Music Trade Review
Issue: 1933 Vol. 92 N. 1 - Page 11
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
January, 1933
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION OFFERS
CONFERENCE O N MUSIC TRADE PRACTICES
T
HE survey begun several weeks ago
by the Executive Office of the National
Association of Music Merchants for the
purpose of ascertaining the attitude of 100
musical merchandise wholesalers regarding
dealer distribution has been practically com-
pleted and has resulted in response from al-
most one hundred per cent of the members
of this branch of the industry to whom ques-
tions were sent. In one or two cases evasive
answers have been received, clearly indicat-
ing a disposition to side-step the issue, or pos-
sibly lack of courage to come out in the open
and make a frank statement. In one in-
stance a direct refusal to answer the ques-
tions was received and all of these replies
have been made a part of the record which
is on file in the Executive Office.
Personal interviews By the Executive
Secretary of the Merchants' Association with
several prominent wholesalers in New York
indicated an entire willingness on their part
to cooperate in the holding of a trade prac-
tice conference, and during January the of-
fice of the Federal Trade Commission ad-
dressed communications to the musical mer-
chandise wholesalers and to the National As-
sociation of Music Merchants, indicating that
a suggestion had been made that a trade
practice conference would be beneficial to
the manufacturers and jobbers of musical
merchandise and outlined the possible sub-
jects for discussion.
Under the Act of 1914 creating the Federal
Trade Commission, it is empowered and di-
rected to prevent unfair methods of competi-
tion which may be declared unlawful. The
Commission has acted in a number of in-
dustries where practices detrimental to the
best interests of the industries' prosperity
have developed and where individual con-
cerns may have adopted methods which
constitute unfair trade practices.
In the communication from the Federal
Trade Commission, it is stated that "The
purpose is to give all concerned an oppor-
tunity to participate in deliberations which
are expected to result in eliminating from
the industry all practices which may be con-
sidered unfair, wasteful or otherwise bad
for the industry. Among the practices thus
far proposed for discussion are: unfair and
discriminatory discounts; price discrimina-
tion ; secret rebates; false advertising and
misrepresentation; and some unethical prac-
tices and trade abuses which obtain in most
industries.
"The proposal to discuss the foregoing sub-
jects does not preclude the discussion or other
different matters. As experts in their line,
men actively engaged in this industry are
asked to present to the Commission such prac-
tices as they consider unfair and to assist in
the formation of rules of business conduct
intended to eliminate simultaneously on a
given date the practices specified, and others
which the industry recognizes as bad, and
may, by resolution, determine to abandon."
Approaching the subject of the sale or
attempted sale of musical instruments by the
musical merchandise wholesalers direct to
music supervisors or teachers in the public
schools from another angle, this problem will
be presented at the next meeting of the Re-
search Council of the Music Supervisors Na-
tional Conference. The thought will be to
have this matter discussed from every angle
by members of the Council and it is prob-
able that some definite recommendation may
be made to the Conference or that arrange-
ments may be made to bring the findings of
the Council to the attention of all of the
members of the Conference and also to non-
members of whom there are a large number
of supervisors and teachers throughout the
United States.
It is clear that the action of certain super-
visors or teachers in the more rural locali-
ties where there is not easily available any
musical instrument retail establishment is en-
tirely proper in endeavoring to provide suit-
able musical instruments for the pupils.
It is just as clear that in localities where
there are retail music stores the proprietors
of which are paying taxes that help to sup-
port the public schools and pay the salaries
of the supervisors and teachers, these retail
merchants are entitled to all of the business
KRANICH & BACH
II
which originates in their localities.
In addition to the states of Ohio and
Pennsylvania, where there are laws spe-
cifically enjoining supervisors or teachers
from acting as purchasing agents for any
supplies for pupils, there is also a law spe-
cifically to this effect in Michigan. It is
possible that a new and more comprehensive
law will be presented this year to the Michi-
gan Legislature.
It is the belief of the Executive Office of
the National Association of Music Merchants
that a great deal may be accomplished by
members of the Association in activity inter-
esting themselves in the passage of proper
laws in other states. The Ohio law is a par-
ticularly good model for legislation, it is be-
lieved.
The wording of this Ohio law is as fol-
lows:
"Section 7718, who shall not be sales agent
for text books or supplies.
"A superintendent, supervisor, principal or
teacher employed by the board of education in
the state shall not act as sales agent, either
directly or indirectly, for any person, firm
or corporation whose school text books are
filed with the superintendent of public in-
struction as provided by law, or for school
apparatus or equipment of any kind for use
in the public schools of the state. A viola-
tion of this provision shall work a for-
feiture of their certificates to teach in the
public schools of Ohio."
MUSIC CONTEST WINNERS
LISTED IN NEW VOLUME
In good years and bad the national, state
and district school music contests go on with-
out interruption and in many respects show
continued gains both in general interest and
participation. Convincing proof of this fact
is found in the 200-page book recently pub-
lished by the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music and listing the winners
of national, state and district school music
contests during 1932. It is explained in the
foreword that the lists have been published
for a twofold purpose: first, to give national
recognition to those who have achieved out-
standing results in their respective fields and,
second, to emphasize the tremendous growth
of public school music.
WEAVER
Established 1864
THERE IS NO FINER PIANO
For 68 years made under one family's supervision
237 East 23rd Street
.
New York City
STORY & CLARK PIANO COMPANY
Manufacturers
Pianos of Quality.
Complete line of attractive and
up-to-date styles.
Liberal live and let-live financ-
ing plans.
"Weaver Look & Play Plan for
Creating Prospects and Retail-
ing Pianos.
Quality and Reputation devel-
oped over a period of sixty-two
years.
The line that contributes to the
success and profits of progres-
sive dealers.
Investigate.
INSTRUMENTS OF QUALITY SINCE 1857
Office: Chicago, Illinois
Factory: Grand Haven, Mich.
Weaver Piano Co., Inc.
YORK, PA.
i
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
January, 1933
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION OFFERS
CONFERENCE O N MUSIC TRADE PRACTICES
T
HE survey begun several weeks ago
by the Executive Office of the National
Association of Music Merchants for the
purpose of ascertaining the attitude of 100
musical merchandise wholesalers regarding
dealer distribution has been practically com-
pleted and has resulted in response from al-
most one hundred per cent of the members
of this branch of the industry to whom ques-
tions were sent. In one or two cases evasive
answers have been received, clearly indicat-
ing a disposition to side-step the issue, or pos-
sibly lack of courage to come out in the open
and make a frank statement. In one in-
stance a direct refusal to answer the ques-
tions was received and all of these replies
have been made a part of the record which
is on file in the Executive Office.
Personal interviews By the Executive
Secretary of the Merchants' Association with
several prominent wholesalers in New York
indicated an entire willingness on their part
to cooperate in the holding of a trade prac-
tice conference, and during January the of-
fice of the Federal Trade Commission ad-
dressed communications to the musical mer-
chandise wholesalers and to the National As-
sociation of Music Merchants, indicating that
a suggestion had been made that a trade
practice conference would be beneficial to
the manufacturers and jobbers of musical
merchandise and outlined the possible sub-
jects for discussion.
Under the Act of 1914 creating the Federal
Trade Commission, it is empowered and di-
rected to prevent unfair methods of competi-
tion which may be declared unlawful. The
Commission has acted in a number of in-
dustries where practices detrimental to the
best interests of the industries' prosperity
have developed and where individual con-
cerns may have adopted methods which
constitute unfair trade practices.
In the communication from the Federal
Trade Commission, it is stated that "The
purpose is to give all concerned an oppor-
tunity to participate in deliberations which
are expected to result in eliminating from
the industry all practices which may be con-
sidered unfair, wasteful or otherwise bad
for the industry. Among the practices thus
far proposed for discussion are: unfair and
discriminatory discounts; price discrimina-
tion ; secret rebates; false advertising and
misrepresentation; and some unethical prac-
tices and trade abuses which obtain in most
industries.
"The proposal to discuss the foregoing sub-
jects does not preclude the discussion or other
different matters. As experts in their line,
men actively engaged in this industry are
asked to present to the Commission such prac-
tices as they consider unfair and to assist in
the formation of rules of business conduct
intended to eliminate simultaneously on a
given date the practices specified, and others
which the industry recognizes as bad, and
may, by resolution, determine to abandon."
Approaching the subject of the sale or
attempted sale of musical instruments by the
musical merchandise wholesalers direct to
music supervisors or teachers in the public
schools from another angle, this problem will
be presented at the next meeting of the Re-
search Council of the Music Supervisors Na-
tional Conference. The thought will be to
have this matter discussed from every angle
by members of the Council and it is prob-
able that some definite recommendation may
be made to the Conference or that arrange-
ments may be made to bring the findings of
the Council to the attention of all of the
members of the Conference and also to non-
members of whom there are a large number
of supervisors and teachers throughout the
United States.
It is clear that the action of certain super-
visors or teachers in the more rural locali-
ties where there is not easily available any
musical instrument retail establishment is en-
tirely proper in endeavoring to provide suit-
able musical instruments for the pupils.
It is just as clear that in localities where
there are retail music stores the proprietors
of which are paying taxes that help to sup-
port the public schools and pay the salaries
of the supervisors and teachers, these retail
merchants are entitled to all of the business
KRANICH & BACH
II
which originates in their localities.
In addition to the states of Ohio and
Pennsylvania, where there are laws spe-
cifically enjoining supervisors or teachers
from acting as purchasing agents for any
supplies for pupils, there is also a law spe-
cifically to this effect in Michigan. It is
possible that a new and more comprehensive
law will be presented this year to the Michi-
gan Legislature.
It is the belief of the Executive Office of
the National Association of Music Merchants
that a great deal may be accomplished by
members of the Association in activity inter-
esting themselves in the passage of proper
laws in other states. The Ohio law is a par-
ticularly good model for legislation, it is be-
lieved.
The wording of this Ohio law is as fol-
lows:
"Section 7718, who shall not be sales agent
for text books or supplies.
"A superintendent, supervisor, principal or
teacher employed by the board of education in
the state shall not act as sales agent, either
directly or indirectly, for any person, firm
or corporation whose school text books are
filed with the superintendent of public in-
struction as provided by law, or for school
apparatus or equipment of any kind for use
in the public schools of the state. A viola-
tion of this provision shall work a for-
feiture of their certificates to teach in the
public schools of Ohio."
MUSIC CONTEST WINNERS
LISTED IN NEW VOLUME
In good years and bad the national, state
and district school music contests go on with-
out interruption and in many respects show
continued gains both in general interest and
participation. Convincing proof of this fact
is found in the 200-page book recently pub-
lished by the National Bureau for the Ad-
vancement of Music and listing the winners
of national, state and district school music
contests during 1932. It is explained in the
foreword that the lists have been published
for a twofold purpose: first, to give national
recognition to those who have achieved out-
standing results in their respective fields and,
second, to emphasize the tremendous growth
of public school music.
WEAVER
Established 1864
THERE IS NO FINER PIANO
For 68 years made under one family's supervision
237 East 23rd Street
.
New York City
STORY & CLARK PIANO COMPANY
Manufacturers
Pianos of Quality.
Complete line of attractive and
up-to-date styles.
Liberal live and let-live financ-
ing plans.
"Weaver Look & Play Plan for
Creating Prospects and Retail-
ing Pianos.
Quality and Reputation devel-
oped over a period of sixty-two
years.
The line that contributes to the
success and profits of progres-
sive dealers.
Investigate.
INSTRUMENTS OF QUALITY SINCE 1857
Office: Chicago, Illinois
Factory: Grand Haven, Mich.
Weaver Piano Co., Inc.
YORK, PA.
i
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