Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MAY
4, 1918
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
in wholesale prices; third, a shortening of wholesale terms;
fourth, a rise in the overhead cost of running his store; and fifth,
a hesitancy on the part of the public, due to the economy propa-
ganda.
All these difficulties can be overcome only by the elimina-
tion of cut-throat competition, with its "nothing-down and noth-
ing-a-week," and the securing of a just and proper price for the
instruments sold in view of present-day conditions. Of course
the majority of piano sales have been, and will be, on instalments,
but war conditions in the industry make it imperative that the
piano merchant to-day must sell pianos and players on his oivn
terms. Initial payments must be larger, and the balance spread
over a very much shorter time than has hitherto been the custom.
This is a subject of vital interest to piano merchants, and
one which should receive their most immediate and earnest at-
tention. The war is destined to revolutionize selling conditions,
not only in this industry, but in all lines of trade. In the retail
piano field, where, owing to ridiculous competition, terms on
instalment sales have reached a most absurd figure, reform in the
matter of time sales has become an absolute necessity to con-
serve the health of the industry.
seem superfluous, as existing agencies, with the aid of recent
legislation, appear to be able to deal with whatever conditions
may arise, and multiplying agencies usually means muddling.
Curiously enough, Germany, at which most of the proposed
measures are aimed, seems seriously bothered by what this and
other countries are doing to secure a measure of foreign trade
and is getting up organizations based on those which have been
started here like the American International Corporation. Japan,
whose work in foreign fields is practical, is proceeding in a dif-
ferent way. In that country they are taking measures to see
that products poor in quality are excluded from export. They
are trying to make a success in their foreign trade on the merits
of what they sell. Who knows but what there may be more
of a valuable suggestion in this than in all -the high-flown notions
of Government aids and bureaucratic supervision?
EVISION and extension of the statistical classification of
R
imports and exports has been undertaken by the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce, which invites trade organiza-
tions and individual importers and exporters to transmit to it
promptly any suggestions for improvement in the classification
that will make the statistics more helpful for trade-promotion
HE question of export trade, particularly after the war, con- purposes. Recommendations for new classes not now shown
separately or for a more detailed subdivision of the present classi-
tinues to be a subject of universal interest and importance,
fication, as well as suggestions regarding the form of publication,
judging from the attention it is receiving from leading business
are welcomed and will be carefully considered and adopted if
organizations throughout the nation. The report submitted to
the National Foreign Trades Council by the Committee on Ex- practicable.
ports Control points out that the restoration of peace is bound
In making recommendations for extension of the export
to be followed by a renewed struggle for the markets of the
classification, it should be borne in mind that the statistics are
world, which, to judge from the way nations are preparing, will
based on the description of the merchandise as shown on the
surpass the commercial competition of the epoch that ended
export declarations filed by the shipper with the collector of cus-
in 1914, as the present war surpasses that of 1870 to 1871. "Eng- toms at the port of clearance. A too detailed classification going
land is preparing, France is preparing, Germany is preparing,"
beyond commonly u?ed commercial terms must be avoided, as
says the report, "and just as in the military struggle, each side
this would make it difficult for the exporter or shipper to show
learns constantly from the other and their methods become in
such detail in the return. Likewise, suggestions regarding im-
various respects more and more alike." In fact, before two repre-
ports should be made with due regard to the fact that statistics
sentative bodies of business men, the Chamber of Commerce of
of imports follow the tariff classification and that subdivisions for
the United States and the National Foreign Trades Convention,
statistical purposes beyond customs requirement are difficult to
this matter of overseas trade has been the subject of keen dis-
obtain and are apt to result in inaccurate and misleading figures.
cussion. Most of the suggestions made were in favor of Govern-
The immediate object of the more detailed classification that
ment help of one kind or another which, it was declared, was
is contemplated is to furnish accurate information for the use of
necessary in order to meet some supposedly fierce competition
the Tariff Commission, the Food Administration, War Trade,
after the war. Two specific things were pointed out by a keen
Shipping, and other war boards in carrying on their work of
observer and writer in the New York Times as having received
licensing imports and exports and taking the proper measures
especial attention. One was a proposal for a new member of for conserving tonnage, foodstuffs, and raw materials essential
the Cabinet, who should look after foreign trade; the other was in carrying on the war. These war boards are co-operating with
for the creation of a board "to collect and collate the facts and
the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce in obtaining sug-
data relating to foreign trade, so that we may be ready to de- gestions for a more detailed classification and will take measures
cide upon a national foreign trade policy." Both propositions
to insure compliance with the official regulations.
T
Do You Want to Expand the Retail Market
For Player-Pianos and Music Rolls?
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Price, $1
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This new volume is designed to afford a
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There are chapters devoted to practical talks
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There are chapters in The Player Pianist
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illustrated with special drawings made from
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DISCOUNT TO
THE TRADE
music rolls and designed to show how, step by
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It is conceded that interest must be main-
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If you are not perfectly satisfied with the
hook after examination, your dollar will be
refunded upon the return of the hook. That
is fair, is it not?
373 Fourth Ave., New York