Presto

Issue: 1925 2029

PRESTO
June 13, 1925.
J. R. STEWART'S TALK
Retiring President of National Association of
Musical Instrument and Accessories Man-
ufacturers' Association Gives Sound
Advice to Members in Convention.
The National Association of Musical Instrument
and Accessories Manufacturers' Association held its
annual convention at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, on
Tuesday of this week with further sessions at 9:30
a. m. and 2 p. m. on Wednesday. President J. R.
Stewart presiding, opened the proceedings by reading
his annual report, which was enlightening and en-
couraging.
"Our industry has in many ways been made an
auxiliary to the so-called regular music trade. We
want to spare no effort to make it an essential and so
assist in the creating of that merchandise that will
be, beyond any doubt, a leading and lasting factor
in the musical world," said Mr. Stewart.
In his annual report the president said in part:
President's Report.
Our activities should include plans to foster the
advancement of music through the schools to the
home. Many channels are offered to accomplish
this and, one through the medium of co-operation
with play ground supervisors, another through spon-
soring orchestras in the schools, and there are many
other avenues which will be discussed in some of our
regular sessions. A concerted action in conjunction
with the National Musical Merchandise Association
or with the Band Instrument Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation or with the other interested divisions of the
Chamber might be advantageously worked out and
this phase of our work will be discussed as time and
place will permit.
As stated at our Cleveland meeting it is unfair for
any manufacturer to copy the exact design of another
and then offer that article at prices which will in-
terfere with the legitimate profits of the originator
of that particular design.
A phase of our industry of vital interest to each
one of us, to be taken up by a committee composed
of men who are considered experts in their respective
lines, is that of standardizing our products. It is
not the purpose of this committee to recommend
any drastic change in present day instruments but
such changes as will be suggested is intended for the
furthering of the industry's best interests.
Question of Costs.
No business is permanently successful without
proper regard for costs. Profit is that for which we
all strive. Success is like a black eye—you have to
fight to get it. The right kind of competition is an
essential to real advancement and real growth is
accomplished only by degrees. The most important
factor in these varying degrees is the element of cost.
We have a committee to report upon certain stan-
dardizing of costing data which we hope will assist
us all in making for a clean cut open competition.
One factor very important in the costing of our
manufactured product is the instruction we give to
our foremen. This part of our working organiza-
tion is the medium of contact between executive and
employee. Their ability to impart your instructions
is directly dependent on the knowledge of your busi-
ness that your foremen have. Your foremen must be
considered in all your planning and arranging of your
product since he must impart your final instructions
to the worker.
Improving Practices.
Certain importing practices now -used are cause
for some serious thought. Domestic competition
offers no insurmountable handicap but foreign com-
petition being based on different ideals, not only of
labor but of material as well, gives us a phase not so
easily handled. It is true this form of competition
will always be with us but it should be so controlled
that it is not destructive to our own industry. It is
claimed that unfair methods are employed to import
musical merchandise. This is a matter requiring
very careful investigation.
In all our discussions please let us adopt a per-
fectly frank attitude and should any one have a sug-
gestion for the betterment of any phase of our in-
dustry bring it before us. That which will benefit
one will benefit another. Tn many ways our general
business has had a slight letup but if we refrain
from becoming panicstricken and adhere to quality
merchandise merchandised on sound business prin-
ciples, keeping in mind "That T if we do our business
on the level we will in this w ay assist business to-
ward the upgrade."
In conclusion let me repeat that successful work-
ing together means confidence in our co-workers.
Remember we are all human and it is said "To err is
human," so if we want to forget the other fellow's
faults just remember our own. As was said at
FAIRBANKS
PIAN0 PLATES
29
CLEO STRINGS AT DRAKE
Dealers at Convention Strongly Impressed by Merit
of Product aid Methods of Counter Display.
The display of Cleo strings made by S. Simon, 8106
Chappell avenue, Chicago, at the Drake Hotel this week-
made a great many new customers for the admirable
product. The counter cases containing the assortment
of violin, 'cello and double bass wound strings in the
exhibit were familiar things to Cleo customers and a
source of suggestion to dealers seeing the useful con-
tainers for the first time.
The advantages of the counter cases used by S. Simon
and provided for Cleo dealers were obvious to all vis-
itors to the exhibit and the testimonials as to the merits
of the strings were set forth in the printed matter.
The claim for superior quality is made by the makers
and a guarantee for thirty days after the strings are
sold is an alluring feature of the selling methods of
the company.
T H E BUESCHER BOOK MARK.
A cut-out of a saxophone printed in two colors, is
a handsome bit of publicity provided by the Buescher
Band Instrument Co., Elkhart, Ind. It is designed
for a book mark to be distributed by dealers. This is
printed on the reverse side: "Buescher True-Tone
Band Instruments and Saxophones. Write for Cata-
logue. Buescher Band Instrument Co., address 23
Buescher Block, Elkhart, Ind.
LYON & HEALY WINDOWS.
Lyon & Healy, Inc., used the store at Wabash
avenue and Jackson boulevard for display purposes
and also occupied Room 327 in the Drake Hotel. The
entire wholesale floor of the Lyon & Healy store
was given over to display purposes, where a com-
plete line of the company's products was exhibited.
Cleveland in all our discussions let us place the gen-
eral good of the industry ahead of any personal or
selfish benefits, guiding ourselves with this one
thought. Thinking only of yourself, others cheerfully
forget you.
DEALERS and TUNERS!
Keys Recovered and Rebushed
THE FAIRBANKS CO., Springfield, Ohio
"SUPERIOR" PIANO PLATES
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
88 keys rehashed
4.00
Express or Parcel Post to
FRIELD MILLER & CO.
3767 N. Illinois Street
Manufactured
SUPERIOR FOUNDRY CO.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
HOW TO S E N D
Remove from frame, number plainly near Capstan,
wrap or bos securely, and ship Parcel Poat or Express.
by
Cleveland, Ohio
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
—35—
Nationally Priced
Size 14x30, in all finishes
Full size Bench 15x36
Packed two benches in one crate.
Send for catalog and price list
$6.00
7.50
PERFECTION PIANO BENCH MFG. COMPANY
1514-1520 Blue Island Ave.
Chicago. 111.
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/
30
PRESTO
June 13, 1925.
nection with Music Week. Aver 150 bands were
actually entered in these contests.
Continuing, Mr. Smith said:
Preliminary
work is now under way in accordance
Splendid Work of National Association of with the instructions
of the Association for the com-
Band Instrument Manufacturers' Associa-
pilation of a booklet on organizing bands and or-
chestras and the standardization of instruments.
tion Lucidly Explained the Annual
Supported Band Laws.
Reports in Chicago.
The association has actively supported the cam-
The activities of the National Association of Band paign for a band law in the state of Illinois, assisted
Instrument Manufacturers and the admirable result in the passage of the law in Texas and done con-
since last convention were embodied in the report of siderable intensive work in New York State to pro-
interest in the municipal band law. It has en-
Secretary Alfred L. Smith at the opening session most
listed" the interest and support of the American Fed-
at 2 p. m. on Monday of this week. An important eration of Musicians in the future work of getting
fact held by Mr. Smith was that "sixteen thousand state legislation promoting bands throughout the
booklets of envelope size including, a statement by country.
the association and the statement of the Federal
Credit Service.
Trade Commission relative to the announcement of
The Credit Service of the Music Industries Cham-
January 1st, 1924, concerning the elimination of secret ber of Commerce is being urged regularly by all but
subsidies to musicians have been printed and dis- four of our members. A special service has been
tributed through our members. A form letter of maintained for our members with respect to band
transmittal from the manufacturer to dealers, agents leaders and other non-dealer distributors of band in-
and professional musicians were provided our mem- struments. Several of our members are placing their
delinquent accounts with the Chamber for collection
bers."
The secretary was happy to state that the num- with good results.
I recommend that an income and expense budget
ber of complaints to the Better Business Bureau has
decreased during recent months. "An investigation be prepared and adopted and that the assessments of
members as well as the expenses of the association be
of most of the complaints indicate that they were governed
accordingly.
made on the grounds of suspicion only and without
real evidence. Most such complaints proved to be
groundless," said Mr. Smith, who added: "It is evi-
TYPE=WRITTEN SIGNATURES
dent that professional musicians have endeavored to
get secret subsidies from dealers by misrepresenting
that competing dealers were willing to grant such Illegible Writing at the End of the Letter Is Cause
secret subsidies. My impression is that the situation
of Misunderstanding and Mistakes.
has improved very much during the year."
No matter who it was that first suggested that the
School Band Encouragement.
written signatures on typed letters and documents
Mr. Smith advised the meeting about a special should be accompanied by the same name, over or
report to be presented by the National Bureau for near the written one, in machine-made duplicate, he
the Advancement of Music concerning the develop- w T as a benefactor to a considerable fraction of the
ment of the school band contests. To summarize human race.
that report, a sixteen-page pamphlet with circular
All the people who write illegibly write their names
letter was distributed to fifteen thousand music su-
pervisors. Contests have been held in New York, still more illegibly than they do anything else, and
Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, South Dakota, Indiana, Min- many whose writing as a rule is decently legible make
nesota, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, in addition mere hen-tracks when it comes to the one part of
to the Middle West Sectional Contest at Gary to be their communication for the reading of which the con-
held June 5th, the Mid-West High School Contest at text gives no help. They seem actually to be proud
Kansas City and a band conclave at Boston in con- of illegibility, as if it showed how many and how
large are the checks they constantly are signing.
BAND GOODS MFRS.
HIGH GRADE
STABILIZING RADIO
Effort Made by Means of Resolution Adopted
at Recent Meeting of the Talking Ma-
chine Men, Inc., Big Organization
of Trade in Three States.
The June meeting of Talking Machine and Radio
Men, Inc., the organization of the trade of New
York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and which was held
at the Cafe Boulevard on Wednesday, June 10, at
12:30 p. m., and as a guest at this meeting was an old
phonographic friend, George E. Brightsons, formerly
president of the Sonora Phonograph Company, now
president of the Brightsons Laboratories.
Mr.
Brightsons gave a short talk on the sales policies of
his new company, which manufactures the True Blue
Tube.
J. Bradford, the engineer in charge of construc-
tion of tubes, spoke on the subject of what "quality
and match tubes" mean in your sales.
The executive committee reported on recent trade
happenings of interest to both phonographic and
radio ends of the industry. There was also a report
of the entertainment committee.
The following is a copy of the resolution passed
at the May meeting:
THE RESOLUTION.
As the result of the two conferences by your
association with the leading radio manufacturers,
our executive committee and board of officers, now,
in order to assist in stabilizing the radio industry,
make the following recommendations to the entire
trade:
1. Success in business comes from concentration.
It is therefore that we recommend that the general
handling of sets by dealers should be discontinued.
A dealer should handle the products of no more than
three manufacturers; and these products should cover
the field in prices, style and hook-ups; thus, by con-
fining themselves to four products, the proper rep-
resentation and sales push can be put behind the
products of the manufacture. Proper representation
given to manufacturers will encourage them in their
future development. In selling the four products,
we earnestly urge that the dealers employ every pre-
caution to select manufacturers who use proper mer-
chandising methods and whose past can command
itself to the dealer, to the end that the industry can
SLINGERLAND
Folding Organs
School Organs
May Bell
Practice Keyboards
MUnUon Solictnd
A. L. WHITE MFG. CO.
215 EnrfMtfood Ave., CHICAGO, ILL.
Slingerland Banjos
VIOLIN, CELLO AND DOUBLE
BASS WOUND STRINGS
OF SUPERIOR QUALITY
Guaranteed for thirty daya after they are sold
SEND FOR CATALOG
are sold the country over because
they are Highest quality and sold
at a reasonable price.
Over 40 Styles of Banjos, Banjo Mandolins, Tenor Banjo6
and Banjo Ukuleles, to select from.
Write for Catalogue
S. SIMON
8106 Chappell Avenue,
CHICAGO, ILLS.
SLINGERLAND BANJO CO.
1815 Orchard Street
CHICAGO
The Piano Repair Shop
Pianos and Phonographs Rebuilt by
Expert Workmen
Player-actions installed. Instruments
refinished or remodeled and actions and
keys repaired. Work guaranteed. Prices
reasonable.
Our-of-town dealers' repair work solic-
ited. Write for details and terms.
THE PIANO REPAIR SHOP
339 South Wabash Ave.
Chicago
C. G. CONN, Ltd., Elkhart, Ind.
C. D. GREENLEAF, Pres.
J. F. BOYER, Sec'?
World's largest manufacturer* of High Grade Band and Orchestra Instruments. Employs 1,100
expert workmen.
All of the mo*t celebrated Artists use and endorse Conn Instruments,
Famous Bandmasters and Orchestra Directors highly endorse and recommend the use of the
Conn Instruments in their organizations.
Conn Instruments are noted for their ease of playing, light and reliable valve or key action;
quick response, rich tonal quality, perfect intonation, tone carrying quality, artisticness of design,
beautiful finish and reliable construction.
Conn Instruments are sent to any point in th U. S. subject to ten days free trial. Branch store
or agencies will be found in all large cities. Write for catalogues, prices, etc.
C. G. CONN, Ltd.
DEPT. MS.
ELKHART, IND.
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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