PRESTO
March 3, 1923
Get In Line
With The
Known
Line
of
AUTOMATIC
PIANOS
I. C. C. REDUCES
RATE TO PACIFIC
and if any of your prospective purchasers should
doubt the merits of this instrument, the writer will
be glad to have you refer them to him.
"Yours very truly,
"HOOD & YORK."
Fight for Lower Rate to California and North-
western States Results in Slice
of Tariffs.
RARELY GRACEFUL PLAYER
OF S. W. MILLER PIANO CO.
After a long contest with railroad representatives
the Chicago Piano Manufacturers' Association has
won its case with the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion for a reduction in rates on pianos and phono-
graphs to the Pacific Coast, it was announced this
week. The rate slash amounts to over 22.3 per cent,
or, in actual figures, a reduction of 72 cents per hun-
dred pounds—from the former rate of $3.22 to $2.50.
The rate on pianos from Chicago to the north
Pacific coast—that is, to such states as Oregon,
Washington, etc.—takes effect on March 7, and the
rate from Chicago to California will hold good on
March 14 and after. The phonograph rate is the
same as the charge on pianos, and will take effect
some time in the near future. The exact date of this
rate's taking effect is not known, since the tariff pro-
viding for it has not yet been published.
The Chicago Piano Manufacturers' Association has
for some time carried on a battle for this reduction,
which will make the competition between the eastern
manufacturers and the piano makers in Chicago more
equitable. The charge on the high rate has been led
by the traffic manager of the association, Edward A.
Leveille, also assistant secretary of the organization.
The information of the reduction . reached his office
recently, and all piano and talking machine manufac-
turers are being notified.
The rates from points east of Chicago have been
deferred on account of the failure of the eastern lines
to concur, according to Mr. Leveille. The outcome
of the attempts to change these rates will not be
known for a little time yet.
At the same time, it has become known that new
regulations for loading pianos in car unboxed have
been formulated and will take effect on March 22.
A comparison with the existing specifications dis-
closes many respects in which the new specifications
are an improvement upon and clarification of the ex-
isting rules.
The present rules require the use of hardwood ex-
clusively, and have led to many complications. The
new rules will admit of the use of the so-called soft
woods, including hemlock, tamarack, yellow pine and
others, providing these are not less than 2x4 inches,
which is a standard dimension and easily obtainable.
Where the present rules require the use of screws
exclusively the new rules will admit using either
screws or 20d nails, alternatively. The present
specifications require use of shoes, screwed to floor
of car, and shaped to fit bottom of piano—the new
rules provide for " the alternative use of blocks or
shoes, and they may be fastened to the floor of the
car with either screws or nails. The cleats on the
back of the piano must extend beyond each end of
piano three or more inches, instead of four.
These new specifications were formulated and pro-
posed after a painstaking investigation, and meet
every criticism that had been suggested by members
of the industry and the railroad inspection service,
are thought to be a long step forward, and should
promote harmonious relations between shippers and
the railroads.
THE EUPHONA WINS
PRAISE IN SPOKANE
Letter Received by the Cable Company Commends
Satisfaction Given by This Instrument.
J.P.SEEBURG PIANO CO.
Leaders in the Automatic Field
1510-1516 Dayton Street
CHICAGO
Howard Leib, manager of th? piano department of
Tull & Gibbs, of Spokane, Wash., sends to the general
offices of The Cable Company, Chicago, the following
interesting letter signed by Hood & York, of the
Auditorium, Spokane's leading Theater (Tull & Gibbs
handle the Cable line in Spokane):
"My Dear Mr. Leib: I know it will be of interest
to you to learn how well pleased we are with the
Euphona Reproducing Piano, which we purchased
from you last September. Part of the time it has fur-
nished the only music used for such big feature
pictures as 'When Knighthood Was in Flower,'
'The Sign of the' Rose,' 'A Tailor-Made Man,' etc!,
while other times it has served as a straight piano for
many road show orchestras, as well as being the only
piano used in our own orchestra.
"During this time we have never had to make ah
adjustment or repair, other than tuning, of any kind.
That a n y automatic piano, let alone an instrument
which performs with the delicacy of a good reproduc-
ing piano, can withstand the severe use to which we
put it in such an admirable manner proves it to be
one that is exceptionally well built And mechanically
correct.
"We arc certainly glad that we chose the Euphona,
The Style "B" Is Meeting with a Demand Com-
mensurate with Its Merits.
If the playerpiano here pictured is as good musi-
cally as it is in appearance, you will agree that it is
good enough for any wareroom, and good enough
for any customer. And it is not an exaggeration to
say that this Style B playerpiano from the S. W.
Miller Piano Co., of Sheboygan, Wis., is just as good
as it looks—in every way as good in construction,
finish and tone quality.
The S. W. Miller Piano Co. has been established
for more than twenty years. It has gained a reputa-
tion for quality instruments, and there are dealers
who have handled these instruments as their leaders
with the utmost satisfaction.
Just now there is a scarcity of instruments of the
kind that sell well and leave results for both dealers
and retail buyers. It is suggested that deal-
ers will make no mistake if they investigate the S. W.
Miller pianos and place orders with the Sheboygan
industry. The instrument here shown is supplied in
straight uprights, players and Electro reproducers.
A "BEG YOUR PARDON."
Taylorville, 111., February 27, 1923.
Editor Presto: 1 notice in your issue of February
24th, in news item, that the firm of McCauley &
Marshall had dissolved, R. C. McCauley retiring.
This is a mistake, as Mr. Marshall is the one who re-
tired. Would be pleased to know who give you this
information, as Mr. Marshall had no financial inter-
est, and it does not change the financial rating of the
firm.
, Yours respectfully,
R. C. McCAULEY.
HARRY E. GIBBS DEAD.
Harry E. Gibbs, 59, for many years a piano dealer
in Springfield, Mass., died February 17. He was born
in England, and came to this country when he was 12
years 6f age. He became connected with a piano
factory in New York, and learned the business from
every angle. He went to Springfield 36 years ago.
and opened a store at 65 Main stret. The present
store on Dwight street was opened about two years
ago, which is managed by his son Arthur.
GROWS IN HARRISBURG, PA.
The J. H. Troup Music House, 1 larrisburg. Pa.,
now occupies four floors in the building in which it is
located after remodeling plans recently completed.
It is another evidence of the progressiveness of the
company, which has branch stores in Lancaster and
Carlisle, Pa. A feature of the remodeled building is
the recital hall, known as Chickering Hall.
MAKING MANY PIANOS.
The factory of the Brinkerhoff Piano Co., Chicago,
is being run at full capacity in an attempt to keep up
with orders, said W. B. Brinkerhoff, president, in an
interview this week. "Business is far better than
usual at this -time of year," Mr. Brinkerhoff said.
"We arc having difficulty in getting out enough
pianos to supply our trade."
TO TRAVEL THROUGH SOUTH.
W. S. Lanz, traveling salesman for the Brinkerhoff
Piano Co, Chicago, has left for an ...extended trip
through the South to call on all Brinkerhoff dealers.
Practically every part of the South will be visited
before Mr. Lanz returns, he said.
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