Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1920 Vol. 70 N. 3

Page 4 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
RMLW
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President,
. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373
'ourth Ave., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Win. A. Low.
J
J. B. SPILLANE, Editor
RAYMOND BILL, B. B. WILSON, Associate Editors
WILSON D. BUSH, Managing Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Executive and Reportorial Staif
V. D. WALSH, W M . BRAID W H I T E (Technical Editor), E. B. MUNCH, L. M. ROBINSON,
C. A. LEONARD, EDWARD LYMAN BILL, A. J. NICKLIN, L. E. BOWERS
BOSTON OFFICK:
CHICAGO O F F I C E :
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Telephone, Main 6950.
209 So. State St. Telephone, Wabash S774.
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LOCATED I N T H E LEADING CITIES THROUGHOUT AMERICA.
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under the Act of March 3, 1879.
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REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, should be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill, Inc.
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques
and
allU
tions of a technical nature relating to the tuning,
regulating and repairing of pianos and player-pianos
p
a r e dealt with, will be found in another section of
this paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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Vol. LXX
NEW YORK, JANUARY 17, 1920
No. 3
A DIFFICULT TASK WELL DONE
W
ITH the ending of the three months' strike in the New York
piano factories so far as the manufacturers themselves are
concerned, and with the various organizations approaching a nor-
mal basis, it is well to consider the work 'of those who, as the
appointed and accredited leaders of the manufacturers in their
fight, accomplished so much in bringing the affair to a successful
conclusion.
Upon Max J. deRoche'mont, president of the New York Piano
Manufacturers' Association, rested much of the burden of keeping
the various forces co-ordinated—keeping the manufacturers of one
mind, as it were, and keeping the organization intact and working
toward one definite end. It was no easy task and no previous head
of the local Piano Manufacturers' Association was ever called upon
to face a more serious problem.
The manner in which Mr. deRochemont acquitted himself as
president and in a sense director-general of the manufacturers'
forces reflects credit upon him and upon those who elected him as
their official representative.
During the course of the strike it was natural that there should
crop up at times differences in matter of policy—i-that this or that
manufacturer endeavor to have adopted ideas that he himself con-
sidered offered a solution to certain questions. Mr. deRochemont
stuck to the rule of the majority and in doing so kept everyone
satisfied, and, more important of all, kept the manufacturers to-
gether as a unit. This solidarity was the real secret of their
success.
. There is yet to be heard a manufacturer who is in a mood to
find fault with what has been done by the association president
even though in the heat of the strike the individual manufacturer
might have differed with the majority. With the trouble out of the
way piano men have had a chance to reflect and realize what sacri-
fices have been made by their president in behalf of the trade as a
whole. It has meant in many instances a neglect of personal busi-
ness and resultant financial loss for the purpose of taking care of
official duties. It has meant a nerve-racking strain for weeks.
JANUARY 17, 1920
Certainly Mr. deRochemont has acquitted himself most nobly in
the task that confronted him. He did his best and a little more,
and deserves the congratulation and commendation of the entire
industry.
THE VALUE OF MUSIC MEMORY CONTESTS
M
USIC dealers in those cities where there have been held, or
where it is planned to hold, Music Memory Contests will do
well to study the manner in which such a contest was handled in
Los Angeles recently. The Los Angeles trade did not depend upon
the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music to supply all
the incentive in the form of prizes for the contestants, but the
various music houses supplemented the Bureau's donation with the
contribution of musical instruments and merchandise totaling
nearly $1,000 in value. This was in addition to three $100 scholar-
ships donated by a local woman of prominence.
In view of the interest taken by the members of the trade and
the profession themselves in the contest, is it any wonder that
20,000 school children found it worth while to enter the contest with
all earnestness? With the families and friends of the contestants
naturally interested in the affair, it is absolutely safe to assume
that upward of 50,000 citizens of Los Angeles had some intimate
connection with the contest in some way or another, while many
more thousands were in touch with it through newspaper publicity.
When a Music Memory Contest is conducted on the war basis
adopted in Los Angeles it proves an influence for the cause of
music that has exceptional value.
CHECKING DANGEROUS RADICALISM
I
N view of the disorganized conditions prevailing in the industrial
world, it is interesting to note that the Senate Labor Committee
has arrived at the conclusion that a law creating a Federal "Clearing
House' for labor disputes is an immediate necessity. Such a
governmental measure through its impartiality would be able to bring
about agreements that are now largely impossible. Any form of
legislation that will help to prevent a repetition of the innumerable
"strikes" which have been prevalent in all industries during the
past nine months will be heartily welcomed.
At the present time there is an un-American trend toward
radicalism that is as dangerous as it is disturbing to the har-
mony and good will that has hitherto prevailed among the work-
ers of this nation. The tendency of some so-called labor organ-
izations to pound away on the distinction between class and
class is certainly absurd in America, because the worker of to-
day is the employer of to-morrow. In old worlds, where men are
born into a "class," so to speak, these socialistic diatribes may be
somewhat excusable, but in America they are entirely out of
place. The man who works, backed by intelligence and a de-
sire to win, usually "gets there" no matter how humble his birth.
And this brings to mind some very pertinent remarks of J. H.
Tregoe, of the National Association of Credit Men, who, speak-
ing on "Radicalism vs. Self Control," said:
"The driving wheel of the great engine impresses us with the
precision and ease of its revolutions, but let the wheel become
slightly out of alignment and there will be friction in the bearings
which, continued long enough, will stop the wheel.
"Radicalism is action out of alignment, the only satisfaction in
which is that sooner or later it wears itself out. Our country has
been distinguished for its exuberant spirits, its flexible vitality,
and, we can truly add, its self-control, but against this latter
quality recent events would place a big question mark. Are we
suffering momentarily from intoxication of too much prosperity,
or must this strange excitability go definitely on the liability side
of the nation's balance sheet ?
"Self-control must grip the nation at this serious time. We
must have the courage to say that if looting and rioting are
crimes then the things which inspire looting and rioting are
also criminal. We must stand firmly for law and order in our
political and industrial affairs. Self-control must be in the sad-
dle and radicalism must be rebuked even though it possesses a
self-destructive element. We have confidence in the right think-
ing elements of the nation to appreciate the dangers and the need
of ordering their lives and controlling the actions of others with
a self-possession and a vision which places the nation first."

Page 5 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JANUARY 17, 1920
TO EXHIBIT AT BJUR WAREROOM
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAW
PAID SECRETARY FOR CINCINNATI
Bjur Bros. Co. Will Display One of Each Model
in Factory Wareroom Convention Week
Geo. W. Pound Presents Suggested Changes in
Chamber of Commerce Constitution and By-
laws for Action at Annual Meeting
D. F. Summey Urges Action to Safeguard the
Industry—Columbia Dealers Meet—Income
Reports Keep Piano Men Busy—Other News
George W. Pound, general counsel of the Mu-
sic Industries Chamber of Commerce, has drawn
the following proposed amendments to the Con-
stitution and By-laws of the Chamber for action
at the annual meeting, to be held on February 2:
Constitution, Article 111—Amend to read as
follows: "The number of its Directors shall be
fifteen, and—after February first, 1920—twenty-
one, at least one of whom shall be a resident of
the State of New York."
By-laws, Article XII, Section 3—Amend as
follows: Add "After February first, 1920, the
number of Directors shall be twenty-one, di-
vided as before, six being then elected to com-
plete the Board, thereafter seven being elected
each year for three years."
The effect of these amendments is to increase
the number of the Directors from fifteen to
twenty-one, thereby enlarging the representa-
tion on the Board, and these amendments are
prepared and submitted in accordance with the
instructions of the Board of Directors.
CINCINNATI, ()., January 13.— Believing that the
future of the music industries of Cincinnati
rests with a paid executive secretary, D. F. Sum-
mey, president, is going to submit the idea to
the general membership at a meeting to take
place next Thursday evening. Because of the
pressing demands of their respective houses the
officers find it rather difficult to give detailed
attention to the affairs ot the organization. Em-
ployment of an official outside of piano circles
at a nominal compensation appears to strike
the fancy o.f the officers, since it would remove
the office from all piano stores and give no
one merchant an opportunity to make com-
plaint. The latter attitude might arise through
the payment of a salary, enough though the
sum would be small. It would be the duty of
the secretary to get notices of meetings in the
mail and watch local and State legislation. Pres-
ident Summey and several of the officers think
well of the idea and believe that a precedent
will be set by the Cincinnati organization which
might well be followed by other organizations
in the United States.
A general meeting of Columbia dealers took
place in Cincinnati yesterday, the Cincinnati
.branch having representatives from several
states in the Middle West. The visitors were
guests at a dinner served last evening at the
Grand Hotel.
Miss Carrie Armstrong, sister of George W.
Armstrong, Jr., president of the Baldwin Co.,
was buried Friday in Spring Grove cemetery.
Miss Armstrong became ill Christmas day while
the guest at the home of Frank McGee, former
secretary of the Baldwin Co., who resides at
Milford. Pneumonia developed and she died
last Wednesday.
Most of the merchants report a fair business
since January 1, although the weather has been
unusually severe. Collections are good. Just
now the trade is out trying to get in new sup-
plies as well as preparing income reports of all
kinds for the benefit of the State and the Gov-
ernment.
Wm. J. O'Neil, who was in the Vocalion
department of the Aeolian Co., has been pro-
moted to the piano section.
The Bjur Bros. Co., Southern boulevard, near
156th street, New York, will have a complete
line of Bjur Bros, and Gordon & Sou pianos and
player-pianos on exhibition in the wareroom of
their factory during convention week. The
opening up of the Lexington avenue subway has
brought the Bjur Bros, plant somewhat nearer
the heart of the city, as far as time is con-
cerned, as it may be easily reached from the
Grand Central subway station by the Lexington
avenue express to 125th street, where a Hunts'
Point local train is taken to Longwood avenue.
From here the Bjur factory is but a two-block
walk. Twenty-five minutes at the outside will
bring a visitor to the plant.
The company has always maintained a large
wareroom at the plant, and although conditions
have been such that few pianos, if any, have been
seen on its floor during the last few months,
plans have been made to display one style of
each model during the time dealers are visiting
New York.
FORMS NEW COMPANY
J. T. Bowles Music Co., With J. T. Bowles at
Head, to Handle Krakauer in Raleigh, N. C.
J. T. Bowles, for the last four years mana-
ger of the Darnell Thomas Co. of Raleigh, N.
('., is to open on February 15th a new ware-
room, the firm name to be the J. T. Bowles
Music Co., Inc.
Mr. Bowles was in New York the past week,
making arrangements for the purchase of goods,
and spent some time with Krakauer Bros., whose
line he is to represent in Raleigh and vicinity,
and with whom he left a large order for ship-
ment as soon as possible.
He has surrounded himself with a very effi-
cient corps of salesmen and is most enthusiastic
over the possibilities of the music industry in
North Carolina.
PLANS FOR ANNUAL AEOLIAN DANCE
Elaborate Preparations for Show and Dance at
Hotel Commodore on February 11
Plans are rapidly being perfected for the
annual dance of the Aeolian F.mployes' Associa-
tion in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Com-
modore on Lincoln's Birthday Eve, February 11.
(hie of the features of the evening will be a
lively show entitled "Let'er Go," written, staged
and produced entirely by Aeolianites, and it is
hinted that some unsuspected talent will b<:
brought to light on that occasion.
MORE EXHIBITORS AT SHOW
New Names Added to the Already Long List
of National Music Show Exhibitors
There have been added to the list of those
who have arranged for exhibits at the National
Music Show, published in The Review last week,
the following names: Otto'Higei Co, Inc., New
York; Piano Motors Corp, Camden, N. J.; P.
E. D. Corporation, Xew York; Hay wood Bros.
& Waketield, Boston, Mass.; and the Crippen
Co., Xew York.
HANDSOME WATCH FOR H. D. FINCH
The Cable Piano Co., Aurora, 111., closed a
very prosperous year on January 1st, more than
doubling the business of the year before. The
entire force was happy over the good results
and showed their appreciation of the work done
by Manager H. D. Finch by presenting him with
a handsome Elgin watch and chain.
17
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AN INTERESTING OLD MEDAL
Wm. Knabe & Co. Come Into Possession of
Medal Awarded to the Knabe Piano Exhibited
at a Fair in Cincinnati in 1859
That the Knabe piano was considered worthy
of a special award when exhibited as far back
as 1859 is proven by a medal which recently
came into the possession of William Knabe &
Knabe Medals Awarded in 1859
Co. The medal was awarded to the Knabe
pianos exhibited by Seltzer & Webster at the
Ohio State Board of Agriculture Exhibit in Cin-
cinnati in that year.
Sixty years ago Ohio was considered as be-
ing in the Far Western section of the country,
and was sparsely settled. That Seltzer & Web-
ster were not only able to do a fine business
with the Knabe piano in Cincinnati at that time,
but had sufficient energy to exhibit the instru-
ment and thereby win a prize, indicates in some
measure the character of the trade at that time.
That the piano was considered worthy of a
medal is also to be taken as an indication that
music played a prominent part in the civiliza-
tion of Ohio even in those early days.
PIANO MAN AS KNIGHT ERRANT
MIAMI, FLA., January 12.—Marshall Philpitt,
seventeen-year-old son of S. E. Philpitt. well-
known music dealer of this city, gathered some
publicity unto himself last week when he
"rescued" a fair lady in distress from what she
termed a loveless marriage and drove her and
her friend to Tampa in an automobile, covering
the 415 miles during the night and eluding
numerous sheriffs who had been warned to look
out for the party.
TUNERS TO HOLD CONVENTION
The annual convention of the National Asso-
ciation of Piano Tuners will be held at the Ho-
tel Commodore, New York, on Tuesday and
Wednesday, February 3 and 4, during the
week the other trade conventions will be held.
PIANOS
USEFUL NEW YEAR SOUVENIRS
R. S. Howard Co. Send Memorandum Books to
Its Representatives and Trade Friends
The R. S. Howard Co., Xew York, has again
followed out its annual custom of sending to
its representatives and friends in the trade mem-
orandum books for the new year. There is a
large book for desk use, leather bound, and pro-
viding space for daily memoranda, as well as
a small vest pocket notebook with space for
addresses and phone numbers, and containing
considerable information of value and interest.
JOSEF HOFMANN IN MIAMI, FLA.
MIAMI, FLA., January 12.—S. Ernest Philpitt,
proprietor of Philpitt's Music Store, this city, is
standing sponsor for the appearance here on
January 23 of Josef Hofmann, the noted pian-
ists, who will play the Steinway piano which
Mr. Philpitt features as leader. The ticket sale
up to the present time has been surprisingly
large and assures the success of the concert.
Slawson & Sons, music dealers of Bangor,
Mich., have distributed among their customers
and prospects handsome calendars upon which
an Edison phonograph is shown in a prominent
position in the home.
ORGANS
E5TEY PIAND COMPANY NEW YDf7H CITY

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