PRESTO-TIMES
March 19, 1927.
TESTIMONIAL TO
WILLIAM L. BUSH
Friends of Popular Piano Man Will Be Glad
of Opportunity to Join in Token of
Esteem Which Has Been Started
in Chicago.
A THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Appreciative Action of Chicago Piano Club Has
Initiated a Movement Which Will Stir Popular
Piano Man's Friends Everywhere.
many and varied services he had rendered the Piano
Club and different music trade and musical organiza-
tions. He referred to the financial losses that had
come to "Billy," some of them through misplaced
confidence in friends and in persons he believed could
not betray him.
As an instance of Mr. Bush's faith in his friends
Mr. Best said that at one time he was himself in
debt to the house of which W. L. Bush was the head,
to the extent of several thousands of dollars—consid-
erably over a score of thousands—and which was at
least three times as much as he was worth at the
time. And Mr. Bent added he then had occasion to
know what kind of a heart Will Bush possessed and
to realize his consideration in business matters.
Old Friends Speak.
Geo. Clay Cox, late head of the j . W T . Martin Bros.
Music House, Rochester, N. Y., who disposed of his
interests in that concern a few weeks ago volunteered
a few words and gave a glowing tribute to his "very
dear friend, Will." He told of how he had come to
Chicago, 6ome days before the accident, to visit Mr.
Bush, and spoke of his visit to the hospital and of
Mr. Bush's appreciation for the regards of his friends,
and spoke enthusiastically of young Ott, who had
rescued him from the river. At this time the young
man, Alvin Ott, who pulled the popular piano man
from the water and who was at the speakers' table,
arose, and was warmly greeted.
Harry Niblack, an old-time friend of Mr. Bush, was
enthusiastic over the proposition of raising a "Bush
Fund," and offered, practically, to double the highest
amount any club member would subscribe if it be-
came advisable. However, as he probably would not
be called upon for such an exhibit of generosity, he
contented himself with subscribing five hundred dol-
lars, permitting the committee to increase it to a
thousand, "if need be." Mr. Niblack offered, also, to
make a substantial bid for the club's upright piano
should the instrument be put up for sale at auction.
Monday of this week at the Chicago Piano Club
had been set down as the occasion of entertainment
of an extraordinary character. Several stars of the
"Sweet Lady" company, playing at the Illinois the-
ater, and the composer of the music, had been secured
and were there to give the club members and their
friends a treat.
The entertainment they did give was immensely
enjoyed, notwithstanding that it was cut short when
President Laughead announced at the opening that
an event of unusual interest was >to come before the
club. It was to consider a testimonial to Will L.
Bush, life member of the club and a much beloved
associate in its activities.
Mr. Bent Begins It.
Mr. Laughead explained that since the unfortunate
accident which befell Mr. Bush recently, when he
accidentally slipped into the Chicago river at Michi-
gan Boulevard, his friends have had in mind some
manner of expressing their delight at his rescue—
some way to render a service as well as testimonial to
him. Geo. P. Bent took the matter in hand and, con-
sidering himself as chairman of a committee to act,
was joined by Adam Schneider and Wm. B. Price.
The following testimonial was drawn up and sub-
scriptions were started to a fund as a substantial evi-
dence of the esteem in which Mr. Bush is held. The
desire to aid him, so far as a money aid could be of
assistance, has been spontaneous. Within a day or
two a page or more of names had been signed.
Herewith is the testimonial paragraph preceding the
signatures:
"Testimonial to William Lincoln Bush,
"Tendered to him by his many friends as a token
of appreciation of his life-long efforts in behalf of
The Piano Club of Chicago, the Chicago Piano &
Organ Association, and of the National Piano Manu-
facturers', Merchants,' and Travelers' Associations,
and of music, and of the music trade of America in
general. To his credit and honor he built the Bush
Temple of Music, and founded the Bush Conserva-
tory of Music at Chicago, and founded Bush Con-
servatories of Music at Dallas, Houston, and Austin,
Tex., Memphis, Tenn., Little Rock, Ark., Des Moines,
la., and Birmingham, Ala."
A Notable Career.
In that form the document came to the Piano Club,
when Mr. Bent was invited to address the meeting.
He told of Mr. Bush's long association with the
music trades and industries, and with music in gen-
eral, in Chicago and throughout the country; of the
AMERICAN PIANO CO.
SHOWS IMMENSE GAINS
Company Reports for 1926 Net Earnings of
$1,775,429 After Depreciation and Taxes,
Net Sales Increasing by $1,922,445.
An increase of 13.7 per cent was shown in the
net earnings of the American Piano Company and
subsidiaries for 1926, when they amounted to $1,-
775,429, after depreciation and taxes, etc., equal after
preferred dividends to $31 28 a share earned on the
$4,341,230 common stock. This compared with $1,-
561,214, or $26.34 a share, in 1925.
Net sales increased by $1,922,445 and were $17,-
666,105, against $15,743,660 in 1925. The surplus
after dividends amounted to $991,596, against $800,193
in 1925. At the close of 1926 current assets of $10,-
629,622, of which $931,512 was cash, compared with
current liabilities of $3,469,139. The profit and loss
surplus was $4,822,285. Total assets were $19,-
374,821.
President George G. Foster in his report to stock-
holders said:
"The growing and healthy demand for your com-
pany's products, especially the Ampico, from pro-
gressive music merchants, accounts for a large por-
tion of the increased business. The export demand
has increased during the year to an extent whereby
shipments are now nearly double a year ago."
A GERMAN EXHIBITION.
Eager to Subscribe.
Opportunity being given the members present,
everyone signed his name and when Mr. Bent's com-
mittee left their bank book was bulging with checks
ind currency. It is presumed that a fund of several
thousand dollars will be tendered to Mr. Bush.
The Piano Club not only subscribed one hundred
dollars to the Bush fund but, on the suggestion of
one of its members, offered to give its upright piano
•to be sold at auction and the proceeds to go to Mr.
Bush. It was suggested, and with a good deal of
insistance, that this be done and that the proposed
"Composite" grand which is in process of materializa-
tion, be hurried along to take the place of the pres-
ent instrument.
Piano Man's Ideals.
In the remarks of President Laughead on the use-
fulness and progressive spirit of Mr. Bush, and his
influence in the piano industry, reference was made to
the efforts of that gentleman for the betterment of
trade methods. Especially he referred to the sacri-
fices Mr. Bush had made in his straggles to stamp
out what was at the time known as "the stencil evil."
He had written pamphlets, which were published at
his own expense, and had otherwise fought for the
"one name" ideal in the piano industry.
In many other trade reforms and enterprises also
Mr. Bush has been in the forefront. It would be im-
possible to estimate the influence for good in the
piano business' that is due to him, and the present
opportunity to in some measure prove their appre-
ciation is one that could not pass unheeded.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER
Besides the International Music Exhibition to be
held in Geneva, from May 12 to June 6, this year,
there will be an international exhibition of "Music
in the Life of the People," in Frankfort on the Main.
The Frankfort Opera House will be the scene of
special representations in connection with the exhi-
bition, and the Music Festival of the International
Association for Contemporary Music will takep lace
for the first time in Germany this year in Frankfort.
SELLING PIANOS IN PHOENIX.
President W. Otto Miessner of the Miessner Piano
Co., Milwaukee, has been hitting western high spots
during the last two weeks. Over half a dozen car-
loads resulted from calls on Knight-Campbell Music
Co., Denver; Sherman Clay & Co., San Francisco;
Southern California Music Co., Los Angeles, and
J. W. Dawson Music Co., Phoenix. The latter con-
cern has taken the Arizona agency for the Miessner
piano. "While I was there Wednesday Mr. Daw-
son sold two pianos, several phonographs, and had
five people waiting on customers," said Mr. Miessner,
adding: "Business isn't so wonderfully good in Phoe-
nix. It's just that J. W. Dawson goes out after k—
and gets it."
CLEVELAND'S NEW STORE
The Frank Basta Music Store on Broadway, Cleve-
land, Ohio, is expected to be open for business with-
in a short time. It is located alongside the English
Woolen Mills and the property was bought by Mr.
Basta and has been completely remodeled. Pianos,
talking machines, radio and all other musical mer-
chandise will be carried. The present store is just a
short distance from the new location.
The Val Reis-Boyd Music Co. recently opened a
music store at 22 North Merimec avenue, Clavion, Mo.
PS SALESMEN
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling is approaching-. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. It is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.
Winston-Salem, N. C,
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