11
PRESTO
May 24, 1924.
IN NEW YORK'S
OLD j>IANO ROW
(Continued from page 9.)
was monopolized by the music trade editors. And
they thought the purposes of the gathering was to
afford an opportunity for berating their rivals and
telling of what they had themselves done, individ-
ually to build up the great piano business.
By a piece of good fortune, the man who, by his
ready wit and good nature broke up the flow of trade-
editor vituperation, is still active and will be present
at the Waldorf next month. And he is still as elo-
quent as he was at Manhattan Beach. He is the
genial author of the famous "Cent Sent Bent" slogan
of a quarter century ago, and he has just written a
book which a week after its appearance will be as
hard to get as the first issue of the Chicago Tribune's
"Liberty" the day after its publication.
Of course Mr. Miller and Mr. Bent, on the now
remote night of the first convention of piano men,
discussed the plans of organization and its purposes.
Most of the active "first nighters" of the occasion
have since passed from life, but that the association
still lives is a massive tribute to their earnestness and
wisdom.
* * *
And so we have run away from the subject of the
leading topics by which the succeeding conventions
have been stirred. But no member of the associa-
tion can fail to remember the sensation created by
the long fight against the "stencil piano." It kept
some of the most dignified manufacturers dancing on
the hot griddle of indignation and despair. Finally,
a good-sized book appeared in which such men as the
late A. H. Fischer, W. Dalliba Dutton, Col. E. S.
Con way and the still living—thank God!—Col E. S.
Payson and Will L. Bush, collaborated in a memorial
against all but "one-name" instruments.
Alas! how have the visions faded and the dreams
of a perfect day been disillusioned!
Today, how many of the piano manufacturers, even
thost; conducting famous industries, can stand up in
convention, and, crossing their hearts, say the Carson,
Pirie, Scott & Co. formula with sincerity? And how
many who once did it with profound seriousness are
now booking more carload lots of the any-old-name
kind than their entire output amounted to in the days
of their righteous indignation?
* * *
Another splendid excitement of the earlier conven-
tions was voiced in the proposition to do away with
the old square pianos by the funeral pyre route. This
fine vision of black and red—of fire and smoke—
reached its apex at the Atlantic City meeting.
WESER
Pianos and Players
Sell readily—Stay sold
Great profit possibilities
Style E (shown below) our latest 4'6"
The roar of old ocean helped to swell the clamor
for speedy reduction to ashes of all the ancient
squrres. There would be safety from flames to the
famous Board Walk. The salty waves would roll up
and put out any fire that did not belong to the old
squares.
Piano Club Special Over the Pennsylvania
Why not, then, the sacrifice equalled only by those
Route Will Make Stop-over at Atlantic
of the ancient conventions called by Nero, substitut-
City for Sunday.
ing the torch of today for the raging lions of the
The
Piano
Club
Convention Special from Chicago
Roman arena? Good idea. And a half-dozen de-
crepit old boxes of wires were offered up to the to New York will leave from the Union Passenger
avenging gods of Apollo and his harp-strumming Station, 1:05 p. m. central time (2.05 p. m. daylight
saving time) on May 31 via the Pennsylvania Rail-
pals.
road.
And then it was forgotten until the schedule of ex-
The Transportation Committee of the Piano Club
change values was compiled in 1919.
of
Chicago has arranged with the Pennsylvania Rail-
* * *
road to operate a special train for the Music Indus-
There have been several almost equally vivid topics tries Chamber of Commerce and their friends, who
of convention discussion since Atlantic City. The will attend the convention at New York, June 2-7,
most potent, in the affairs of the trade associations, 1924.
was sprung by Paul B. Klugh, when that gentleman
The train will arrive in Atlantic City June 1, 9:33
breezed into the convention with his plan of one a. m., Eastern time. (Cars to be parked at Atlantic
great organization to embrace every department of the City and ready for occupancy at 10:00 p. m.) Leave
music business. His idea has been developed to the Atlantic City June 2, 2:45 a. m., Eastern time. Arrive
satisfaction of a large proportion of the men New York June 2, 6:05 a. m., Eastern time. (Cars
interested.
maj' be occupied at New York until -8:00 a. m., day-
The outcome is the Music Industries Chamber of light saving time.)
Commerce, conducted on a broad platform, involving
The train will be a duplicate of the famous Broad-
everything in music, both material and interpretative. way Limited and will consist of the following equip-
But thje old-time discussions of the things that ment: Baggage car, club car, 12-section drawing-
affect the course of the music industry and trade con- room sleepers, 10-compartment car, two dining cars
tinue, even if toned down by experience and the in- and one six-compartment observation car.
Dining car service includes meals served a la carte
coming of the spirit of commercialism and organiza-
tion, by which the finer, if smaller, things are inevit- and table d'hote.
A 25 per cent reduction in the regular fare for the
ably crushed out by the growing massiveness of the
round trip will be authorized; that is, a fare and a
wheels of progress.
half for the round trip on the certificate plan. When
* * *
purchasing ticket for the going trip, ask for a cer-
The intimate features of the music trade conven- tificate.
arrival in New York, present this cer-
tions have gone. The great personalities have dropped tificate at Upon
the Validating Office at the Waldorf-Astoria
out. The annual meetings have become more legis- Hotel. The
agent at New York will validate
lative and of the kind that formulate laws and direct the certificate, railroad
and
when
validated, if 250 certifificates
operations. But the good remains, and the social are presented, the same will
be honored at the ticket
value of the meetings is as great as ever.
for half the regular fare returning. One-way
And the convention of next month, with headquar- office
fare, Chicago to New York, is $32.70; side-trip from
ters at the Waldorf and exhibits at the McAlpin, Philadelphia
City and return, $4.32; half
promises to be one of the largest, and therefore one fare returning to to Atlantic
Chicago
$16.35, making total charge
of the best, since the first gathering of the piano men of $53.37. Consult your local
ticket agent in regard
at Manhattan Beach, away back in 1897.
to fares.
* * *
If a longer stay in the East is desired, round-trip
If this, by Mclntyre, applies to the Waldorf and tourist tickets to Atlantic City may be purchased for
McAlpin, things needn't be so dry, after all:
$55.25, from Avhich city a side-trip to New York can
Bell boys in New York hotels who "know how to be arranged. Circle-tour tickets can also be pur-
get it" are reaping a big harvest. A reporter has chased to include Washington, Philadelphia, New
found fifteen who own their own homes, have auto-
mobiles and patronize the best tailors. A Wall Street York, Boston, Montreal and other eastern cities.
broker whose cash was on the wrong side of the Pullman fares from Chicago to New York, via At-
falling market is now head bell boy in one of the lantic City are: Lower berth, $12.13; upper berth,
big hotels, and he declares he has made more money $9.70; compartment, $34.25; drawing-room, $43.
in six months hopping bells than he did in the two
A minimum of two railroad tickets is required for
years previous in Wall Street. The bell boy today is drawing-room (comfortably accommodating three to
not interested in 25 cents or dollar tips. He is after five persons), or a compartment (accommodating two
bigger game. He can sell an $8 bottle of Scotch
to three persons), while only one raidroad ticket is
for $20 so long as his supply holds out.
required for a section.
* * *
A passenger representative of the Pennsylvania
Has there been any arrangement made for broad-
will accompany the train for the entire trip,
casting the Waldorf-Astoria speeches next week? railroad
to be of any possible assistance toward mak-
Piano stores everywhere that have put in radio de- prepared
your journey comfortable, and to give informa-
partments will have their ear muffs adjusted all the ing
tion in regard to return trip.
week of June 2.
Arrangements have been perfected for stop-over
* * *
at Atlantic City, from 9:33 a. m., Sunday, until 2:45
It is reported that Waldorf-Astoria and McAlpin a. m., Monday, permitting- a visit to the many at-
bellhops are practicing the new song, "Tips that touch tractions afforded by this world-famous seashore re-
liquor shall never tip me." It's a coin-operating song sort.
that isn't tax free.
* * *
And this is Mclntyre once more. It will be yours
if you go to your convention next week:
THE
"Broadway again. Always alluring. The highway
of sham and the true mother of Main Street. Noth-
ing stands still. Everything is quick or dead. Tan-
tara and fanfaronade."
SPECIAL TRAIN FROM
CHICAGO TO CONVENTION
W. P. HAINES & COMPANY
LEE ROBERTS' SONG.
How did it happen,
When Lee sang about
All sorts of good smiles,
THE PIANOS OF QUALITY
Three Generations of Piano Makers
AH Styles—Ready Sellers
Attractive Prices
Order a sample to-day.
Liberal advertising and
cooperative arrangements
GRANDS
REPRODUCING GRANDS
UPRIGHTS and PLAYERS
Write for catalogue
and price list
AVAILABLE TERRITORY OPEN
Weser Bros., Inc.
Manufacturer!
520 to 528 West 43rd St.
PIANOS
New York
He left this one out?
Lee told of the duty
Of smiles by the mile,
But muffed on the beauty
Of sales in the smile!
W. P. HAINES & CO., Inc.
138th St. and Walton AT«.
N.w York City
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