Music Trade Review
Issue: 1917 Vol. 65 N. 25 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
to present facts whenever issues may arise involving its interests.
These assurances will undoubtedly serve to instill confidence in
those members of the trade who have been inclined to give
credence to alarmist reports originating from various unofficial
sources. Mr. Pound also explained the various conditions that
prevail in the fuel and transportation fields, and while recogniz-
ing the extreme importance of these two problems, his comments
tended to inspire confidence that the music trade need expect in
the main only temporary difficulties.
HE suggestion of the Washington correspondent of The
T
Review that a Bureau of Musical Industries be established
in Washington for the period of the war, at least, in order that
the trade might have permanent representation at the National
Capital, to supplement the worthy efforts to Geo. W.. Pound,
should not be dropped without some consideration.
Mr. Pound and those of the trade who have given their
time and efforts to co-operating with him, cannot be in two
places at once. There are matters that demand the general man-
ager's attention in New York, Chicago and other points. He
must give some time to the work at his headquarters in New
York, and although Mr. Pound spent much time in Washington
and gets results from his efforts to protect the interests of the
trade there, it would seem that some sort of bureau established
in that city would not only insure constant touch with govern-
mental doings, but would serve to take some of the load off the
shoulders of Mr. Pound, and it is an idea worth thinking about.
HE employment of women in the practical branches of the
T
music trade industry is no longer a possibility, but a fait
accompli. The reference in The Review recently to the use of
women in various piano manufacturing and supply plants demon-
strates the beginning of a new era in the manufacturing domain
of the music trade industry—a move which is destined to grow
in view of the increasing utilization of men for military purposes.
In an interesting and comprehensive article recently written
by Henry Franklin Porter, of the Industrial Service Department
of the National City Bank of New York, he furnished some in-
teresting statistics which may surprise the average casual reader
regarding the part which women are not only now taking, but
have been taking, in work which was formerly done only by men.
Mr. Porter's figures are closely summarized in this wise:
"From only a few thousand in 1860 the number has multiplied
at double the rate of population increase. In 1880, the first year
for which detailed statistics are available, 2,647,157 women were
listed as breadwinners. This was approximately 5.3 per cent, of
the population. A decade later the number had increased to
4,005,532, which was roughly 6.3 per cent, of the population. In
1900 the total was 5,319,397, or about 7 per cent.; while in 1910"
the figure was 8,075,722, being nearly 9 per cent, of the popula-
tion. Between 1900 and 1910 the percentage of increase was
52 per cent., as against a gain in population of only 21 per cent.
Assuming the same rate of increase since then, the number of
women now partially or wholly self-supporting must easily ex-
ceed 10,000,000."
In the foregoing statement it will be noticed that the first
real entry of women in this country into positions which have
been almost entirely occupied by men was at the beginning of
the Civil War. Now that this country is again engaged in a war
which is destined to be vastly more important than the great
struggle between the North and the South, we are face to face
with the fact that women are bound to play a greater part in
the economic affairs of this country—in fact of the world—than
ever before. They are entering business and industrial life in a
manner that is as impressive as it is significant. What the out-
come will be when peace is again restored, and the effect from
an economic standpoint, are questions that are engaging the at-
tention of many of our deepest thinkers. These developments
will have a bearing on the labor situation that will be interesting
to follow, for in England, as already in this country, women
engaged in factory operations have displayed a skill and ability
that has surprised many, and in some occupations have a deft-
ness in handling their work that has shown better returns than
when done by those of the male sex. The employment of women
in the music trade industry will be followed with interest.
HE advertising campaign to arouse interest in music gen-
T
erally now being conducted by the Philadelphia North
American, and which was commented upon in a recent issue of
The Review, should receive the earnest consideration of both
newspapers and piano men all over the country. The advertising
is being done in a big way and is frankly designed to develop
interest in, and increase the sales of, pianos, player-pianos and
talking machines, and the copy is large enough and striking
enough to demand attention. This new policy of the North
American reflects great credit not only upon E. S. Edmondson,
advertising manager of the newspaper, who had sufficiently
broad vision to start the project, but upon the local piano men,
who succeeded in convincing the newspaper of the practical
wisdom of such publicity. If piano men in other cities could suc-
ceed in influencing their local newspapers to adopt a similar policy,
and in turn lend proper support, good results would accrue.
HE enthusiastic reception accorded Geo. W. Pound, counsel
T
and general manager of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, on his recent visit to Chicago, is significant as an
indication that the great majority of the Chicago trade are back
of the Chamber of Commerce in its important work. It means
the bringing together of the trade interests of the country into
closer harmony and working for one common end.
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
to present facts whenever issues may arise involving its interests.
These assurances will undoubtedly serve to instill confidence in
those members of the trade who have been inclined to give
credence to alarmist reports originating from various unofficial
sources. Mr. Pound also explained the various conditions that
prevail in the fuel and transportation fields, and while recogniz-
ing the extreme importance of these two problems, his comments
tended to inspire confidence that the music trade need expect in
the main only temporary difficulties.
HE suggestion of the Washington correspondent of The
T
Review that a Bureau of Musical Industries be established
in Washington for the period of the war, at least, in order that
the trade might have permanent representation at the National
Capital, to supplement the worthy efforts to Geo. W.. Pound,
should not be dropped without some consideration.
Mr. Pound and those of the trade who have given their
time and efforts to co-operating with him, cannot be in two
places at once. There are matters that demand the general man-
ager's attention in New York, Chicago and other points. He
must give some time to the work at his headquarters in New
York, and although Mr. Pound spent much time in Washington
and gets results from his efforts to protect the interests of the
trade there, it would seem that some sort of bureau established
in that city would not only insure constant touch with govern-
mental doings, but would serve to take some of the load off the
shoulders of Mr. Pound, and it is an idea worth thinking about.
HE employment of women in the practical branches of the
T
music trade industry is no longer a possibility, but a fait
accompli. The reference in The Review recently to the use of
women in various piano manufacturing and supply plants demon-
strates the beginning of a new era in the manufacturing domain
of the music trade industry—a move which is destined to grow
in view of the increasing utilization of men for military purposes.
In an interesting and comprehensive article recently written
by Henry Franklin Porter, of the Industrial Service Department
of the National City Bank of New York, he furnished some in-
teresting statistics which may surprise the average casual reader
regarding the part which women are not only now taking, but
have been taking, in work which was formerly done only by men.
Mr. Porter's figures are closely summarized in this wise:
"From only a few thousand in 1860 the number has multiplied
at double the rate of population increase. In 1880, the first year
for which detailed statistics are available, 2,647,157 women were
listed as breadwinners. This was approximately 5.3 per cent, of
the population. A decade later the number had increased to
4,005,532, which was roughly 6.3 per cent, of the population. In
1900 the total was 5,319,397, or about 7 per cent.; while in 1910"
the figure was 8,075,722, being nearly 9 per cent, of the popula-
tion. Between 1900 and 1910 the percentage of increase was
52 per cent., as against a gain in population of only 21 per cent.
Assuming the same rate of increase since then, the number of
women now partially or wholly self-supporting must easily ex-
ceed 10,000,000."
In the foregoing statement it will be noticed that the first
real entry of women in this country into positions which have
been almost entirely occupied by men was at the beginning of
the Civil War. Now that this country is again engaged in a war
which is destined to be vastly more important than the great
struggle between the North and the South, we are face to face
with the fact that women are bound to play a greater part in
the economic affairs of this country—in fact of the world—than
ever before. They are entering business and industrial life in a
manner that is as impressive as it is significant. What the out-
come will be when peace is again restored, and the effect from
an economic standpoint, are questions that are engaging the at-
tention of many of our deepest thinkers. These developments
will have a bearing on the labor situation that will be interesting
to follow, for in England, as already in this country, women
engaged in factory operations have displayed a skill and ability
that has surprised many, and in some occupations have a deft-
ness in handling their work that has shown better returns than
when done by those of the male sex. The employment of women
in the music trade industry will be followed with interest.
HE advertising campaign to arouse interest in music gen-
T
erally now being conducted by the Philadelphia North
American, and which was commented upon in a recent issue of
The Review, should receive the earnest consideration of both
newspapers and piano men all over the country. The advertising
is being done in a big way and is frankly designed to develop
interest in, and increase the sales of, pianos, player-pianos and
talking machines, and the copy is large enough and striking
enough to demand attention. This new policy of the North
American reflects great credit not only upon E. S. Edmondson,
advertising manager of the newspaper, who had sufficiently
broad vision to start the project, but upon the local piano men,
who succeeded in convincing the newspaper of the practical
wisdom of such publicity. If piano men in other cities could suc-
ceed in influencing their local newspapers to adopt a similar policy,
and in turn lend proper support, good results would accrue.
HE enthusiastic reception accorded Geo. W. Pound, counsel
T
and general manager of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, on his recent visit to Chicago, is significant as an
indication that the great majority of the Chicago trade are back
of the Chamber of Commerce in its important work. It means
the bringing together of the trade interests of the country into
closer harmony and working for one common end.
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
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).