PRESTO-TIMES
French & Sons' expert workmen is the in-
herited ambition of H. Edgar French, head of
the company today.
The American Miuic Trade Weekly
E. J. Radle, president of F. Radle, Inc., New
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn York, is proud to cite the experience of many
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
of his associate workers in the factory at 605-
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., Publishers.
611 W. 36th street, New York. The "F. Radle
Tone" is a characteristic of the pianos which
F R A N K D. A B B O T T - - - - - - - - - -
Editor
(C. A. D A N I ELL—1304-1927.)
Mr. Radle maintains can only be produced by
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
- - - - - Managing Editor
the personal work of mature workers who
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
have acquired their skill in long years of serv-
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address ( C o m -
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), " P R E S T O , " Chicago.
ice in the F. Radle factory.
An enjoyable annual function of the Weaver
lOntered as second-class matter Jan 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Piano Co., Inc., York, Pa., is a dinner to old
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4.
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United States employes and the roster of honored craftsmen
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on
who have been making Weaver pianos for
application.
thirty, forty, fifty years and over, is the basis
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if of
general interest to the music trade will be paid for at of a proud claim of Weaver thoroughness and
space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen in the
smaller cities are the best occasional correspondents, and expertness in the making of reliable pianos.
their assistance is invited.
The Packard Piano Co., Fort Wayne, Ind., is
Payment H not accepted for matter printed in the edi- another old piano manufacturing industry, dis-
torial or news columns of Presto-Times.
Where half-tones are made the actual cost of produc-
tion will be charged if of commercial character or other tinguished by a working force remarkable for
than strictly news interest.
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re- the length of service of many of the factory
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully indi- force. Julius Bauer & Co., Chicago; Chicker-
cated.
ing & Sons, Boston; W. W. Kimball Co., Chi-
Forms close at noon on Thursday. Late news matter
should be in not later than 11 o'clock on that day. Ad- cago; Mason & Hamlin Co., Boston; Starr
vertising' copy should be in hand before Tuesday, 5 p. m.,
to insure preferred position. Full page display copy Piano Co., Richmond, Ind.; the M. Schulz Co.,
should be in hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure Chicago; Vose & Sons Piano Co., Boston; The
classification, should be in by Wednesday noon.
Cable Co., Chicago; Adam Schaaf, Inc., Chi-
Address all communications for the editorial or business cago ; Williams Piano Co., Chicago; Story &
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
Clark Piano Co., Chicago ; Hardman, Peck &
Co., New York; Steger & Sons Piano Mfg.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1927.
Co., Chicago, and Krakauer Bros., New York,
are others of the older group of piano indus-
The last form of Presto-Times goes to pres9 tries where the skill of its employes of un-
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring usually long service is proudly considered a
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur-
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that valuable asset.
is not strictly news of importance can have
There is a best way to do everything and
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they the men who in early life set themselves to
concern the interests of manufacturers or learn, and continually strive for technical ex-
dealers such items will appear the week follow-
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the cellence are today, in middle life and even in
current issue must reach the office not later advanced age, potent factors in producing fine
than Wednesday noon of each week.
pianos and in consequence considered as assets.
October 29, 1927
stead of a backbone. I wonder if it is as
'cloudy' in the West?"
There are many shades of difference be-
tween good trade and bad trade and the in-
quiring piano man may encounter all the vari-
ations in the West as well as the East. In a
great measure, trade conditions in any piano
store depend on the ability of the owner to
make the most of circumstances. The observ-
ing traveler's statement that a considerable
number of pianos of all types are being sold,
verifies the reports of active piano manufac-
turers who say they are working full time and
in some instances, overtime, to fill the orders
from the dealers, those who know how to sell,
of course.
Why shouldn't the musician, music dealer,
music teacher, and music lover in voting for a
candidate for a political office be prejudiced
in favor of the one who has heretofore proved
himself a supporter of musical movements in
the community? It is the question asked by
the editor of the Musical Review of San Fran-
cisco, who urges readers to support Mayor
Rolfe for re-election because of his active aid
to every musical enterprise, as well as to give
their votes to other candidates with a similar
claim. Why not? Providing happiness is an
important part of government and the office
holder who helps establish municipal concerts
and opera performances, found symphony or-
chestras and create music courses in the
schools is worthy of election.
* * *
In the legislative program of American bus-
iness to be laid before the coming Congress
set forth by the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States, at the opening general meeting
of directors, national councillors and commit-
teemen of the organization this week, called
to consider its work for 1927-28, were down-
ward revision of the corporation income tax,
repeal of remaining war excise taxes and the
federal estate tax and scientific adjustment of
postal rates and abandonment of the policy
A VALUABLE ASSET
TRADE AS YOU MAKE IT
of saddling upon commercial mail users the
In addition to desirable capital, and the de-
An experienced piano traveler and one with
velopment of a high degree of scientific skill a keen gift-of observation and an unusual abil- cost of free and less-than-cost policy services.
* * *
and artistic taste in manufacture, many of the ity for analysis has just concluded a tour of
Mr.
II.
L.
Draper,
vice-president and treas-
prominent piano industries frankly consider the eastern states in which he talked with
urer
of
The
Cable
Company,
this week said
as assets the length of service and consequent music trade folk of all sorts and conditions
that
there
was
considerable
trade
to be had,
technical expertness of many of their em- of mind: With those who see a future in the
but
that
it
had
to
be
fought
for
in harder
ployes. With some of the piano industries the piano business and those who see in it only a
battles than in some previous years. He was
long duration of service of craftsmen in the jumping-off place ; with those who believe that
referring, of course, to the efforts of the in-
factories is considered something that adds to
the straight piano is well on its way back to dividual retail salesman, to whom will belong
their distinction.
popularity and those whose only hope is in the bulk of the glory and honor to be achieved
In accounts of the ninetieth anniversary of the playerpiano. He talked with people who by the piano business during the season. "For
the founding of the Wm. Knabe & Co., printed have a strong leaning towards the small low- the total volume of piano sales in the season
last week, the duration of service of some of priced grand piano and those who anathemize of 1927-28 will depend largely upon the efforts
the workers in the Baltimore factory added
the same for its tonal deficiencies; with cheer- of the retail men."
special interest to the stories. These men of
* * *
ful men who say the talking machine is play-
mature age, it was intimated, had acquired the
The
word
"Steinway"
is made synonymous
ing its way back into favor and with those
technical skill associated with the production
with
highest
quality
by
Lyon & Healy, Chi-
who aver that the talking machine is as dead
of fine pianos of distinctly artistic character.
cago,
which
features
these
statements in an
as the flowers that bloomed in the spring of
In all departments of the Steinway & Sons 1919. And, of course, he met and listened to advertisement in the Chicago Sunday papers :
"Here, where the Steinway is made the stand-
factory at Steinway, L. I., are veteran super-
the joyous conversation of the parties who sell
ard ; any make of piano sold by us will, of
intendents and workmen distinguished by long
radio and the more interesting conversation-
course, be the Steinway of its class." Lyon &
years of service and the acquisition of skill
alists—those who curse it fluently and with
Healy relies on the general belief of Stein-
they involve. The Steinway, being the prod-
great emphasis.
way excellence in the use of the term Stein-
uct of experts, suggests the thought of piano
"And out of all this mass of contradictory way for identifying other pianos with a meri-
builders of long experience. It follows that
opinion
I gather that pianos of various types torious character.
the ability of the Steinway factory veterans is
are
being
sold in considerable quantities by
* * *
classed as an asset.
dealers
who
know
how
to
sell
them,"
is
his
The bright young men of the advertising
The creation of a force of experts in piano
departments have gone recklessly ahead mak-
building imbued with loyalty to the purposes summing up, to which he adds :
"But if there is any field that harbors as ing the confusion of the radio buying prospect
of the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., was
the avowed purpose of the late Jesse French, much concrete pessimism as the retail piano more confounded. They forget that devices
founder of the big industry at New Castle, field, I pray to be spared contact with it. The easily understood by the experts are baffling
Ind. The enlargement of the group of Jesse trade seems to be supported by a wishbone in- to the lay minds.
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