Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Some Views of Business Men Upon the Trade Situation.
/ contend that just now we do not require agitation as to what events caused the terrible war which
is now devastating Europe, but we do require that action which is best for Americans. To my mind,
the first essential is to maintain good, clear thinking qualities and not to lose our heads in the present excite-
ment. We have unlimited resources at our command which can be easily utilized to the best possible
advantage. This nation is singularly blessed and its citizens should not get rattled.
I have urged in the columns of The Review that piano merchants see to it that collections are closely
followed, and that quality business be sought rather than quantity business. In brief, while pushing hard
for trade to make the essentials of business so sound that they can stand any pressure.
Do you not take an optimistic view of the immediate effect of the European war upon the varied
interests of America? Would you not dictate a few lines for publication setting forth your views upon
the present situation?
EDWARD
LYMAN
BILL.
MELVILLE CLARK, President Melville Clark yet of necessity trade will come to this country for
• the succor and redemption of humanity which they
Piano Co., Chicago:
"From whatever point of view we look at the have crushed. The effect of the United States to
war, it is a terrible thing. It will impose a burden re-establish trade under her neutral flag in her
upon the countries engaged in it that will put them ships should be accepted with her good will, and to
back fully a century, and impose burdens upon the question her good intention is to destroy their own
rest of the world that will be irksome for a long hopes, for we will save the nest-egg which they
time to come. The American business man should have invested here and pay them in gold for our
exercise caution and conservatism. Caution in see- securities, our resources will enable us to help them
ing that his business is conducted in the most care- and what this country owes them will be paid in
ful way, looking especially after his collections and full, giving the opportunity of starting life over
his credit, and conservatism in practising all those again. Victory can do little for the widows and
little economies that in the end make up a con- orphans, and America will send them aid and en-
siderable sum. It is always best to differentiate^ in couragement by promptly paying her indebtedness
the matter of business; that is, to select the best ro Europe.
business and so conduct one's affairs on a discreet
"This is my view of the benefit our country will
basis instead of putting forth unusually energetic save to ourselves and the world, for any business
efforts in order to increase the volume. The latter man must know that war is waste without benefit
is a bad plan and is responsible for many of our to mankind anywhere or under any conditions. Our
commercial wrecks. The best shibboleth for a efforts mean salvage to humanity, not selfishness, for
merchant to adopt is to hew close to the line of
every American wishes that both sides could realize
careful and honorable endeavor.
the spirit of peace. All Europe knows we are ready
"As to the effect of the European war upon the with our neutrality to lead the way to peace and
interests of America, I can say that the reaction good fellowship."
will come, of course, in favor of this country. E. S. PAYSON, President Emerson Piano Co.,
Boston:
Just at present we are going through a series of
"Several times have I read your editorial, 'Re-
adjustments that is making it hard for the Amer-
ican business man, but I think that when these ad- sponsibilities Which Rest Upon America,' as pub-
justments are over, within the next three or four lished in The Music Trade Review under date of
months, it will redound to our benefit. No deep August 29, 1914, and I want to thank you. You
thought is needed to understand this, because the have clearly shown the horrors and uselessness of
productive power of the foreign countries engaged war, its results, and all the unbridled terrors
in the war is being impaired, and in many cases which accompany the fight of man against man.
cut off entirely, and America being the only great You have also outlined the position in which the
productive nation must supply the foodstuffs for United States finds itself as the result of this
the world. The prosperity of the farmer, of course, European war. You have shown the conditions
means the prosperity of our manufacturer and mer- now existing among the various peoples of Europe,
chant, because when the farmer sells his wares at a and you have made a wondrous argument for
goodly profit he is generous in buying needed sup- peace. Would that the world would heed your
cry for everlasting peace. I am more impressed
plies and luxuries for himself.
"But bear in mind that the destruction of so with your denunciation of war than I am for
much property is certain to impose a burden upon whatever benefits may accrue to the United S*tates.
the world, irrespective of geographical location. I, for one, do not wish others to suffer the pangs
The world is a great brotherhood, and what deeply of war in order that we may benefit. The United
affects one country is certain to have a reflex ac- States had no part in the proclamation of war.
It is of Europe's doing, and if we can be taught
tion upon all the others."
HENRY GENNETT, President Starr Piano Co., to develop our own industries, our own resources,
and learn that American made, for Americans,
Richmond, Va.:
"I consider that your contention anent the dis- should be our motto, and that the vast wealth paid
cussion as to the events causing the terrible war out by us for pleasure trips 'abroad' can be better
now devastating Europe can well be indorsed by used in seeing America first, we shall have done
much for ourselves without inflicting a wrong.
the piano trade.
"Our mind, energy and sympathy are all absorbed Again assuring you of my appreciation."
with horror; so much so that we are glad to follow E. S. CONWAY, Vice-President W. W. Kimball
the advice of the President to cling to our neutrality
Co., Chicago.:
and say nothing. However, when I read the news-
"I am in recipt of your letter of the 3d and
papers on the war our beloved country appears to beg to enclose you herein copy of a letter that I
me like the description a prominent actor has given sent to all our trade last month, which seems to co-
to life: 'A fairyland idealized, where we strive to incide exactly with your views."
live and help others to do likewise, polish our man-
The letter follows:
ners and mirror our faults;' but we have in the
"The public mind has been almost wholly ab-
older civilization of Europe an example which sorbed for the past three weeks in a discussion
should end with the conclusion of this war. Their pro and con of existing foreign complications. Our
own actions will cause us to unfold and develop, newspapers have been perhaps too numerous and
not with the view of building on their misfortunes, display too many startling headlines, which in it-
self has a tendency to stimulate the curiosity of
readers.
"No one deplores more than we do the present
gigantic war in Europe and we should all hope for
a speedy termination, but whether the war lasts
three months or three years, it seems clear to us
that we, as a people, cannot be of material help in
bringing about peace by constantly discussing the
foreign situation.
"Our mission should be to conserve our re-
sources, be industrious and frugal, and do our share
in helping supply the needs of those less fortunate
than ourselves. We believe it would be better for
all concerned if we should refrain as much as pos-
sible from discussing the foreign war, be thankful,
yet not boastful, that we are more fortunate than
others.
"We see no reason why our business should not
be nearly normal from now on. It was to be ex-
pected at the outbreak of the war that the mental
attitude would be that of excitement to the ex-
clusion of business, but we think that we should
settle down now and operate normally, and try
and discuss something more profitable and pleasing
than the harrowing reports that we get from day
to day regarding conditions in the Old World."
FRANK A. LEE, President John Church Co.,
Cincinnati, O.:
"Your letter of September 3, with editorial, re-
ceived. The latter is good. We are trying, with
the disruption that exists all over the country, to
get in all the money we can as quickly as we can.
This, with the endeavor to keep as many people
employed as we possibly can, is taking all my time,
and it will be impossible for me to write anything
of moment on the lines you suggest."
O. A. FIELD, the Field-Lippman Piano Stores,
St. Louis, Mo.:
"In answer to your inquiry regarding the present
financial situation caused by the war in Europe,
and the effect it will have on the piano business in
this country, will state that, in my personal opin-
ion, nothing better could have happened for the
piano industry than what is going on at the pres-
ent time.
"In the first place, the production of pianos has
been decreased by the tightening of credits by lo-
cal bankers throughout the country, and for the
first time dealers have been forced to repossess as
they should, in order to get sufficient goods to op-
erate.
"Present conditions, while temporarily unfortu-
nate, will nevertheless place the piano business on
a safe, sane and solid foundation financially, from
which it has departed during the last eight or ten
years of frenzied piano selling and of frenzied man-
ufacture of cheap instruments, called pianos. Old
instruments taken in and repossessed as they should
have been years ago will not be sold now on low
terms, but will be sold where they will stay sold,
and when the present disturbance in Europe is dver
I firmly believe the piano trade, both wholesale and
retail, will have learned the lesson of selling pianos
and player-pianos only where there is a reasonable
(Continued on page 8.)