Music Trade Review
Issue: 1906 Vol. 43 N. 10 - Page 6
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE
6
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
GDO. B. KBLLXR.
W. N. TILER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIB FRANCES BADKK.
L. B. BOWERS. B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Wit. B. WHITE. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKLIN.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
ERNEST L. WAITT, 278A Tremont St.
H. P. VAN HARLINGHN, 195-197 Wabash Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
R. W. KAI'FFMAN.
A. W. SHAW.
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGKR, 425-427 Front S t
CINCINNATI, O.: NINA PUGH-SMITH.
LONDON, ENGLAND:
69 Basinghall St., E. C.
W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager.
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 Pages, $50.00; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
Directory ol Piano
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporation
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
for dealers and others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal..St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Afedal.Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1005
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
Cable address: "Elblll New York."
NEW
YORK,
SEPTEMBER
EDITORIAL
I
8,
1906
REVIEW
marked to The Review recently: "I have sent out our representa-
tive to call upon our dealers, but have instructed him positively not
to take an order for pianos, unless the dealers themselves insist
upon his entering their order for some instruments. We shall not
be in a position to supply any increased demand, and I know that
more manufacturers occupy pretty nearly the same position."
The player manufacturers are particularly busy as well, and
it is certain this early in the season that they cannot begin to keep
pace with the demand. There mu.st be an increase at once in the
creative forces of the player business, if the demand is to be met
promptly.
There are some who figure that this is the high tide for piano
players, but there are others who agree with The Review that the
players for years to come will continue to grow in popularity, and
for them there will be an ever-widening demand.
I
N another portion of this paper we present an article written by
E. J. Delfraisse, of New Orleans, to whom we have awarded
a second prize of ten dollars for a contribution showing the benefits
accruing to the trade by manufacturers fixing their own prices at
which their products will be sold at retail.
There can be no doubt but that The Review by its earnest
advocacy of the establishing by the manufacturers of prices at
which their instruments may be sold to the retail purchaser has
aroused widespread interest, and there are many who believe with
us that it is the true solution of the one. price problem. To make
it effectual it is required that a number of manufacturers agree
upon this policy and hold to it. It will win, and more than all else,
it will help to establish one price, and by so doing win the confidence
of the people in piano prices. It is interesting to note the wide-
spread interest which this topic is arousing in all sections.
WELL-KNOWN piano player manufacturer remarked while
in The Review offices this week: 'T have been advertising
prices at which our instruments should be sold at retail. I have
acquainted everyone of our agents with the fact that an agency
would be removed on account of a violation of the rule. We had
an instance recently where a dealer who had held rigidly to the
price advertised, had sold a player to a party, but had not delivered
it. Across the line from his territory was another agent of mine,
who, after the sale had been made, immediately quoted a friend of
the customer of the first dealer, a player for one hundred dollars
less. Of course, this at once created trouble, and I immediately
withdrew the agency from the man who had violated his contract
with us. It is the only way; it is straight business, and I believe
with The Review that pianos of the better grade, as well as piano
players, can be advertised and sold at fixed prices just the same as
artistic products in other lines.''
Of course, they can, and what is more, when the principle is
once established, it will do much to tend towards the promotion of
harmony in music trade circles. When its adoption becomes uni-
versal, it will be much pleasanter to conduct business, and the people
themselves will at once have a greater respect for piano values.
A
T now appears that there will be a dearth of manufactured pianos
in the early fall. Few factories have accumulated much stock
during the summer months, and indications now point to a fall of
unusual activity. Dealers are now beginning- to feel a little exercised
over the situation, and are urging rush orders.
One large manufacturer, while calling upon The Review this
week, remarked that early in the season he requested his dealers to
advise him of the approximate amount of stock which they would
require, and to place orders early. A number replied to this sug-
gestion on his part, and placed orders, but those who did not arc
now urging that their orders be given consideration. He stated that
while it might be business to parcel out pianos so as to pacify all,
yet he proposed to fill completely every order that had been placed
with him in response to his suggestion before the latest orders would
be considered. According to his views, the only fair way was to
take care of the orders according to the dates of their receipt, and
the men who had exhibited good business judgment by arranging
HE keen competition of modern business has brought about
their business affairs early in the season should not be hampered in
many changes. In the first place there is less of the abuse
their shipments because the other fellows, who had refused to take
of competitors wares to-day than formerly, which shows that
.the risk, were crying out for stock at the eleventh hour.
men have more consideration for each other than ever before, but
there is no department of business which has changed more for the
better than what we may term the convivial side. There was a
HERE is pretty good sound business reasoning in this line of
time when the idea existed that the prime feature towards success
argument, and it will appeal to the average man as being
pretty nearly correct. A dealer should not hesitate to take a risk was for a salesman or traveling man to show a large capacity for
strong drink—sometimes called l< fire-water." It was the generally
as well as a manufacturer, and it was some months ago that The
accepted belief that the man who could lay aside the greatest num-
Review urged the trade to place orders for early fall, as indications
ber of high balls in an afternoon was the man who would land the
pointed to a rushing fall business. The manufacturers cannot be
fattest business contracts. To-day few salesmen in any line of
expected to carry all the burdens, and if the dealers desire pianos
they must place orders for them in advance, so that manufacturers trade regard the redwood bar as their legitimate place of transact-
ing business, and a cafe acquaintance is depreciating in value as an
can base their calculations with reasonable certainty on what de-
asset for sales in any line of business. A shrewd business man to-
mands will be made upon their creative forces during the season.
day is apt to respect more the clear head than the thick tongue,
Be in a state of preparedness is a sound business axiom.
when it comes to talking merits of a particular product, whether it
is a piano, musical instruments, or any other product of brain and
HE busy season has already commenced, and some manufac-
brawn. Brains are winning out against that greatly over-rated,
turers admit their inability to take care of the orders which
ever falsely named quality of good fellowship.
are coming in iipon* them. One well-known manufacturer re-
T
T
T
THE MUSIC TRADE
6
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
GDO. B. KBLLXR.
W. N. TILER.
F. H. THOMPSON.
EMILIB FRANCES BADKK.
L. B. BOWERS. B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Wit. B. WHITE. L. J. CHAMBERLIN. A. J. NICKLIN.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICE:
ERNEST L. WAITT, 278A Tremont St.
H. P. VAN HARLINGHN, 195-197 Wabash Ave.
TELEPHONES : Central 414 ; Automatic 8643
PHILADELPHIA OFFICE: MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL: ST. LOUIS OFFICE
R. W. KAI'FFMAN.
A. W. SHAW.
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE: ALFRED METZGKR, 425-427 Front S t
CINCINNATI, O.: NINA PUGH-SMITH.
LONDON, ENGLAND:
69 Basinghall St., E. C.
W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager.
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 Pages, $50.00; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency form, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
Directory ol Piano
Manufacturers
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporation
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
for dealers and others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal..St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Afedal.Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1005
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE—NUMBER 1745 GRAMERCY
Cable address: "Elblll New York."
NEW
YORK,
SEPTEMBER
EDITORIAL
I
8,
1906
REVIEW
marked to The Review recently: "I have sent out our representa-
tive to call upon our dealers, but have instructed him positively not
to take an order for pianos, unless the dealers themselves insist
upon his entering their order for some instruments. We shall not
be in a position to supply any increased demand, and I know that
more manufacturers occupy pretty nearly the same position."
The player manufacturers are particularly busy as well, and
it is certain this early in the season that they cannot begin to keep
pace with the demand. There mu.st be an increase at once in the
creative forces of the player business, if the demand is to be met
promptly.
There are some who figure that this is the high tide for piano
players, but there are others who agree with The Review that the
players for years to come will continue to grow in popularity, and
for them there will be an ever-widening demand.
I
N another portion of this paper we present an article written by
E. J. Delfraisse, of New Orleans, to whom we have awarded
a second prize of ten dollars for a contribution showing the benefits
accruing to the trade by manufacturers fixing their own prices at
which their products will be sold at retail.
There can be no doubt but that The Review by its earnest
advocacy of the establishing by the manufacturers of prices at
which their instruments may be sold to the retail purchaser has
aroused widespread interest, and there are many who believe with
us that it is the true solution of the one. price problem. To make
it effectual it is required that a number of manufacturers agree
upon this policy and hold to it. It will win, and more than all else,
it will help to establish one price, and by so doing win the confidence
of the people in piano prices. It is interesting to note the wide-
spread interest which this topic is arousing in all sections.
WELL-KNOWN piano player manufacturer remarked while
in The Review offices this week: 'T have been advertising
prices at which our instruments should be sold at retail. I have
acquainted everyone of our agents with the fact that an agency
would be removed on account of a violation of the rule. We had
an instance recently where a dealer who had held rigidly to the
price advertised, had sold a player to a party, but had not delivered
it. Across the line from his territory was another agent of mine,
who, after the sale had been made, immediately quoted a friend of
the customer of the first dealer, a player for one hundred dollars
less. Of course, this at once created trouble, and I immediately
withdrew the agency from the man who had violated his contract
with us. It is the only way; it is straight business, and I believe
with The Review that pianos of the better grade, as well as piano
players, can be advertised and sold at fixed prices just the same as
artistic products in other lines.''
Of course, they can, and what is more, when the principle is
once established, it will do much to tend towards the promotion of
harmony in music trade circles. When its adoption becomes uni-
versal, it will be much pleasanter to conduct business, and the people
themselves will at once have a greater respect for piano values.
A
T now appears that there will be a dearth of manufactured pianos
in the early fall. Few factories have accumulated much stock
during the summer months, and indications now point to a fall of
unusual activity. Dealers are now beginning- to feel a little exercised
over the situation, and are urging rush orders.
One large manufacturer, while calling upon The Review this
week, remarked that early in the season he requested his dealers to
advise him of the approximate amount of stock which they would
require, and to place orders early. A number replied to this sug-
gestion on his part, and placed orders, but those who did not arc
now urging that their orders be given consideration. He stated that
while it might be business to parcel out pianos so as to pacify all,
yet he proposed to fill completely every order that had been placed
with him in response to his suggestion before the latest orders would
be considered. According to his views, the only fair way was to
take care of the orders according to the dates of their receipt, and
the men who had exhibited good business judgment by arranging
HE keen competition of modern business has brought about
their business affairs early in the season should not be hampered in
many changes. In the first place there is less of the abuse
their shipments because the other fellows, who had refused to take
of competitors wares to-day than formerly, which shows that
.the risk, were crying out for stock at the eleventh hour.
men have more consideration for each other than ever before, but
there is no department of business which has changed more for the
better than what we may term the convivial side. There was a
HERE is pretty good sound business reasoning in this line of
time when the idea existed that the prime feature towards success
argument, and it will appeal to the average man as being
pretty nearly correct. A dealer should not hesitate to take a risk was for a salesman or traveling man to show a large capacity for
strong drink—sometimes called l< fire-water." It was the generally
as well as a manufacturer, and it was some months ago that The
accepted belief that the man who could lay aside the greatest num-
Review urged the trade to place orders for early fall, as indications
ber of high balls in an afternoon was the man who would land the
pointed to a rushing fall business. The manufacturers cannot be
fattest business contracts. To-day few salesmen in any line of
expected to carry all the burdens, and if the dealers desire pianos
they must place orders for them in advance, so that manufacturers trade regard the redwood bar as their legitimate place of transact-
ing business, and a cafe acquaintance is depreciating in value as an
can base their calculations with reasonable certainty on what de-
asset for sales in any line of business. A shrewd business man to-
mands will be made upon their creative forces during the season.
day is apt to respect more the clear head than the thick tongue,
Be in a state of preparedness is a sound business axiom.
when it comes to talking merits of a particular product, whether it
is a piano, musical instruments, or any other product of brain and
HE busy season has already commenced, and some manufac-
brawn. Brains are winning out against that greatly over-rated,
turers admit their inability to take care of the orders which
ever falsely named quality of good fellowship.
are coming in iipon* them. One well-known manufacturer re-
T
T
T
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