MUSICAL COURIER
gave a short outline of the work that the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music had accomplished.
The officers for the ensuing year are George Fischer, of J. Fischer & Brothers, president; Jerome Keit, of Jerome Remick, vice-president; E. T. Pauli, secretary, and Harold Flammer, treasurer.
As was said above, almost the entire discussion at the banquet consisted of the very important address by William Arms Fisher, “Fake Composers, Publishers and Promiscuous Advertising Done by Such Organizations in Reputable Publications.” It will be remembered that this is the same address that Mr. Fisher gave in Boston for the Music Publishers’ Association there. Among other things he said that sixteen of the largest and most reputable publishing houses dealing particularly with educational work had copyrighted around 3,000 items, while sixteen fake publishers, dealing in piano music only, had copyrighted something near 8,000.
Musical Courier Will Aid in Suppressing Great Evil.
This subject will be gone into thoroughly from time to time by the Musical Courier, its representative at the meeting volunteering to co-operate in every way in order to prevent its readers from being victims of unscrupulous methods.
June 22, 1922	MUSICAL COURIER
FAKERS THE PRINCIPAL TARGET OF
MUSIC PUBLISHERS IN CONVENTION HERE
Questionnaire Carries Seventeen Particularly Important and Vital Points—•Royalty Contracts and the !Meets of the Radio Considered—New Officers Elected
business matters, during which many vital arguments were carefully discussed.
It was definitely decided to work in harmony with the executive secretary, Alfred L. Smith, of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Smith is to appoint a secretary from the Trade Service Bureau of this body, whose business it will be to call all of these committees at stated times and help in every way to see that these various bodies function properly and arrive at some definite decision. This was unanimously agreed upon. Mr. Smith will consult with C. L. Dennis, of the Trade Service Bureau, and C. M. Tremaine, of the National Bureau of Advancement of Music. All three of these gentlemen contributed interesting talks on the various subjects. Mr. Tremaine
SHEET MUSIC DEALERS ALSO MEET AND ATTACK
IMMORAL SONGS
Geoffrey O’Hara Gives Rousing Address
San Francisco, is the new president; E. Grant Ege, vice-president, and the secretary is T. J. Donlan, of the Sam Fox Publishing Company. C. L. Dennis, of the Better Business Bureau, addressed the dealers. He told of the activities of the Trade Service Bureau and outlined its functions. He spoke of advertising and the betterment of business methods. The association voted to join the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. C. M. Tremaine gave a short talk which emphasized the willingness of his bureau to assist the Sheet Music Dealers’ Association in every possible way and invited all members to work with him and discuss their problems.
Geoffrey O’Hara Gives Rousing Address.
Geoffrey O’Hara, the eminent song writer, was the last speaker of the day. For the past year he has been visiting civic organizations throughout the country. He insisted that this association take advantage of Mr. Tremaine’s bureau, but the body of his speech was against the immoral songs that were being distributed over the country. He claimed that the vast majority of people in the United States did not appreciate some so called “hits,” that they wanted the Gilbert and Sullivan caliber of music and entertainment. His great plea was to run out of existence the songs that were lewd and of a low character. His address was loudly applauded, and the association went on record as opposing such publications and promising to try in every way to stamp them out.
After Mr. O’Hara’s address the convention adjourned.
M. J.
The ninth annual convention of the National Association of Sheet Music Dealers was called on Monday, June 12, at the McAlpin Hotel. There was a recess on Tuesday in order that the members might attend the Music Publishers’ Association of the United States at the Hotel Astor. The members met again on Wednesday at the McAlpin and all unfinished business was transacted. The president, S. Ernest Philpitt, of Tampa, Fla., gave the opening address. This was followed by the report of the secretary and treasurer, W. H. Witt; many important subjects were brought before this body, but the majority touched on trade problems.
Practically every publishing house had its representative, and there were addresses by many of the most prominent. The predominating one idea seemed to be that a better understanding between the publisher and his dealer was necessary, a working together for greater appreciation and knowledge of the business of distribution of sheet music. The question of the radio was perhaps the most vital topic for the afternoon session. E. Grant Ege, of Kansas City, gave as his opinion that the importance of the radio was not half appreciated. He believes wherever the radio is heard it increases not only the sale of sheet music, but also of records and rolls and even pianos. Thomas F. Delaney, representative of Lyon & Healy of Chicago, was of the same opinion, and Mr. Philpitt felt that it had stimulated considerable interest throughout the State of Florida. W. J. Kearney, from Houston, Tex., believes that the advertising possibilities and the advantages derived by the radio were unlimited.
The session on Wednesday was given over to the election of officers. Edward P. Little, of Sherman Clay Company,
On Tuesday, June 13, the Music Publishers’ Association of the United States met for a one day session at the Astor Hotel, New York City. Practically every publishing house in the United States was represented. Besides^ this large attendance of publishers, many officials and prominent members of the National Association of Sheet Music Dealers also attended the meeting. A questionnaire was passed around, and the topics that were considered most important were seventeen vital points either to be decided upon or left in the hands of committees. The majority of these questions before the association dealt with better business tactics. The most important was the discussion on production. It is the consensus of opinion that the majority of publishers are issuing too many new selections during the year, consequently dividing attention and not attaining the results that should be. This point was discussed by many of the leading publishers, and it is believed that during the past year there has been considerable curtailing in the output of new publications, particularly of the cheaper type.
The subject of royalty contracts also brought out many suggestions, such as employing a counsel, preparing a general legal form of a royalty contract and a bill of sales, and making this elastic enough to apply to the majority of music publishers. C. A. Woodman, of Oliver Ditson Company, volunteered to present to the Association such data as he had compiled on this subject. Harold Flammer and Isadore Witmark, A. V. Broadhurst and others, offered some valuable suggestions, and it was decided to leave this matter in the hands of a committee. George W. Pound, general counsel for the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, offered his advice and is to be consulted regarding various important questions which are to be taken up.
The question of whether the broadcasting of music by radio was a benefit or a detriment to the music publishing industry was another vital point. It was suggested that the industry was in its infancy and it was very difficult to determine anything concrete at this time. At the suggestion of Sam Fox it was decided to appoint a committee to investigate thoroughly the situation and report at an early date. The subject seems to embrace such a big field that it is difficult to determine just where to begin. Some very interesting reports should be forthcoming from this committee.
The last subject which would appear to be of great interest to the readers of the Musical Courier is the big crusade that is going on against fake publishers. This not only occupied a great deal of time at this one day meeting, but it was also the subject of the principal speaker at the banquet on Tuesday evening, by William Arms Fisher. This evil is growing in such proportions that both the Association of Sheet Music Dealers and the Music Publishers feel that some definite plan must be adopted. This_ was also placed in the hands of a committee. _ The remainder of the meeting was given over almost entirely to technical
“Bethlehem’s Bach choir surpasses former efforts—Miss Alcock’s ‘Agnus Dei’ was one of the outstanding features of the afternoon.”
—May, 1922
“It is difficult to conceive of the contralto music being sung with more beauty and warmth of tone or a more velvety legato.”
—May, 1922
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“Miss Alcock’s ‘Agnus Dei’ was truly the Crowning Glory of the Festival.”
—May, 1922
MERLE
ALCOCK
“One of our best contraltos of any nationality.”
—Nov., 1921
“Vocal gifts and artistic ability
took her audience by storm.”
—April, 1922
“Merle Alcock can melt the heart of any man’s bosom no matter how flinty life has made it when she sings a ballad like ‘The Blueing of the Day’ or the plaintive ‘When the Wild Tears Fall.’ ”	—The Late James Gibbons Huneker
“The lovely grace of her, and her personal magnetism created a superlative impression and proved once more that she is a singer by individual right.”	—Walter Heaton
“Her encore ‘Nelly Grey’ sent her audience into raptures of enthusiasm.”
-—St. Louis Globe Democrat, April, 1922
“Merle Alcock sang the Verdi aria with an intensity that thrilled her hearers.” —Soloist with Boston Symphony Orchestra, Providence Journal, April, 1922
=Victor Records-.
8 East 34th St., New York
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