTIVE STAFF:
THOS.
CAMPBELL-COPELAND,
W. MURDOCH L I N D ,
GEO.
GEO.
ERNEST L. WAITT, 255 Washington St.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
W. QUERIPEL.
CHICAQO OFFICE:
BOSTON OFFICE:
R. W . KAUFFMAN.
E M I L I E FRANCES BAUER,
B. KELLER,
A. J . N I C K L I N ,
E. P . VAN HARLINGEN, 36 La Salle St.
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
R. J. LEFEBVRE.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE:
S T . LOUIS OFFICE :
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
ALFRED METZGER, 325 Davis St.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SVBSCR PTION (including postage), United States, Mexico and Canada, $2.00 per
year; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS. $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $50.00; opposite read-
ing matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
THE ARTISTS'
DEPARTMENT
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains in its
"Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
section of the paper. It has a special circulation, and therefore aug-
ments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
e
n i B F r T n o v «f PiANn f "^^
directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
ound on a e 32
u««««»>£.,. J2t
P g
will be of great value as a reference for
MANUFACTURERS
dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, MAT 14, 19O4.
EDITORIAL
T
HE dual trade convention at Atlantic City promises to be
the largest in point of attendance ever held in this trade.
It is possible that a special train may be run through from
Chicago, at least enough members have already signified their
intention of coming East together, so that the railroads have as-
signed special cars for their conveyance.
Well, it will be a delightful time, for Atlantic City is a good
place to tarry during the last of M*ay and presumably much bene-
fit will result from the various meetings and exchanges of
opinions, which will be voiced during the last week of the month.
T
HE topics which will be discussed at both meetings are cer-
tainly of live interest to piano men everywhere. The ques-
tion of business betterment will be considered from various
viewpoints. The question of profits will be treated of in a large
way, and if there is one subject more than any other that is of
warm, throbbing interest to piano men, it is that of profits.
The margin of profit has steadily lessened for the manufac-
turer, owing to the constant rising tide in the cost of creating in-
struments. With expenses growing, and profits diminishing, the
salvation of the average manufacturer during the past several
years has been in an increased volume of trade.
REVIEW
We are of the opinion that money and time are well expended
when it tends to bring about a betterment in trade conditions.
Now if the ultimate results of the dealers' organization is to
eliminate many of the harassing difficulties and evils which
have insidiously crept into this trade so that every man selling
pianos can profit thereby, why all the time and money is wisely
expended.
ND still again, if the result of the meetings amounts to
nothing more than a friendly handshake, a pleasant chat, the
discussion of trade topics, even then the time and money will not
have been poorly spent.
Perhaps one of the great weaknesses of most organizations
lies in the fact that the men who control its destinies are over-
ambitious, and desire to accomplish too much. They spread
their energies too often over a large surface instead of con-
centrating them upon one or two matters of vital interest to the
trade. It would be better far to win on one thing which is of
obvious benefit to the trade than to discuss without bringing to
successful issue a dozen topics, all of which it is impossible to
take up and deal with seriously and efficiently.
A
HFRE has been some severe criticism upon the methods
employed by solicitors for advertisements for a souvenir
to be given out by the Dealers' Association at Atlantic City.
Judging from some of the arguments which have been ad-
vanced by certain of the solicitors it would seen as if the organ-
ization were sadly in need of funds. On the whole the situation
is not pleasing to many of the members of the Dealers' Organ-
ization, some of whom are strongly opposed to the souvenir plan
and who figure they are placed in a peculiar light by some of the
representations made by the advertising solicitors. The so-
licitors say that the dealers are to entertain the manufacturers
at dinner and that costs real money.
Some of the manufacturers have not hesitated to express
their opinion in strong terms of disapproval. Indications point
to some lively debates in the good old association times at At-
lantic City.
T
HE month of May has opened with more encouraging pros-
pects and a promise of better business than any month of the
new year. The season over a larger part of the country has
been extremely late, but the piano merchants have not suffered
as much by a slowness of trade as men in other lines, who pur-
chased large stocks of seasonable goods. A jump from winter to
summer without an intermediate lap causes the specialty mer-
chant much sorrow, but with the piano men it is different.
Of course it is true that it will not be easy to recover busi-
ness which has been lost from various causes during the opening
months of the year, but indications point to an excellent piano
trade during the months of May and June.
T
AWS are steadily being placed upon our statute books which
render the path of the rascal one of greater difficulty.
The dishonest merchant who, finding he is about to fail, is
willing to sell out his stock in a lump to an equally dis-
reputable purchaser and leave his creditors in the lurch will find
his path more beset with danger than has been the case in the
past. The State of New York, which some time ago enacted
legislation designed to deter and to punish such sales, has just
passed a law making the act still more stringent and rendering
HE dealer has also increased competition in the way of de-
it, in the words of the Credit Men's Association of this city, "al-
partment stores, and catalogue houses, which have not
most impossible for any debtor to sell out his stock of goods,
made his lot an altogether idealistic one. He has to figure the
pocket the proceeds and laugh at his creditors." The District
same as the manufacturer upon a steadily increasing cost in sell-
of Columbia is also in line, Congress just before adjournment
ing a piano, so there are problems on both sides and plenty of
having passed a measure designed to control sales of stocks in bulk
them, and each will have a keener appreciation of the other's
within the District.
troubles after the general fraternizing at Atlantic City. Not-
withstanding the many vexations which have beset both manu-
HE great Exposition at St. Louis is now fairly launched.
facturer and dealer the trade has steadily advanced in character
In nearly all respects it surpasses all previous expositions
and volume.
and while there are some superb exhibits of the creations of the
music trade industry, it is to be regretted that the space devoted
NE dealer writes: "I believe thai if the dealers placed the
to
the display of musical instruments is not greater.
same time and energy upon their regular business that they do
The visiting millions, while they may be charmed with the
upon association affairs, that they would produce results which
exhibits at the Fair, will form an incorrect idea of the magnitude
would be more beneficial to them. It all takes a good deal of
and importance of the industry as compared with others.
time and what is the profit?"
L
T
T
O
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