Music Trade Review
Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 21 - Page 9
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Twenty-first Annual Convention
of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association
Chicago, May 18 and 19, 1917
CHICACO, I I I . , May 19.—Unless the signs are States last. Treasurer Gibson also read some
interesting figures regarding the contributions
entirely wrong, the forthcoming year will set
a new and high mark of effort and accomplish- to the work of the National Bureau for the Ad-
ment for the National Piano Manufacturers' As- vancement of Music showing that of a total of
sociation. The spirit of development has been $10,547.21 received the manufacturers had con-
in the air at all the meetings, and so important tributed $9,105, the merchants $909.50, the sup-
were the discussions that the annual dinner, ply trade $300, the trade papers $200, and the
usually informal and devoted to general enjoy- Canadian Bureau $25. Of the total mentioned
ment, was turned into a strictly business ses- $7,638.64 has already been spent. The figures
sion for the serious discussion of trade prob- mentioned should bring forth further contribu-
tions from those interested in the work.
lems.
The keynote for the convention attitude was
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
struck at the meeting of the executive commit-
tee of the association held on Friday morning,
Hobart M. Cable, the secretary, in his report
and where the main subject for discussion was
a plan or plans for broadening the scope and to the association said:
"Your secretary begs- to report that—through
work of the association, and making it a more
the
courtesy, and by invitation of the executive
powerful and efficient factor both in trade and
national affairs. The fight on the special excise
tax on pianos, provided in the proposed War
Revenue Bill, and the necessity for association
officials to drop their business affairs and go to
Washington to appear at the hearings on the
bill, unprepared to take concerted action through
the channels that would prove most effective,
apparently brought to a head a sentiment for
a paid staff of legal and business experts to be
at all times at the service of the association,
and in a position to represent the organization
effectively when desired without depending
upon the sacrifices of volunteers.
The first business session of the Manufac-
turers' Association was held at the Congress
Hotel on Friday afternoon with President F,. B.
Bartlett presiding. For the first time in the
history of the association the press was ad-
mitted to the sessions in order that full pub-
licity might be given to the various proceedings.
PRESIDENT BARTLETT'S ADDRESS
In opening the session President Bartlett
stated that, owing to his recent activities in
Washington in connection with the War Reve-
nue Bill, he had had no opportunity to prepare
a detailed report, but would allow the reports
of the other officers to set forth the standing
of the association's affairs. He spoke briefly of
the present state of the trade and the future pos-
sibilities and stated that in view of the increased
and rapidly increasing manufacturing costs, the
additional financial burdens promised through
legislation and the difficulties brought about by
the railroad traffic congestion, to say nothing
of the plan to increase freight rates about IS
per cent., the members of the association should
discuss and take definite steps to protect their
interests, as individuals, through the propor-
tionate raising of wholesale prices and by other
means. Concerted and formal action was not
advisable, declared Mr. Bartlett, as none of
the members of the association were anxious
to become candidates for the penitentiary under
the anti-trust laws.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Treasurer Kirkland H. Gibson, treasurer of
the association, next presented his report re-
garding the finances of the body. He also read
the figures of the freight fund of the associa-
tion, which indicated that the Western trade
had contributed most to the fund with the Mid-
dle States coming in second, and the Eastern
E. B. Bartlett, Retiring President, N. P. M. A.
committee—he has attended several sessions of
that committee held since our last convention.
"Since that time, the executive committee
have elected to membership the following: De-
"During the year we have lost by death three
esteemed members, R. C. Rogers, of Krakauer
Bros.; E. R. Perkins, of the Aeolian Co., and
Samuel Hazelton, of Hazelton Bros., Inc.
"The Credit Bureau and Information Bureau
of the association are conducted in the office of
the assistant secretary.
Mr. Hill advises me
that there have been—approximately—700 in-
quiries made to the Credit Bureau since our last
convention, and in these cases members have
been placed in direct communication with each
other wherever possible, the names of the va-
rious manufacturers with whom merchants are
dealing—where such information is obtainable
through the Credit Bureau records—being fur-
nished to the inquiring members.
"A pink sheet is sent out each month re-
questing the names of new accounts opened by
members, and a majority of the members regu-
larly furnish Mr. Mill with additions to their
lists of merchants. The only information sup-
plied to members—under the present operation
of this bureau—is to furnish the inquiring mem-
ber with the names of the manufacturers known,
or supposed to be dealing with the merchant
concerning whom an inquiry is made.
"There has been a limited demand during
the year for the property statement blanks, the
form of which was adopted in 1915, after prep-
aration by a special committee for the use and
benefit of our members.
"Members who have not yet adopted this
form are urged to obtain sample copies from
the assistant secretary, with a view to -putting
them in general use, as it is desirable that the
same form be used by all of our members."
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S REPORT
Edward S. Payson, as chairman of the execu-
tive committee of the Eastern States; B. H.
Janssen, for the Middle States, and F. W .
Teeple, for the Western States, all announced
that they had no reports to make, which indi-
cated that there has been no disputes requiring
adjustment in the association during the year.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT
OMcers of the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association for 1917-1918.
President, J. A. Coffin, E. Gabler & Bro.,
New York
First Vice-President, Paul B. Klugh, the
Cable Company, Chicago
Second Vice-President, Kirkland H. Gibson,
Ivers & Pond Piano Co., Boston
Secretary, Howard B. Morenus, Hobart M.
Cable Co., La Porte, Ind.
Treasurer, C. C. Conway, Hallet & Davis
Piano Co., Boston
Rivas & Harris Mfg. Co., Cable & Sons, Otto
Wissner, Inc., and Vose & Sons Piano Co. The
resignations of C. E. Byrne Piano Co., Linden-
burg Piano Co., and the Chase & Baker Piano
Co. have been accepted.
Next Convention City
New York
Paul B. Klugh, chairman of the committee
on the Music Industry Chamber of Commerce,
next reported the organization of the chamber
in January last, and that a meeting would be
held at the Congress Hotel on Thursday after-
noon, May 24.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE'S REPORT
A. Dalrymple, chairman of the membership
committee, offered the following report for the
year:
"As chairman of the membership committee,
I beg to report that—since the last convention—
this committee has approved the application for
membership of the following: Otto Wissner,
Inc., and Vose & Sons Piano Co.
"In accordance with our by-laws action by
the membership committee is taken ten days
after all members have been notified by the as-
sistant secretary of the receipt of an application.
If the applicant received a majority vote of the
committee, the name is then forwarded to the
executive committee to be passed upon by them,
and—if reported upon favorably by the execu-
(Continued on page 11)
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Twenty-first Annual Convention
of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association
Chicago, May 18 and 19, 1917
CHICACO, I I I . , May 19.—Unless the signs are States last. Treasurer Gibson also read some
interesting figures regarding the contributions
entirely wrong, the forthcoming year will set
a new and high mark of effort and accomplish- to the work of the National Bureau for the Ad-
ment for the National Piano Manufacturers' As- vancement of Music showing that of a total of
sociation. The spirit of development has been $10,547.21 received the manufacturers had con-
in the air at all the meetings, and so important tributed $9,105, the merchants $909.50, the sup-
were the discussions that the annual dinner, ply trade $300, the trade papers $200, and the
usually informal and devoted to general enjoy- Canadian Bureau $25. Of the total mentioned
ment, was turned into a strictly business ses- $7,638.64 has already been spent. The figures
sion for the serious discussion of trade prob- mentioned should bring forth further contribu-
tions from those interested in the work.
lems.
The keynote for the convention attitude was
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
struck at the meeting of the executive commit-
tee of the association held on Friday morning,
Hobart M. Cable, the secretary, in his report
and where the main subject for discussion was
a plan or plans for broadening the scope and to the association said:
"Your secretary begs- to report that—through
work of the association, and making it a more
the
courtesy, and by invitation of the executive
powerful and efficient factor both in trade and
national affairs. The fight on the special excise
tax on pianos, provided in the proposed War
Revenue Bill, and the necessity for association
officials to drop their business affairs and go to
Washington to appear at the hearings on the
bill, unprepared to take concerted action through
the channels that would prove most effective,
apparently brought to a head a sentiment for
a paid staff of legal and business experts to be
at all times at the service of the association,
and in a position to represent the organization
effectively when desired without depending
upon the sacrifices of volunteers.
The first business session of the Manufac-
turers' Association was held at the Congress
Hotel on Friday afternoon with President F,. B.
Bartlett presiding. For the first time in the
history of the association the press was ad-
mitted to the sessions in order that full pub-
licity might be given to the various proceedings.
PRESIDENT BARTLETT'S ADDRESS
In opening the session President Bartlett
stated that, owing to his recent activities in
Washington in connection with the War Reve-
nue Bill, he had had no opportunity to prepare
a detailed report, but would allow the reports
of the other officers to set forth the standing
of the association's affairs. He spoke briefly of
the present state of the trade and the future pos-
sibilities and stated that in view of the increased
and rapidly increasing manufacturing costs, the
additional financial burdens promised through
legislation and the difficulties brought about by
the railroad traffic congestion, to say nothing
of the plan to increase freight rates about IS
per cent., the members of the association should
discuss and take definite steps to protect their
interests, as individuals, through the propor-
tionate raising of wholesale prices and by other
means. Concerted and formal action was not
advisable, declared Mr. Bartlett, as none of
the members of the association were anxious
to become candidates for the penitentiary under
the anti-trust laws.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Treasurer Kirkland H. Gibson, treasurer of
the association, next presented his report re-
garding the finances of the body. He also read
the figures of the freight fund of the associa-
tion, which indicated that the Western trade
had contributed most to the fund with the Mid-
dle States coming in second, and the Eastern
E. B. Bartlett, Retiring President, N. P. M. A.
committee—he has attended several sessions of
that committee held since our last convention.
"Since that time, the executive committee
have elected to membership the following: De-
"During the year we have lost by death three
esteemed members, R. C. Rogers, of Krakauer
Bros.; E. R. Perkins, of the Aeolian Co., and
Samuel Hazelton, of Hazelton Bros., Inc.
"The Credit Bureau and Information Bureau
of the association are conducted in the office of
the assistant secretary.
Mr. Hill advises me
that there have been—approximately—700 in-
quiries made to the Credit Bureau since our last
convention, and in these cases members have
been placed in direct communication with each
other wherever possible, the names of the va-
rious manufacturers with whom merchants are
dealing—where such information is obtainable
through the Credit Bureau records—being fur-
nished to the inquiring members.
"A pink sheet is sent out each month re-
questing the names of new accounts opened by
members, and a majority of the members regu-
larly furnish Mr. Mill with additions to their
lists of merchants. The only information sup-
plied to members—under the present operation
of this bureau—is to furnish the inquiring mem-
ber with the names of the manufacturers known,
or supposed to be dealing with the merchant
concerning whom an inquiry is made.
"There has been a limited demand during
the year for the property statement blanks, the
form of which was adopted in 1915, after prep-
aration by a special committee for the use and
benefit of our members.
"Members who have not yet adopted this
form are urged to obtain sample copies from
the assistant secretary, with a view to -putting
them in general use, as it is desirable that the
same form be used by all of our members."
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S REPORT
Edward S. Payson, as chairman of the execu-
tive committee of the Eastern States; B. H.
Janssen, for the Middle States, and F. W .
Teeple, for the Western States, all announced
that they had no reports to make, which indi-
cated that there has been no disputes requiring
adjustment in the association during the year.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT
OMcers of the National Piano Manufacturers'
Association for 1917-1918.
President, J. A. Coffin, E. Gabler & Bro.,
New York
First Vice-President, Paul B. Klugh, the
Cable Company, Chicago
Second Vice-President, Kirkland H. Gibson,
Ivers & Pond Piano Co., Boston
Secretary, Howard B. Morenus, Hobart M.
Cable Co., La Porte, Ind.
Treasurer, C. C. Conway, Hallet & Davis
Piano Co., Boston
Rivas & Harris Mfg. Co., Cable & Sons, Otto
Wissner, Inc., and Vose & Sons Piano Co. The
resignations of C. E. Byrne Piano Co., Linden-
burg Piano Co., and the Chase & Baker Piano
Co. have been accepted.
Next Convention City
New York
Paul B. Klugh, chairman of the committee
on the Music Industry Chamber of Commerce,
next reported the organization of the chamber
in January last, and that a meeting would be
held at the Congress Hotel on Thursday after-
noon, May 24.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE'S REPORT
A. Dalrymple, chairman of the membership
committee, offered the following report for the
year:
"As chairman of the membership committee,
I beg to report that—since the last convention—
this committee has approved the application for
membership of the following: Otto Wissner,
Inc., and Vose & Sons Piano Co.
"In accordance with our by-laws action by
the membership committee is taken ten days
after all members have been notified by the as-
sistant secretary of the receipt of an application.
If the applicant received a majority vote of the
committee, the name is then forwarded to the
executive committee to be passed upon by them,
and—if reported upon favorably by the execu-
(Continued on page 11)
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