Presto

February 19, 1927.
PRESTO-TIMES
has perfected an ideal which appears to be a striking
achievement of the age. This is borne out by the
fact that the average person cannot distinguish any
difference between the appearance of Schumann lac-
quer finish and a high type of satin varnish.
But Mr. Hurst has taken a panel with this Schu-
mann lacquer on one side and the very best of var-
Readiness to Proceed Abreast of Times a nishing
on the other and subjected it first to a zero
Characteristic of Schumann Piano Co.
weather test for forty-eight hours, then exposed it
to heat approaching the boiling point and noted the
as Told in House Organ.
results: One can scarcely detect the slightest shrink-
or checking on the Schumann lacquer side, while
The attitude of the Schumann Piano Co., of Rock- age
the varnished surface has the appearance of having a
ford, 111., on the transition in styles and finishes in
bad case of smallpox.
piano cases, is expressed in "Iwantokno," the house
Mr. Hurst voices the sentiment that similar prog-
organ of the company, for February, which says: ress can be made in the matter of designing if piano
"The advent of periods, adorned with carvings, high- manufacturers would watch more closely the progress
lighted effects and modest colorings, finished in lac- of furniture and combine to educate the dealer upon
quer, has met with astonishing favor among the the importance of such innovations as are bound to
trade. It is the sentiment of the Schumann Piano create a vogue and stimulate demand.
Company of Rockford, 111., that merchants are better
appreciating value of more frequent style changes and
improved finish as an essential means for stimulating
the demand for pianos."
The environment of the Schumann factory is be-
lieved to be conducive to keen observation of the
trend of furniture styles. It is situated in one of the Is It Better to Concentrate on Fewer Departments
most progressive and prosperous furniture centers,
and Specialize in What You Sell?
but naturally the adoption of novelty in piano cases
cannot be overdone, is the Schumann argument. A
A department head for one of the large New Eng-
piano has an inherited dignity to be preserved and the land jobbing houses recently said to a group: "I'm
freaky notion in the case is seldom desirable.
through with side lines.".
"By keeping close tab, however, upon newer ten-
By this he meant that he was through selling com-
dencies in the furniture world that are destined to petitive products. He had found that clean-cut, en-
expand with general favor, the Schuman Piano Com- thusiastic selling could come only when the sales-
pany apparently has developed the happy faculty of
man was never put in the position of having to rob
keeping abreast with the times in good taste. In
Peter to pay Paul. Today that jobber has only one
this respect one of their recent achievements has been product in certain price classes.
the perfection of a distinct type of lacquer which they
Another company simplified its line and then threw
are now using both in the new period grands as well all the salesmen into one force. This large company
as in their conventional styles."
had several separate selling forces for different de-
Five years ago J. D. Hurst, Schumann factory partments before they simplified. The men now sell
superintendent and secretary of the company, saw the complete lines. These changes resulted in 65
that lacquer was the coming thing. While he was per cent reduction in traveling expenses, ability to
watching its phenomenal development in the furniture make more frequent calls on dealers where necessary,
world he has been absorbed in research work and
experimentation in an effort not merely to apply it, the added attraction to the trade of being able to get
as it is generally known in the finishing of pianos, prompt, adequate shipments from a near-by point—
but to perfect it from the standpoint of closed pore, which is so frequently a determining factor in closing
satin smoothness as was so effectively done with var- a sale.
nish. The result is that now that lacquer is in gen-
These are the experiences of a large number of
eral favor, on account of its practicability. Mr. Hurst
manufacturers and distributers who have investigated
and applied the principle of simplified practice.
SCHUMANN PROGRESS IN
DESIGNS AND FINISHES
SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE IN
MARKETING LINES OF GOODS
MEETING OF NEW YORK
DIVISION OF TUNERS
Officers for 1927 Elected and Plans for Activi-
ties for Year Are Fully Discussed
and Perfected.
On January 5, the New York city division of the
National Association of Piano Tuners, Inc., elected
the following officers for the year 1927: M. F. Gar-
wood, Jr., president; Alexander Hart, vice-president;
A. C. Klein, treasurer; F. E. Lane, secretary, and
Bernard Berman, sergeant-at-arms. The division
holds two meetings a month on the first and third
Mondays, at 8 p. m. at 100 West 72nd street. Any-
body interested is cordially invited to attend the gath-
erings. The first Monday of the month is devoted to
business, and in the third Monday a program of edu-
cational subjects pertaining to the profession is pro-
vided.
The annual convention of the division will be held
August 8, 9, 10 and 11, at the Hotel Commodore,
New York city. At the present time arrangements
are being made for all leading piano manufacturers,
playerpiano manufacturers, action makers, hammer
makers, string makers and makers of other piano
trade accessories to be exhibitors.
"Today New York City is the greatest musical and
commercial center of the earth and we do not see
how manufacturers in the various branches pertain-
ing to piano productivity can fail to participate in
what we confidently expect to lie the biggest and
most successful convention ever held," says an an-
nouncement of the division. "The mammoth Hotel
Commodore has a world-wide reputation as to supe-
rior excellence in every way and makes large gather-
ings and various conventions a specialty. To those
living away from New York a trip to the convention
means many enjoyable features besides that of the
•trade interests. After a tour o-f inspection through
our many piano factories, much can be had in the
way of concerts, theaters, short ocean trips, big build-
ing visits, summer resorts, etc."
JOY RIDING DOG OF
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
Chcse a Piano Man's Flivver and Proved What
Running Board Means to Canines.
The Loomis Temple of Music, of New Haven,
Returning a few days ago from Evansville, Henry
Conn., recently reported the sale of a Knabe Ampico Hudson, of the Hudson Music House at Boonville,
to the Roger Sherman Restaurant, the newest and
Ind., found an airedale dog on the running board of
most beautifully equipped establishment of its kind. his automobile.
The restaurant is notable for its fine musical enter-
He brushed the dog off by opening the door of the
tainment and cabaret, and the Ampico supplies part
car. Half way home he had occasion to stop and
of the program on each evening. On their recent
found the dog on the opposite side of the running
opening the music included, besides a number of
board. This time he chased the dog from the car.
independent Ampico numbers, the Ampico accompan-
On reaching Boonville he found the dog was on the
iments for the singing of Charles Kullman, the all- other side of the running board.
star revue in which the Ampico always has a prom-
Mr. Hudson is convinced that the dog was deter-
inent part is enthusiastically commented upon by the mined to have him as a master, so he has decided to
guests.
keep him providing his owner does not show up.
KNABE AMPICO IN ENTERTAINMENT
•THE HOUSE OF GRANDS"
Concert, Parlor ana Small Grands
Period and Modern Designs
Manufacturers
of the
Grand in Uprignt Form
Grand tone and quality in the Upright Piano
is exclusively Bush & Lane
(Paunud)
INDIANAPOLIS TEACHERS' CHORUS
Reproducing and Player Pianos—
^Velte-Mignon {Licensee)
and Cecilian
Write for our Art Catalog
Busk & Lane
Piano Co.
Holland, Michigan
E. Leins Piano Co.
Makers of Pianos and
Player Pianos That Are
Established L e a d e r s .
Correspondence front Reliable
Dealers Invited
Factory and Offices, 304 W. 42nd St,
NEW YORK
The Indianapolis Teachers' Chorus, under director-
ship of Ernest G. Hcsser, is in its fifth successful
concert season. It has more than 'two hundred
voices, and is perhaps the largest chorus of its kind
in the world.
It is sponsored by the Federation of Indianapolis
Public School Teachers, and is recognized as one of
the valuable assets of the city. Its public concerts
rank among the leading musical events each year,
attracting very large audiences.
It is the policy to secure soloists of national and
international repute as assisting artists. Louis Gra-
veure, distinguished baritone, will make his Indian-
apolis premiere with the Indianapolis Teachers' Cho-
rus this season. The Baldwin piano is used exclu-
sively by this unique organization.
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