Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1920 1793

December A, 1920.
MEMORIAL FOR
JAS. F. BRODERICK
At Kimball Meeting Wednesday Late Piano
Manufacturer Characterized by Associates
for His Geniality, Helpfulness, Perse-
verance and Ruggedness.
The Piano Club of
Chicago held a me-
morial service in hon-
or of the life and
services of the late
James F. Broderick
on Wednesday at
4:30 p. m. in Kimball
Hall, Wabash avenue
and Jackson boule-
vard, Chicago. Mr.
Broderick had been
traveler and salesman,
but he was best re-
membered as presi-
dent of the Straube
Piano Company, of
Chicago and Ham-
mond, and as founder
and president a n d
toastmaster of the
Piano Club of Chi-
cago.
Many of the leaders of the Chicago piano trade
attended, and Mrs. Broderick, the widow, was
present by special invitation. The meeting opened
with an improvisation on the Kimball organ, which
was perfectly played by Francis S. Moore, organist
at the First Presbyterian Church and piano salesman
at the Cable Piano Company's warerooms.
M. J. Kennedy, president of the club, gave the
purposes of the meeting in a few introductory re-
marks, in which he said: "We have assembled to
pay our last respects to one of the most beloved
members of the trade; so much so that he was
familiarly known to most of us as Jim."
Many Telegrams.
Adam Schneider read a telegram to the meeting
from F. C. Billings of Milwaukee. There were tele-
grams of sympathy from Ferdinand and Arthur
Wessell, of New York, to Mrs. Broderick; from
F. D. Abbott, of Presto; one from George P. Bent
just as he was about to sail for his trip around
the world. Another from Albert Behning, of New
York, secretary of the National Piano Travelers'
Association, saying, "Mr. Broderick was a great
help to us all." A telegram came also from C. L.
Dennis, of New York, saying that Mr. Broderick
had won his respect and admiration for his kindly
spirit.
Frank D. Abbott said his acquaintance with Mr.
Broderick dated back to 1888 at the time he moved
from Des Moines to Chicago. He always proved
to be a reliable source of information for many a
piece of news and he was a careful reader of the
trade papers.
He Showed Good Cheer.
E. B. Bartlett said Mr. Broderick was a man of
infinite courage, indomitable perseverance and ab-
solute honesty. What greater qualities could a man
have? He was frank and free-hearted. It would be
unfair to say that he always agreed with one; but
it is always well to know where a man stands. The
last years of his life were perhaps clouded by his
sickness. We should keep in mind what he has
been to us for so many years that he has been
with us; with his many qualities that endeared him
to us, we can hold him in our memories—and that
will help us while time lasts. For he showered
about us some of the sunshine and cheer which we
all felt when he was with us.
James F. Bowers, president of Lyon & Healy,
said James F. Broderick was a kindly spirit. The
world is better for his having lived; the community
has lost a splendid life and valued citizen. It is
with difficulty I find myself able to express my feel-
ings—difficult to do so with a clear eye and a steady
voice. Jim is at rest. May the good God grant
him eternal peace.
In similar terms of praise Mr. Broderick was
spoken of by Eugene Whelan and others.
Mrs. Margaret King sang "Nearer My God to
Thee" and other songs. One of the selections for
the organ was Chopin's Funeral March, played by
Frances S. Moore. The following memorial was
adopted:
James Francis Broderick, splendid American gen-
tleman, fine citizen, good friend, loving husband and
father, is no more. Not yet crowned with the
Psalmist's three score and ten, he leaves us to
mourn 1 his untimely passing, leaves an aching void
in our hearts too difficult to fill. His fine manly
bearing, his kindness and helpfulness to the less for-
PRESTO
tunate and struggling, stamped him as a man of un-
common worth. Our trade has truly lost a shining
light and our community a valued life. He was a
lover of his calling and of the men. who composed
it, a lover and ardent supporter of music at its best.
He was a strong believer in Associations of our
trade, local and national, and invariably gave the
best that was in him to their support. He was the
father and founder of the Piano Club of Chicago,
an organization that will stand as a monument to
his memory. It is therefore an act of love and an
act of duty that we set down in our minutes, our tes-
timony to the great loss that has come upon us, and
that we tender to his mourning family and business
associates this evidence of our sympathy in their
great bereavement, and that a cop]/ of this minute
be sent tc them as a small consolation in their hour
of affliction, and may He who notes the sparrow's
fall comfort and console them.
JAMES F. BOWERS, Chairman.
EDGAR C. SMITH,
WILLIAM H. COLLINS,
ROY WAITE,
FRANCIS MOORE.
The committee appointed by Adam Schneider,
president of the Chicago Piano & Organ Associa-
tion, to prepare and present this minute as the joint
expression of the Piano Club of Chicago, and the
music trade of Chicago in general.
WAREROOM WARBLES
(A New One Every Week.)
By The Presto Poick.
WE SELLTHE]
•Ov
ELZYWAY
PIANO
J. C. FREEMAN GOES TO THE
RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO.
Noted Violin Expert Ends Thirty-One Years' Asso-
ciation with Lyon & Healy.
J. C. Freeman, who has been with Lyon & Healy,
Chicago, for thirty-one years, has joined the Ru-
dolph Wurlitzer Company, where he will have
charge of all the small goods departments in the
Wurlitzer stores-
Mr. Freeman has been in charge of the small
goods' retail department of Lyon & Healy since
1904, managing also the wholesale business of small
instruments after 1911. In 1910 he established the
Lyon & Healy export department, and to him is
attributed no small share of the high musical stand-
ing which has been built up around Lyon & Healy's
harps. In 1917 Mr. Freeman organized the auto-
matic instrument department for Lyon & Healy on
important and aggressive lines.
Mr. Freeman's standing as an old violin expert
is well understood in the music trade. He has been
active in arranging deals for historic violins where
the prices were fabulously high. In associating
himself with the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, with
headquarters in New York, he feels that in collabora-
tion with Rudolph H. Wurlitzer, himself a recog-
nized connoisseur of violins, the development of the
old violin business will have its greatest possibilities.
CHICAGO PIANO & ORGAN
ASSOCIATION HOLDS ELECTION
Frank E. Morton Is Chosen President of Trade
Organization of City.
The Chicago Piano & Organ Association held its
annual meeting on Wednesday at the Illinois Ath-
letic Club in connection with the noonday luncheon.
The following who were recommended by the
nominating committee were elected: Frank E.
Morton, of the American Steel & Wire Company,
president; Eugene Whelan, of the W. W. Kimball
Co., first vice-president; W. E. Guylee, of The Cable
Company, second vice-president; Adam Schneider,
of Julius Bauer & Co., treasurer; James T. Bristol,
of Price & Teeple Piano Co., secretary. Mr. Guylee
is a new officer in the association.
AMPICO IN CONCERT.
In Carnegie Hall, New York, Monday evening,
Dec. 6, Kerekjarto, the violinist, will give a con-
cert at which there will be featured two groups of
pieces by the Ampiro, reproducing the playing of
Rachmaninoff and Levitzki. In addition to this the
Ampico will be featured in the accompaniment of
two of Mr. Kerekjarto's pieces, the accompaniments
having been played by Mr. Kerekjarto himself..
The program will be one of unusual brilliancy and
to piano people the appearance of the Ampico will
add special interest.
CHARLES B. WILLEY DEAD.
Charles B. WUley, well known lumberman, son
of the late Cameron L. Willey, widely known among
piano men, died of heart disease early this week
while on a hunting trip at Millstone Camp, Liver-
pool, 111. Mr. Willey was born in Bellevue, Pa.,
'but lived the greater portion of his life in Chicago.
He was 37 years old and was president of the C. L.
Willey Company, which has supplied many piano
industries with veneers.
A COG IN THE WHEEL.
I'm the first there in the morning, and I come with-
out a warning
To the others who will soon come straggling in,
And I settle down to toiling, whether cold or almost
boiling,
While the others never hurry to begin;
When the day is fast advancing and the others start
to prancing,
In their eagerness to do the mid-day shirk,
Then it is I often wonder, how in name of all the
thunder,
I'm the only thing that seems to want to work.
I am always here to do it and I never can get
through it,
And I'm very sure I do not care to kick,
For I love the busy bustle of the day that's filled
with hustle,
And I never find things piling up too thick;
All the time I keep on chaffing, with a grin that
looks like laughing,
Even when my heart is filled with blank despair.
And I talk quite optimistic when in fact 'tis very
mystic
Whether things will turn out darkly or be fair.
If I'm weary I don't show it, for I don't want folks
to know it,
And I want them all to think I roll in wealth;
Should I feel that I am ailing and my strength seems
to be failing
I just swell my chest and boast of my good health;
I can only say I'm happy in a way that seems quite
snappy,
Even though I know that things are rank with ills,
But there's nothing strange about it, and I know
you will not doubt it
When I say that I'm the man who pays the bills.
CHRISTMAS CLUB SUCCESS.
The Baker Music House, Inc. (The Little Store
with the Big Business), Albany, N. Y., reports a
gratifying success with a Christmas piano club. The
firm explains this week in the newspapers: "These
clubs provide the opportunity to give your family
gifts that keep the Christmas spirit throughout the
years to come. A never failing happy home maker.
Come in tomorrow and join the club and select your
piano or playerpiano.
PIANO MEN TO DINE.
The annual beafsteak dinner of the Piano. Club of
New York will be held at the club rooms, 137th
street and Third avenue. New York, this evening
(December 4) at 7 o'clock. The entertainment com-
mittee is composed of Albert Behning, chairman,
George Holz, Max de Rochemont, George W. Git-
tins, Herman Roemer and Otto M. Heinzman.
CARL BRONSON AS CRITIC.
Los Angeles, Calif., is one of the real music cen-
ters. The Evening Herald, of that city, has a mu-
sical critic worthy of the name. He is Carl Brpn-
son, who, for many years, was conspicuous in the
retail department of The Cable Company in Chicago.
Mr. Bronson is as reliable in his critical work as he
was as a piano salesman, and hundreds who bought
upon his judgment know what that means.
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/
PRESTO
December 4, 1920.
JOHN MARTIN AND HIS METHODS
ORGANIZATION CHART
IS ENLIGHTENING
Piano men throughout the country
are evincing the liveliest interest in John
Martin's demonstration of the Gulbran-
sen playerpiano. From every city where
he has appeared has come word that Mr.
Martin's playing, together with the dem-
onstration of his method of playing,
have been of great value to Gulbransen
distributors and salesmen, as well as tc.
player owners and the playerpiano busi-
ness in general.
John Martin has come to be recog-
nized as a playerpianist extraordinary,
and he is probably the only man living
who receives a handsome income for
playing an instrument that "any one can
play." Already Mr. Martin has covered
something like forty cities in the course
of a nation-wide tour on which he is
demonstrating the possibi'ities of the
Gulbransen, and he takes a very keen in-
terest in his work. How much energy
he puts into it may be judged by the fact
that he seems never to shirk playing for
hours for an appreciative audience, no
matter how great the strain of a public
performance of this character may be.
The following are cities at which Mr.
Martin has demonstrated his method or
playing under the auspices of the local
Gulbransen
distributors: Philadelphia.
Baltimore, Washington, D. C ; Harrison-
burg, Va.; Louisville, Ky.; Buffalo;
Rochester; Worcester, Mass ; Concord,
N. H.; Providence, R. I.; Crawfords-
ville, Ind.; Milwaukee, Wis.; St. Paul, Minn.:
Battle Creek, Mich.; South Bend, Tnd.; Colum-
bus, O.; Akron, O.; Galesburg, 111; Monmouth,
111.; Quincy, III.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Reading, Pa.;
Newark, N. J.; Pittsburgh, Pa.;. Detroit, Omaha,
Hastings. Nebr.; Hagerstown, Md.; Lowell, Mass.;
Boston; Cincinnnati; New London, Conn.; New Ha-
ven, Conn: Toledo, O.; Shenandoah, la.; St. Joseph,
Mo.; Battle Creek, Mich.
"He did show us all a thing or two about the Gul-
bransen that sort of made us sit up and take notice."
In that fashion does the Otto Gran Piano Company,
Cincinnati, Ohio, set forth its opinion of Mr. Mar-
tin's demonstration.
A. Hospe Company, Omaha, Nebr., says: "You
would have appreciated it all the more if you could
have been in our store the next morning and heard
the different individuals practicing on the players.
They are keeping it up and I think we will have a
fine lot of player demonstrators in a short time."
"His playing is at a wonderfuMy developed stage,
thus enabling him to impart his thought so lucidly,"
wrote the M. P. Moller Co.. Hagerstown, Md. In
the following the dealer's opinion of Mr. Martin is
enthusiastically set forth:
He certainly left us with an inspiration that will
last a good while. He is a remarkable man with -i
remarkable method and we cannot speak too highly
General Manager Smith Provides Comprehen-
sive List Which Shows Status and Func-
tions of Chamber Groups.
ABRIDGED COURSE FOR
DANQUARD SCHOOL STUDENTS
Those Entering After January to Have the Advan-
tage of New Arrangement of Studies.
The Danquard Player Action School. New York,
maintained by the Kohler Industries in that city,
announci' that its special short-term course so popu-
lar during the past fall will be continued after Jan-
uary 1. This course extends over a period of ten
working days and consumes only a little over two
weeks of the students' actual time. Every player
piano repairman, tuner or salesman who can possi-
bly spare this short period from his active work is
urged to take advantage of the benefits offered.
Mr. Cheek, principal of the school, outlined the
course of studies carefully in a recent conversation.
"We have realized that the average tuner and re-
pairman cannot readily devote three, four or six
weeks of his time to come to New York and attend
our school/' said Mr. Cheek. "We know that he
is busy and in most instances loses his income while
he is in New York City. But we know that the in-
struction given by the Danquard Player Action
School is of vital importance to him. It gives him
not only a general knowledge of player action op-
eration, but he also becomes familiar with the va-
rious parts used in the pneumatic action and it en-
ables him to locate trouble and make necessary reg-
ulation in the quickest possible time So, we feel
safe in assuming that our instruction is almost neces-
sary to every man interested in the player business.''
JOHN MARTIN.
both for him and his method.—Bon Marche Dry-
Goods Co., Lowell, Mass.
The "Martin" Method" is the only proper way to
sell playerpianos.—Light Music House, Redding, Pa.
Mr. Martin's enthusiasm was absorbed by every-
body.—J. M. Hoffmann, Pittsburgh, Pa.
We are pleased that it has renewed the salesmen's
interest in the playerpiano, and we find that every
spare moment they have is spent in practicing on the
player.—Lechner & Schoenberger Company, Pitts-
burgh, Pa.
We feel that Mr. Martin has put new enthusiasm
in our sales force.—Chas. E. Roat Music Co., Battle
Creek, Mich.
It was a great pleasure to have Mr. Martin with
us, as he certainly gave our men a very valuable talk.
—Loomis Temple of Music, New Haven, Conn.
Mr. Martin gave us a very fine demonstration on
the Gulbransen and his instructions to myself and
salesmen are most valuable. We think the "Martin
Method" a great asset to our selling force.—F. H.
Frazelle, Toledo, Ohio.
The entire force from this store and also Red Oak
were in Clarinda Monday evening to meet Mr. Mar-
tin. We all enjoyed it thoroughly and unquestion-
ably will derive great benefit from his visit and valu-
able suggestions.—Benedict Piano Co., Shenandoah,
Iowa.
To make this knowledge obtainable in the short-
est possible time we have carefully abridged our
studies. We have gone thoroughly into the knowl-
edge which is most desirable and have arranged
this special course which covers all the theory ot
pneumatic action and takes the student through a
thoroughly comprehensive application of player ac-
tion parts.
"This special course is laid out to extend over a
duration of ten actual working days. As our school
convenes only five days a week the actual time taken
by a student to complete this course will be about
two and a half weeks. Allowing he comes from out
of town, the total absence from his business will be
approximately three weeks. We consider this will
be a good investment on the part of any tuner or
repairman who has not had our instruction and
urge all who possibly can to make their decision
early and come as soon after the ho'idays as pos-
sible.
"I will be pleased to correspond with any inter-
ested person and outline more in detail the course
of study offered in this abridged course. Applica-
tion for entry, or requests for information can be had
by addressing the school. 60° West 51st street, care
of my attention."
AUTOMOBILES AND THE AMPICO.
In featuring the Chickering Ampico piano in Eau
Claire, Wis., this week, the Win. E. Steinberg Piano
Co. says: "The Ampico is the only reproducing
piano about which such eminent authorities as Po-
lacco, Bodansky, Philip Hale, and others of similar
fame, have written unqualifiedly that it reproduces
as perfectly as if the artitst were at the keyboard."
An "Organization Chart" for the convenience of
trade journal editors and members of the various
trade organizations included in the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce has been prepared by A. L.
Smith, general manager of that body. Some changes
in the names of associations constituting the Cham-
ber, while properly recorded, were not definitely
noted by many, so the new chart gives the final
say on titles. Other things are also made clear.
One erroneous impression removed by the chart
is that the Better Business Bureau is an organiza-
tion of merchants. It was at one time run by the
National Association of Piano Merchants, but it is
no longer conducted by the merchants as a group.
"In fact there has been much confusion in the
trade relative to what organizations exist, the rela-
tion between them and the exact status of the bu-
reaus of the Chamber," writes Mr. Smith. "We
have found it very easy at times for us in the Cham-
ber to use an incorrect expression or title, or to use
phrases which are misleading relative to the true
nature of the various organizations and operating
units in this industry. For this reason it was sug-
gested the trade papers and individual members of
the associations would welcome something which
they could have for a guide and ready reference.
Accordingly I am sending you enclosed the organi-
zation chart of the chamber which gives the correct
names of the members and of the bureaus of the
chamber and shows their relation to each other.
We are thinking of having larger reproductions of
these charts, about 9 by 14 inches, made which
could be framed or inserted under the glass top of
a desk for quick reference."
It is the plan to send these charts to the entire
membership of each member association.
REPUBLIC PLAYER ROLLS
FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
Season Promises to Be Record-Breaker
New York Corporation.
for
the
The Republic Player Roll Corporation, New York,
believes that the coming holiday season promises to
be the best for several years. While public opinion
everywhere seems to indicate that all business is
undergoing a thorough slump at the present tirnw
the player roll business, so far as the Republic prod-
uct is concerned, does not seem to be d'minishing in
the least.
Many large stores in the states east of the Missis-
sippi are taking on the Republic line and the num-
ber of new accounts started last month has greatly
exceeded that for any month in the last two years.
It looks as if the American public is not going to
make any downward reversion on its holiday ex-
penditures so far as player rolls are concerned.
The Republic recording artists, J. Milton Delcamp.
Adam Carroll, Victor Lane, and Irene D'Giovanni.
are hard at work on special releases for January
which promise to be big sellers. These will be avail-
able for shipment early in December and with the
already strong list now on the market most of the
dealers have already started a heavy holiday trade.
THE STARCK IN DETROIT.
The P. A. Starck Piano Co., Detroit, has leased
the upper floors at 274 Woodward avenue, where
the company has occupied the ground floor since
the branch was established. K. K. Amreihm, the
manager, is highly pleased at the liveliness of th<:
holiday business which is getting bigger every da>.
Holiday buyers are particularly interested in the
Starck playerpianos in both grand and upright cases.
Continuous demonstrations in the warerooms make
visitors more familiar with the improved and effi-
cient player mechanism of the Soloist style. The
control devices which enab'e the player to obtain
the most artistic effects and the widest range of ex-
pression are powerful in influencing the decisions oi
prospective buyers.
NEW REPRESENTATIVES ACTIVE.
Horace Link & Co., Paris, 111., a progressive fur
niiurc firm weM known throughout that section of
the state, which recently secured the agency for tb<:
Gulbransen playerpiano, is doing very effective fea-
turing for the instrument. In an advertisement in the
local newspapers this week the firm ably explains
ttu- three selling factors—Performance, Production
and Price—which the Gulbransen-Dickinson Com-
pany has standardized in the product.
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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