Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
OUTPUT OF PREMIER GRAND PIANO CORP. INCREASING
Present Factory Facilities Enable This Progressive Concern to Manufacture an Average of
Forty Grand Pianos a Week, With Plans for Still Further Expansion Being Made
It was a year ago this month when the first
announcement was made regarding the form-
ing of the Premier Grand Piano Corp., whose
extensive factories are at 510-532 West Twen-
ty-third street, New York. Following the initial
announcement came that of the purchasing of
the plant, which comprises 110,000 square feet of
Walter C. Hepperla
floor space, and which in a year's time has been
developed into one of the largest individual
piano factories devoted exclusively to the man-
ufacturing of baby grand pianos as well as one
of the most modern.
Under the direct supervision of Justus Hat-
temer and Louis C. Kauling, vice-president and
secretary of the company respectively, as well
Justus Hattemer
as practical factory managers, great strides have
been made in the production, with the result
that during the past few weeks production has
been on the basis of forty grand pianos per
week, while shipments have been made at the
rate of twenty instruments per week, with the
possibility that within a short time shipments
will be made on the basis of forty grand pianos
per week.
In the estimation of Walter C. Hepperla, pres-
ident of the company, who has been directing
a merchandising campaign with success, as well
as others who are familiar with the piano busi-
ness, the developing of a plant from the ground
up, as well as an organization to produce a
quantity of instruments of this nature in a
year, has been considered a phenomenal piece
of work when the adverse conditions which have
prevailed for the last year are considered.
The main factory, shown in the illustration on
the opposite page, is over 300 feet long, and
is lighted on four sides by an abundance of
windows. There are two elevators at the rear,
one on each side of the building, and in sep-
arate buildings behind the main factory is the
boiler house and the dry kilns, and ample space
for the storage of supplies. The power for the
plant is furnished by a 400 h. p. generator which
was installed since the company has occupied
the plant. Throughout the factory many auto-
matic machines may be found, as well as the
hydraulic presses which were also installed dur-
ing the last year.
Having had the opportunity to develop the
plant from the ground up, the work has been
planned in a most progressive manner, raw
materials being taken in at one end and finished
pianos shipped from the other. The interior
views of the plant shown on the next page give
a graphic illustration of the activity going on
at the present time. One shows the action
finishing and action regulating department,
while in another the cases of the grand pianos
AUGUST 7,
1920
are seen in the process of varnishing, overhaul-
ing and oiling off. Another interesting depart-
ment is that in which the bellying is done, while
another picture gives an excellent view of a
section of the case making department. There
is also reproduced a photograph of the power
plant showing the 400 h. p. generator spoken
of above.
The Premier grand piano made a distinct im-
pression on dealers at the National Music Show
last February and at present is being handled
Louis C. Kauling
by a large number of representative dealers from
coast to coast.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS OUTLINED
Referendum Recently Issued by Chamber of Commerce of the U. S., Setting Forth Certain Prin-
ciples Relative to Employment Contracts and Public Utility Strikes, Heartily Approved
WASHINGTON, D. C, August 2.—Substantial
approval of a platform setting up principles of
industrial relations, and also of a proposal that
strikes by public utility employes should be ex-
plicitly prohibited and tribunals should be ap-
pointed to adjudicate differences, is reported by
the Ghamber of Commerce of the United States
as the result of the largest referendum ever
recorded on any subject. Between 1,600 and
1,700 votes were cast on each referendum by
members of the Chamber all over the country.
Twelve principles of industrial relations were
formulated by a special committee for submis-
sion to the members. The first declared that
every person has the right to enter individually
or collectively into any lawful contract of em-
ployment, subject to limitation only through
a valid exercise of public authority. There
were 1,675 votes for the proposition and two
votes in opposition. A declaration for the right
of an open shop operation, as an essential part
of the individual right of contract possessed by
each of the parties, had only four votes in oppo-
sition.
Only four votes also were recorded
against the principle that collective action
should carry no authority over employers or
employes who do not assent to it.
The fourth principle asserted that associations
of employers or employes must equally be sub-
ject to the authority of the State and legally
responsible for their conduct and that of their
agents. Restriction of output in order to create
an artificial scarcity is declared an injury to
society in the fifth principle. The sixth affirms
the duty of employers to assure to workers a
proper standard of living by continuous employ-
ment and safeguards for health. Fair working
hours, with provision for one day's rest in
seven, are proposed in the seventh principle.
Principle eight recommends means for discus-
sion and adjustment of employment relations
by employers and employes. When such dis-
cussion is conducted by representatives, outside
groups or interests should be excluded. This is
the ninth principle and it received fifty-four
votes in opposition. Community of interest as
the true basis of sound industrial relations is
asserted as the tenth principle. The eleventh
demands that no combination shall be permitted
to impair the operation of Government or of
any Government function. Public interest and
well-being are declared in the twelfth prin-
ciple of paramount and controlling considera-
tion in all public service activities, and the
State should have power to assure the adequate,
unimpaired operation of public utility service.
There were eighteen votes against this.
Two recommendations composed the report of
the Committee on Public Utilities. The vote was
1,564 to 97 on the principle that strikes by
employes of all corporations performing public
service essential to the lives, health, security,
comfort and well-being of the people should by
law be explicitly prohibited.
The other recommendation, that suitable tri-
bunals be created by law to adjudicate differences
and the decisions should be final and binding,
resulted in a vote of 1,571 for and 100 against.
For over 25 years Specialists
in high grade Piano Cases
Paterson Piano
Case Co.
PATERSON, N. J.