Music Trade Review
Issue: 1904 Vol. 39 N. 22 - Page 41
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
41
In tKe World of Music PxiblisKing
REVIEW OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
An Active Campaign Looked for With the
Opening of the New Year—A Disturbing
Factor During the Past Year has Been the
"Dog Eat Dog" Selling Policy Which Has
Obtained Among the Cheaper Houses, In-
juring Dealers and Publishers Alike—Condi-
tions Are Such That a Readjustment of
Methods and Agencies for the Distribution
of Music Between Dealer and Publisher Must
Soon Follow.
NO COPYRIGHT IN TITLES.
Some Important Information Vouchsafed by
the Secretary of the Society of Authors.
The nature of ownership in music or book
titles is by no means generally understood,
though the efforts of certain publishers to avoid
collision with titles already used has brought the
matter to public notice. The secretary of the So-
ciety of Authors explains the state of the case
thus: There is no copyright in titles, properly
speaking, nor ownership in titles as such. It is
only when a title is clearly original with the
About six weeks or a month preceding the holi- author, or when its use by another constitutes a
days the sale of sheet music falls off, especially fraud upon the public, that there is a case in
in the large cities, and publishers are acting ac- law against the plagiarist. Thus Swinburne
cordingly. That is to say, such ginger and would have no remedy against a novelist who
energy as are necessary attributes of every first- chose the name of "Bothwell" for his romance,
class go-ahead, up-to-date house—the dead ones since there would be no danger of the public mis-
relying on their ancieni prestige, a slowly van- taking the play for the novel. Obviously, too, no
ishing and intangible asset, not being considered ownership could attach to titles of a general sort,
in the running—are being conserved for an active like "Our Village" and "A Boy's Town," unless
campaign with the opening of the new year. It intended fraud or substantial damage were
is believed and the belief will be followed by proved. On the other hand, it is probable that
practical application, that business will develop the courts would restrain a publisher from ad-
then on a scale, breaking all records. Experi- vertising a new "Encyclopaedia Britannica" or
enced publishers with Sound views and the es- "Statesman's Year-Book," while a bona-fide Har-
sential capital to back their opinions, combined per would be obliged to publish his "magazine"
with an inclination to employ their financial re- under another name than his own. Such is the
sources judiciously, hold that the last lew years general principle. Practically, the decisions
have shown such a remarkable development in made on the merits of each case by the courts;
this branch of the music trade that greater prog- though the courtesy of the trade and the usual
ress may yet be expected. Naturally firms giv- insignificance of the books that appear under the
ing voice to these expressions are far removed names of their betters prevent many such cases
from the "dubs," as the v are designated in the from coming up.
vernacular, who have done so much to reduce the
business to its present unsatisfactory conditions,
TESCHNER'S SUCCESSFUL TRIP
and to a level greatly deprecated by all with a
knowledge of the facts.
Through the West—Some Agreeable Impres-
On this point it may be said further, simply
sions of His Calls on Members of the Trade
as reflecting current opinions, that the "cheap
at
Various Points—Some
Recent
Trade
fellows" continue to increase and multiply much
Accessions.
to the harassment of publishers with heavy in-
vestments involved, and who at the same time
I. Walden Teschner, the energetic business man-
are ambitious, to place the business on the high- ager of Sol. Bloom's establishment, settled down
est possible plane. Naturally the "dog-eat-dog" to his daily routine from a whirlwind run about
selling policy that has become such a disturbing the western trade on Monday. He was absent two
factor during the past year is the result of the weeks, and in that time saw the principal deal-
fiercest competition ever known. Dealers every- ers and jobbers in Buffalo, Detroit, Cnicago, Mil-
where are feeling its baleful effect, but within a waukee, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Omaha, Denver,
radius of 500 miles of the storm center in New Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburg,
York City, where one ridiculous move is followed Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Of his
by another still worse, the state of mind of the journey the astute gentleman had this to say to
regular dealer may be more easily imagined than The Review
described. Jobbers are kept busy trying to ex-
"While it has been nearly two years since I
plain the anomalous situation of their demand have been over the same ground, the trip is an
for what was once generally regarded as the annual affair with this house, and has hitherto
established price and the so-called "sales day" been looked after by the chief in person. What
figures—often less than half—that now seem to selling was done by me was incidental, for I
control in the rag-time policy of certain depart- merely 'hit the trail' to feel the pulse of the
ment stores. They have a hard task, because, as trade, simply shake hands and exchange the
a matter of fact, they are fighting for their own usual pleasant courtesies inseparable from meet-
existence. Therefore if this decimating warfare
is maintained much longer a readjustment of
methods and agencies for the distribution of mu-
sic as between the dealer and publisher must
follow as certain as the night succeeds the day.
ing a number of gentlemen whose connections
add luster and prestige to the business. My re-
ception everywhere was splendid, being warmly
congratulated upon the happy change in my per-
sonal business relations, and the assurance that
the house of Sol. Bloom was regarded as one of
the most enterprising and progressive in the line.
Dealers and jobbers look forward to a big sea-
son, and not one discouraging plaint was heard.
No changes of any account have occurred, except-
ing that the trade is taking a closer interest in
the sale of sheet music, and are adopting mod-
ern methods in exploiting and pushing the 'good
things' that come along.
"In Chicago I tarried four days, and was sur-
prised at the size of Sol. Bloom's office and their
elegant appointments, and in which our New
York quarters suffer by comparison. The volume
of business transacted and the intelligent man-
ner in which it is handled by Miss Hattie Bloom
and her corps of capable assistants, chief of whom
is Miss Mintz, head of the professional depart-
ment, is worthy of all praise. J. A. Forster Co.
has become one of the most powerful jobbing
factors not only in the West, but of the whole
country—bar none. Then we have just taken
over the sheet music department of Carson, Pirie,
Scott & Co., one of the handsomest and most
fashionable dry goods stores in the western
metropolis.
"Everywhere I found 'A Bit of Blarney' an im-
mense success, so much so that we have raised
the price from 50 cents to 60 cents. Then Wm.
H. Penn's latest ballad, 'Kisses,' has taken hold
wonderfully, considering it has been out only-
six weeks. Our latest descriptive march, 'Fight-
ing the Flames,' by Paul Rubens, just published,
is a winner, and the advance sales a record-
breaker. A number of resident representatives
were also effected on my trip, from which splen-
did results will undoubtedly follow. I found The
Review on file with the most desirable trade, and
highly esteemed and closely read, which pleased
me greatly for more reasons than one."
REVIEWOQRAPHS.
Walter J. Reynolds, of Price & Reynolds, the
prominent publishing firm of London, Eng., who
made a flying trip to New York for a special
conference with Jos. W. Stern & Co., sailed for
home, Tuesday, aboard the steamship Majestic, of
the White Star Line.
Among other reports current, and this is
vouched for as true, is that a leading commercial
association has condemned the actions of a cer-
tain New York department store which was
charged with awaiting the appearance of a pub-
lisher's announcement in the evening papers in
order to print a cut under of prices in a later
edition. The parties concerned are both mem-
bers, and the above practice was declared not
JOHN W. BRATTON'S LATEST SUCCESSES
VOCAL
MUSIC OF "HIGGLEDY PIGGLEDY."
There is no doubt but that all the music ot
"Higgledy Piggledy," the Weber & Ziegfeld pro-
duction, composed by Maurice Levi, is the best
music of his career. Such numbers as "Nancy
Clancy," "A Great Big Girl Like Me," "Big In-
dian and His Little Maid," "In Gay Paree,"
"Game of Love" and "I'm So Lonesome" seem to
be on the high road to popularity and a big sell-
ing record. The "House of Ballads." namely, that
presided over by Chas. K. Harris, that genius of
a writer in songs of a pathetic and sentimental
nature.
I'M ON THE WATER WAGON NOW
HAPPY JAPPY SOLDIER MAN
Words by Paul West
Words by Paul West
MY COSEY CORNER GIRL
Words by Chas. Noel Douglas
INSTRUMENTAL
LACES AND GRACES—Novelette
IN A PAGODA—Characteristic
THE ROSES' HONEYMOON—Reverie
M. WITMARK & SONS, New Yo*k
CHICAGO
LONDON
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
41
In tKe World of Music PxiblisKing
REVIEW OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
An Active Campaign Looked for With the
Opening of the New Year—A Disturbing
Factor During the Past Year has Been the
"Dog Eat Dog" Selling Policy Which Has
Obtained Among the Cheaper Houses, In-
juring Dealers and Publishers Alike—Condi-
tions Are Such That a Readjustment of
Methods and Agencies for the Distribution
of Music Between Dealer and Publisher Must
Soon Follow.
NO COPYRIGHT IN TITLES.
Some Important Information Vouchsafed by
the Secretary of the Society of Authors.
The nature of ownership in music or book
titles is by no means generally understood,
though the efforts of certain publishers to avoid
collision with titles already used has brought the
matter to public notice. The secretary of the So-
ciety of Authors explains the state of the case
thus: There is no copyright in titles, properly
speaking, nor ownership in titles as such. It is
only when a title is clearly original with the
About six weeks or a month preceding the holi- author, or when its use by another constitutes a
days the sale of sheet music falls off, especially fraud upon the public, that there is a case in
in the large cities, and publishers are acting ac- law against the plagiarist. Thus Swinburne
cordingly. That is to say, such ginger and would have no remedy against a novelist who
energy as are necessary attributes of every first- chose the name of "Bothwell" for his romance,
class go-ahead, up-to-date house—the dead ones since there would be no danger of the public mis-
relying on their ancieni prestige, a slowly van- taking the play for the novel. Obviously, too, no
ishing and intangible asset, not being considered ownership could attach to titles of a general sort,
in the running—are being conserved for an active like "Our Village" and "A Boy's Town," unless
campaign with the opening of the new year. It intended fraud or substantial damage were
is believed and the belief will be followed by proved. On the other hand, it is probable that
practical application, that business will develop the courts would restrain a publisher from ad-
then on a scale, breaking all records. Experi- vertising a new "Encyclopaedia Britannica" or
enced publishers with Sound views and the es- "Statesman's Year-Book," while a bona-fide Har-
sential capital to back their opinions, combined per would be obliged to publish his "magazine"
with an inclination to employ their financial re- under another name than his own. Such is the
sources judiciously, hold that the last lew years general principle. Practically, the decisions
have shown such a remarkable development in made on the merits of each case by the courts;
this branch of the music trade that greater prog- though the courtesy of the trade and the usual
ress may yet be expected. Naturally firms giv- insignificance of the books that appear under the
ing voice to these expressions are far removed names of their betters prevent many such cases
from the "dubs," as the v are designated in the from coming up.
vernacular, who have done so much to reduce the
business to its present unsatisfactory conditions,
TESCHNER'S SUCCESSFUL TRIP
and to a level greatly deprecated by all with a
knowledge of the facts.
Through the West—Some Agreeable Impres-
On this point it may be said further, simply
sions of His Calls on Members of the Trade
as reflecting current opinions, that the "cheap
at
Various Points—Some
Recent
Trade
fellows" continue to increase and multiply much
Accessions.
to the harassment of publishers with heavy in-
vestments involved, and who at the same time
I. Walden Teschner, the energetic business man-
are ambitious, to place the business on the high- ager of Sol. Bloom's establishment, settled down
est possible plane. Naturally the "dog-eat-dog" to his daily routine from a whirlwind run about
selling policy that has become such a disturbing the western trade on Monday. He was absent two
factor during the past year is the result of the weeks, and in that time saw the principal deal-
fiercest competition ever known. Dealers every- ers and jobbers in Buffalo, Detroit, Cnicago, Mil-
where are feeling its baleful effect, but within a waukee, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Omaha, Denver,
radius of 500 miles of the storm center in New Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburg,
York City, where one ridiculous move is followed Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Of his
by another still worse, the state of mind of the journey the astute gentleman had this to say to
regular dealer may be more easily imagined than The Review
described. Jobbers are kept busy trying to ex-
"While it has been nearly two years since I
plain the anomalous situation of their demand have been over the same ground, the trip is an
for what was once generally regarded as the annual affair with this house, and has hitherto
established price and the so-called "sales day" been looked after by the chief in person. What
figures—often less than half—that now seem to selling was done by me was incidental, for I
control in the rag-time policy of certain depart- merely 'hit the trail' to feel the pulse of the
ment stores. They have a hard task, because, as trade, simply shake hands and exchange the
a matter of fact, they are fighting for their own usual pleasant courtesies inseparable from meet-
existence. Therefore if this decimating warfare
is maintained much longer a readjustment of
methods and agencies for the distribution of mu-
sic as between the dealer and publisher must
follow as certain as the night succeeds the day.
ing a number of gentlemen whose connections
add luster and prestige to the business. My re-
ception everywhere was splendid, being warmly
congratulated upon the happy change in my per-
sonal business relations, and the assurance that
the house of Sol. Bloom was regarded as one of
the most enterprising and progressive in the line.
Dealers and jobbers look forward to a big sea-
son, and not one discouraging plaint was heard.
No changes of any account have occurred, except-
ing that the trade is taking a closer interest in
the sale of sheet music, and are adopting mod-
ern methods in exploiting and pushing the 'good
things' that come along.
"In Chicago I tarried four days, and was sur-
prised at the size of Sol. Bloom's office and their
elegant appointments, and in which our New
York quarters suffer by comparison. The volume
of business transacted and the intelligent man-
ner in which it is handled by Miss Hattie Bloom
and her corps of capable assistants, chief of whom
is Miss Mintz, head of the professional depart-
ment, is worthy of all praise. J. A. Forster Co.
has become one of the most powerful jobbing
factors not only in the West, but of the whole
country—bar none. Then we have just taken
over the sheet music department of Carson, Pirie,
Scott & Co., one of the handsomest and most
fashionable dry goods stores in the western
metropolis.
"Everywhere I found 'A Bit of Blarney' an im-
mense success, so much so that we have raised
the price from 50 cents to 60 cents. Then Wm.
H. Penn's latest ballad, 'Kisses,' has taken hold
wonderfully, considering it has been out only-
six weeks. Our latest descriptive march, 'Fight-
ing the Flames,' by Paul Rubens, just published,
is a winner, and the advance sales a record-
breaker. A number of resident representatives
were also effected on my trip, from which splen-
did results will undoubtedly follow. I found The
Review on file with the most desirable trade, and
highly esteemed and closely read, which pleased
me greatly for more reasons than one."
REVIEWOQRAPHS.
Walter J. Reynolds, of Price & Reynolds, the
prominent publishing firm of London, Eng., who
made a flying trip to New York for a special
conference with Jos. W. Stern & Co., sailed for
home, Tuesday, aboard the steamship Majestic, of
the White Star Line.
Among other reports current, and this is
vouched for as true, is that a leading commercial
association has condemned the actions of a cer-
tain New York department store which was
charged with awaiting the appearance of a pub-
lisher's announcement in the evening papers in
order to print a cut under of prices in a later
edition. The parties concerned are both mem-
bers, and the above practice was declared not
JOHN W. BRATTON'S LATEST SUCCESSES
VOCAL
MUSIC OF "HIGGLEDY PIGGLEDY."
There is no doubt but that all the music ot
"Higgledy Piggledy," the Weber & Ziegfeld pro-
duction, composed by Maurice Levi, is the best
music of his career. Such numbers as "Nancy
Clancy," "A Great Big Girl Like Me," "Big In-
dian and His Little Maid," "In Gay Paree,"
"Game of Love" and "I'm So Lonesome" seem to
be on the high road to popularity and a big sell-
ing record. The "House of Ballads." namely, that
presided over by Chas. K. Harris, that genius of
a writer in songs of a pathetic and sentimental
nature.
I'M ON THE WATER WAGON NOW
HAPPY JAPPY SOLDIER MAN
Words by Paul West
Words by Paul West
MY COSEY CORNER GIRL
Words by Chas. Noel Douglas
INSTRUMENTAL
LACES AND GRACES—Novelette
IN A PAGODA—Characteristic
THE ROSES' HONEYMOON—Reverie
M. WITMARK & SONS, New Yo*k
CHICAGO
LONDON
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