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JULY 17, 1920
THE
NO IMMEDIATE DROP IN PRICES
Standard Dealers Stocking Up in Anticipation of
a Flourishing Fall Business
Recently the Standard Pneumatic Action Co.,
of New York, received a letter from a large
Middle Western dealer, who comments on the
prospects of a flourishing Fall business as fol-
lows: "Business conditions out in this section
of the country are excellent and I am stocking
up in anticipation of a very flourishing Fall busi-
ness. Some dealers seem to have formed the
opinion that piano prices are due for a very dras-
tic drop in the near future. But I have been
following reports closely and do not believe that
such will be the case, at least until materials
that go into the construction of the piano are
reduced."
A. W. Johnston, vice-president of the Stand-
ard Pneumatic Action Co., said: "This echoes
the thoughts of the majority of piano dealers in
the field, who anticipate a flourishing business
next Fall and believe that preparations should
be made in advance for the Fall business.
"Unfortunately, recent 'cut-price' sales which
have been sweeping the country have given some
dealers the wrong impression. This is very
forcibly brought out by the remarks of G. B.
Lewis, general manager of the Jesse French &
Sons Piano Co., who has just returned from a
trip through the Middle West and Northwest.
Mr. Lewis states that he started his trip shortly
after Wanamaker's started their sensational 20
per cent cut-price sale. He says that in some
cities the merchants as well as the people have
gone wild about the 'cut-price' sales and in some
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
instances these merchants have reduced their
prices 40 per cent. This has resulted in a buy-
ing orgy by the public, and when these same
merchants started to replenish their depleted
shelves they found that they had to put up the
prices again."
Mr. Johnston also hinted at a situation that
has been giving the officials at Washington much
concern for some time regarding the present out-
look for a freight tie-up next Fall. Authorities
now say that such a tie-up seems inevitable and
they suggest that manufacturers advise their
dealers to stock their stores well in advance so
that they may not be caught with empty shelves
when this tie-up occurs.
Every dealer in the United States should give
this matter serious thought. Perhaps- such a
condition will not arise, but if it should piano
dealers should not be caught napping.
35
HAMILTON CO. FEATURES ROLLS
Special Player Roll Department Maintained by
Progressive Pittsburgh House Achieving Great
Success—Many Lines Handled
PITTSBURGH, PA., July 12.—One of the most
complete, as well as orte of the most modernly
arranged, player roll departments in the State
is that of the S. Hamilton Co., one of the enter-
prising and progressive music firms of the Steel
City. This department, which is under the ef-
ficient management of Miss Hannah Hough, is
experiencing a brisk run of business despite the
usual tendency to expect a dull season in the
Summer months. By sheer force of her pleas-
L. 0 . ROGERS GETS OLD COIN
Republic Player Roll Representative Honored
by Peruvian Dealer
That dealers appreciate conscientious service
was proven recently by a unique present to L. O.
Rogers by Romero Lozada, of Lima, Peru.
The gift was a small gold coin issued by Peru,
but not in active circulation and, therefore, rare.
Mr. Lozada is a progressive Republic dealer
who while making a visit to New York City
inspected the new Republic plant and became in-
tensely interested in the Republic method of
manufacturing Republic player rolls. He was
entertained during his visit by several of the
Republic recording stars.
Miss Hannah Hough
ing personality and her logical business plans
Miss Hough has made the department one of
the "live wire" spots of the S. Hamilton Co.
The player roll department is located on the
This photograph illustrates the fast-going, teams comprising the Kohler Industries League, third floor, is well lighted and the rolls so ar-
hard-hitting aggregation of ball tossers com- playing games every Saturday afternoon during ranged as to be within easy access of the
patron. The color scheme is white and the
posing the baseball team of the Auto Pneumatic the Summer.
display
and demonstration rooms are well
The Auto Pneumatic Action team recentl}'
Action Co., New York. This team is one of the
adapted for the purpose of giving every patron
ample opportunity to test the player rolls.
Jt is the pride of Miss Hough and her capable
assistant, Miss Catherine Coghill, to see that the
customer who comes in for "one roll" goes out
with three or four, if not a half-dozen. Using
tact, good judgment and the art of right "per-
suasion" sales have been made where they were
entirely unlooked for, due to the customer be-
ing given individual attention.
"Our aim in this, department is to please the
caller," said Miss Hough to The Review repre-
sentative, "and if that is once accomplished we
feel that we have done a great deal toward get-
ting the patrons to come again. Patience and
tact are two of the major essentials requisite in
the player roll salesrooms and with these it is
possible to make a good record for sales."
Among the "best sellers," as picked out by
Miss Hough, are the following: "Daddy, You've
Been a Mother to Me"; "Let the Rest of tin-
World Go By"; "Your Eyes Have Told Me So";
"C-u-b-a"; "Rose, of Washington Square";
"Venetian Moon"; "Swanee"; "Stop It";
"Peggy"; "Isle of Golden Dreams"; "Naughty
Waltz"; "Memories of Virginia"; "On Miami
Shore."
At the request of The Review representative
Miss Hough selected a list of twenty player rolls
which she felt "everyone should have in their
player roll library." They are as follows:
Baseball Team Composed of Employes of the Auto Pneumatic Action Co.
"The Palms"; "Ave Maria," Bach-Gounod;
took the measure of the Hazelton Bros, nine, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"; "A Perfect
much to the dismay of W. M. Plaisted, who Day"; "The Rosary"; "O, Promise Me"; "A
found it necessary to pay W. C. Heaton a cash Dream"; "Good-bye," Tosti; "Carolina Sun-
bonus when the final score was determined. The shine";
"Kammcnoi - Ostrow,"
Rubenstein;
members of the team shown in the photograph "Liebestraum, No. 3," Liszt; "The March King,"
are: Standing — Brennan, Mangels, Meyer, Sousa; "Minuet in G," Paderewski; "Favorite
Douglas, Mitchell, F. Kasper, J. Kasper. Sitting Strains From II Trovatore"; "Spring Song,"
—Hugo, Curly, Smith, McManus, Jenusky.
Mendelssohn; "Poet and Peasant," Von Suppe;
"Blue Danube Waltz," Strauss; "Meditation,"
Morrison; "Sextet From Lucia," Donizetti, and
PIANO AND
"Barcarolle" from the "Tales of Hoffmann."
PLAYER-PIANOS
The player rolls handled in the department
Built to a Standard and not to a Price
are Q R S, Rythmodik, Ampico, Arto, Melodee,
SCHENCKE PIANO CO., 245-249 E. 137th St., N. Y. Connorized, Imperial, Solo-Carola, Artempo,
Pianostyle, Orient and Republic.
AUTO PNEUMATIC ACTION CO. HAS FAST BALL TEAM
:PlLAVEft PIANO-
SCHENCKE