Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-13

fishers Association, opening today IN
New York. will give consideration TO the
question OF raising the standard OF Amer
lean music and the possibility OF lessen
ing the number Of poor compositions with
which the markets are flooded. Despite
the criticisms as to the quality OF much
Of the newer music put out by American
publishers, the enormous increase in the
music publication business has now made
1t an important industry In the country.
The Music Publishers Association of
America Is an outgrowth OF the old
Board OF Music Trade, which for half
century dominated the publication OF
American music. 1t was organized in
1895 and at first included only sixteen
music publishers. 1t now has multiplied
its membership several times and has
become active in the development of
everything pertaining to the music In
dustry.
The association first took up the ques-
ton OF an International music copyright
law which would protect American mu-
sic from the Entertainments OF foreign
trade. Shortly after the publication OF
the Sousa marches in New York firm
in the City Of Mexico advertised them
widely In the American papers at the
rate Of cents per copy, at time when
their copyright price In America was 40
cents. Several publishers in Montreal did
the same thing with other American pro-
auctions, causing great loss both to the
authors and publishers. At first the mu-
sic publishers invoked the aid of the
post office authorities in the enforcement
of law which confiscated music copy
righted in America that was sent into
this country under violation of the law.
This process was a tedious one, however.
1t did not solve the problem. and the
American music publishers constantly
suffered loss by the dishonesty of for
efgnerS.
The new copyright law which lately
has been put into effect gives full pro-
lection from this
Protection Given piratical COMPETE
Against Pirates. tion for - a ap copy
right on sheet music at the Congressional
Library in Washington is duplicated In
Montreal and Mexico. and in Europe, II
desired. The date and the hour are
stated, SO that a copyright which be-
comes effective on a certain day at IL
o'clock in the morning at Washington is
also in force in the other countries at
the same date and hour. 1t Is believed
that there will be no extensive violations
Of this law.
| In music, as in literature, publishers
| must cater to the popular taste. How
ever much a conscientious publisher may
wish 10 supply only good music to the
public. the exigences of trade compel
| him to consider what is submitted. The
publishers are rather unjuStly blamed
| for the great amount of bad music put
| forth in America. 1t is easier for any
| author to have music published now than
quarter of a century ago. because
modern mechanical methods have greatly
reduced the expense. When there Were
| only a dozen music publishers available.
| a composition must have possessed some
merit to warrant the cost of its produc-
| ton. which was usually at the expense
| of the publisher. Now it Is as easy for
a musician to rush intovprint as 1t is for
| a writer. If a first-class publisher does
| not buy the music or at least publish 1t
upon it's merits. giving the composer
royalty. there are plenty of other pub
| fishers who are willing to put any kind
| of a composition on the market at the
| authors expense, and it requires much
| less money TO do this than it did few
years ago.