Music Trade Review
Issue: 1906 Vol. 42 N. 14 - Page 6
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THE
6
MUSIC TRADE
RMFW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
*cut
Executive
and Reportorial Staff:
W. ] ] \ \ TY
TYLER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIB FRANCES BAUHR.
wy. . ] B. WHITE.
L. J. CHAMBERLIN.
A. J. NICKLIN.
icJL
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINOEN, 195-197 Wabasb Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643.
: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
uont St.
fTKAUFFMAN.
E. C. TORREY.
CINCINNATI, O.: NINA PUGH-SMITH.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION,(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 PageB, $50.00; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
and others.
f o r d e a lers
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver A/edaf.Charleston Expoistion, 1902
Diploma . Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal. . St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal.Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1903
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
APRIL
7, 1 9 0 6
EDITORIAL
O
l'Iv business reports for the past week indicate a decided better-
ment in trade conditions, and unless the coal strike becomes
a greater menace there is every reason to believe that April will
be a splendid month in all departments of the music trade industry.
The West is decidedly optimistic, and while the disastrous pos-
sibilities of a long-continued strike are generally recognized in all
circles, there is a disposition to take an optimistic view of the
situation. Manufacturing and mercantile interests believe that the
lines of mine suspension are to be much narrower than at first
seemed probable.
In the Southwest business men are inclined to take a decidedly
happy view of the situation. Recent storms in that vicinity have
hurt trade considerably, as they have made country roads impossi-
ble and heavy, and have thus interfered with commerce and traffic.
Notwithstanding this, trade has continued voluminous.
M
ARCH was disappointing in some ways. Collections were
decidedly slow the first half of the month, and retail sales
in many of the large cities indicate a falling off. But there is no
reason to doubt a previous statement made in these columns that
1906 will be the best year that this country has ever enjoyed. Build-
ing operations are of an exceptionally promising character, which,
of course, means the distribution of large sums of money weekly
which will benefit every line of business.
Trade is healthy and flourishing. Manufacturers are enlarg-
ing and expanding, railroad traffic is heavy, and, what is most
indicative, enterprise is looking for capital, and capital is ready
for enterprise. The month opens with excellent prospects, and
there is no reason why the members of this industry should not
reap a splendid reward for their efforts. It is not the time to talk
pessimism, but it is the time for business.
T
have fixed prices at which their products must be sold by dealers
and jobbers, and to cut these prices in violation of fixed rules means
the loss of an agency.
In this way the talking machine people have been building up
an industry at a phenomenal rate. They have adhered to straight
business principles, and a dealer and jobber who is not in sympathy
with the policy of price maintenance is not considered a desirable
business alliance. The result has been that the talking machine
industry has become a profitable one, and in the minds of a good
many if the price cutting and slashing policy had been in-
dulged in at the start the business would have steadily disin-
tegrated. Besides, there is a fixed policy among the leading talk-
ing machine manufacturers not to create special brands for any
concerns, no matter how large an order may be placed as an in-
ducement.
CHAS. N . VAN BOREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front St.
Directory ot Piano
__
.
.
Manufacturers
REVIEW
H E habit of cutting prices is contrary to good business prin-
ciples. The prices must be maintained if one hopes to keep
his business up to a fixed standard, and to extend trade operations
at the same time. The talking machine people have adopted rules
which are of considerable interest to the piano industry. They
A
S a direct result of this policy, the talking machine business
has been built up and steadily enlarged. Of course it would
not be possible for this industry to adopt all of the rules which
have been found successful in an industry closely allied with it,
but it is safe to say that it could follow with profit the principles
of maintaining standard brands and fixed prices.
These matters are of vital importance to piano manufacturers,
and if talking machine men can fix prices, and men in all other
lines of trade can fix prices at which their products shall be offered
to the retail purchaser, why should piano men hold aloof from
participating in the pleasure and profit which comes from the
establishment of trade stability.
Some of our leading houses have already advertised retail
prices, at which their pianos shall be sold to the public, and there
has been no desire, when once this plan has been inaugurated, to
return to the old methods. Fixed prices and prices established by
the manufacturer will do more to rehabilitate the piano industry
in the minds of the public and of the dealers themselves than any
other move which might be taken up for serious consideration.
A leading manufacturer, while discussing this matter recently
with The Review, expressed himself in terms of the warmest ap-
proval of the proposition. He said that he had followed a line
of articles appearing in this paper with a great deal of interest,
and he believes that, sooner or later, the trade, if the old plan is
followed, will be called to face serious problems—problems which
could be easily solved to-day by the establishment of the prices
at which pianos shall be sold by the manufacturer himself.
T
H E Washington piano dealers are strongly opposed to any
• kind of a trade exposition to be held in that city during the
dealers' convention next month. For months past there has been
a strong belief existing in the minds of the Washington piano
men that a trade exposition in their city might result in the dump-
ing upon the Washington market of a large number of instruments
which were placed on exhibit during convention days. They fear
that the results of the exposition might demoralize piano trade
conditions in Washington for some months following the show,
and would give rise to a number of "exposition sales."
Washington is not a large city, and if a great number of in-
struments were offered for sale by various exhibitors after the
close of the convention, it might seriously affect the trade of that
city, and there are many dealers who agree with the position
taken by the Washington Association.
E
DWARD H. DROOP, who is president of the Washington
Dealers' Association, said in last week's Review that the
protest of the Washington dealers against the proposed exhibit
was one of the causes which led to an adverse report from the
joint committee appointed from the Manufacturers' and Dealers'
Associations by President Werlein.
According to President Werlein's statement the Association
will in no way stand sponsor for the exposition, and he informs
the trade that the invitation to make an exhibit has not been with-
drawn. In other words, according to the president, the invitation
stands, and the National Association will in no way attempt to
control it, or stand sponsor for it. and is in no way responsible
for the show.
I
T would seem when the Washington dealers are to act in the
capacity of guests for the entire trade that their wishes in
this particular should be respected, more especially when it was
THE
6
MUSIC TRADE
RMFW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
*cut
Executive
and Reportorial Staff:
W. ] ] \ \ TY
TYLER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIB FRANCES BAUHR.
wy. . ] B. WHITE.
L. J. CHAMBERLIN.
A. J. NICKLIN.
icJL
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINOEN, 195-197 Wabasb Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643.
: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
uont St.
fTKAUFFMAN.
E. C. TORREY.
CINCINNATI, O.: NINA PUGH-SMITH.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION,(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 PageB, $50.00; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
and others.
f o r d e a lers
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver A/edaf.Charleston Expoistion, 1902
Diploma . Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal. . St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal.Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1903
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
NEW
YORK,
APRIL
7, 1 9 0 6
EDITORIAL
O
l'Iv business reports for the past week indicate a decided better-
ment in trade conditions, and unless the coal strike becomes
a greater menace there is every reason to believe that April will
be a splendid month in all departments of the music trade industry.
The West is decidedly optimistic, and while the disastrous pos-
sibilities of a long-continued strike are generally recognized in all
circles, there is a disposition to take an optimistic view of the
situation. Manufacturing and mercantile interests believe that the
lines of mine suspension are to be much narrower than at first
seemed probable.
In the Southwest business men are inclined to take a decidedly
happy view of the situation. Recent storms in that vicinity have
hurt trade considerably, as they have made country roads impossi-
ble and heavy, and have thus interfered with commerce and traffic.
Notwithstanding this, trade has continued voluminous.
M
ARCH was disappointing in some ways. Collections were
decidedly slow the first half of the month, and retail sales
in many of the large cities indicate a falling off. But there is no
reason to doubt a previous statement made in these columns that
1906 will be the best year that this country has ever enjoyed. Build-
ing operations are of an exceptionally promising character, which,
of course, means the distribution of large sums of money weekly
which will benefit every line of business.
Trade is healthy and flourishing. Manufacturers are enlarg-
ing and expanding, railroad traffic is heavy, and, what is most
indicative, enterprise is looking for capital, and capital is ready
for enterprise. The month opens with excellent prospects, and
there is no reason why the members of this industry should not
reap a splendid reward for their efforts. It is not the time to talk
pessimism, but it is the time for business.
T
have fixed prices at which their products must be sold by dealers
and jobbers, and to cut these prices in violation of fixed rules means
the loss of an agency.
In this way the talking machine people have been building up
an industry at a phenomenal rate. They have adhered to straight
business principles, and a dealer and jobber who is not in sympathy
with the policy of price maintenance is not considered a desirable
business alliance. The result has been that the talking machine
industry has become a profitable one, and in the minds of a good
many if the price cutting and slashing policy had been in-
dulged in at the start the business would have steadily disin-
tegrated. Besides, there is a fixed policy among the leading talk-
ing machine manufacturers not to create special brands for any
concerns, no matter how large an order may be placed as an in-
ducement.
CHAS. N . VAN BOREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGER, 425-427 Front St.
Directory ot Piano
__
.
.
Manufacturers
REVIEW
H E habit of cutting prices is contrary to good business prin-
ciples. The prices must be maintained if one hopes to keep
his business up to a fixed standard, and to extend trade operations
at the same time. The talking machine people have adopted rules
which are of considerable interest to the piano industry. They
A
S a direct result of this policy, the talking machine business
has been built up and steadily enlarged. Of course it would
not be possible for this industry to adopt all of the rules which
have been found successful in an industry closely allied with it,
but it is safe to say that it could follow with profit the principles
of maintaining standard brands and fixed prices.
These matters are of vital importance to piano manufacturers,
and if talking machine men can fix prices, and men in all other
lines of trade can fix prices at which their products shall be offered
to the retail purchaser, why should piano men hold aloof from
participating in the pleasure and profit which comes from the
establishment of trade stability.
Some of our leading houses have already advertised retail
prices, at which their pianos shall be sold to the public, and there
has been no desire, when once this plan has been inaugurated, to
return to the old methods. Fixed prices and prices established by
the manufacturer will do more to rehabilitate the piano industry
in the minds of the public and of the dealers themselves than any
other move which might be taken up for serious consideration.
A leading manufacturer, while discussing this matter recently
with The Review, expressed himself in terms of the warmest ap-
proval of the proposition. He said that he had followed a line
of articles appearing in this paper with a great deal of interest,
and he believes that, sooner or later, the trade, if the old plan is
followed, will be called to face serious problems—problems which
could be easily solved to-day by the establishment of the prices
at which pianos shall be sold by the manufacturer himself.
T
H E Washington piano dealers are strongly opposed to any
• kind of a trade exposition to be held in that city during the
dealers' convention next month. For months past there has been
a strong belief existing in the minds of the Washington piano
men that a trade exposition in their city might result in the dump-
ing upon the Washington market of a large number of instruments
which were placed on exhibit during convention days. They fear
that the results of the exposition might demoralize piano trade
conditions in Washington for some months following the show,
and would give rise to a number of "exposition sales."
Washington is not a large city, and if a great number of in-
struments were offered for sale by various exhibitors after the
close of the convention, it might seriously affect the trade of that
city, and there are many dealers who agree with the position
taken by the Washington Association.
E
DWARD H. DROOP, who is president of the Washington
Dealers' Association, said in last week's Review that the
protest of the Washington dealers against the proposed exhibit
was one of the causes which led to an adverse report from the
joint committee appointed from the Manufacturers' and Dealers'
Associations by President Werlein.
According to President Werlein's statement the Association
will in no way stand sponsor for the exposition, and he informs
the trade that the invitation to make an exhibit has not been with-
drawn. In other words, according to the president, the invitation
stands, and the National Association will in no way attempt to
control it, or stand sponsor for it. and is in no way responsible
for the show.
I
T would seem when the Washington dealers are to act in the
capacity of guests for the entire trade that their wishes in
this particular should be respected, more especially when it was
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