PRESTO-TIMES
10
THE MUSIC TRADE
IN LOS ANGELES
vacation. He went direct to San Francisco to attend
the convention of the Western Music Trades Associa-
tion at the St. Francis Hotel in that city this week
and from there to Washington and Oregon. Mr.
Fitzgerald has been a hard worker the past few
months and he says that this year in particular he
prides himself on "earning a good vacation."
July 16, 1927.
TOLEDO IN LINE IN
PIANO PROMOTION
H. Paul Mehlin, Head of Paul G. Mehlin &
Sens, New York, Makes Tour of Paacific
Coast and Voices His Opinion
of Great Section.
Leading Music Houses in Ohio City Coop-
erating with Daily Newspaper in Melody
Way Lessons and Grand Final Recital
Is Feature of Scheme.
OFF FOR CONVENTION
VETERAN SALESMAN'S VIEWS
Regrets for Mr. Daniell's Death.
Many expressions of regret and sorrow on hearing
of the death of G. A. Daniell, were uttered to Presto-
Times correspondent at Los Angeles by men in the
trade in that city ,who were personally acquainted
with the deceased.
K. Elmer Tucker, of the Wiley B. Allen house,
said just as he was leaving for the convention at
San Francisco: "In the death of Mr. Daniell the
Big Delegation, Led by Edward H. Uhl, Leaves for music trade press has experienced a great loss." Ben
the Annual Meeting of the Western Trade
B. Platt, president Platt Music Co., said: "I am
much grieved to hear of the sudden taking away
in San Francisco.
of this able and widely known music trade editor
By GILBERT BRETON.
who has been so long connected with the trade and
Officials of
H. Paul Mehlin, head of Paul C. Mehlin & Sons. has done so much for the industry."
New York, accompanied by Mrs. Mehlin, is making the Wiley B. Allen Co. and others gave like tribute
a tour of the Pacific Coast. Last week they were to the deceased.
Sundry Trade Notes.
guests at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. To a
reporter for Presto-Times Mr. Mehlin gave his own
T. J. Fitzgerald, of the Fitzgerald Music Co., left
original answer to the never failing question: "What Los Angeles Saturday last, the 9th inst, for the con-
do you think of the growth of Los Angeles?"
vention, to be followed by a pleasure trip to the far
"It would be following copy to say 'I am amazed north. George Eppstein. vice-president of the Platt
at the manner in which Los Angeles has reached the Music Co., and others of the Platt company forces,
top group of American cities, in population and mate- were off at the same time for San Francisco. Mr.
rial improvements.' But I am not amazed, because Jackson, the Straubc Piano Co. representative, got
the progress of the city to its present status as a away Sunday afternoon after having spent several
buyer of tine pianos has made me familiar with its days in and around the "City of Angels."
purposes and achievements in other ways. A city's
desire and ability to buy fine pianos is a good stand-
ard of judgment. As a good piano buyer Los
Angeles shows the extent of its culture as well as its
great wealth.
Whole State Pleases.
'"But what I think of Los Angeles applies to Head of Platt Music Co. Surprises Patients with
practically every community in California. You can
"Piano They Can Play Themselves."
judge Saii Francisco and all the other cities by the
Ben B. Platt, president of the Platt Music Co., Los
ease with which you can sell the right piano to the
right prospect. Of course you know the Mehlin Angeles, last week presented a playerpiano and a
piano sells itself," he added with a quizzical smile. generous supply of music rolls to the Children's Ward
"As far as I have experienced it the climate is just of the General Hospital in that city.
The gift came as a complete surprise to the little
what is claimed for it and up to now I have found
nothing on which I could base a heresy on Southern patients. Mr. Platt. the donor, explained he had se-
lected a player piano for them because it not only
California's climatic faith."
Accompanied by J. T. Fitzgerald the Los Angeles provided music, but it offered something the children
piano dealer, Mr. and Mrs. Mehlin did considerable could play themselves—an instrument which required
motoring in that part of the state. Mr. Mehlin called no "engineering."
on practically every Mehlin dealer in Southern Cali-
"These children of Ward No. 330 arc hungry for
fornia and therein found the basis for his bright the real joys of childhood," he said. "And I hope
anticipations for his line for 1927 and 1928.
the music will help to cheer the pain-wracked bodies
J. T. Fitzgerald's Vacation.
and make the youngsters forget their sufferings."
J. T. Fitzgerald, of the Fitzgerald Music House.
Mr. Platt was given a vote of thanks by the
Los Angeles, left home last Saturday for his annual children.
BEN B. PLATT'S GIFT TO LOS
ANGELES CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
AMPICO SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON
LKFT TO RICHT: J. M. .H'STICE, I. T. LAWSON, F. S. KISKI-K. F. W. W O O D I J K V , W. H. MUKRAY, V.
N'OKUXC, W. 10. HAVNER. J. K. SHOEMAKER. (3. M. WAbKER. <3. H. ELY, (3. H. JELLY. H. RUDDACH, C. H.
SPEAK, E. .1. IMQUETTB (INSTRUCTOR), C. R. CHAPMAN, T. W. MILLER, C. S. BARNES, W. M. ZIGLER,
H. L. RICHARDS.
An enthusiastic class of twenty-three members at-
tended the sessions of "the Ampico Traveling School
in Washington, D. C. The class was conducted by
E. J. Piquette, who reports a most satisfactory ses-
sion. Nine of the twenty-three members graduated
and received the Ampico credential. The fact that
only nine of the twenty-three received this credential
is a tribute to the exacting requirements of the man-
agement of the school in projecting the examinations
which every student must take before receiving the
credential. It takes a very real knowledge of the
subject to pass the examination, as is evidenced by
the fact that nine of the twenty-three members suc-
ceeded in doing so.
In addition to the Ampico course of instruction
opportunity was given the men to become thoroughly
familiar with grand action regulating. Special classes
in regulating were conducted by E. S. Werolin, man-
ager of the Ampico Service Department, and twenty
men enrolled for this study.
F. W. Church, Active for Twenty-nine Years with
the J. W. Greene Co., Returns from European
Trip—Other News of Trade.
By HENRY MAC MULLAN.
The music trade of Toledo, Ohio, is showing its
activity and progressive spirit in the manner in which
it is sponsoring the piano class promotion plan. The
music merchants of the city were always prominently
identified with the national organization of the "nisic
trade, so it is natural to expect their helpful action in
sponsoring the plan of the Toledo Blade in extend-
ing the opportunities for piano study to the public of
the city and a wide contiguous section.
Every reader of the Toledo Blade is presented with
the opportunity to learn to play the piano by means
of the Melody Way plan, devised and perfected by
W. Otto Miessner.
The Melody Way comprises 12 lessons which the
Blade is offering free to every reader. There are no
strings attached. Everyone is to have his chance
through the Blade's Melody Way Club. The first
lesson was published Saturday, July 9. Others
will be published each Saturday.
Free use of their pianos has been offered by To-
ledo's leading music houses, all of whom are co-
operating heartily with the Blade in giving Toledoans
this unequaled opportunity.
Interest Is Widespread.
Prominent music dealers throughout northwestern
Ohio, southern Michigan and eastern Indiana also are
joining this movement. Club rooms in various loca-
tions will be provided for use by the members of
the Blade's Melody Way Club. Expert instructors
will be in attendance at these clubs to give members
personal instruction and any help they desire. Many
of the country's leading teachers of music, both vocal
and instrumental, are indorsing this method and mar-
veling at the wonderful results it gives.
Everyone who completes the lessons will be per-
mitted to participate in a great recital, later in the
season. A grand picnic for the Blade's Melody Way
Club students also is being planned.
Only those who join the club by tilling out a mem-
bership application blank will be allowed to enjoy
these privileges.
Back from Europe.
There is no better known piano salesman in the
city of Toledo, Ohio, than F. W. Church, who for
29 years has been selling pianos for the J. W. Greene
Company, 801 Jefferson avenue. He was just back
from Europe three days when I called on him Sat-
urday, July 9.
Mr. Church went to Ostend, Belgium, with the
Rotarians to attend the convention there, and on
the trip he was attached to the famous Ice-House
Quarter of Toledo. He played the piano for it.
There were fifty persons in the Toledo party.
After the convention the party journeyed on
through Belgium, Holland, (icrmany, Switzerland,
France and England. Mr. Church says that busi-
ness on the other side of the Atlantic is slack, even
as it is here in the good old United States. But.
like us, the Europeans believe things have taken a
turn for livelier selling of musical instruments.
Grands Are Selling.
In Toledo, Mr. Church says, grands and high-priced
radio combinations go the best just now. There is
an encouraging restorative movement bringing back
the demand for straight pianos, he affirms, and the
straights that are in earnest demand are the small
grands.
The J. W. Greene Company specializes in the Mil-
ton pianos as a leader. It handles the C. G. Conn
instruments and the Weyman orchestra banjo.
The Automatic Musical Company, 125 Ontario
street, handles the J. P. Seeburg line, the Smith,
Barnes & Strohber Continental and the Cremonas.
This is a commission business and the employes of
the house are paid for operating the instruments.
F. A. Roth is the manager.
The Mayes Music Shop of Durant, Okla., has
opened a branch in South Second street. Sulphur,
Okla., under the name of the Sulphur Music Shop.
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