Music Trade Review
Issue: 1905 Vol. 41 N. 22 - Page 6
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
MEW
Editor and Proprietor
EDWAKD LYMAN
J. B. S P I L L A N E , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r .
EXECVTIVE AND REPORTORIAL STAFF:
GBO. B. KHLLEB,
W. N. TXLEK,
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER,
WM. B. WHITID,
L. J. CHAMBERLIN.
A. J. NICKMN,
L. B. BOWEKS.
BOSTON OPPICB:
CHICAGO OFFICE
BRNKST L». WAITT, 173 Tremont St.
B. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 1362 Monadnock Block.
TELEPHONES : Harrison 1 5 2 1 ; Automatic 2904.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
S T . LOU 15 OFFICE:
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
E. C. TORKBY.
C H A S . N. V A N BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front. St.
CINCINNATI, P.:
NINA PUGH-SMITH.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Glass Matter.
SVBSCRIPTION (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
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman BllL
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains In its
THE ARTISTS* "Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This Is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
DEPARTMENT section of the paper.
It has a special circulation, and therefore
augments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
n i i r r m B V J PI ANA T h e directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
DiR.bi.lUKi tf PIANO f o u n ( j o n another page will be of great value, as a referenct
MANVFACTUR.ER.S
f Or dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2. 19O3.
REVIEW
duction of pianos, and if we follow out the same study in other trades,
it would be found that nearly the same conditions exist, only the
piano business has been practically confined to the home market,
whereas other lines of trade have been gradually extending into the
various markets of the world.
Within the past decade there has been really a wonderful
growth of our industries in every line,- and the end is not yet reached.
The short period of thirty years has seen our agricultural produc-
tion doubled, our manufactures trebled and our exports quadrupled,
while our population was meantime doubling, and in that time we
have also taken first place among the manufacturing nations of the
world.
I
N a single decade, from 1895 to 1905, the exports of agricultural
products have increased fifty per cent. The exports of manu-
facturers have trebled; the exports of iron and steel have quad-
rupled, and the exports of hardware as a class have more than quad-
rupled. Now the exports in pianos, while they have shown an
increase, yet the growth is a trifling per cent, of the total volume of
business.
The export trade in piano players has exceeded that of pianos,
and the exports in talking machines have exceeded both. The last
fiscal year our exports of manufactures passed the five hundred
million line, and while our agricultural products and the products
of mines sell thmselves, it is in the finished manufactures that the
rivalry for the international market is the sharpest and will con-
tinue to increase in intensity with enlarged production and increased
exports among those with whom we must compete in the world's
markets.
We have not as yet taken up the question of export trade in
pianos seriously. When we do we will find a big demand for our
products in the countries which lie south of us, but we must build
pianos just as the people of those countries desire them, and not
follow the generally accepted American models.
T
HE furniture manufacturers have not hesitated to advance their
prices on nearly all lines of furniture, and if we inquire the
retail price of furniture in various ware rooms we will find that the
OME six or eight years ago, a well-known member of the trade
dealers have not halted in marking up their selling prices so that
who was noted for his conservatism remarked that before 1906
the advance which they have paid the manufacturers has been more
was reached there would be no necessity for the existence of the than covered in the price paid by the consumer, and these matters
huge additions which were then being made to the piano manufac-
always work themselves out so that the consumer in the end must
turing plants. He figured that the piano business would be in its pay the advance because he is the last man on the line, and the end
decadence before the present year was reached, and that the sub- man gets it every time.
stantial extensions which were being made to the various factories
l'iano manufacturers arc not contemplating the advance for the
would have to be leased for other purposes than piano making.
purpose of increased gain for themselves, but to cover the increased
This gentleman was not alone in his opinion, for quite a number
cost of production. Manufacturers are interested because of the
agreed with him that the huge factories which were then being
necessity that exists for the advance.
erected would help to bring about a condition of affairs which would
One dealer who wrote recently to The Review said that the
be decidedly detrimental to the best interests of the trade. Their
advanced prices would have a tendency to reduce the sales. But
belief was that by building and equipping these enormous factories
another answers the point very cleverly by asking: "What is the
that manufacturers would have "elephants" on their hands, that the
advantage of liberal buying if a manufacturer does not make a profit
demand would be so slight for pianos, that there would arise a
on the order?"
necessity of slaughtering prices in order to keep the producing
All over the country, in every trade, there is intense interest in
plants running.
the price question. To use the colloquial phrase, the price problem
is up to every industry. We simply will have to adjust ourselves
F course, if this were so, it would bring about a most unfortu-
to new conditions, and the quicker the better.
nate state of affairs, for it means business ruin when it is
necessary to cut below the cost of production in order to keep the
ROM present indications there will not be a lessening of prices
wheels of the factories running. It limits the time of business exis-
in any of the great staples. Lumbermen say that prices will
tence to the day when the financial resources of the concern" are
still go on up. Felt men state that owing to a shortage of wool,
exhausted. But the pessimistic views taken a half dozen years ago
brought about by heavy droughts in Australia and destruction of
of the future of the piano industry have been proven incorrect. Not
flocks in South Africa, there is an actual shortage in the wool mar-
only was there an immediate demand upon the resources of the ket, and if we discuss the labor question and note the prices which
plants of those days, but there has been a still further necessity for
it is proposed that men in skilled occupations shall receive, it will
the erection of larger factories, and there is hardly a piano factory
be readily understood that it will be impossible for any manufac-
in the country which has not increased its facilities, and yet we find turer to sell on the prices of a short time ago.
in many instances, notwithstanding this substantial increase, the
One of the members of the National Association of Case Com-
facilities are inadequate to promptly supply the demand for instru-
panies recently sent out a circular and, among other things, it con-
ments at the present time.
tains the following: "We find by going through our pay roll that
our labor on the same number of men has advanced $500 per week
'"INHERE are some concerns to-day which we could name which
in the last six months, making $25,000 per year, which entirely
A
have orders booked ahead from five hundred to one thousand
covers the advance made by the National Association, and we hope
pianos, all of which could be shipped this year if they had the facil-
the members of this association will feel like making another 10
ities to create them.
per cent, advance to cover the advance in raw material."
Now, this condition of affairs does not look like an over-pro-
It is not a question open to argument at all, because the plain
S
O
F
THE
MUSIC TRADE
MEW
Editor and Proprietor
EDWAKD LYMAN
J. B. S P I L L A N E , M a n a g i n g E d i t o r .
EXECVTIVE AND REPORTORIAL STAFF:
GBO. B. KHLLEB,
W. N. TXLEK,
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIE FRANCES BAUER,
WM. B. WHITID,
L. J. CHAMBERLIN.
A. J. NICKMN,
L. B. BOWEKS.
BOSTON OPPICB:
CHICAGO OFFICE
BRNKST L». WAITT, 173 Tremont St.
B. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 1362 Monadnock Block.
TELEPHONES : Harrison 1 5 2 1 ; Automatic 2904.
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE:
MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL:
S T . LOU 15 OFFICE:
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
E. C. TORKBY.
C H A S . N. V A N BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front. St.
CINCINNATI, P.:
NINA PUGH-SMITH.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Glass Matter.
SVBSCRIPTION (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
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman BllL
On the first Saturday of each month The Review contains In its
THE ARTISTS* "Artists' Department" all the current musical news. This Is effected
without in any way trespassing on the size or service of the trade
DEPARTMENT section of the paper.
It has a special circulation, and therefore
augments materially the value of The Review to advertisers.
n i i r r m B V J PI ANA T h e directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
DiR.bi.lUKi tf PIANO f o u n ( j o n another page will be of great value, as a referenct
MANVFACTUR.ER.S
f Or dealers and others.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE-NVMBER 1745 GRAMERCY.
NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2. 19O3.
REVIEW
duction of pianos, and if we follow out the same study in other trades,
it would be found that nearly the same conditions exist, only the
piano business has been practically confined to the home market,
whereas other lines of trade have been gradually extending into the
various markets of the world.
Within the past decade there has been really a wonderful
growth of our industries in every line,- and the end is not yet reached.
The short period of thirty years has seen our agricultural produc-
tion doubled, our manufactures trebled and our exports quadrupled,
while our population was meantime doubling, and in that time we
have also taken first place among the manufacturing nations of the
world.
I
N a single decade, from 1895 to 1905, the exports of agricultural
products have increased fifty per cent. The exports of manu-
facturers have trebled; the exports of iron and steel have quad-
rupled, and the exports of hardware as a class have more than quad-
rupled. Now the exports in pianos, while they have shown an
increase, yet the growth is a trifling per cent, of the total volume of
business.
The export trade in piano players has exceeded that of pianos,
and the exports in talking machines have exceeded both. The last
fiscal year our exports of manufactures passed the five hundred
million line, and while our agricultural products and the products
of mines sell thmselves, it is in the finished manufactures that the
rivalry for the international market is the sharpest and will con-
tinue to increase in intensity with enlarged production and increased
exports among those with whom we must compete in the world's
markets.
We have not as yet taken up the question of export trade in
pianos seriously. When we do we will find a big demand for our
products in the countries which lie south of us, but we must build
pianos just as the people of those countries desire them, and not
follow the generally accepted American models.
T
HE furniture manufacturers have not hesitated to advance their
prices on nearly all lines of furniture, and if we inquire the
retail price of furniture in various ware rooms we will find that the
OME six or eight years ago, a well-known member of the trade
dealers have not halted in marking up their selling prices so that
who was noted for his conservatism remarked that before 1906
the advance which they have paid the manufacturers has been more
was reached there would be no necessity for the existence of the than covered in the price paid by the consumer, and these matters
huge additions which were then being made to the piano manufac-
always work themselves out so that the consumer in the end must
turing plants. He figured that the piano business would be in its pay the advance because he is the last man on the line, and the end
decadence before the present year was reached, and that the sub- man gets it every time.
stantial extensions which were being made to the various factories
l'iano manufacturers arc not contemplating the advance for the
would have to be leased for other purposes than piano making.
purpose of increased gain for themselves, but to cover the increased
This gentleman was not alone in his opinion, for quite a number
cost of production. Manufacturers are interested because of the
agreed with him that the huge factories which were then being
necessity that exists for the advance.
erected would help to bring about a condition of affairs which would
One dealer who wrote recently to The Review said that the
be decidedly detrimental to the best interests of the trade. Their
advanced prices would have a tendency to reduce the sales. But
belief was that by building and equipping these enormous factories
another answers the point very cleverly by asking: "What is the
that manufacturers would have "elephants" on their hands, that the
advantage of liberal buying if a manufacturer does not make a profit
demand would be so slight for pianos, that there would arise a
on the order?"
necessity of slaughtering prices in order to keep the producing
All over the country, in every trade, there is intense interest in
plants running.
the price question. To use the colloquial phrase, the price problem
is up to every industry. We simply will have to adjust ourselves
F course, if this were so, it would bring about a most unfortu-
to new conditions, and the quicker the better.
nate state of affairs, for it means business ruin when it is
necessary to cut below the cost of production in order to keep the
ROM present indications there will not be a lessening of prices
wheels of the factories running. It limits the time of business exis-
in any of the great staples. Lumbermen say that prices will
tence to the day when the financial resources of the concern" are
still go on up. Felt men state that owing to a shortage of wool,
exhausted. But the pessimistic views taken a half dozen years ago
brought about by heavy droughts in Australia and destruction of
of the future of the piano industry have been proven incorrect. Not
flocks in South Africa, there is an actual shortage in the wool mar-
only was there an immediate demand upon the resources of the ket, and if we discuss the labor question and note the prices which
plants of those days, but there has been a still further necessity for
it is proposed that men in skilled occupations shall receive, it will
the erection of larger factories, and there is hardly a piano factory
be readily understood that it will be impossible for any manufac-
in the country which has not increased its facilities, and yet we find turer to sell on the prices of a short time ago.
in many instances, notwithstanding this substantial increase, the
One of the members of the National Association of Case Com-
facilities are inadequate to promptly supply the demand for instru-
panies recently sent out a circular and, among other things, it con-
ments at the present time.
tains the following: "We find by going through our pay roll that
our labor on the same number of men has advanced $500 per week
'"INHERE are some concerns to-day which we could name which
in the last six months, making $25,000 per year, which entirely
A
have orders booked ahead from five hundred to one thousand
covers the advance made by the National Association, and we hope
pianos, all of which could be shipped this year if they had the facil-
the members of this association will feel like making another 10
ities to create them.
per cent, advance to cover the advance in raw material."
Now, this condition of affairs does not look like an over-pro-
It is not a question open to argument at all, because the plain
S
O
F
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).