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Enthusiastic Tuner Technicians Attend
New York Regional Meeting of ASPT
The American Society of Piano Tech-
nicians held a regional convention at
the Hotel New Yorker, New York from
February 11th to 13th, inclusive. Mem-
bers of the association attended from
the New England states, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and New York.
The convention opened at 8 o'clock
on February 12th with a breakfast in
the Coffee Shop of the New Yorker,
presided over by George Brasch, na-
tional president. At 10 o'clock the con-
vention was called to order by Percy W.
Gatz, regional vice-president and presi-
dent of the New York Division. In his
welcoming remarks, Mr. Brasch pointed
out how those present needed the Ameri-
can Society of Piano Technicians. At
11 o'clock a memorial service was held
by H. S. Stubbe, Sr. and this was fol-
lowed by an address by John H. Stein-
way, advertising manager of Steinway
& Sons, on—"Service Problems of the
Manufacturer and the Dealer."
In the afternoon, Erwin Otto, vice-
president of the New York Division,
presided and there was a seminar on
business promotion and also one on
technical problems. Later, Hans Weig-
lin of the Julius Bumb Piano Movers,
announced plans for the guests to visit
the mills of the American Felt Company
in Glenville, Conn., on the following
day, February 13th. At 7 P.M. Monday
evening, there was a batiquet in the
Panel in Room on the third floor, and
the guest speaker was Peter H. Corn-
stock, vice-president of Pratt, Read &
Co. and past chairman of the Coordinat-
ing Committee of National Piano Man-
ufacturers Association, on the prob-
lems facing the piano industry in a de-
fense economy.
After the guests visiled the mills of
the American Felt Company at Glen-
ville, Conn, on Tuesday morning, there
was an afternoon session at which sound
films were shown by Edward Urban oi
the Philadelphia Division, entitled—
"Seeing Sound — Electronic Magic."
These were put on by the courtesy of the
National Music Camp, Interlaken, Mich.
Leslie J. Hoskins, executive secretary,
addressed the guests on "Meet Your
National Office" and Floyd Orr, past
national president, gave an address on—
''The Road Ahead." The meeting ad-
journed at 4:30.
Those who participated in the Semi-
nar on Business Promotion were Errol
Crowl, Chairman, Boston Division;
Mrs. Bertha Schwendemann, Boston Di-
vision; Walter I. Williams, New York
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, FEBRUARY, 1951
Division; H. Wenner, Philadelphia; R.
Endress, New Jersey Tuners Assn.
Those who took part in the Seminar
on Technical Problems were William
Stonaker, Chairman, N. Y. Div.; J.
Lentz. Philadelphia Division; Edwin
Sibel, Philadelphia Division; Louis
Haffermehl, Boston Division; George
Schwendemann, Boston Division; Wolf-
gang Staub, New York Division; Ber-
nard Merola, New York Division;
George Brasch, National President;
Floyd Orr. Past National President;
Leslie Hoskins, Executive Secretary;
Granville Ward, Steinway & Sons; Kelso
Davis, Pratt, Read and Co.
The address of Peter H. Comstock
made at the banquet and also at the
Boston regional meeting appears on
Page 15.
COMSTOCK ADDRESS
(Coiil imicd from l'uge 15)
could be made, he cited a possible sub-
stitution of plated cast iron for brass in
the pedals and use of steel-wound base
strings instead of copper. The non-
wound wires use steel and the wound
strings at the lower end of the register
use copper.
In addition, the industry expects de-
fense orders of the type it received in
World War II, for wooden aircraft
wings, tail surfaces, seats and the like,
Mr. Comstock said. There also is a po-
tential shortage of labor, and since most
of the workers are skilled technicians,
a drain on personnel would put a serious
crimp in production, he added.
F. Kelso Davis of the Pratt Read sales
force accompanied Mr. Comstock and
took part with him in answering ques-
tions which had been submitted by the
membership at the beginning of the
meeting.
NPA Small Business
Director is J. C. Pritchard
John C. Pritchard. Denver business-
man, has been appointed Director of
the Office of Small Business in the Na-
tional Production Authority. James L.
Kelly is Deputy Director of the same
office.
Brauneck Piano Co.
Opened in Macon
The Brauneck Piano Co. recently
opened in Macon, Ga., at 377 Cotton
Avenue, featuring Hammond Organs,
and Mason & Hamlin. Kranich & Bach.
Lester, Ivers and Pond Henry F. Miller
and Poole pianos.
Robert Cable
Robert Cable, former head of Cable &
Sons, died at his home in Sayville, L. I.,
on February 10th. Born seventy-two
years ago in New York, he retired from
Cable & Sons twenty years ago.
He is survived by his widow, Susan
B. Cable; a brother, George W., and
two sisters. Mrs. Charles Dupee and
Mrs. Charlton Rout.
Services were held at Raynor's Chapel,
Sayville. on February 13th. Interment
was at Union Cemetery.
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