PRESTO
January 6, 1923.
CHRISTMAN
Electrically Operated
Reproducing
Grands and Uprights
"The First Touch Tells"
Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.
CHRISTMAN
STUDIO GRAM)
Is admittedly the most Perfect
five-foot Grand. Its marvelous
tone-power and purity have
made it famous in the world of-*
music. S e e i t — t r y i t — a n d
y o u w i l l s e l l i t . .:•*•,•
CHRISTMAN
REPRODUCING PIANOS
Are remarkable in their distinc-
tive qualities of master interpre-
tation, case designs and exclu-
sive features. Made in both
Grands and Uprights.
Enhance Your Future Prosper-
ity By Investigating the
Irresistible Appeal of
CHRISTMAN
GRANDS, UPRIGHTS
PLAYERS
and
REPRODUCING PIANOS
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
CHEFRY TESTIMONY
FROM NASHVILLE, TENN.
Music Houses, Contributing Reports to Feat-
ure Page of Daily Newspaper, Add
Pleasant Historical Facts.
A special feature of the Nashville Banner, Nash-
ville, Term., on one of the closing days of the old
year was a collection of special reports from promi-
nent firms on the business of 1922. The report of the
O. K. Houck company which follows is interesting
in its review of the past and characteristic of the
progressive firm in its cheery look ahead for 1923:
The Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tenn.
Gentlemen: We have just closed the best holiday
business in the history of our house; in fact, we have
had a very satisfactory business throughout the en-
tire fall.
In the higher priced goods our business has been
limited to the number of instruments with which the
manufacturers could supply us. We could have sold
more if we could have gotten them.
Regarding 1923—never has the future looked so
bright. There seems to be plenty' of money in circu-
lation and everyone who wants work has something
to do. We believe there will be sufficient business
for all.
We wish to take this opportunity of thanking you
for the splendid service you have given us, for it has
had much to do with our success.
With best wishes for a merry Christmas and a
happy New Year. Sincerely,
O. K. HOUCK PIANO CO.
. David Dunham, Manager.
The report of the Claude P. Street Piano Company
was another cheerful estimate of the business done
in 1922. The firm is a persistent advertiser and the
letter to the'newspaper is a grand acknowledgement
of satisfactory results:-
Banner Publishing Company, Nashville, Tenn.
Gentlemen: There was never a saying more true
than "It pays to advertise."
We are pleased with, our piano and talking ma-
chine business this year, and we believe that a very
large part of it is due to newspaper advertising.
With reference |o>business in 1923, we sincerely be-
lieve the '.outlook tB*ps, one of continued prosperity,
;nd we are makirl|#ptVns accordingly.
>'•'.«„ Very truly yours,
CLAUDE P. STREET PIANO COMPANY.
; ,
^
.,, '
By C. P. STREET.
Another report conveyed in a letter to the feature
page was from the • Castner-Knott Dry Goods Co.,
which has a ,y|.elf" managed and prosperous music
goods department:
Nashville, Banner, Nashville, Tenn..
Dear, Sirs: Referring to conversation held with
your representative today, wish tQt .state that goods
will be no higher priced at. the Castner-Knott Dry
Goods Company in the year nineteen-twenty-three.
Our Christmas business exceeded our expectations
in dollars and cents and is by far the largest in our
history.
We believe that the general conditions are such
that nineteen-twenty-three will be a very prosperous
year for this country; particularly so does this pre-
s
diction apply to Middle Tennessee.
With the greetings of the season, we remain very
truly yours,
THE CASTNER-KNOTT DRY GOODS CO.
By M. HARTFIELD.
PRACTICAL PLANS FOR
AVOIDING BANKRUPTCIES
What Is Gained by One League of Business Men
to Save Retail Houses.
Close to a quarter of a million dollars was saved
during the last week, five retail establishments in
different parts of the country were sustained and a
large number of wholesalers were benefited to a sub-
stantial extent as a result of effort of the Women's
Wear League of America to adjust retailers' difficul-
ties without the bad feeling and expense of bankrup-
cy proceedings. Attention having been called to the
names of five retail establishments that were on the
verge of bankruptcy, executives of the league con-
ferred with the heads^ of the stores to determiae trie
causes of their troubles, with a view to putting them
back on a substantial financial footing if possible.
In some cases the retailers themselves, as a result
of pressure brought upon them by their creditors for
settlement of overdue accounts, came to the league
seeking the co-operation of the wholesalers. In the
other cases the league took action when it learned
that certain wholesalers were about to file bankruptcy
petitions against the retailers. While the liabilities
were far greater than the assets in each of the five
cases, it was found possible, through co-operation of
the creditors and through suggestions for i-mprove-
ments within the stores, to readjust the businesses so
that they are once more "on their feet" financially.
Arrangements were made in-.each case fqr 100 per
cent settlement.
On the other hand v it was pointed out by the Ex-
ecutive Director of the league, if these cases had
been allowed to follow the natural course and bank-
ruptcy petitions had been filed against the five stores,
losses of creditors would have totaled nearly $250,000.
Instead of obtaining 100 per cent payment for their
merchandise, they would have received approximately
30 per cent, five outlets for their products would have
been eliminated permanently, and five retail busi-
nesses would have been destroyed, together with their
organizations and the livelihood of a large number of
families.
The accomplishments of the league in these cases
are only a small part of what is done along that line
in the course of a year. Retailers and wholesalers
alike are realizing more and more, he added, that
bankruptcy proceedings, as a rule, should be avoided
when there is the slightest chance of it.
BIGGER MEMBERSHIPS FOR
TRAVELERS' ASSOClr
Change in Article Five of By-Laws Broadens Scope
of Organization.
The National Piano Travelers' Association has as-
sured a bigger membership for itself following its
action at a recent meeting of the executive and ad-
visory committees held in New» York. The purpose
of the meeting is explained in the following letter
from Geo. H. Bliss, president of the association
under date of December 26:
Gentlemen—On December 13th. we called a spe-
cial meeting of members of our Executive and Ad-
visory Committees, with the result that we had a
large attendance of members who have been active in
furthering the success of our association.
After an earnest discussion, it was unanimously de-
cided to change article five, section one of our By-
Laws, to read as follows:
ELIGIBILITY: Any male individual acting in
the capacity of traveling salesman for any manufac-
turer of pianos and their chief component parts,
meaning piano cases, action, keys, sounding boards,
plates, piano backs, hammers and strings and organs,
Self playing attachments or perforated music rolls,
and recommended by two members in good standing
sha 1 be eligible for membership.
The object of the amendment is to increase the
scope of activities of our Association and co-operation
of the men in the branches of our piano industries.
LIVELY ILLINOIS FIRM
OCCUPIES NEW STORE
The C. W. Cammack Piano Co., Belleville, Enjoys
Reward of Industry and Push.
The C. W. Cammack Piano Co., Belleville, 111., is
an illustration of the potency of hard work and origi-
nality in developing a piano business. The result of
continuous pursuit of the piano prospect and a close
attention to what the company believes constitutes
good service, is seen in the new quarters occupied
last week at 122 West Main street in the lively. St.
Clair county town.
One of the finest and most up-to-date piano and
music stores in Southern Illinois is now to be found
at the number named, where the C. W. Cammack Pi-
ano Company has just opened handsome new quar-
ters. The company has been located at 115 West
Main street, but their quarters were too cramped and
a larger room was sought and found at 122 West
Alain.
A complete line of all sorts of musical instruments,
including a line of electric pianos is carried by the
C. W. Cammack Company in its new home.
AN APOLOGY.
r,
By a mistake of Presto's cut-room, by which a por-
trait of Edwin Jarrett, of the Kroeger Piano Co.,'
bore the name and number of the late Kirkland Gib-
son, the picture of the former and very life gentlemarr
was printed last week in connection, with the obituary
notice of the well known Boston member of the Iversi;
& Pond Co. who died recently. Presto regrets the
error and is glad to give emphasis to the fact that 1
Mr. Jarrett is very much alive, and his friends all
hope that he will continue so for very many, years to
come. But such things will happen, even in the best
regulated trade paper offices.
AKRON DEALER DIES.
Victor Kratz, 27, of the Kratz Piano Co., 29 S.
Howard street, died at'his home, 112 Adolph avenue,
December 15, of organic heart disease, after an ill-
ness of about three weeks. He leaves his father,
John Kratz, of Florida; three sisters, and one brother,
John W. Kratz, of Akron. Interment was made in
Glendale cemetery.
!•<
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