March 14, 1925.
PRESTO
ERNEST URCHS ON
EFFECTS OF RADIO VOGUE
Prominent Piano Man Admits Radio Interfer-
ence with Phonographs, But Claims
Expensive Pianos Are Unhurt.
Interference in phonograph sales by radio sets is
only temporary, according to Ernest Urchs, of Stein-
way & Sons, New York, who was interviewed re-
cently by a News-Scimitar reporter in Memphis.
afford both a radio set and a piano. Musicians, also
purchasers of expensive pianos, would buy them, no
matter how well developed radio is."
Mr. Urchs was guest of honor at a dinner given by
the O. K. Houck Piano Company at the Colonial
Country Club. Other special guests were A. L.
Garthwaite, manager of the Houck store in Nash-
ville, and W. P. Hamilton, manager of the Little
Rock store. Memphis musicians at the gathering
were Theodore Bohlman, an old-time friend of Mr.
Urchs; Patrick O'Sullivan, of the Memphis Conserva-
tory, and Mrs. W. P. Chapman, of the Bolling-
Musser Music School.
"America produces an average of 300,000 pianos a
year," Mr. Urchs told the gathering. "All of which
are sold in the United States."
PETITION TO SET ASIDE
BELL FACTORY SALE
But Judge Dearth in Circuit Court Holds
Sale to Acme Company to Be
Legal.
The petition to set aside the sale of the Bell
Brothers' Piano Company's factory building, at
Muncie, Ind., recently sold by the receiver for the
company, was heard in the Circuit Court February
26. Evidence was heard by Judge W. Dearth. The
receivership suit was transferred to the Circuit Court
from the Superior Court previously. Olin Bell, pres-
ident and a stockholder in the company, and Charles
Houston, of the late Grosvenor, Lapham & Co., Chi-
cago, and for a time traveled for Paul G. Mehlin &
Sons, of New York, testified concerning the alleged
plans of a Chicago organization to buy the building,
A. G. Gulbransen Tells About Foothold Gained and Judge Robert F. Murray, of the Superior Court,
Abroad by Instruments Made in United States.
was called in behalf of the receiver to testify as to
the details of the sale, made before the case was
"Up to 1914, foreign-made pianos with their thin,
venued from his court. Other documentary evidence
strident tones, dominated the markets of Australia,
was submitted.
South Africa, South America," said A. G. Gulbransen,
The Cojrt held good the sale made the previous
president of the Gulbransen Co., Chicago, in an ad- week.
dress delivered in that city recently. "During the
It developed that the concern represented by Hous-
war, with production abroad at a standstill, and a
ton had proposed to purchase the plant for $30,000,
period of prosperity in this country, American pianos but, according to Judge Murray's testimony and the
secured a foothold.
verified affidavit of A. H. Kruse, acting for the re-
"English and German piano houses since the armis-
ceiver, had not met the requirement that the amount
tice, have been making a strenuous effort to win back
of the bid be placed to the credit of the receiver, in
the old business. Not only have they resorted to the event their bid was accepted. Only $1,000 of the
usual sales tactics, but, where possible, have caused amount was deposited, and that after some delay, it
embargos and high tariffs against American com- being made subject to the proving of the title satis-
petitors. This year found our foreign competition
factorily to the attorney representing the bidders.
back to its prewar basis. It was a test year and the
The proposal of the Acme Realty Company in the
steady increase in our exports has shown that Ameri-
sum of $25,000, which was accompanied by the cash,
can pianos have more than held their own.
it being the largest received with cash immediately
"The education of the world in the superiority of
available, was accepted. Mr. Houston asserted that
the American piano has progressed. These instru-
he was directed to make only "a deposit" and not the
ments are now preferred in South American homes. full amount of the proposal. It was the contention of
In the English-speaking dominions, the rich mellow
Mr. Kruse's affidavit and the testimony of Judge
tonal qualities of the American piano are favored in
Murray that the entire amount of the bid should be
a selling contest in which all the advantages have available in event the proposal was accepted.
been with the German makes."
The piano company's affairs have been under re-
ceivership since in 1920.
AMERICAN PIANOS IN
FOREIGN COMPETITION
ERNEST URCHS.
Tenn. Mr. Urchs said the phonograph will come
back to its own when the newness of radio has worn
off, and expressed confidence that it will assume its
old degree of favor.
"The phonograph far excels the radio in supplying
the music lover with spiritual food," he said. "It is
because there are certain hours only when you can
hear a radio program, while you can select the music
of any great master and play it at any time, when
you possess a phonograph.
"Lovers of jazz can get about as much enjoyment
out of radio as they could out of a good phonograph,
but lovers of symphonic music and other higher
classes of music do not incline to radio.
"The reason? Suppose you were enjoying a sym-
phony concert and there was a sudden knocking in
the steam pipes of the Auditorium. You would enjoy
that just about as much as you do the interruption of
static in your radio set."
"The sale of cheap pianos is being damaged by
radio for the reason people who would buy a cheap
piano if there was no radio, now have a choice. But.
as they can't buy both, they choose the latest thing—
the thing that everybody is talking about.
"Dealers in expensive pianos are not being hurt in
the least. People who buy expensive pianos can
THE
GERMAN MUSIC AND DAWES PLAN.
The hoped-for stabilization of the economic posi-
tion with the acceptance of the Dawes plan appears
to become further established, says the Deutsche In-
strumentenbau Zeitung. Of recent weeks an active
revival of business in all branches is reported. The
news is particularly gratifying, says the journal,
from the point of view of busines instrument manu-
facturing circles, especially in pianos. A certain tran-
quility has followed the New Year's season activity
at home; whilst the export business is reported for
December to be like that of preceding months.
INVITES GRAND CUSTOMER.
"Every home can afford a grand piano,"' says the
Emerson Piano House, Decatur, 111., in the news-
papers this week. "Emerson convenient payment
terms enable you to own a reliable grand piano, and
to pay for it while you are playing it. And you can
choose here from a collection of the world's best in-
struments, at a full range of prices. Come in at any
time and see the many beautiful grand pianos we
have on our flooss. Learn the prices, and the terms
under which they may be so easily purchased. Your
old piano taken in exchange at a fair valuation."
INVITES THE TRADE-IN.
"Special Allowance Made to You This Week," ad-
vises Zerweck's, 350 Collinsville avenue. East St.
Louis, 111., in the newspapers this week. "We are
completely sold out on used playerpianos and will
make you a special liberal allowance on your used
playerpiano if traded in this week on a Brunswick
phonograph, Brunswick Radiola, grand or reproduc-
ing piano."
STARR LINE FEATURED.
The Naanes Piano Company has opened a music
store at 905 South Oak Park, 111., carrying Starr
pianos and phonographs made by the Starr Piano
Co., Richmond, Ind., as well as a complete line of
records, player rolls, band instruments, sheet music,
etc. The aim is to carry a complete stock and justify
their motto, "Everything Musical."
BOWEN LOADER
makes of the Ford Roadster the Ideal piano truck,—most Convenient, most Economical and most Efficient.—Goes anywhere, over any
kind of roads, and distance makes no difference.
It will greatly assist any energetic Salesman, City or Country, but is indispensable for successful country work.
It's the best outfit for making collections and repossessions.
Our latest model is fool-proof and indestructible, and the price has been reduced to $95.00 including an extra good water-proof
moving cover. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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