Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 6 - Page 4
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
(C. L HIM., Kxecutrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
CARI.ETON CHACE,
WM. B. WHITE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
WILSON D. BUSH, •
BOSTON OFFICES I
CHICAGO OFFICE! I
JOHN H WILSON 324 Washington 9t
Tdeph"«,MaiJ695oT
GLAD HENDERSON,
L. K. BOWERS.
*"
&
p
-
VAN
HARLINGEN, Consumers' Building,
2
™ So State Street. Telephone, Wabash 6774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
I-ONDOIV, K1VGI.AND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
NEWS SERVICE! IS SUPPLIED W E E K L Y BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth 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, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts, a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $110.00.
*
HtGMlTTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
Edward Lyman Bill.
PlsiVPF P i 911A UnA
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
ts 1OJC1 -r lailU a m i
t ions o f a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
Tf>rhniP!lI fkpn!IT*tmpntG lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
i t X l U l l l d l VCpdl UUCUte. J e a l t wi t h> w i l l b c f o u n d i n a n o t h e r sect i O n of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal,. .Charleston Exposition, 1802
Diploma
Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1804
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
XiONQ DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON BQ.
Connecting 1 all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New York."
NEW Y O R K ,
FEBRUARY
5, 1 9 1 6 .
EDITORIAL
T
H E piano industry is realizing the daily increasing necessity
• of an advance in piano prices, a demonstration of which fact
is found in the interviews with three leading piano manufacturers,
which appear in this issue of The Review. That there will not be
adopted the seemingly easiest alternative of a reduction in quality
to offset the increase in material costs, is a most encouraging
thought, and one which is expressed in some manner, at least, by
each of the manufacturers whose opinions we quote. Particular
attention should be given to the plea for co-operation among manu-
facturers, and between manufacturers and dealers. The most
cursory examination of the purchasing department of his concern
will convince any manufacturer that his pianos are costing him
much more to make than they did a year ago. This fact is known
and admitted by maker and dealer alike. But unless the manufac-
turers as a whole get together on the policy of an increased price, a
condition will obtain in the piano trade that will result in serious
embarrassment.
Equally important is the suggested co-operation between the
manufacturer and the dealer. If the dealer will but realize the
necessity and justice of a small advance in his cost prices, and will
seek to educate the public to the same realization, it will be an
easy matter for him to more than recover the increase which he
will pay through an increase in his selling price to his customer. A
comparatively small increase will turn the threatened deficit which
the manufacturer is facing into a fair profit. The dealer can ad-
vance his prices proportionately and still do the same amount of
business, thus maintaining his profit on his sales. The customer
who is in the market for a piano, for which he expects to pay, say.
$350, will not balk when he finds that the instrument he wants is
priced at a few dollars more. Knowing from other experiences
that the cost of materials in every line has advanced tremendously,
the sense of fairness which the average purchaser has will make
him willing to pay a slightly advanced price for an instrument
which he is assured is up to the usual standard in quality, and he
iH rather pay more for this kind of a piano, than to take one at
the usual price, but which he knows has been cheapened in quality.
The education of the public, a comparatively easy matter, is
the most important service which the dealer can render to the
manufacturer, to himself, and to the trade in general, and if dealers
as a whole will devote a little attention to this work, their efforts
will result in better conditions for all concerned.
r
" p l l E re-introduction last week in the House, of Representatives
1
of the Stevens-Ayres Bill with a number of important amend-
ments incorporated, should serve to remove much of the doubt that
exists regarding the desirability of the measure and its ability to
pass Congress. Among the arguments used by those opposed to
the bill was one to the effect that the provision for the main-
tenance of prices made no allowance for price variations due to
transportation charges. The amended bill specifically permits dis-
counts for cash and for quantity, and for allowances and rates
covering costs of transportation.
The many friends of the Stevens bill in the piano trade believe
the changes will assure the passage of this desirable measure, which
is designed "to protect the public against dishonest advertising and
false pretenses in merchandising."
The National Piano Manufacturers' Association, the National
Association of Piano Merchants, the National Association of Talk-
ing Machine Jobbers, the Music Publishers' Association of the
United States, and other trade bodies that have indorsed the
Stevens bill in the original, will welcome the changes made as likely
to add to the value of their indorsement.
IVE HUNDRED of the nation's most prominent men of
finance, foreign and domestic commerce, transportation and
allied industries, attended the third National Eoreign Trade Council
which held sessions the three closing days of last week in New
Orleans. The various eminent speakers predicted sharp fighting
for trade in all the markets of the world after the European war is
ended, with probable attempts on the part of European nations at
discriminations against America, and economic alliances designed
to prevent America's expansion in foreign trade fields. The most
important result of the gathering was the formation of a definite
foreign trade policy for the United States, which was the direct
object of the conference. This policy is partially expressed by the
following measures:
First—Judicious investment of United States capital in re-
sources of foreign countries, particularly Latin-America, in such a
manner as to stimulate their development and their consumption of
American products, while extending to those countries the means
wherewith to buy American goods.
Second—The introduction of greater flexibility into American
tariff-making to meet changing conditions in foreign tariffs, and
particularly in preferential tariff arrangements among the Euro-
pean countries whose commercial relations, disrupted by war, must
eventually be restored in the greatest tariff revision process the
world has known.
Third—The adaptation of American education to the needs
of foreign trade, with particular attention to qualifying young men
for foreign business posts through courses in foreign languages,
foreign banking, commercial geography and foreign trade.
The creation of a permanent non-partisan tariff commission
was strongly advocated, not only as a safeguard when the change
in the industrial conditions will occur after the closing of the Euro-
pean war, but also as a means of preventing a disturbance to busi-
ness whenever tariff changes become a necessity.
F
HIS is an age of ideas. Never before in the history of the
world has there been such an urgent and increasing demand
for bright thoughts of a commercial nature.
The competition which yearly draws the lines of trade tighter,
and sifts men and affairs with a relentless force, turns the business
mind upon some new object with which to strike out from the
crowded highway into an unbeaten path toward success.
In every office, store and shop throughout the wide world there
is somebody who is continually thinking and seeking for an idea
which will help his affairs. The clergyman is thinking of an idea
which will extend his influence. The physician, as he sits by the
bedside, is seeking for some new idea which will aid nature. The
banker is puzzling his brain for an idea which will master finance,
T
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
(C. L HIM., Kxecutrix.)
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
B. BRITTAIN WILSON,
A. J. NICKLIN,
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
CARI.ETON CHACE,
WM. B. WHITE,
L. M. ROBINSON,
WILSON D. BUSH, •
BOSTON OFFICES I
CHICAGO OFFICE! I
JOHN H WILSON 324 Washington 9t
Tdeph"«,MaiJ695oT
GLAD HENDERSON,
L. K. BOWERS.
*"
&
p
-
VAN
HARLINGEN, Consumers' Building,
2
™ So State Street. Telephone, Wabash 6774.
HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate.
I-ONDOIV, K1VGI.AND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
NEWS SERVICE! IS SUPPLIED W E E K L Y BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth 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, $3.50; all other countries, $5.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $3.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts, a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $110.00.
*
HtGMlTTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to the Estate of
Edward Lyman Bill.
PlsiVPF P i 911A UnA
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
ts 1OJC1 -r lailU a m i
t ions o f a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
Tf>rhniP!lI fkpn!IT*tmpntG lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
i t X l U l l l d l VCpdl UUCUte. J e a l t wi t h> w i l l b c f o u n d i n a n o t h e r sect i O n of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal,. .Charleston Exposition, 1802
Diploma
Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal
St. Louis Exposition, 1804
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
XiONQ DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5982—5983 MADISON BQ.
Connecting 1 all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New York."
NEW Y O R K ,
FEBRUARY
5, 1 9 1 6 .
EDITORIAL
T
H E piano industry is realizing the daily increasing necessity
• of an advance in piano prices, a demonstration of which fact
is found in the interviews with three leading piano manufacturers,
which appear in this issue of The Review. That there will not be
adopted the seemingly easiest alternative of a reduction in quality
to offset the increase in material costs, is a most encouraging
thought, and one which is expressed in some manner, at least, by
each of the manufacturers whose opinions we quote. Particular
attention should be given to the plea for co-operation among manu-
facturers, and between manufacturers and dealers. The most
cursory examination of the purchasing department of his concern
will convince any manufacturer that his pianos are costing him
much more to make than they did a year ago. This fact is known
and admitted by maker and dealer alike. But unless the manufac-
turers as a whole get together on the policy of an increased price, a
condition will obtain in the piano trade that will result in serious
embarrassment.
Equally important is the suggested co-operation between the
manufacturer and the dealer. If the dealer will but realize the
necessity and justice of a small advance in his cost prices, and will
seek to educate the public to the same realization, it will be an
easy matter for him to more than recover the increase which he
will pay through an increase in his selling price to his customer. A
comparatively small increase will turn the threatened deficit which
the manufacturer is facing into a fair profit. The dealer can ad-
vance his prices proportionately and still do the same amount of
business, thus maintaining his profit on his sales. The customer
who is in the market for a piano, for which he expects to pay, say.
$350, will not balk when he finds that the instrument he wants is
priced at a few dollars more. Knowing from other experiences
that the cost of materials in every line has advanced tremendously,
the sense of fairness which the average purchaser has will make
him willing to pay a slightly advanced price for an instrument
which he is assured is up to the usual standard in quality, and he
iH rather pay more for this kind of a piano, than to take one at
the usual price, but which he knows has been cheapened in quality.
The education of the public, a comparatively easy matter, is
the most important service which the dealer can render to the
manufacturer, to himself, and to the trade in general, and if dealers
as a whole will devote a little attention to this work, their efforts
will result in better conditions for all concerned.
r
" p l l E re-introduction last week in the House, of Representatives
1
of the Stevens-Ayres Bill with a number of important amend-
ments incorporated, should serve to remove much of the doubt that
exists regarding the desirability of the measure and its ability to
pass Congress. Among the arguments used by those opposed to
the bill was one to the effect that the provision for the main-
tenance of prices made no allowance for price variations due to
transportation charges. The amended bill specifically permits dis-
counts for cash and for quantity, and for allowances and rates
covering costs of transportation.
The many friends of the Stevens bill in the piano trade believe
the changes will assure the passage of this desirable measure, which
is designed "to protect the public against dishonest advertising and
false pretenses in merchandising."
The National Piano Manufacturers' Association, the National
Association of Piano Merchants, the National Association of Talk-
ing Machine Jobbers, the Music Publishers' Association of the
United States, and other trade bodies that have indorsed the
Stevens bill in the original, will welcome the changes made as likely
to add to the value of their indorsement.
IVE HUNDRED of the nation's most prominent men of
finance, foreign and domestic commerce, transportation and
allied industries, attended the third National Eoreign Trade Council
which held sessions the three closing days of last week in New
Orleans. The various eminent speakers predicted sharp fighting
for trade in all the markets of the world after the European war is
ended, with probable attempts on the part of European nations at
discriminations against America, and economic alliances designed
to prevent America's expansion in foreign trade fields. The most
important result of the gathering was the formation of a definite
foreign trade policy for the United States, which was the direct
object of the conference. This policy is partially expressed by the
following measures:
First—Judicious investment of United States capital in re-
sources of foreign countries, particularly Latin-America, in such a
manner as to stimulate their development and their consumption of
American products, while extending to those countries the means
wherewith to buy American goods.
Second—The introduction of greater flexibility into American
tariff-making to meet changing conditions in foreign tariffs, and
particularly in preferential tariff arrangements among the Euro-
pean countries whose commercial relations, disrupted by war, must
eventually be restored in the greatest tariff revision process the
world has known.
Third—The adaptation of American education to the needs
of foreign trade, with particular attention to qualifying young men
for foreign business posts through courses in foreign languages,
foreign banking, commercial geography and foreign trade.
The creation of a permanent non-partisan tariff commission
was strongly advocated, not only as a safeguard when the change
in the industrial conditions will occur after the closing of the Euro-
pean war, but also as a means of preventing a disturbance to busi-
ness whenever tariff changes become a necessity.
F
HIS is an age of ideas. Never before in the history of the
world has there been such an urgent and increasing demand
for bright thoughts of a commercial nature.
The competition which yearly draws the lines of trade tighter,
and sifts men and affairs with a relentless force, turns the business
mind upon some new object with which to strike out from the
crowded highway into an unbeaten path toward success.
In every office, store and shop throughout the wide world there
is somebody who is continually thinking and seeking for an idea
which will help his affairs. The clergyman is thinking of an idea
which will extend his influence. The physician, as he sits by the
bedside, is seeking for some new idea which will aid nature. The
banker is puzzling his brain for an idea which will master finance,
T
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