Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
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Music Publishers'
An interesting feature of this publication is a special depart-
Department V ^» ment devoted exclusively to the world of music publishing.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
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NEW
YORK,
JUNE
13, 1 9 0 8
EDITORIAL
T
HE conventions of igo8 have now become history, the throngs
have gone and men have commenced to calmly review the
proceedings. It is understood that some lively debating occurred
at the Manufacturers' meeting which was not included in the sup-
plied reports, but the talks were plain, straightforward, temperate
and right from the shoulder, and because there was disagreement
between some of the members regarding the issues brought up for
discussion it does not follow that there is the slightest reason for the
belief that disagreements will weaken the association structure in
the slightest. On the contrary the Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion seems to have come out stronger after the lengthy, well-argued
discussions in New York. The members understand each other
better and there is evidently a stronger vein of sympathy existing
between them.
The manufacturers view the association as an incubator of good
feeling, and from good feeling springs certain beneficial results
which are helpful to the industry as a whole. That the association
will not take any radical stand as opposed to the business policy cff
individual members of the organization seems to have been disposed
of pretty thoroughly. The association may go clearly on record as
opposing the traffic in special brand pianos but will not impose
penalized restrictions upon its members in order to definitely locate
the origin of certain pianos.
So, as far as the Piano Manufacturers' Association is con-
cerned it frowns upon the special brand traffic, but will do nothing
more than resolute against its continuance. Judging from the vari-
ous opinions expressed it seems that this position is supported by
more than the majority of the members and therefore they seem well
satisfied with the convention results. A number of the men believe
it impossible to impose restrictions upon manufacturers of pianos
or of anything else which are contrary to their fixed policy and re-
tain them as members of a trade organization. The whole thing
resolves itself to one query—is it better to run the association on
present lines or to have a split on the special brand proposition?
The query has been answered. The association reply is in.
REVIEW
T
HE Dealers' Convention was a success and there were many
interesting papers read at the various sessions which are
reproduced elsewhere in The Review. A number of the members
of the Dealers' Association favor the plan of concentrating upon
one trade topic at each convention rather than de-centralization and
scattering over a number of topics. There is no question but that
the men who write on the various subjects handle their topics with
ease and understanding, and they make mighty interesting reading,
and yet the question is asked by a number, what are the actual re-
sults obtained from the association ?
Without particularizing we should say there are very many
beneficial features that have resulted to the trade through concerted
action. The business is run along cleaner lines. Men have a greater
respect and admiration for each other and they respect the other
fellow's feelings more than was noticeable in days agone. The
whole trade atmosphere is gradually clearing and there is less compe-
tition of a demoralizing character than was formerly in vogue. In
fact, as the association has developed in strength and membership
piano selling has increased in dignity and character. It seems as if
the good work established would tend to increase in influence each
year, and it is well for the trade that it should. There is every
reason to believe that the industry will be steadily benefited on
account of the existence of the Dealers' Association as a cohesive
force for trade weal.
PROMINENT Western manufacturer who was present at
A
the convention remarked to The Review : "I am confident
that we are going to have a good fall business. Understand, I do not
mean a phenomenally large trade, but as I view the situation there
will be a lively demand for pianos during the early fall months, and
it is my intention to' accumulate a stock of goods to meet the de-
mand which' 1 am confident will materialize later. The stocks of the
dealers are very low and they will not be content to sit down and
do no* business. On the contrary, if I interpret their spirit correctly,
they will hustle, and it's hustle that will create business."
Certainly it will. It must be admitted that conditions have
improved materially within the past two weeks. A good many fac-
tories in all lines have put back more men which is unusual at this
season of the year, and it proves conclusively that the accumulated
retail stocks over the country have been exhausted and there is a
demand during the summer months for goods which will compel
their manufacture. The army of unemployed will be diminished
during the summer, and the enactment of the law authorizing
the issue of one-half billion dollars in additional currency has helped
to clear the financial atmosphere, and the last cloud is now hastily
disappearing from the monetary horizon.
T
HERE was some fear that we might see a return of the panicky
conditions of last fall when the West called for money for the
movement of crops, and when we have had our nerves once shaken
we are apt to be a trifle timid, but now there is no possibility of a re-
currence of serious disturbances in the monetary world, when the
time comes for the moving of the crops, which promise to be abun-
dant. In other words, the country is insured against a monetary
stringency which might threaten the great business interests. We
may not be called upon to test the efficacy of the currency law be-
cause it is probable that there will continue to be an ample supply
of currency for all needs and certainly the rates of interest have
lowered recently showing that money is plentiful. This insurance
is a mighty go'od thing for the country and the emergency currency
bill will have in our minds a stimulating effect upon the business
interests of the country. The simple fact that such a law is in
existence will give a feeling of security which otherwise would have
been lacking had Congress adjourned before passing this safeguard
legislation. It's going to help out business in every line. It's going
to bolster up credit and we must figure that the recent panic was
purely a monetary and credit crisis as all of the National potentiali-
ties remained uninjured.
T
HERE were some who had predicted that the feeling would be
so intense by reason of the warring and divided camps in the
Pia"no Manufacturers' Association that the breaking point would
almost be reached. This prediction, however, was not verified, for
though the debates were strong and earnest there was not manifest
in the slightest particular a desire to reach the abusive standpoint,