June 5, 1920.
BRAMBACH SUGGESTION
WINNERS GET AWARDS
The Brarabach Piano Company of New York
City is conducting 1 through their factory a sugges-
tion contest which is open to all of their employes.
By means of this contest the various employes are
enabled to make suggestions for improvements or
increased efficiency in the manufacture of the Bram-
bach product. Each suggestion is carefully con-
sidered and if of value is paid for on a cash basis.
The accompanying photograph illustrates Gor-
don C. Campbell, vice-president of the Brambach
Piano Company, presenting the awards to several
successful submitters of ideas. The remaining men
in the group are offering encouragement and cheers
to the winners.
G. N. MORTIMORE AMPICO
DEPARTMENT HEAD
pianos is protesting against the present low rate
maintained by the government.
The exceedingly low value of the German mark
is greatly to the advantage of the German manufac-
turer; and, while German factories have increased
their prices from 1,200 to 1,500 per cent, the Swed-
ish manufacturers have only been able to increase
theirs from 100 to 150 per cent.
Another cause for dissatisfaction arises from the
fact t^iat the Swedish manufacturer must pay an
ad valorem duty of about 15 per cent on his raw
material. Under such conditions the German piano
maker has every opportunity to pile up excellent
profits, while the Swedish manufacturer has to be
content with a less profit than he received before
the war.
New Manager Gained Valuable Experience in Spe-
cial Work for the Reproducing Piano.
The American Piano Company, New York, has
announced that G. N. Mortimore succeeds to the
management of the Ampico department. He brings
to his new position a wide experience in retail sell-
ing and organization. For the last two years he
has been traveling representative for Chickering &
Sons.
Mr. Mortimore, who is well known throughout
the trade, has specialized in the Ampico and takes up
this new work with enthusiasm and a thorough
knowledge of its requirements and the policy of its
development. He is receiving the congratulations
of his friends in the trade on his appointment to the
duties of this important work.
SWEDISH INDUSTRY AND
GERMAN COMPETITION
Piano Manufacturers in Berlin Have Great Advan-
tage Over Other Countries.
Swedish manufacturers of pianos find their busi-
ness seriously menaced by German competition,
writes Consul General Dominic I. Murphy, Stock-
holm, Sweden. A promnient piano manufacturer
declares that German competition is now keener
than ever before, and calls attention to the fact
that the Swedish duty on pianos remains at 150
crowns ($40.20) for ordinary and 200 crowns
($53.60) for grand pianos.
These rates were fixed long prior to the late war.
when they represented from 15 to 20 per cent of
the value. At that time German pianos were selling
at from 700 to 900 marks ($166.60 to $214.20); now
their prices have advanced to 7,000 to 9,000 marks
($1,666 to $2,124, normal exchange), the duty repre-
senting but a fractional per cent of the value.
Swedish manufacturers say that during the war
American, English and Norwegian pianos were pro-
tected by duties ranging from 30 to 35 per cent ad
valorem, while other countries prohibited their im-
port.
Naturally the Swedish manufacturer of
13
PRESTO
DEMONSTRATES J. BAUER & CO.
The William A. Kaun Music Co., Milwaukee,
recently expanded from a sheet music publishing
house to one with a general music goods line is cre-
ating an interest in its piano department by demon-
strations of the J. Bauer & Co. piano, made by
Julius Bauer & Co., Chicago. Following the removal
of the Smith Piano Co., which had occupied the
store at 90 West Water street jointly with the Wil-
liam A. Kaun Music Co., the available space was
rearranged as piano and talking machine depart-
ments. Every demonstration is accompanied by an
explanation of the improved method of piano con-
struction invented by William M. Bauer, president
of Julius Bauer & Co.
AIMS TO RELIEVE
FREIGHT CONGESTION
More Effective Use and Operation of Cars
Suggested by Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce.
The methods of the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission for relieving the freight congestion by more
effective use and operation of cars are meeting with
considerable success, says a statement of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is
taking active measures to induce all lines of indus-
try, including the music industry itself, to co-operate
fully with the Interstate Commerce Commission in
order that methods now used may be effective in
clearing up the freight congestion and prevent any
necessity for the commission to yield to the argu-
ment advanced in favor of the installation of a prior-
ity system of shipments.
The special committee of the Chamber's directors,
appointed by President Aldcroft last week, has sent
a notice to all members of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association, the Organ Builders' As-
sociation, Band .Instrument Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, and the principal manufacturers of phono-
graphs who are the chief shippers in the music in-
dustry. In it all shippers are urged to assist the
commission in every way possible, and thus elimi-
nate any necessity for the introduction of a priority
system. Members of the music industry are further
urged to conform strictly to the following sugges-
tions:
"Fill all cars to capacity. Expedite loading of
cars and release of cars promptly. Order cars from
the railroads only when and as they are absolutely
needed. Use trucks for transfer and terminal serv-
ice. Expedite package service through the use of
consolidated shipments."
In an effort to stimulate all business to co-operate
in making effective use of railroad cars, the Cham-
ber has sent the communciations to the local Cham-
ber of Commerce and similar associations in about
200 of the principal cities of the country.
Letters have also been sent to all the important
national trade organizations, some 400 in number,
suggesting that they take action in the matter simi-
lar to that decided upon by the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce.
"Every member of the music industry should ap-
preciate the importance of attacking the problem of
freight congestion in the manner decided upon by
the Interstate Commerce Commission rather than
by the introduction of any priorities," says the an-
nouncement from the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce. "Therefore, individual members of the
music trade should take it upon themselves to
spread the doctrine of the effective use of cars and
the dangers of priority systems in order that all in-
dustry will be relieved promptly and effectively with
no disruption to any important lines of industry."
FUEHR & STEMMER PLANT
SUPPLIES Q00D TRADE
New Factory of Company Is Roomy, and Business
Is Rapidly Expanding.
SONG IN FAVORED.
If the visiting dealer in Chicago would like t o .
see a rapidly growing factory in active operation,
let him call at the Fuehr & Stemmer Piano Com-
pany's new place, southeast corner of South Wells
and West 27th streets. Both buildings are now oc-
cupied by the company and they are filled with the
material that goes into pianos, and alive with me-
chanics creating the Fuehr & Stemmer instruments.
Charles F. Stemmer, president and treasurer of
the company, has not been out on a trip recently,
nor has he any immediate trip in contemplation.
He remarked to a Presto representative who called
on Tuesday of this week at his offices, that piano
business with all good firms just now was so active
that sending out traveling men was unnecessary ex-
cept to talk to old customers about when they
might expect, shipments.
So far as the Fuehr & Stemmer business is con-
cerned, it is growing very fast—expanding into the
larger class. Mr. Fuehr said plenty of business was
coming in by mail to keep everybody on the jump
all the time. He is pleased with the new location.
The offices are large and well lighted with outside
windows on two streets; the whole plant is a mod-
ern daylight establishment in which the workers
are contented.
Another new song which is expected to equal the
popularity of "Overalls," has been published by the
McKinley Music Co. Reports from the music coun-
ters say it catches the public fancy in an equally
gripping way. The new number is "One Little
Girl," and it bids fair to be another of the successes
of the progressive music publishers.
Frank F. Story, vice-president and treasurer of
the Story & Clark Piano Co., Chicago, has returned
to the city from California, bringing home the mem-
bers of his family, who have been staying in the
Golden State. Mr. Story says that business condi-
tions are excellent in California at present.
PIANO MEN AS DELEGATES.
Several piano men who are delegates to the Re-
publican national convention have come into Chi-
cago within the week. One of these is Mr. McGill,
of the McGill Music Company, Montgomery, Mo.
Mr. McGill says that the piano trade is very active
in Missouri at the present time. Many other piano
men who are not delegates will attend the conven-
tion as visitors.
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