Presto

62
January 10, 1925.
P R E S T O
FREE CARILLONS OF BELLS
Weekly Paper "Devoted to Protection of
American Labor and Industries" Speaks
Up About a Matter of Musical Interest.
In view of the fact that it is now becoming more
and more the custom in large cities to equip even the
conmercial and business buildings with chimes, the
following, from the "American Economist," must
have considerable interest to a branch of industry
associated with musical affairs. In many cities also
the retail music trade is concerned, for the dealers
frequently represent the makers of the chiming bells:
The language of the Tariff Act of 1922 leaves no
doubt but that it was the intent of Congress to im-
pose duty on bells of all kinds, whether church bells
or cow bells. Evidently the Congress thought that
-churches that could afford bells could afford to pay
; the. duty thereon, if they preferred foreign to domes-
tic bells, as they should not do, because domestic bells
rare better and because churches should patronize
,j home industry as a religious duty. If the bells are
""'gifts to the churches, then there is no less reason
,,for their escaping the payment of duty. It looks to
* ITS as if those who have introduced the bills exempt-
ing certain carillons from duty, either in advance of
importation, or by remitting the duty on those al-
ready imported, have done so contrary to their own
private views. At least, they have made it known
that such bills, in a number of cases., have been "in-
troduced by request."
One of the bills for exempting bells from duty
covers a carillon of bells to be imported for the Park
Avenue Baptist Church of New York. We under-
stand that it is to be presented by John D. Rocke-
feller, Jr., one of the richest men in the world. We
also understand that this carillon will cost Mr.
Rockefeller something like $40,000 and that the duty
thereon will be something like $16,000 to $18,000.
We cannot believe that Mr. Rockefeller wants other
people to help him make this gift, for he is amply
able to pay for it himself, and we do not believe he
is a "piker." Nevertheless, if he escapes the payment
of duty through special legislation, he is virtually
asking the taxpayers of the country to help him make
this present to the Park Avenue Baptist Church. We
say this in no unfriendly spirit toward Mr. Rocke-
feller, for whom we have the highest regard. We
believe that Mr. Rockefeller has given the matter no
consideration, or he would not have asked for the re-
mission of duties, for his entire attitude on public as
well as private matters has pointed in an opposite
direction. The gift of the bells is a private matter, a
graceful gift to the church of which he is a useful and
honored member. It becomes a public matter only
when the general public is asked to share in the giv-
ing. We cannot conceive that he wants to be placed
in ;hat position.
Bills for the remission of duties on these carillons
of bells for different churches are still being intro-
duced and through them a serious inroad on the cus-
toms revenues of the country is being made—and the
end is not yet. One bill for the remission of duties,
the "Gerry Bill," has already passed both Houses of
Congress and has been signed by the President, but
it is nevertheless clearly unconstitutional and illegally
passed. It is a bill affecting the revenues of the
United States, all of which, under the constitution,
must originate in the House of Representatives. The
"Gerry Bill" originated in the Senate, and it is there-
fore unconstitutional. To save expensive litigation
to have it judicially declared unconstitutional, the
Congress should forthwith repeal it. Having taken
that action, the next thing to do is to refuse to pass
any and all bills for the remission of duties on church
bells.
If a small church should import a bell to cost, say.
$500, there would be no thought of asking Congress
to pass a special act remitting the duties thereon.
But the payment of the small amount of duties would
be a much greater hardship to a poor congregation
than would the payment of the duties on the Park
Avenue Baptist Church bells.
Why should "the big whales get away?"
NEWS OF SMALL GOODS FIELD
Many New Names Appear in Musical Instrument
Business and Old Ones Continue in Activities.
John's Music Shop has opened at 3858 West Chi-
cago avenue, Chicago, soon.
George R. Hilcy has opened a music store at 711
Main street, Win field, Kan.
Oscar Hoel and Ray McNcany, who conduct a
dance orchestra, recently opened a new music store
in Madison, Wis., under the name of the Harmony
Shop.
The Sosna Music Shop, 404 Fifteenth street, Mo-
iine. 111., was recently opened.
The West End Music Store was recently opened
at 1841 Texas avenue, Shrevcport, La.
Thomas A. Carlo. 16 Highland Park. Batavia,
N. Y., has opened a music store in the Kraft Ruild-
ing.
"SUPERIOR" PIANO PLATES
Manufactured by
SUPERIOR FOUNDRY CO.
Cleveland, Ohio
DEALERS and TUNERS!
Keys Recovered and Rebushed
NATURELLE
Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.
The now famous reproducer, will help you increase your
sales of Phonographs and Records. Keep it on your dem-
onstrating machine. Every phonograph owner in your
neighborhood is a prospective buyer.
Dealer's Price $2.50—Send for Sample.
THE SPECIALTY PHONO. & ACCESS. CO.
210-212 East 113th St.
FAIRBANKS
NEW YORK
PUN0 ptATES
THE FAIRBANKS CO., Springfield, Ohio
All work is done by expert workmen
and modern machinery and you are
assured of correct spacing which is so
important. When keys are replaced they
will appear exactly as when the instru-
ment left the factory.
PRICES FOR PYRALIN IVORY
52 heads and tails
$8.00
52 fronts
2.50
SS keys rebushed
4.00
Express or Parcel Post to
FRIELD MILLER & CO.
112 W. 30th Street
INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA
HOW TO S E N D
Remove from frame, number plainly near Capstan,
wrap or box securely, and nhip Parcel Post or Express.
Please do not remove the old ivories as
there is danger of the wood being broken.
Ivories will be returned if desired.
PERFECTION
Benches and Cabinets
The line that sells on sight and satisfies always.
The only solid walnut benches built and sold at
regular prices.
Send for catalog and price list.
No. 25
Perfection Benches with Smith's Patented Interlock*
L
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PERFECTION PIANO BENCH MFG. COMPANY
1514-1520 Blue Island Ave.
Chicago, 111.
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