Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 46 N. 9 - Page 42
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
42
THE:
COMMENTS B Y - •
There can be no question that the existing con-
ditions in the "popular" sheet music trade can-
not last. The retailer, who a few years ago was
secure in his own particular sphere, now faces
competition on all sides and from most unex-
pected quarters, department and ten-cent stores
being the most flagrant examples of the latter
day cut-throat methods which we repeat cannot
endure much longer. It is needless to say that
the publishers themselves could remedy the
present unhealthy state of affairs in the "popu-
lar" music trade, but they have long since proved
themselves to be veritable Micawbers, "waiting
for something to turn up," and from all indications
their weak-kneed hope is likely to be speedily
fulfilled. Indeed when it happens that the expected
"something" does come, it requires no prophet to
predict an upheaval which may possibly teach
the few who will weather the storm that the
most hopeless fool is the one who will not see
his own foolishness. Victor Kremer, the well
known Chicago publisher, who has been in town
for the past week, spoke long and earnestly to
the writer on the subject of the present prices of
popular music, a condition which he described
as "hopeless and discouraging." Indeed, his fu-
ture plans are nebulous, whatever they may
be—for the writer, was not taken into his confi-
dence—it is safe to say that before long radical
changes will be made in the business of which
he is the head.
MUSIC
TRADE:
REVIEW
But then it must be remembered that Mr. Havi-
land has at least two songs that are in very great
demand. F. A. Mills, although never at any time
very communicative, made no secret of the fact
that he was doing wondertully well, a statement
which is amply borne out by his new issue list
of the month. Fred Hager, of Helf. & Hager, for-
tunately convalescent from a bad attack of grippe,
practically echoed Mr. Haviland's remarks. "We
are not breaking records," he said, "but we are
not disappointed as just now we are not expect-
ing to. Still I am quite satisfied with things in
general." And so on down the line. And yet
while it is apparent that trade conditions might
be a great deal worse the handwriting remains
on the wall. Verily something is going to "turn
up." And very shortly at that.
we of this office know of it, and will give it every
consideration. If it is not a "hit" and is meri-
torious we will do all in our power to help it
along, but we are not going to advise the retail
trade to pack their shelves with unsalable music.
And if any of our advertisers or their press
agents imagine for a single instant that they are
going to run the editorial section of this paper
they are cordially and respectfully invited to
withdraw their advertising without further delay.
The Review aims to be a music trade monitor
and while inviting the co-operation of press
agents it asks for news and not "gush."
The Song Writer and His Contract.
Quite recently a well known librettist asked
the writer to express an opinion as to the ad-
vantage or disadvantage of a song writer sign-
Press Agency and Facts.
ing a contract to write exclusively for one firm
The music publishers' "press agent," who is of music publishers. The question is a hard one
now more than ever a recognized factor in the to answer inasmuch as a great deal depends
success of the up-to-date publishing house, is apt upon the disposition of the individual—both son,g
to lose sight of the efficacy of the Arabian writer and publisher. Of course the puDlisher has
proverb, "Honesty is the greatest cunning." Week a hundred interests at stake to the song writer's
in and week out The Review receives a bundle one, but it is a positive fact that the average
of matter describing as yet unheard of songs as song writer is the most unreasonable person on
"sensational successes," "undisputed hits," etc., the face of God's earth. Each and every one
with apparently the deliberate intention of mis- regards his brain product as vastly superior to
leading the retailer, who naturally relies upon that of his confrere and if by some extraordinary
our good judgment for information and advice. lack of intelligence the public cannot see his
So far at least as this paper is concerned news greatness then it becomes the duty of the pub-
of this kind will receive little consideration, as lisher to force the public to take what they do
our waste paper baskets are both commodious and not want. On the other hand, the publisher often
plentiful. If any publisher imagines that he has has favorites, whose output whether good, bad
the inalienable right to dictate his own reading or indifferent receives his first consideration.
matter in these columns in such a way as to Therefore the question resolves itself into one of
mislead the retailer to whom we are responsible "mutual understanding." Only the other day
—and rightly responsible—for the news which Miss Jean Lenox informed the writer that she
we print, he is sadly mistaken.
could not be induced to leave Witmark's, with
Hope Springs Eternal.
whom she is under contract. I t is doubtful
A Mistaken Idea.
Still, the hope that springs eternal in the
And if this impression is abroad let it be im- whether any consideration would get Williams
human breast is not yet dead in the world of
and Van Alstyne away trom Jerome H. Remick.
music publishing. F. B. Haviland smiled grimly mediately corrected. While The Review is desirous Certainly Theo. Morse would not leave F. B.
when questioned early in the week regarding his of receiving interesting facts, which we a t all Haviland and so a dozen similar cases could be
immediate prospects. "Things are not rushing," times verify we do not propose to give space cited. The answer to the whole question there-
he said frankly, "but I am doing far better than to publishers' announcements obviously intended fore is this: If a song writer can find a con-
I anticipated at the beginning of the year. Later to mislead the retailer. If a song is a "tremen- genial publisher who will consistently work in
things will no doubt improve." Optimistic surely. dous hit" the press agent can rest assured that
c
M
are the publishers of all the songs
SUNG BY
HARRY LAUDER
and all the successful songs
SUNG BY
VESTA VICTORIA
NEW YORK 15 West 301b St. NEW YORK
SPECIAL TO THE TRADE!
POR THIRTY
DAYS OIVL.Y
These 1907 Song Hits at 10c. per copy or $10 per hundred.
"EVERYONE IS IN SLUMBERLAND BUT YOU AND ME."
"TWINKLING STAR."
"SWEETHEARTS MAY COME AND SWEETHEARTS
MAY GO."
" WHERE THE JESSAMINE IS BLOOMING, FAR AWAY."
Instrumental
PAUUA VAUSE CAPRICE
will pay you to keep in touch with us. Write to-day
TIIEBES-STKRLIN MUSIC CO., St. Louis, Mo.
A MONEY-MAKER
For MUSIC DEALERS
HANDLING I T .
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW FOLIO
"The Most Popular
Piano Duets"
The finest Duet Folio published. Arranged by
George Rosey. Special Dealers' Introductory
Rates on application. Send for them at once.
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31 W. 15th Street, New York City
VICTOR KREMER CO.
CHICAGO
152 Lake Street
NEW YORK
1431 Broadway
Costs You 3 Cents
Write To-Day for Samples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC CO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
15S Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
Mister Music Dealer!
We are iplugging
WILL R. ANDERSON'S
Beautiful Song
JUST
SOMEONE
Because we think it
The Best Song of the Year
This means that there will be a
PUBLISHERS
Great Demand for it!
"Under the Tropical Moon," "Won't You
Let Me Put My Arms Around You,"
"Cinderella," Inst. and Song.
"Not Be-
cause Your Hair Is Curly," " W i l l the
Angels Let Me Play," "Paddy," "Can You
Keep a Secret," "Vanity Fair," " I Never
Can Forget You Dear," Kremer's Mandolin
Folio, No. 1, etc., etc.
Order Now and be Prepared
M. WITMARK & SONS
LONDON
144 W. 37th S t , NEW YORK
CHICAGO
PARIS
42
THE:
COMMENTS B Y - •
There can be no question that the existing con-
ditions in the "popular" sheet music trade can-
not last. The retailer, who a few years ago was
secure in his own particular sphere, now faces
competition on all sides and from most unex-
pected quarters, department and ten-cent stores
being the most flagrant examples of the latter
day cut-throat methods which we repeat cannot
endure much longer. It is needless to say that
the publishers themselves could remedy the
present unhealthy state of affairs in the "popu-
lar" music trade, but they have long since proved
themselves to be veritable Micawbers, "waiting
for something to turn up," and from all indications
their weak-kneed hope is likely to be speedily
fulfilled. Indeed when it happens that the expected
"something" does come, it requires no prophet to
predict an upheaval which may possibly teach
the few who will weather the storm that the
most hopeless fool is the one who will not see
his own foolishness. Victor Kremer, the well
known Chicago publisher, who has been in town
for the past week, spoke long and earnestly to
the writer on the subject of the present prices of
popular music, a condition which he described
as "hopeless and discouraging." Indeed, his fu-
ture plans are nebulous, whatever they may
be—for the writer, was not taken into his confi-
dence—it is safe to say that before long radical
changes will be made in the business of which
he is the head.
MUSIC
TRADE:
REVIEW
But then it must be remembered that Mr. Havi-
land has at least two songs that are in very great
demand. F. A. Mills, although never at any time
very communicative, made no secret of the fact
that he was doing wondertully well, a statement
which is amply borne out by his new issue list
of the month. Fred Hager, of Helf. & Hager, for-
tunately convalescent from a bad attack of grippe,
practically echoed Mr. Haviland's remarks. "We
are not breaking records," he said, "but we are
not disappointed as just now we are not expect-
ing to. Still I am quite satisfied with things in
general." And so on down the line. And yet
while it is apparent that trade conditions might
be a great deal worse the handwriting remains
on the wall. Verily something is going to "turn
up." And very shortly at that.
we of this office know of it, and will give it every
consideration. If it is not a "hit" and is meri-
torious we will do all in our power to help it
along, but we are not going to advise the retail
trade to pack their shelves with unsalable music.
And if any of our advertisers or their press
agents imagine for a single instant that they are
going to run the editorial section of this paper
they are cordially and respectfully invited to
withdraw their advertising without further delay.
The Review aims to be a music trade monitor
and while inviting the co-operation of press
agents it asks for news and not "gush."
The Song Writer and His Contract.
Quite recently a well known librettist asked
the writer to express an opinion as to the ad-
vantage or disadvantage of a song writer sign-
Press Agency and Facts.
ing a contract to write exclusively for one firm
The music publishers' "press agent," who is of music publishers. The question is a hard one
now more than ever a recognized factor in the to answer inasmuch as a great deal depends
success of the up-to-date publishing house, is apt upon the disposition of the individual—both son,g
to lose sight of the efficacy of the Arabian writer and publisher. Of course the puDlisher has
proverb, "Honesty is the greatest cunning." Week a hundred interests at stake to the song writer's
in and week out The Review receives a bundle one, but it is a positive fact that the average
of matter describing as yet unheard of songs as song writer is the most unreasonable person on
"sensational successes," "undisputed hits," etc., the face of God's earth. Each and every one
with apparently the deliberate intention of mis- regards his brain product as vastly superior to
leading the retailer, who naturally relies upon that of his confrere and if by some extraordinary
our good judgment for information and advice. lack of intelligence the public cannot see his
So far at least as this paper is concerned news greatness then it becomes the duty of the pub-
of this kind will receive little consideration, as lisher to force the public to take what they do
our waste paper baskets are both commodious and not want. On the other hand, the publisher often
plentiful. If any publisher imagines that he has has favorites, whose output whether good, bad
the inalienable right to dictate his own reading or indifferent receives his first consideration.
matter in these columns in such a way as to Therefore the question resolves itself into one of
mislead the retailer to whom we are responsible "mutual understanding." Only the other day
—and rightly responsible—for the news which Miss Jean Lenox informed the writer that she
we print, he is sadly mistaken.
could not be induced to leave Witmark's, with
Hope Springs Eternal.
whom she is under contract. I t is doubtful
A Mistaken Idea.
Still, the hope that springs eternal in the
And if this impression is abroad let it be im- whether any consideration would get Williams
human breast is not yet dead in the world of
and Van Alstyne away trom Jerome H. Remick.
music publishing. F. B. Haviland smiled grimly mediately corrected. While The Review is desirous Certainly Theo. Morse would not leave F. B.
when questioned early in the week regarding his of receiving interesting facts, which we a t all Haviland and so a dozen similar cases could be
immediate prospects. "Things are not rushing," times verify we do not propose to give space cited. The answer to the whole question there-
he said frankly, "but I am doing far better than to publishers' announcements obviously intended fore is this: If a song writer can find a con-
I anticipated at the beginning of the year. Later to mislead the retailer. If a song is a "tremen- genial publisher who will consistently work in
things will no doubt improve." Optimistic surely. dous hit" the press agent can rest assured that
c
M
are the publishers of all the songs
SUNG BY
HARRY LAUDER
and all the successful songs
SUNG BY
VESTA VICTORIA
NEW YORK 15 West 301b St. NEW YORK
SPECIAL TO THE TRADE!
POR THIRTY
DAYS OIVL.Y
These 1907 Song Hits at 10c. per copy or $10 per hundred.
"EVERYONE IS IN SLUMBERLAND BUT YOU AND ME."
"TWINKLING STAR."
"SWEETHEARTS MAY COME AND SWEETHEARTS
MAY GO."
" WHERE THE JESSAMINE IS BLOOMING, FAR AWAY."
Instrumental
PAUUA VAUSE CAPRICE
will pay you to keep in touch with us. Write to-day
TIIEBES-STKRLIN MUSIC CO., St. Louis, Mo.
A MONEY-MAKER
For MUSIC DEALERS
HANDLING I T .
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW FOLIO
"The Most Popular
Piano Duets"
The finest Duet Folio published. Arranged by
George Rosey. Special Dealers' Introductory
Rates on application. Send for them at once.
HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31 W. 15th Street, New York City
VICTOR KREMER CO.
CHICAGO
152 Lake Street
NEW YORK
1431 Broadway
Costs You 3 Cents
Write To-Day for Samples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC CO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
15S Harrison St., Chicago
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
Mister Music Dealer!
We are iplugging
WILL R. ANDERSON'S
Beautiful Song
JUST
SOMEONE
Because we think it
The Best Song of the Year
This means that there will be a
PUBLISHERS
Great Demand for it!
"Under the Tropical Moon," "Won't You
Let Me Put My Arms Around You,"
"Cinderella," Inst. and Song.
"Not Be-
cause Your Hair Is Curly," " W i l l the
Angels Let Me Play," "Paddy," "Can You
Keep a Secret," "Vanity Fair," " I Never
Can Forget You Dear," Kremer's Mandolin
Folio, No. 1, etc., etc.
Order Now and be Prepared
M. WITMARK & SONS
LONDON
144 W. 37th S t , NEW YORK
CHICAGO
PARIS
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