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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION IN THE PIANO TRADE.
William J. Keeley Says We Are Rapidly Reaching a Point Where the Training of Executives
for the Future Becomes a Vital Question for the Piano Trade, and a Definite Solution of the
Problem Must Soon Be Forthcoming—Arousing a Desire for Knowledge Among Workers.
William J. Keeley, president of the Auto Pneu-
matic Action Co., New York city, is one of those
members of the trade who have risen to executive
positions of importance after a thorough course ot
training in the ranks. He has worked at the bench
and also sold the products of the bench and in
discussing the necessity of training for piano work-
men and the arousing in them a desire for more
general knowledge, Mr. Keeley's opinions bear the
weight of experience.
"One of the requirements in the piano trade at
W. J. Keeley.
the present time is employes who have the ambi-
tion to gain a thorough knowledge of the various
details of the business and are not satisfied to be
able to do only one thing or take care of one small
operation like an automaton," said Mr. Keeley in
a recent talk with The Review. '"The ambitious,
and 1 might say, student-employe is needed that tie
may more readily be able to till the position of
those higher up whenever the opportunity arrives.
. "The great trouble with many operatives is thai
they 'have learned one part of the trade thoroughly
and are earning fair wages. Under present condi-
tions to ,l.tarn the other branches would probably
mean beginning again at the bottom of the ladder at
a low rate of pay. Very few of the younger work-
men are able to see far enough into the future to
be willing to make this sacrifice, for in the present-
day factory, especially the larger ones, the various
details of the work are so specialized that the
workman does not in the natural course of busi-
ness, have the opportunity of gaming knowledge
of the work in other departments besides his own,
unless he has the ambition to force the oppor-
tunity.
"In our own organization the value of general
training and knowledge is reflected in the fact
that these thinking men have won executive posi-
tions for themselves through watching and under-
standing the manufacturing and selling details.
The confidence aroused by such knowledge in the
natural course of events leads the possessor to
'higher and more important posts.
"Then comes up the question at once 'Why not
organize a system of industrial education in the
trade?' Then we have the problem of whom to
look to for support; whether it would come from
the present national organizations, or from the
manufacturers as individuals. Then again, if sup-
port should be forthcoming where can we look
for capable teachers?
"The teachers we would most naturally fall back
upon should be competent foremen, but then again
the majority of those best suited from experience
and ability to act as teachers are usually unable to
impart their knowledge to others except by actual
example. In too few cases is the practical man
an acceptable teacher and the theorist, should he
possess teaching ability, would in all probability
lack the great essential, practicability.
"We are rapidly reaching a point where the prob-
lem of training executives for the future is a seri-
ous one for the real thinkers among the piano
men, and a definite solution of the problem must
be forthcoming before very long.
"The piano industry is expanding at a rate more
rapid than at any time in its history and there
must be capable men of broad knowledge to take
control of the various new plants as the demand
increases.
With the ranks of the 'old guard'
dwindling steadily, and with the march of progress,
requiring fresh young blood, where, and to whom,
shall we look for the right man in the right place,
if not in the ranks of the would-be progressive
in his trade?"
NOW COLONEL B. B. CREW.
Former President of the National Piano Mer-
chants' Association, and Head of the Well-
known House of Phillips & Crew, Elected to
the Colonelcy of the Old Guard of Georgia.
B. B. Crew, of Phillips & Crew, the prominent
piano merchants of Atlanta, Ga., has recently been
elected colonel of the honorary staff of the Old
Guard of Georgia. This is Atlanta's crack social
military organization, and to be its commanding
officer is considered one of the highest 'honors that
can be bestowed on any resident of that city. This
body entertained the Old Guard of New York City,
the Boston Ancient and Honorable Artillery, the
Fifth Maryland of Baltimore and the Richmond
Col.
B. B. Crew.
Blues last year, and during the coming year will
return the visits. Of its hundred and two mem-
bers Col. Crew, who is a forms:r president of the
National Piano Merchants' Association and his
son, Ben Lee Crew, are the only representatives of
the piano industry.
J. P. Crumpler, of Harrison, Ark., has favored
us with a very attractive photograph of the interior
of his store, showing a large line of pianos, talking
machines and small goods. Mr. Crumpler is build-
ing up a very nice business in his territory.
STARR PIANOS FOR NOTED COLLEGE.
NEW BALDWIN AGENCIES ON PACIFIC COAST.
College of Industrial Arts Orders Carload of
Starr Pianos from the Field-Lippman Piano
Stores, Dallas, Tex.—Many Visitors to Fair.
Baldwin Co. Steadily Strengthening Hold on California Trade—Two New Companies Took on
Line Last Week at Bakersfield and Santa Maria.
(Special to The Review.)
Dallas, Tex., Oct. 14, 1912.
There were many visitors to the new home of
the Field-Lippmann Piano Stores (Jesse French
Piano Co.), at 1021 Elm street, this city, during
the Texas State Fair. Manager J. C. Phelps made
a magnificent display of the various pianos which
they handle, notably the Steiuway and 'Starr, in
the company's handsome warerooms, and as a re-
sult a large volume of business was transacted.
Speaking of the Starr piano brings to mind that
the Field-Lippmann Piano Stores have just re-
ceived an order for a carload of Starr pianos from
the College of Industrial Arts, Denton, Tex., which
has used this instrument for years, and the present
order is a very handsome tribute to the musical
qualities and constructional excellence of the Starr
pianos. I t also emphasizes the position won by
the Field-Lippmann Piano Stores in this territory.
Manager Phelps is a great believer in publicity,
and during the Texas State Fair he carried large
advertisements in the local papers in which invita-
tions were extended to visitors to make the Field-
Lippman Piano Stores headquarters during their
stay in the city.
( Special to The Review.)
San Francisco, Cal., Oct. 11, 1912.
The Baldwin Co. continues to open new agencies
in the interior with the regularity of clockwork.
This week an agency of real importance was
placed in the thriving city of Bakersfield, the me-
tropolis of the California oil fields. The Hayden
Furniture Co., of that .place, has taken the entire
SLICK SWINDLER GETS CASH.
Offers Check in Payment for Piano and Per-
suades Salesman That Manager Agrees to
Cash It Over 'Phone—Gets Difference in Cash
and Flits Away—A New Game.
A fake check artist secured $48.39 in cash from
a salesman in the branch store of the Lauter Co.,
at 90 Bergenline avenue, Union Hill, N. J., last
week by a very clever ruse and according to latest
reports both the swindler and the money are both
being sought by the police. The stranger, who
gave the name of A. Gaylord, with a Union Hill
address, entered the piano store, looked over the
stock and after much deliberation finally decided
upon a certain instrument and asked that it be de-
livered.
Baldwin line, has put in a large stock, and will
make its piano department an integral part of its
business. The company has engaged the services
of F. T. Bourgeoise, who is not only familiar with
the piano business but with the Baldwin goods in
particular. The Baldwin Co. has also placed an
agency with the Santa Maria Music Co. at Santa
Maria, with J. W. Moore as manager.
The salesman stated that an initial payment of ^
least $25 was necessary before the piano could
lea\e the store and the stranger produced a check
for $273.79. The salesman refused to cash the
check and finally called the manager on the 'phone,
who also refused permission to do so. The swind-
ler then talked with the manager over the 'phone
and upon being informed that a cash deposit was
absolutely necessary said: "Oh, then it's all right,"
telling the salesman that the remark referred to
the cashing of the check..
The salesman understood that the manager had
agreed to take the check and forthwith cashed it,
taking out the entire cost of the piano ana turning
over the balance in cash. When the manager re-
turned and learned of the swindle he was strong
for dynamite and the reserves and tried to get on
the trail of the crook, but without success.