Music Trade Review

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JUNE 9,
THE
1923
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Sixth Annual Convention
of the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce
Chicago, June 4, 1923
CHICAGO, I I I . , June 4.—The Prosperity Conven-
tion of the Allied Music Industries and Trades
was formally opened here to-day at the Drake
Hotel witli the first of a series of get-together
luncheons which are to be a feature of the en-
tire week. Although the artists who entertained
those who attended the luncheon included Helen
Thomas Bucher, soprano, accompanied by Miss
Davis, the Voltz Trio, Axel Christenson, mon-
ologist, and a boys' band from Louisville, Ky.,
which played several selections, it was largely
a business affair. It was known as Mid-Western
Day, with James T. Bristol, of Chicago, presid-
ing.
Immediately after the close of the luncheon,
the first meeting of the Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce was held with President Rich-
ard W. Lawrence in the chair. Mr. Lawrence,
in a lengthy address, outlined the principal ac-
complishments of the Chamber during the past
year and told something of its plans for the
future.
PRESIDENT LAWRENCE DELIVERS HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS
Summarizes Briefly the Activities of the Chamber of Commerce During the Past Year and the
Benefits Which It Has Brought to the Music Industries and Trades
In his address to the members of the Cham-
ber President Lawrence said, in part: "I can-
didly believe that the policies, program and
purpose of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce are better understood than at any
time in the history of the organization, but
there is still much to be done before the Cham-
ber receives proper credit by the rank and file
for its splendid record of achievement in pro-
tecting and promoting the general interests of
the industry.
"I have heard at various times during the
year expressions on the part of individuals in
the trade which showed that their judgment of
the volume and extent of the work being done
was entirely reflected by the matters only that
came to their individual attention. Very few
have contact with or are directly benefited
completely by every activity of the Chamber
and yet each sub-division member is receiving
invaluable service.
"For instance, it is not of interest to piano
manufacturers specifically that recently, through
the instrumentality of the Chamber a strong
protest on behalf of the phonograph trade, on
freight rates, occupied the attention of the
Chamber's executives. On the other hand,
phonograph dealers and manufacturers are not
likely to pay much attention to the great
amount of important work which was done for
the music publishers during the past year in
eliminating fake publishers and practically put-
ting an end to the fake songwriters' swindle.
Again, the piano merchant who does not come
in contact with the exceedingly important work
of the Credit Bureau cannot expect to be a§
enthusiastic about this eminently practical ac-
tivity as the piano manufacturer or the piano
supply man. Again, the supply man is not apt
to be interested in the manifold activities for
the specific advantage of the music merchant,
or the Chamber's Trade Service and Better
Business Bureau. All of these activities, how-
ever, are distinctly valuable, each in its place
for the development of our industry as a whole.
"The plan laid out at the beginning of the
fiscal year to enlist behind each of the various
Bureaus and behind each member of the em-
ployed staff of the Chamber a strong group of
individuals who, by reason of their position and
experience, could give expert direction and ad-
vice to the staff, has been admirably justified
by the results accomplished.
"Through the instrumentality of these com-
mittees and Bureaus of tbe Chamber, work is
being done for the individual sub-division mem-
ber that would be otherwise impossible. The
Chamber has demonstrated that it can do for
the individual what he could not do for himself.
"The forthcoming convention sessions of the
division members of the Chamber, admirably
planned as they are, and the comprehensive
and able reports that have been prepared by
by Bureau Heads and Committee Chairmen,
will each in part show something of the work
that has been done in your interest, but unless
Richard W. Lawrence
one could be in daily touch with the officers
and staff of the Chamber, it is really impossible
to get a full conception of the value of the
Chamber to the industry. It has been my privi-
lege, by virtue of the fact that I have been
President of the Chamber, to secure this first-
hand knowledge.
"I would that all interested in the Chamber
had a similar opportunity, so that full credit
could be given to the painstaking and energetic
service that has been rendered the industry
by the Chamber during the past year, and
which I will now attempt to summarize.
"But before doing so I want to congratulate
the industry upon the fact that the Chamber
has functioned within the year well within its
income and that that income so generously
contributed has made possible the broadening
of our activities and the increased usefulness
of the Chamber which I will outline later.
"I want also at this time to pay tribute to
the fine spirit of co-operation that has generally
prevailed between the various sub-divisions,
particularly for the splendid support of mem
bers of the Merchants' Association in urging a
more general use by piano manufacturers of
the all-important stamp on their product.
The Advancement of Music Work
"May I urge that everyone present make it
his particular business to secure a copy of the
very excellent printed report that has been
prepared by Mr. Tremaine, outlining the year's
activities of the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music? In the brief time al-
lotted to me it will be impossible to give ade-
quate expression to the manifold activities that
have engaged the attention of the Bureau dur-
ing the past year. If a few years ago the Bu-
reau head had come before as representative a
body of the industry as is here assembled to-day
and prophesied or forecasted what can to-day
be reported as having been definitely accom-
plished, I am afraid that you would have
ascribed the prophecies to overenthusiasm, to
put the matter mildly.
"One hundred and forty-one cities have now
conducted Music Weeks, a gain of sixty over
the previous total. The impetus back of all
these celebrations had its origin in your Bureau.
Let me report that in New York City there
was organized early in the year a Music Week
Association, independent entirely now of our
industry, which has secured the backing of the
great Rockefeller and Juililiard Foundations,
who, as you know, thoroughly investigate the
humanitarian purpose before they invest in any
movement, and the mere fact that they are
financial sponsors now for the Music Week idea
unquestionably establishes Music Week as a
permanent institution in America. Mr. Tre-
maine in his report announces the inauguration
of plans for the celebration during 1924 of a
National Music Week. Great organizations like
the United States Chamber of Commerce, the
American Federation of Labor, National As-
sociation of Manufacturers, the American Farm
Bureau Federation, and a score of benevolent
and social organizations, together with the gov-
ernors of thirty States have definitely pledged
their support for the furtherance of National
Music Week. Our Bureau is now regarded by
everyone interested in the development of the
popular appreciation of good music as the out-
standing authority and center of information for
all who desire practical advice, inspiration and
counsel in the work in which they are engaged
for this great cause.
"I want to again emphasize the appeal of
the very able chairman of the Advisory Com-
mittee to the Bureau, Mr. Herman Irion, that
every person present here to-day secure a copy
of the printed report to which I have referred
so that you may be familiar with one of the
great forward movements of the day in our
country, and for which we as an industry have
the honor to be responsible.
{Continued on page 7)