Music Trade Review
Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 15 - Page 5
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE TIME TO PRESENT AN UNITED FRONT
{Continued from page 3)
courage as the man who lag's in the rear of a charge, or who turns tail and runs. This country has seen
perilous times, but has always weathered the storm successfully. There have been wars and panics and
pestilence, but the nation has conquered and survived—it has continued to grow bigger and better, and its
business has expanded until to-day it leads the world.
We have enjoyed several years of unexampled prosperity. It is true prices have gone up, and there have
been other handicaps, but at the same time the volume of business has increased at a rate that has more than
offset such handicaps. There is no basis for the assumption that the country is going to the eternal bow-wows;
that we cannot do as well, if not better, industrially than the European countries have done under war conditions.
It is not one political party; one faction or one section of the country that is in this war. It is the entire United
States. Every one of a hundred million people is vitally interested.
Therefore, let the piano trade be one of the first industries to present an united front, to work out, either as
individuals or as an organization, plans, not only for keeping factories going, but for doing a little better than
normal business. Some earnest figuring in the factory office and the courage to act and achieve is a finer mark
of patriotism than a half dozen flags hanging from the office windows. Let's all do our "bit."
There are other concerns which believe that age should not
count unless a man is in a "rut," in ill health, or destitute of
ideas. But even in these circumstances consideration should
be given a man who has rendered loyal service. He should not
be thrown out of a position without an effort to find a place
for him in some other department, in case a diminishment of
activity in his special field of work is noticeable.
This interesting subject came up for consideration the other
day in the course of a chat with the head of a wholesale West-
ern house, and when asked by The Review if he fixed an "age
limit" in engaging help, or the promotion of employes, he an-
swered emphatically, "I most certainly do. When I want a good
man I make certain that he is not too young."
This was so startling that the question was naturally asked,
"Are you serious when you say not too young?" He replied,
"I am, advisedly. I don't care how many years may have passed
over his head, if in appearance and record he shows that he has
enough vim and vital force to do good work in the job for which
he is chosen. I maintain, moreover, that he is likely to have
enough judgment and experience to prevent his making the
errors a very young man is likely to make. There are no 'old
men' in our establishment. Quite a number of them have
passed the fifty-year mark, but they are 'up and coming' every
day in the year like the twenty-year olds. As long as they feel
that way, they are still young."
Such a viewpoint is refreshing, and isn't it common sense?
With a great many firms there is a feeling that because a
man serves a certain number of years in a house he is apt to
"go stale" and should be replaced by a younger man. This is
a rather heartless view of things, and it is hardly good business
in the end.
The fact stands, however, that East and West there are
thousands of capable men thrown out of employment because
of their age, or the appearance of age, and it is this condition
that has caused a large number of leading business men in Chi-
cago to arouse interest in a movement to give these men a chance.
In this good work Mr. Gregory is keenly interested. It
shows a big mind, and a big heart, and a mighty fine regard for
one's fellowman.
VIDENTLY the present administration of the National As-
E
sociation of Piano Merchants plans to leave office with a
record of having accomplished real things. The Executive Com-
mittee meetings in Chicago in January were, it is generally
agreed, the most resultful sessions ever held by the Association.
Bigger things are planned for the May conventions, and to
accomplish all these things a representative membership is essen-
tial. Hence the statement of President John A. Turner of the
Association that the slogan is "1,500 Members by May." It means
that the membership of the Association must be practically
tripled. A big job, but with over forty enthusiastic and well-
organized State Commissioners, and a group of hard-working
officers, there are strong possibilities that the goal may be
reached. One thing, however, we may be sure of, and that is
that the Association membership will show a gain of substantial
proportions.
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 TIME TO PRESENT AN UNITED FRONT
{Continued from page 3)
courage as the man who lag's in the rear of a charge, or who turns tail and runs. This country has seen
perilous times, but has always weathered the storm successfully. There have been wars and panics and
pestilence, but the nation has conquered and survived—it has continued to grow bigger and better, and its
business has expanded until to-day it leads the world.
We have enjoyed several years of unexampled prosperity. It is true prices have gone up, and there have
been other handicaps, but at the same time the volume of business has increased at a rate that has more than
offset such handicaps. There is no basis for the assumption that the country is going to the eternal bow-wows;
that we cannot do as well, if not better, industrially than the European countries have done under war conditions.
It is not one political party; one faction or one section of the country that is in this war. It is the entire United
States. Every one of a hundred million people is vitally interested.
Therefore, let the piano trade be one of the first industries to present an united front, to work out, either as
individuals or as an organization, plans, not only for keeping factories going, but for doing a little better than
normal business. Some earnest figuring in the factory office and the courage to act and achieve is a finer mark
of patriotism than a half dozen flags hanging from the office windows. Let's all do our "bit."
There are other concerns which believe that age should not
count unless a man is in a "rut," in ill health, or destitute of
ideas. But even in these circumstances consideration should
be given a man who has rendered loyal service. He should not
be thrown out of a position without an effort to find a place
for him in some other department, in case a diminishment of
activity in his special field of work is noticeable.
This interesting subject came up for consideration the other
day in the course of a chat with the head of a wholesale West-
ern house, and when asked by The Review if he fixed an "age
limit" in engaging help, or the promotion of employes, he an-
swered emphatically, "I most certainly do. When I want a good
man I make certain that he is not too young."
This was so startling that the question was naturally asked,
"Are you serious when you say not too young?" He replied,
"I am, advisedly. I don't care how many years may have passed
over his head, if in appearance and record he shows that he has
enough vim and vital force to do good work in the job for which
he is chosen. I maintain, moreover, that he is likely to have
enough judgment and experience to prevent his making the
errors a very young man is likely to make. There are no 'old
men' in our establishment. Quite a number of them have
passed the fifty-year mark, but they are 'up and coming' every
day in the year like the twenty-year olds. As long as they feel
that way, they are still young."
Such a viewpoint is refreshing, and isn't it common sense?
With a great many firms there is a feeling that because a
man serves a certain number of years in a house he is apt to
"go stale" and should be replaced by a younger man. This is
a rather heartless view of things, and it is hardly good business
in the end.
The fact stands, however, that East and West there are
thousands of capable men thrown out of employment because
of their age, or the appearance of age, and it is this condition
that has caused a large number of leading business men in Chi-
cago to arouse interest in a movement to give these men a chance.
In this good work Mr. Gregory is keenly interested. It
shows a big mind, and a big heart, and a mighty fine regard for
one's fellowman.
VIDENTLY the present administration of the National As-
E
sociation of Piano Merchants plans to leave office with a
record of having accomplished real things. The Executive Com-
mittee meetings in Chicago in January were, it is generally
agreed, the most resultful sessions ever held by the Association.
Bigger things are planned for the May conventions, and to
accomplish all these things a representative membership is essen-
tial. Hence the statement of President John A. Turner of the
Association that the slogan is "1,500 Members by May." It means
that the membership of the Association must be practically
tripled. A big job, but with over forty enthusiastic and well-
organized State Commissioners, and a group of hard-working
officers, there are strong possibilities that the goal may be
reached. One thing, however, we may be sure of, and that is
that the Association membership will show a gain of substantial
proportions.
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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