PRESTO
and Airs. William Church, Osborn, William C. Pot-
ter, Mrs. White-law Reid, Mr. and Mrs. John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., Colonel and Mrs. H. H. Rogers,
Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Roosevelt, Orlando Rouland,
Gutzon Borgkim, C. H K. Curtis, Charles H. Sabin,
Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Schiff, Mr. and Mrs. Carl
Stockel, Louis W. Stotesbury, James Speyer, W. A.
Taylor and Charles Triller.
Trade Well Represented.
A very large representation of piano dealers, espe-
cially the leaders in Steinway piano distribution
throughout the world, attended the dedication. The
dealers came from all parts of the country, distant
states, like California and Florida, being represented.
Practically all of the prominent Steinway representa-
tives in the large cities of the country were present,
and the smaller dealers were also numerous. Repre-
sentatives from abroad were there, including those
from London, Berlin and Paris. A list of special
Steinway representatives noted will appear in a later
issue of Presto, it being too late this week.
It is certain that the start of the new Steinway
Hall, upon its long career in the life of American
music, was one never to be forgotten by the men of
the trade who attended. And in the event the famous
House of Steiuway makes another mark in the steady
process of its advancement as leader in art. and in
the exemplification of the kind of enterprise that
sustains America among the nations of people who
understand the higher things of life and sustain them
liberally.
TRADE SERVICE BUREAU
TO BE CONTINUED
Executive Board cf National Association of
Music Merchants Approves Promotional
Work for Better Advertising and Selling.
The executive board of the National Association of
Music Merchants, acting as an advisory committee of
the Merchandising Service Department of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce, approved plans for
continuing service work as formerly conducted under
the names of Trade Service Bureau and Better Busi-
ness Bureau, at a meeting held in New York last
week.
A letter from Edward H. Uhl, a Los Angeles mem-
ber of the board who could not be present at the
meeting, expressed hearty support of continued bet-
DECKER
mJ
EST. 1856
51 SON
Grand, Upright
and
Welte-Mignon
(Licensee)
Reproducing
(Electric)
Pianos and Players
of Recognized
Artistic Character
Made by a Decker Since 1856
699-703 East 135th Street
New York
KREITER
The Leading and Most Popular
Pianos and Players
Grands, Players, Uprights and
Reproducing Pianos
The Results of Over Forty Years'
of Experience.
Kreiter Pianos Cover the Entire Line
and no Piano Dealer who tries these in-
struments would supplant them by any
others. A trial will convince.
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
310-312 W. Water St., Milwaukee, Wis.
Factory: Marinette, Wi».
ter business activities in co-operation with the Na-
tional Better Business Bureau of the Associated Ad-
vertising Clubs of tWe world. He regarded it as a
primary duty in the organization work to encourage
local associations and assist them in every way
possible to form local Better Business Bureaus and
support them. He expressed confidence that with
Better Business Bureaus in all cities of 50,000 and
over that it would not be long until "bait" advertis-
ing were driven out of the newspapers.
The advisory committee decided that it was inad-
visable for the Chamber to issue newspaper advertis-
ing copy to combat "bait" advertising copy, because
of the danger of reaction, but to go ahead with the
recommendations previously approved to prepare
printed warnings protected by copyright for use in
the hands of retail salesmen, only as a last resort, to
enable reputable merchants to protect themselves
against the competition of the "bait" advertiser.
The promotional work for better advertising and
selling methods was approved, including the conven-
tion advertising exhibit co-operation in National
Music Week and other activities of the National Bu-
reau for the Advancement of Music, Better Homes,
etc.
The work on business methods, including account-
ing assistance, was limited to the items now in hand,
including a new report on "Turnover and Rate of Net
Income in Music Stores," by Archie M. Peisch, C.
P. A It was felt that the efforts in this direction
did not meet with enough appreciation to warrant
expanding the work.
Under the heading of Information Service, the
Advisory Committee recommended completion of a
reference list of books and other publications of value
to the music trade.
The distribution of the "Book of Business Stand-
ards" by J. George Frederick, published by the Com-
mercial Standards Council, was approved.
October 31, 1925.
WINF1ELD S. WESER
DIED ON MONDAY
Last of the Three Brothers Who Built Up a
Great Piano Industry Passed Away
After Long Illness, in New
York City.
A KEEN EXECUTIVE
Youngest of the Three Brothers, Winneld Was In-
strumental in the Latter Day Development
of the Old Business.
Winneld S. Weser. vice-president of the piano in-
dustry of Weser Bros., at 520-528 West Forty-third
street, New York City, died on Monday of this week,
after a long illness, throughout much of which he had
kept in active touch with the affairs of the house.
He was one of the most genial of the piano manufac-
COLLEGES PAY TRIBUTE
TO THE CONOVER PIANO
The Cable Company, Chicago, Makes Fine
Display of Grands, with Praise of Leading
Universities of the Country.
Nine colleges and universities, representing every
section of the country, have purchased Conover
pianos, and in every instance have found them satis-
factory in detail. In quoting the opinion of the
schools, on handsome placards that are large enough
to set the show window, and placing a beautiful
model of the Conover Grand in the same window,
the Cable Piano Company, Jackson and Wabash, Chi-
cago, has attracted the attention of passersby. The
display has proved invaluable from an advertising-
standpoint, in the fact that it suggests many things
pertaining to college spirit. Footballs, suits and head
guards also feature the display.
The colleges recorded are: Universities of Mis-
souri, Alabama, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Illinois,
Montana, Minnesota and the Northwestern and Syra-
cuse Universities. The following is a quotation of
the University of Missouri: "They have given splen-
did service and we are very much pleased with them."
University of Minnesota says: "The Conover
pianos which we purchased some time ago are most
satisfactory," and the University of Alabama has this
to say: "The Conover recently purchased has a full,
rich tone. It tills completely our large auditorium."
NEW KRAKAUER DEALERS
ADDED TO LONG LIST
Travelers of Krakauer Bros., New York, Send
in Fine Orders and New Firms Carrying
Line Are Added.
W. B. Marshall and Arthur Hahn, traveling sales-
men of Krakauer Bros., New York, have been send-
ing some very fine orders in from the road.
The report of new agencies in several places is an-
other evidence of the energy of the roadmen and the
desirability of the Krakauer Bros. line. The follow-
ing list of new Krakauer Bros, representatives assures
a spirited demand for the fine pianos and players:
The Geo. S. Dales Co.. Akron, Ohio; The L. F.
Bidinger Co., Kenosha. Wis.; The Wallman Furni-
ture Co., Stamford, Conn.; Raudenbush & Sons Piano
Co., Minneapolis, Minn, and St. Paul, Minn; Ross &
Meyer Co., Ft. Worth, Texas.
The standing of the above firms is in keeping with
the prominence and representative character of Kra-
kauer dealers throughout the United States.
turers, and no one ever knew him without holding
him in respect and, oftener than otherwise, also, in
sincere affection. He was always a busy man, and
yet one of the kind of busy men who never lack
time in which to greet a friend and to give the
assurance of welcome.
Joined Firm in 1884.
Win field S. Weser entered the business which had
been established by his elder brothers in 1879,
when he was a very young man. It was in 1884. He
had become a thorough master of the art of piano
building, in all its departments, just as his brothers
had done. In 1917 he was elected vice-president of
the corporation. As an executive he demonstrated
great business ability and displayed tireless energy.
He was credited with being very largely responsible
for the growth of the wholesale and export depart-
ments of Weser Bros., Inc. No less, was he cred-
ited with the upbuilding of the chain of retail stores
owned by the company.
Was Forceful Manager.
The industry of Weser Bros, had its start in 1879,
when the elder brother, John A., began to make
pianos under the firm name which has continued
ever since. Later, the second brother. George W..
entered the factory, followed by Winneld. The three
worked together so harmoniously, and with such good
results, that eventually the Weser Bros, industry was
considered one of the largest in the Fast. When
John Weser died the younger brother took charge
of the business and, eventually, as the sole survivor
of tie three, he became the director of its destinies.
He was a very hard worker and several years ago
his health failed, resulting in the final collapse of one
of the most genial men the American piano industry
has known.
Mr, Weser was in his fifty-eighth year. He is sur-
vived by his wife, Louisa J., two sons, Winfield S.
Jr., and Roland. Funeral services were held at Mr.
Weser"s late home. 780 Pelhamdale avenue. New
Rochelle, N. Y., on Wednesday evening.
The Schaeffer Piano Mfg. Co.. 209 South State
street, Chicago, has released a handsome brochure
to the trade that contains interesting facts concerning
the historv of the Schaeffer instrument.
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