Music Trade Review

Issue: 1919 Vol. 69 N. 6

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
AUGUST 9, 1919
GEO. W. POUND URGES A DIRECT APPEAL TO CONGRESSMEN
General Counsel of Music Industries Chamber of Commerce Sends Strong Letter to the Trade,
Urging That Congressmen Be Asked to Repeal War Excise Tax on Musical Instruments
Since the signing of the armistice, and par-
ticularly since peace has been signed, the mem-
bers of the music industry have been looking
forward to the repeal of the war revenue or war
excise taxes on pianos, piano players, talking ma-
chines, music rolls, records, etc. Although await-
ing some such action by Congress it was real-
ized generally that there were so many after-
war problems coming up for consideration that
a repeal measure might wait for some short
time.
Tt is now evident, however, that with the
chaotic situation that appears to exist in Con-
gress at the present time only the energetic
efforts on the part of those interested can pos-
sibly bring about any relief from excise taxes,
which from the first were believed to be un-
warranted and for which there is at the present
time no real necessity.
Every member of the trade, whether he be
manufacturer or retailer, is vitally interested in
this matter. The heavy increase in production
costs in itself has brought up enough problems
for those who manufacture and sell musical in-
struments without having added to the burden
additional war taxes. Then, again, music has
reached a position in national life where to
tax it means to tax a genuine necessity, and, for
that matter, to tax education.
It is not sufficient for the individual member
of the trade simply to register disapproval, and
to let it go at that, but he should see to it that
his Congressman is made fully cognizant of his
attitude in the matter and be urged personally
to take such steps as will tend towards the re-
peal of the taxes. Just a casual mention of the
fact is not sufficient, for the Congressmen have
many things before them besides battling over
the details of the League of Nations, and only a
strongly emphasized appeal of protest can be
expected to receive the attention of the national
lawmakers.
The necessity for immediate and urgent ac-
tion is emphasized strongly by George W.
Pound, general counsel of,the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, who in a letter sent out
to the members of all branches of the industry,
under date of August 1, says:
"T have been watching Washington and Con-
CHARACTER
"Admirable Quality; Acknowledged Reputation"
—(Standard Dictionary)
PIANOS
Manufactured by
Smith, Barnes
and
Strohber Co.
have for 33 years
justified their right
to be called
Pianos of Character
FACTORIES
North Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, III.
OFFICE
1872 Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, 111.
gress very closely for the past several months
in the hope of procuring a repeal of the war
revenue tax on music, Article IX, Section 900
(4).
"There have arisen various matters at Wash-
ington which have delayed repeal legislation,
and as yet Congress has not agreed upon any
definite policy in this regard, although we have
bills in both Houses repealing the tax on music.
"I am not a strong believer in the effec-
tiveness of circular or inspired letters and
telegrams to Congress. Every interest in the
country does that and Congress gets weary.
Rut the personal appeal? Ah, there's the
answer.
"SEE YOUR CONGRESSMAN. Talk to him of
music, the great force, music in the home. The
tax upon music is a tax on education. Impress
upon him the necessity of the repeal of this
tax. If he does not return to his home dur-
ing the Congressional recess or if you cannot
see him, write him at his home address or care
House Office Building, Washington.
"This appeal for help is to you all; manufac-
turers, dealers, jobbers, salesmen—everybody."
PURCHASES LARGE FACTORY
Company Formed by W. C. Hepperla, Justus
Hattemer and Louis C. Kauling Buys Former
Westinghouse Plant in New York
The new piano manufacturing enterprise
which has been formed by Walter C. Hepperla,
Justus Hattemer and Louis C. Kauling, the
announcement of which was made three weeks
ago in The Review, has purchased the extensive
factories at 510-532 West Twenty-third street,
New York, formerly occupied by the Westing-
house Electric Co. The property has a front-
age of 300 feet on Twenty-third street, the
main building being 217 feet long and five
stories in height, while there are several smaller
buildings containing boiler room, dry kilns, etc.,
in the rear. The entire plant will be devoted
to the manufacture of baby grand pianos ex-
clusively.
yj
*
Most Dealers just
now are like a man
with a toothache—
he won't wait for an
appointment with
the Dentist. He
wants treatment
and relief right
away. He wants
pianos to sell now,
besides a little co-
operation from the
manufacturer who
takes his money.
We are doing pretty
well on deliveries
and those dealers
who handle
ADLER PIANO CO. ENLARGING PLANT
Christman
Louisville, Ky., Factory Addition Work Begun—
Present Output to Be Doubled
Uprights Players Grands
Construction work was started recently on
a large addition to the plant of the Adler Piano
Co., Louisville, Ky., at the intersection of
Twenty-ninth and Chestnut streets. The new
addition will cover a plot of ground 60x300
feet, and will be three stories high, costing ap-
proximately $50,000.
The company will double the output of pianos,
while the present output of organs will remain
the same. The company at present manufac-
tures 4,000 pianos and 8,000 organs yearly and
the number of pianos will be increased to 8,000.
Floor space will be increased from 200,000
square feet to 300,000 square feet, and the em-
ployes will be increased from 300 to 425.
HOLDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY SALE
J. M. Fisher, of Anderson, Ind., Celebrates
Twenty-five Years in the Music Business
The J. M. Fisher music house, Anderson, Ind.,
celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary last week
with a special anniversary sale. In the adver-
tisement used in the local press the purpose of
the sale was explained to the public as follows:
The purpose of this sale is to get acquainted
with many more new customers by offering
them the best selected stock of pianos and
player-pianos. During the quarter of a century
of business, J. M. Fisher has built up an ex-
cellent trade in Anderson.
are receiving with
reasonable prompt-
ness instruments of
exceptional value
and quality in Tone,
Finish and Style—
and are making
good profits.
Isn't it worth a stamp,
to know about these
fine, artistic pianos. "
It may be that we could
ship some to you.
" The first touch tells"
Christman Piano Co.
597 E. 137th Street, New York
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
SAN FRANCISCO DEALERS WELL SATISFIED WITH TRADE
Sales for Month of July Make Excellent Showing—Vacation Season Nearing a Close—J. Frank
Cox a Visitor—Traveling Men Kept Active—Personals and Other News
AUGUST 9,
1919
Miss E. V. Levy, executive secretary of the
New York office of the American Photo Player
Co., has crossed the continent to make an in-
definite stay at the San Francisco headquarters
in order to become more familiar with the
methods used there.
I. H. Lyons, in charge of the Wurlitzer or-
gans on this Coast, was in Los Angeles recent-
ly, where it is reported that he is looking for a
location for his house. It is understood that
he has not closed any deal in that city as yet.
D. S. Rockwell, who travels out of the San
Francisco office of the Q R S Co., has returned
to headquarters for a consultation with Mr.
Quinn, in charge of the office. While waiting
the return of Quinn from his vacation Rock-
well has been visiting all the nearby towns in
the interest of the Q R S.
E. A. Kieselhorst Visiting on Coast
E. A. Kieselhorst, of the Kieselhorst Piano
Co., St. Louis, accompanied by his wife, has been
visiting in the southern part of the State. After
touring up to Santa Barbara they have visited
Yosemite and will spend a few days at Lake
Tahoe before returning to their home.
Chas. Coffman, who conducts a music house
at Modesto, Cal., was a visitor to San Francisco
this week.
J. A. Evans, of the Platt Music Co., Los An-
geles, has written that he will visit San Fran-
cisco on business in a few days.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., August 1.—July closes with of Kohler & Chase. Mr. Hord is a musician of
a satisfactory record of business for the music local note and he has a host of friends among
houses of San Francisco. There has been some the music-loving people of this State.
A Visitor From Australia
difficulty in getting orders filled and some
J. Frank Cox, the managing director of J.
stocks are below the needs of the business
houses, but the sales have been satisfactory and Frank Cox & Co., Ltd., Sydney, N. S. W., Aus-
the trade is now looking forward to the return tralia, is registered at the St. Francis Hotel, in
of the vacationists and the opening of the fall this city, where it is said he will remain for
trade. The schools will reopen on August 11 several weeks, making purchases for his house
and by that time practically all business vaca- and studying local conditions in the trade.
Some News of the Travelers
tions will be over. Everyone is optimistic that
J. H. Merrill, of the American Photo Player
business for the rest of the year will show the
increases of which the large volumes of the Co., has returned to the city after a five or six
weeks' stay in the Northwest. He is very en-
early months gave promise.
thusiastic over the outlook in that territory and
Music Men Welcome Pacific Fleet
There is no doubt that the establishment of reports that a number of new picture houses
the Pacific fleet is going to have a large influ- will be built there in the near future, all of
ence on the demand for small goods, music which will soon be in the market for organs
rolls and phonograph records. In a lesser de- and players.
George Levy, in the Rocky Mountain ter-
gree it will affect the sale of phonographs and
players. A. L. Quinn, manager of the Pa- ritory, is sending in a number of sales and re-
cific Coast branch of the Q R S Co., who ports his prospects are excellent.
J. A. G. Schiller, who manages the retailing
returned from his vacation in the South to-day,
is enthusiastic over the prospects of so many of the American Photo Player Co. goods for
new customers. "Just think of it," he said. Sherman, Clay & Co., is on a business trip in
"Over two hundred warships to be perma- the southern part of the State.
nently stationed on this Coast. Every one
of them has a player-piano and some have more
than one. At one fell swoop at least two hun-
dred new customers for the Q R S rolls. When Piano Dealers Handicapped Somewhat by Shortage of Stock, but Still Manage to Transact a
they come in bunches like that it means busi-
Very Profitable Trade—Two Carloads of Pianos for Lipman, Wolfe & Co.
ness, and they can't start in to buy any too
early to suit me." While Mr. Quinn was
PORTLAND, ORE., August 1.—While the music and a party of friends, has gone on a motor
speaking for the product that he handled it is business is not as brisk as it was during the trip to the Ranier National Park.
fair to assume that his remarks apply with remarkable June days, which were record break-
W. A. McDougal, of the McDougal Music
equal force to talking machine records.
ing in some of the piano houses in Portland, Co., has just returned from Tillamook Beach,
Mr. Quinn talked interestingly of business there have been some exceptionally good sales where he enjoyed deep sea fishing, trout fishing
in the Southern metropolis, which, he said, was made and, taken as a whole, dealers are well and crabbing.
booming so far as the music business is con- satisfied with July business and in one special
J. Burnett, who has just returned from army
cerned. He said that the demand for pianos case better business was done than in any service (he was drill sergeant at Camp Lewis),
and players was excellent and the proportion of previous month of the year.
is now salesman in the piano house of Foley
sales was about 65 to 35 per cent, in favor
This was in the piano department of Lip- & Van Dyke.
of the players.
This has been a busy week in Eilers' sheet
man, Wolfe & Co., which, in spite of shortage
This Is Vacation Time
of stock, got over $11,000.00 worth of business music department. Teachers are coming in af-
Vacations are still attracting the attention of during the sultry mid-summer days. H. H. ter music recommended by Godowsky for his
the various employes of the music houses, al- Princehouse said that at the beginning of the classes. Very interesting fall work is expected
though more are coming home and reporting month they hoped to do a $5,000 business, so by Mrs. McFall, manager of the department. A
for duty each week than are going away at this they feel particularly well pleased over results. lot of new Schirmer novelties have arrived,
season. J. R. Lloyd and Jack Hollister, of the "Our floor is in bad shape for stock after the both instrumental, vocal and studies.
Kohler & Chase organization, have just re- whirlwind month we have just had," said Mr.
As for business conditions at Eilers', June
turned from two weeks in the southern part of Princehouse, "and now we will have to con- was the best month they have had since they
the State. A. Dugas, manager of the Richmond centrate our energies in replenishing the stock. have been in the new location and July ended
branch of the same house, has also returned Two carloads of American Piano Co. goods are splendidly. Mr. Hy Eilers is taking care of
from the South. George Chase also motored on the way. This includes Knabe, Haines, the musical program for "Buyers' Week,"
to that section of the State with his family and Franklin and several Ampicos. All the Knabes which is one of the biggest business events of
later went to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. He in the cars are already sold and we are sold the year in Portland.
has just left in his machine for Portland, Ore., out of our allotment of Knabe goods for sev-
A carload of Bush & Lane pianos was re-
eral months ahead. We are furnishing Victor ceived by the local branch house this week.
where he will visit the wholesale trade.
Saar with pianos both at Christensen Hall, Manager Wilkinson says that another carload
Charles Stoddard a Visitor
Charles Stoddard, of the American Piano Co., where his classes are held, and at his residence is on the way, but the pianos are practically
will be a visitor to the Coast in a few days. at the Mallory Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Saar visited all sold. A handsome new truck has been
He will make his headquarters with Kohler & our piano department and made a very favorable made for the house, being one of the largest
and handsomest ever seen in Portland.
Chase for a couple of weeks, during which time impression."
Morris R. Lamb, manager of the piano depart-
he will renew his old acquaintances and will
ment of John Wanamaker's, New York, was
visit with Godowsky and Rachmaninoff.
C. B. Hord has been added to the sales force also a visitor at the Lipman, Wolfe & Co.'s
music department this week.
The Wiley B. Allen Co. has had a rather
quiet July in town, but the country business
has been exceptionally good. One out-of-town
salesman sold 11 pianos in two weeks.
G. F. Johnson, of the G. F. Johnson Piano
Co., took a vacation touring with his wife down
through the Williamette Valley, visiting Silver-
ton, Salem, Corvallis and some of the smaller
towns.
F. B. McCord has resigned from the Reed,
French Piano Co., where he was sales manager,
Awarded first prize in many world compe-
titions during the past sixty years, the
to become president of the Inter-state Motor
Schomacker Piano is now daily receiving
Co.
Mr. McCord has been with the Reed,
first prizes of preference won by its superb
French Co. for several years and is one of
tone, wonderful breadth of expression and
the best salesmen in the piano business in this
structural beauty.
part of the country.
SCHOMACKER PIANO CO.
J. J. Collins, vice-president and general man-
23d and Chestnut Sts.
Philadelphia, Pa.
ager of the Reed, French Co., with his wife
GOOD BUSINESS DESPITE SHORTAGE IN PORTLAND, ORE.

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