Presto

PRESTO
"GUTTER GARBLE" IS
UNDER DISCUSSION
London Trade Publication Charges Presto
with Printing Unkind Things About the
British Pianos, in a Recent Criticism
by Captain George Cecil.
NO "LIBEL" POSSIBLE
The "Pianomaker" Devoted a Full Page of Beautiful
Typography to Shaking the Linguistic
Red Flag.
In reproducing liberal extracts from an article in
Presto on "Sidelights on the London Piano Trade,"
by George Cecil, "The Pianomaker," a monthly
trade publication of the English capital, employs, by
way of sub-head, the elegantly expressive line "Ameri-
can Trade Paper Gives Publication to Gutter
Garble." While not quite truthful, or even fair to
Captain Cecil, the London magazine's choice of dic-
tion possesses the admirable quality of alliteration,
and is therefore acceptable.
But no one who reads Presto could possibly con-
sider the London comments honest or in consonance
with the fine feeling always expressed by papers on
this side the sea when things of importance to our
English cousins are under discussion. For example,
here are some of the comments used by "The Piano-
maker" by way of introducing Presto's article by
Captain Cecil:
Some "Gutter Garble."
"Presto is a weekly music trade paper published
in Chicago. In its issue of September 1st it publishes,
on its most important page, a two-and-a-half-column
article on 'Sidelights on the London Piano Trade.'
The tirade is said to be written by a George Cecil,
who is supposed to be resident in Paris.
"We believe this man sends contributions to various
papers on the chance of getting them, published, and
the consequent reward of so much per line. Be that
as it ma}% we are astonished that Presto should pub-
lish the stuff written by Cecil until it had been sure
that his statements were correct. We maintain that
most of the statements are without foundation, and
emanate only from the imagination of the person who
bears the Salisbury family name.
"It took us some time to find out what was the
motive of the article, and then we found all the
calumny thrown against the British piano trade ap-
parently was concocted to make the fulsome flattery
bestowed on the London branch of Steinway & Sons
appear to be all the more glorifying. Certain state-
ments, which we consider libellous, and on account of
which the paper in question and Mr. Cecil will doubt-
less hear of from the solicitors to the interested
parties, we refrain from publishing. At the moment
we propose dealing with a few of the mis-statements,
and in our next issue we shall have further comment
to make."
Challenges the Contributor.
If the elegant "Pianomaker" considered Captain
Cecil's article a "tirade"' what was the necessity of
reprinting the "gutter garble," and so affronting its
own supporters and clients? And if the "statements
were without foundation," why not beautifully point
out some of the glaring violations of truth, and so
set the world and ourselves right? Why assume
that, because a correspondent compliments one great
piano he must be indulging in "certain statements
which we consider libellous?"
Certainly it would be difficult for "The Piano-
maker" to convince any reputable English piano man-
ufacturer that Presto would commit a libel, or say
a word detrimental to the London manufacturers or
their instruments. Presto is not a stranger to the
London piano w y orld. It has done business with many
of the English piano manufacturers, and it treasures
them as warm friends. And why does "The Piano-
maker" express astonishment or intimate that the
objectionable article "is said to be written by George
Cecil," when the versatile Captain's name appears
in capitals at the head of his contribution?
Much Like a Threat.
Having presented liberal extracts from the article
in Presto, the London trade magazine proceeds with:
"Now, if we had published a similar statement
about the American piano trade, wouldn't the jaws
over there chew furiously at the gum?
"Immediately following the foregoing extract is a
scurrilous attack on a London firm, in which a
libellous statement is made. This will be dealt with
in a legal manner."
Inasmuch as there is no mention of any London
piano firm in Captain Cecil's article, we do not see
how there is any opening for any "solicitors" to make
a bill on account of anything said. Certainly had the
article contained any direct, or personal, charge or
insinuation reflecting upon any "London firm," it
would have been cut out. And then not even "The
Pianomaker" could have known anything about it.
Presumably it could not be possible to libel the
Bluthner piano or perhaps Captain Cecil committed
an outrage when he complimented that instrument,
notwithstanding that it has borne a fame among
artists.
And all that and more by way of the Pianomaker's
spasm of virtuous indignation over something that
could not happen. Presto has printed no libel of any
London piano, nor would it do so. What Captain
Cecil—himself an Englishman, we believe, and a
student of the arts of peace as well as war—said was
published because we saw nothing in it worse than
the heading of his article, as published, stated it to
be. That was "kindly criticism and comment on the
manner in which British instruments are being made
and marketed since the days of the war."
And, this notwithstanding, if any of the London
piano-makers, except the libellously inclined maga-
zine itself, feels that they have been affronted, injured
and, above all, "libelled" we want to present the
apology as promptly as possible and most sincerely.
October 20, 1923
Cincinnati Factories of The Baldwin Piano Company
SUCCESS
is assured the dealer who takes advantage of
THE BALDWIN CO-OPERATION PLAN
which offers every opportunity to represent
under the most favorable conditions a com-
plete line of high grade pianos, players and
reproducers.
For triforma/lon writ*
^albtotn -piano Company
ENTHUSIASTIC CHRISTMAN
TRAVELER SAYS SOMETHING
CINCINNATI
INDIANAPOLIS
LOUISVIIAI
Incorporated
CHICAOO
ST. LOUIS
DALLAS
N I W YORK
Dunrn
BAN FHANCMCO
Robert Burgess Pauses in Chicago on Westward
way in Interest of New York Industry.
Uobert, or more generally known as "Bob" Bur-
gess, general traveler for the Christman Piano Co.,
New York, was in Chicago early this week. He has
had a good trip thus far, and is now westward bound.
Mr. Burgess is enthusiastic. He knows that he is
representing a line in which he may take pride. His
friends in the trade know that when Mr. Burgess
says an instrument is just what they want he knows
what he is talking about. It's a good combination.
"Bob" says that the Studio Grand is going so fast
that he has to use caution in making promises as to
shipments. But the factory is pushing to the limit
and is keeping Christman customers well supplied
and satisfied.
"I like my 'job,' " said the popular piano traveler
to a Presto man. "I like the Christmans and they
know how to make pianos. Once I get a good dealer
interested I know that he will have reason to be glad
I called."
Mr. Burgess is on an extended trip and expects
to get as far as the Pacific Coast before setting his
face again toward the rising sun and "little Old New
York."
The Heppe, Marcellus and Edouard Jules PUoo
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
ere the only pianos In the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented in the United States, Great BrltalS)
Prance, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangements to responsible agenta oolf.
Main Office, 1117 Chestnut St.
PHILADELPHIA. PA.
BALDWIN PIANO USED BY
ARTISTS IN SUNDAY CONCERTS
Appealing Tone Effectively Displays Skill of Artists
Who Are Among World's Greatest.
A great artist will invariably choose a great instru-
ment, an instrument of superior tone quality that is
responsive to his skillful touch. In the Baldwin piano
the artist has found the rich, full tone he demands and
the other qualities essential to perfect expression.
The fact that the Baldwin instrument is a favorite
with the great ones was further strengthened when
five great artists in concerts last Sunday used it by
preference. The following are the artists who have
chosen the Baldwin: Vladimir de Pachmann, Josef
Rosenblatt, Adolf Bohm, Louis Kuppin, tenor, and
Minna Ysaeva, soprano.
Grand Piano
One of the old, reli-
able m a k e s . For
terms and territory
write.
Lester Piano Co.
1306 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia
GERMAN PIANOS IN URUGUAY.
The German piano trade in Uruguay, which started
in rather astounding proportions in 1921 and 1922,
is now on the wane, according to American Consul
David J. D. Myers, at Montevideo.
Two factors
have contributed chiefly to this result. The first is
that German piano manufacturers are no longer able
to make further invoices in marks; they make them
in dollars or pounds sterling, with the result that a
good German piano today is quoted at the factory at
a much higher prices than an American piano of
similar grade.
SELLS PIANO AND FURNITURE.
The Beardsworth-Bond Music Co., Inc., which was
recently incorporated in Lynchburg, Va., sells musi-
cal instruments as well as household and office furni-
ture.
The officers of the corporation are John
Beardsworth, president and treasurer; Thomas D.
Bond, secretary, and Joseph L. Bailey, vice-presi-
dent. The company has a maximum capital of $25,-
000; minimum, $15,000.
When in doubt refer to
PRESTO BUYERS GUIDE
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