Music Trade Review
Issue: 1953 Vol. 112 N. 10 - Page 9
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
NPMA PROTEST
(Continued from Page 6)
year. The amount these people are
willing to pay for a piano, however,
generally excludes them from the po-
tential market.'
"These parents of young children in
the middle and upper class income
brackets have many demands on the
family pocketbook. Removal of the ex-
cise tax and consequent lower prices
would enable many of them to buy pi-
anos to give their children the musical
education which will make the child a
better citizen and an asset to his coun-
try.
"Teaching in the home should be en-
couraged because it adds greatly to a
pleasant home environment. In addi-
tion, learning to play the piano may
help to minimize juvenile deliquency—
a worry to parents and a thorn in the
side of the police and the courts.
"Juvenile delinquency is mainly at-
tributed to the lack of an outlet for
young people's excess energy. The
wholesome .constructive activity afford-
ed by piano playing in the home or in
character building agencies provides a
needed outlet. It is worth noting that
the Music School Settlement on New
York's East Side reported on its 25th
Anniversary that not one of 30.000
children it had given musical training
ever came before a juvenile court on a
delinquency charge.
"Piano playing affords children a
means for self expression, congenial
companionship and a healthy whole-
some atmosphere in which to live.
Hence, every means at our command
should be utilized to make piano les-
sons available to them and removal of
the tax would be a step in that direc-
tion.
allot increasing amounts of these mate-
rials for civilian use and within recent
months revoked all but a few of its
regulations applicable lo them.
"It is commonly expected that with
the cease fire order in Korea, defense
production will gradually be cut back.
Industry will be expected to take up
the resulting slack in employment.
However, it will not be possible for in-
dustry to do this unless it is freed from
the impediment caused by taxes and
can maintain a high volume of sales
with the widest possible distribution.
This situation is called to the Commit-
tee's attention as an additional reason
why we believe our request for the re-
moval of taxes on pianos should le
given favorable consideration.
Not a Luxury
"The data presented in Exhibits II
and III demonstrates that the America.I
people long ago discarded the thought
that it is a luxury to teach their chil-
dren to play the piano. Music is recog-
nized as a definite part of our way of
life and cultural background. Music
knows no barrier because of race,
creed or color. Music is an interna-
tional language. Freedom of opportun-
ity for cultural growth and develop-
ment of which we are so justly proud
(Turn to Page 16)
Planned for Profit
and Prestige...
Paul G. Mehlin & Sons produce the
piano that your customers want to
buy. It is a piano that meets the de-
mand for a popularly priced instru-
ment . . . that serves the dealer by
giving him volume.
Combine this profit-making blueprint
with the traditionally fine name of
Paul G. Mehlin & Sons and you have
the plan for a proud and profitable
relationship.
Look into the possibility of obtaining
one of the limited number of fran-
chises now available.
Original Reasons For Tax
No Longer Exist
"The present 10% manufacturers'
excise tax on pianos was first imposed
under an amendment to Section 3404
of the Internal Revenue Code provided
for in the Revenue Act of 1941. At
that time no hearings were held as to
the educational value of pianos and no
opportunity given for the presentation
of the facts. It is realized that Con-
gress was acting under pressure in
emergency conditions. The tax was
part of a program enacted to produce
tremendously increased revenue and di-
vert critical materials from civilian to
military purposes.
"This need no longer exists. Some
months before the Korean armistice was
signed, the supply of critical materials
had substantially improved and the Na-
tional Production Authority began to
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, OCTOBER, 1953
For information, write to:
PAUL G. MEHLIN & SONS
Incorporated
327 Walnut Avenue, New York 54, N. Y.
Founded 1853
NPMA PROTEST
(Continued from Page 6)
year. The amount these people are
willing to pay for a piano, however,
generally excludes them from the po-
tential market.'
"These parents of young children in
the middle and upper class income
brackets have many demands on the
family pocketbook. Removal of the ex-
cise tax and consequent lower prices
would enable many of them to buy pi-
anos to give their children the musical
education which will make the child a
better citizen and an asset to his coun-
try.
"Teaching in the home should be en-
couraged because it adds greatly to a
pleasant home environment. In addi-
tion, learning to play the piano may
help to minimize juvenile deliquency—
a worry to parents and a thorn in the
side of the police and the courts.
"Juvenile delinquency is mainly at-
tributed to the lack of an outlet for
young people's excess energy. The
wholesome .constructive activity afford-
ed by piano playing in the home or in
character building agencies provides a
needed outlet. It is worth noting that
the Music School Settlement on New
York's East Side reported on its 25th
Anniversary that not one of 30.000
children it had given musical training
ever came before a juvenile court on a
delinquency charge.
"Piano playing affords children a
means for self expression, congenial
companionship and a healthy whole-
some atmosphere in which to live.
Hence, every means at our command
should be utilized to make piano les-
sons available to them and removal of
the tax would be a step in that direc-
tion.
allot increasing amounts of these mate-
rials for civilian use and within recent
months revoked all but a few of its
regulations applicable lo them.
"It is commonly expected that with
the cease fire order in Korea, defense
production will gradually be cut back.
Industry will be expected to take up
the resulting slack in employment.
However, it will not be possible for in-
dustry to do this unless it is freed from
the impediment caused by taxes and
can maintain a high volume of sales
with the widest possible distribution.
This situation is called to the Commit-
tee's attention as an additional reason
why we believe our request for the re-
moval of taxes on pianos should le
given favorable consideration.
Not a Luxury
"The data presented in Exhibits II
and III demonstrates that the America.I
people long ago discarded the thought
that it is a luxury to teach their chil-
dren to play the piano. Music is recog-
nized as a definite part of our way of
life and cultural background. Music
knows no barrier because of race,
creed or color. Music is an interna-
tional language. Freedom of opportun-
ity for cultural growth and develop-
ment of which we are so justly proud
(Turn to Page 16)
Planned for Profit
and Prestige...
Paul G. Mehlin & Sons produce the
piano that your customers want to
buy. It is a piano that meets the de-
mand for a popularly priced instru-
ment . . . that serves the dealer by
giving him volume.
Combine this profit-making blueprint
with the traditionally fine name of
Paul G. Mehlin & Sons and you have
the plan for a proud and profitable
relationship.
Look into the possibility of obtaining
one of the limited number of fran-
chises now available.
Original Reasons For Tax
No Longer Exist
"The present 10% manufacturers'
excise tax on pianos was first imposed
under an amendment to Section 3404
of the Internal Revenue Code provided
for in the Revenue Act of 1941. At
that time no hearings were held as to
the educational value of pianos and no
opportunity given for the presentation
of the facts. It is realized that Con-
gress was acting under pressure in
emergency conditions. The tax was
part of a program enacted to produce
tremendously increased revenue and di-
vert critical materials from civilian to
military purposes.
"This need no longer exists. Some
months before the Korean armistice was
signed, the supply of critical materials
had substantially improved and the Na-
tional Production Authority began to
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, OCTOBER, 1953
For information, write to:
PAUL G. MEHLIN & SONS
Incorporated
327 Walnut Avenue, New York 54, N. Y.
Founded 1853
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).