Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
8
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
All Divisions of the United Piano
Corp. Now Settled in Plant in Norwalk
Total of 110,000 Square Feet of Floor Space in Factory—January Produced the Largest Sales
Volume of Any January in Firm's History—50 Per Cent Ahead of Previous Year
XTORWALK, O., February 26.—The several
manufacturing divisions of the United
Piano Corp. are now well settled in the large
plant of the corporation located in this city,
where 110,000 square feet of floor space is being
used to the maximum in taking care of the va-
rious departments. In moving the Emerson
and Lindeman factories from the East, the in-
dividuality of the instruments has been pre-
served with the result that each line, has
assigned to it a definite section of a department
and there is absolutely no confusion in the
manufacturing processes.
The plant has been arranged with the direct
idea of facilitating production on a quantity
basis, the various departments being laid out so
that the work progresses regularly and there
is no unnecessary shifting back and forth.
Where possible, the latest automatic machinery
and factory equipment have been installed and
material progress has been made in standard-
izing the various -sections of the piano, par-
ticularly the cases and backs, with a view to
saving much of the time ordinarily taken up in
shifting machine gauges. The task of bringing
the several plants together under one roof has
been a tremendous one, but has been accom-
plished satisfactorily and the entire factory is
operating smoothly.
That real progress has been made is evident
by the report of the corporation to the effect
that January produced the biggest volume of
sales in its history and was close to 50 per cent
ahead of January, 1923, the increase being reg-
istered with each of the lines. J. H. Shale,
treasurer of the United Piano Corp., declared
that there was every indication the present year
would be a most productive one not only for
his own company, but for the trade as a whole.
Confidence in the future is indicated by the
production of several new styles of instruments
to meet demands that in a measure have made
themselves very evident.
The Lindeman & Sons Piano Co. division of
the corporation recently announced the produc-
tion of a new Lindeman & Sons grand, known
as Style 9, which has been under way for some
time, and is designed to sell at a popular price
and embody a number of very interesting fea-
tures, chief among them being that the length of
the several strings up to the middle section is
practically the same as that found in the concert
grand. Dealers who have seen the new instru-
ment have become quite enthusiastic about it.
Another new production is the Emerson foot-
impelled Celco upright, also the result of care-
ful study and experimenting, which is said to
accomplish about everything that is possible
with the regular type of electrically operated
Celco reproducing medium. There is believed
to be a most substantial field for the new instru-
ment, which can be retailed at a price only
slightly higher than the ordinary type of player-
piano, and is thus calculated to appeal to a large
number of prospective purchasers.
Vocalstyle Folder Out
The Vocalstyle Music Co., of Cincinnati,
has recently sent out to the Eastern music-
roll trade a folder containing photographs of
the New York branch office, which appeared
OVERTON
Con-
struction patented
1919. No. 1,388,974.
No. 201 OVERTON
K. D. 8tretcherles8
Duet
Bench.
No. 20 OVERTON K. D.
Duet Bench with Stretcher
OVERTON Twin K.D.'s
VST two minutes from Car-
ton to Customer"—as true
of one of the handsome
OVERTON twins as of the
other.
"f
Both are permanently rigid when
a s s e m b l e d because they're
equipped with the patented
OVERTON demountable leg
construction.
Both are sturdy, full duet size—
tops double crossbanded veneered
and edge veneered; handrubbed
and polished a beautiful piano
finish.
Both are equipped with player
lifts and match either upright or
player-pianos. They are also
stocked in grand height.
Both are shipped in neat, com-
pact, dust-and moisture-proof
fibre packages, one-quarter the
usual size. Will save you 60%
of your freight and 75% of your
storage space.
Of course, you ought not to be
without these money-making fea-
tures a moment longer. We
can ship today out of stock—a
dozen or a hundred. Which shall
it be?
S . E.
MICHIGAN
And both will move your pianos.
COMPANY
U • $ • A
MARCH 1,
1924
in a late issue of The Review. The point is
made in the leaflet that the success of any roll
department is governed by the courtesy and at-
tention embodied in service as much as the
quality of the merchandise. Herbert J. Brand,
Eastern district manager, reports favorable re-
sponses from the folder, which is introductory
to a new direct-mail campaign now being suc-
cessfully conducted from the New York office
of the company.
Musical Instruments Hit
by Edict of Buffalo Mayor
Chief Executive Propounds Prohibitive Rule
Covering Installation of Musical Instruments
in Various Public Places
BUFFALO, N. Y., February 26.—Buffalo music
dealers are highly indignant over an ordinance
recently passed by Mayor Schwab, demanding
the signatures of all property owners within
200 feet of a public place of amusement, giving
their permission to the contemplated installa-
tion of a mechanical piano or any musical in-
strument to be used in such places as pool-
rooms, confectioneries or soft drink cafes.
After the forms containing the signatures of
adjoining property owners are sent to the may-
or's office, the license clerk turns them over to
the police. A policeman is then sent to investigate
to see that none of the signatures is a forgery.
The captain then makes an investigation and
finally the mayor approves ox disapproves the
application.
About a year ago the mayor put such a resolu-
tion before the city council, but it unanimously
disapproved of his plan. This year the mayor
took it upon himself to enforce the ordinance,
even with the council's disapproval.
In an interview with one dealer, who caters
largely to public places of amusement, he said:
"We have lost nearly 50 or 75 per cent in sales
since the mayor's new rule. After going to the
trouble to get the consent of all property own-
ers within the 200 feet, and after a policeman
had investigated to see that the signatures were
bona fide, the mayor even then turned some
of our applications down."
When asked if any action would be taken
against the mayor's ruling, the dealer said:
"There is nothing to do but wait for the mayor's
term to expire, which will be in such a short
time that it is hardly worth while to take any
organized action against his pet rule."
The mayor is so well satisfied with results
of the ordinance that he is using the same pol-
icy before granting licenses for poolrooms or
hot dog stands.
Annual Meeting of Willis
& Go. Held Last Week
Prominent Canadian Concern Reports Substan-
tial Business Increase—Special Bonuses Paid
and All Officers Re-elected
MONTREAL, CAN., February 26.—The annual
meeting of Willis & Co., Ltd., was held at the
head office, 580 St. Catherine street, West, Mon-
treal, last week. The president presented the
annual statement, which showed that an in-
crease in sales and collections over the year
1922 had been made for the past year and that
the prospects for a good business in 1924 were
reassuring. The announcement was made that
the factory branch of the business had turned
out more units than the preceding year, having
worked the entire year through, and the hope
was expressed that manufacturing conditions
would warrant further progress with a greatly
augmented staff in 1924.
The usual bonuses were ordered to be paid
and the following officers were elected for the
year: President, A. P. Willis; vice-president,
Robert A. Willis; secretary, W. D. Willis;
treasurer, G. L. Duncan; directors, C. D. Pat-
terson, A. Desjardins,* F. G. Sharpe and A. S.
Benoit.