Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-11
Gain in Membership.

1--WE have made another decided gain in
members since our last convention and We
now have the great majority of representa-
tive manufacturers of our trade enrolled
on our membership list. Most of those man
ufacturers who have not as yet Joined our
association express themselves as beng in
hearty accord with our work, and willing
to cooperate, but why any good manufac-
turer should rot join with us and become
an active member of our association we
cannot understand.
I'VE are today in a stronger position in
every respect and from every point of
view than ever before 1 do not think
that we fully realize the power we have
among ourselves, acting as unit, for
carrying out any important projects to
| benefit our industry or increase the in
fuence of our association and enlarge its
scope.
I'VE are also pleased to note the growth
and strength of the National Association
of Piano Dealers. There many mat
tiers in which the dealers association can
be of great assistance to u.s. notably IN
the matter of regulating unfair advertis-
ing and in the correction OF other COM
plants which come to our grievance COM
mittee. and we ask their active co-opera-
ton on all such matters. assuring them of
our hearty support on any important mat
tiers affecting our mutual trade interests
for which they may desire our assistance
IN promulgating.
tSPASo AOi OASSUSioOA'
THE following subjects were suggested
for our discussion:
lis it advisable to hold a general mu-
steal industry exhibit at the Madison
Sqr--e Garden. in New York or elsewhere,
conducted upon lines similar to the au-
tomObile and kindred trade exhibits?
=" Should not the manufacturer estab-
fish uniform selling price for his instru-
ments?
of Varnish and Veneers; What advances
have been made during the past year2
Would not the dull finished overcome
number of our troubles and minimize the
our association suggest or advise on this
| subject?'
what can be done to bring the mem
| bers of our association closer together in
order to make the association a stronger
| working body for the benefit of each mem-
| Der and the trade at large? We have now
| the majority Of all the manufacturers with
| US. either members or in sympathy with
| the work of the association. and should we
/ not use our united strength to better adj
| vantage?
what shall be done in reference to the
| traffic bureau? Should 1t be continued on
the present lines?
| The presidents report embraced matters
covered at more length In the reports of
| special committees. He referred to the
| work of the literature and the traffic COM
j
| 'SThe literature committee during the year
| prepared two letters one on territorial
| rights and one piano fixing which.
| after having been passed upon by the ex-
| ecutive committee, were sent to all the
| piano dealers in the United States by our
| assistant secretary on or about March 10.
| The interest which these letters aroused Is
| shown by the large number of replies we
have received. These may be read to you
| during our business sessions * time per-
| mits-if not they will be referred to the
| new executive committee for its attention.
as they were received at too late date for
the present executive committee to invssti-
| gate them.
THE traffic committee-This committee
| will have the satisfaction of announcing
that some decided concessions have been
obtained from the railroads. After q long
| period OF earnest and persistent work. we
| have Just been rewarded by our endeavors,
| and have broken the stubborn and icy re-
| serve of the eastern classification commit
tee which has finally recommended to the
| railroads interested a second-class rating
on carload shipments OF boxed pianos
| plano players and organs, and have re-
liable information To the effect that the
1 recommendations OF this committee have
/ now been accepted by the railroads, and
| the new classification VIII go into effect
| on July 1.
Territory Affected.
THE territory affected by this change Is
| practically all the section east of the Mis-
| sissippi and north OF the Ohio river to the
Atlantic coast In all directions
| This Is a distinct gain and will prove to
| be of practical benefit to all Of our agents
| saving them considerable In freight charges
| on carload lots within this territory. and