Music Trade Review
Issue: 1921 Vol. 73 N. 20 - Page 3
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUJIC TFADE
VOL. LXXIII. No. 20
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman BUI, Inc., at 373 4th Ave., New York.
Nov. 12, 1921
Single Copies 10 Cents
$8.00 Per Tear
National Recognition for Music
T
H E vote of the Senate last week to free all musical instruments, as well as music rolls and talking
machine records, from excise taxes is to be accepted as a distinct victory not only for the music
industry, but for the cause of music as an art. That the Senate was willing to take a viva voce vote
on the proposal to eliminate the excise taxes on musical instruments with only two or three voices
raised against the measure is to be accepted as proof of the fact that a great majority of the Senators were
strongly in favor of lifting the burden on music.
This willingness of the Senators to favor the music industry and music itself in the matter of taxes
did not come on the spur of the moment, for it was quite evident that Senator Frelinghuysen's amendment
simply crystallized the idea that was in the minds of other Senators, some of whom arose almost at the same
time to make similar recommendations. It was the result of pressure brought to bear from all sections of
the country and through trade, professional and public channels—pressure that was steady and persistent,
and which unquestionably had its effect.
The action of the Senate offers the best possible argument in justification of the. organization of the
industry and of the profession into an aggressive and efficient unit, for withotit such organization there is no
doubt but that the trade would have continued indefinitely to bear the burden of heavy excise taxes. A tre-
mendous factor, too, in influencing legislators has been the widespread music propaganda and the growth in
music appreciation on the part of the public at large, brought about through community music work, music
week celebrations, music memory contests and the many other movements designed to bring the wonders of
music to the attention of the average individual. Many of these movements have been originated by the
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, and practically all of them have had the active co-operation
of that body.
When the cost of the music advancement work, as it applies to the industry, is considered, that cost
is paltry, in view of the results that have already been obtained, not only in the matter of convincing public
officials of the value of music to the public at large, but in the practical sense of creating the desire for musical
instruments.
How thoroughly the Senate was convinced of the value of music and the need for its encouragement
was most strongly evidenced in the character of the votes that relieved musical instruments from excise taxes.
With sixty-five Senators present there were heard only three or four "noes" and there was no demand for
a roll-call. When it came to removing excise taxes from sporting goods, however, a roll-call was demanded
and the amendment won by only a single vote, there being thirty-one "ayes" to thirty "noes," and yet outdoor
and indoor sports are recognized institutions in the land, receive official encouragement and have thousands
of columns of newspaper space devoted to them annually.
It may be said that having first supported the Smoot bill for a manufacturers' sales tax as a substitute
for excise taxes, and later the Calder amendment, designed to eliminate excise taxes in only certain cases,
the organized industry did not, perhaps, get behind, or have time to get behind, the Frelinghuysen amend-
ment as strongly as might be. This very fact may be accepted as proving conclusively the excellent effect of
the general and persistent campaign carried on under the auspices of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, and participated in by other organizations, against excise taxes on musical instruments.
This is no time for crowing and letting down of efforts. Organized propaganda having justified
itself, even though it brought to the industry only that relief to which it has been, and is, justly entitled, it
must not be neglected. There is too much pending that requires support or opposition, as the case might be.
The value of organization has been proven. Now let it be recognized.
THE
MUJIC TFADE
VOL. LXXIII. No. 20
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman BUI, Inc., at 373 4th Ave., New York.
Nov. 12, 1921
Single Copies 10 Cents
$8.00 Per Tear
National Recognition for Music
T
H E vote of the Senate last week to free all musical instruments, as well as music rolls and talking
machine records, from excise taxes is to be accepted as a distinct victory not only for the music
industry, but for the cause of music as an art. That the Senate was willing to take a viva voce vote
on the proposal to eliminate the excise taxes on musical instruments with only two or three voices
raised against the measure is to be accepted as proof of the fact that a great majority of the Senators were
strongly in favor of lifting the burden on music.
This willingness of the Senators to favor the music industry and music itself in the matter of taxes
did not come on the spur of the moment, for it was quite evident that Senator Frelinghuysen's amendment
simply crystallized the idea that was in the minds of other Senators, some of whom arose almost at the same
time to make similar recommendations. It was the result of pressure brought to bear from all sections of
the country and through trade, professional and public channels—pressure that was steady and persistent,
and which unquestionably had its effect.
The action of the Senate offers the best possible argument in justification of the. organization of the
industry and of the profession into an aggressive and efficient unit, for withotit such organization there is no
doubt but that the trade would have continued indefinitely to bear the burden of heavy excise taxes. A tre-
mendous factor, too, in influencing legislators has been the widespread music propaganda and the growth in
music appreciation on the part of the public at large, brought about through community music work, music
week celebrations, music memory contests and the many other movements designed to bring the wonders of
music to the attention of the average individual. Many of these movements have been originated by the
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, and practically all of them have had the active co-operation
of that body.
When the cost of the music advancement work, as it applies to the industry, is considered, that cost
is paltry, in view of the results that have already been obtained, not only in the matter of convincing public
officials of the value of music to the public at large, but in the practical sense of creating the desire for musical
instruments.
How thoroughly the Senate was convinced of the value of music and the need for its encouragement
was most strongly evidenced in the character of the votes that relieved musical instruments from excise taxes.
With sixty-five Senators present there were heard only three or four "noes" and there was no demand for
a roll-call. When it came to removing excise taxes from sporting goods, however, a roll-call was demanded
and the amendment won by only a single vote, there being thirty-one "ayes" to thirty "noes," and yet outdoor
and indoor sports are recognized institutions in the land, receive official encouragement and have thousands
of columns of newspaper space devoted to them annually.
It may be said that having first supported the Smoot bill for a manufacturers' sales tax as a substitute
for excise taxes, and later the Calder amendment, designed to eliminate excise taxes in only certain cases,
the organized industry did not, perhaps, get behind, or have time to get behind, the Frelinghuysen amend-
ment as strongly as might be. This very fact may be accepted as proving conclusively the excellent effect of
the general and persistent campaign carried on under the auspices of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, and participated in by other organizations, against excise taxes on musical instruments.
This is no time for crowing and letting down of efforts. Organized propaganda having justified
itself, even though it brought to the industry only that relief to which it has been, and is, justly entitled, it
must not be neglected. There is too much pending that requires support or opposition, as the case might be.
The value of organization has been proven. Now let it be recognized.
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