RBfTO
colored cover didn't seem to add greatly to either the hilarity of the
nations or the influence of the advertising columns, which admittedly
possess more drawing power than those of other trade papers. How-
ever, if more color is wanted we stand ready to accommodate, so
watch out!
* * *
The newsgatherers for the great dailies are often slow. After
years of the same philanthropic enterprise the fact, that a Philadel-
phia piano house has just given away a lot of good squares is held,
in the press dispatches, as cause for wonderment. But the press
dispatches even now omit the credit that is due to the House of
Heppe. The item about the piano distribution appeared, one day
last week, in nearly every newspaper that is a member of the Press
Association. The Heppe enterprise deserves direct credit.
;Jc
*.
*
A subject of King George came to this country partly to discover
the origin and manufacturer of the little upright which, during the
war, won the distinction of being called the Trench Piano. He wanted
to make a contract for regular supplies. Finally he was directed by
this paper to Milwaukee to interview Mr. C. H. Jackson, of the Jack-
son Piano Co. In a day or two the English piano man came back
and said there were two thousand orders ahead of him for the little
piano. And so again peace has its victories no less than war.
* * *
If pianos were profiteered in the same ratio as clothing has been
recently profiteered, a piano would cost $5,000. One sheep will pro-
duce enough wool for a suit of clothes—about 5 J / 2 pounds. Now, as
a man can buy four or five sheep on the Chicago Stockyards for $100—
the price of one suit—the profiteering on that 5y 2 pounds of wool can
be seen.
WARM COMMENDATION
FOR MUSIC ROLL EXPERT
According to Director Tremaine's latest batch of items designed
to "interest the general public in music," a divorced couple in St. Louis
were united again by "plaintive music." We regret to say that it was
a phonograph, and not a player-piano, that did it but, in view of such
things, can it ever again be said that music is not an essential?
* * *
An inspiring story of piano salesmanship was printed recently.
It told how Mr. Stanley H. Averill, of the Knabe warerooms in
Baltimore went "over the top" in pursuits of peace just as he did on
several fronts during the war. We like to print such stories and
want all we can get of them. Who's your best salesman?
If you have room in the store, and understand the rule of growth
and development, put in a sheet music counter and place a bright
girl or young man in charge. Sheet music pays several ways from
the center—in profits, in prestige, in advertising, and otherwise.
Some of the electric playerpiano manufacturers are figuring on
having booths at the New York Electrical Exposition in Grand Cen-
tral Palace, which is to be held from October 6 to 16 this year. It is
a little too soon after the big show or there might be many of them.
* * *
The United States Music Co., makers of player rolls, has a good-
sized advertisement in the newspapers, in which the dealers who sell
the U. S. rolls are tabulated. That's good trade advertising and
space well spent.
J.
say that we most sincerely wish him success in his
new position."
It isn't often that a man receives so warm a testi-
monial as that, considering the exacting measure-
ments employed by Mr. Pletcher in his estimates of
business affairs and the workers who make business
worth while. And certainly Mr. Laughead measures
up to the high estimate.
NEW VENTURES SHARE
FAVOR OF BUYERS
does not in any way interfere or conflict with that
of Roy Rose, who is also conspicuous in the music
roll department of the New York industry. The
two gentlemen are fast friends and Mr. Laughead
very justly feels that last week's item may have a
tendency to do injustice to Mr. Rose, whose busi-
ness ability and personal friendship he values highly.
In connection with Mr. Laughead's change, Presi-
dent T. M. Pletcher, of the Q R S Music Co., made
the following characteristic statement:
"We have accepted, with sincere regret, Mr.
Laughead's resignation. He has been with us for a
number of years and we have learned to admire him,
not only as a friend and business associate, but have
been more than satisfied with his work. We have
a very high regard and respect for his business in-
tegrity and judgment, and we can conscientiously
;k
:k
This in no time for pessimistic whining. The politicians will at-
tend to that. Business men can help by discouraging the discussion
of international problems during working hours.
Gordon Laughead's Change to Mel-O-Dee
Prompts Characteristically Generous
Words by T. M. Pletcher of the
Q R S Co.
An item in last week's Presto, with reference to
the change of Gordon Laughead from the Q R S
Music Co. to the Mel-o-dee department of The Aeo- Late Additions to Forces of Piano Distribution
lian Company, was so expressed as to lead to mis-
Show Liveliness of Trade.
understanding. Mr. Laughead's new connection
Harris Bros. & Co., Inc., has opened a new music
house in Utica, N. Y.
Froess Bros., Erie, Pa., have opened a branch store
at Corry, Pa.
A special room for showing the Ampico is being
set aside in alterations in the store of Heim's Music
Store, Danbury, Conn.
The Shafer Music House has moved to new quar-
ters in Santa Ana, Calif.
D. O. Emmons has opened a new music store in
Alliance, O.
The Cremona, Stradivara and New Comfort are
three machines handled by the Perry Music Co.,
Portland, Ore.
The agency for the Blue Bird talking machine in
San Diego, Calif., has been taken over by the Piano
Exchange.
Mack Rowe, formerly with the O. K. Houck Piano
Co.'s branch in Nashville, Tenn., has become man-
ager of the talking machine department of the
Sharp-House Furniture Co., in that city.
W. P. White has announced his resignation as
sales manager of the Paramount Talking Machine
Co., Port Washington, Wis.
GORDON LAUGHEAD.
June 26, 1920.
0UT=0F=T0WN DEALERS
ENCOUNTERED IN CHICAGO
Men in Search of Pianos and Players Make Things
Lively in Offices.
W. F. Fidler, of Valparaiso, Ind., a piano dealet,
was in Chicago this week and called at The Cable
Company's offices.
Thomas F. Logan, sales manager for Thomas Gog-
gan & Bro., San Antonio, Tex., is expected in Chi-
cago in the latter part of this week.
Mr. Tylee, of the Western Reserve Varnish Com-
pany, Cleveland, Ohio, was a welcome visitor at the
Bush & Gerts Piano Company's office last. Friday.
He bears the reputation of being a man upon whose
word a piano manufacturer may absolutely rely. He
and his father are proprietors of the business.
Charles Weiler, of Weiler Bros., Quincy, 111., and
his wife and children, were in Chicago last week. Mr.
Weiler spent the time selecting pianos and player-
pianos while his family went here and there seeing
the sights.
J. J. Huston, who is with the piano department of
Hayden Brothers, Omaha, Neb., was in Chicago this
week and called on some of the piano manufactur-
ers.
J. W. Bash, of Thomas & Bash, Republic City,
Neb., piano dealers, was in Chicago on Monday of
this week. He had been visiting relatives in Ohio
for five weeks. On the way back he intends to stop
at Omaha, Neb.
H. P. Maus, piano dealer of Lima, Ohio, was in
Chicago on Tuesday. He was eager for more goods.
George W. Bates, comptroller of Sherman, Clay &
Company, San Francisco, Calif., was in Chicago on
Wednesday of this week. Mr. Bates was on his way
to New York. He expects to select some goods for
his house while out.
Mr. O'Shea, of the O'Shea & Bidinger Company,
Waukegan, 111., was in Chicago on Tuesday of this
week buying pianos.
A MOVE IN NEW YORK.
On July 1st the L. Yosko Manufacturing Co.,
makers of banjos, mandolins, guitars, etc., of New
York City, will move from the present location to
larger and better quarters at 174 Third avenue, be-
tween Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets. The
Yosko Mfg. Co. makes a specialty of the double-
rimmed banjos, which are the invention of L. Yosko,
and which are protected by patents. The new estab-
lishment of the company is an extensive one and
will permit of still further expansion of the already
well-established industry.
GETS WORCESTER FACTORY.
When the M. S. Wright Co., player action makers,
vacates its present factory at 51 Jackson street,
Worcester. Mass., and gets settled at its new loca-
tion at 164 Fremont street, the Jackson street prop-
erty may be taken over under lease by the Weber
Piano Co. The M. S. Wright Co. expects to be in
its new quarters by July 1. Already several depart-
ments are in operation at the new location.
TO DEVELOP WHOLESALE TRADE.
Chilten F. Baker has been elected president of the
Baker Music House Co., Albany, N. Y., with ware-
rooms at 52 North Pearl street. At the annual meet-
ing held recently in the offices of the company the
capital stock was increased from $75,000 to $250,000.
The increased capital is to develop the wholesale de-
partment of the company.
LOSES $5,000 IN BOX.
A reward of $1,000 was offered recently by Gaeta-
no Musso, piano maker, of New York City, for the re-
turn of a tin box containing $5,000, which his 14-year-
old daughter. Antoinette, lost when she shook an
old rug in which it was hidden, out of the win-
dow. He had hidden the box and carpet under a
bathtub.
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