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THE
OCKJBEK 22, 1921
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
CLEVELAND ASSOCIATION FIGHTING EXCISE TAXATION
Local Piano Men Devoting Their Efforts to Influencing Senators to Vote Against Proposed Excise
Tax Plan—R. C. Hyre Compiles Facts Regarding Accomplishments at Columbus Meeting
CLEVELAND, O., October 17.—Plans for seeking
there were thirty-two exhibits conducted in con-
the removal of at least two undesirable factors junction with the convention.
that tend to hinder the progress of the music in-
Immediate plans of the State Association call
dustry, not alone here, but throughout the coun- for a special meeting of officers at Association
try, were started at the October meeting of the headquarters, 929 Society for Savings Building,
Cleveland Music Trade Association this week. this city, at which time the program of activities
First of these will be an effort to seek removal for the coming year will be outlined.
of the county tax that is imposed upon con-
Formal opening of the Mason & Hamlin de-
sumers when they purchase pianos or other musi- partment of the Muehlhauser Brothers' Piano
cal instruments. It is the contention of Associa- Co. was to be held during the week of October
tion members that this tax already is paid by
17. Invitations were sent out to all persons in-
the merchant upon the paper and that there is terested in pianos and music. The firm, recently
no good reason for its existence. Attention of appointed Mason & Hamlin representative here,
the members was called by Assistant Secretary plans a special department for the display of
Rexford C. Hyre to the successful attempt of the these beautiful instruments.
St. Louis piano organization in obtaining re-
Milton R. Slocum has returned from his sev-
moval of just such a tax against St. Louis con- eral months' vacation, spent in central New York,
sumers. Information will be sought by Mr. Hyre where he went to recuperate his health. Last
on how this was accomplished and a similar drive Spring Mr. Slocum, one of the pioneer music
will be started in Cleveland as soon as this in- merchants of the city, announced his temporary
formation arrives.
retirement from the business. That he is still in
Entire elimination of the excise tax also will the game, however, was illustrated this week in
be sought by Cleveland piano houses, with the the sale of four pianos, which were sold over the
suggestion that some other law be passed, so telephone. Mr. Slocum had never seen the cus-
that no one business will be discriminated against tomers who made the purchases.
in this respect. School teachers and music
teachers, and all persons interested in the ad-
GRIFFITH PIANO CO. ALTERATIONS
vancement of music, will be urged by Association
officers to wire Senators immediately to this Interior of Establishment Redecorated—Plans
effect, and similar wires will be sent by every
Installation of New Lighting System—R. H.
member of the industry here.
Spahn Makes a Clever Sale of a Grand
As an aid to bettering their business, effort will
NEWARK, N. J., October 17.—The alterations
be made by the members to bring speakers, both
in and out of the trade, to Ohio to speak at which have been under way at the attractive
local piano association meetings. Monthly meet- establishment of the Griffith Piano Co., 605
ings will be adjusted to synchronize with the Broad street, this city, are nearing completion.
appearance of these speakers in the various com- The main display floor of the store has been
munities. The Ohio Music Merchants' Associa- considerably iinproved. The walls have been re-
tion will co-operate with the locals in bringing decorated, the predominating color scheme being
old ivory, and the Steinway grands displayed in
the speakers here.
Because some doubt has been raised as to the a long row on both sides of the spacious room
accomplishments at the recent Columbus conven- make an impressive appearance. A new lighting
tion of the Ohio Music Merchants' Association, system will be installed and the window will be
data and figures have been compiled by Secretary elaborately decorated in the near future.
Robert H. Spahn, floor manager, displayed
Rexford C. Hyre. Relative to attendance the
figures compiled by Secretary Hyre show that his sales ability in an unusual manner recently
dealers who registered were ninety-nine; manu- and made an important sale to Dr. William
facturers and travelers, ninety-nine; publicity rep- Sharpe, of New York. Dr. Sharpe and his wife
resentatives, five; guests from outside the trade, had been motoring and were returning to New
four; women, twenty-seven. This makes a total York via Newark when they developed^ engine
trouble and were compelled to stop at a garage
attending of 239. Of this oiumber eighty-eight
were members of the Association, creating an to have it repaired. While waiting he and his
attendance of A2 x / 2 per cent of the total 207 wife strolled up B.road street, stopped before
membership. This makes the biggest showing,, the Griffith Piano Co.'s window and admired a
in this respect, the State body has ever been able grand piano of well-known make, which was on
to produce, according to Mr. Hyre. In addition, display. Dr. Sharpe mentioned his admiration
for the appearance of the instrument to Mr.
Spahn, who finally prevailed upon him to inspect
the warerooms and the instruments handled by
the Griffith Co. To make a long story short.
Dr. Sharpe purchased the piano before leaving
and had it sent to his home in New York. This
sale was the more remarkable in that the doctor
has his office in the heart of the piano district
in New York. This incident is related merely
to show how a salesman who is on his toes can
develop business and how easily a good prospect
who happens to be a next-door neighbor may be
overlooked.
The Lauter-Humana
A player-piano designed
to meet the needs of the
discriminating buyer.
Is Your Territory Open?
LAUTER-HUMANA CO.
NEWARK, N. J.
ALBERT BEHNING GETS PUBLICITY
Views on Business Men's Attitude Toward
Mayor Hylan Quoted in New York Papers
Albert Behning, who is assisting John J.
Lyons, Secretary of State, is conducting the cam-
paign of Major Henry H. Curran, coalition Re-
publican candidate for Mayor of New York, is
proving quite a publicity agent. He was recently
quoted at some length in New York papers as
declaring that the business men of the city gen-
erally were opposed to the re-election of Mayor
Hylan, and Mr. Behning's name was very promi-
nent in the story.
Victrola No. 120, $275
Victrola No. 120, electric, $337.50
Mahogany or oak
Other styles $25 to $1500
Victor
Supremacy
The enormous pub-
lic demand for the
Victrola, the unpar-
alleled success of
Victor retailers every-
where, unmistakably
tell of Victor suprem-
acy.
"Victrola
i B the Registered Trade-
mark of the Victor Talking Machine
Company designating the products of
this Company only.
Warning: 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 yictor 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.