Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 63 N. 6 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE VALUE OF RECREATION
(Continued from page 3)
Many a piano dealer has, attending" an affair of this kind, met his closest competitor, and after a day spent to-
gether in the common quest of pleasure, each has gone home feeling that the other was rather a decent sort
of individual, and that while they happened to be in the same line of business, and endeavoring to sell the same
market, still there was sufficient room for both of them, and that there possibly existed opportunities for them
to be of mutual benefit, instead of detriment, to each other.
Many a fast friendship has been formed among men who hitherto had been unknown, and even opposed, to
each other, based primarily on nothing more important than some simple social affair which enabled each of
them to see the other man as he really was, and to realize that despite the fact that they were opponents in busi-
ness, they had a sufficient number of ideas and hobbies in common to make each other's friendship mutually
desirable and agreeable.
The increasing number of outings in the piano industry which each succeeding year brings forth is but
another demonstration of the greater spirit of co-operation which is continually being manifested in the trade.
These affairs, based on a humanizing get-together spirit, are doing their part in solidifying the common
interests of those who labor in the same surroundings, and to the same common end.
They have their share in bringing about that harmony in the wareroom or factory without which, to borrow
a well-known slogan, there can be no harmony in the piano. They have a revivifying, invigorating influence
upon every one participating in them which lasts long after the outing season has passed.
big decline for the eleven months, ending May, the figures for
that period being $524,975 as compared with $1,205,640 worth of
musical instruments which were imported during the same period
of 1915. The closing down of commerce with Germany has pre-
vented the usual large importations of "small goods," which
form a big part of our trade with that country.
Taken as a whole the figures would indicate that our export
trade in musical instruments has assumed the normal propor-
tions of the years before the war while the import trade has
shown a very great diminishment.
USINESS conditions in the music trade industry the open-
B
ing week of August, broadly considered, are most satisfac-
tory. Orders are reaching the manufacturers in goodly volume.
The one disturbing factor, of course, is the scarcity and in-
creasing cost of supplies of all kinds. Meanwhile this increased
cost of making pianos and players must be passed along to the
public. Pianos are costing more to make and they must cost
more to the dealer and consequently the purchaser.
The general business outlook, as set forth by Dun's in its
review of trade this week, is most optimistic.
"Such striking and uniform gains appear in comparison
with results at this period in best previous years," remarks the
report, "that the outlook can only be regarded with optimism.
Existing conditions in trade and industry are noteworthy for
the remarkable activity shown at the approach of midsummer,
but the most gratifying feature is the avoidance of speculative
excesses and overextension in nearly all undertakings. While
the magnitude of forward engagements testifies to the widespread
confidence in the future, business interests still display com-
mendable judgment and prudence in confining commitments
within the limits of safety. This policy of conservatism accen-
tuates the underlying strength of the situation, and is one of the
strongest factors making for sustained economic progress.
"The rapid rehabilitation of banking reserves has demon-
strated that recent monetary anxieties were groundless, and
there seems no immediate likelihood of high rates acting as a
check to the commercial and industrial development. Purchases
for well-defined requirements assure capacity operations for
months to come at most mills and factories, while overtime is
still in force at numerous plants during the period when con-
siderable machinery is usually idle. In one important branch
after another demands have slackened, only to be followed by
renewed, and, in some instances, larger buying, and the Steel
Corporation's statement of quarterly earnings is unprecedented.
"Bank clearings at centers outside of New York are 36.1 per
cent, larger than a year ago; gross earnings of railroads report-
ing for three weeks of July show a gain of 15.8 per cent, over
1915, while preliminary returns indicate a further reduction in
the commercial mortality this month."
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
information has.been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach. It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It. costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE VALUE OF RECREATION
(Continued from page 3)
Many a piano dealer has, attending" an affair of this kind, met his closest competitor, and after a day spent to-
gether in the common quest of pleasure, each has gone home feeling that the other was rather a decent sort
of individual, and that while they happened to be in the same line of business, and endeavoring to sell the same
market, still there was sufficient room for both of them, and that there possibly existed opportunities for them
to be of mutual benefit, instead of detriment, to each other.
Many a fast friendship has been formed among men who hitherto had been unknown, and even opposed, to
each other, based primarily on nothing more important than some simple social affair which enabled each of
them to see the other man as he really was, and to realize that despite the fact that they were opponents in busi-
ness, they had a sufficient number of ideas and hobbies in common to make each other's friendship mutually
desirable and agreeable.
The increasing number of outings in the piano industry which each succeeding year brings forth is but
another demonstration of the greater spirit of co-operation which is continually being manifested in the trade.
These affairs, based on a humanizing get-together spirit, are doing their part in solidifying the common
interests of those who labor in the same surroundings, and to the same common end.
They have their share in bringing about that harmony in the wareroom or factory without which, to borrow
a well-known slogan, there can be no harmony in the piano. They have a revivifying, invigorating influence
upon every one participating in them which lasts long after the outing season has passed.
big decline for the eleven months, ending May, the figures for
that period being $524,975 as compared with $1,205,640 worth of
musical instruments which were imported during the same period
of 1915. The closing down of commerce with Germany has pre-
vented the usual large importations of "small goods," which
form a big part of our trade with that country.
Taken as a whole the figures would indicate that our export
trade in musical instruments has assumed the normal propor-
tions of the years before the war while the import trade has
shown a very great diminishment.
USINESS conditions in the music trade industry the open-
B
ing week of August, broadly considered, are most satisfac-
tory. Orders are reaching the manufacturers in goodly volume.
The one disturbing factor, of course, is the scarcity and in-
creasing cost of supplies of all kinds. Meanwhile this increased
cost of making pianos and players must be passed along to the
public. Pianos are costing more to make and they must cost
more to the dealer and consequently the purchaser.
The general business outlook, as set forth by Dun's in its
review of trade this week, is most optimistic.
"Such striking and uniform gains appear in comparison
with results at this period in best previous years," remarks the
report, "that the outlook can only be regarded with optimism.
Existing conditions in trade and industry are noteworthy for
the remarkable activity shown at the approach of midsummer,
but the most gratifying feature is the avoidance of speculative
excesses and overextension in nearly all undertakings. While
the magnitude of forward engagements testifies to the widespread
confidence in the future, business interests still display com-
mendable judgment and prudence in confining commitments
within the limits of safety. This policy of conservatism accen-
tuates the underlying strength of the situation, and is one of the
strongest factors making for sustained economic progress.
"The rapid rehabilitation of banking reserves has demon-
strated that recent monetary anxieties were groundless, and
there seems no immediate likelihood of high rates acting as a
check to the commercial and industrial development. Purchases
for well-defined requirements assure capacity operations for
months to come at most mills and factories, while overtime is
still in force at numerous plants during the period when con-
siderable machinery is usually idle. In one important branch
after another demands have slackened, only to be followed by
renewed, and, in some instances, larger buying, and the Steel
Corporation's statement of quarterly earnings is unprecedented.
"Bank clearings at centers outside of New York are 36.1 per
cent, larger than a year ago; gross earnings of railroads report-
ing for three weeks of July show a gain of 15.8 per cent, over
1915, while preliminary returns indicate a further reduction in
the commercial mortality this month."
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
information has.been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach. It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It. costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York
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