PRESTO
We have no desire to create a monopoly, nor could
we realize such an ambition should we be so inspired.
We feel that it is our duty to justify our existence
by a policy of trade welfare rather than a strictly
competitive one.
In ray opinion, the only reason for cheap rolls is
high priced ones—one is the antithesis of the other.
Believes That Prevailing Competitive Condi- If the trade is given a product that is even more than
a compromise between the other two extremes, i. e.,
tions Do Not Conduce to the Good
a roll that combines all of the elements of the other
of Industry or Trade.
two grades, I contend that it provides the ideal solu-
tion to the problem.
Sincerely yours,
"KEEPING FAITH'
ARTHUR A. F R I E S T E D T ,
President.
Following
is
the
announcement
to
which
Mr. Frie-
Announces Uniform Price for Playerpiano Ammu-
stcdt refers, and which bears the heading, "Keeping
nition, Beginning This Month, and Tells
Faith:"
Why Policy Is Adopted.
U. S. Word Rolls now cost no more than the best
phonograph records—their price was reduced to 75c
The larger manufacturers of music rolls say that on April 1st. Neither musical excellence, workman-
quality, quantity nor materials will be affected.
there is to be no "war" in that line of industry. They ship,
We will not cheapen our product. On the contrary,
seem to agree that, while conditions may conduce to we shall do our utmost to improve its character and
needlessly fierce competition, it is, as always, a ques- lower the price to whatever extent increased volume
tion of the "survival of the fittest." And the music may dictate.
roll industries that are established, and permanently
It is a pleasant duty to express our appreciation of
fixed by the character of their products, and the fame the vastly increased popularity of U. S. Rolls in terms
of the names they bear, can have no concern as to that provide a substantial saving and enable player
what their competitors are doing to create business owners to get greater enjoyment from their player-
piano investments.
for the smaller concerns.
When U. S. Word Rolls were reduced during June,
And this condition lends special interest to the 1922, from $1.25 to $1.00, we pledged to improve their
following communication from President Arthur F. quality and reduce their price still more, when the
Friestcdt, of the U. S. Music Co., introducing a new volume was sufficient to justify it. Even though the
proposition in prices for the products of the industry trade may have forgotten this, we have not. We are
of which he is at the head. As a matter of general striving to do more than produce the finest roll that
trade interest, the announcement to which Mr. Frie- skill, money and eighteen years of specialization can
stedt draws attention is presented in full, following accomplish. We are not satisfied to provide incom-
parable quality at an unprecedented price. We want
the gentleman's letter, which is as follows:
most of all to have this industry realize that we are a
Editor Presto: I wish you would publish the constructive institution, whose only policy is trade
accompanying announcement verbatim, as it is a frank welfare.
and conscientious expression of the creed of this
We are not swayed by competitive conditions, we
institution and marks another step in the constructive have no axes to grind, nor do ulterior motives deter-
course which we have invariably pursued for trade mine our policies. The largest and most profitable
welfare. We are again putting into commercial ap- business in our history not only enables us to make
plication our firm belief in the axiom. "If you would this reduction, but inspires it of our own free will, in
receive, you must give."
the spirit of trade cooperation.
U. S. Rolls are not obtainable in a variety of grades
There is nothing mischievous or destructive in our
policy, which has been formulated to help the player or with different label disguises. The few pennies dif-
ference between the cheapest and the best may mean
industry sell more players through providing it with
an unquestionably high grade product at an unpre- thousands in dollars to your player trade. You won't
cedented price. The prevailing competitive condi- have to apologize when you sell U. S. Rolls or give
tions in the player roll trade are of little or no benefit them with players. You can enjoy the feeling of
to the industry. The atmosphere needs clearing; security and capitalize the fact that—U. S. ROLLS
there should be fewer manufacturers who, with a SELL PLAYERS.
ARTHUR A. F R I E S T E D T ,
larger volume should follow our leadership and pro-
President.
vide the trade with a high grade roll at a fair price,
through the medium of which they will render con-
P. S. The U. S. Exchange Plan and special allow-
structive assistance to the player industry and thus ances made for rolls given with players will be discon-
help themselves.
tinued on March 31st, 1924.
April 5, 1924.
U. S. MUSIC ROLL HEAD
DISCUSSES CONDITIONS
Cincinnati Factories of The Baldwin Piano Company
SUCCESS
is assured the dealer who takes advantage of
THE BALDWIN
CO-OPERATION P U N
which offers every opportunity to represent
under the most favorable conditions a com-
plete line of high grade pianos, players and
reproducers.
F*r tnjorm*,lon itrtlt
$albtotn JMano Company
Incorporated
CHICAGO
ST. LOOTS
DALLAS
CINCINNATI
INDIANAPOLIS
LOUISVILLE
N«W YOKE
DBNYBK
8 A N FRANCISCO
The Heppe. Marcellus and Edouard Jules Piano
manufactured by the
HEPPE PIANO COMPANY
are the only pianos In the world with
Three Sounding Boards.
Patented In the United States, Grrat BrltalOt
Prance, Germany and Canada.
Liberal arrangements to responsible agents onlf.
Main Office, 1117 Chestnut St.
PHILADELPHIA. PA. -
FACTORY SUGGESTS HARMONY
Some
time
back
Presto
published
a
series of articles de-
scriptive of the Ameri-
can piano factories the
managements of which
prove by the beauty of
their surroundings that
there exists an appre-
ciation of the fact that
beauty to the eye is so
akin to beauty of the
ear as' to present in-
spiration to the work-
ers who toil there. Some
of the illustrations of
piano factories . were
really beautiful. They
were made directly from
photographs, and so
were accurate in what
they told of the har-
mony that prevailed,
not only within the
brick walls, but also
that lends the air of re-
finement to the sur-
roundings.
FACTORY OP PACKARD PIANO COMPANY.
With this article is a -
photographic reproduc-
atmosphere of music. It is easy to imagine that, in
tion of the factory of the Packard Piano Company, at
Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is the home of the instru- the season in which the photograph was taken, the
sounds that issue from the factory's open windows
ments which long ago became familiar by the slogan
stir the birds, that hover about the flowers beneath,
of President Albert S. Bond, of the Packard indus-
to louder song.
try, which -declared that, "if there is no harmony in
Without doubt, Mr. Bond's idea that pleasant sur-
the factory-, there will be none in the piano."
roundings and harmonious working conditions, con-
The great factory is, if possible, more impressive
duce to contentment and better results than could be
in fact than in the picture, but the point just now is
possible amid disorder and commonplace. The Pack-
to show the cultivation by which every foot of ground
ard itself, still more, presents proof of the correctness
in the "front yard" of the industry is made to blossom
of Mr. Bond's principle, and if there is anywhere a
in the time of flowers and nature's pride. Whether
more attractive industrial home than that of the Pack-
by accident or not, the thoroughfare which runs by
ard, as here shown, Presto would like a photograph
the side of the Packard plant is called "Organ" street,
and everything witHin sight or sound suggests the of it.
-
i 1
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
M ^
When in doubt refer to
PRESTO BUYERS GUIDE
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