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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
TUNERS GUILD SEEKS COOPERATION
W. C. HEPPERLA BACK AT DESK
MOTION PICTURES OF MUSIC SHOW
Suggests That Manufacturers Supply With Each
Piano Printed Instructions Regarding the Na-
ture and Care of the Instruments—Would
Serve to Protect Both Owners and Tuners
Returns From Florida Honeymoon—Picture
Taken in St. Augustine Displays Contrast to
Cold Reception He Received on Arriving
Home in the Snow This Week
Hearst-Pathe News Pictorial to Feature Scenes
at Coliseum and Views of Tableaux and
Choruses Before and During the Week of the
Show—"Still" Pictures in Newspapers
The American Guild of Piano Tuners over
the signature of William F. McClellan, national
secretary-treasurer, has issued the following let-
ter under the caption: "Co-operation of Manu-
facturers Desired." The suggestion offered by
the Guild is worthy of far more than casual at-
tention on the part of the manufacturers:
"In view of the fact that the piano owning
public is, with few exceptions, entirely ignorant
or the nature and construction of the piano,
effects of atmospheric changes, etc., upon the
v.'tal parts thereof, and whereas, a vast por-
tion of the piano owners have at best, only a
vague idea of how much attention is required
to keep a piano in anything like fair condition,
and who through constant association with the
instrument in their homes, are unable to realize
its transition from a thing of beauty and pleas-
ing harmonies, to a box of jangle, discord, and
weird sounds, this condition of affairs has
caused the officers and members of the Guild
considerable thought and study. A plan was final-
ly adopted which we believe will remedy the
evil. It was therefore decided at a meeting
of the officers of the national board of directors
of the American Guild of Piano Tuners, to call
the manufacturer's attention to the situation,
and that the secretary be instructed to write
them, suggesting the feasibility of providing a
pocket in each piano, conveniently located,
preferably on the inside of the right end imme-
diately below the lid or top, said pocket to
contain printed instructions as to the nature
and care of the piano.
"The value and importance of this suggestion
is at once apparent, as the experience of the
tuner will show most conclusively that very
few piano owners realize the advantage or neces-
ity of having their instruments cared for
periodically by a competent tuner. This lack
of knowledge on the part of the owner, not
only results in the lossi of a considerable amount
of business that should come annually to the
tuner and the tuning department, but is also
the cause of great deterioration in the product
of the manufacturer. Many a splendid piano
is not giving the service or satisfaction it should,
all on account of the unintentional neglect of
the owner. It should, no doubt, be the duty
of the dealer to instruct the customer as to
the proper use and intelligent care of the piano.
But how often is this done? The reasons are
obvious.
"The great work of instructing the piano
owner in the care of the instrument, has been
left almost entirely to the tuner, and while we
realize that it is our duty, and cheerfully accept
the responsibility, we nevertheless, would ap-
preciate any assistance the manufacturers could
give us in this respect. And we assure you,
Mr. Manufacturer, that every member of the
Guild, will not only consider it his personal duty
to raise the top, and call the owner's attention
to the aforesaid instructions, but will be more
than pleased to say a good word for the piano
containing such printed matter."
W. C. Hepperla, secretary of the Brambach
Piano Co., New York, returned this week from
his honeymoon, which was spent in Florida. A
glance at the accompanying illustration not only
shows how happy Mr. Hepperla appears as a
benedict, but also that he surely had the laugh
on the rest of us who have been plodding around
One of the most important announcements
connected with the publicity plans for the Na-
tional Music Show to be held in Chicago May
19-26, was made this week by Chas. D. Isaac-
son, publicity director of the show, and con-
firmed by Edwin B. Hatrick, manager of Hearst-
Pathe News Pictorial. The announcement is
to the effect tjjat special motion pictures rela-
tive to musical matters would be released before
and during the week of the show. Regarding
the plans Mr. Hatrick said:
"Prior to the opening of the week, we will
show all of the people of Chicago and the rest
of the country the last minute preparations, the
work in the Coliseum, the recruiting and re-
hearsals of the Community Chorus, the develop-
ment of the tableaux, the installation of the
concert halls in the Coliseum, the receiving of
the instruments, bits of the posters, the news-
paper sections, etc. This will go all over the
country and will inform the rest of America of
Chicago's great musical enterprise.
"Also during the week we shall release a pic-
ture which we believe will be of tremendous
educational interest. It will show the develop-
ment of the great musical instruments. The
concert grand of to-day with an eminent artist
at the keyboard will be the finale of the pro-
gression of the ancient clavichord. From the
pipes of Pan to the great church organ, there
were many marvelous steps, and they will make
a beautiful picture.
"I have often wondered how a phonograph
record is made from the moment an eminent
artist gives forth his voice until the record sings
out again in my own home. So, we are going
to show the making of a record, of a music roll
W. C. Hepperla
and the other great musical inventions, which
in an abundance of slush for the last few days.
are making our present day existence so much
Mr. Hepperla spent considerable time in St. more beautiful and entertaining."
Augustine, where the phonograph shown here-
The International News Co. will also feature
with was taken. He is now back on the job the National Music Show in "still" photographs,
with renewed energy, which no doubt will mean in the various newspapers of the country.
a great increase in the output of the Brambach
factory within the near future.
PIANO CASE T00MUCH FOR JURY
SHEARER CREDITORS TO MEET
Chance to Prove Claims and Appoint Trustee
to Be Given at Coming Meeting
A notice has been sent to the creditors of
H. P. Shearer as follows:
"Henry Platt Shearer was duly adjudicated
bankrupt on February 17, 1917. The first meet-
ing of creditors will be held at my office, 67
Wall street, city of New York, on March 13,
1917, at 10.50 a. m. Creditors may prove claims,
appoint a trustee, examine the bankrupt, and
transact such other business as may come before
said meeting.
"WILLIAM ALLEN, Referee in Bankruptcy."
DEATH OF MRS. MARIA M. JACOB
New Haven Judge Says It Would Be Like Flip-
ping a Penny to Ask Laymen to Decide
HARTFORD, CONN., March 5.—That the finances,
of the piano business can prove puzzling even
to a judge is indicated in the case of S. N.
Dunning, trustee of the bankrupt Barker Piano
Co., this city, who is bringing suit against the
Commercial Securities Co., et al., to recover
•some of the assets of the bankrupt. After
hearing a preliminary statement by the lawyers,
Judge Burpee held that the suit should not be
tried by a jury owing to the intricate law points
involved. He says it would be like flipping a
penny to ask twelve laymen to bring in a ver-
dict in such a complex case.
NEW QUARTERS IN WASHINGTON
Mother of Charles and C. Albert Jacob, of
Jacob Bros., Passes Away in 91st Year
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 5.—Helbig Bros.,
well-known music house of this city, which for
Charles and C. Albert Jacob, head of the house over thirty-five years has been located on
of
Jacob Bros., the prominent piano manufac- Seventh street, is now settled in its new home,
i
MUSIC DEPARTMENT OPENED
turers, New York, have the sympathy of their 1327 G slreet, in the business center of the city.
The Brooks Twins, managers of the Monrovia many friends in the trade on the death of their The new quarters have been elaborately dec-
Book & Music Store, Monrovia, Cal., have in- mother, Mrs. Maria M. Jacob. Mrs. Jacob died orated and furnished and will permit of a gen-
stalled a new department devoted to the sale at her home, 715 Bushwick avenue, Brooklyn, eral establishment of the company's business.
of pianos, player-pianos and Victrolas. Ed- on Friday of last week after a brief illness. She Decker & Sons, Bjur Bros., Weser Bros., Stultz
ward A. Repp, formerly with Lyon & Healy, was in her ninety-first year. Besides her sons, & Bauer, Weydig-Henkelman, Mathushek, and
Chicago, will be in full charge of the new de- Mrs. Jacob is survived by a daughter, Mrs. other makes of pianos and player-pianos are
handled by the house.
Madeline Oswald.
partment.
WINTER & CO.
220 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, NEW YORK
Manufacturers of
Superior Pianos
and Player Pianos