Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
he was paying tribute to a man and an institution which he heartily
condemned. Hence he came out in an open letter which shows how
completely independent Mr. Bent is of influences which in some in-
stances have had a tendency to cause individuals to "arrange" matters.
Mr. Bent is not of that kind, and would that we had more men of
his type in this industry. He does not hesitate to denounce unfair
journalism in the most condemnatory manner. He has the courage
of his convictions to an eminent degree, and if there were more
men of his type, dishonest journalism could not have fattened upon
this industry.
ERHAPS the attitude assumed by Mr. Bent will have the
tendency to stiffen the vertebrae of some of the weaker
brothers who have contributed hesitatingly perhaps, but neverthe-
less have contributed to keep alive a system which was becoming most
intolerant and abusive. There must be an awakening in this in-
dustry to keep down disreputable journalism from a vantage ground
which it has occupied for years, and if we mistake not it is just such
men as Mr. Bent who will contribute to that awakening.
P
T
HE attendance at the St. Louis Fair has been steadily growing
during the past month, and during the fall months all previous
Fair records of admission will probably be broken.
A number of important traveling representatives who have
visited The Review booth in the music trade section have expressed
themselves as feeling disappointed that their firms were not repre-
sented at the greatest of all world's fairs.
It may be said, however, that the exhibits which are there are
attractive. The only trouble is there are not enough of them to give
the average visitor a comprehensive idea of the greatness and extent
of the industry, and instead of having the effect to stimulate piano
buying, it has rather a depressing effect upon piano buying.
T
O illustrate: Suppose there was a fitting representation of the
music industries both in variety and extent, would not the or-
dinary visitors be impressed with the importance of piano purchase ?
Their attention would be forcibly and interestingly called to the part
which musical instruments are playing in the development of higher
culture in our land. They would be impressed with the necessity of
owning a piano and would feel more inclined to buy instruments than
they do at present when visiting the Fair.
Some of the French piano houses present some very attractive
styles.
The names of all of those who are to serve on the jury have not
as yet been given out for publication.
LL visitors have commended the work which The Review is do-
ing at the World's Fair in a most eulogistic manner. It can-
not be disputed that The Review is carrying on a line of publicity
which is of obvious benefit to the entire industry. Our work is not
only attracting the attention of those directly interested in musical
wares, but through our system a knowledge of the development of
music, and the part which our piano makers have played in encourag-
ing that musical development, is being carried into thousands of homes
in every section of the country. One of the largest manufacturers
in this country said of The Review plan, that it is more than an ad-
vertising venture. It rises to the dignity of an educational force, and
in every way it is the most ambitious enterprise ever undertaken by a
trade publication.
A
A SUBSCRIBER asks the opinion of The Review regarding the
J\
respective merits of a store on a principal street in his town
at a large rental, or a place around the corner at a greatly reduced
rent.
It is a pretty difficult question to answer, because sound argu-
ments may be advanced in support of either side. There are plenty
of merchants who believe that there can be no better advertising for
a store than to have it centrally located. It gives it character and
dignity and identifies the proprietor as one of the prominent and
progressive men of his community. It adds character and dignity
to an enterprise to be thus located, and there are many people who be-
lieve that the additional cost of rental is more than made good by the
increased prestige which it gives a business and the additional chances
which are afforded for sales making.
N the other hand in this particular trade there are many piano
men who argue that it is absurd in a specialty line to pay the
highest rentals in a town in order to have representation on its leading
business artery.
O
9
They say that a large percentage of sales are made outside rather
than inside the store, and that customers are brought in by outside
salesmen. They affirm that they would rather put the additional
money in salesmen and in advertising than in store rentals.
W
E can name some men who have conducted profitable retail
establishments, and in winning fortunes have never removed
their warerooms from the second floor. So after all, it is a question
which admits of strong argument on either side, and we should pre-
fer not to advise our subscriber in the case of high rentals in a lead-
ing street versus low rent in a side street. We can find plenty of
men who have succeeded by taking opposite positions in this matter.
After all, it depends more upon the man than the locality. Some
men will succeed under the most adverse circumstances, and other
men can hardly retain success, even if the elements all about them
tend to contribute in the strongest way towards business prosperity.
OME of the most successful men in this industry are sticklers
upon the subject of details, and it would be difficult to locate
a more systematic man in this industry regarding details than Col.
E. S. Conway. Notwithstanding the enormous business which comes
under his direct control he has at all times at his fingers' tips the
minutest particulars regarding any of the details of the great Kimball
system. It will be seen from the neatness of his desk that Col. Con-
way is a man who never permits a congestion of matter to worry him
in the slightest, and probably no man in this or any other trade has
a more condensed system. He is in the closest touch with every
department of his business, and hardly a question can be propounded
relating in a comparative way to the business of the present year with
any during the past decade, but that a ready response, accurate in
every particular, is immediately forthcoming.
S
T
HERE is no question but that detail and system form two great
essentials necessary to business prosperity. It is neglect of
details which plays havoc with the profits of business. In great con-
cerns it is not possible that any one man can attend to all the little
things, but there is no concern, however, that can afford to ne-
glect them. One mind can issue and look to the enforcement of gen-
eral plans, and that mind can see to it that competent help will look
vigorously to the details however minute they may be. It is the at-
tention to and the building up of little things which give magnitude
to every business.
T
HE reply of Steinway & Sons to the absurd editorial anent "The
Passing of the Piano" which appeared in the New York
Times is couched in vigorous language which demolishes The Times
theories in a most interesting ma nner. In the Steinway communica-
tion there is a statistical showing of the continuous growth of the
music trade industry, and the enlarged demand for pianos.
By this strong protest a false impression is removed from the
minds of Times readers, and at the same time Steinway & Sons show
that they are ever watchful of legitimate trade interests everywhere.
T
HE summer vacation question for both employes and employer
has recently received unusual attention both in the press and
from the public, because of a pronouncement against these seasons of
rest by that veteran financier, Russell Sage, a man who has made
money by the application of his theories of business through a long
life. The things which Mr. Sage has said are not altogether new, but
gain new importance and attract attention because he said them.
T
HE opinions of Mr. Sage are opposed by many of our leading
men who regard in a broad sense a diversion from business a
benefit at any time of the year to both employer and employe, the
summer season being the most suitable for obvious reasons. Temper-
ament and environment are determining factors in the individual
cases. The working machinery of some establishments is kept keyed
up to a higher tension than others, consequently sapping the energies,
if not the vitality of the working force.
OST of our piano men view the summer vacation in a favorable
light, and they find that when they give themselves a respite
from labor they come back refreshed, with keener minds, and healthier
bodies, to wage the trade war. They find, too, that their employes are
benefited in a like measure and render better services by the enjoy-
ment of a needed rest during the heated term.
M