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MARCH 12, 1921
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
CLEVELAND ASSOCIATION NOW PLANNING ACTIVE YEAR
President Muehlhauser Working Out Comprehensive Program for the Benefit of the Trade Gen-
erally—A. L. Maresh Entertains Governor Davis—Oscar Dreher's Death Mourned by Trade
CLEVELAND, O., March 8.—The first meeting of
the Cleveland Music Trade Association under
the new administration will be marked by the
presentation of a comprehensive program of
activities for the year to the members by Presi-
dent Otto C. Muehlhauser. Appointment of
committees to work out these details, considera-
tion of definite action toward reduction and
perhaps elimination of the excise tax on musical
instruments, and attempt to have the city offi-
cials reconsider their proposal that there shall
be no appropriation for music in the parks and
similar outdoor musical events this year are
among the features to be considered.
Last season it will be remembered that the
Cleveland Music Trade Association participated
in the movement directed by Park Commis-
sioner Floyd E. Waite for a comprehensive
musical program for the people under auspices
of the city. The association will seek to fur-
ther that movement again this year. About
the one advantage that the piano industry here
can attain from aiding this cause is the further
appreciation of music for and by the people.
With a more contented community, as music
helps to bring about, more interest in music in
the home will be attained, as past experience
has shown.
Representatives from practically every piano
and music establishment in Cleveland attended
the funeral of Oscar Dreher, secretary-treasurer
of the B. Dreher's Sons Co., and piano business
was partly suspended in a sense as a tribute to
this pioneer piano merchant. Although Mr.
Dreher had been ill several months his death
came as a shock to both his immediate and more
distant associates in the business, for it had con-
fidently been expected that he was to recover.
A fitting tribute also was the presence at the
funeral of representatives of out-of-town piano
interests. Among those attending were: Ernest
Urchs, Steinway & Sons, New York; F. E.
Edgar and D. F. Cordingly, Aeolian Co., New
York; W. B. Marshall, Krakauer Bros., New
York; A. J. Lehmkuhl, Lyon & Healy, Chicago;
V. J. Menzel, E. Gabler & Bro., New York;
D. W. Lerch, The D. W. Lerch Co., Canton, O.;
Miss Marie Kratz, Kratz Piano Co., Akron,
O.; Webster H. Janssen, B. H. Janssen, New
York, and H. A. Griffin, The Schaff Bros. Co.,
Huntington, Ind.
Telegrams of condolence were received from
Steinway & Sons, Frederick T. Steinway, Ernest
Urchs, N. Stetson, Henry Ziegler, H. B. Tre-
maine, H. W. Pinner, F. E. Edgar, Krakauer
Brothers, I. E. Bretzfelder, A. L. Bretzfelder,
W. B. Marshall, M. Steinert & Sons, Alexander
Steinert, Lyon & Healy, A. J. Lehmkuhl, J. F.
Bowers, B. H. Janssen, A. J. Brooks, Bristol &
Barber Co., Alexander S. Shoninger, F. B. T.
Hollenberg, T. R. Cobb, William McLauchlan,
E. S. Rogers, Wm. R. Graul, G. Clay Cox, Wil-
liam Geppert, E. F. Votey.
There will be no change for the time being
in the conduct and management of the B.
Dreher's Sons Co. Henry Dreher, president,
and life-long associate of his brother, Oscar, has
left for Atlantic City, with Mrs. Dreher, for an
indefinite stay.
Professional musical numbers for the benefit of
patrons, and which serve to interest prospective
piano purchasers, constitute impromptu concerts
being presented on different occasions at the
May Co. piano department. A quartet, com-
posed of John De Bello, Harry Ward, W. P.
Agnew and Jesse Van Camp, with J. F. Kar-
han, assistant manager, at the piano, sing the
latest songs and liven up the whole depart-
ment. Those in the May Co. store hearing the
music flock to the piano department, and, while
the intention is not to attract real business,
nevertheless considerable new business is stim-
ulated thereby. Practically all members of the
May Co. piano department staff are professional
singers, directing church choirs and the like in
Cleveland, and not a few have appeared in pub-
lic on many occasions. For example, Mr. De
Bello was the star singer at the State Theatre,
motion picture house, this week, where musical
numbers are made a feature of the program.
Piano merchants who are stockholders in the
Ottone Co., the name now adopted by the Co-
operative Manufacturing Co., piano bench pro-
ducers, are satisfied with the first month's re-
port issued by General Manager George M.
Ott. This is to the effect that orders sufficient
to keep the plant running for six months with-
out additional new business have been booked,
and deliveries in quantities now are being made.
In addition to the manufacture of benches, the
change in firm name and management marks the
beginning of a plan that eventually may develop
into the production of pianos and other musical
instruments.
Governor Harry L. Davis, former mayor of
Cleveland, was a guest of A. L. Maresh, head
of the Maresh Piano Co., at the latter establish-
ment, where a reception was held, attended by
musicians, persons interested in the develop-
ment of music and members of the piano and
allied trades here. Mr. Davis took the oppor-
tunity to explain his plan for framing a bill
and urging its passage by the legislature, for
the recognition of music as a regular study in
the public schools throughout the State, and
wherein the pupils and students will receive
credits for same just as they do now in other
studies.
The first of the free scholarships in music study
to be awarded by the Cleveland Institute of
Music is announced this week by Director
Ernest Bloch. Jennie Lieberman, 12, is the first
winner, in piano. Four other scholarships, in
piano, violin, 'cello and viola, will be awarded
later, when the aspirants have acquired addi-
tional knowledge through free instruction. Pre-
liminary examinations were taken by close to
100 students, each selecting his or her own
composition. None of the contestants was more
than 20 years old, and the youngest, a girl, was
seven. More than 60 candidates have chosen the
piano, 30 the violin, four the 'cello and three
the viola.
Even if City Hall does not approve of appro-
priating funds for music for the public, it is not
averse to having music in the City Hall. C. S.
Metcalf, director of finance, and a 'cellist of no
mean ability, has organized an orchestra of
thirty members, "who practice after hours in
committee rooms. City Architect J. S. Mc-
Dowell is a member of the orchestra as second
violinist.
Word has reached Cleveland of the death of
N. Coe Stewart, former director of music in
the public schools, at his home in Flushing,
N. Y. Mr. Coe is credited by J. Powell Jones,
present music director, and other leading musi-
cians, as being most instrumental in bringing
music to the fore in Cleveland, and much of the
work he started is now being carried on suc-
cessfully. Among his accomplishments was the
organization of a great chorus of singers from
Cleveland and nearby cities, which was heard
on many occasions in the work of great com-
posers.
TO TRAVEL FOR GULBRANSEN CO.
Walker Y. Worth, Well-known Player Man, to
Be Southern Wholesale Representative
Walker Y. Worth, of Fayetteville, N. C, has
been appointed Southern wholesale traveler for
the Gulbransen-Dickinson Co., of Chicago. His
territory will include Maryland, Delaware, Dis-
trict of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Mr. Worth is a player-piano man of experience
and is thoroughly conversant with all branches
of the industry.
Victrola XVII, $350
Victrola XVII, electric, $415
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $25 to $1500
Victor
Supremacy
The Victor has earned
its supremacy by the
g r e a t things it has
actually accomplished.
The large measure of
success enjoyed by Victor
retailers is in keeping
with Victor supremacy.
"Victrola
is the Registered Trade :
mark of the Victor Talking Machine
Company designating the products of
this Company only.
W a r n i n g : The use of the word
Victrola upon or in the promotion or
sale of any other Talking Machine or
Phonograph products is misleading and
illegal.
Important Notice.
Victor
Records
and Victor Machines are scientifically
co-ordinated and synchronized in the
processes of manufacture, and should be
used together to secure a perfect re-
production.
Victor Talking
Machine Co.
Camden, N. J., u. s. A.