Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1930 Vol. 89 N. 10

Page 6 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
recognized as being just as essential as the three R's and is placed
on the same basis by the school. This movement, he holds, will
wean parents away from the idea that music is simply a fad and
cause them to regard it as an important educational factor. Once
this idea becomes general the demand for instruments will increase
rapidly. The report, if it does nothing else, should encourage piano
men with the thought that in advocating and working for group
instruction they are proceeding along the proper lines.
REVIEW
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published on the First of the Month by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
Publishers of Antiquarian, Automotive Electricity, India Rubber World, Materials
Handling & Distribution, Music Trade Review, Novelty News, Rug Profits, Sales Man-
agement, Soda Fountain, Radio Music-Merchant, Tires; and operates in association with
Building Investment, Draperies and Tire Rate-Book.
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. SpilLane, Randolph Brown; Secretary
and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Comptroller, T. J. KeJly; Assistant Treasurer,
Win. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION: FKANK W. KIRK, Manager
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Telephone: State 1266
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Cable: Elbill New York
In order to insure proper attention all communications should
be addressed to the publication and not to individuals.
Vol. 89
A
OCTOBER, 1930
10
Business Is On the Mend
S The Review goes to press there is a noticeable im-
provement in the demand for musical instruments as
indicated by orders being received by manufacturers.
This is not to say that there is any strong spurt in business or that
conditions have become normal over night, but it does mean that
retailers are buying more freely and in many cases in larger quanti-
ties, which is taken to indicate that musical instruments are being
moved from wareroom floors into homes. Travelers who have re-
turned from trips through various sections of the country, almost
without exception report a greater interest on the part of dealers.
They are still keeping stocks pared to the 'bone and are buying
from hand to mouth, but nevertheless there is enough retail business
to keep their orders coming to the factories. There are even those
who predict that there will be a shortage of new pianos before the
first of the year, not at all an improbable situation, because of the
curtailment in factory operations that has been made by many
manufacturers. All in all it looks like a good fall and holiday
business, not record-breaking perhaps but nevertheless substantial.
A
OCTOBER, 1930
How an Outsider Views the Trade
T the behest of several prominent piano manufacturers
a business authority of wide reputation and experience
has made an exhaustive study of the general music
business with special reference to the cause of existing conditions
and to future possibilities, and as a result of his unbiased survey
he has rendered a most interesting and illuminating report. He de-
clares, in short, that musical instruments have not been superseded
by other commodities of more modern character as was the horse-
drawn buggy superseded by the automobile, but that the interest
of the public had been allowed to wane largely through lack of
effort on the part of the members of the trade.
In suggesting a solution, however, comes the most interesting
part of the report, for the investigator, not particularly interested
in music, reached the same conclusion that has already been reached
by many clear thinkers of the industry, namely, that the future of
the musical instrument business and particularly the piano business
rests with the musical training of the child. To make this training
effective, however, it will be necessary to persuade the educational
authorities of the country to grant full school credits for music
study and thus impress parents with the idea that music training is
I
I The Annual Radio World's Fair
HE annual Radio World's Fair in New York is over
and those who looked for the public to crowd Madison
Square Garden throughout the week, as in previous
years, were disappointed. The lack of public support does not in-
dicate a waning interest in radio, but was due—in no small measure
—to the fact that there was little or nothing of revolutionary char-
acter to attract it. It means that radio has reached a point
of stabilization where even the most progressive manufacturers
are content to be satisfied with refining, rather than rebuilding,
their receivers. To the dealers who have seen large stocks in their
stores made obsolete over night through the introduction of some
radical improvement by the manufacturer, this tendency toward
stabilization will prove welcome. In enables both the dealer and
the public to buy with confidence and makes for a sounder and
more profitable business. Certainly the speculative, hit-or-miss days
in radio seem to have passed.
I
Primarily for Music Advancement
T is likely that before another month is past some definite
announcement will be made regarding changes in the policy
in operating the National Bureau for the Advancement of
Music, or rather of the determination of the committee in charge
of the work to have the Bureau go back to first principles and
operate with a view to developing musical interests in a broad way
rather than advocating the adoption of any particular type of in-
strument as an interpreting medium. The plans are still in process
of formulation, but it is not violating confidence to declare that the
future program will be distinctly neutral so far as it concerns the
activities of various groups of manufacturers. The Bureau, in
short, will work for the cause of music itself with the idea of pro-
moting interest in the art and leaving it to the manufacturers of
musical instruments themselves to direct that interest into those
channels that will benefit them most.
This declaration of policy, it is stated, has been made neces-
sary because the time was approaching when it would be impossible
for the Bureau to function successfully with its efforts broken up
in a variety of channels, more or less competitive, even though
directed toward the same general end.
A
The Ohio Convention
LTHOUGH the attendance at the annual convention of
the Music Merchants' Association of Ohio held in Cin-
cinnati early last month was rather disappointing, it
was evident that those standard-bearers of the music trade of the
State who did make it their business to be present came with the
full intention of accomplishing something. The various round table
sessions, a regular and successful feature of the Ohio meetings for
the past couple of years, again proved their worth by affording
opportunities for the Association members to exchange worth-while
ideas on the various phases of the business, including the merchan-
dising of pianos, band instruments and radios. Those who did
attend the sessions found them well worth while, and if nothing
else was accomplished, Secretary Rex Hyre was persuaded to occupy
the office for another year at least, even at a personal sacrifice. This
in itself was a most worthy accomplishment, for the success of the
Association to date has been due in no small measure to Mr. Hyre's
personal efforts.

Page 7 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Just Before Going to Press
Receivers in Equity Appointed
for Jacob Doll & Sons' Business
T^HE Irving Trust Co., New York, and Harry
•*• Meixell, secretary of the Musical Supply
Association and chairman of the Creditors'
Committee, were appointed equity receivers for
Jacob Doll & Sons, the piano manufacturers
of 100 Southern Boulevard, New York. The
petition for the receiver was presented before
Federal Judge Coxe by David W. Kahn, attor-
ney for Wistar, Underhill & Co., Philadelphia,
and was concurred in by the defendant company
for the purpose of protecting the interest of
the concern and of its creditors
The petition stated that the piano company is
entirely solvent, having assets of $1,193,000 and
pressing liabilities of only $300,000, due to mer-
chandise creditors, but is temporarily short of
cash and credit, owing to the slowing up of
collections on instalment paper as a result of
general business conditions. The assets include
the company's factory listed at $738,000, against
which is a first mortgage of $180,000 and a
second mortgage of $40,000. Raw materials and
finished pianos are listed at $275,000 and ac-
counts receivable at $400,000.
The Doll business has been in the hands of
the Creditors' Committee for some time past
and under a credit extension agreement made
September 18, 1929, has been liquidating credi-
tors' claims. However, the situation reached a
point where the company failed to meet its
credit extension note maturing September 15,
1930, and it was decided that an equity receiver-
ship was the easiest way out. It is hoped that
through this action steps may be taken to
reorganize the company's business.
In a letter to the creditors Mr. Meixell stated
that:
"Meantime, pursuant to the terms of the
credit extension agreement, steps have been
taken to place the Premier Grand Piano Com-
pany, whose assets are pledged as security for
the credit extension notes of Jacob Doll & Sons,
Inc., under the control and direction of the
Creditors' Committee.
"The committee will immediately conduct an
audit of the books of the Premier Grand Piano
Company, make an inventory of its machinery
and equipment, materials and supplies, etc., and
proceed to the economical liquidation of as-
sets, first for the benefit of the creditors of
Premier Grand Piano Company and, second,
for the application of any equities that may be
left to the further liquidation of the Jacob Doll
& Sons, Inc., notes still unpaid."
Cable Company Again to Represent
Mason & Hamlin Piano in Chicago
A N announcement of great importance and
•**• interest during the past month was to the
effect that the Cable Company of Chicago has
taken on the Mason & Hamlin line of pianos
for that city and most of its branches and plans
to present that instrument as its leader in an
energetic sales campaign both through news-
papers and through direct contact with artists
and teachers.
Up to two years ago, when Ampico Hall in
Chicago was opened, the Cable Company had
handled the Mason & Hamlin line most success-
fully for some twenty-five years, and had built
^ip a strong following for that instrument among
the discriminating in Chicago and vicinity.
With this background it is felt that the com-
pany will again be able to give the Mason &
Hamlin unusually fine representation in the ter-
ritory which it serves.
It is significant that this year the Mason &
Hamlin piano is celebrating the seventy-fifth or
diamond anniversary of its establishment, while,
at the same time, the Cable Company is cele-
brating its fiftieth business anniversary. It is
stated that this combination of significant anni-
versaries, representing long establishment and
successful progress, will be brought to public
attention in a forceful manner.
Co. about thirty years ago, and built up
a substantial and far-reaching business. He
was an accomplished musician and was the or-
ganizing director of numerous bands in and
about Indianapolis. He is survived by his
widow, Mrs. Ida L. Carlin, and a brother, Frank
J. Carlin, with whom he was in business.
American Piano Corp.
Announces New Dealers
The American Piano Corp. has announced the
following recent additions to the list of dealers
handling the several lines of pianos manufac-
tured by the corporation. For the Chickering
piano the Anderson-Soward Co., Dayton, O.,
the Isaac Bledsoe Music Co., Austin, Tex., and
the Pearson Piano Co., Indianapolis, Ind. For
the Knabe piano, the Columbia Music Co.,
Columbia, S. C, and the W. F. Frederick Piano
Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
In every case the retail houses are among
the leaders in their respective territories and
possess the business backgrounds to enable
them to give proper representation to the in-
strument. The increasing number of dealers
who are arranging for Chickering and Knabe
agencies and expressing enthusiasm over these
connections, once established, has proven very
gratifying to the officials of the American Piano
Corp., who state that other new agencies will
be announced at an early date.
Charles Onderdonk
Joins Lyon & Healy Staff
Charles Onderdonk, for some time past in
charge of the Eastern division of the Baldwin
Piano Co. with headquarters in New York, re-
signed recently to go to Chicago to become
manager of the Duo-Art division of Lyon &
Healy, Inc., making his headquarters at the
company's main store at Jackson and Wabash
avenues.
Following Mr. Onderdonk's resignation the
general activities at the Baldwin New York
headquarters have been taken over by Richmond
Harris, who also looks after the promotional
work among Baldwin artists.
J. M. Grolimund Joins
Luncheon of New York
J. B. Bradford Co. Gets
H. & A. Selmer Organization
Piano Associations
Mason & Hamlin Agency
J. B. Bradford Piano
Co., 411 Broadway, has announced its appoint-
ment as exclusive representative here for the
Mason & Hamlin piano, and is displaying its
stock of these pianos in conventional and
period cases against the beautiful background
of its showroom.
Bradford's makes use of continuous promo-
tion effort with the result that new homes
being built in the city are often furnished by
it with grand pianos, some with specially built
cases to harmonize with home surroundings.
The store also features the Steinway Duo-
Art, the Weber, Steck, Stroud and Wheelock
pianos and the Aeolian pipe organ. C. E.
Oerding is vice-president of the company in
charge of sales of the piano department.
MILWAUKEE, WXS.—The
A joint luncheon of the New York Piano
Manufacturers Association and New York
Piano Merchants Association will be held at the
National Republican Club on Thursday, October
2, at 12.30 p.m. The principal speaker will be
Richard W. Lawrence, who will tell of his re-
cent trip to the land of the midnight sun,
Russia and other European countries.
Death of f m . M. Carlin
William M. Carlin, one of the owners of the
Carlin Music Co., 143 East Washington street,
Indianapolis, and for over a half-century an
active factor in music trade and professional
activities in that section, died on September IS,
after a lengthy illness, the funeral being held
The Levis Music Store, Rochester, N. Y., re- on September 18.
cently had an attractive exhibit at the Roches-
Mr. Carlin, who was seventy-four years old,
ter Exposition, featuring the Steinway piano.
with his brother organized the Carlin Music
President George M. Bundy of H. & A.
Selmer announces the appointment of J. M.
Grolimund as Advertising and Sales Promotion
Manager of the company. Mr. Grolimund is
well known and popular throughout the indus-
try and has done much creditable work in the
line of sales promotion for musical instruments.
His technical knowledge not only of musical
instrument manufacture, plus his personal ac-
quaintance among musicians, dealers and dis-
tributors, added to his business abilities, suggest
that his accession to the H. & A. Selmer or-
ganization will be highly useful to those widely
known makers of flutes, clarinets, and other
musical instruments.
Secretary F. P. Whitmore of the W. W. Kim-
ball Co. is back from a European trip, accom-
panied by Mrs. Whitmore, which accomplished
the double purpose of an attractive vacation
and of meeting their son, Philip Whitmore, an
electrical engineer, residing in Spain.

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