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AUGUST 16, 1924
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Alex McDonald of Sohmer & Co. Tells
of Big Success of Western Trades Meeting
New Home for Heim's Music
House in Danbury, Conn.
Special Commissioner of the National Association of Music Merchants Enthusiastic Over Work
Accomplished at First Convention of Western Musirc Trades Association
Old Established Concern Purchases Three-story
Building on Main Street, That City, to Provide
Facilities for Expanding Business
Alex McDonald, of Sohmer & Co., who re-
cently returned from the convention of the
Western Music Trades in San Francisco, which
he attended as a special commissioner repre-
senting the National Association of Music Mer-
chants, is most enthusiastic regarding the suc-
cess of the meeting and the efficient manner in
which the business of the entire convention was
conducted. In commenting upon the affair, Mr.
McDonald said.
"Viewed in perspective, the first West Coast
Convention at San Francisco stamps itself as
Alex McDonald
one of the most remarkable demonstrations of
the co-operative spirit in the history of the
Music Industry. As a member of the executive
board of the National Association of Music Mer-
chants and Special Commissioner to represent
that body at this convention, the writer was
privileged not only to participate in its public
functions, but to meet in an advisory way with
the committee on organization.
"From the first rap of the gavel by Philip
T. Clay, calling the convention to order, it was
apparent that here was gathered a group of
serious-minded men who had come together in
the fullest spirit of co-operation. Every man in
attendance was animated with the desire and
purpose to give of his best for the benefit of all.
"The admirable manner in which Mr. Clay
handled the chairmanship of the convention, his
insistence that the dealers of the smaller cities
and towns should voice their sentiments and
the unanimity with which the convention fol-
lowed his modest but far-seeing leadership, con-
tributed in a large degree to its success.
"The enthusiasm of Ed Uhl, of the Southern
California Music Co., and his manifest sincerity
of purpose in leading the discussion preceding
the determination to effect a permanent organi-
zation was infectious. The enthusiasm of the
first noon-day luncheon and the marked interest
in the message of the special commissioner
from the National Association was further ex-
hibited by the earnestness with which the entire
body attended the sessions lasting three days.
This enthusiasm rose in constant cresendo until
the convention closed with the wonderful ban-
quet on Thursday night.
"When it is stated that many of those in
attendance stood during the entire sessions to
listen to the various papers because sufficient
seating space could not be provided for the
unexpectedly large attendance, there can be no
doubt that these men came to learn. It must
be said that the papers read were worthy of
this attention. The frank way in which the
speakers handled the subject and the facts and
figures they gave were of a most intimate and
direct character,
"The acid test of the real interest of those in
attendance at the convention was shown by the
fact that everyone attending the meetings regis-
tered with the secretary and obtained a card of
admission to the Convention Hall for which a fee
of $3 was charged. It was a new and sure method
of determining the real interest -of those in
attendance.
"The social features which included a dinner-
dance by the Victor Co. and the banquet of the
convention itself were of a character that might
well be envied by the National Association.
"With characteristic Western spirit the matter
of manufacturers' exhibits was handled in a
manner that contributed rather than detracted
from the convention. Those in charge of these
exhibits, with a fine spirit of co-operation, at-
tended the sessions of the convention personally,
leaving the exhibits absolutely unattended during
the meeting hours. They won praise for them-
selves and a better standing with their trade as
a result of this exhibition of interest in the con-
vention itself. The convention was representa-
tive in every sense of the word, geographically
and by small dealers, as well as those from the
larger houses.
"The San Francisco trade did themselves
proud as hosts to the convention. The splendid
work of Shirley Walker and Fred Sherman, of
Sherman, Clay & Co., and Harold Pracht, of
Wiley B. Allen, George Chase and others, made
everyone feel perfectly at home and perfectly
at ease to take part in every phase of the
activities.
"The permanent organization, under the lead-
ership of E. A. Geissler, as its first president,
gives every evidence of a strong and effective
organization. Mr. Geissler's experience as an
active member of the Southern California Music
Merchants' Association and one of its presidents,
brings to the new association an experience
and knowledge that will be invaluable in putting
the organization on a fine footing. .
"While the papers and discussions covered a
wide field, the keynote of the convention was
to make America musical. The great West is
now enlisted under that banner. It is marching
on with undaunted courage, energy and bound-
less enthusiasm. There can be no doubt that
this association will function and function ef-
fectively, and in many ways the East will now
have to look to the West for inspiration in doing
the worth-while co-operative things to advance
music and the music industry."
DANBURY, CONN., August 11.—LeRoy A. Jackson
and Frank W. Hanson, proprietors of Heim's
Music Store, have purchased the three-story
building at 221 Main street to which the busi-
ness of the company, now located at 270 Main
street, will be moved early in the Fall. It is
understood the price was in the neighborhood of
$50,000.
The building, which has a frontage of twenty-
seven feet, will be remodeled extensively before
being occupied by the music house, giving the
firm the latest facilities.
Messrs. Jackson and Hanson succeeded to
the business of Heim's music store in August,
1919, after the death of William C. Heim,
founder of the store, both having been in Mr.
Heim's employ, Mr. Hanson for ten years and
Mr. Jackson for eight years. They have built
up a large business and at the present time
operate branch stores in Brewster, N. Y., and
Ridgefield.
Buy Business of Emerson
The Burkham & Stamm Piano Co., Wheeling,
W. Va., has purchased the furniture and under-
taking establishment of W. E. Emerson, Barnes-
ville, W. Va., and will operate the store as a
branch installing a full line of pianos, talking
machines and other musical instruments when
alterations are completed. An attractive sales
campaign is planned.
Pratt Read
Products
Piano Ivory
P i a n o Keys
Piano Actions
Player Actions
Schmitz Opens New Store
FOND DU LAC, WIS., August 2.—A new, modern
music store has just been opened here in the
McDermott Block at 24^4 South Main street
by William F. Schmitz. Mr. Schmitz has been
conducting a music business in the past from
his home at 230 Bank street. He will carry a
full line of music goods, including Waltham
player-pianos.
Berthold Neuer Away
Berthold Neuer, manager of the retail piano
warerooms of William Knabe, on Fifth avenue,
New York, left the city with his wife and daugh-
ter, Minna, for a motor trip through New Eng-
land and Canada. Mr. Neuer and his party will
head first for the Maine woods, where they will
spend a few days before going to Canada. They
will be gone several weeks.
W. H. Meland and V. E. Meland have formed
a partnership with R. E. Sachs in the Sachs
Music House, Harvey, 111. The larger organiza-
tion will work for the expansion of the business.
Established in
1806
at Deep River, Conn.
Still There
Standard Service and Highest Quality
Special Repair Departments
Maintained for Convenience
of Dealers
PRATT, READ & CO.
PRATT READ PLAYER ACTION CO.
Oldest and Best