Presto

PRESTO
SUPPLY MEN SEE NEED OF
BETTER ORGANIZATION
That Was View of Important Meeting of Manufacturers in New York Last
Week at Which New Committee Was Appointed
As a result of a meeting of prominent manufac-
turers in the piano supply trade at the Republican
Club, New York City, March 23, a request was made
to the Musical Supply Association of America, one
of the division members of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, which will result in increas-
ed activity and importance of that association.
It was the sense of the meeting, which was at-
tended by several prominent piano manufacturers
and about forty supply men—both members and
non-members of the Musical Supply Association of
America—that there was a need for better organi-
zation and more activity on the part of the supply
trade, and that this result could best be accomplish-
ed through a revival of the Musical Supply Associa-
tion of America rather than by the creation of a
new organization. Accordingly, a resolution was
adopted requesting the president of the Musical
Supply Association of America to call a meeting
of his organization and of all other concerns in
the supply trade within a month for the purpose ot
electing new officers of the association, to make any
changes in the form of its organization which may
be desirable for more effective work, and to clarify
the objectives and possibilities of an organization ot
supply men.
To Study Trade Problems.
It was further suggested that the president of the
Musical Supply Association should appoint a com-
mittee which in the meantime would make an inves-
tigation and prepare a report on such changes in
the association as may be necessary to enable the
various elements in the supply trade to properly
take up their trade problems; to present a report
showing the real objectives of the Musical Supply
Association and the necessary lines of activity to
accomplish these objectives; and to serve as a nom-
inating committee.
E. B. Richardson, who is the president of the
Musical Supply Association, was present at the meet-
ing. He has already accepted the suggestion made
and has appointed the following committee:
E. B. Richardson, Richardson Piano Case Co.:
Herbert W. House, Chas. W. House & Son; Craw-
ford Cheney, A. C. Cheney Piano Action Co.; A. W.
Johnston, Standard Pneumatic Action Co.; Arthur
Wessell, Wessell, Nickel & Gross; John Wickham
Wickham Piano Plate Co.; D. A. Smith, Standard
Felt Co.; Edwin Johnson, Schaff Piano String Co.;
Wm. C. Hess, American Piano Supply Co.
For Definite Work.
in the music industry in order that production may
be increased, quality improved, cost decreased and
the industry placed on a more sound basis.
The maintenance and promotion of proper credit
conditions in the music supply trade.
It is planned to devote a session of the convention
to each of these important questions. Prominent
members of the trade conversant with and interested
in these problems will make comprehensive reports
upon the desirability of the Supply Association ac-
tively taking up these matters, and will give sug-
gestions as to possible methods of accomplishing the
results sought. It is planned to make this conven-
tion not only important from the standpoint of
starting the Musical Supply Association upon an
active career, but also as an opportunity for the
members of the trade to obtain information which
they can, with profit, take back to their businesses.
R. H. BACH, DELEGATE TO
NATIONAL Q. 0 . P. CONVENTION
Progressive Minnesota Piano Dealer One of Four
Chosen to Represent State.
R. H. Bach, the Owatonna,
Minn., piano dealer, has been
chosen as one of the four Min-
nesota delegates to the republi-
can national convention at Chi-
cago, June 8, where the G. O. P.
will nominate a candidate for
president. Mr. Bach was elect-
ed at the republican state con-
vention in St. Paul last week in
the midst of a history-making
convention fight.
From his years in an aggres-
sive attitude towards the piano
R. H. BACH.
p r o s p e c t throughout Steele
county and even beyond, it is safe to say the Owat-
onna dealer fought in the open. Mr. Bach is the
type of dealer whose competitors remain his friends.
The requirements of the square deal apply to every
act of business, and fair and frank methods in the
contest for customers are the ethical necessities
in the piano game according to his beliefs. His suc-
cesses in the music trade field are repeated in the
political arena.
Going into the convention with the entire delega-
tion from the first district behind him, he and his
supporters captured the vote of the third district
from Senator George H. Sullivan, of Stillwater, who
made a hot fight for a place in "The Big Four."
Support from the second, eighth and ninth dis-
tricts, coupled with scattered votes from others,
gave him a vote of 613, which was 61 more than
was necessary to carry him through.
April 3, 1920.
RETURNS FROM AN
EXTENDED VACATION
Head of Gulbransen-Dickinson Co. Back at
the Big Plant After Five Weeks in
Florida.
President A. G. Gulbransen, of the Gulbransen-
Dickinson Company, has returned to Chicago from
his five-weeks' vacation in Florida. He is feeling in
tip-top shape, and he expressed his surprise to see
how fast the new factory is growing.
While the sole purpose of Mr. Gulbransen's some-
what protracted absence from the great industry
which he founded was for recreation and rest, he
could not, even while resting", but evolve new ideas
and plans for still greater development. And there
are not many men in the industry who have given
a deeper impulse to the player industry. Mr. Gul-
bransen may be called the pioneer, in a very im-
portant phase of the player piano industry. He was
the first to invent a player action that was adapta-
ble to any upright piano, and for years his product
was the staple in that field.
No one could have foretold that the inventor of
the first easily adjustable player action would in
time become the head of one of the most extensive
musical instrument industries in the world. Nor
could any one have foretold that the Gulbransen-
Dickinson Company would be the industry to break
the way for a new and advanced system of business
in connection with musical instruments. It matters
not by what influences, or by whose individual pro-
motion, the Gulbransen system of one price was
devised and put into practice. It has succeeded in
the face of many earlier, but seemingly impractical
one-price plans. It has in a sense revolutionized the
methods of selling, and it ha? proved a blessing to
hundreds of retailers in the trade.
Today no one will deny that the Gulbransen-
Dickinson system of one price is a powerful asset
to the great industry, as well as a strong influence
in the success of the Gulbransen dealers.
A. G. Gulbransen is one of the distinctly success-
ful men of the American musical instrument indus-
try. He is in the best sense a practical player man.
His recent vacation has refreshed him and he re-
turns to the great industry, of which he is the head,
filled with energy, and his return is hailed by his
associates in every department of the big plant.
MADISON BUILDING HAS OLD
PIANO ASSOCIATIONS
Structure in Wisconsin City Occupied by W. W.
Warner for Thirty Years Retains Its Character.
The Forbes-Meagher Music Co., Madison, Wis.,
has secured control of the. building at 27 Main
street, one long associated with the musical instru-
This committee held its f.rst meeting March 25.
ment business in that city. The property which is
Although the report of the committee will not be
valued at $85,000 is one of the most desirable struc-
made public until the meeting of the supply men,
tures in the business section of Madison.
which will probably be called the latter part of
Pianos and music goods generally were first sold
April, nevertheless Alfred L. Smith, general mana-
at the number by the late W W. Warner who oc-
ger of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce,
cupied it for thirty years. Mr. Warner was of the
expects that the committee will consider the advisa-
progressive kind whose persistent newspaper pub-
bility of providing for several sections within the
licity intimately connected the place with pianos
Musical Supply Association, such as the piano ac-
in the minds of the public. The number continued
tion section, piano plate section, etc., so that the
to enjoy its piano character v\hen it passed from the
manufacturers of these various products may be
Warner hands to the Alton Piano Co. In the hands
TORNADO
HITS
HADDORFF
PLANT.
able to take up their problems directly with other
of the Forbes-Meagher Music Co., it is likely to
The
great
tornado
of
last
Sunday
that
ripped
up
members of the music industry when desirable. The
retain its oid character as a lively piano house.
committee in drawing up its suggestions for definite a dozen or more cities and villages in the Fox and
Desplaines river valleys, tossed the last of the huge
work will give serious consideration to the question
HALSEY HAZELTON RESIGNS.
of credits, foreign markets and foreign competition, metal smokestacks of the Haddorff Piano Com-
Halsey Hazelton, who has just resigned as
standardization of parts, and closer co-operation be- pany's factory at Rockford, 111., to the ground. But
president of Hazelton Bros., New York, has not
tween the supply manufacturer and the piano manu- like the ants—that are said to be the promptest
facturer, which were the chief points raised in the creatures alive to make repairs—the Haddorff com- announced his future plans but it is said he will
pany used the telephone to round up a gang of
enter other fields. Mr. Hazelton is the son of the
discussions during the meeting on March 23.
hoisting experts, and within a very few hours the late Samuel Hazelton and carries of old American
The committee decided to call a convention of
great stack was once more standing erect in place. piano stock. Notable among his forbears were
representatives of the entire supply trade and a
Smoke was pouring out of it on Monday afternoon
Henry and Frederick Hazelton, expert piano builders
meeting of the Musical Supply Association of
as though nothing had happened to it. There was who founded the industry of Hazelton Bros, in
America to be held jointly in New York City. April no delay in production caused by the accident.
1849. At the election of Mr. Hazelton, as president,
22 and 23 has been set as a tentative date.
William M. Plaisted, an experienced piano man, was
The committee will recommend a change in the
made vice-president and general manager.
number of directors from eleven to fifteen and has
ELEVEN ORDERS FROM AFRICA.
prepared a list of fifteen nominees.
The A. L. White Manufacturing Company, Chi-
THE INDIANA CONVENTION.
Topics for Discussion.
cago, this week received orders for eleven instru-
The
Indiana State Piano Dealers' Association will
ments
by
dealers
in
Africa
and
one
order
from
Several hours were devoted to a discussion of the
important problems which affect the supply trade as Mexico. Some of these were for the small, portable hold its annual convention ii. Indianapolis on some
a whole and which should be taken up energetically organs that Mr. White manufactures and others date in May not yet set, according to an announce-
by the Supply Association. It has been decided to were for his Jarger instruments. Mr. White says ment by Charles Terrell, Franklin, who is secretary
devote the convention and meeting next month prin- trade with foreign countries is rapidly gaining this of the association. The custom of holding the an-
nual meeting in February will not be followed in
spring.
cipally to the three following topics:
future. Winter dates for conventions are not con-
The promotion of the use of American made sup-
plies in American made pianos, and cooperation with
A piano was carried from the wreckage of the ducive to large attendance, .'ays President John E.
the National Piano Manufacturers Association and residence of John Garcia, 3835 Nottingham averiue, Bell.
the National Association of Music Merchants to Chicago, during the tornado which did so much
Earl Dibble is manager of the branch of Barker
that end.
damage last Sunday, and dropped nearly a block
Bros., recently opened in San Diego, Calif.
The development of the standardization of parts away.
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