Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1923 1908

PRESTO
February 17, 1923
as much, if not even more, to retail business. If you w.ere to follow
the Steger announcement into the warerooms of thet house, where
retail sales are made, you would find that there, too, in a large sense,
"Our major problem is serving—not selling."
A SONGSTER CAGED
The town of Belleville, ill., has succeeded in putting itself on the
musical map with a black ring around it. No one who thinks much
about music, and the people who work for it, will think very highly
of the good sense and justice of Belleville. For out of that town
came last Saturday a newspaper story of peculiar brutality—judicial
and perfectly legal, probably, but inhuman just the same.
It was the case of an unfortunate maker of songs who had starte.l
out, under great handicaps, to make a living by his gifts and hard
work. He left a family in Chicago, dependent upon his efforts and
he stopped in Belleville without a thought that to sing his songs and
sell them could be a crime. But he didn't get far before the bucolic
guardians of public morals, or something, caught the song writer and
put him in jail, with a six months' sentence hanging over him. His
starving wife and babies in Chicago had no concern in the minds of
Belleville "justice." For the culprit had tried to sell his songs with-
out the formality of securing a license to make a living.
In this country there are almost numberless schemes for the
spread of music love. We have associations which send forth mis-
sionaries in the interest of song. We have agents of the propaganda
of community singing. We have a Chamber of Commerce in the sole
interest of music. It takes a small fortune every year to sustain those
efforts designed primarily to encourage music, and finally to enhance
the business of music selling. Hundreds of traveling salesmen visit
the cities and towns in search of orders for music, and musical in-
struments. There is at least one musical federation, scheme, or
league or something of the kind, that is promoted by a trade paper
editor for some little-understood purposes and the entrance to which
costs the price of several songs.
But it is not customary to sentence the salesmen, or the league
workers, to jail. Their good work is permitted to go on undisturbed.
But when an honest, hard-working writer of songs wanders
helplessly into Belleville, he is arrested, tried and sentenced to six
months in jail, just as if he had been caught breaking into a house or
picking someone's pocket!
Isn't it time the sheet music association's offices were brought to
bear upon a law by which such things may happen in Belleville, or
probably anywhere else in this free country?
And it seems to make the pitiable case of Leroy Henderson,
song-writer and former music publisher, seem the worse that he is
stone deaf and could not hear the charge against him. He says he
didn't know he had committed a crime until he found himself in a
prison cell.
THE PENALTY
There is a terrible warning in the condition of Hy Filers, a man
who for years was seemingly the favored child of fortune in the piano
business. And the warning is an old one. It may have an influence
for good, if properly applied by other piano dealers who, while mean-
ing well, are weak. And the case of Eilers, while exaggerated as
compared with, most such instances, has had many duplicates, some of
NEW STYLES BROUGHT
OUT BY NEWMAN BROS.
Models Developed by Chicago Manufacturers Now
Being Offered for Sale.
A number of new models of pianos and player-
pianos developed by the Newman Bros. Co., Chicago,
are now being offered for sale and early shipments
point to a favorable reception of the new styles
brought out by this company. General conditions are
good, and the creation of improved instruments will
keep business on a sound basis during the year, the
Newman Bros. Co. believe.
The style on which most work is being done is the
new small upright which is believed to have more
tone volume for its size than any other on the market.
The instrument is four feet four inches high, and
although the size is cut down, care has been taken
to preserve the volume of tone which was the goal
of Newman Bros, in developing this particular in-
which have been adjusted without loss while others have resulted in
disgrace and punishment.
Hy Eilers only a few years ago was considered the most con-
spicuous success in the piano trade of the Pacific Coast. He had
grown from small things into power. His stores were scattered all
over the West and the volume of his business was so large that it was
at times seemingly impossible for him to buy instruments enough to
keep him supplied. As long ago as 1908 his credit was so good that a
financing concern carried considerably more than $100,000 of his
"paper." He could place orders with almost any of the large indus-
tries with certainty of prompt shipments. The piano travelers went
after him, and he was quoted continually because of his enterprise.
Three weeks ago Hy Eilers was in Chicago when he read a copy
of Presto containing an article, by the Portland, Oregon, corre-
spondent of this paper, in which the piano man's sudden disappear-
ance, was told. The hunted bankrupt phoned this paper and asked
who it was that had given the information as published. He assumed
surprise, and even indignation. He said that he was in Chicago in
an effort to mollify his creditors. When he was told that much of
Presto's correspondent's matter had been suppressed, in the hope that
there might be some mistake in the part which told of warrants
having been issued for his arrest on charge of bad check manipula-
tions. Filers exclaimed that it was "outrageous" and dropped the
receiver.
Today Hy Eilers is in his native land of Germany. He left Chi-
cago just as he had departed from Portland. And he has many
friends in the piano industry in this country who will read with sin-
cere regret the report this week from Portland. Indeed, only last
week a prominent piano manufacturer said to Presto that he believed
Mr. Eilers not to be deliberately dishonest, but rather caught in the
meshes of misfortune. "He is a genius," said the manufacturer, "and
the greatest piano merchant we have ever had."
Perhaps so. But his fate, whether the result of misfortune or
reckless disregard of the rights of his creditors, contains a warning.
There is only one safe and sure way to do the piano business.
The piano merchant who tries to "cover up," and to mislead his
creditors, who buys pianos by misrepresenting his financial condition,
who diverts the securities or property that has been pledged to his
creditors, is sure to come to a sudden and disgraceful end.
There are not many piano dealers of the kind who may ever be
classed with the kind alluded to. We know of none at this time.
But there have been earlier cases similar to that of Hy Eilers, and
the warning stands. And the only possible good that can come from
such a case is in the admonition which may keep other and weaker
ones from falling to the temptations which are liable to beset any of
us in the struggles of life.
A daily paper report told of the incarceration, at Belleville, 111.,
of a "mute" song Writer who had been caught "singing his own songs
in public." Probably the offense was not in the songs so much as in
disturbing the somnolence of Belleville, aggravated by the fact that
the singer was "mute." Dumbbells jailing a "dumb" minstrel.
* * *
New York piano factories are so busy that they don't seem nat-
ural to anyone who visited them a year ago. The wheels are going
'round fast and the mail carriers are carrying in heavy sacks.
There is only one weekly trade paper that is conducted by piano
men. Modesty forbids that we name it here.
strument, :v quality which dealers will appreciate.
Newman Grands are also developing well, and the
reproducing piano which was introduced last fall has
been steadily increasing in popularity. In addition,
several new styles in the four feet eight inch size are
now ready for shipment.
"With additional machinery we are able to increase
our output considerably," said L. M. Newman, presi-
dent of the company. "These new machines are all
installed now and operation on a larger scale is being
begun. It looks as though it will be a prosperous
spring and summer, and if dealers would go after
prospects just a little harder, even more business
could be done than is being done now."
EXCELLENT MACHINE SHOP.
One of the features of the Gulbransen-Dickinson
Co., Chicago, is the machine shop in which practi-
cally every metal part of the playerpianos made by
this company are produced. The shop has recently
been enlarged and new machines of the most modern
type installed. The shop is in charge of Frank Chris-
topher, foreman.
EUPHONA REPRODUCING PIANO
FOR NEW STEAMSHIP
Pacific Ocean Liner Supplied with Famous Instru-
ment Purchased in New York.
After having tested out a number of playerpianos
of the better kind, the Sun Shipbuilding Company, of
Chester, Pa., purchased from the Mason & Hamlin
Company, of New York, a Cable Euphona reproduc-
ing piano, for the American steamship "Haleakala,"
which has just been built by them for the Inter-Island
Steam Navigation Company, of Honolulu.
This liner is for Pacific Ocean service and will not
touch an American port again. Consequently an in-
strument that would stand up under severe usage was
desired. In the service that this ship will operate
they claim there will be no opportunity for repairs
upon a musical instrument, and the selection of the
Euphona reproducing piano was indeed a compliment.
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
LATE NOTES IN THE
TRADE OF NEW YORK
How Things Are Moving in Factories Where
Famed Instruments Are Produced in the
Country's Biggest City, With a Few
Items About Men Who Make Them.
The blizzardy weather has kept New York shut
in the past week. But there are activities in most of
the piano factories and the outlook for the year is
surprisingly good. Surprisingly so, because it had
become a habit to expect something else.
Nearly all the larger industries, and especially the
ones whose reputation is of a kind to draw trade
under almost any circumstances, are very busy. It is
so with the Stcinway, Aeolian, American Piano Co.,
Hardman, and others, with several up in the Bronx
either pushing hard or getting ready to do so.
In The Bronx.
At J. Doll & Sons the improvement is noticeable.
Under the recent readjustment there, things are mov-
ing along smoothly and the outlook is wholly satis-
factory. A line lot of orders booked ahead, and
everywhere customers of the old house are feeling
sure that the future is filled with prosperity for the
great industry founded by Jacob Doll. The big fac-
tory on Southern Boulevard is one of the bright
spots in the piano Bronx just now.
Frank C. Decker is about again, after quite a siege
of "Flu." Mr. Decker is as earnest as ever, and just
as uncompromising in his determination that the
Decker & Sons instruments shall be as good as can
be made. And the customers of the old house agree
with Mr. Decker that he is doing all that he pro-
fesses to do.
The old Winter &. Co. factory is to be occupied by
the Schenke Co. for a branch industry called the
"Herbert." The same name has been made popular
by one of the enterprising western industries.
Gratifying Increases.
The growth of William Bogart's ambitions is noted
again in the fact that Bogart & Co. now occupy all
of the space on Willow avenue formerly used by the
late De Rivas & Harris, which is now wholly extinct.
It seems but a short time ago that Mr. Bogart
began in a little place at the top of a building near
Third avenue.
He now has three floors and sublets the remainder
of the great building, which stretches along an en-
tire block.
Christman & Sons' factory is busy, and the instru-
ments of that house are in great favor with a good
class of trade throughout the country. The little
"Studio" grand has made a genuine "hit," and it is
being prodWed in quantities not often equalled by
high class industrials of the Christman kind.
United Piano Corporation.
It is notable that the comparatively new United
Piano Corporation is as fixed and substantial in its
progress as any of the old-timers. The happy aggre-
gation of instruments controlled by this company
gave to it a standing at once. J. H. Shale is a very
hard worker, and he has the trade well established.
J. 11. Williams, president of the corporation, has
been putting in his time at the factory in Norwalk,
Ohio. He has invested many thousands of dollars in
factory rearrangements and improvements, and the
A. B. Chase instruments are coming through better
and in larger numbers than ever before.
It is the Reproducing Piano that most interests
Mr. Shale and his associates just now. The A. B.
Chase reproducing piano is an instrument of such
artistic attainment that it is winning much attention
in higher musical circles. And the Lindeman and
Emerson pianos are keeping up a good following. It
is interesting to consider the United Piano Corpora-
tion line. There isn't a thing in it that doesn't sug-
gest the finer grade of pianos, and the reproducing
instruments really are marvels. Platt, of Los An-
geles, head of one of the great retail houses of the
West, was in New York recently and displayed his
enthusiasm in the U. P. Corp. instruments by leav-
ing a large order for them.
American Piano Company.
The recent report of the American Piano Co. is
talked of a good deal in the piano wareroom and
offices. It shows such progress and prosperity as to
lift the piano industry into prominence as a stable
factor in American business. Last year's statement
developed large results—the greatest in the history
of the company. And the promise is for even bet-
ter things this year, for the Chickering centennial,
and the steady progress of the Knabe and other lead-
ers in the powerful line, continue to interest the
trade and public.
President George G. Foster is in the South for a
brief recreation. Managing Director William B.
Armstrong is actively in charge, and he is one of
the hardest men to see because of his many engage-
ments and steady hard working habits.
Active Piano Men.
A number of other prominent piano men of New
York have been getting a little southern sunshine
while the blizzard raged at home. One of them is
Wm. J. Bjur. Another is J. W. Stevens, of the
Mathushek Piano Company.
The acquisition of F. Smith, Jr., to the forces of
W. P. Haines & Co. insures a continuation of the
relations of the old Bradbury dealers with the new
owners of that fine instrument. Mr. Smith has
charge of the wholesale selling of the Bradbury and
Webster instruments. He will put in much of his
time at the factory in Leominster, Mass.
Mehlin Pianos in Chicago.
The announcement that the artistic line of Mehlin
& Sons instruments will have a suitable representa-
tion in Chicago is certain to stir trade interest.
The Chicago representation will be with the fine
old house of Grosvenor, Lapham & Co. There could
not possibly be a better, for the establishment in the
Fine Arts Building, on Michigan Boulevard, has long
been a sort of trading place for lovers of fine pianos.
Both Mehlin & Sons and Grosvenor, Lapham & Co.
are to be congratulated.
NEW GEO. B. NORRIS PLAYER
STYLE 400 ANNOUNCED
Special Folder About Instrument Mailed to Dealer
by Holland Piano Mfg. Co.
A special folder mailed to the trade by the Holland
Piano Mfg. Co., Minneapolis, Minn., with factory at
Menominie, Wis., is devoted to an illustrated descrip-
tion of the new Geo. B. Norris Style 400.
This
playerpiano is 4 feet 4 inches high, with equal tension
scale and sliding fall board, and is made in mahogany,
oak and walnut.
The Holland Piano Mfg. Co. has this to say "right
from the heart" in the folder:
"First we want to emphasize the fine quality of
this player. Every dealer who has seen it is enthu-
siastic over its sales possibilities. Then we want to
say frankly that we, like many other manufacturers,
had our own troubles getting the right materials and
labor during the war and for a couple of years after-
ward. Something over a year ago conditions changed.
We have been able to improve our product in a re-
markable manner. Every new Geo. B. Norris is built
carefully of the finest materials throughout. Every
detail is as nearly perfect as we can make it. You
will enthuse over this player. It will make more
sales for you this fall. Write for prices and infor-
mation as to territory."
D. E. SWAN'S SOUTHERN TRIP.
S. N. Swan & Sons, of Freeport, 111., are moving
right along, increasing the factory output steadily.
The reed organ trade shows signs of a revival, espe-
cially in the South. D. E. Swan, of the Freeport in-
dustry, starts this week on a trip through the South-
west, and will make many stops in the Southern
states. His purpose is to secure a personal esti-
mate of reed organ conditions with a view to further
increasing the output if justified in doing so. Wher-
ever sold the Swan organs give the best of
satisfaction.
FRENCH MANUFACTURER DIES.
M. Lucien Burgasser, president of the French na-
tional association of piano and organ makers in 1920
and honorary president since the completion of his
term of office, died recently at Enghein-Les Bains.
His appointment as honorary president was a recog-
nition by the members of his enthusiasm in the affairs
of the association and his excellent judgment in the
solution of problems which had confronted the trade.
February 17, 1923
WAREROOM WARBLES
(A New One Every Week.)
By The Presto Poick.
A CONVENTION SHOW.
There'll be no show, they tell us
When glad June days come 'round,
And so the boys will sell us
By sight, without a sound;
But cheer up, and be happy,
For things won't be so bad,
And just to make it snappy,
This tip will make you glad.
The old lake winds are giddy,
And, when they start to blow,
Stand fast and don't get skiddy
And you will have a show!
So, knocker-knights and rappers,
Keep blinders off your eye,
And watch some show when flappers
Go sailing gaily by!
We'll meet to talk things over,
And sing a song or two,
To greet each fellow rover,
From old-time scenes or new;
We'll settle every worry,
And let our language flow,
Till we adjourn and hurry
Outside to see the show.
NORTHERN OHIO MUSIC
MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION
New Organization Launched at Cleveland Meeting
Drafts Broad Constitution.
A membership of 300 is aimed at by the Music
Merchants' Association of Northern Ohio, recently
formed at a meeting in Cleveland. The territory
covered by the association will be within a radius of
fifty miles of Cleveland.
The new officers of the association are William G.
Bowie, B. Dreher & Sons Co., president; Grant
Smith, Euclid Music Co., vice-president; Rexford C.
Hyre, secretary; and L. Meier, of L. Meier & Sons
Co., treasurer.
The piano, talking machine, musical merchandise
and sheet music trades will be represented in the
association.
The object of the new organization is the better-
ment of business, improvement of methods, advance-
ment of good music and the creation of practical
means for interesting the public therein.
PLAYERPIANOS POPULAR.
Straight pianos are being sold in greater numbers
than playerpianos in Fairbury, Neb., according to
George A. White, president of the G. A. White Piano
Co., of that city, who was in Chicago this week. "If
Iowa gets a little more snow to wet up the subsoil,
there will be good crops and prosperous times, even
though we should have a hot summer," he said.
REPORTS IMPROVEMENT.
L. J. Spurgin, president of the Spurgin Piano Co.,
Oskaloosa, Iowa, reports a good improvement of
conditions in the state of Iowa, and told manufac-
turers in Chicago, while on a purchasing trip there
this week, that business is much better than might
have been expected for January or February. While
things are not back to normal, he said, they are get-
ting some better all the time.
RECOVERED FROM ILLNESS.
L. M. Newman, president of the Newman Bros.
Co., Chicago, is almost completely recovered from
the illness which kept him away from the office for
several weeks following the holidays. For several
weeks he has been spending part of the day at the
office, and now has decided to spend the entire day
at his work.
SELLS IN ST. CLOUD, MINN.
The stock of instruments, fixtures and furniture of
the Schwartz Music House, St. Cloud, Minn., have
been purchased by the S. E. Murphy Music Co., in
that city. R. N. Schwartz, who has been owner and
manager of the business at 1403 St. Germain street,
will be connected with the sales department of the
S. E. Murphy Music Co.
"BUT THEN AGAIN—"
"On the quiet, is Bilkheimer a man to be trusted?"
asked the new manager of the Easy Instalment Piano
Company.
"In some respects you can trust him thoroughly,"
sagely replied the old-time piano dealer. "If he owes
the price of a piano and says he can't pay you, you
can place absolute reliance on his word."
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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