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National Piano Travelers Ass'n Has Successful
Meeting and Jamboree; Pays Tribute to Heaton
HE annual meeting of the National
Piano Travelers Association was held
at the Palmer House in Room 8 on the
Third Floor, Chicago, on Sunday, July
11th. Howard Cushing, President, pre-
sided, and the meeting was one of the
largest in attendance which has been
held in many years.
T
The Secretary and Treasurer's report
was read and accepted and there was
considerable discussion about the Jam-
boree which was planned for the next
night. Monday. July 12th.
The membership report showed that
there were 97 members and during the
year 3 members had resigned because
they had joined other branches of the
business.
A letter from Jack Feddersen, Execu-
tive Vice-President of H. & A. Selmer,
Inc.. which was addressed to President
Cushing. was read. In it was enclosed
an outline of a plan which he has pro-
posed for the appointing of national
and state committees to promote the ef-
fort of having the Excise Tax on musi-
cal instruments removed this year. As
the plan called for donations from var-
ious associations, the matter was brought
before the members and it was decided
that due to the financial condition of
the association it would not be advis-
able to donate toward the cause, but the
consensus of the members was that they
would do everything possible by word
of mouth to promote the idea of having
the tax removed during 1954.
Twelve new members were accepted
at this meeting. They were Charles A.
Burke, and Richard W. Forkes, Winter
& Co., New York; Warren E. Foster and
R. W. Kelly. Cornwall & Patterson Co..
Bridgeport. Conn.; Harold E. Hage-
MEMBERS
14
OF THE
NATIONAL
meyer, Sohmer & Co.. New York; Harry
Kaprulian, Chas. Ramsay Co.. Kingston,
N. Y.; Charles B. Robinson, Winter &
Co.; Eugene A. Schmitt, Hardman Peck
for Story & Clark Piano Co.. Chicago,
III.
Tribute to "Billy" Heaton
Before the meeting adjourned. Pres-
ident Cushing paid a glowing tribute to
William C. Heaton who was on that day
celebrating his birthday and had come
from Pasadena. Calif, particularly to
attend the meeting. Mr. Heaton is the
only living charter member and was the
man who made arrangements for the
forming of the association fifty years
ago on Mackinac Island. The members
of the association arose and sang
"Happy Birthday' to Billy, who re-
sponded to their greeting with a few
RETIRING PRESIDENT CUSHING
CONGRATULATES
well-chosen words.
PRESIDENT-ELECT THOMPSON
On Monday night, the stag dinner and
Jamboree
of the association was held
& Co., New York; Glenn S. Sheppard,
in the Grand Ballroom of the Palmer
Janssen Piano Co., New York; Charles
House, and was attended by over 300
K. White. Kohler & Campbell, Inc.,
members of the trade. At the termina-
New York; David W. Hawkins and
tion of the dinner. President Cushing
Joseph M. Running, both of Minshall
made a few remarks of greeting and
Organ Co., Inc., Brattleboro. Vt.
then introduced President-Elect Gerard
William C. Heaton. Chairman of the
M. Thompson who also made a few re-
Nominating Committee, then proposed
marks of welcome. Following this. Wil-
the following officers who were unani-
liam C. Heaton presented the Past Pres-
mously elected: President—Gerard M.
ident's Medal to retiring President How-
Thompson, Vice-President of Kohler &
ard Cushing. and after Mr. Cushing had
Campbell. Inc.; First Vice-President—
personally accepted this token of his
Edward Vogt. Chicago, 111.: Second
service, he pointed out to the audience
Vice-President—Al S. Zeisler, Vice-
that Mr. Heaton had celebrated his
President and Sales Manager of Kra-
birthday on the day before and was the
kauer Bros.. New York; Secretary—
only
charter member of the association
Norman K. Dasenbrook, Wood & Brooks
alive, and with these remarks the entire
Co., Rockford, 111.; Executive Secretary
audience arose singing "Happy Birth-
—Carleton Chace. Directors: Thomas
day" for Billy and three cheers. Mr.
Pritchett. Aeolian American Corp.;
Heaton
was somewhat overcome and had
Harry V. Williams, Winter & Co.;
a difficult time responding. However,
Charles J. Pfncrner. Jr.. Chas. Pfriemer.
he did with a few very well-chosen
Inc., New York; F. Kelso Davis, Pratt,
words.
Read & Co. Ivoryton, Conn.; and Wil-
Ham H. Bowles. Eastern Sales Manager
When this terminated, the guests were
PIANO
TRAVELERS
ASSOCIATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN CHICAGO
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, AUGUST, 1954