Presto

PRESTO
DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE
NOT YET FEASIBLE
Committee Report on Schedule of Used Piano
Values States Agitation Had Wholesome
Effect on Trade.
DIFFICULT TO COMPILE
President Lawrence to Appoint Committee to Study
Trade-in Problem.
At the meeting of the board of directors of the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce in New
York this week the Committee on the Depreciation
Schedule of Used Piano Values, consisting of C.
Alfred Wagner, chairman, William E. Collins,
Charles S. Norris, G. C. Ramsdell, S. E. Clark, C. T.
Purdy and E. B. Heyser, submitted a report stating
that after due consideration it had arrived at the fol-
lowing conclusions:
The Reasons.
(1) That trade sentiment is not ripe enough to
make the compilation effective.
(2) That the retail trade wants and needs such a
schedule for its information and guidance in arriving
at the value of used pianos offered in trade.
(3) That the agitation for the schedule and public-
ity given to the committee effort has had a whole-
some effect toward reducing fictitious trade-in allow-
ances.
(4) That the piano manufacturers, because of in-
difference, fear of results or actual opposition, are
not sufficiently interested at this time to give the co-
operation necessary to make the compilation effec-
tive.
(5) That a reasonable majority favors the move,
but in order to be successful the co-operation should
approach 100 per cent.
(6) That not less than 75 per cent co-operation on
the part of the manufacturers is necessary to make
the compilation worth while.
The conclusions are reached through answers to
questions submitted by the committee in its report
dated January 15, 1923, as a basis for information to
be obtained through the Trade Service Bureau of the
Chamber.
Other Results.
The National Piano Manufacturers' Association
took no action at its June convention after the sub-
ject was presented. The discussion developed ex-
pressions of doubt as to the value of the proposed
depreciation schedule. The issuing of four circulars
with forms to secure the information desired from
manufacturers, and an intensive canvass of the New
York territory, resulted as follows:
Factory Serial Numbers—
All Mfrs. N. Y. Mfrs.
Received or promised
107
58
Opposed
38
27
Undetermined, Uncertain
102
20
It will be noted that over 35 per cent of the New
York Manufacturers were brought to a decision by
the canvass, as compared to about 40 per cent by
mail in other sections of the country. The canvass
further shows a greater percentage of opposition than
was developed by mail.
Probably 60 to 70 per cent of the substantial man-
ufacturers could be counted upon to furnish informa-
tion through an intensive canvass covering the en-
tire trade—not enough to warrant publishing the de-
preciation schedule in the form proposed.
The Recommendations.
The committee also made the following recom-
mendations, which were adopted by the board of
directors:
"That any further organized effort to secure in-
formation for the schedule as outlined be dropped
until a more generally favorable sentiment develops
through association and individual discussion, pub-
licity and agitation. "That this committee be relieved
of further responsibility, except to advise with the
Trade Service Bureau of the Chamber in stimulating
wider discussion and enlisting the personal interest
of trade leaders in meeting the trade-in problem."
The difficulty of compiling and securing the adop-
tion of a satisfactory depreciation schedule of used
piano values was apparent both to the special com-
mittee and to the directors, but the unsatisfactory
conditions surrounding trade-ins were recognized.
President Richard W. Lawrence will shortly appoint
a special committee to study the trade-in problem and
seek remedies for some of its evils.
PRICE & TEEPLE SALES
HAVE RECORD MONTH
^
^>
Cincinnati Factories of The Baldwin Piano Company
SUCCESS
is assured the dealer who takes advantage o[
THE BALDWIN CO-OPERATION
PLAN
which offers every opportunity to represent
under the mos k favorable conditions a com-
plete lme of high grade pianos, players anc
reproducers.
For Information ttrllt
W&t Palbtoin piano Company
Incorporated
ptMCiNMATi
INDIANAPOLIS
LOOUVILU
CHICAGO
ST. LOOTS
DALLAS
NBTV YORK
DENVBK
SAN FRANCISCO
H. 0. JOHNSON INCREASES
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Bellevue, la., Industry Announces That After No-
vember 15th Output Will Be Thirty a Day.
The Henry G. Johnson Piano Mfg. Co. reports a
large increase in business. This active industry has
reached the apex of producing capacity at the fac-
tory at Bellevue, Iowa, and the announcement is
made that thirty instruments will be turned out
daily after November 15th.
The Henry G. Johnson player has made a distinct
impression in the trade and is in demand wherever
its dealers are located. Many unsolicited testimonials,
expressing appreciation and satisfaction, are received
from dealers and customers who have found in the
Henry G. Johnson player an instrument of attractive
qualities.
The export trade of the Henry G. Johnson instru-
ments has been impressive. As explained in the
Presto of recent date, a large shipment was made to
Mexico City, Mexico, which points out the popularity
and prestige it has gained in that country. The or-
der was for one hundred instruments and one of the
largest ever sent to the Latin republic.
The Consolidated Music Co., Salt Lake City, Utah,
has taken the C. G. Conn band instrument agency.
October Sales Exceed Those of Any Other Month
in Past Ten Years.
The Price & Teeple Piano Co., Chicago, has the
satisfaction of experiencing the best month in the
sales department it has had for the past ten years.
In an interview with a Presto man this week, A. F.
Price regarded conditions as being in fine shape and
was optimistic about the coming months. Mr. Price
said:
"We have just completed the best month in ten
years. Our October sales are the biggest on record
and the factory force is pulling with us to make No-
vember even larger than October."
The Price & Teeple Piano Co. is counting on
making 1923 one of the best piano years in its his-
tory. It is expected to be far ahead even of the
active period shortly after the war, when the sudden
rush caught many piano manufacturers napping.
The Heppe, Marcellus and Edouard Jules PUoo
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
are the only pianos Jn the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented In the United States, Great Brit&tll,
France, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangements to responsible agenta only*
Main Office, 1117 Chestnut St.
PHILADELPHIA. PA.
LARGER PRODUCTION OF
DE LUXE IS EVIDENT
Necessity of Player Actions Emphasized by Com-
pany and a Good Supply Is Wanted.
The De Luxe Piano Co., 814 Rees St., Chicago, is
moving along rapidly in the production of its in-
struments. Fall orders are in hand and the com-
pany finds it necessary to enlarge its force and ma-
terial.
Player actions are in need particularly and it is
hoped that a good supply will soon be on hand to
insure customers the immediate filling of their orders.
The shortage came as a result of an increase in
output.
SOME OF THE LATE CHANGES
IN RETAIL PIANO TRADE
HHHHHHHHH
November 10, 1923
Changes, Renewals and New Enterprises in Different
Parts of the Country.
The Wolverine Piano Co., Detroit, Mich., has
opened a store on Woodward avenue, just north of
Montcalm street, and is featuring the Baldwin piano.
Quarters are on the second floor of the building.
The Glen Bros.-Roberts iPano Co.'s Ogden, Utah,
branch was moved recently into its fine new $50,000
building on Washington avenue, near Twenty-fifth
street.
A new corporation is the Nelson Music Company
of Fullerton, California. Capital stock, $25,000;
shares, 250; subscribed, $300.
Emil Seidel has opened two new music stores in
Indianapolis, Ind., at 644 Indiana avenue and at 5438
East Washington street. The business will be con-
ducted under the name of the Lyric Music Shops.
1
1
Small
Grand
=
Five foot case full
grand tone, beautiful
design and finish.
Lester Piano Co.
\ 1306 Chestnut S f ^ H H L
J H H
= | Philadelphia
1
I
MOVES IN CHILLICOTHE, O.
Snyder's Music Store, Chillicothe, O., formerly at
18 East Main street, is now in its new quarters at
corner of Main and Mulberry. "We will aim to give
you the same courteous treatment as heretofore, and
will be pleased to have you see us for your records,
phonographs, pianos, repairing, etc., is the promise in
the announcement.
When in doubt refer to
PRESTO BUYERS GUIDE
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