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12
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MAY
18, 1918
field embraced by the Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce, with which it has been com-
C. L. Dennis, Director of the Bureau, Tells of Accomplishments During the Month of April—Two bined.
"Two-thirds of the complaints forwarded to
Successful Prosecutions—Other Cases Now Pending Action by Postal Authorities
this office are from localities where no direct
vigilance work is done, therefore it becomes
MILWAUKEE, WIS., May 13.—The Music Indus- about the specific goods, and the fine in this
tries Better Business Bureau, of which C. L. case marks another step forward for honest necessary to strengthen our trade organizations
in the localities not covered, and co-operate
Dennis is the director, issued the following in- merchandising.
teresting report covering the activities of the
"The other case was remarkable for the quick with those agencies which do exist. This
bureau for the month of April:
action secured where the music trade and bet- brings up again the need for local association
"Two victories for better business in the only ter business agencies are well organized to com- work, which is progressing rapidly, but which
two prosecutions with which your Music In- bat trade evils. An advertisement appearing on requires a centralized effort to bring it into
dustries Bureau has been identified under its April 5 in Milwaukee newspapers resulted in a working relationship with our national organiza-
present management were recorded during fine of $100 and costs for the offending dealer tion.
"The affiliation plan which was worked out
on April 12.
April.
"In both of the above cases the local vigilance along the lines proposed by President Edmund
"In one of them, the Iowa Advertising law
was upheld in the prosecution of flamboyant workers employed the co-operation of the Na- Gram, of the National Association of Piano
advertising of the type used in special sales put tional Music Industries Better Business Bu- Merchants, and which was presented in last
on by promoters, in the first case of its kind reau, demonstrating the advantages of proper month's report, was forwarded to all officers of
in the United States where the charges were trade organization to assist the work of the As- city and State associations on record, and to
State Commissioners, urging the local organiza-
based on a general misstatement of facts, such sociated Advertising Clubs.
as 'Must be sold at once—regardless of value,'
"The organization of the music trade to as- tions to affiliate and send delegates to the con-
'A large assortment of the world's most famous sist in this work was started by the National vention in New York City June S, 6 and 7, when
makes of pianos,' etc. Hitherto, convictions Association of Piano Merchants in establishing plans will be made for carrying on the work of
have been confined to dishonest statements your present bureau, which now covers the wide the Better Business Bureau, as well as the other
activities of vital interest to national trade af-
fairs at this time.
"Besides this organization work in which your
TRADE II
MARK
secretary was authorized to assist President
Gram, the usual attention was given to the com-
plaints submitted to this office, as herewith
stated.
"Direct attention was given to twenty-two
cases during April, of which nine were new ones
reported during the month. Investigation by
post office authorities in one of three coupon
cases pending resulted in laying the facts before
the United States District Attorney at Detroit,
and it is reported that other investigations are
producing results. Other coupon cases are at
El Paso and in New York State, which latter
covers the vicinity of Albany and Syracuse and
Utica, N. Y., while its ramifications lead into
still other places.
"The case of W. Vernon Sprinkle, charged
with using the mails to defraud and now under
$5,000 bonds to the United States District Court
at Richmond, Va., grew out of operations of
the Profit Sharing Co., at Norfolk and Rich-
mond, and is an echo of the famous Sprinkle
case at Baltimore, Md., where John W. Sprinkle,
a brother, was convicted and sent to Federal
prison on a similar charge. The latter case
was postponed on April 15 to the October term
of court.
"Two convictions in State courts, one of
which upheld the Iowa Advertising law in
stamping as fraudulent general misstatements
of fact, as well as specific misrepresentation of
Machine finish is not enough for American Hammer Felt.
merchandise, went on record during the month
Trained men. with hands made sensitive by years of experience,
to prove the value of organized co-operation in
do the work that fine machinery leaves unfinished.
establishing better business standards. A com-
No matter how minute the imperfection in the felt, there exists
plaint of advertising in Milwaukee newspapers
a remote possibility that the tone of the instrument might be
of April 5 resulted in a conviction and fine of
affected. If allowed to pass, then our guarantee of absolute uni-
formity would not mean all that it now does to manufacturers
$100 and costs one week later, April 12."'
and dealers—as well as to tuners and players.
Accompanying the general report are detailed
statements regarding the various cases handled
That is not all. Appearance is also considered. Hand rubbing
makes the hammers look better because it takes out all specks.
by the bureau during April, all of them care-
If there is any question about the value of this, ask the piano
fully classified.
salesman. He knows!
REPORT OF MUSIC INDUSTRIES BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
American Hammer Felt
Hand-Rubbed
Many a successful piano salesman to-day is emphasizing to his
prospects the statement that "You can bank on the permanency
of the tone of this piano because the hammers are made of
American Hammer Felt."
Specify it when you order Piano Hammers.
American Felt
Company
TRADEi
100 Summer St.
BOSTON
.MARK
25 Madison Ave.
NEW YORK
325 So. Market St.
CHICAGO
RAIMUND WURLITZER IN THE NAVY
CINCINNATI, O., May 13.—Raimund Wurlitzer,
son of Howard E. Wurlitzer, president of the R.
Wurlitzer Co., recently succeeded in obtaining
an honorable discharge from the Hospital Unit
to which he was attached, in order that he might
join the navy. He is now stationed at the
naval training station located at Newport, R. I.
C. A. CORDES AN AVIATOR DU CHASSE
BUFFALO, N. Y., May 14.—Charles Alexander
Cordes, formerly a member of the C. Kurtzmann
& Co. organization in this city, but who has
been in France since last October, has recently
been made an aviator du chasse.
Sherman, Clay & Co. have relinquished their
branch in Santa Rosa, Cal., and their entire
line of goods has been taken over by the C. A.
Wright Co., in that city.