Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 46 N. 16 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
was equal to last year and some of his branches had even a better
trade. lie said that the trade was somewhat "spotted," good in
some sections and bad in others. Collections he found had been
fair and there was nothing about the business situation as he viewed
rt which, was unhealthy.
Summing up, as we view it ever since the financial flurry, piano
dealers all over the country have been buying very conservatively.
Their stocks now are running low and the policy seems to be to
keep them low. There is a growing feeling, however, that business
will grow steadily better and that prices on all lines of goods will
show no decline. With the prospect of good yields in the great
wheat belt there is every reason to believe that the last end will
show a year which will compare favorably with any previous one
save 1906, which stands as the banner year so far as this country is
concerned.
T
HERE are many who believe that there will be rather warm
discussions at the various sessions of the Piano Manufac-
turers' National Association which will be held in this city in June.
Possibly so, but we cannot agree with some of the predictions which
have been made about the op-posing beliefs which now exist among
the members of the organization, in that the friction will result in
a separation of interests and the formation of a new association.
We hardly think that. It is possible that there may be some very
heated arguments and some resignations tendered, but as for two
associations among piano manufacturers we do not believe that the
situation calls for two organizations, nor do we believe that an op-
posing association could be successful. Whether the "one name"
piano manufacturers and the "any name" piano manufacturers will
continue to lie on the same camp and love one another with brotherly
affection is a question, but in our opinion it is not possible for any
association to impose rules and regulations which shall in the re-
motest sense interfere with the individual liberty of any member
in the conduct of his affairs.
Whether he be a piano manufacturer or not he will not will-
ingly consent to have his liberty abridged in the slightest and in
this particular the piano manufacturers' association does not differ
from the experiences of other organizations. In all associations
whenever it has been necessary to crack the whip or to insist upon
binding a man to certain rigid agreements, there has always been a
dropping off in membership. And if an ironclad agreement is in-
sisted upon by some members of the Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation whereby all members pledged themselves to follow out cer-
tain defined rules which are opposed to their personal policy they
will withdraw. That is all there is about that, but because resigna-
tions are sent in it does not follow as a natural sequence that there
will be a rival organization formed.
T
HE piano industry is not big enough for two associations so
far as we are able to size up conditions. Then is it not true
that the possible good which can come through any trade association
is frequently exaggerated in the minds of individuals? Associa-
tions are considered in all industries to be good fellowship breeders.
The men who attend the association gatherings become inoculated
with the germ of camaraderie or any other old germ and they find
that their fellow competitor is not half as bad as they imagined
after all. His horns have become somewhat reduced in size and
he is no longer a fierce devil incarnate which they ha'd been led to
believe. Then harmonious arrangements may be entered into for the
benefit of all such as the reporting of credits, adjustment of terri-
torial lines, extinction of fake advertising and other matters which
may be handled for the general trade improvement, but when it
comes to an ironclad arrangement which means an entire change
of the business policy of a particular house we are inclined very
much to doubt whether the Piano Manufacturers' Association or
any other trade association for that matter, will stand together as a
unit for the adoption of such a measure. Merely passing resolutions
recommending rules governing the manufacture of special brand
pianos will be meaningless as far as their application is concerned.
Something more must be done.
But when it comes to forcing a penalty agreement—well, there's
the rub—and if rubbed hard enough may break forth into a flame.
There are combustible materials near at hand, too.
Some of the members of the association have not hesitated to
express these views in the strongest possible terms condemning
penalty resolutions.
REVIEW
Never compromise where there is a question of honesty.
The real thing is to boom your owft establishment and not to run
down some other's.
Privileges should be used, not misused.
courtesy rather than by right.
They are extended by
No matter how palpable the faults of a competitor may be the mis-
take is made in calling attention to them.
Don't over-stock but don't under-stock. In other words, be alert and
in a position to win any good trade which may come your way.
Don't worry through fear that some of your good qualities will not
be appreciated. If you make good the proprietor will find it out and
your reward will come in due time.
First Small Boy—Do fishes grow quickly?
Second Small Boy—Yes, indeed. Papa caught one two years ago and
it grows six inches every time he speaks of it.
WHAT SURPRISED THEM.—Mabel: "George says he can't under-
stand why I ever accepted him."
STELLA: "What most people can't understand is why he proposed
to you."
TWO CURES FOR INSOMNIA.—"A friend of mine in Nebraska puts
himself to sleep counting sheep."
"A friend of mine in Kentucky puts himself to sleep counting night
riders."
GETTING JEALOUS.—Flykins: "I hear Tom and his wife have had
trouble about her doctor."
Slykins: "Yes. You see, while he agrees that she needs medical
attention, he objects to the kind of attention her doctor gives her."
OMINOUS.—"The bookkeeper," said the junior partner in a piano
store, "has been married nearly four months now."
"Well," demanded the senior partner, "what of that?"
"Why, he hasn't asked for an increase in salary
"
"Heavens! We must have his accounts examined."
ON A HEAVENLY EXCURSION.—"What does you reckon you'll
like ter do w'en you gits ter glory?"
"Well," said Brother Dickey, "since you put de question ter me, I'll
make answer ter it: Ef dey lets me have my way, I'll des lay back on
a white cloud, an" let de heavenly winds blow me fum star to star."
WIDELY DIFFERENT VARIETIES.—"Is it a good idea to make
a speech whenever you get a chance?" said the young man who is learn-
ing the statesmanship business.
"It depends," answered Senator Sorghum, "on whether your speech
is the kind that shows your constituents how much you do know or
how much you don't."
Walter Damrosch tells of a matron in Chicago who, In company with
her young nephew, was attending a musical entertainment.
The selections were apparently entirely unfamiliar to the youth; but
when the "Wedding March" of Mendelssohn was begun he began to evince
more interest.
"That sounds familiar," he said. "I'm not strong on these classical
pieces, but that's a good one. What is it?"
"That," gravely explained the matron, "is the 'Maiden's Prayer.' "
Mrs. De Flat—Can you show me anything new in folding beds?
Dealer—Only this, madam, and it really is quite a success. On aris-
ing in the morning you touch a spring and it turns Into a washstand
and bathtub. After your bath you touch another spring and it becomes
a dressing case with a French plate mirror. If you breakfast in your
room, a slight pressure will transform it into an extension table. After
breakfast you press these three buttons at once and you have an upright
piano. That's all it will do, except that when you die it can be changed
into a rosewood coffin.
FOR LACK OF A NEWSPAPER.—A quiet and retiring citizen occu-
pied a seat near the door of a crowded car when a masterful stout woman
entered.
Having no newspaper behind which to hide he was fixed and sub-
jugated by her glittering eye. He rose and offered his place to her.
Seating herself—without thanking him—she exclaimed in tones that
reached to the farthest end of the car:
"What do you want to stand up there for? Come here and sit on my
lap."
"Madam," gasped the man, as his face became scarlet, "I beg your
pardon, I—I
"
"What do you mean?" shrieked the woman. "You know very well I
ivas speaking to my niece there behind you."
THE
MUSIC TRADE
was equal to last year and some of his branches had even a better
trade. lie said that the trade was somewhat "spotted," good in
some sections and bad in others. Collections he found had been
fair and there was nothing about the business situation as he viewed
rt which, was unhealthy.
Summing up, as we view it ever since the financial flurry, piano
dealers all over the country have been buying very conservatively.
Their stocks now are running low and the policy seems to be to
keep them low. There is a growing feeling, however, that business
will grow steadily better and that prices on all lines of goods will
show no decline. With the prospect of good yields in the great
wheat belt there is every reason to believe that the last end will
show a year which will compare favorably with any previous one
save 1906, which stands as the banner year so far as this country is
concerned.
T
HERE are many who believe that there will be rather warm
discussions at the various sessions of the Piano Manufac-
turers' National Association which will be held in this city in June.
Possibly so, but we cannot agree with some of the predictions which
have been made about the op-posing beliefs which now exist among
the members of the organization, in that the friction will result in
a separation of interests and the formation of a new association.
We hardly think that. It is possible that there may be some very
heated arguments and some resignations tendered, but as for two
associations among piano manufacturers we do not believe that the
situation calls for two organizations, nor do we believe that an op-
posing association could be successful. Whether the "one name"
piano manufacturers and the "any name" piano manufacturers will
continue to lie on the same camp and love one another with brotherly
affection is a question, but in our opinion it is not possible for any
association to impose rules and regulations which shall in the re-
motest sense interfere with the individual liberty of any member
in the conduct of his affairs.
Whether he be a piano manufacturer or not he will not will-
ingly consent to have his liberty abridged in the slightest and in
this particular the piano manufacturers' association does not differ
from the experiences of other organizations. In all associations
whenever it has been necessary to crack the whip or to insist upon
binding a man to certain rigid agreements, there has always been a
dropping off in membership. And if an ironclad agreement is in-
sisted upon by some members of the Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation whereby all members pledged themselves to follow out cer-
tain defined rules which are opposed to their personal policy they
will withdraw. That is all there is about that, but because resigna-
tions are sent in it does not follow as a natural sequence that there
will be a rival organization formed.
T
HE piano industry is not big enough for two associations so
far as we are able to size up conditions. Then is it not true
that the possible good which can come through any trade association
is frequently exaggerated in the minds of individuals? Associa-
tions are considered in all industries to be good fellowship breeders.
The men who attend the association gatherings become inoculated
with the germ of camaraderie or any other old germ and they find
that their fellow competitor is not half as bad as they imagined
after all. His horns have become somewhat reduced in size and
he is no longer a fierce devil incarnate which they ha'd been led to
believe. Then harmonious arrangements may be entered into for the
benefit of all such as the reporting of credits, adjustment of terri-
torial lines, extinction of fake advertising and other matters which
may be handled for the general trade improvement, but when it
comes to an ironclad arrangement which means an entire change
of the business policy of a particular house we are inclined very
much to doubt whether the Piano Manufacturers' Association or
any other trade association for that matter, will stand together as a
unit for the adoption of such a measure. Merely passing resolutions
recommending rules governing the manufacture of special brand
pianos will be meaningless as far as their application is concerned.
Something more must be done.
But when it comes to forcing a penalty agreement—well, there's
the rub—and if rubbed hard enough may break forth into a flame.
There are combustible materials near at hand, too.
Some of the members of the association have not hesitated to
express these views in the strongest possible terms condemning
penalty resolutions.
REVIEW
Never compromise where there is a question of honesty.
The real thing is to boom your owft establishment and not to run
down some other's.
Privileges should be used, not misused.
courtesy rather than by right.
They are extended by
No matter how palpable the faults of a competitor may be the mis-
take is made in calling attention to them.
Don't over-stock but don't under-stock. In other words, be alert and
in a position to win any good trade which may come your way.
Don't worry through fear that some of your good qualities will not
be appreciated. If you make good the proprietor will find it out and
your reward will come in due time.
First Small Boy—Do fishes grow quickly?
Second Small Boy—Yes, indeed. Papa caught one two years ago and
it grows six inches every time he speaks of it.
WHAT SURPRISED THEM.—Mabel: "George says he can't under-
stand why I ever accepted him."
STELLA: "What most people can't understand is why he proposed
to you."
TWO CURES FOR INSOMNIA.—"A friend of mine in Nebraska puts
himself to sleep counting sheep."
"A friend of mine in Kentucky puts himself to sleep counting night
riders."
GETTING JEALOUS.—Flykins: "I hear Tom and his wife have had
trouble about her doctor."
Slykins: "Yes. You see, while he agrees that she needs medical
attention, he objects to the kind of attention her doctor gives her."
OMINOUS.—"The bookkeeper," said the junior partner in a piano
store, "has been married nearly four months now."
"Well," demanded the senior partner, "what of that?"
"Why, he hasn't asked for an increase in salary
"
"Heavens! We must have his accounts examined."
ON A HEAVENLY EXCURSION.—"What does you reckon you'll
like ter do w'en you gits ter glory?"
"Well," said Brother Dickey, "since you put de question ter me, I'll
make answer ter it: Ef dey lets me have my way, I'll des lay back on
a white cloud, an" let de heavenly winds blow me fum star to star."
WIDELY DIFFERENT VARIETIES.—"Is it a good idea to make
a speech whenever you get a chance?" said the young man who is learn-
ing the statesmanship business.
"It depends," answered Senator Sorghum, "on whether your speech
is the kind that shows your constituents how much you do know or
how much you don't."
Walter Damrosch tells of a matron in Chicago who, In company with
her young nephew, was attending a musical entertainment.
The selections were apparently entirely unfamiliar to the youth; but
when the "Wedding March" of Mendelssohn was begun he began to evince
more interest.
"That sounds familiar," he said. "I'm not strong on these classical
pieces, but that's a good one. What is it?"
"That," gravely explained the matron, "is the 'Maiden's Prayer.' "
Mrs. De Flat—Can you show me anything new in folding beds?
Dealer—Only this, madam, and it really is quite a success. On aris-
ing in the morning you touch a spring and it turns Into a washstand
and bathtub. After your bath you touch another spring and it becomes
a dressing case with a French plate mirror. If you breakfast in your
room, a slight pressure will transform it into an extension table. After
breakfast you press these three buttons at once and you have an upright
piano. That's all it will do, except that when you die it can be changed
into a rosewood coffin.
FOR LACK OF A NEWSPAPER.—A quiet and retiring citizen occu-
pied a seat near the door of a crowded car when a masterful stout woman
entered.
Having no newspaper behind which to hide he was fixed and sub-
jugated by her glittering eye. He rose and offered his place to her.
Seating herself—without thanking him—she exclaimed in tones that
reached to the farthest end of the car:
"What do you want to stand up there for? Come here and sit on my
lap."
"Madam," gasped the man, as his face became scarlet, "I beg your
pardon, I—I
"
"What do you mean?" shrieked the woman. "You know very well I
ivas speaking to my niece there behind you."
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