Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1920 1766

PRESTO
May 29, 1920.
music to the place it should have occupied for a half century past.
It's no longer a beg-your-pardon business,but one that sets the pace
for younger ones whose vigor is supposed to be in keeping with their
youth.
A GREAT SONG=WRITER
The newspapers have been telling of the doings of a political
worker named Will S. Hays. It is nothing more than a coincidence,
but to music dealers who have been at it for some time the name
recalls interesting conditions. For there was a time when another
Will S. Hays was the most prolific, as well as most popular, of all the
song-writers. And, even more remarkable, his hold upon the public
ear, and the piano rack, persisted for a longer time than that of any
other American song-writer in history.
Will S. Hays started away back in the '60's with "Evangeline,"
one of the most musical of all the fine old songs. It is sung even today
by lovers of the kind of sentiment that clings to the "We have loved
each other long and true" sort of thing. And the songs of Will S.
Hays came in close succession until, nearly forty years later, he wrote
"Sweet Marie" and "Molly Darling." And between the song first
mentioned and the last he put forth such "hits" as "Write Me a Let-
ter from Home," "Norah O'Neal" and a hundred others.
Will S. Hays, the song writer, belonged to a school of melodists
now about forgotten. They have no successors of their kind. He
was contemporaneous with the first Frank Howard—there were three
of them—Harrison Millard, H. P. Danks and Henry C. Work. Just
before he arrived, Stephen C. Foster, king of them all, had died. But
most of the old-time song writers were negro minstrels, whereas Will
S. Hays was a newspaper man who stuck to one publication nearly all
of his life. He was river editor of the Louisville Journal at a time
when the Ohio River meant a great deal to the large cities of the val-
ley and even more to the smaller towns. He used to write his verses,
print them in the newspaper and then set them to good melodies and
send them to the publishers on a royalty basis. His first, strange to
say, was copyrighted by H. N. Higgins in Chicago. That song was
"Evangeline."
After that J. L. Peters—at one time America's greatest song pub-
lisher—was Hays' publisher, and his fortune was largely due to this
fact. But Peters died very poor, clerking in a New Orleans music
store. The song writer also died poor, still writing river notes for the
Louisville newspaper, the items steadily growing fewer and smaller
as the Ohio receded and the railroads won over the traffic. Some of
Will S. Hays' songs will be sung by great-grandmothers of this gen-
eration, for they are of the kind that live through the ages.
AMBITIOUS PROJECTS
The piano business in this country is 138 years old. The auto-
mobile business is 16 years old. The furniture trade dates back to
the hewing of log houses between scraps with wild Indians. The
clothing business runs back to the landing of Columbus, and the first
piece of sheet music on this side was printed by William Johnson in
1760. At the present time we find the piano business being boosted
by a system founded by the British, which led to the Revolutionary
War. It was the stamp act, by which tea was penalized, leading to the
caddies being tossed into Boston Bay in 1773. But the piano stamp
is a willing offering and by it the general music trade, and the na-
tional hunger for musical instruments, is to be stimulated and sat-
isfied.
The thought just now is that of all the industries and trades, that
of music is the first to be inspired to a stamp tax for purposes of pro-
motion. There is suggestion in this fact. Music, the most natural
of all the instructive desires, is stimulated in a way unknown to any
of the more material vocations. In no other line of industry or trade
has it been considered that by popular subscription, or special con-
tribution, could the spread of a popular demand be created or en-
larged. The wonder is that the plan has not attracted the attention
of other lines of industry and created emulation.
It is perhaps true that in no other business has there ever been
such an elaborate organization for promotion purposes as that which
has grown out of Mr. Paul B. Klugh's Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce. Whether that gentleman in his initiative dreamed of
anything like the present development we, of course, do not know.
But it would not be easy to imagine a more perfect illustration of
American ingenuity in executive evolution than the organization
whose headquarters are at 105 W. 40th Street, New York.
In the group there at work are keen, intellectual and aggressive
representatives of the law, of journalism, of the lyceum. stage and
of the art of publicity and promotion. Of course, such an aggregation
of special talents must mean a corresponding investment in money.
The idea of a series of stamps for revenue was the ingenious plan of
one of the executives, and it has met with a ready response by many
in the piano industry and trade. Where once a few dollars would have
been considered an extravagance, a hundred thousand and more are
willingly contributed by the small stamp system for the general pro-
motion of the entire music trade.
As the average retail music merchant may see it, just now, the
result in actual trade increase may not be great. He will perhaps ask
how more pianos can be sold when the factories can turn out little
more than one-half the number of instruments called for. At first the
reasoning seems plausible. But it is not to sell more, but to sell bet-
ter, and at better prices. The thought behind all the effort of the
strong organization in New York is to reach the public, to stimulate
the appetite for better music and better musical instruments; to have
music given its place at the front upon the stage of the people's lives.
To do this all at once would be impossible.
The gentlemen responsible for the great and systematized effort
of the Music Instrument Chamber of Commerce are in deep earnest.
They do not expect miracles. And it would be a miracle if all mem-
bers of the trade were to respond spontaneously and favorably to
the propositions of the various bureaus. It will take time, and what
is time in the piano business? It is commonly supposed to be money.
And that's what must be contributed to keep the ambitious projects of
the progressive organizations of today doing the work for which they
have been formed and made potentially powerful.
According to sensational newspaper dispatches Mr. Daniel G.
Ried, the "tin plate magnate," has been sued by one of his ex-wives
for the recovery of numerous personal articles, including a splendid
Steinway grand piano. Little more than twenty years ago the mil-
lionaire defendant was paying teller in a bank at Richmond, Ind., at
a salary of about $20 a week. And he made a "side line" of discount-
ing installment notes for a local piano dealer. The only moral is that
sometimes shavers of piano paper become multi-millionaires.
* * *
In a very exhaustive talk before the Music Supply Association on
May 20th., Mr. Howard S. Mott, a New York banker, declared that
at last "the peak of prices has been reached—at least for the present
time being." The qualification isn't wholly filled with good cheer, but
Mr. Mott gives encouragement in the conclusion that "the outlook
should be regarded not as a cause for discouragement, but merely as
an opportunity again to exercise the virtues of prudence and good
judgment."
3*5
*k
*'•?
In these days the call upon the skill of the re-builders of fine
pianos is great. It is said that E. Leins Piano Co., New York, was
never so rushed with special work as now. The E. Leins pianos
are always in demand with a select lot of trade. But the rebuilding
department is a special hobby of Mr. Leins personally, which fact has
made it known in all parts of the country.
»?»
h!»
«t.
The "Prices Cannot Break Now" message, which is reproduced in
part in this issue, was written by Chicago's leading haberdasher. It
was considered so timely and true that the Apollo Piano Co., of De-
Kalb, 111., reprinted it, in large circular form, and will send it complete
to any piano dealer on request. It's well worth reading.
* * #
We give considerable space this week to the remarks of Mr. Paul
B. Klugh at the recent convention of supply men. But what Mr.
Klugh said is so well worth reading that we do not begrudge any of
. the space. The Autopiano Co. president has a clean-cut way of say-
ing things, and he possesses ideas.
*
:'i5
#
The bankers are no longer looking askance at piano paper. They
know that it is good security. But most of them are also doing all
possible to discourage the long-time installment notes. With pianos
scarce and the demand active, why long time terms, anyway?
* * *
Collections are said to be easier than in many years past. We
mean in the retail trade, where people have more money than ever be-
fore. Cash sales are also in larger proportion than before and the
installments, in time sales, are better. Still, don't neglect to collect.
* * *
Professional preachers are not usually credited with being espe-
cially practical. But Rev. Frank Crane said something when he ad-
vised his hearers to "think success." That is the kind of philosophy
all young men embarking in life and business should consider.
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/
RE8TO
REGISTRATION IS
REPRESENTATIVE
List of Those Attending Recent Meeting of
Musical Supply Association in New
York Suggests a Variety
of Interests.
W. J. Delage, Oakville Co., Waterbury, Conn.
W. S. Hess, American Piano Supply Co., New
York City.
Fred Ivar Johnson, Iverson Piano Player Co.,
Worcester, Mass.
J. B. Horton, Cornwall & Patterson Mfg. Co.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Albert T. Strauch, Strauch Bros., Inc., New York
City.
Emil H. Dietz, R. E. Koch, New York City.
J. C. Wickham, Wickham P. P. Co., Springfield,
Ohio.
Geo. A. Spencer, Philadelphia Felt Co., Philadel-
phia, Pa.
Carl Goetz, Wm. Zinsser & Co., 195 William street,
New York City.
Joseph McGeveran, Pratt & Lambert, 393 Freeman
avenue, Long Island City.
C. D. Bond, Weaver Piano Co., York, Pa.
G. F. Abendschein, Staib-Abendschein Co., New
York City.
W. F. Bachelder, Geo. W. Prentiss & Co., Holyoke,
Mass.
R. W. Olmsted, Simplex Player Action Co.,
Worcester, Mass.
Paul B. Klugh, General Player Action Co., New
York City.
C. F. Goepel, C. F. Goepel & Co., New York City.
O. O. Brant, Sherwin-Williams Co., Newark, N. J.
Geo. L. Cheney, Pratt Read & Co., Pratt Read
Player Action Co., Deep River, Conn.
A. B. Bush, Crane Felt Co., Belvidere, N. J.
A. D. Ramacciotti, F. Ramacciotti Co., New York
City.
J. H. Burke, Germain Brothers Co., Saginaw, Mich.
Ralph O. Higel, Otto Higel Co., Inc., New York
City.
A. W. Johnston, Standard Pneumatic Action Co.,
New York City.
W. Bohne, W. Bohne Co., Toronto, Canada.
F. W. Kraft, F. W. Kraft Sons Co., Bronxville,
N. Y.
C. Chenev, Comstock-Cheney Co., Tvoryton, Conn.
P. J. Meihl, Summit, N. J.
A. S. Ebbels, A. P. S. Co., 110 East 13th street,
New York City.
May 29, 1920.
TO AMEND BY LAWS OF
THE NEW YORK PIANO CLUB
Club Wants a By-law that Will Keep Trade Mem-
bers in the Lead.
C. W. Bowers, secretary of the Piano Club of New
York, 137th street and Third avenue, notified the
members this week to attend a meeting on Wednes-
day to vote on the following amendment to the
by-laws, which had been approved by the board of
directors:
Amend article III, section I, by striking out the
second paragraph thereof and insert instead:
There shall be elected to membership two mem-
bers connected with the piano trade or allied trades
for every one member elected to membership who is
not so connected during any period when the mem-
bership not so connected with such trades shall equal
or exceed fifty in number.
The officers of the club are Richard B. Ald-
croftt, president; Anthony Doll, vice-president; A.
V. W. Setley, treasurer; Charles W. Bowers, secre-
tary. The board of governors consists of A. Bau-
man, Alexander Lane, Charles P. Bogart, George
Holz, E. Lanning Blue, J. A. Coffin, A. Dalrymple,
George Derby, H. C. Frederici and A. Constantine.
The representative character of the attendance at
the convention of the Musical Supply Association
held May 20 and 21 at the Hotel Commodore, New
York, is best told in the official registration at the
event. The committee was earnestly desirous of se-
curing an attendance that would represent every
phase of the musical supply business and manner in
which their wishes were satisfied is shown in the
following copy of the register:
Amongst Those Present.
E. B. Richardson, Richardson Piano Case Co., Leo-
minster, Mass.
D. C. Richardson, Richardson Piano Case Co., Leo-
minster, Mass.
George Holz, Mapes Piano String Co., New York
City.
A. L. Wessell, Wessell, Nickel & Gross, New York
City.
W. W. GRIGGS RECOVERING.
Peter Schwamb, the Theodore Schwamb Co., Ar-
lington, Mass.
W. W. Griggs, well-known wholesale piano man,
Philip Eberhardt, the Theodore Schwamb Co., Ar-
who is now in an Evanston hospital recovering from
lington, Mass.
the amputation of his right leg at about the knee,
is making gains, according to George W. Eddy, sec-
Huber C. House, Chas. W. House Sons, Union-
retary and assistant treasurer of The Cable Com-
vine, Conn.
pany, who went out to see him on Monday. He
A. O. Kosegarten, Grubb & Kosegarten Bros.,
found Mr. Griggs hopeful and cheerful—he believes
Nassau, N. Y.
that he will be able to walk well with an artificial
W. E. Strauch, Strauch Bros., Inc., New York
foot.
City.
Frank A. Merriam, A. Merriam Co., South Acton,
Mass.
ERNEST URCHS GOES SOUTH.
Philip W. Oetting, 213 East 19th street, New York
Atlanta and Savannah, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla.,
City.
are important points in the itinerary of Ernest
W. M. Shailer, 213 East 19th street, New York
Urchs of Steinway & Sons, New York, who left last
City.
week for a long Southern trip. Other places will
Joseph F. Reed, Paragon Foundries Co., Chicago,
be visited by Mr. Urchs, who will be out on the road
F. F. STORY GOES WEST.
111.
for about three weeks.
Frank F. Story, vice-president and treasurer of
Vincent Vilim, 213 East 19th street (piano ham-
the Story & Clark Piano Company, left Chicago
mers), New York City.
The Veneero Lac Company, Manhattan, New
Felix Oppenheimer, Julius Schmid, Inc., New on Saturday last for California to bring back his fam-
ily, who have been visiting there for some time. E. M. York, with capital stock of $10,000, has been incor-
York City.
Adolph Stern, David H. Schmidt Co., Poughkeep- Love, secretary of the company, says trade is very porated. The incorporators are J. Koske, J. Striem
good, many inquiries coming in and dealers are and S. Horowitz, of 525 West 175th street, New
sie, N. Y.
York.
David H. Schmidt, David H. Schmidt Co., Pough- shouting for goods.
keepsie, N. Y.
E. Weiss, Textile and Hardware Exchange, New
York City.
F. E. Morton, American Steel & Wire Co., Chi-
cago, 111.
James Kose, Cornwall & Patterson Mfg. Co.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
H. D. Leslie, Sherwin-Williams Co., Newark, N. J.
(Continued from page 3.)
Chas. H. J. Clause, Sherwin-Williams Co., New-
This
transposition
of
asset
entries
was
no hardship these basic supplies and materials. We need to con-
ark, N. J.
G. C. Chalmers, Hodgman Rubber Co., Tuckahoe, upon your business. But what about a falling market vince bankers that the piano business is one of the
on your raw materials, and demands being made most staple in the country; that it is less sensitive to
N. Y.
E. H. Townsend, Hodgman Rubber Co., Tuckahoe, upon you for longer time? From where is the money the temporary ups and downs of general conditions
coming to finance such a change? Ordinarily you than most other lines. We need to convince bankers
N. Y.
Z. Clark Thwing, Grand Rapids Veneer Works, would go to the bank and borrow the money. But that piano paper is as good collateral as comes into
that is not as easily done as heretofore, because their banks.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
A. A. Souder, Perkins Glue Co., South Bend, Ind. banks, acting under the influence of the Federal Re-
Piano Paper Good.
Wm. J. Keeley, Auto Pneumatic Action Co., New serve Board's policy, are reducing rather than in-
There
was
a
time when bankers ridiculed piano
creasing loans. The only possible course, therefore,
York City.
W. C. Heaton, Auto Pneumatic Action Co., New to follow is to keep your business as close to a paper. Now they have come to the conclusion that
it is better business to sell a piano and have the
cash basis as possible.
York City.
I do not look seriously upon the present senti- right to take it back if not paid for, than it is to sell,
H. D. Cook, Standard Glue Co., New York City.
Ira J. Seely, American Glue Co., New York City. mental wave of falling prices as materially affecting for instance, groceries, which, having been consumed,
the piano business. My reason for this is based en- cannot be recovered.
M. Milligan, Fairbanks Co., Springfield, Ohio.
There is much work to be done in cultivating this
Geo. A. Sperson, Philadelphia Felt Co., Philadel- tirely upon the fact that there has been to my
knowledge no profiteering in piano manufacturing favorable opinion among bankers, and this is one
phia, Pa.
Harold Haas, Henry Haas & Co., New York City. and retailing. I can readily understand in some other of the big jobs the Music Industries Chamber of
lines, such as clothing and shoes—where inflation Commerce is undertaking. It is another reason why
W. B. Pratt, New York City.
has gone far beyond the point of fair profit—that the supply trade should support the Chamber with
H. O. Bauer, New York City.
Otto R. Trefz, Jr., Otto R. Trefz, Jr., Philadelphia, prices will tumble. Possibly there will be a tempo- its pocketbook as well as with its sentiments.
rary reflection of this in our business, but it cannot
Pa.
The future of our industry has never been brighter.
be of long duration.
W. N. Shelton, L. J. Mutty Co., Boston, Mass.
There is an increased interest in musical instruments
Fred Morsereau, Sherwin-Williams Co., New York
A Futile Move.
on the part of the general public. But we must not
City.
In fact, in my opinion, the policy which the Fed- ruin this bright future by letting down the credit
G. Mendelson, Harvey Mfg. Co., Bridgeport, Conn. eral Reserve Board has adopted, while temporarily bars at this critical period. The analysis I have here-
A. L. Kelly, the O. S. Kelly Co., Springfield, Ohio. beneficial in discouraging profiteering, is absolutely with presented of the average financial statement is,
L. S. Webb, the Webb Wire Works, New Bruns- futile. If their policy is carried to the point where in my opinion, true, and it will be well worth while
wick, N. J.
legitimate and non-profiteering business, such as our for every business man to figure out how he is going
B. A. Smith, Standard Felt Co., New York City.
business, is menaced—where sound institutions are to finance his business within the next two years.
W. A. Breckwoldt, Julius Breckwoldt & Co., financially embarrassed—then such a policy has done I would like to be shown how an inflated inventory
Dolgeville, N. Y.
an irreparable injury to innocent business men. Such can be liquidated without added assistance from
W. G. Schaff, John A. Schaff, New York City.
a policy, if carried out, would only serve to stop banks, and yet concede longer terms of credit! I
Chas. L. McHugh, Standard Action Co., Cam- production in many lines. And this is just what we claim it cannot be done.
bridge, Mass.
do not want.
Epitomized, this somewhat rambling address
Lester I. Miller, Superior Foundry Co., Cleveland,
We cannot overcome the fundamental and natural might be stated as follows: Stand by your tried and
Ohio.
law of supply and demand. We cannot any more true friends among the piano manufacturers, and
Henry G. Wickham, Wickham Co. of New Jersey, influence this natural law through artificial means, analyze with great care and go slowly with the new
Matawan, N. J.
than we can change the tides or control the sun. We manufacturer whose spectacular methods menace es-
C. W. Morgan, A. C. Cheney Co., Castleton-on- need more coal, more oil, more iron, more lumber— tablished piano making and selling practice. Stand
Hudson, N. Y.
and we need more of the products manufactured from by your friends; you may need them!
PIANO SUPPLIES TO MANUFACTURE
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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