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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JUNE 1, 1918
13
P. E. CONROY GIVES DINNER TO MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF
Acts as Host at Banquet at Hotel Statler, St. Louis—Outlook for Future Discussed, and Opti-
mistic Note Sounded by All Present— F. E. Edgar Among the Guests
ST. LOUIS, MO., May 27.—P. E. Conroy enter-
tained the members of the sales staff and heads
of other departments of the Conroy Piano Co.
at dinner at the Hotel Statler Thursday night
to discuss with them the different order of
things in the piano business. Mr. Conroy said
that his main object was to take up the various
rumors that had gained circulation since the re-
duction had been made in the output of pianos
and to get a complete understanding of just
where the "House of Conroy" stood and where
the men stood.
It happened that Frank Edgar, vice-president
and sales manager of the Wilcox & White Co.,
was in this vicinity at that time, and he was in-
vited to be a guest at the dinner. He notified
the home office of his plan of remaining in St.
Louis, and telegrams were received during the
dinner from President J. H. White and the new
general manager, B. H. Janssen.
President
White's telegram was:
"Frank Edgar, Hotel Statler, St. Louis.
"Appreciate compliment shown to us through
you. Please express to Mr. Conroy and all in
establishment our best wishes and our pleasure
that the House of Conroy and Wilcox & White
are business and personal friends and that our
new organization meets with their approval,
which coming from Conroy means much to
us. Regret I cannot be there. J. H. White,
president."
General Manager Janssen's telegram was sim-
ilar in sentiment.
Of course, Mr. Conroy was the chief speaker
at the dinner, which lasted from 7 p. m. until
after midnight, and every person present said
something and made it entertaining.
Mr. Conroy told his staff that he did not ex-
pect to reduce his force because of the war, but
that he felt he was entirely safe in taking the
position that some musical instruments would
be made. He said that he knew that the Gov-
ernment had no plans to destroy the piano busi-
ness and was merely utilizing that part of the
organization which was needed to help to win
the war. With this position of the Government
he had no quarrel, indeed he heartily approved
of such measures that are necessary to win the
war. He said, however, that he was certain that
the Government would admit that music is now
a necessity, and that it is needed to win the war
and also to keep the home fires burning. He
said that the position of the House of Conroy
was this: that it might come to pass where only
10 per cent, of the former output of pianos were
made. Also it was a fact that fewer than 10
per cent, of piano merchants paid cash for their
merchandise. That small proportion included
the House of Conroy, and he was sure that, de-
spite the cut in output, the House of Conroy
would still have some pianos to sell.
He also called attention to the new advertis-
ing slogan, which reads: "Conroy's, the house
THE LEADING LINE
WEAVER PIANOS
Grands, Uprights
and Players
YORK PIANOS
Uprights and Players
LIVINGSTON PIANOS
Uprights and Player-Pianos
If your competitor does not already have this
line, go after it at once.
Weaver Piano Co., Inc.
FACTORY
YORK, PA.
Established 1870
that guarantees each instrument."
He said
that there was to be an era of absolute truth in
selling Conroy pianos. That there was only one
price and sales, to be made, must be made on
that price and also must be made entirely by
truthful representations. If the sale could not
be so made, it could go to some place where
prices would be cut and misrepresentations
made. He said that if it ever happened that he
heard a salesman say anything about an instru-
ment that was not true, he would interrupt and
say to the customer: "I am very sorry, sir, but
this salesman has misrepresented this instru-
ment to you. The truth is
" He did not
say what he would do to the salesman later.
Mr. Conroy informed the staff that it was
not his intention at present to name a man as
manager to take the place of James B. Moran,
who recently entered the Wurlitzer service as
manager of the St. Louis store. He intended
to be the manager, he said, in a somewhat more
detailed manner than he had recently been.
Those present at the dinner were: F. E. Ed-
gar, P. E. Conroy, R. T. Conroy, H. H. Boll-
man, Emil Dieboll, A. M. Alch, Eugene Ket-
terer, W. D. Coleman, Charles Strawn, Lessing
Alch, O. A. Lovell, J. J. O'Connor, L. M. Fos-
ter and W. L. Lindhorst. At the conclusion
three cheers were given for the country and
added cheers for It. T. Conroy, Jr., and Fred
Wachle, both of whom are in the military serv-
ice. A signed testimonial of regret that he could
not be present was sent to R. T. Conroy, Jr.
At the conclusion Mr. Edgar said to Mr.
Conroy: "It is remarkable how the men you
have gathered about you are able to get up and
make an interesting talk. Usually these dinners
become dull because the men will not speak.
But all of your men said something and said it
interestingly."
NEW SMITH &BARNES CATALOG
Latest Styles of Instruments Described in Book-
let Issued by the Smith & Barnes Piano Co.
Several new and most attractive styles in
pianos, in a substantial variety of case designs,
both simple and elaborate, are included in the
latest catalog just issued by the Smith & Barnes
Piano Co., Chicago. In all ten styles of up-
rights, namely, Styles 100, 103, 115, 104, 106, 110,
117, 118, 116 and 107, are illustrated in the cat-
alog, being reproduced in an effective shade of
sepia, and set in a cream border that serves to
emphasize the details. Underneath each instru-
ment is printed the various specifications re-
garding size and construction, with the excep-
tion of Styles 104, 110 and 116. All the upright
styles are also to be obtained in player-pianos.
In addition to the uprights, there is featured the
new Style 300, small grand, five feet five inches
in length, and which has attracted an unusual
amount of attention because of its excellent
construction and pleasing tonal qualities.
A glance at the various instruments shown
proves conclusively that the Smith & Barnes
Piano Co. have put forth much effort to pro-
duce styles in case designs that are thoroughly
distinctive, and of a variety sufficient to meet
all normal demands of customers in that par-
ticular. This is particularly evident in Style
107, Mission, where distinct originality holds
sway.
In order to impress the recipient of the cat-
alog with the size of the Smith & B,arnes Co. as
a manufacturing institution, there are shown on
the front page of the catalog, and preceding the
introduction, views of the company's factories in
Chicago and in North Milwaukee. The intro-
duction calls attention to the fact that the first
Smith & Barnes piano was made in 1884, and
sets forth the ideals that have been followed in
the production of the instruments of that make
during the intervening years.
Christman
Pianos
Players
are the kind that
will help build up
your business. They
are the one piano
in the trade that is
really distinctive.
In addition to ar-
tistic case designs,
beautiful finishes
and veneers, they
have a truly mar-
velous tone—a tone
of such power and
beauty that you and
your customers are
sure to like.
You will find Christman
Pianos to be good in-
struments to sell, for, be-
cause of their excep-
tional quality,they
enable you to give your
customers better value
for their money than
they can possibly get
elsewhere.
Arrange for our agency
and increase your busi-
ness and profits.
"The first touch tells"
Christman Piano Co.
597 E. 137th Street, New York
J