The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1935-08-10
In New York
BY PAUL HARRISON
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1t is very pleasant to realize that
nearly everybody seems to have a
song in his heart. Also 1t is a little
depressing to know that practically
all those ditties are going to die
away-unheard, unsold, unsung.
Whenever this department men
tions Tin Pan Alley or some Of its
gold-plated leading citizens, letters
come in from readers--from
housewives, lawyers, county har-
monica champs, choir sopranos.
brakemen and stenographers. One
from an undertaken. Each one
says: 81 have written a song. How
can sell it?"
Well, the harsh truth is, that
there is almost no chance that any
Of these songs, whatever their
merits, ever will be marketed.
Unsuitable Tunes
They certainly never will be sold
through the mail to any reputable
publishing company. Manuscripts
thus submitted are handed right
back to the postman and stamped:
Returned unopened to sender" In
a separate envelope goes q polite
but vague little form letter Of re-
rejection.
This policy is not a piece Of in
territorial rudeness on the part Of
music publishers, but a device for
their own protection. It Is the only
way that plagiarism suits can be
avoided.
Take hypothetical case: Oscar
Twirp, stunning on his likelele,
stumbles on melody which he
believes will seize the world by the
ears. He expands the theme. thinks
thinks UP some words to go with
1t, jots the whole thing down and
ships it Off to New York. The
manuscript comes back, years pass,
and one evening Oscar Is dialing
his radio. He hears a famous or
chestra introducing a new song hit
by a celebrated composer. He
hears, also, a measure of melody
or q phrase of the lyrics that
sounds familiar.
Mr.. Twirp leaps to the conclu-
sion that his cherished composition
so brusquely rejected, actually was
cpoied by those thieveing so-and-
sos in New York and later revised
under another mans name. SO he
brings SUIT for plagiarism, grand
larcency, piracy and whatever else
he can think Of. II the defendant
can prove, with the aid of postal
script was returned unopened, the
case is ended. Otherwise the COM
pany is in for a lot Of trouble and
legal expense.
1 might mention, incidentally,
that nearly all motion picture com.
panies refuse to read unsolicited
scenarios. And for exactly the same
reason. .r5,I.s
Bar, to Success
Robert Crawford, head of the
Crawford Music Corporations, cited
for me some examples of legal dis
cord which have made the publish.
ers very cautious. Admitted that
unknown songwriters are almost
hopelessly handicapped, but doesn't
know much that can be done about
1t. He is doing what he can by
granting additions to nearly all
composers who are able to rbing
their wares in person to the pent-
house offices of his company.
Such additions are held in the
presence of witnesses-again for
the company's protection. Crawford
says the percentage Of acceptable
songs is discouraginly low-maybe
one in several hundred. And never
yet has he found a best-seller such
as "hasing Shadows" or Paris in
Spring" lurking in the talent of
completely unknown composer.
The amateur tunesmith who is
unable to came to New York and
risk the possibility of months of
fruitless waiting has only one
chance to win recognition. That
chance is to seek out the nearest
radio station, or maybe an accred-
tied agent or prominent orches-
ira leader, and win a hearing. If
the song is approved, it will be con-
sidered by Tin Pan Alley.
Song and Dance
Occasionally this department
receives plaintfve letter from q
composer. or lyricist. who has paid
fee to have a song published and
marketed" Concerns engaging in
such schemes, which are widely adj
vertised. usually operate within the
law. But some OF them make mis-
leading promises, and for years
have been under fire of the Better
Business Bureaus. Some have been
prosecuted for fraudulent use Of
the mails. ,41-
In many cases. here 10 what hap
pens; The song actually Is pub
lished. A few copies are sent to the
author, and q few copies are offer
cd for sale In one or. two little
music shops. Thus, the publisher \
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