Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MARCH 11,
1922
15
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
EVEN TRADE REPORTED BY SAN FRANCISCO DEALERS
Not Much Change in Demand, With Less Exp nsive Instruments Leading the Present Market—
DeForeest Well Received in Fresno—Association Accomplishments for the Past Year
SAN FKANCISCO, CAL., March 3.—There has been
but little change in the music trade situation in
San Francisco during the past week. The -sale
of pianos and expensive instruments remains com-
paratively light, the largest demand being for the
cbeaper instruments. The sale of small goods,
as a whole, as well as various kinds of sheet
music, has been running light, though, as one
firm remarked, "This is periodically our light
season, but we proceed to forget it each year, and
then get surprised when it comes. There seems
to remain a good normal demand for phono-
graphs and the sheet music program has been
stimulated some by reductions to 30 cents and
by the bringing out of some excellent popular
productions. Among smaller instruments the
saxophone seems to be the popular seller. That
it is considered a rather easy instrument to learn
has probably contributed to this result."
The banquet at Fresno, Cal., in reception of
M. V. DeForeest, of Sharon, Pa., president of the
National Association of Music Dealers, and of
Alex McDonald, chairman of the press coai-
mittee of the Association, given on February
24, proved a highly successful ;md interesting
affair, thanks to the enthusiastic work of C. C.
Hockett, president of the local unit of the Asso-
ciation. An interesting talk was given by Al. C.
Joy, the publicity man of the Raisin Growers'
Association, showing the identity of interest in,
and the value to, both the music dealers and the
raisin men alike of the problem of developing
new and future demands for their goods, show-
ing in some detail how the development of de-
mand had solved the problems of the raisin
growers. Mr. McDonald showed the value of
the development of the musical taste as the sure
means of providing for future markets. Mr. De-
Foreest complimented the local unit on its wide-
awake and progressive spirit and showed the
necessity and advantage of national organization.
Over sixty banqueters attested their appreciation
ot the profit of the occasion and wished the
popular visitors well on their trip to Los An-
geles.
Gco. R. Hughes, of the Wiley B. Allen Co.,
who by his enthusiastic and unselfish work as
president of the Association has won the esteem
and good will of the entire trade, gives an in-
teresting resume of the work of the Association
in substance as follows:
"As the Association is rounding out the first
year of its existence and, on Thursday, March
14, will meet in annual session for the purpose of
electing a new board of directors and a new of-
ficial family, a little review of its work seems
well in order. I feel that it may be safely and
correctly said that much good has resulted. Not
only has the work of the Association been un-
selfish, but I believe that we have proven to tht
trade that such is the case. The not unnatural
fear that it might be used to the advantage of the
large dealer, I believe, has been dispelled by the
fact that more, if possible, has been done to
advance and protect the interest of the smaller
dealer than of the larger dealers. The little pub-
lication that we have been able to issue and
place in the hands of all the trade has done
much to bring about a better understanding and
an appreciation of its aims and objects.
"The Association has done much to advance
the general public interest in music, which is a
sure and impartial way of assisting all the trade.
Fortunately, we have had little to contend with
in the way of improper and ,unfair advertising.
We have had no bad practices to speak of to
eliminate. San Francisco has certainly shown a
very clean field. This has left the field clear
for constructive work, and for the development
ot better methods of advertising. We have, how-
ever, done much to protect the Association from
the dead-beat and to eliminate that pest of the
trade. I believe that another year will see the
Association firmly established and skepticism
eliminated by the work that the Association will
be able to do for the benefit of all.
"The recent enthusiastic meeting in reception
of the national officers certainly marked a desir-
able climax to a successful year's work for co-
operation among the trade."
Mr. Hughes also expressed some relief at
laying down the work he had been called upon
as an official to perform, although it was work
on the whole in which he felt great pleasure and
interest. We can say from expressions among
the trade that the work of the president has been
recognized and appreciated.
The Fotoplayer department of Sherman, Clay
& Co. has just sold a Robert-Morton organ to
the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Grass
Valley. Another interesting installation is that
for the Colorado Theatre, of Denver, an instru-
ment combining in the most elaborate manner
all the essential features of a large orchestra.
Among the visitors to the trade is Ashley
B. Cone, of Hardman, Peck & Co., New York,
making his headquarters with the Wiley B. Allen
Co. George J. Dowling, of the Cable Company,
now at Fresno, is due to arrive here this week
and will also stop with the Wiley B. Allen Co.,
this firm having been for long years a Cable
Company dealer.
The Duo-Art concerts of Sherman, Clay &
Co. have been progressing satisfactorily. They
are given at the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel.
The last entertainment featured Winifred Forbes,
violinist, and Norman Smith, the popular and
talented boy pianist.
The Hanson Music House reports the reduc-
tion of sheet music to 30 cents, following the
popular demand for cheaper music, and notes a
little brisker sales as a consequence, also very
pleasing sales for their new shipment of
Buescher saxophones.
Jerome B. Kalver, of the Jerome H. Remick
Co., has just left for Seattle, after a stay in San
Francisco.
F. W. Stephenson, secretary of Sherman, Clay
& Co., has just returned from Los Angeles,
where the company has been enlarging its pro-
fessional offices.
You Can Always Buy
Cheaper Player Actions
We build ours of hardwood.
All joints are packed with leather—no
cork or paper.
We don't use fibre tubes driven into the
wood, but metal castings, packed with
leather and screwed.
We always use g e n u i n e shellac for
dipping.
The metal tubing is covered with cotton
sleeving, to prevent rattles and vibra-
tions.
OURS ARE "BUILT TO PLAY!"
The Pratt Read Player Action Co.
Main Office and Factory, Deep River, Conn.
Foreign Office, 21 Mincing Lane, London.