Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1920 1748

RESTO
January 22, 1920.
Old Crow, the ripple of Green River, the comfort of Canadian Club,
the sparkle of Cascade, the inspiration of Hunter and the rest of the
delights, from Bronx to Manhattan and back to Annheuser-Busch,
are as familiar to the average piano man as to any other voyagers
in life's vale. And we believe that next month's meeting in New
York will show some of the effects of this month's arrival at Sahara.
Nevertheless, we are as willing as anyone can be to take a sober
view of things and join in the effort to prove that the passing of
what has been a bad thing to many may be a good thing to all.
And so let's go to it and be happier than ever by doing more work
and better work, with bigger results.
HADDORFF.
When an astronomer discovers the far-off flicker of a new star,
the world is stunned by the announcement. When the world of music
is told of the rising of a particularly bright star in the firmament of
industrial art, there may be no greater commotion than one of skep-
ticism until some authority confirms the lasting luster of the new-
comer. It is because the star which may not shine with effulgence
has been reaching its brilliancy by slow stages. Things of mundane
perfection do not come at a bound.
'
But the arrival of a really great piano is not a "discovery" at all.
It is, rather, a matter of development, of evolution, of the unfolding
and refining of the results of special skill, and the kind of care and
patience that makes both men and things great.
In the piano world no one expects to find surpassing excellence
in comparatively new instruments at frequent intervals. There are,
even yet, only a few really great pianos. Because of this, it was, some
time back, the more satisfying to add to the list the name of Haddorff.
From its first inception, nearly a quarter century ago, the piano
from Rockford has been recognized by its undeniable merits. It has
from the first been far more than just a good piano. Steadily it has
advanced. Almost daily, for years, some new authority has named it
as one of the "coming" pianos until at last it fully "arrived."
Today there is none who knows who will deny to the name of
Haddorff a secure place among the American pianos which have long
been called artistic, above ordinary criticism and deserving of the
kind of commendation that permits of no dissenting voice. Haddorff
is a name that has so grown in upon the vernacular of the trade and
industry that wherever it is spoken those who know what art in pianos
means, recognize it. It is no longer necessary for salesmen to tell the
informed buyer that Haddorff is a name that signifies the highest
excellence, refinement of tone and boundless ambition. The Haddorff
name is recognized as that of a profound student of acoustics, and
the creator of flawless methods in tone production with relation to
pianos. Mr. Chas. A. Haddorff is now known in scientific piano cir-
cles for what he has done rather than for anything he has written or
said. His personality is bound up in his piano and his aim in art is
a secret divulged in his accomplishments.
And this is why the Haddorff piano has grown steadily, rather
than to have burst full-made in its marketable characteristic upon
the musical world. It is a piano that has gathered momentum by its
merits. It is now the pride of some of the foremost piano houses and
it is in such demand that to secure its representation requires a kind
of negotiation and solicitation not unlike those known in diplomatic
circles.
Haddorff is a name that has been steadily coming for nearly
twenty years. It has now fully arrived, and it has taken its place
with the comparatively few really great ones, old or new, by which
the standard of highest quality is welcomed. For the Haddorff is
really a great piano.
A TRADE PAPER'S LIMITATIONS
A contributor who has done some of the strongest writing that
has appeared in, the trade press, sends to Presto an article of so much
general interest that we hesitate. It is an article bristling with sug-
gestion and alive with political significance. To publish the article
would be to stir discussion and to attract attention to this paper
outside the regular field of its appeal.
But Presto is published for specific purposes. Its aim in life is
to help a special department of industry and trade. It can not deny
interest in politics, religion, art, pins, pickles or polemics. Its col-
umns are sometimes used for purposes of giving expression to views
only collaterally concerned with pianos and other musical things.
But, being a trade paper, devoted to affairs which in themselves are
large and of wide scope, we haven't room for many other things.
We do not expect to throw a deciding vote in* the electing of a
president. We do not hope to change any of the constitutional amend-
ments. We do not care to discuss any forms of faith other than those
by which music and the instruments of music may be made still
greater influences for good in the world. Consequently we hesitate
about publishing even so powerful an article as has come from a
favorite contributor on subjects touching governmental control, and
individual littleness and inadequacy in large places.
According to Emerson "duty grows everywhere—like children,
like grass." Therefore it might be said that a trade paper has a
duty in the spreading of any gospel designed to remedy evil and to
do good to the world. But another philosopher—Thomas Carlyle—
also says that "our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at
a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." And that seems to
apply to the trade paper.
We are of the opinion that a music trade paper can do more
by attending to the business to which it is closely devoted, than by
attempting to usurp the toils and turmoils of the political editors,
the king-destroyers and the ones who make the world safe for de-
mocracy and unsafe for the lovers of "good stuff."
The music trade paper has a field large enough. It cannot cover
one-half of its own chosen domain, and its possibilities for doing the
greatest good within its power rests in its ability to inspire higher
principles among the men who sell pianos, and a better degree
of ambition in some of the men who make them. If we can do this,
and still live in this arid wilderness of a world, we will be fairly
well satisfied.
Nevertheless, such writings as our contributor has sent in create
a temptation to break through the circumscribed lines of "trade jour-
nalism." If Presto could have a circulation like that of the Saturday
Evening Post, or some other almost like it, things would be different.
But with less than a million regular subscribers, there is no hope of
changing the ways of the world outside the limitations of the field
allotted to musical instruments. And so we can only hope that, by
our own self denial, the whole world may have the opportunity of
reading our favorite contributor's really powerful and logical argu-
ments in behalf of better business, better politics and better condi-
tions throughout the universe, and especially in the Western Hemis-
phere. Should the article appear elsewhere, Presto will draw atten-
tion to it, saying when and where.
WHERE YOU SHOULD MEET NEXT MONTH
/"Continued from page 5 )
state associations. He is right. We have said it a
thousand times. But better still is this suggestion
by Mr. McDonald:
"Credits in the schools for music is after all a
local matter, and a subject to which local associa-
tions might well address themselves. Mr. Warren
Whitney, of the A. B. Chase Co., could give invalu-
able hints to local associations on this subject."
That is worth while. If the prominent piano man-
ufacturers and merchants will step to the front and
give their views, and fix practical plans by which to
aid the associations, and help the individual mem-
bers, something great may be done. The talk about
"betterment" of something, in a vague way, doesn't
go far enough. It only makes good reading.
* * *
It is remarkable that certain cities loom large in
association work while others are hiding their lights
under the same little old bushel.
Milwaukee, Wis., is an example. More association
matter comes from the city made famous by some-
thing that is now outlawed, than elsewhere, save
possibly New York. Perhaps it is because of Mr.
Dennis having his residence in Milwaukee. Also
because of Mr. Netzow's lending his versatilities to
the propaganda. Also because the local association
is enthusiastic. A paid secretary to the local or-
ganization is the latest.
Cincinnati, on the other hand, once aspiring to be
the leading musical city in America, is quiescent.
Perhaps that's because Frank Beinkamp is too busy
with his music rolls.
St. Louis is pretty well to the front because Mr.
Conroy is an association president and he is active
and resourceful.
* * *
One more thought. It is remarkable that of all
the associations or organizations in the interest of
trade industry and commerce, no other of the na-
tion's commercial activities shows such energy, such
persistent wakefulness, such individual energy, as
those sustained by the music trades. What does it
point to? With the call for pianos far exceeding the
possibility of supply, just now, doesn't it suggest
that when things assume normal conditions the
piano business will be the purest on earth?
Can there ever again be any accusing finger pointed
at the manner in which pianos are sold? Will we
ever again find it necessary to publish long ed-
itorials, and precautionary cartoons, to cure the evil
habits of any of the piano dealers?
Probably not. The world is getting better. And
the piano men are doing their share to make it
better.
Nevertheless, go to New York next month, if you
possibly can. There will be a big convention.
There will be a big Music Show. You may miss a
sale or two, if you live in a small town. But, even
if your stay-at-home competitor gets them he will
employ only ethical methods of sale and the result
won't hurt you at all.
"Live and let live" is a very old maxim. And you
can't live much if you stay at home all the time,
even if you have the misfortune to live long. In any
event, whatever you do, read next week's Presto, and
know in advance just what you will do in New York,
if you go, and what the others will do who do go.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
PRE§TO
PORTLAND CUSTOMERS
WAIT FOR PIANOS
Eagerness of the Buyers to Get the Instru-
ments Accentuates Scarcity of Stock
in Oregon City.
It looked like an old-time Eilers day at Oregon
Eilers Music House, Portland, Ore., last week, when
all departments were busier than they have been
for months. J. E. Sturgeon, manager' of the piano
department, says he cannot keep a fair stock of
pianos on the floors.
More stock is expected at Wiley B. Allen Co.'s
Portland, Ore., store and Manager Frank Case and
all the salesmen are waiting with more or less pa-
tience. If all the parlor grands that are asked for
could be sent immediately it would require a big
shipment to meet the demand.
Knabe pianos are being sold by Lipman, Wolfe
& Co., Portland, Ore., but none are in stock. Pur-
chasers take turns in receiving them. A gentleman,
who bought one this week was told he would have
to wait three months for his handsome grand as
there were many customers ahead of him, whose or-
ders would have to be filled first. A carload of
Knabe and of Haines Bros, pianos will soon arrive,
but they are already sold.
Several fine Packard pianos have been sold by
the G. F. Johnson Piano Co., Portland, Ore., during
the last ten days. An exceptional interest is being
shown in the Packard products, and these reliable
instruments are giving complete satisfaction.
The Meier & Frarik Co., Portland, Ore., which until
recently had no music department with the exception
of the phonograph and record departments, is now
carrying player rolls and making a very successful
venture in the new department, which is carried on in
connection with the sheet music department. The in-
crease in the demand for player rolls everywhere is
interesting as well as surprising.
The Royal Rosarian Male Quartet, Portland, Ore.,
gave a concert at the Laurelhurst club on Friday
evening. Warren A. Erwin, a member of the quar-
tet and manager of the music department of Lip-
man, Wolfe & Co.. furnished a Knabe Ampico for
the occasion, affording the club and visitors an op-
portunity to hear the wonderful instrument.
BILLINGS PLAYER ROLL CO.
ORGANIZED IN MILWAUKEE
Fred C. Billings, Widely Known As an Inventor,
Heads New Manufacturing Industry.
The Billings Player Roll Co., of Milwaukee, has
been organized by Fred C. Billings, a widely known
inventor and designer of piano actions and player-
piano parts, to manufacture and market several new
ideas evolved by Mr. Billings in the form of music
rolls. Articles of incorporation of the new concern
were filed-at Madison during the past week. The
capital stock is $150,000. Harold C. Billings, a son,
and George E. Ballhorn, attorney, appear with Mr.
Billings as the incorporators.
The headquarters of the new corporation are
located in the Manhattan Building, 133 Second
street, where Mr. Billings has been located since
retiring from the wholesale and retail piano busi-
ness several years ago. He is probably best known
as the inventor of the Billings spring brass flange
and angle rail action, now widely used by numerous
piano manufacturers of the United States.
H. C. BAY COMPANY
PLANS GREAT EXHIBIT.
Chicago and Bluffton Concern Is Making Bid for
Large Attendance.
The H. C. Bay Company, 806 Republic Building,
Chicago, has issued an eight-page circular announc-
ing its show in the Grand Central Palace, New
York, at convention time. It is illustrated with the
plan of the second floor—the dealers' floor—and an
arrow guiding the visitor to space 214, which is the
H. C. Bay Company's space.
In part the circular says:
The Grand Central Palace, in New York, is to be
the scene of the biggest Musical Exposition ever at-
tempted, February 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, 1920, National
Music Show and Festival. We hope to see you
there.
We take it for granted you will be in attendance
at this great National Music Show and Festival be-
cause you are a progressive dealer looking for every
chance to build up a better business.
This will be the greatest and most constructive
event in the interests of music in all its phases.
Locate space 214 on the floor and call at your
earliest convenience and you will find the exhibit of
the Solo Concerto Player Piano, manufactured ex-
clusively and solely by H. C. Bay Company, at their
wonderful big plant at Bluffton, Ind. Mr. H. C.
Bay, president, and Mr. I. S. Purcell, sales manager,
will be in attendance at all times.
H. C. Bay Company has one of the largest fac-
tories in the United States given over to the exclu-
sive manufacture of playerpianos.
We build over 15,000 players a year under our own
roof. We manufacture every intricate part of the
Solo Concerto Playerpiano, and know that each
part is made perfectly.
PACKARD TRAVELERS' MEETING
AT FACTORY IN FORT WAYNE
Several Representative Roadmen Get Together at
Chicago Headquarters in Advance of Event.
B. R. Brassfield and A. A. Buenning, both resi-
dents of Salina, Kan., and both travelers for the
Packard Piano Company, of Fort Wayne, Ind., were
in Chicago this week, and made their headquarters
at the Packard Chicago offices in the Republic
building. Accompanied by Ed. N. Paulding, Chi-
cago Packard manager, they attended the annual
meeting of Packard travelers at Fort Wayne on
January 21.
Mr. Paulding had just returned from a trip through
Illinois, accompanied by Action Expert Ekblum, of
the factory. Mr. Paulding took orders for two car-
loads of Packard players in this trip. He says or-
ders are very easy to get just now. Mr. Buenning
said to a Presto representative Monday: "Business
just now is the greatest I have ever experienced."
Mr. Buenning has been in the piano business since
he was 19 years old, a period of 13 years. He is the
wholesale man for Kansas and Missouri and south-
ern Nebraska. He takes an occasional vacation
with Mr. Brassfield. These two travelers like to go
fishing in the mountain streams of western Colorado.
January 22, 1920.
PAUL F. NETZ0W
MADE PRESIDENT
General Manager of Waltham Piano Co., Mil-
waukee Elected Head of Milwaukee
Association of Music Industries
at Annual Meeting.
Paul F. Netzow, treasurer and general manager of
the Waltham Piano Co., Milwaukee, was elected
president of the Milwaukee Association of Music In-
dustries at the annual meeting held Thursday eve-
ning, Jan. IS. Mr. Netzow served as vice-president
for two terms. Besides being head of the Waltham
factory in Milwaukee, he is secretary and treasurer
A BRAVE STEGER POLICEMAN.
Five automobile bandits blew the safe of the
Bank of Steger, at Steger, 111., early Monday,
shot Frank Glasgow, night policeman, and fled
in a dark green car, driving east and south toward
Dyer, Ind. Charles E. Byrne, head of the publicity
department of the Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co.,
Chicago, with factories at Steger, said that the action
of Glasgow was the greatest exhibition of pure
nerve that had ever come to his notice. Hearing
an explosion. Policeman Glasgow, while some dis-
tance from the bank, ran through the main street.
Near the bank he saw a green touring car with
wire wheels, and, peering through the window, he
saw the five men drilling into the inner door of the
huge safe. Taking a position directly opposite the
bank, he opened fire. The first shot is believed to
have wounded one of the men. Dragging their
wounded member behind a desk, the bandits re-
turned the fire as they crawled in retreat to the
back door.
STORY ABOUT SAM DAVIS.
There's a story about Sam Davis, whose short
story, "The First Piano in Camp," has just been
published in book form by Harpers, when he was a
newspaper man in San Francisco. He was sent out
to "cover" Sarah Bernhardt's first Pacific tour. The
divine Sarah found Monsieur Davis so "fonny" that
she took him into the bosom of her private car fam-
ily and kept him telling stories of the mining camps
and early gold days. When the time came for Mme.
Bernhardt to return to the East, Mr. Davis went to
see her off. "Monsieur Davis," she said, "here is
on' kees for you—and on' kees for the paper you
represent." Mr. Davis, after making the two cer-
tain possessions, suggested. "T represent eighteen
smaller newspapers!"'
ENTERTAINS SALES FORCE.
Hugh W. Randall, president of the J. B. Brad-
ford Piano Co., Milwaukee, Wis., entertained the
sales force of the company at the annual banquet
given at the Milwaukee Athletic club recently. The
banquet was followed by dancing. Thirty-four per-
sons were in attendance, which included the wives
of the married men of the organization. The J. B.
Bradford Piano Co. enjoyed the biggest year in its
history in 1919, showing an increase in business of
60 per cent over 1918, which was the record year.
AN R. S. HOWARD SOUVENIR.
Whatever the R. S. Howard Co. does is sure
to be well done. So with the 1920 Daily Reminder
and Calendar, which has been received by customers
and friends of the New York pr.no industry. The
book is beautifully printed and bound, and is one
of the office essentials which will be appreciated by
all who have it. The factory of the R. S. Howard
Company, 485 E. 133d street, New York, is one of
the busiest in the Bronx, and it will eventually be
one of the biggest also.
PAUL F. NETZOW
of the Milwaukee Piano Mfg. Co., 270 West Water
street, which retails the factory's products in Mil-
waukee and vicinity.
Richard H. Zinke, retiring president, was elected
a member of the board of directors, according to
custom. Edmund Gram and Henry M. Steussy, past
presidents, were re-elected to the board. Leslie C.
Parker, president and general manager of the Bad-
ger Talking Machine Co., 425 Grand avenue, Victor
dealer, was elected vice-president. He has been a
member of the board for several years and also
serves as chairman of the phonograph dealers' com-
mittee. William R. Winter, head of the Winter
Piano Co., 375 Grove street, was re-elected treas-
urer, an office which he has held since the organiza-
tion of the association.
Harry M. Hahn, Secretary.
Harry M. Hahn, sales manager of the musical in-
strument and accessory department of the Yahr &
Lange Drug Co., 207-215 East Water street, was
elected secretary. He succeeds C. L. Dennis, who
asked to be relieved because of the fact that his
duties as secretary of the National Association of
Music Merchants and secretary of the Better Busi-
ness Bureau of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce demand his undivided attention.
A plan suggested during the year by Mr. Dennis
to place the local association on a more efficient and
thorough-going basis by the appointment of an ex-
ecutive and field secretary at a reasonable salary
probably will be carried out under President Net-
zow's administration, and it is on this basis that
Mr. Hahn consented to serve as secretary.
The promotion of Mr. Netzow to the office of
president is regarded as a recognition of exceptional
effort in behalf of the music trades. As chairman
of the advertising committee, Mr. Netzow is one of
the younger generation of music men, being in his
early thirties. He is the guiding spirit and general
manager of one of the largest manufacturers of
pianos in the Middle West, which is the position
held by the Waltham Piano Co. He also has had
a wide experience in the retail field by his intimate
connection with the Milwaukee Piano Mfg. Co.
It was decided at the annual meeting to again be
represented at the annual convention of the Na-
tional Association of Music Merchants. Accord-
ingly, Edmund Gram was elected official delegate
to the meeting in New York during the week of
Feb. 1 to 7.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
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