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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
MARCH 29, 1919
Arthur Conrow, of the Connorized Music Co.,
then gave those present a short talk, and ad-
Irwin Kurtz Appointed Temporary Chairman of Association of Music Roll Dealers Formed at vised the dealers that now that they were to-
Meeting at Terrace Garden Last Week—T. M. Pletcher Makes Strong Plea for Price Maintenance gether they should form a temporary organiza-
tion for the purpose of gathering all the dealers
A meeting of a large number of music roll tip, and, as a matter of fact, those to whom the in the metropolitan district into one association.
dealers of the metropolitan district was held reduction was given would probably go to the The meeting being open to questions, some of
on Friday evening of last week in the Corinthian theatre and spend $10 or $20 the same evening. the dealers suggested that if they formed an
Room, Terrace Garden, New York, for the pur- He stated that 80 per cent, of the automobiles organization to maintain prices, a good method
pose of forming a local association. Owing to sold are luxuries, and 99.2 per cent, of the mo- should be evolved whereby the dealers could
the fact that a number of dealers have recently tion pictures are also luxuries, but still these are exchange non-salable rolls. In answer to this
complained that they were suffering from com- among the most successful industries in the Mr. Conrow stated that the discontinuance on
petition of the roll price cutter, and that there country. He felt that most members of the the part of the manufacturer of exchanging rolls
were other trade evils that should be eliminated, music industry* were pikers with their methods, was in compliance with an order from the War
a number of roll manufacturers took an active being so easily satisfied with the small amount Industries Board, and now that peace-time con-
part in bringing the dealers together.
of the public's money which they receive. He ditions are returning without doubt this ques-
T. M. Pletcher, head of the Q R S Co., made slated with the passing of the liquor business, tion would be taken up at the convention of
the address of the evening, and opened it by which without doubt is a luxury, the money the National Music Roll Manufacturers' Associa-
criticising the figures of a preceding speaker who saved by the public in that direction would be tion to be held in Chicago in June. Other deal-
had predicted that over 300,000 player-pianos spent for other luxuries and that it was up to ers suggested that territory should be restricted,
would be manufactured during the present year the dealer to get his share.
and this and other questions will without doubt
and estimated that there would be an average
In estimating the amount of rolls that will be be given consideration after the forming of the
at least of ten rolls sold for every player manu- manufactured, Mr. Pletcher stated that it new association.
factured. Mr. Fletcher's estimate was more would probably be 15,000,000 rolls, and that 14,-
Irwin Kurtz and Sol Lazarus, both well-known
conservative. He calculated that there would be 500,000 of these should be word rolls. He local dealers in the music trade, and members
from 125,000 to 150,000 players manufactured, stressed the point that 90 cents should be the of several trade organizations, encouraged the
and that there would be an average of fifty rolls minimum retail price of rolls, and showed that forming of the new body. Irwin Kurtz, at the
sold with each player. The latter estimate is 18 cents has been the average increase in the insistence of several of those present, then ac-
more nearly correct, as the chairman's estimate wholesale prices on rolls during the past few cepted the temporary chairmanship, and a vol-
would not allow for the production of as many years, but the public have not been pikers, and unteer secretary took up the cards of the deal-
rolls as were manufactured last year.
have increased their purchases, thus showing ers who signified their intentions of joining the
Mr. Pletcher dwelt upon the prominence of the that the demand is constantly increasing, and proposed association.
industry with which his hearers are connected, that the public is not anxious for price reduc-
Those active in the new organization will, no
and he begged of them to have vision. He stated tions. Several times during the course of Mr. doubt, call a meeting within the next several
that music appeals to a larger per cent, of the Pletcher's talk his remarks met with great en- weeks with the intention of making the associa-
people than any other product except food. He thusiasm, and at the close of his address he was tion permanent and really a factor in the field
said it was the purpose of the roll manufactur- roundly applauded.
of music roll activities.
ers to assist the dealers in maintaining prices,
that they would do everything in their power to CHASE BROS. SELL IN CARLOAD LOTS PRESIDENT BUYS WELTE CO. STOCK
encourage them to do so.
He showed how successful merchandising is Sioux Furniture Co. Buy Large Order of Chase H. E. Mitchell Bids in Shares of Common and
Bros. Players for Their Four Stores
Preferred Stock of Company Together With
only the ultimate outcome of good business
Certain Patents for $100,000 at Sale Conducted
practice, that there was no necessity for price
MASON CITY, IA., March 25.—Irving S. Curtis,
by Alien Property Custodian
cutting to sell rolls, that production was not
exceeding the demand, and even if it did, he cited Western sales manager for the Chase-Hackley
The sale of 1,762 shares of common and 2,997
numerous instances where successful merchants Piano Co., whose headquarters are at 22 Third
have built up a large clientele of roll buyers un- street, Mason City, la., recently made a very shares of preferred stock of M. Welte & Sons,
der a similar condition without the aid of pre- important sale of Chase Bros, player-pianos to Inc., together with certain patents held and con-
the Sioux Furniture Co. This company is one ti oiled by the company, was held on Friday
miums or special discounts.
One case in particular that would seem to im- of the livest institutions in northwestern Iowa morning of last week at the main offices of M.
press the dealer was that of the Knight-Camp- and operates four stores, which are in Sheldon, Welte & Sons, Inc., 667 Fifth avenue, New York,
bell Music Co., of Denver, Colo., who sell an Orange City, Alton and Maurice, respectively. under the direction of the Alien Property Custo-
average of sixty rolls a year to every name on Each branch does a very active business in both dian, by whom the property in question was
their mailing list, maintain prices and uphold pianos and furniture. The affairs of the firm taken over for the Government a year or so ago.
established values. Not even the used rolls are conducted by four young, energetic men, each The sale was conducted by G. P. Wagner, rep-
are sold at a reduction, as these are destroyed. one of whom has charge of one of the four resenting the Alien Property Custodian, and the
The company do not confine their mailing list stores, and who use up-to-date and progressive stock and patents included in the sale were bid
in by H. E. Mitchell, president of M. Welte &
to the player-piano owners, but the new roll methods to increase trade.
lists are forwarded to every prospect, and this
Mr. Curtis also recently sold a special Chase Sons, Inc., for $100,000. No other bids were
is found to be a method of creating a desire on Bros, baby grand to a prominent lawyer of made, although several concerns in the trade
and their representatives qualified as bidders
the part of the prospect to own a player.
Mason City.
before the sale.
Mr. Pletcher covered the possibilities for the
Mr. Mitchell became president of M. Welte &
sale of rolls in Greater New York. He stated SIMPLIFIED PLAYER CONSTRUCTION
Sons, Inc., when the business was reorganized
that he was surprised with what the dealers had
accomplished under present conditions, that the Patent Granted on Improved Form of Piano for the purpose of placing it under American
Player Which Obviates to a Great Extent the control, and by obtaining possession of the
roll manufacturer was behind the dealer to help
slock held by foreign interests at the sale Mr.
Use of Rubber Tubing in the Mechanism
him in legitimate business, and that it was time
Mitchell has brought about the complete Ameri-
for the price cutter to quit while he had some-
The factory at
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 24.—Patent No. canization of the business.
thing left. He stated that the legitimate price
for a roll was cost plus a fair profit, and it was 1,295,198 was last week granted to Claus E. Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the warerooms and
the manufacturer's desire to see every dealer Peterson, Worcester, Mass., for a piano player offices at 667 Fifth avenue, New York City, will
quadruple his business, which is easily possible, which he has assigned to the Iverson Piano bt continued.
It is stated that contracts held by the Auto
and this by merchandising the rolls at the Player Co., Boston, Mass.
n.arked prices.
The object of the present invention is to sim- Pneumatic Action Co. giving that company the
He stated that price cutting destroys and plify the construction of this class of instru- right to use certain Welte patents were not in
does not make for a successful business, and ments, to obviate to a large extent the use of any way affected by the original action of the
that price maintenance on the other hand is a rubber tubing, and to secure a metal contact Alien Property Custodian, nor have they been
constructive measure, and will increase business. for the pneumatic valve mechanisms, thereby affected by the sale held last week.
He showed how absurd it is for the dealer to avoiding the liability of the valve actions becom-
The Jackson Music Store will open a new
give a reduction of 10 cents on a roll, when the • ing impaired by reason of checks or shrinkage
public will willingly pay the marked price, as a incident to pneumatic valve mechanisms when store in New Philadelphia, Ohio, at 126 East
High street.
10-cent reduction hardly covers a luncheon made of wood.
METROPOLITAN MUSIC ROLL DEALERS FORM ASSOCIATION
A NATURAL, PACT OF EVERY PIANO DEALERS TPADE
THEATRE
AUTOMATIC
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IH THE-AUTOMATIC FIELD
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PIANO
COMPANY - . .CHICAGO ILLINOIS —
ORGANS