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JANUARY 28, 1928
The Music Trade Review
Straube Piano Co. Holds
Its Annual Sales Meeting
Sales Representatives and Straube Merchants From All Sections
of Country Gather at Factory in Hammond, Ind., for
Annual Sales Conference and to Plan Ahead
T_T AMMOND, IND., January 21.—The annual business conference of the Straube Piano Co., held
at the headquarters here shortly after the first of the year, was particularly important for
two reasons. In the first place the program was particularly instructive, being participated in
not only by the company's representatives from all sections of the country, but by a number of
dealers who were visiting the factory at the time, and, secondly, because it might be accepted as
marking the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Straube Co.'s business in 1878.
The introduction of the dealers into the con-
ference was particularly timely and significant
for they were able to offer the impressions and
suggestions of the men on the firing-line. One
of the speakers, for instance, was George P..
Dow, Chicago dealer, who told how he and his
sales manager, Charles Nelson, had built up a
very large Straube distribution in a highly com-
petitive market. Another dealer who spoke was
Charles C. Adams, of Peoria, 111., who stated
that more Straube pianos were sold in his terri-
tory than in any other community in the United
States, and described his success to the fact that
the Straube piano and the Straube policies are
made to conform to current conditions. Other
dealers in attendance were George P. Gross,
Cincinnati, L. H. Paul Jones, Ft. Wayne, Ind.,
C. J. Kramer, Gary, Ind. and W. O. Gross of
Eaton O.
At a luncheon tendered to the conference at
the Woodmar Country Club, E. R. Jacobson,
president of the Straube Piano Co., and who
was for two terms president # of the Music In-
dustries Chamber of Commerce, stated that the
Straube Piano Co. had made very favorable
progress during 1927 and that continued ad-
vancement was anticipated during 1928.
E. R. Jacobson
H. A. Stewart, sales manager, outlined the
substantial character of the Straube institution Morrison Hotel, Chicago, and later in a body
and the public confidence it enjoys. "That 1928 attended the theatre.
Among those present were P. F. Pfingsten
will be a Straube year," stated Mr. Stewart, "is
well confirmed by the cordial relationship exist- and C. J. Lenz, Glen Ellyn, 111., L. B. Kewith,
ing between the Straube dealer organization and George B. Dow and his sales manager, Charles
the Straube Piano Co., and the sales activity Nelson, Chicago, W. O. Gross, Eaton, O., L. H.
that is now going on. Period designs by Straube Paul Jones, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Geo. P. Gross,
in both grand and upright instruments sold Cincinnati, O., Frank Justin and A. Nawquist,
well during 1927, and the number will be in- Cicero, 111., C. J. Kramer, Gary, Ind., Chas. C-
creased during 1928. New literature is in press Adams and H. H. Bland, Peoria, 111., I. S. Dolk
and W. K. Lamport, South Bend, Ind. Of the
at this time.
wholesale
staff present were included, Capt. J.
"In addition, the unique features of construc-
tion which have proven so practical and popu- A. Bryan, Eastern territory, Robert E. Lauer,
lar during the past year will be continued so Ohio and West Virginia, J. N. England, South-
that people may continue to see as well as hear eastern representative, W. A. Berry, Western
the merit of the Straube. Policies of national representative, D. L. Sterling, Central West, and
advertising and national pricing will be main- Chas. T. Phelan, Southwestern representative.
tained in the future as they have been for many The Straube offices were represented by E. R.
years past. The Good Housekeeping Maga- Jacobson, president, C. H. J. Thorby, vice-presi-
zine and the Ladies' Home Journal will be dent, J. F. Jacobson, secretary, A. T. Schuldes,
the outstanding publications used and merchants treasurer, H. A. Stewart, sales manager, W. G.
will receive effective tie-up material so that Betz, superintendent, H. R. McVey, Clarence
they may enjoy the local benefit of what the Kritch, R. E. Folk, retail manager, Charles
Straube Piano Co. is endeavoring to do. Al- Levin, Joe Martin, and A. D. Myer, purchasing
though we have taken on a number of new agent.
dealers during 1927 and hope to have many
others with us in the future, nevertheless, we Forthcoming Convention
appreciate the loyalty of our present merchants
and nothing will be done that will prevent old
Stimulates Houston Trade
Straube dealers from enjoying the fruits of
their efforts."
Selection of City for Democratic Meet Quickly
Reflected in Business Channels—Wolf Manu-
Other Straube executives who addressed the
facturing Industry Opens Dallas Branch
conference were C. H. J. Thorby, vice-president;
A. T. Schuldes, treasurer; W. G. Betz, superin-
HOUSTON, TEXAS, January 20.—Houston seems
tendent; R. E. Folk, manager of the retail di-
vision, and I. S. Dolk of Lamport-McDonald jubilant over the fact that this rapidly growing
and largest city in Texas has been designated
Advertising Agency, South Bend.
At the conclusion of the conference, the group to hold the National Democratic Convention
adjourned for dinner at the Terrace Gardens, and the reports are that the music business is
better in Houston than in any of the other
cities of the Southwest.
M. R. Williams, who travels the Southwest
for the Wurlitzer Co., was in Texas this week
calling upon the trade. Mr. Williams is well
and favorably known throughout a large sec-
tion of this territory. He reported that busi-
ness began to improve slightly about the
fifteenth of the month, which is usual at this
season of year.
The Wolf Mfg. Industries of Kokomo, Ind.,
manufacturer of phonographs, has established a
wholesale office at Dallas, for the handling of
its business in the territory of Texas, Oklahoma
and Arkansas. In this connection it has ar-
ranged for carrying a wholesale stock at Dallas
to make quick deliveries to their various deal-
ers in this territory..
Charles T. Phelan, wholesale representative
of the Straube pianos in the Southwest, has
been on an extended trip in the North, and
spent some time in Chicago. He will be back
in the Southwest by the first of February, ac-
cording to his statement.
National Conservatory Site
Provided in New Bill
District of Columbia Authorities Empowered to
Choose Site in Measure Introduced by Fish,
of New York
WASHINGTON, D. C, January 23.—Selection by
the Director of Public Buildings and Public
Parks of a site in the public grounds of the
District of Columbia for a building or buildings
to be erected by the National Conservatory of
Music of America is provided for in a bill in-
troduced in the House of Representatives by
Congressman Fish, of New York. The meas-
ure provides that the plans for any building or
buildings to be constructed on the site so
selected shall be approved by the Director of
Public Buildings and Public Parks and by the
Fine Arts Commission. It is also stipulated
that work on such buildings shall not be com-
menced until the National Conservatory of Mu-
sic presents satisfactory evidence that it has suf-
ficient funds in hand and in prospect reasonably
to insure the completion of the proposed struc-
tures. The conservatory would not have the
power to convey any portion of the land so
provided.
El Cortez Hotel Buys
Two Knabe Pianos
The Thearle Music Co., San Diego, Ca!., re-
cently sold two Knabe grand pianos, Style B, to
the new El Cortez Hotel in that city. The hotel
El Cortez Hotel
is one of the most imposing structures on the
Pacific Coast, and commands an unobstructed
view of the Pacific Ocean and also the Mexican
border.