Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYIY1AN BILL, Inc.
President, ('. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President. J. B. Spillane,
373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, J. Raymond Bill, 373 Fourth Ave.,
New York; Secretary and Treasurer, August J. Timpe, 373 Fourth Ave., New York.
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
J. RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor
AUGUST J. TIMPE
Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staff:
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
WM. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
Itpnartmonfc
lating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos are
If e p d l IllieUlb. d e a l t w i t h > w i l l b ? f o u n d i n another section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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NEW
YORK, DECEMBER 2, 1916
EDITORIAL
HE piano retailers of New York want an association. The
interest displayed at the meeting held last week and the calibre
of the men who attended, was proof positive of that fact. The
sentiments as expressed by the various manufacturers in inter-
views in The Review were supported by their response to the call
to meet and discuss the project, and it is very likely that there will
be a general organization of retailers in New York City soon after
the first of the year.
Just how the association will be organized, whether as a sep-
arate body or as a part of the New York Piano Manufacturers'
Association, as has been suggested, is immaterial. The action that
will secure the most effective results is the action to be taken, and
the committee selected to crystalize trade sentiment and advise
on that action is made up of men thoroughly capable to do the work.
It is very true that a large proportion of local retail houses
are being conducted by manufacturers, and in many essential points
the interests of the manufacturers and dealers are identical. What
is needed, however, is a definite movement calculated to mitigate
or eliminate the various evils peculiar to the retail business.
The manufacturers, whether they conduct retail stores or not
are, as part of the trade, interested in anything that will make the
trade safer and better, but interest without action is not going
to accomplish anything. That the New York Association can do
things is indicated by the success of the Greater New York Piano
Merchants' Association, an organization of sixteen piano merchants,
who locate for the most part on the lower East Side.
The character and practices of the population in that section
of the city apparently made it imperative that piano houses to be
successful must follow the lead of other merchants and keep open
Sundays. The Hebrews celebrate their Sabbath on Saturday, and
thereby leave Sunday free for business. Strong competition also
had its influence on the piano merchant, yet, in the face of these
conditions they got together, and through mutual agreement brought
about a general Sunday closing. If such a method hurt one it
T
hurt all, because they were all together, and apparently the Sunday
closing has not in any way affected the sale of pianos. If an asso-
ciation can bring about the giving up of a business day an organiza-
tion along broader lines should certainly be able to take care of
the "dead beats," the dishonest salesman and the other factors that
are worrying New York retailers at present.
The columns of The Review are open for a discussion of the
advisability of the association, and whether or not it should be
organized separately or as a part of the manufacturers' body.
HE export trade in musical instruments, the official figures
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regarding which appeared in last week's Review, shows a very
pleasing, if not remarkable, increase, as compared with previous
years. The total exports of musical instruments for September, the
latest period for which figures have been issued at Washington,
amounted in value to $323,820, as compared with shipments worth
$327,779 which were sent abroad the same month of 1915.
The nine months' total of musical instruments exported
amounted to $2,886,770, as compared with $1,936,883 for the same
period of the previous year. In this substantial increase in exports
for the nine months there were exported 8,897 pianos, valued at
$1,354,188, as compared with 4,366 pianos, valued at $813,228 in
1915; 2,317 organs, valued at $125,873, as compared with 2,669,
valued at $156,499 in 1915; 208 piano players, valued at $55,255,
as against 226 valued at $62,846 in 1915; l/>60 player-pianos,
valued at $540,159, as compared with 92 ( ), valued at $274,279 in
1915; perforated music rolls, valued at $57,367, as compared with
$40,975 in 1915; other musical instruments and parts footing up
$753,928, as compared with $589,056 in the previous year.
These figures afford pleasing proofs that the American piano
and player-piano is receiving a larger recognition in foreign coun-
tries which, it cannot be overlooked, is due, in a very large degree,
to the fact that we are now shipping pianos to markets hitherto
supplied by Germany, England and France. The fact remains,
however, that once the American piano and player-piano is intro-
duced it is bound to win a permanent following. In Australia and
in South American countries, where American pianos have been
in use for some time past, there is evident an increased demand for
them, and this condition should obtain in other countries.
The most vital matter, however, is to hold our trade after the
war in Europe is over, and to do this means that the American
piano must gain special recognition for its intrinsic worth. This
can be won if the proper educational work is done by the manu-
facturers, backed by careful shipments and the filling of orders and
styles along the lines desired. The export trade in pianos and
musical instruments of all kinds has great possibilities, but it must
receive the most careful attention if it is to be permanent.
any line of effort it is difficult to reach perfection, and it is safe
I the N to accumulation
say that there are shoals and breakers ahead in business when
of new ideas cease.
This is particularly true in the music trade field. The piano
manufacturer or dealer who thinks he has accumulated all the
knowledge he requires and treats trade papers, and the information
which they contain, with indifference, has reached a mental state
that is alarming—one that indicates a limited calibre—an arrested
development.
In this educational age, no man, no matter what his line may be,
can afford to ignore developments in his particular sphere of
activity, and there is no better way of keeping intimately in touch
with matters of interest than by a close study of the trade paper
which represents the industry of which he is a part.
From time to time The Review has received communications
from dealers and manufacturers which contain words of apprecia-
tion regarding the informative and valuable character of its contents,
and the point is made that the interesting ideas and suggestions
discussed in the various departments are being utilized to good
purpose by the sales force at weekly meetings.
The business man or executive is indeed wise to so arrange
his work as to leave a reasonable amount of time for reading and
planning—keeping in close touch with his sales force through
weekly meetings for the purpose of exchanging ideas and planning
toward the betterment and expansion of the business along correct
lines. Many puzzling business problems may be solved readily
through co-operation, through the interchange of views with em-
ployes and by reading progressive publications.