Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JUNE 8, 1918
THE MUSIC TRADE
& Son piano at wholesale. These instruments of course were
those made in Chicago bearing the name Decker.
The final action of the court will clarify the situation and
protect the reputation of the Decker & Son name, which has ever
been associated with instruments of distinct musical worth. This
decision again emphasizes that it is a dangerous thing to try to
trade on established names of national reputation.
another section of The Review this week appears the com-
I of N prehensive
interview with George W. Pound, general counsel
the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, regarding the
advantages and importance of developing export trade in pianos
and player-pianos at this particular time, and the reasons therefor.
While it is true that the export trade brings with it some diffi-
culties in the matter of transportation, particularly between the
United States and South America, due to the use of the greater
proportion of ships for the transporting of men and supplies to
Europe, it has been found that there are still ways of getting
pianos out of the country by the exercise of foresight and per-
sistence. Moreover, the difficulties in ocean transportation are
no greater, even if they are as great, as the difficulties faced by
piano manufacturers in rail transportation in this country.
The importance of the export market just now is sufficient
to warrant the putting forth of some extra effort to develop that
market for American goods, and it is firmly believed that as the
shipbuilding program is carried out to completion, ocean trans-
portation for the products of peace will become somewhat easier.
Even though the piano manufacturer is not in a position right
at this moment to enter the export field he would do well to study
it with a view to future possibilities. The fact that twenty-nine
concerns are already engaged in exporting, while sixty-seven
have applied for specific information on that subject, is in itself
significant.
REVIEW
based upon the simple form of tariff authorized by the Interstate
Commerce Commission in the past. On account of the more or
less blending of lines which do not belong together under the
corporate control and direction, there will be more or less dis-
regard of the established groupings and differentials under the
new arrangement.
These, it is said in the Director General's statement, will
be observed so far as practicable, and hereafter any important
relationships that are disturbed will be restored. At the same
time there will be an endeavor to remove any existing unjust
discrimination and bring about uniformity of rate adjustment
throughout sections where conditions are similar.
A leading writer on railroad subjects points out that here
is where the function of the Interstate Commerce Commission
which has been preserved will come in quite usefully. The
Commission will have no power to require a change of rates or
a new adjustment on lines or systems or any part of them, but
it will exercise its power of investigation in a way to indicate
to the Government directors and managers where this ought to
be done. In fact, the reasons for it are likely to be suggested
by them or derived from their testimony.
"The Director General will co-operate heartily," the ex-
planatory statement says, "with the Commission in any readjust-
ments needed to accomplish still further the object of avoiding
undue preferences which, nevertheless, may develop, upon de-
tailed consideration by the Commission."
An earnest hope is expressed that all citizens affected directly
or indirectly will support the general principle of such an in-
crease "as an unavoidable war measure, and accept the additional
burden in the same spirit of self-sacrifice in which they have
accepted other inconveniences and burdens, and the grievous
personal losses which are parts of the price that the nation is
patriotically paying for world liberty." Of this there can surely
be no doubt.
USINESS men in all industries are giving considerable atten-
B
of the music trade industry are becoming more
tion to the recent order of Director General McAdoo, order-
M EMBERS
keenly interested in the trade acceptance every day, and the
ing an increase of railroad rates covering freight and passenger
traffic on all the roads which are now under control of the
Government, and its bearing on their respective operations. The
increase in the cost of operation under Government direction,
as well as the desire to give higher wages to the employes, is
the real occasion for the advance in freight and passenger rates;
the increased wage item alone figuring about $325,000,000 a year,
while the further residue from the 25 per cent, increase brought
about in freight rates will be needed to cover the other increased
operating expenses.
It is hardly necessary to say that the practical adjustment
of .rates in different lines so as to be really equitable is not a
simple matter, and to begin with, it is pointed out that in order
to get the change promptly applied the advance in rates will be
following significant comment on this plan by the American
Exchange National Bank of New York in a recent circular is
worth noting: "Merchants, manufacturers and commercial and
industrial corporations should convert their open accounts into
trade acceptances as soon as possible. Trade acceptances are
quick assets and book accounts are merely records of liabilities.
Banks can discount eligible trade acceptances to the last dollar,
but have to exact a large margin of safety when making advances
on open accounts. Trade acceptances make easy and simple
the payment of war taxes and the purchase of Liberty Bonds
without undue pressure on the banks which can rediscount such
paper with the Federal Reserve Banks whenever cash or credit
is needed."
Do You Want to Expand the Retail Market
For Player-Pianos and Music
You can do this by educating the people in your territory to a keener appreciation of the amazing
possibilities of the player-piano. This will be admirably done for you by the volume entitled
Price, $1
THE PLAYER PIANIST
The Player Pianist deals with lucidity and
clearness upon the many problems which from
time to time confront the player-pianist and
player student.
This new volume is designed to afford a
complete and accurate guide to music appre-
ciation, player technic, music roll reading, etc.
This work is the result of many years' close
study of the player situation, and is put forth
to meet the requirements of music lovers who
desire to'acquaint themselves with the artistic
possibilities of the player-piano.
The book deals with the elements of music,
of musical form, and incidentally gives a short
sketch of musical history from early times
to the present day.
There are chapters devoted to practical talks
upon the management of the various expres-
sion devices, pedals and tempo levers.
A perusal of the volume will provide the
player-pianist with a complete course of in-
struction in all of the aspects of expressive
and artistic playing.
There are chapters in The Player Pianist
upon practical studies in player interpretation,
illustrated with special drawings made from
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc., Publisher
DISCOUNT TO
THE TRADE
music rolls and designed to show how, step by
step, the interpretation of pieces may be
worked out artistically and satisfactorily.
It is conceded that interest must be main-
tained in the player-piano—that its marvelous
possibilities must be explained to purchasers,
and there is no work put forth in the entire
world—and we say this unqualifiedly—which
will compare with The Player Pianist as a
stimulator and educator.
If you are not perfectly satisfied with the
book after examination, your dollar will be
refunded upon the return of the book. That
is fair, is it not?
373 Fourth Ave., New York