Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 3 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
TH
MUSIC TRADE
Some of the best business men of the country, as well as the
greatest railroad kings, who have opportunities of viewing the
situation broadly, declare that there is nothing in the situation at
the present time which should cause anyone to entertain the slightest
fear as to the country's future or as to the betterment of business
in all lines. Of course, we may imagine a whole lot of things, but
if we draw too heavily on imagination and conjure up views of dis-
aster and depression we will be unhappy and will lose confidence,
which amounts to so much. In faot, it is because the confidence of
the Nation was shattered that the panic was created. Now, we
must all show a confidence not only in each other, but in the general
business situation in this country.
S
ALESMEN in any line should be posted thoroughly concerning
the articles which they sell. Piano salesmen should have an
intimate knowledge of the mechanism of pianos which they offer
for sale. It seems absurd when yau come to think of it that some
salesmen who offer instruments worth anywhere from $300 to $800
to customers have but a superficial knowledge of that which they
desire to sell to customers. Some of them cannot even name the
different parts of the piano or of the action. They know that it is a
piano and that it produces music, but to ask technical questions con-
cerning it places them in a most embarassing position before cus-
tomers. The trade can be built up and dignified if the salesmen
themselves acquire an intimate knowledge of the intricacies of
pianoforte mechanism.
Piano players are to-day a powerful force in piano selling and
there is practically little known about them. As this institution has
gained a National reputation for the production of reliable technical
literature we have recently put forth a handsomely bound book
entitled "A Technical Treatise on Piano Player Mechanism," which
is conceded to be a powerful aid in obtaining an intimate knowledge
of the player. Some of the leading players are technically described
in this volume and there are other chapters covering every subject
embraced in the player field. It is a book which should be in the
hands of everyone interested in the subject treated. From it much
valuable information may be obtained which will form a wall of
argumentative strength in piano selling. There are chapters also
upon repairing and regulating which will be of advantage to those
who specially desire instruction o"f this nature.
Along these lines the Melville Clark Piano Co. stated in a
recent communication with .reference to this book: "We believe
that it will be of assistance to repair men in taking care of the
player mechanism. The book is ably gotten up."
CCORDING to J. Pierpont Morgan, the future for finances
and industry is mcfst encouraging. In support of Mr. Mor-
gan's opinion it may be said that the New York banks have shown
recently the highest surplus reserve for a number of years, and the
State banks have increased the distribution by twenty-five millions
in three months. The Pennsylvania Railroad, which has earned
two millions more than the dividend required in six months, has
recently opened many of its shops on full time and is taking off the
covers from the idle locomotives.
The railroad dividend distributions on July 1st were practically
the same as last year and the Southern Railroad has abandoned
the project of reducing wages, and of mcfre importance than all the
good signs in the industry is the splendid promise of the crops,
which indicates that Dame Nature is again coming to the rescue of
the nation in good form. In fact, the last government reports show
that in the great agricultural States there is every reason to figure
on exceptionally good crops. That condition will, of course, mean
good business all around.
A
I
NDEPENDENT thought is what counts in human progress,
and the man who surrenders his judgment to others never
develops independence, stamina, stability, or self-reliance. It is
infinitely better to make mistakes than never to act on your own
judgment. People who are always deferring to others, always ask-
ing advice, never amount to much. What makes a man a real man
is the standing for something in himself, something definite, some-
thing particular. A man may be very good, and yet not stand for
anything, not carry any weight in his community. We must all
stand for something. A man may stand for advanced salesmanship
or technical ideas—better even be wrong than a nonentity.
REVIEW
Learn to be practical.
It pays.
Vacation time, and now for rest, and then for business!
It's astonishing how often a straight talk gets off the straight track.
No man was ever known to succeed unless he had confidence in his
own ability.
Don't expect a man to be a successful trade hypnotist for fifteen or
twenty per week.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and a dull boy inci-
dentally will not sell many pianos.
General humidity is the greatest foe to comfort and incidentally to
trade, unless one deals in wet goods.
Why say stencil? The title is worn out; it is a back number, and
should be supplanted by the term, "Special Brand."
Be on hand when you agree to be, and then you can demand with
reason punctuality in others.
ONLY A SIDE ISSUE.—The whiskers of "Sunny Jim" Sherman are
only a side issue.
Can anyone see any sense or logic in continually denouncing piano
men when they pursue business along lines which are recognized as cor-
rect? A lot of these smaller papers snap and snarl like hungry curs at
men and methods in this industry. Well, perhaps they are hungry.
A young woman in Chicago advertised for a situation as follows:
"Situation Wanted—Stenographer, 29, 5 feet 7 in., red headed, high tem-
pered, kind hearted, independent, industrious; position of any kind on
Oliver m. Former Price $10; reduced to $8 up; 3 years' exp.; ref." She
received more than 50 letters from business men seeking her services.—
LEGACY FROM CICERO—"Don't you think your speeches would be
improved if you quoted from the classics?"
"Perhaps," answered the spellbinder, "but the last time I tried it my
audience got clear away from my remarks on currency and the tariff and
started up an argument as to whether the Roman orator's name should be
pronounced 'Sisseroh' or "Kickeroh."''"
QUITS.—Mother—What did Mrs. Kloseman give you for cutting her
grass?
Jimmy—Nottin'.
Mother—Why, she promised you ten cents, didn't she?
Jimmy—Yes'm, but I used her sickle to do it with, an' she charged
me ten cents fur the use of it.
FORCE OF HABIT. There was a noise down in the silver closet.
"John," whispered the wife of the baseball umpire, "wake up. There
is some one trying to reach the plate."
"Trying to reach the plate," echoed the umpire drowsily. "Well, for
goodness sake let me see them or there'll be a kick over the decision and
first thing you know the rooters will begin throwing pop bottles.' ;
A CLEVER OMISSION.—"Did you write to papa, George?"
"Asking for your hand?"
"Of course."
"Yes, I wrote."
"That's strange. I supposed papa would be terribly angry. You
know he doesn't like you."
"Yes, I know. But T fixed it all right. I—I didn't sign the letter."
A DEPENDABLE BOY.—"Oh. yes, I'm bringing my boy up in the way
he should go."
"For instance?"
"Why, when Johnnie and I happen to be in a street car together and
a lady that I know comes in, I've trained Johnny to get right up and give
her his seat."
"And supposing there are two ladies that you know?"
"Say, I'm talking about Johnnie."
OBEDIENT BOY.—"Mamma, you told m'ft when one of the boys wanted
to pick a fight with me I must turn around and hurry away."
"Yes, dear."
"Well, Willie Jones tried to pick a fight and when I turned around
he kicked me. Then I hurried away."
"That was right dear."
"Yes, mamma. I hurried around the little circle in which is the
fountain, an' Willie Jones hurried after me. But, you see, I can hurry
twice as fast as him. an' pretty soon I catched up to Willie an' grabbed
him by the hair an' slapped him good an' plenty. Wasn't that right,
mamma—'cause I did just what you told me to do?"
And what could mamma say?
TH
MUSIC TRADE
Some of the best business men of the country, as well as the
greatest railroad kings, who have opportunities of viewing the
situation broadly, declare that there is nothing in the situation at
the present time which should cause anyone to entertain the slightest
fear as to the country's future or as to the betterment of business
in all lines. Of course, we may imagine a whole lot of things, but
if we draw too heavily on imagination and conjure up views of dis-
aster and depression we will be unhappy and will lose confidence,
which amounts to so much. In faot, it is because the confidence of
the Nation was shattered that the panic was created. Now, we
must all show a confidence not only in each other, but in the general
business situation in this country.
S
ALESMEN in any line should be posted thoroughly concerning
the articles which they sell. Piano salesmen should have an
intimate knowledge of the mechanism of pianos which they offer
for sale. It seems absurd when yau come to think of it that some
salesmen who offer instruments worth anywhere from $300 to $800
to customers have but a superficial knowledge of that which they
desire to sell to customers. Some of them cannot even name the
different parts of the piano or of the action. They know that it is a
piano and that it produces music, but to ask technical questions con-
cerning it places them in a most embarassing position before cus-
tomers. The trade can be built up and dignified if the salesmen
themselves acquire an intimate knowledge of the intricacies of
pianoforte mechanism.
Piano players are to-day a powerful force in piano selling and
there is practically little known about them. As this institution has
gained a National reputation for the production of reliable technical
literature we have recently put forth a handsomely bound book
entitled "A Technical Treatise on Piano Player Mechanism," which
is conceded to be a powerful aid in obtaining an intimate knowledge
of the player. Some of the leading players are technically described
in this volume and there are other chapters covering every subject
embraced in the player field. It is a book which should be in the
hands of everyone interested in the subject treated. From it much
valuable information may be obtained which will form a wall of
argumentative strength in piano selling. There are chapters also
upon repairing and regulating which will be of advantage to those
who specially desire instruction o"f this nature.
Along these lines the Melville Clark Piano Co. stated in a
recent communication with .reference to this book: "We believe
that it will be of assistance to repair men in taking care of the
player mechanism. The book is ably gotten up."
CCORDING to J. Pierpont Morgan, the future for finances
and industry is mcfst encouraging. In support of Mr. Mor-
gan's opinion it may be said that the New York banks have shown
recently the highest surplus reserve for a number of years, and the
State banks have increased the distribution by twenty-five millions
in three months. The Pennsylvania Railroad, which has earned
two millions more than the dividend required in six months, has
recently opened many of its shops on full time and is taking off the
covers from the idle locomotives.
The railroad dividend distributions on July 1st were practically
the same as last year and the Southern Railroad has abandoned
the project of reducing wages, and of mcfre importance than all the
good signs in the industry is the splendid promise of the crops,
which indicates that Dame Nature is again coming to the rescue of
the nation in good form. In fact, the last government reports show
that in the great agricultural States there is every reason to figure
on exceptionally good crops. That condition will, of course, mean
good business all around.
A
I
NDEPENDENT thought is what counts in human progress,
and the man who surrenders his judgment to others never
develops independence, stamina, stability, or self-reliance. It is
infinitely better to make mistakes than never to act on your own
judgment. People who are always deferring to others, always ask-
ing advice, never amount to much. What makes a man a real man
is the standing for something in himself, something definite, some-
thing particular. A man may be very good, and yet not stand for
anything, not carry any weight in his community. We must all
stand for something. A man may stand for advanced salesmanship
or technical ideas—better even be wrong than a nonentity.
REVIEW
Learn to be practical.
It pays.
Vacation time, and now for rest, and then for business!
It's astonishing how often a straight talk gets off the straight track.
No man was ever known to succeed unless he had confidence in his
own ability.
Don't expect a man to be a successful trade hypnotist for fifteen or
twenty per week.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and a dull boy inci-
dentally will not sell many pianos.
General humidity is the greatest foe to comfort and incidentally to
trade, unless one deals in wet goods.
Why say stencil? The title is worn out; it is a back number, and
should be supplanted by the term, "Special Brand."
Be on hand when you agree to be, and then you can demand with
reason punctuality in others.
ONLY A SIDE ISSUE.—The whiskers of "Sunny Jim" Sherman are
only a side issue.
Can anyone see any sense or logic in continually denouncing piano
men when they pursue business along lines which are recognized as cor-
rect? A lot of these smaller papers snap and snarl like hungry curs at
men and methods in this industry. Well, perhaps they are hungry.
A young woman in Chicago advertised for a situation as follows:
"Situation Wanted—Stenographer, 29, 5 feet 7 in., red headed, high tem-
pered, kind hearted, independent, industrious; position of any kind on
Oliver m. Former Price $10; reduced to $8 up; 3 years' exp.; ref." She
received more than 50 letters from business men seeking her services.—
LEGACY FROM CICERO—"Don't you think your speeches would be
improved if you quoted from the classics?"
"Perhaps," answered the spellbinder, "but the last time I tried it my
audience got clear away from my remarks on currency and the tariff and
started up an argument as to whether the Roman orator's name should be
pronounced 'Sisseroh' or "Kickeroh."''"
QUITS.—Mother—What did Mrs. Kloseman give you for cutting her
grass?
Jimmy—Nottin'.
Mother—Why, she promised you ten cents, didn't she?
Jimmy—Yes'm, but I used her sickle to do it with, an' she charged
me ten cents fur the use of it.
FORCE OF HABIT. There was a noise down in the silver closet.
"John," whispered the wife of the baseball umpire, "wake up. There
is some one trying to reach the plate."
"Trying to reach the plate," echoed the umpire drowsily. "Well, for
goodness sake let me see them or there'll be a kick over the decision and
first thing you know the rooters will begin throwing pop bottles.' ;
A CLEVER OMISSION.—"Did you write to papa, George?"
"Asking for your hand?"
"Of course."
"Yes, I wrote."
"That's strange. I supposed papa would be terribly angry. You
know he doesn't like you."
"Yes, I know. But T fixed it all right. I—I didn't sign the letter."
A DEPENDABLE BOY.—"Oh. yes, I'm bringing my boy up in the way
he should go."
"For instance?"
"Why, when Johnnie and I happen to be in a street car together and
a lady that I know comes in, I've trained Johnny to get right up and give
her his seat."
"And supposing there are two ladies that you know?"
"Say, I'm talking about Johnnie."
OBEDIENT BOY.—"Mamma, you told m'ft when one of the boys wanted
to pick a fight with me I must turn around and hurry away."
"Yes, dear."
"Well, Willie Jones tried to pick a fight and when I turned around
he kicked me. Then I hurried away."
"That was right dear."
"Yes, mamma. I hurried around the little circle in which is the
fountain, an' Willie Jones hurried after me. But, you see, I can hurry
twice as fast as him. an' pretty soon I catched up to Willie an' grabbed
him by the hair an' slapped him good an' plenty. Wasn't that right,
mamma—'cause I did just what you told me to do?"
And what could mamma say?
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