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5
The Music Trade Review
OCTOBER 15, 1927
Indiana Merchants
Robt. Watkin Sees National Prices
as Remedy for Unethical Selling Means
(Continued from page 4)
of the National Association of Music Merchants
who told of the promotional work being carried
on by the Music Industries Chamber of Com- Secretary of Will A. Watkin Co., Dallas, Tex., Points Out Necessity of This Remedy
merce, the National Bureau for the Advance-
to Remove Subjects of Criticism From Retail Piano Merchandising
ment of Music, and other strong trade organ-
izations.
DITOR, Music Trade Review: As one of is not thus nationally advertised and nationally
Following Mr. Dennis, Edward B. Birge,
your readers, I have noted the discussion priced, and offers a wonderful medium for the
president of the Indiana Federation of Music and editorial comment on the article in the overpricing and inflation of value which works
Clubs, outlined what the Federation was doing Bookman. Naturally, I feel that an article of out to the harm of the innocent buyer when it
for the promotion of good music, and pointed this kind is injurious to honest piano dealers is resorted to.
out that the dealers could aid in the campaign Yet, on the other hand, it seems to me that
If anybody connected with the piano industry
by selling good music. At the conclusion of anyone at all familiar with the retail merchan- in America does not think that this is quite
Mr. Birge's address, Miss Bertha Eckhart dising of pianos in various parts of this country largely done and advocated by certain very big
talked upon the necessity of the talking will immediately conclude that while this in- manufacturers and distributors who are well
machine in the modern home, in reproducing dividual case is a little worse than some others, known in the trade and whose methods are
that type of music for which it is particularly it is by no means an entirely isolated case or very well known, I am sure the trade would
well fitted.
example of how pianos are sold in many places. be glad to hear from such an individual. Also,
P. A. Ware, of the Atwater Kent Mfg. Co., re-
It is certainly a fact not subject to contra- if there is anyone who does not know that
viewed the radio situation briefly and pointed diction that the selling of pianos in many the above is done, and thinks that it is perfectly
out why the music dealer was particularly well stores in many big cities, towns and villages all right to inflate the price or overcharge
qualified to handle radio successfully.
is absolutely reprehensible. The piano trade customers on pianos, I am sure the trade at
Resolutions Adopted
certainly needs to clean house. To give a large and the trade press would be very glad
The following resolutions as presented by the parallel case in other lines which are retailed to hear such a policy justified. What the alibi
Resolutions Committee were adopted: First, in music stores, you seldom find the retail of such an individual would be doubtless would
that it be recommended that members adopt a prices advanced on Radiolas or Victrolas in be quite interesting.
carrying charge of at least one-half of one per order to give purposely a cut price or take a
In passing, I should like to pay a tribute
cent monthly on all balances after the initial valueless instrument in exchange at a high to the trade press of the piano industry, who
payment. Second, that printed pamphlets be valuation. But you find this very thing done have certainly one and all fought for cleaner
prepared and distributed to members recom- for the poor piano, in not one store alone, methods and more modern methods in the re-
mending a lower valuation than now prevails on but, as I said before, in many stores of the tailing of pianos. Certainly it would be best
used instruments taken in trade, in keeping country.
if this could be done without the pitiless light
with their real market value. Third, that a
Why is this? It is probably because the of publicity, but if it can't be done that way,
letter of thanks be sent to Harry Wert, of
retail prices of the Radiola and Victrola are certainly the country at large and the honest
Kansas City, for his work for the association thoroughly well known from national advertis- dealers would appreciate it being done even
and that he be made an honorary member, and ing in magazines, so that it is impossible for the though it takes publicity.
fourth, that the by-laws of the association be re- retailer of these articles to put over a crooked
Very truly yours,
vised to provide that the retiring president be game on the innocent purchaser. On the con-
ROBT. WATKIN.
made an advisory counsel of the organization trary, with few exceptions, the poor piano
Secretary, Will A. Watkin Co.
for a three-year period following his retire-
ment from office.
large attendance of parents and pupils and by
New Officers Elected
the interest in the project displayed by promi-
The election of officers resulted as follows:
nent musicians and gifted amateurs among the
President, C. R. Moores, Ft. Wayne; first vice-
nobility, who lent their names and personally
president, Frank Wilking, Indianapolis; second
vice-president, Albert A. Klamer, Evansville;
Officials of the Aeolian Co. gave a luncheon attended the affairs.
secretary, George E. Stewart, Indianapolis; party in honor of Frank Edgar, who recently
treasurer, T. H. McPheeters, Indianapolis. Di- severed his connections with that company, at
rectors for three years: J. B. Ryde, Indian- the Park Lane Hotel on October 6, in appre-
apolis; I. Edwin Butler, Marion, and Wm. ciation of his long service. Previous to the
Christena, Indianapolis. The carry-over direc- luncheon company officials and Mr. Edgar's
tors include A. T. Rapp, Indianapolis; C. W. former associates met at the Hall, where E. S.
Frank Banta, the well-known and popular
Copp, South Bend; M. L. Claypool, Crawfords- Votey, vice-president, presented Mr. Edgar with pianist, is the latest addition to the lqng list
ville; John S. Pearson; Wm. A. Young, Ft. a very handsome traveling bag on behalf of of artists now recording exclusively for the
Wayne, and F. L. Paige, Terre Haute.
the company. Those who attended the lunch- Ampico. Mr. Banta is well known to the pub-
It was suggested that the next meeting of the eon included W. H. Alfring, C. H. Addams, lic through his phonograph recording and con-
association be held at some place away from C. W. Browne, Franklin Dunham, Serge Hal- cert appearances, and not only plays popular
business such as West Haven Springs and be man, F. W. Hessin, C. A. Laurino, W. F. G. selections, but has a broad understanding of
held during the month of September. Also that Steele, C. H. Votey a«d E. F. Votey.
and deep reverence for the classics.
a director of publicity be appointed to more
thoroughly organize the association.
E
Aeolian Officials Give
Luncheon to Edgar
Frank Banta Records
Exclusively for Ampico
Banquet Ends Convention
The convention ended with the annual ban-
quet, which was largely attended. J. B. Ryde,
the retiring president, presided, and in addition
to a musical entertainment there was a talk by
Wm. Herschell, "The Poet of the Byways,"
which proved very amusing.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review.
ESTABLISHED 1862
Ampico Used in British
Music Memory Contests
Plans Active Music Season
AKRON, O., October 12.—Earle Poling, well-
Thomas P. Ratcliff, who has attained con- known Akron music merchant, who has been
siderable fame in England through his or- instrumental in recent years in bringing to
ganization of groups for community singing, Akron the most prominent personages in the
has recently been conducting a series of Listen- concert world, plans another popular course
ing Lessons, in reality music memory contests, this Winter. He will make known the artists
with the Ampico supplying the music. The who will be presented and the dates of the con-
popularity of these contests was shown by the certs within a few days.
L^UTER
NEWARK N. J.
ONE OF AMERICANS FINE PIANOS ","
GRANDS
UPRIGHTS
THE LAUTER-HUMANA