Presto

Issue: 1924 1994

PRESTO
October 11, 1924.
SHEET MUSIC AND RADIO
HOOVER ON RADIO PROBLEMS
Secretary of Commerce Suggests National System of
Radio Programs to Conference.
Organization of a national system of radio pro-
grams through a broadcasters' association, to give
service much as press associations do for newspapers,
was suggested by Secretary Hoover this week in an
address opening the third national radio conference
in Washington. In presenting his views, Secretary
Hoover reiterated his opposition to any attempt to
monopolize the air, asserting that local broadcasting
stations are of first importance, and must not be
driven from the field.
"My proposition," Mr. Hoover said, "is that the
local station must be able to bring to its listeners
every important national event and the greatest
music and entertainment of the nation. It must be
able to deliver important pronouncements of public
men, it must bring instantly to our people a hundred
and one matters of national interest. To this it must
add matters of local interest.
"I do not believe there is any practical method of
payment from the receivers. I wish to suggest for
consideration the possibility of mutual organization
by broadcasters of a service for themselves similar to
that which the newspapers have for their use in the
press associations, which would furnish programs of
national events and arrange for their transmission and
distribution of some sort of a financial basis just as
the press associations gather and distribute news."
RESULTS OF RADIO CENSUS
Figures for 1923 Compiled from Biennial Data
Gathered by Department of Commerce.
The Department of Commerce announces that, ac-
cording to the data collected at the biennial census
of manufactures, 1923, radio apparatus to the value
of $43,460,676 was manufactured during the year for
sale as such. This total includes 1,889,614 head sets,
valued at $5,352,441; 508,001 loud speakers, valued at
$5,620,961; 414,588 receiving sets of the tube type,
valued at $12,065,992; and 116,497 receiving sets of
the crystal type, valued at $550,201; together with
the other items shown in the table below.
The manufacture of 2,601,575 radio tubes, valued
at $4,572,251, was reported separately. A part of
these tubes were sold to manufacturers to complete
receiving sets (and their value is therefore included in
the total value of such sets, as given above) and the
remainder were sold to individual purchasers for use
in the construction of home-made sets.
The following table, giving the numbers and values
of the several classes of radio equipment reported as
manufactured in 1923, by 290 establishments, is pre-
liminary and subject to such correction as may be
found necessary upon further examination of the re-
turns:
Loud speakers, 508,001, valued at $5,620,961; head
sets, 1,889,614, valued at $5,352,441; receiving sets,
tube type, 414,588, value $12,065,992, crystal type,
116,497,- value $550,201; transmitting sets, 1,073, value,
$900,230; transformers, 1,700,024, value $3,773,213;
rheostats, 1,089,721, value $716,774, and lightning ar-
resters, 355,161, value $196,534.
Miscellaneous parts, not including tubes for sale as
such, were valued at $14,284,330.
Radio tubes, for sale as such, 2,601,575, value $4,-
572,251.
Under 5 watts, 2,559,206, $3,78\167; 5 to 50 watts,
15,167, $80,529; over 50 watts, 27,202, $703,555.
NEW WUNDERLICH RADIO STUDIO
Energetic Kansas City Firm Inaugurates Broadcast-
ing Activities with Fine Special Program.
The Wunderlich Piano Co., Kansas City, Mo., in-
augurated the opening of its new radio studio with
a special program given by prominent local and out-
of-town artists. It was an earnest of pleasure to
come and proved another excellent bit of publicity
which should go far towards bringing rewards in
sales to the energetic firm.
Among those on the program were the Ivanhoe
Masonic quartet, Thusnelda Biresak and Helen Tay-
lor, in piano duo; Helen Durr, piano-accordionist, and
Ella Van Huff, contralto. The feature of the pro-
gram was a half hour of popular songs by Will Col-
lins and Sammy Stept, song writers and radio sing-
ers of New York and Detroit.
In connection with the opening of the studio, a
demonstration of the new Brunswick Radiola with the
super-heterodyne was held before several local radio
enthusiasts. Four of the radiolas were placed in the
room, enabling the guests to hear clearly the conceits
being broadcast from the studio, two floors above.
FAVOR FOR REMICK SONOS
New Numbers Gain the Appreciation of the Song
Buyers but the Older Songs Sell Well.
A straw vote of song fans taken anywhere in the
United States would result in a majority for "Man-
dalay," the tuneful hit of J. H. Remick & Co. A
good "runner-up" is "Old Pal," which has taken a
big hold on the fancies of the Pacific Coast song
lovers. But despite the warm inquiries for the new
song, the older ones like "There's Yes, Yes in Your
Eyes" and "It Had to Be You," enjoy a steady de-
mand.
Merit in a song is judged as much by its continu-
ance in favor as by its ability to "catch on" quickly.
The belief is exemplified in the continuance in favor
of the Remick hit, "I Wonder Who's Dancing with
You Tonight," which was qualified as a "hit" from
the day of its publication. The song is the most fre-
quently heard on dance programs which is a tribute
by the dancing folk to its tunefulness and sentiment
of theme.
Excellent sales are being reported from all points
for the new Remick numbers: "That Lost Sweet-
heart of Mine," "Follow the Swallow," and "Dreamer
of Dreams."
ADVERTISING RADIOLAS
Bissell-Weisert Piano Co., Chicago, Carries Out Ex-
tensive Brunswick Advertising Campaign.
The Brunswick-Radiola is being advertised in a
most vigorous manner by the Bissell-Weisert Piano
Co., 36 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, who has
displayed the combination instrument and its fine
musical qualities on numerous billboards in and
around Chicago.
The billboard display glows with color with the
Brunswick-Radiola in the center and standing out
conspicuously. The product is described as the new
instrument which offers the best in the most popular
combination of the day in the phonograph and radio.
Both products have attained a prestige in its own
field and the combining of the two has made a great
instrument of unlimited entertaining qualities.
The advertising campaign of the Bissell-Weisert
Co. is at present the largest and most elaborate of
any of the progressive Chicago music houses. The
company has located its billboards with care and all
are on avenues of heavy traffic, attractive signs ex-
ploiting the new instrument.
THE CHANGED RADIO BUYER.
There is a marked change in the radio buyer today,
according to the Chicago Herald and Examiner,
which says: Newspapers and radio magazines have
taught him the essentials of radio and he knows the
difference between good and inferior apparatus. The
old signs in some of the early radio days, "No Radio
Goods Replaced After Sale," or "All Sales Final,"
have disappeared. In other words, the "caveat emp-
tor" has left the radio game, because consumer,
dealer, jobber and manufacturer know their w T ants
and apparatus, and there is no need to take a chance
with standard apparatus.
CHICAGO'S RADIO PICNIC.
Details of Chicago's free radio picnic in the Grant
Park Stadium today, Saturday, Oct. 11, created gen-
eral interest in the affair. A program of events was
arranged with six of the Chicago broadcasting sta-
tions to do announcing of artists and even the
orchestras on hand to take part. The broadcasting
station right on the grounds
the portable
WJAZ which the Zenith Company has had touring
the outlying districts for some time in search of the
best location for a permanent station in Chicago.
RADIO INCORPORATIONS.
Radio Owners, Manhattan, 2,000,000 shares pre-
ferred stock, $1 each; 1,000 common, no par value;
E. L. Barnes, E. B. Kelly, F. R. Mather. Attorney,
J. I. Goodstein, 220 West Forty-second street, New
York.
Maxum Radio and Electric Corp., Philadelphia,
manufacture apparatus; $500,000. Corp. Guarantee &
Trust Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
RADIO CUSTOMERS
Most Effective Way to Sales Is Through the
Music Stores and Wise Radio Manufac-
turers Acknowledge that Fact in
Most Convincing Way.
MUSIC STORE ADVANTAGES
Stable Character of Music Merchant in Commu-
nity and His Ab-lity to Solve Credit Problems
of Radio Distribution Conceded.
From the beginning of the radio industry the man-
ufacturers have been studying the way to the best
selling channels. So it is not surprising that the
music industry is favored to a large extent as a
means to marketing the radio sets and accessories.
And strange as it may appear the phonograph manu-
facturer and dealer have been chosen by the radio
manufacturers for special activity in the selling of
radio.
A great many observant men in both the radio and
the phonograph industries do not consider the radio
and phonograph antagonistic. On the contrary they
consider them mutually helpful. While radio does
not compete in tone quality or reliability with the
phonograph there is a fascination in the constantly
changing programs of radio that is an urge to sales.
Both instruments have a permanent place in the
home and the combined radio and phonograph is a
recognition of that fact.
A Natural Choice.
When the radio manufacturers were confronted
with the cabinet problem it was natural for them to
seek the help of the phonograph manufacturers. The
phonograph manufacturers had arrived at a high
degree of artistic excellence in the designing of cabi-
nets, and in the installation of radio in phonographs
little or no change was necessary in the cabinets in
use.
In short radio has been associated with the
phonograph from the beginning of the former and
the place of radio in the phonograph store is not in
the nature of a distraction from the phonographs.
The Piano-Phonograph Dealer.
And as most stores formerly recognized as piano
stores have in recent years added phonographs,, the
piano-phonograph dealer seems to be the most effi-
cient means to hand for marketing the radio. There
will always be radio specialty stores where electrical
goods and radio parts will be handled. But they are
not as well equipped as the music stores for the pres-
entation of radio sets. The music stores have stand-
ing in their communities. They are stable and their
methods of customer-finding have been developed and
improved through successive eras of organ, piano
and phonograph selling. The prospect list of the
music dealer is potent for radio sales and the well
established methods of "following up" and closing
sales in the shortest possible time are invaluable for
the achievement of a big radio business.
Opportunities for Sales.
The opportunities for sales of radio in the music
store are great and of the continuous kind that should
interest the radio manufacturer. A great many with
phonographs are probable customers for radio. The
family which appreciates its phonograph is easily
interested in radio as a companion provider of music.
And where the radio set can be used in conjunction
with the phonograph, thereby decreasing the cost of
the radio set, a strong inducement to buy is found.
The radio manufacturer also considers the amount
of credit facilities made available by marketing his
products through the music trade.
The music-
dealer has had long experience in the credit phases
of his business and methods of safety in selling on
time payments have been developed to a satisfactory
degree. That is an important phase of the selling oi
radio through the music store that the radio manu-
facturers recognize.
HITS ADVERTISING BY RADIO.
"I believe the quickest way to kill broadcasting
would be to use it for direct advertising," is thi
opinion of Secretary Hoover, delivered in an addres-
before the third annual radio conference in Wash
ington. "The reader of the newspaper has an optioi
whether he will read an ad or not, but if a speech b
the President is to be used as the meat in a sandwicl
of two patent medicine advertisements, there will b
no radio left."
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
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October 11, 1924.
a copyrighted musical composition would be nothing
else than its public performance for profit."
"But in any such inquiry," he continued, "I think
Progressive Music Publishers Tell Why "It Pays to it necessary to ascertain whose performance was
broadcast. Was it that of the broadcaster, or was it
Be First with a Hearst."
that of another person who may have been author-
The fall business of the Hearst Music Publishers, ized to perform the copyrighted composition publicly,
one of the largest and most progressive publishing and for profit?
"If the latter, I do not believe the broadcaster is
houses operating throughout the country, has opened
with rapid strides incidental with the release of three to be held liable. By means of the radio art he
new numbers, "Tallahassee," "Bobbed Head" and simply makes a given performance available to a
"Better Keep Away." These numbers certainly have great number of persons who, but for his efforts
the hall marks of proving big successes, for they would not hear it."
In refusing the motion for dismissal the judge in-
have been acclaimed as being numbers which the
cluded several opinions of interest to music publish-
public are demanding at the present time.
The professional departments of this company, ers and broadcasting stations. He said that broad-
both in Chicago and New York, state that vaude- casting without permission could constitute an in-
villians have received these numbers with unprece- fringement under certain conditions.
He said that if a broadcaster procures and serves
dented enthusiasm, with the result that a great many
well-known headliners are using them on every an unauthorized performance, it constitutes an in-
circuit today. "Bringin' Home the Bacon," the fea- fringement. However, if the artist broadcasting has
ture number of Van & Schenk's act in vaudeville, is permission to give the performance in public, the
still proving one of the most active sellers in the broadcasting station serves merely a mechanical pur-
business, closely following up that phenomenal suc- pose and there is no infringement.
"The performance is one and the same whether the
cess, "You Can Take Me Away from Dixie," which
is, probably, one of the largest sales-getters of the listener be at the elbow of the orchestra leader or
1,000 miles away," was the opinion.
season.
Realizing the dearth of worth-while ballads, the
Hearst Music Publishers have released two which
merit success in all details. They are "Broken
Dreams" and "In a Wonderful World of Our Own."
Commenting on these Mr. Hearst said:
"Although it is an established fact that the re- Vigorous Methods of Featuring Publications Prom-
sponse to novelties and fox trots is much quicker
ised by the Gene Rodemich Corporation.
than that given this class of song, there is no getting
The Gene Rodemich Music Publishing Corporation,
beyond the fact that the ballad, discriminately se- lately organized to do a music publishing business at
lected, exploited and marketed, proves the better 150 West 46th street, New York, will start operations
business venture in the long run, and we intend to with the following catalog: "Shanghai Shuffle,"
put the full activities of our organization behind "Honolou" and "Barcelona," fox-trots and "One
these two numbers. Our plan is to publish quality, Stolen Kiss," waltz-ballad.
instead of quantity, for it enables us to concentrate,
Geo. D. Lottman, eastern manager of the firm,
and eliminates the unfortunate scatteration which is states that the concern's publications will be exploited
everywhere apparent.
by means of a vigorous trade and orchestra cam-
"We gain the confidence of the dealers, who paign. He declared: "We are satisfied that our cata-
willingly extend hearty co-operation. The songs log will stand the test. As a new enterprise, we have
arc of the calibre for which there is a big demand at picked carefully, and, we hope, wisely, several num-
the present. They are backed by thousands of dol- bers that, we believe, will justify our entrance into a
lars in advertising, in fact, everything is being done highly competitive industry."
to further our policy of the 'Dealer First,' which in-
Ten thousand of the country's most prominent or-
cidentally means the endorsing by all of 'It Pays to chestra leaders have already received orchestrations
Be First with a Hearst.' "
of the numbers previously mentioned, as have the
leading radio combinations.
FIRST WITH A HEARST
NEW PUBLISHING FIRM'S CATALOG
BROADCASTING AND COPYRIGHT
Federal Judge in New York Rules Courts Must De-
cide Publishers and Radio Interests.
Federal Judge Knox, New York, last week ruled
that the courts must decide whether radio concerns
may broadcast copyrighted musical compositions
without the consent of the copyright holder.
The ruling was contained in Judge Knox's denial
of a motion by the General Electric Company to dis-
miss the complaint of Jerome H. Remick & Co. seek-
ing an injunction against the broadcasting of its
copyrighted musical numbers.
Judge Knox held that he "could conceive of con-
ditions under which the authorized broadcasting of
ADVERTISING SONG BOOKS
Editor Presto: One of our customers inquires
about a collection of old-fashioned songs, suitable for
giving out to prospects and the general public. If
you can inform us where these are printed, you will
confer a great favor, and incidentally boost the piano
business, as it is a foregone conclusion that every-
one receiving a book will need a piano on which to
produce the accompaniments.—A Jobber.
Reply: About the best book of the kind within
our knowledge is put forth in quantities by the Illi-
nois State Register of Springfield, 111. We believe
if you write to that concern you will get a sample of
about what you want.—Presto.
Over 50 HOIIRS, words find music for 4 voices and piano,
'••"i p.p.,
6x9, in edition* with Hpecial illuminated cover
printed to order as wanted. Mention Presto.
25
PRESTO
MUSIC PUBLISHER DIES.
A. J. Showalter, who died recently in Chattanooga,
was a noted composer and publisher of church music.
He was the author of "Work and Worship," "Rudi-
ments of Music," "Class, Choir and Congregation,"
"Complete Rudiments of Music," "Showalter's Prac-
tical Harmony Tablet," "Practical Rudiments and
Music Reader/' and many others, totaling a hundred
books in all. One of his most popular compositions
was the noted gospel song, "Leaning on the Everlast-
ing Arms." It has been translated into practically
every language of the world where the Christian re-
ligion is known.
WISCONSIN RADIO TRADE ASSN.
The Wisconsin Radio Trade Association is the
name of a new organization recently formed at a
meeting at the Blatz Hotel, Milwaukee. The associa-
tion is' fostering the Wisconsin Radio Exposition to
be held in the Auditorium, Milwaukee, beginning No-
vember 11. The following are the officers: Presi-
dent, Michael E r t ; vice-president, George Ahdrae;
secretary, J. D. Harvey.
SOUSA MADE VICE-PRESIDENT.
At a recent meeting of the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers, held in New
York City, John Philip Sousa was elected vice-presi-
dent to succeed the late Victor Herbert. Jerome
Kern was elected a director to succeed the late Louis
A. Hirsch. Forty-six new members were elected.
The South Bend Music Publishing Co., South
Bend, Ind., is a new publishing house which aims for
prominence in the field of "'populars."
SHEET MUSIC CUSTOMERS
The Ways to Make Them and Keep Them Are
Plain to the Observant Dealer with
Desirable Ambition.
Any event that includes music indirectly helps the
business of the sheet music dealer. The business is
helped directly by movements that bring the playing
of music more to the attention of people. Reactions
from the school music studies, choral clubs, singing
societies and music memory contests help towards
sheet music sales. In fact the co-operative effort to
encourage music and make it more general in the
lives of the people has the desirable effect of extend-
ing the interest in sheet music and music books to
the pleasure and profit of the sheet music dealer.
All movements that encourage music should not
only have the good will but the help of the sheet
music dealer. He should "belong" in everything with
a musical feature. The observant sheet music dealer
sees the good business reasons for this. How the
music memory contests, for instance, help the sales
of sheet music is shown in a statement of Miss Jennie
Raymond, supervisor of Danbury, Conn., who said:
"Music students asked the private teachers that the
composition named in the memory tests be given to
them as lessons. The fact had a noticeable effect on
sheet music sales."
Mabel Verhulst, supervisor of music, Antigo, Wis.,
tells how sales of sheet music and music books for
piano and organ were stimulated in that city and
elsewhere in the state by the effects of a music
memory contest. "There was a noticeable change in
the selection of pieces played at the movies and other
entertainment places, with a consequent rush of the
performers to procure the compositions named in the
contest."
Every sheet music dealer is enjoying the amount
of business he is entitled to. If he is satisfied with
the spontaneous demands of the "hit" buyers, the
"newest song" fans, then he shouldn't rail at the
"poor possibilities" of the business. The dealer who
sees the direct and indirect profits of the sheet music
counter increases in efficiency. He buys his music to
the best advantage. He makes the full use of the
publicity provided by the publisher and strives to
rank as a "good representative." He is the kind of
dealer that is necessary to the publisher, the man who
understands the wants of the trade and who con-
tinuously strives to augment and extend those wants
by helping to encourage the cause of music in every
way within his power.
BIG RADIO SHOW POSTPONED.
The Third Annual National Radio Show to be held
in the Grand Central Palace, New York, was origin-
ally scheduled for this month but has been postponed
for the week of November 3. On election night the
show will remain open until complete returns have
been received.
The Joe Davis Music Co., New York, was recently
incorporated, although it was organized a few
months back by Joe Davis, who formerly was head
of the Triangle Music Co. Standard and popular
music is published by the company.
Fifty new numbers have been added to the stand-
ard line of the McKinley Music Co., Chicago.
REMICK SONG HITS
Mandalay
It Had to Be You
There's Yes, Yes in Your Eyes
Dreamer of Dreams
Follow the Swallow
New Kind of Man
My Best Girl
Me and the Boy Friend
Little Black Buddy
Until Tomorrow
Step Henrietta
Goodnight, Sleep Tight
Where the Lazy Daisies Grow
Bring Back the Old Fashioned Waltz
The Grass Is Always Greener (In the
Other Fellow's Yard)
J. H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
D«b«it
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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