Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-25
PROFIT in STEALING SONGS.
Airs That Become Favorites Quickly
Initiated and Thrust on the Market.

Initiated and Thrust on the Markee.
1t is apparently an accident of the
business of song writing that the plagl-
artist and imitator can succeed better
than the originator, says the New York
Sun. The same remark can scarcely
be made of any other occupation, but
evidence of its truthfulness in relation
TO the Song writer's is to be found on
every side. The manner of utilizing an
other mans work is not so obvious as to
bring with it grounds for breach OF
copyright, altho the imitation of popu-
lar songs is always close enough to gain
all the advantage that comes from re-
semblance to the original.
1t would ordinarily be thought that
song very much resembling one that
had been sung from one end of the
country to the other would stand very
little chance of success; that the public
would already have had it's fill of this
particular melody. But the reverse Is
true and so soon az one song has gained
a great vogue, the publishers that are
not fortunate enough to have the rights
to it Immediately set some OF their
house broken composers to work on an
imitation, which shall be as much as
possible like the first, but avoid IN
Ifringement. If the hired imi.ator does
his work we'll, the second song is likely
to make as much money for all con-
cerned as the original.
| One of the songs heard now on all
sides is a direct copy with a few
changes of tempo and variations OF
rythm of a song composed just after the
war with Spain and dealing with that
| subject. 1t was great success and was
sung and whistled from Maine to Santi-
tago. The copy, at present the song OF
the day, is going to make just as much
money for everybody concerned in its
publication, altho it differs In only the
most obvious details from the song that
inspired 1t. The difference, however, is
great enough to protect the composer
| and his publishers from legal proceed
lings.
In this way has every popular. song
had its follower THE Sunshine of
Paradise Alley was copied almost lit
I.erally In another song that imediately
followed 1t, and the same experience be-
fell every other ditty that attained
more than usual popularity. So coon as
| the astute publishers see that a ballad
set to work to have their
copy made and keep their rivals from
having all the money. The success of
these limitations is believed to come
from the familiarity Of the public with
the air when it is heard in the slightly
changed form which is not likely to be
noticed by casual hearers. who would
not recognize a plagiarism If they heard
1 =
| it or care anything about 1t II they did.
Familiarity breeds in the business o.
popular songs only affection, and once
| the air-sounds known it appeals to the
| nearer with more force. Thus these
plagiarisms of wen-known tunes are
successful before those that have to.
make their way as new songs; and
hence the eagerness; of the publishers to
leap the game of their rivals,
| In exploiting these more familiar
songs the music firms are not put to the
same expense that they are compelled to
| sustain thru the introduction OF the
quite original and unknown words The
| demonstration, as he is called, who jour
| neys from one end of the country to the
1 other like kind of musical CONNER
cial traveller, is not needed to the same
extent, and much less work is required
| to make the song known, altho one or
| two variety actresses will be employed
| tc sing it in the large cities. And the
] demonstrators on his rounds may have
the song included in his repertoire.
| The demonstrator Is an employe of the
publisher and what he presumably
demonstrates is the superiority of his
4 firm publication. He will be sent to a
certain region of the country-Cape Cod,
fcr instance-and he will sing his way
from one end of 1t to the other Comic
land sentimental songs that his firni
publishes will be sung in the boarding
| house parlors. while he will volunteer to
| sing in the churches on Sundays or a.
prayer meeting the sacred tunes he has,
to SELL He may take orders himself or
leave the catalog of his firms publica-.
| tons. Thus the songs are made known
where there no theaters to introduce
them.
/ Some of the church choirs even In the
| New York churches are said to act as
demonstrators of kind not suspected,
/ by the music committee of the church,
| altho this charge against the choirmas-
sters may be calumny. The demonstration
| has an easier job when he strikes one of
lltSG tCOpltsS litS az NAAt Ss-sAS
LESS known from their resemblance to
the original that inspired them
a curious instance of a kind OF cap
per" for a song was to be seen as we'll
| AZ heard at New York theater the 9TH
Ter night. A comedian on the stage had
sung the chorus of a rather lugubrlous
end sentimental ditty. The audience
had taken very little interest in 1t, but
locked around when young man arose
lin box near the stage and sang in q
powerful voice the same lines. Then he
sat down, much to the felief of the
woman in the adjoining box who had
4 Jumped out of sight as she might have
dumped out of window when she heard
| the singing and saw the attention of the
audience directed to the next box. The
| ginger ended and the audience which
cared no more for him than for the song
| was silent. He was demonstration do
| ing his employers work in trying to i'm
press the song on the public. That song.
moreover, happened to be stolen from a
more popular predecessor.
Blisgerson's Degree.
/ Thomas Henry Bliggerson
i Longed for degree.
i Like TO sign
Il HE oof