December 27, 1924.
TOO MUCH RADIO JAZZ
Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover,
Talking of Radio Conditions, Says Indus-
try Cannot Live on Diet of Jazz.
Too much jazz music rather than lack of regu-
lation is what ails radio broadcasting is the belief
of Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. The
suggestion of a possible formal plan to de-jazz radio
is in his statement this week: "Right now I think
the most important thing is improvement of what is
put on the air. It isn't so much a question of growth,
in other words, because that takes care of itself as
long as the material put out is really worth while.
That is the most vital thing of all."
Mr. Hoover thinks radio must render "fundamental
service." That is, it must go beyond the ability of
local broadcasting directors in scaring up talent for
entertainment and must furnish with fixed regularity,
day by day, material of national interest and impor-
tance in music, religion and public affairs.
"The material available locally is not enough to
insure continuing interest," he continued. "What is
needed is organization of a system of national broad-
casting, the inter-connection of stations, rebroadcast-
ing by one method or another. That this is possible
has already been proved. The next step is to make
it a daily reality, and that step is the one I hope to
see taken at the earliest moment possible."
Mr. Hoover is against licensing or taxing radio
listeners and believes the country never would
stand for it. "That idea only works when one com-
pany has a monopoly and all the revenue so derived
goes into one pool, and we don't like monopoly," he
said.
"And then how are you going to keep the un-
licensed folks from listening in? Are you going to
have a police force snooping around for illicit aerials
and searching people's homes?
"I've heard only one very reasonable suggestion.
That is to fix a certain tax—say 2 per cent, for in-
stance—on the sale of radio equipment. One com-
pany reports sales running over $22,000,000 in 1923,
and they will be a great deal hig"her for this year.
You could provide enough that way to pay for daily
programs of the best skill and talent.
"It would perhaps be possible to work it by setting
up a general committee which would be charged with
the duty of arranging these programs, paying for
the services of artists and so on out of this fund.
But, of course, as soon as you do that you are likely
to get into conflict over what sort of programs to put
out. One thing is certain—the radio industry can't
live on an endless diet of jazz."
There are a great many radio fans who disagree
with Mr. Hoover's position on the radio-jazz question.
Radio trade journals voice the stand of a great num-
ber of radio receiving set owners that radio needs the
Best Loved CHRISTMAS CAROLS
25
PRESTO
Wo d
^ u 'ic nd
Booklet 5x8 for Piano Manufacturers and Dealers.
Used in large editions every year. Order now.
Send for samples to
STATE REGISTER, Dept. A, Springfield, 111.
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.
freest field for development. The daily newspapers
also express editorial opinions on the subject. The
Chicago Tribune, disagreeing with Mr. Hoover's sug-
gestion for supervision, says:
"Probably Mr. Hoover dislikes jazz. We are not
going to argue the merits of jazz with him because
it is easy to point out better champions of jazz to
break a lance with him, as, for example, Mr. John
Alden Carpenter, who says modestly that American
music begins with Irving Berlin and that jazz is a
real and important contribution to the art of music.
But whatever the esthetic case for jazz may be, jazz
is a fact, a most pervasive and unescapable fact, and
for a very good reason.
"The young folks of this country are all for jazz
and any reformer who proposes to shut them away
from it ought to try his hand first at something
comparatively easy, like swimming up Niagara rapids.
"Perhaps Mr. Hoover's general committee would
give us programs highly beneficial and commend-
able—and then again they might not. In fact, we
venture to predict that they would produce pro-
grams which would drive a very large proportion
of the present radio public away, and though it is
an unimportant detail, we'll say that we shall be
among the first to deal out when the improvement
per committee begins.
"Broadcasting should cover as far as possible the
widest range of needs and tastes. There should be
something fore every one on the air and broadcast-
ing should be developed with that ideal if unattain-
able end in view.
The Chicago City Council adopted a resolution of
protest this week against giving Secretary of Com-
merce Herbert Hoover sole authority for control and
regulation of radio transmission and broadcasting.
The protest, directed to Congress, asks that a radio
commission, similar to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, be created.
Alderman Jacob M. Advey, chairman of the local
radio commission and sponsor of the protest, said:
"It is the general opinion of persons interested in
radio that it will be harmful and detrimental to the
interests of the radio public to have one-man control.
"I notice where Mr. Hoover was quoted as saying
he is opposed to broadcasting of jazz music. The
radio public would not stand for him placing a ban
on dance music, but his remark shows control should
be placed in the hands of a group. This w r ould bring
about diversified views, something needed when pro-
grams are considered."
FRIENDSHIP OF TEACHERS
Goodwill of the Professionals Considered a Good
Asset in Sheet Music Department.
In building up a sheet music trade the dealer
should'not ignore the importance of the music teach-
ers, because upon their friendliness depends whether
the store is to enjoy or miss a most important form
of business. In some of the big and well-managed
music stores special courtesies are provided for the
teachers. A corner of the department is devoted to
their uses and desks and comfortable chairs are evi-
dences of the welcome of the management for their
presence there.
In this secluded corner, out of the way of those in
search of the popular music and songs, the teachers
are enabled to leisurely and without interruption look
over the samples stocked to meet their requirements.
The popularity of these progressive stores may be
judged by the number of teachers who make it a
place of rendezvous.
A sheet music department may deteriorate into a
mere outlet for a few populars if not saved by the
addition of customers who buy standard music and
music books.
The patronage of teachers, music
teachers and the teachers of the grammar and high
schools, procures a character for the sheet music de-
partment which is reflected in the other music de-
partments of the music store. Teachers when prop-
erly treated are good advertisers for a store and their
ability to influence pupils is more or less great when
the question of a music purchase is put up to them.
Over 50 songs, words and music for 4 voices and piano,
Radio sets are featured in the new music store
'•',% p.p., 6x9, in editions with special illuminated cover
printed to order as wanted. Mention Presto.
recently opened in Washington, Pa., by H. R. Scott
Company.
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WORK DONE BY
ALL PROCESSES
SOME OLD=TIME SONGS
Few of the "Hits" of Long Ago in Response to Re-
quest from Dealer.
A music dealer writes to Presto that he saw an
item recently in this paper saying that many of the
real old song "hits" are good enough to resurrect
and sell over counter today. He wants to know
what songs they are. Well, here is a short list of
them:
"Evangeline," by Will S. Hays; "Lorena," by J. P.
Webster; "Robin, Tell Kitty I'm Coming," by Geo.
W. Persley; "Jessie, the Flower of Dunblane";
"Eileen Alanna"; "I Am Waiting, Essie Dear," by
Geo. W. Porsley; "Leaf by Leaf the Roses Fall,"
by T. B. Bishop; "Kathleen," by J. W. Bischoff;
"Rock Beside the Sea"; "You Will Forget Me," by
D. C. Addison; "Sweet Belle Mahone," by J. H.
McNaughton. There are many more—just popular
songs, not "highbrow," and some of them real old-
timers. Do you want a longer list?
BRITISH RADIO MEN WORRIED
Manufacturers Fear Effects of Lifting of Ban, But
Dealers Say They Should Worry.
Jan. 1 will see the ban on foreign made wireless
apparatus raised in England, a fact which naturally
alarms the British manufacturers of radio. The na-
tional association of radio manufacturers, comprising
sixty-nine British manufacturing firms, sixty-four
wholesalers, and more than 100 retailers, is leading
vigorous agitation for a continuation of the ban.
Heretofore British radio owners were officially for-
bidden knowingly to use equipment not made in Eng-
land, although as a matter of fact hundreds of retail
shops openly sold foreign made tubes, head phones,
and other apparatus. Now the lifting of the ban will
cause the country to be swamped with cheap foreign
goods to the detriment of the British manufacturers.
The electrical importers and traders' association
does not share in the manufacturers' pessimistic view,
believing the home market will hold its own against
imported stuff. The British Broadcasting company
does not object to foreign goods, but makes a strong
plea to British fans to give preference to British
goods.
It is feared that the lifting of the ban will bring
unemployment problems of a harassing kind.
EQUIP SCHOOLS WITH RADIO.
The London county council education committee
has decided to permit the installation of wireless
apparatus in all public elementary schools for both
educational and recreational purposes. Already 130
schools possess wireless sets as part of the science
course's equipment.
NEW ATLANTA, GA., STORE.
Jimmie's Song Shop is a new sheet music business
at 4 Plaza Way, Atlanta, Ga. The owner is James
Finley, a well known singer and clever pianist whose
singing and playing have been heard with pleasure
over radio, broadcasting from Station WGM.
Donald O. Friend, a well known radio expert, has
joined the Engle Radio Co., Newark, N. Y.
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
Old Pal
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
Detroit
r 2060 W.Lake St., Chicago, III
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