Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
REVIEW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President, C. 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 Stafi:
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, CARLETON CHACE, L. M. ROBINSON, WILSON D. BUSH, V. D. WALSH,
WK. BRAID WHITE (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICE:
JOHN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
CHICAGO OFFICE:
E. P. VAN HARLINGEN,
Republic
Building,
Telephone, Main 6950.
209 So. State St. Telephone, Wabash 5774.
j.
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St., D. C.
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LOCATED IN THE LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
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ADVERTISEMENTS, $4.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or
yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $130.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
technical nature
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this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concern-
ing which will be cheerfully given upon request.
P | 7 , _ D; a n OW.J
1 l a a i y
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Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900 Silver Medal. .Charleston Exposition, 1902
Diploma.. .Pan-American Exposition, 1901 Gold Medal... .St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS 5082—5983 MADISON SQ.
Connecting all Departments
Cable address: "Elbill, New York."
NEW Y O R K ,
MARCH 2 3 , 1918
EDITORIAL^
MARCH 23, 1918
though not in every case at better prices. While some com-
modities not subject to official regulation, and supplies of which
grow appreciably scarcer, have risen greatly under renewed pres-
sure of urgent buying, decisive reaction has developed in certain
markets where there are accumulations, and some interests still
hold off in anticipation of additional concessions by sellers."
J
UST at the present time members of the trade in all sections
of the country should keep a close watch on the various State
legislative bodies with a view to checking without delay meas-
ures that may prove inimical to the interests of the trade at
large.
In normal times there are always a few bills introduced
that are calculated to harass the trade in some way or another,
even though such intent is well hidden. Quick action is gen-
erally quite effective in disposing of such measures, but under
present conditions it must be borne in mind that many legis-
lators are only too quick to hide behind the shield of patriotism,
and to defeat their object, without creating the wrong impres-
sion, presents a serious problem for the business man. Bills
providing for special taxes or license fees are particularly
numerous, and likewise particularly dangerous, for anything
that looks as though it would bring revenue into the coffers of
the State or the Nation finds favor with law-making bodies, re-
gardless of whether the burden it places on one particular line
of industry is just.
A bill in the New York Assembly recently, for instance,
provided for an annual license fee of $2 on all automatic instru-
ments, and was so worded that it could be construed to cover
talking machines and player-pianos. It is estimated that the
revenue from those instruments alone would amount to prac-
tically a million dollars annually, and it was strongly hinted that
the whole idea back of the bill was to provide a score of jobs
for political claimants who would be charged with carrying-
out the provisions of the bill. Even the most harmless looking
measure should be scrutinized for the "joker," and the simpler
the wording of the bill the closer it should be investigated. When
questionable measures are discovered the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce will be quick to take any action neces-
sary either to defeat the bill, or have it amended as may be
deemed desirable.
ITH improving weather conditions throughout the country
W
the railroads are making a better record in the matter of
HE plan of co-operative advertising inaugurated by the
T Milwaukee
freight deliveries, and the music trade industry, as other lines of
Association of Music Industries during the holi-
business, has benefited materially. Manufacturers have been re-
ceiving more frequent deliveries of supplies, which are so badly
needed, and they have been gratified to learn that their ship-
ments of pianos, which have been delayed in transit, are reaching
dealers.
The Government, which is now in charge of the railroads
of the United States, reports a greater degree of co-ordination in
the management of the various systems with the result that with-
in a very short time a degree of efficiency will be evolved which
will inure materially to the benefit of shippers. This is a con-
summation devoutly to be wished, for when everything is in ship-
shape there is no reason to doubt that the railroad officials will
be able to handle not only the needed war requirements, which
are steadily enlarging, but also give a greater measure of satis-
faction to manufacturers and dealers throughout the country by
expediting the handling and shipments of freight so that the
ordinary commerce of the country may be interrupted as little as
possible.
Reports regarding trade conditions which have reached The
Review from widely separated sections are somewhat uneven,
but the general feeling is one of optimism based not only on the
better weather conditions now prevailing, but also on the crop
prospects which, judging from preliminary reports, are most sat-
isfactory.
Commenting on the condition of trade Dun's Review in its
latest issue says: "The recovery in production, made possible
by the improved working conditions of recent weeks, has con-
tinued, and shipments are less generally delayed as traffic draw-
backs gradually diminish. In these important respects, business
is in a more favorable position than for a long period, and in
various branches its volume enlarges as spring approaches,
day season proved such a distinct success that a second co-
operative campaign will soon be launched. The committee hav-
ing this matter in charge report that subscriptions are already
in hand to finance this move.
This co-operative movement is a forward step in the trade,
and one to which dealers all through the country should give
the closest consideration. As the old saying has it, "In union
there is strength," and ten dealers combined can certainly pre-
sent the claims of their products to public consideration more
imposingly and effectively than can the individual dealer. There
is no reason in the world why this co-operative advertising
campaign should not be adopted by dealers throughout the
country. Large space prepared and utilized with carefully ar-
ranged announcement will do much to dignify the industry, and
will emphasize the progressiveness of the houses whose names
are attached thereto.
In Milwaukee the local merchants feel that they have been
well repaid for their interest and investment in this co-operative
campaign, and we believe that the idea is one that can be profit-
ably "adopted" by dealers elsewhere. This is the age of co-
operation and co-ordination, and dealers in getting together for
advertising purposes are keeping in touch with the modern trend.
This does not mean that they cannot be active competitors, but it
does mean a very sensible understanding of the value of utilizing
printer's ink to the best advantage.
A N unprecedented demand for'rental pianos prevails in Wash-
*~» ington. This is due to the enormous number of ajmy
and navy officers, war managers, Red Cross volunteers and
others who are making that city their headquarters during
the. war. These people do not care to buy, but they must have