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PRESTO
E*abu,h*d ISM.
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
Presto Year Book
The Only Complete
Annual Review of the
American Music In-
dustries and Trades.
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CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1925
JESSE FRENCH.
A JESSE FRENCH
TABLET UNVEILED
President of Jesse French & Sons Piano Co.,
New Castle, Ind., Honored at Formal
Dedication of the New Y. M.
C. A. Building.
An important feature in the dedication of the
Young Men's Christian Association building in New
Castle, Ind., last week was the unveiling of a tablet
to Jesse French, Sr., "friend of young men," whose
gift of $50,000 was largely responsible for the $200,000
building becoming a reality. An address was given
by Dr. David M. Edwards, president of Earlham
college. The ceremony was the climax of a four
days' dedication program and was the culmination
of the work started in 1919 when the first campaign
for funds was staged. The dedication marked the
realization of a dream of even longer standing as
many far seeing citizens had advocated a Y. M. C. A.
even before the building campaign was undertaken.
The Ceremonies.
It had been hoped to have Mr. French present,
but he was suffering from a slight cold and unable
to attend. Rev. M. M. LeCount represented Mr.
French and said it was characteristic of the man to
be appreciative for the tablet. Rev. LeCount told
of having called on Mr. French in the hopes of
getting some expression or message and that Mr.
French expressed his admiration for the tablet by
saying it was "fine" and expressing regret at not
being able to be present.
Mr. Barnard, as chairman, took occasion to say
that Newcastle citizens are always appreciative and
that they loved and honored Jesse French.
Tablet Unveiled.
George M. Barnard presided as chairman of the
meeting and after music by an orchestra under the
direction of Donald Rogers, and' congregational
singing, Invocation was said by the Rev. John
F. Edwards and Rev. J. W. Kinnett gave the scrip-
ture reading. A. P. Zetterberg, chairman of the
building committee, presented the key to the building
to Ray Davis, chairman of the board of trustees,
who in turn presented it to Maurice C. Goodwin,
president of the board of directors. Mr. Zetterberg
said the key was symbolical of the completion of the
building and the start of operation. He stated the
cost of the building would probably be $1,500 under
the estimate.
Tells of Generous Gifts.
Affectionate tribute to Mr. French was paid by
Mr. Goodwin, who told of his gift of $50,000, point-
ing out that it was not merely for the building but for
the building of character among the boys and young
men. The bronze tablet to Mr. French, which will
be placed in the lobby of the building, was unveiled
by Thad Gordon, who served as the first secretary
of the association. The tablet, a beautiful piece of
(Continued on page 6.)
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