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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
12
EMPLOYES OF WM. KNABE & CO. HOLD ANNUAL PICNIC
Entertain Officials and Many Prominent Guests at Affair Held at Cannstatter Park—Event Has
Special Significance as Celebration of the Eightieth Anniversary of the Concern
BALTIMORE, MD., August 6.—City officials of Balti-
more joined with many prominent figures of the
piano industry on Saturday and helped to make
the picnic held in honor of the eightieth anni-
versary of the founding of William Knabe &
Co. a memorable occasion. Hundreds of work-
ers from the Knabe branch of the American
Piano Co., with their families, spent the after-
noon and evening at Cannstatter Park, where
the affair was held.
Mayor James H. Preston, of Baltimore, find-
ing it impossible to attend, arranged for his
friend, Thomas F. McNulty, sheriff of Baltimore
city, to be on hand and to make an address. Not
alone did Mr. McNulty make a stirring address,
but he instilled additional enthusiasm into the
assemblage when he sang the "Star-Spangled
Banner." Mr. McNulty is famous as a songster,
and he not alone sang himself into office, but
in many political campaigns during a score of
the heartiest congratulations and best wishes
for a happy day that will long be remembered,
and with kindest personal regards, very truly
yours,
W. B. ARMSTRONG."
Ralph C. Bolgiano, president of the factory
committee in charge of the affair, made the
opening address. Mr. Bolgiano said:
Mr. President, members of the firm of Wm.
Knabe & Co., fellow employes and fellow
Americans, we are assembled here to-day to
celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the found-
ing of this progressive firm, and to have a little
recreation and pleasure.
Although this outing is now a time honored
custom, we do not lose sight of the fact that
we are indebted to our employers for this holi-
day with all of its happy associations, nor do
we grow less appreciative of their courtesy.
We feel especially thankful for the privilege of
meeting one another in a purel}' democratic
Officials of the Wm. Knabe Co. and Guests at the Outing
years he has lent his voice for the benefit of
the candidacy of many a nominee. Mr. Mc-
Nulty looked about the assemblage and called
by name many of those in the group, whom
he remembered from the first Knabe picnic he
attended thirty-five years ago. Mr. McNulty
laid special stress on the co-operation of em-
ployes, which he believed was the big point of
success in many firms, especially with the Knabe
concern.
The merrymakers enjoyed many good things
from the festive boards and took part in various
sports between the speech making. There was
bowling and dancing and foot races and other
sports indulged in.
The guests included R. K. Paynter, vice-
president of William Knabe & Co., William J.
Keeley, president of the Auto Pneumatic Action
Co.,. New York, F. J. Meadows, the Lewis,
McFadden Co., of Philadelphia, B. E. Ewell,
Sherwin-Williams
Varnish
Co., Cleveland,
Leonard Davis, manager of retail sales division
of Knabe & Co., B. Lee Anderson, manager of
the Baltimore and Washington stores of Knabe
& Co., and E. C. Taylor, sales manager for the
Baltimore Knabe store.
The following letter was sent from New York
to C. P. Vogt, factory superintendent at Balti-
more, by W. B. Armstrong, vice-president of
the American Piano Co., and which was read:
"It is with very extreme regret that the writer
feels that it is physically impossible for him to
attend the picnic of the Knabe division. My
real reason for it is, that I have been at the
office every day during the present week, and
have spent my entire time there. These are
rather unusual hours for this time of the year,
and the weather has been so torrid that I feel
pretty well "pushed" and don't like to consider
a trip to Baltimore under these conditions.
"Will you kindly extend to all the employes
of the factory, all of whom are my good friends,
manner, and of learning that our interests are
their interest.
There appeared in a recent issue of one of
our local papers an article worthy of our deep-
est consideration, and I shall ask you to bear
machinery with its heroes and heroines. It is
a time when citizenship shows an unusual de-
velopment.
We as Americans have the high honor of call-
ing this great free country of noble and honor-
able ideals, "Home." We are united in a worthy
cause and joined to this country, which has
been drawn into this struggle much against its
will. We are all engaged in bringing about lib-
Some of the Lady Guests
Left to Right—Mrs. Chas. P. Vogt, Miss Mary Vogt,
Mrs. B. Lee Anderson, Miss M. Aikens, Miss Celie Berry-
man. Miss Elizabeth Vogt.
erty and justice for all. I trust that every one
present this afternoon will do his or her bit,
great or small. It is important and our duty to
do something for the worthy cause.
The thought expressed in the old quotation,
"My country, right or wrong," etc., will ever
ring true to every patriotic citizen. Fortunately,
however, at this time there is no possibility of
m stake in our just cause. We have taken up
humanity's call.
At this time I take the opportunity to report
that the executive committee visited Loudon
Park Cemetery this morning, and placed floral
tributes upon the grave of our late president,
Chas. Keidel.
Vice-President Paynter and Mr. Davis also
made a few brief remarks, both of whom ex-
pressed their pleasure on being present and con-
gratulated the workers on the fine instruments
they continue to turn out, thereby making more
customers for the firm.
Mr. Davis told the workers that the firm's
success meant their success and by their close
application to their various duties they would
make themselves more valuable, as well as
create an instrument that would make the sell-
ing force successful.
The ladies' bowling event was captured by
Miss Kleb, Miss Eckenrode was second and
Miss Beyer, third.
The men's bowling event was captured by
The Executive Committee in Charge of the Outing
Left to Right—P. Kowlkowski, Secretary; Leon Suffner, Treasurer; Chas. P. Vogt, Supt. and Gen. Mgr.; Emil
Seippel, Vice-Chairman; Kalph C. Bolgiano, Chairman.
with me while I quote the author: "Brain serv-
ice can be bought, lip service can be hired, phys-
ical service can be contracted for, but heart
service is the kind you get when yo^ pay in
the coin of appreciation, kindness and considera-
tion." Let us all endeavor to have more of the
heart service. Not only is this fundamental
principle of heart service essential for the suc-
cess of a business house "or organization, but it
is just as necessary for the success of a nation.
We are living in a time of strife, battle, and
all of the accompanying horrors, as well as the
Other side of highly productive and operative
Charles Lang, R. C. Bolgiano, second; John
Sopi, third, and John Heinz, fourth. John Sopi
was awarded the prize for the greatest num-
ber of strikes.
John Schneider proved the winner in prize
waltzing among the men and Mrs. Dora Smith
was acclaimed the winner in her sex.
The executive committee in charge of the pic-
nic consisted of Ralph C. Bolgiano, president;
Emil Seippel, vice-president; P. Kowlkowski,
secretary, and L. Suffner, treasurer. There were
also a number of live sub-committees in charge
of the various events.