Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
tically upon the branch store plan have suffered severe losses. It
was difficult, some claim, to secure the right kind of men to carry
out ideas at a distance methodically and accurately. Others claim
that they could not afford to pay sufficient salaries to competent men
to manage their branches, and were forced to abandon them. Much
could be written on the branch store plan, but the man who keeps
a bright, clean store can easily compete with big institutions if he
is up-to-date in his methods. One reason is that the salaries and
added expense incident to elaborate systems represent a sum suffi-
cient to provide a fair return on the investment in a small piano
store, and the piano men of this country should not lose heart in the
slightest over the future of the business, because it is being con-
stantly encroached upon by aggressive outside capital directed by
keen-sighted business men. Such competition should stimulate
activity. Nobody's dollar is stronger than the one backed by a
watchful eye; and intelligent industry can accomplish to-day more
than ever, but carelessness and obsolete business methods will mean
sure ruin in this industry as well as in any other.
r
I ''HE department store, through tremendous advertising, has
X called the attention of thousands of people to the advantage of
having a piano in their homes, and by arousing interest in this way
it has been a vitalizing factor in the distribution of musical wares.
Most of the stores have advertised pianos at fairly good prices, and
it cannot be said that they have entered into the slashing of prices
as many anticipated when they first entered the trade arena. Some
have advertised that their instruments were sold absolutely at fixed
prices, and no person could purchase a piano for less than the
figures marked upon the instrument. This may be true, but there
has been a good many special discounts offered, which, while they
have not perhaps on the face meant a lowering price, yet the actual
results have been just the same to the people who have haggled over
the first asking price.
M
EMBERS of the music trade industry are filling important
political and social offices with distinction in many cities
throughout the land, and in two cities in Michigan piano manufac-
turers occupy the mayoralty chairs. J. C. Henderson is "His Honor"
in Ann Arbor, and J. C. Corl carries the same title in Grand Haven.
Frank W. Teeple was elected president of the Chicago Athletic
Club, which is not only one of the most prominent club organiza-
tions of the western metropolis, but it has the largest membership
of any club in Chicago. This honor has been worthily won by Mr.
Teeple, who is as popular outside of the trade as he is in it.
That talented member of the trade, Frank A. Lee, has recently
been elected to the presidency of the Commercial Club of Cincinnati.
This organization numbers on its membership roll the most promi-
nent men in Cincinnati, and has always exercised powerful influence
in the development of the commercial possibilities of the great Ohio
city. In Cleveland, another Ohio metropolis, Henry Dreher has been
elected to the presidency of the New Century Club. This organiza-
tion is very prominently identified with Cleveland affairs, and so we
may go on all over the United States and find that music trade men
are distinguished outside of purely trade lines. Such mixing with
public and social matters has a broadening effect upon individuals
and naturally through them brings a vitalizing force into the piano
industry. It is well to go outside of one's own environment occa-
sionally for new ideas, and every time the pilgrimage is made the
individual is stronger and better equipped to grapple with the prob-
lems of the special industry in which his pecuniary interests mainly
lie.
.
GOOD deal of interest has been stirred by a signed prophecy
of Thomas A. Edison detailing what our large cities will be
like one hundred years hence. He says they will be free from smoke
and steam and that the chimney will be a thing of the past, while the
waste of coal and other fuel will be stopped through the use of
electricity, generated direct from the fuel without the aid of engine,
boiler or dynamo. In factories each machine will have its individual
motor. Houses will be heated electrically and most of cities' noises
will cease. Skyscrapers will be universal in the business section, and
the streets will be bridged over at different heights to facilitate
transit from one side to the other. He estimates that buildings will
then average thirty stories in height, and the greater number will
be constructed of concrete and steel. Such buildings, he says, will
stand a thousand years or longer.
A
M
ANY trades are "associationed" beyond the limit of reason.
If a man doesn't pay his bills, his creditors form an associa-
tion to prevent him from obtaining future credit. If a dealer
doesn't approve of a competitor, he sets one of his associations on
to exterminate him forthwith.
There is a big place for association work in our twentieth
century business methods, but it is demeaning to such an august
body to be called on to perform some of the work to which it is
allotted. It isn't of any vital importance that conditions prevent a
concern from doing business, but it is most important whether we
formulate a wrong working principle that means salvation for a
few or a broad gauge principle that protects all honest merchants.
Associations are magnificently co-operative, but their mission
should be to build commerce on a foundation of justice, not used
in an attempt to "sweep back the sea" or other illogical purpose.
The music trade associations have attempted nothing coercive
and on the whole are conducted on broad gauge principles with
good fellowship as the basic principle.
T
HE demand for grand pianos continues to increase rapidly and
there is hardly a concern producing grands to-day that is not
working this department overtime. From indications it would seem
as though there will be a steady increase in this particular depart-
ment of the trade. The grand piano will hold an ever-increasing
popularity with the people. We mean by this, the small grand,
which is manufactured under various names adopted by different
manufacturers. It may be said, too, that outside of some of the
great producers of grand pianos, there has been very little profit
in the business. One reason may be found in the fact that there
are few concerns which have factory organizations sufficiently
large and well systematized to produce instruments of the grand
form in such numbers as to make it pay by keeping the cost well
down. Grand pianos under ordinary conditions are expensive in-
struments to create. They not only take up more floor space, but
the care they require from special operatives is considerable. The
grand must be treated as a special proposition and the firm put-
ting them forth must rely upon the advertising feature as being of
considerable value to them.
R. EDWARD EVERETT HALE has promulgated "three
practical working rules." They are: "Keep out in the
open air as much as possible. Have faith in your neighbor. Make
a practice of engaging in conversation each day some one whom
you know to be your superior." Beautiful, beautiful, especially
the last two.
D
A CCORDING to advices received from our Chicago office,
X J L that city is planning for the big trade conventions in a manner
which insures the largest kind of a success for the several meetings
which will be held in that city during the week beginning June 17th.
More music trade men will be gathered together in that city during
that time than probably has ever been seen within the gates of any
metropolis on earth. The Chicagoans are planning a most enjoy-
able time for the visiting music trade representatives, and when
Chicago acts as host, it means that the hand of welcome is extended
in a manner which makes the visitors feel completely at home. The
list of orators thus far announced shows that a number of post-
prandial lions will be captured and served up for the edification
of the banqueters. New York will be well represented, for the
special train which will leave here on-the 15th will be filled to over-
flowing. The piano rialtos in Boston and New York, according
to reports, will look! deserted on account of the music trade absen-
tees at the Chicago conventions.
XTRA cold and unseasonable weather has upset business plans
materially during the past week, and there has been a general
halting of business all round, with some exceptions, of course.
Collections continue slow, but everyone is hopeful of more settled
conditions. In the far West, with the exception of San Francisco,
where the strike has interfered with business somewhat, sales art
active, and the general situation more satisfactory than in the East.
When old Sol will assert his customary supremacy and rout Jupiter
Pluvius, all will be well.
Dealers in the large towns have complained more of the slow-
ness of trade than the piano men who hustle around the country
districts for a livelihood,
E