Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 46 N. 20 - Page 46
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
46
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
J. HAYDEN-CLARENDON, Editor
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue. New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other couu-
tries. $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 G r a m e r c y
Connecting all Departments
N E W YORK, MAY 1 6 , 1 9 0 8
COMMENTS B Y - , t
Although pregnant with episode the past week
has clone little to place itself on record as hav-
ing benefited the music trade in any sense of the
word. Chicago is in the throes of a rate war
inaugurated by Jerome H. Rernick & Co., who
filled the Chicago papers of Friday, May 8, with
something like fifty-eight inches of advertising
space exploiting sheet music—mostly their own
publications—at 5, 10, 15 and 19 cents a copy.
Careful inquiry by our Chicago correspondent
failed to elicit the slightest reason for this
astounding change of front. Of course it is hard
to give the retail trade ar.y comfort under such
appalling conditions, yet at worst it must be
said that some kind of a level must shortly be
reached. At the present moment Mr. Remick
prints, publishes, jobs and retails his own wares.
That he does not start in on the composing end
of the game is a source of wonderment to many.
We have previously remarked that when Mr.
Remick starts about doing anything he usually
does it thoroughly, and we would dearly love to
see a song from his versatile pen, or, to speak
more properly, his versatile typewriters.
The Atlantic City Situation.
It will be news to many in the sheet music
industry to learn that for some time negotiations
have been pending, whereby Helf & Hager were
a month, one-half of which, from the writer's
standpoint at least, is not worth the paper it
is printed on. Fortunately, however, from every
point of view, the opinion of the critic does
not always represent that of the general pub-
lic. Songs which the writer would unhesitat-
ingly condemn to perdition are sold in hun-
dreds of thousands, played by all the principal
bands and orchestras, and whistled by every
street boy, while songs to which he would give
columns of space extolling their virtues, remain
unsung and unheard of on the dusty shelves of
oblivion. After all, the best of critics is only
human, swayed by his own individual opinion—
which, to do him justice, he usually regards as
unassailable—the same prejudices, and the same
partialities, as the average man on the street.
One thing is certain, however, that criticism,
good, bad or indifferent never has, or never will
change public opinion one iota, for the great
public forms its own ideas, looking only to the
newspapers to verify them. No, we regret that
To the publishers who have been purchasing
we cannot accept our publishing friend's sugges-
foreign-made songs and selections, and we espe-
tion, for if we criticised the majority of the
cially allude to French and German compositions,
songs which reach us monthly, many of which,
it would be as well for them to learn before
by the way, he himself sends us, the pages of
parting with good American dollars whether their
this department would be printed in red ink.
purchases are protected by copyright in this
The Proof of the Pudding.
country. The laxity which the European pub-
If any argument is needed against the practice
lishers, with the exception of the British, have
shown in copyrighting their publications in of paying performers .for exploiting songs, an
America in the past is deplorable, as these same episode which occurred lecently should prove be-
gentlemen have no hesitation in accepting good yond question or doubt that really first-class ar-
American money for what is absolutely free tists need only a good song to be brought to their
property. It would not only be manifestly un- notice, to use it for its worth alone and without
fair, but would serve no useful purpose to specify any further honorarium save the applause which
a number of successes which have lately been it brings. Only a week or so back the writer
published on which no American copyright exists. had the pleasure of hearing Madame Zelie de
But numberless cases can be recorded of pub- Lussan sing a dainty little song entitled "Phil-
lishers who have purchased "gold bricks" in ab- osophy," by David Emmel, and this following
solute good faith. This warning should not only her magnificent rendition of "Carmen." Inquiry
be read but carefully digested, as its importance of Lawrence Ellert, New York mmager of the
B. F. Wood Publishing Co., who publish the num-
cannot be overestimated.
ber in question, elicited the information that he
The Value of Criticism.
himself was unaware of the fact that the song
"I wish we could have a trade paper which was being sung by Madame de Lussan until un-
would review the music published each week, usually large orders for it induced him to set
calling attention of the trade to its faults and inquiiies afoot. All of which goes to prove that
merits," writes a well-known music publisher. a good song needs no "so-called" professional to
The idea in the abstract is an excellent one, but exploit it.
unfortunately it is quite impracticable, so far
at least as a trade paper is concerned. In the
Chas. K. Harris has a most original song, en-
first place this department receives something titled "I'm Going Back, Back to Kentucky, Where
like an average of 250 pieces of sheet music in I Was Born."
approached to sell out their retail stores to the
Remick Co. The terms offered, however, caused
a hitch and in consequence Atlantic City is to
be favored with opposition retail stores run by
these enterprising corporations. For the sake
of both concerns it is earnestly to be hoped that
they will clip their claws before entering upon
a summer trade combat. To the writer's own
knowledge one of the firms in question is paying
a rental of $1,000 per month for the privilege of
paying a staff of assistants to watch the life sav-
ers at work from the boardwalk and incidentally
to sell all the music possible. By life savers we
mean ocean life savers of course, not the financial
resources of the concerns in question. Anyhow
it is an interesting situation, which suggests a
moral to everyone concerned: "Don't swim too
far in rough water, either in business or pleas-
ure." For there is such a thing as over-confi-
dence.
A Hint on Copyright.
c
M«KINLtYIO MUSIC
NOTICE OF REMOVAL
Write To-Day for Simples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC GO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
158 Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
DEALERS WILL FIND OUR LATEST
PUBLICATION
Francis, Day 6 Hunter
"THE MOST POPULAR
PIANO DANCE FOLIO"
HAVE REMOVED TO
One of the Best Folios in Our Series and the Only
Actually Complete Dance Folio Published.
1364 Broadway, NEW YORK
%3&~ We Have Interesting Introductory Rates.
Write for descriplive circular and prices.
THE TRADE WILL PLEASE NOTICE
Costs You 3 Cents
TEDDY
BEARS*
PICNIC"
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31-S3-3S W. 15th St.
NEW YORK CITY
By JOHN W. BRATTON
D
O
I
T
N
O
W
To the Dealer
If You Have Not Yet Got
OUR
19O8
is of great interest to every live Dealer. W e
Bill our Monthly New Issues at 5 cents
per
Copy.
Subscribe now. The Tollc
llowmg are
some of our best sellers:
"MOONBEAMS AND DREAMS OF YOU"—"A LITILE
COZY FLAT *—* MONTEREY " — " NIGHT AND DAY *
—"WHILE YOU ARE MINE"—"MORNING CY"
"FOREST KING" March.
NOVELTIES
You are Losing Money
It will payyouto keip in touch with us. Write o-.lay.
THIEBES-STIERLIN MUSIC CO.,
OUR NEW ISSUE PROPOSITION
St. Louis
Write us To-day
VICTOR KREMER CO.
152 Lake Street
CHICAGO
Without a doubt the greatest
charaeteristique Two-Step Hit
since " T H E MOSQUITOES'
PARADE."
MR. DEALER —
It may not have reached your
vicinity as yet, but it won't take
long before it arrives. Be pre-
pared; stock up. You're sure
to have calls for it.
M. WITMARK m. SONS
144 West 37th Street.
New York
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
46
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
J. HAYDEN-CLARENDON, Editor
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue. New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other couu-
tries. $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 G r a m e r c y
Connecting all Departments
N E W YORK, MAY 1 6 , 1 9 0 8
COMMENTS B Y - , t
Although pregnant with episode the past week
has clone little to place itself on record as hav-
ing benefited the music trade in any sense of the
word. Chicago is in the throes of a rate war
inaugurated by Jerome H. Rernick & Co., who
filled the Chicago papers of Friday, May 8, with
something like fifty-eight inches of advertising
space exploiting sheet music—mostly their own
publications—at 5, 10, 15 and 19 cents a copy.
Careful inquiry by our Chicago correspondent
failed to elicit the slightest reason for this
astounding change of front. Of course it is hard
to give the retail trade ar.y comfort under such
appalling conditions, yet at worst it must be
said that some kind of a level must shortly be
reached. At the present moment Mr. Remick
prints, publishes, jobs and retails his own wares.
That he does not start in on the composing end
of the game is a source of wonderment to many.
We have previously remarked that when Mr.
Remick starts about doing anything he usually
does it thoroughly, and we would dearly love to
see a song from his versatile pen, or, to speak
more properly, his versatile typewriters.
The Atlantic City Situation.
It will be news to many in the sheet music
industry to learn that for some time negotiations
have been pending, whereby Helf & Hager were
a month, one-half of which, from the writer's
standpoint at least, is not worth the paper it
is printed on. Fortunately, however, from every
point of view, the opinion of the critic does
not always represent that of the general pub-
lic. Songs which the writer would unhesitat-
ingly condemn to perdition are sold in hun-
dreds of thousands, played by all the principal
bands and orchestras, and whistled by every
street boy, while songs to which he would give
columns of space extolling their virtues, remain
unsung and unheard of on the dusty shelves of
oblivion. After all, the best of critics is only
human, swayed by his own individual opinion—
which, to do him justice, he usually regards as
unassailable—the same prejudices, and the same
partialities, as the average man on the street.
One thing is certain, however, that criticism,
good, bad or indifferent never has, or never will
change public opinion one iota, for the great
public forms its own ideas, looking only to the
newspapers to verify them. No, we regret that
To the publishers who have been purchasing
we cannot accept our publishing friend's sugges-
foreign-made songs and selections, and we espe-
tion, for if we criticised the majority of the
cially allude to French and German compositions,
songs which reach us monthly, many of which,
it would be as well for them to learn before
by the way, he himself sends us, the pages of
parting with good American dollars whether their
this department would be printed in red ink.
purchases are protected by copyright in this
The Proof of the Pudding.
country. The laxity which the European pub-
If any argument is needed against the practice
lishers, with the exception of the British, have
shown in copyrighting their publications in of paying performers .for exploiting songs, an
America in the past is deplorable, as these same episode which occurred lecently should prove be-
gentlemen have no hesitation in accepting good yond question or doubt that really first-class ar-
American money for what is absolutely free tists need only a good song to be brought to their
property. It would not only be manifestly un- notice, to use it for its worth alone and without
fair, but would serve no useful purpose to specify any further honorarium save the applause which
a number of successes which have lately been it brings. Only a week or so back the writer
published on which no American copyright exists. had the pleasure of hearing Madame Zelie de
But numberless cases can be recorded of pub- Lussan sing a dainty little song entitled "Phil-
lishers who have purchased "gold bricks" in ab- osophy," by David Emmel, and this following
solute good faith. This warning should not only her magnificent rendition of "Carmen." Inquiry
be read but carefully digested, as its importance of Lawrence Ellert, New York mmager of the
B. F. Wood Publishing Co., who publish the num-
cannot be overestimated.
ber in question, elicited the information that he
The Value of Criticism.
himself was unaware of the fact that the song
"I wish we could have a trade paper which was being sung by Madame de Lussan until un-
would review the music published each week, usually large orders for it induced him to set
calling attention of the trade to its faults and inquiiies afoot. All of which goes to prove that
merits," writes a well-known music publisher. a good song needs no "so-called" professional to
The idea in the abstract is an excellent one, but exploit it.
unfortunately it is quite impracticable, so far
at least as a trade paper is concerned. In the
Chas. K. Harris has a most original song, en-
first place this department receives something titled "I'm Going Back, Back to Kentucky, Where
like an average of 250 pieces of sheet music in I Was Born."
approached to sell out their retail stores to the
Remick Co. The terms offered, however, caused
a hitch and in consequence Atlantic City is to
be favored with opposition retail stores run by
these enterprising corporations. For the sake
of both concerns it is earnestly to be hoped that
they will clip their claws before entering upon
a summer trade combat. To the writer's own
knowledge one of the firms in question is paying
a rental of $1,000 per month for the privilege of
paying a staff of assistants to watch the life sav-
ers at work from the boardwalk and incidentally
to sell all the music possible. By life savers we
mean ocean life savers of course, not the financial
resources of the concerns in question. Anyhow
it is an interesting situation, which suggests a
moral to everyone concerned: "Don't swim too
far in rough water, either in business or pleas-
ure." For there is such a thing as over-confi-
dence.
A Hint on Copyright.
c
M«KINLtYIO MUSIC
NOTICE OF REMOVAL
Write To-Day for Simples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC GO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
158 Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
DEALERS WILL FIND OUR LATEST
PUBLICATION
Francis, Day 6 Hunter
"THE MOST POPULAR
PIANO DANCE FOLIO"
HAVE REMOVED TO
One of the Best Folios in Our Series and the Only
Actually Complete Dance Folio Published.
1364 Broadway, NEW YORK
%3&~ We Have Interesting Introductory Rates.
Write for descriplive circular and prices.
THE TRADE WILL PLEASE NOTICE
Costs You 3 Cents
TEDDY
BEARS*
PICNIC"
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31-S3-3S W. 15th St.
NEW YORK CITY
By JOHN W. BRATTON
D
O
I
T
N
O
W
To the Dealer
If You Have Not Yet Got
OUR
19O8
is of great interest to every live Dealer. W e
Bill our Monthly New Issues at 5 cents
per
Copy.
Subscribe now. The Tollc
llowmg are
some of our best sellers:
"MOONBEAMS AND DREAMS OF YOU"—"A LITILE
COZY FLAT *—* MONTEREY " — " NIGHT AND DAY *
—"WHILE YOU ARE MINE"—"MORNING CY"
"FOREST KING" March.
NOVELTIES
You are Losing Money
It will payyouto keip in touch with us. Write o-.lay.
THIEBES-STIERLIN MUSIC CO.,
OUR NEW ISSUE PROPOSITION
St. Louis
Write us To-day
VICTOR KREMER CO.
152 Lake Street
CHICAGO
Without a doubt the greatest
charaeteristique Two-Step Hit
since " T H E MOSQUITOES'
PARADE."
MR. DEALER —
It may not have reached your
vicinity as yet, but it won't take
long before it arrives. Be pre-
pared; stock up. You're sure
to have calls for it.
M. WITMARK m. SONS
144 West 37th Street.
New York
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