Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportoiial Stall:
L. E. BOWERS,
GBO. B. KKLLHR,
W. H. DYKES,
R. W. SIMMONS,
AUGDST J. TIMPB.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
CHICAGO OFFICE:
BOSTON OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, 156 Wabash Ave.
G. W. HENDERSON, 180 Tremont St.
Room 806,
Room 18.
Telephone, Central 414.
Telephone, Oxford 2936-2.
PHILADELPHIA:
MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL:
ST. LOUIS:
R. W. KATJFFMAN,
ADOLF EDSTBN,
CHAS. N. VAN BUREN.
SAN FRANCISCO: S. H. GRAY, 88 First Street.
CINCINNATI. O.:
BALTIMORE, MD.:
JACOB W. WALTERS.
A. ROBERT FRENCH.
LONDON. ENGLAND: 00 Rasinghall St., E. C. W. LIONEL STURDY, Manager.
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION,
(including postage). United States and Mexico, $2.00 per year;
Canada, $S.. r >0 ; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS. $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00 ; opposite
reading matter, $75.00.
REMITTANCES.in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
An
t ; on
important feature of this publication is a complete sec-
devoted to the interests of music publishers and dealers.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Qrand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Diploma..Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal
Silver Medal.Charleston Exposition, 1902
Gold Medal.. .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES-NUMBERS 4677 and 4678 GRAMERCY
Connecting all Departments.
Cable address: "ElbllL New York."
NEW YORK,
JULY 1 6 , 1910
EDITORIAL
I
REVIEW
A
S to the influence of The Review, that has been demonstrated
in many ways.
This publication was the first to advocate a one-price system.
It was first to advocate the formation of a National Music
Trade Association, and, instead of being supported by the other
trade publications, we were opposed and our motives impugned,
but that did not make the slightest difference in our course or in
the result.
The first music trade gathering which convened for the pur-
pose of forming a National Association, was called at the instiga-
tion of The Music Trade Review, and the present editor of the
publication opened the convention.
This publication was the first to urge the necessity of forming
a Piano Dealers' National Association and the time and place
which we mentioned editorially was finally adopted.
The Music Trade Review fought blackmailing tendencies
which existed to an alarming extent in this industry years ago, and
so successfully did we wage a relentless war that we succeeded in
routing the enemy from the vantage ground which he had occupied
for many years, and while now and then we hear mutterings and
threats it is only in sporadic cases that advertisers are weak enough
to walk the plank at the dictation of the chief exponent of thuggism.
This publication has been a leader in reforms of various kinds,
for we have always contended that the aims of a trade publication
lie not alone in presenting news, but aiding the industry by urging
the adoption of improved methods and systems wherever possible.
A true trade publication is not a spineless recorder of trade
happenings, but a fearless exponent of that which is uplifting in
the business world.
T
HE Review has been the only publication which has come out
unequivocally against the adoption of coupon and scheme
advertising to increase piano sales.
We have also urged the necessity of manufacturers stating in
all their literature the exact prices at which their pianos should
be offered to retail purchasers.
It will require some time to bring about this reform, but it will
come in time, because it is simply good business and it will prevent
abuse and deception of various kinds.
This institution has been the only one putting forth technical
trade literature.
The volumes produced in this office have become standards the
vorld over and we are the only newspaper institution conducting
a technical department under the personal supervision of an expert
—the only institution having put forth educational matter in con-
nection with the player-piano, and in this particular the position
which we have won is unapproached by any other publication.
Now, these brief statements are facts, and when you have
been thirty-one years hammering to accomplish certain results it
cannot be considered weakness to emphasize a few of these points
when your thirty-first birthday comes around.
^HIRTY-ONE years old! That's the exact age of The Review,
for it was in July, 1879, when this publication first appeared.
What changes have taken place in the industry since The
Review first began to make its periodical visits to the trade!
And what changes have been wrought in the industrial and
financial world since that time!
How methods and systems have changed!
In the seventies the piano industry was in embryo form—
hardly out of its swaddling clothes—and there were few factories
which could boast of a large output.
terminal facilities of New York are rapidly changing, and
The great West had not commenced to don its manufacturing
X
when the Grand Central plans are completed we will have a
togs and while the leading dealers in that section of the country
big piano exchange at the gateway of New York.
may have been nursing the thought that future trade victories would
Charles A. Reade, who has had this project in view for a long
emblazon their banners in the fight for trade supremacy, they did
time, has interested quite a number of piano manufacturers, and,
not herald those beliefs broadcast.
when the new building is opened on Lexington avenue, without
The leaders were in New York and Boston and many were the
doubt quite a number of piano manufacturers will have availed
interesting plays on the trade chess board for positions.
themselves of the opportunity which the piano exchange offers for
Certainly spice and jealousy were not lacking in those days, for
a New York representation at a reasonable cost.
it may be truly said that greater jealousy existed in music trade
Within a very short time residents in all parts of Long Island,
circles thirty years ago than to-day. This condition made it pos-
from Montauk to Coney, will be able to reach the shopping center
sible for disreputable journalism to exist and fatten upon the weak-
of New York without change of cars or ferry inconvenience, arriv-
nesses of men.
The whole music trade industry has been readjusted and a new ing at the new Pennsylvania terminal and later, probably in the
early fall, the through traffic from the West and South and also
commercial element has been injected into trade circles which has
the commuters from nearby points in New Jersey will be similarly
had a tendency to widen business possibilities.
accommodated.
This publication has seen the rise and fall of many concerns
With the Pennsylvania open and the Grand Central in shape
allied with music trade affairs and it has been the only publication
it may be said that within a radius of a mile of these two cities are
which has existed for thirty-one years without a break.
located the majority of the big hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of
It has never missed an issue, and it was the first publication in
amusement and most of the big retail stores.
this country to become exclusively devoted to music trade affairs,
A piano exchange here in New York has appealed strongly to
and it is hardly necessary to emphasize the fact which is known
a
good
many piano men who have held with favor the idea of a
to all readers that The Music Trade Review is the oldest music
permanent
representation in this city.
trade publication of its class in this country.