PRESTO
January 27, 1923.
even violin sales, or even sales of harmonicas and jewsharps! The
dealers are beginning to consider these things. They show a better
understanding today then ever before. Their advertising in the local
newspapers proves this fact. And, after all is said and done, the trade
paper must have in mind, not altogether the songs of angels and the
quality of celestial harps, but the methods by which the instruments
of mundane music may be made, and the means by which business of
the practical men of the earth, here and now, may be enabled to secure
a good living and then to save up some of the substance and emolu-
ments of hard work and honest ambition.
Therefore, you hard-working piano merchants and salesmen, put
your concert-giving energies into the kind of entertainment by which
sales may be stimulated. Let the singing professors run the commu-
nity services, and the millionaires stand sureties for grand opera. It
will all help. But give your personal attention to the reproducing
recitals, and the snug little concerts, by which the piano in the sale of
which lies your source of profit, may be introduced and made a fa-
vorite with your musical friends and fellow citizens.
OUR DAILIES
The power of the daily newspaper has grown so great as to be
properly called irresistible. Fortunately, modern newspapers are
conducted on a much higher plane than characterized the Fourth
Estate a half-century ago. The Wilbur F. Storeys, Brick Pomeroys
and Ambrose Bierces, no longer dominate the printed page, either
locally or generally. The journals of innuendo and scandal, as such
have disappeared. The Saturday smut sheets are no longer hawked
about, to catch the matinee and theater crowds. The sensation mon-
gers of the second class cities have subsided, and decent men no lon-
ger buy the hebdomadals in fear and trembling, lest some covert
threat may have been executed—in bold face type.
Today every city, large and small, may claim representative, high
class journals, in which the news is cleanly put, and where music, and
the other things of the higher spheres of intelligence, find recogni-
tion. Of course there are also the middle-ground newspapers, in
which the spice of sensation is given opportunity to scatter and sting
—sometimes to stink.
It often proves, too, that this kind of newspapers boast the larg-
est circulation—and with veracity. They print more copies, at least,
though how quickly put out of sight, in many homes, is never told or
estimated. The decent newspaper does more than print the most
copies, it has more than one reader in every family, and so it may
really be better, even more largely circulated, than the paper that
prints the greater number of copies.
This trade paper sees a great many newspapers every day—and
reads a few of them. It reads, always, the New York Times, the Cin-
cinnati Tribune, the Boston Transcript, the Philadelphia North
American and the Chicago Post. To all of those fine dailies, and
A. M. McPHAIL PIANO CO.,
SOLD TO LAURENCE BARRY
New Owner of Boston's Old Manufacturing Concern
Is a Retail Man of Prominence.
The A. M. McPhail Piano Co., Boston, was sold
last week to Laurence Barry, who has been promi-
nently associated with the retail trade of the city as
an active member of the sales department of M. Stein-
ert & Sons Co. Mr. Barry has had similar experiences
in other parts of the country. Associated with Mr.
Barry in the future activities of the A. M. McPhail
Co., will be John J. Clark, assistant treasurer of the
company, and charles J. Blinn, its factory superin-
tendent.
For the past thirty-one years Mr. Clark has served
the A. M. McPhail Piano Co. in various capacities,
rising finally to the position of treasurer. Mr. Blinn
will continue as factory superintendent, a position
he has held for the past twenty-six years.
The A. M. McPhail Co., was established in 1837
and incorporated in 1896. The factory is at Washing-
ton and Waltham streets and the executive offices at
120 Boylston street, where it will be continued. -For
a good many years the old industry has been plod-
ding along with little show of the enthusiasm and
enterprise which is absolutely essential in this day
of push and competition.
There are many in the industry and trade who will
regret the going from their immediate association of
the man who has stuck to the McPhail for many
years. George F. Blake and Frank E. Owen con-
ducted the business for many years, as partners. The
others also, Presto extends congratulations. Such newspapers are
indispensable.
And, as a business publication, this trade paper especially con-
gratulates the Chicago Evening Post upon its issue of December 30,
in which was presented the best and most enlivening review of the
past year, and most encouraging forecast of the year just begun, that
has come to notice. It was a great enterprise and more to be de-
sired than the biggest "scoop" within recollection.
Mr. Rodman Wanamaker, the new head of the great stores in
New York and Philadelphia which were founded by his father, is de-
scribed as one who "early evinced an interest in art." He is, of course,
a lover of good music and the piano department of his stores is one
of his particular favorites. Fine instruments are secure in the Wana-
maker stores.
* * *
Speaking broadly, the opinions expressed by this paper on the
subject of giving music rolls with playerpianos seem to have met
with approval of the manufacturers. A sample roll is essential, of
course. A supply of rolls is too much. Music rolls are made to sell.
* * *
A widely known, high grade motor car is advertised by the head-
line, "No Rolls-Royce has ever worn out." It recalls the advertising
slogan of the late Calvin Whitney who used to employ big type with
which to say that the A. B. Chase piano "improved with use."
* # *
It is good to know that the Shoninger piano is to be continued.
The name is a power, and there are many dealers who have sold the
New Haven instruments with so much satisfaction that they have
considered its dropping out as a distinct loss.
* * *
A great many in the trade will be sorry to learn that Mr. Lem
Kline has about decided to leave the piano business. He is consid-
ering a large proposition to embark in the autombile line as state rep-
resentative of a fine car.
* * *
There are great possibilities in the McPhail pianos. And, while it
is a loss to the industry to have Mr. Geo. F. Blake pull out, the new
owners are to be congratulated upon the acquisition of the dignified
old Boston industry.
* * *
This year is a great one for Boston as a piano making center.
The Chickering Centenary and the new Vose factory are two very
significant facts in Boston's crown of piano glory.
The demand for good electric pianos—the automatic and small
• theater kind—is large at this time. It seems to be a great year for the
coin-operated instruments.
latter gentleman retired a few years back and Mr.
Blake has been in control ever since. He is one of
the men it is good to know—a good friend and as
"square" as they make '"era". The hope of Mr.
Blake's friends is that he quits because he wants to,
and that his fortune^is in keeping with his sterling
merits, and as secure as the old McPhail industry it-
self has been under his administration.
RIGHTS OF SELLERS AND BUYERS.
Recent court decisions as to the rights of buyers
and sellers are that a seller may sell or refuse to sell
as he sees fit, and that a buyer may purchase or not
as he-chooses. In a recent case, it was decided that
a wholesaler has a legal right to refuse to buy from
a manufacturer because of the fact that the latter
sells to collective buying houses or chain stores or
other classes of trade not approved by the individual
wholesaler. But while there is this individual right
no two or more firms or corporations are legally
permitted to co-operate in so acting or to combine in
any way which "has the effect of restraining the free
flow of merchandise.
W. O. BAKER'S NEW JOB.
W. O. Baker, the retiring manager of the Taylor
music Co., Moberly, Mo., has done his work so well
that he has won and been given a fine reward. Mr.
Baker's new position is proof of his business ability.
He is to be the private secretary and personal repre-
sentative of John N. Taylor in all of his business in-
terests and dealings. This is a man-size job and the
man who tills it will have to be continually at the
helm. Undoubtedly Mr. Baker is capable of filling
the post.
C. KURTZMANN INSTRUMENTS
FOR EASTERN COLLEGE
Schroeder & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., Fills Fine Or
from the Grove City College.
The Schroeder Piano Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., recent-
ly received an order for twenty-one Kurtzmann in-
struments from the Grove City College, Grove City,
Pa. The Schroeder Piano Co., is the active repre-
sentative in Pittsburgh for C. Kurtzmann & Co., Buf-
falo, N. Y., manufacturer of the instruments includ-
ed in the fine order.
The music department of Grove City College has
. been prominent among teaching institutions in the
East for a good many years. The department js
under the management of Dr. Henry Poehlmann who
is an enthusiastic admirer of the C. Kurtzmann
pianos, which have been in use in the college for
many years.
The order placed by Dr. Weir C. Ketler, president
Of the college and Dr. Poehlmann includes the follow-
ing C. Kurtzmann instruments: A concert grand for
the chapel, two large grands, one playerpiano and sev-
enteen uprights for use by the music students.
THEATER PIANOS POPULAR.
The theater pianos manufactured by the Operators
Piano Company, Chicago, are coming to be more and
more in demand, an order for three of them having
been received in a letter, a few days ago. The auto-
matic pianos of all kinds are on the increase in popu-
larity, and the force is kept busy turning out the in-
struments for this demand, says Manager Stadler.
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