P R E S T 0-T I M E S
The American Miuic Trade Weekly
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
PRESTO P U B L I S H I N G CO., Publishers.
F R A N K D. A B B O T T - - - - - - - - - -
(C. A. DAN I ELL—1904-1927.)
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
_ _ _ _ _ Managing
Editor
Editor
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Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, • 1928.
The last form of Presto-Times goes to press
at 11 a. m. Thursday. Any news transpiring
after that hour cannot be expected in the cur-
rent issue. Nothing received at the office that
is not strictly news of importance can have
attention after 9 a. m. on Thursday. If they
concern the interests of manufacturers or
dealers such items will appear the week follow-
ing. Copy for advertising designed for the
current issue must reach the office not later
i han Wednesday noon of each week.
MUSIC IN SMALL TOWNS
In spite of the itinerant jazz bands, the num-
ber of "jazz acts" in vaudeville and the usual
character of the music of the small town mo-
tion picture theaters, the people in the smaller
places are becoming' more and more appreci-
ative of good music. The interesting fact,
which concerns the music dealer, was an-
nounced by speakers at the fifth annual con-
vention of the Civic Music Associations of the
United States, held recently in Chicago. The
improved attitude of the people should have a
helpful influence on such activities as the Na-
tional Piano Promotion Plan sponsored by the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association.
States, in three broadcasts, one of which was
made this week through the courtesy of the
R. C. of A. and the National Broadcasting
Company. Two more such broadcasts will be
held on Feb. 10 and 17, respectively, from 11
o'clock until noon.
His first program, on Tuesday night this
week, was for the especial benefit of educators,
supervisors of music, teachers, and parents, to
acquaint them with the plan. On Feb. 10, he
will broadcast a morning program for gram-
mar school children, and on Feb. 17 another
for high school students.
Educators throughout the East are mani-
festing great interest in Mr. Damrosch's pro-
posed demonstration, according to Frederick
C. Alclen, president of the Schoolmasters' As-
sociation of New York and vicinity. Three
hundred prominent educators of New York,
who are members of or are affiliated with the
Schoolmasters' association, witnessed Mr.
Damrosch's experimental program this week.
Mr. Damrosch's dream of presenting music
to the students of America in an interesting
and at the same time educational manner is
far reaching in its ultimate possibilities.
CORRECTING FICTION
While the piano business has improved in
ethical observances and the ethical breaches
are less numerous today than formerly, deal-
ers and salesmen too often make misleading
statements about some pianos in the desire
to close sales of others. Kvery piano manu-
facturer, at one time or another, has protested
against the unsportsmanlike action of offend-
ing dealers and salesmen. Even the most
prominent houses, those with pianos widely
known to be of the highest character, have
been annoyed by the unethical practices.
Of course, the piano with great competitive
power naturally provides a temptation for the
salesman advancing the claims of his piano.
About the Steinway piano, for instance, a lot
of fiction has accumulated in the minds of
salesmen selling other pianos. Misleading-
phrases have been carried by over-zealous
salesmen to the point of dangerous misrepre-
sentation.
To nullify the effects of such, Steinway &
Sons has just published a booklet, "Fiction
and Fact About the Steinway Piano." On one
page it cites a commonly used fiction about
the piano and on the opposite page is told the
true and convincing fact. Apart from its
value as a corrective of a lot of fable about a
great piano, the booklet is an interesting
vehicle for talking points of great potency for
Steinwav salesmen.
January 28,
tinuous process and the management assists
in developing latent leadership qualities in the
factory force. Something more than the in-
clination to study his job and analyze its
phases are required by the candidate for fore-
man. He must be able to see the plant as a
whole and must be able to understand the hu-
man relationships in industry. Foreman train-
ing courses are being carried on by individual
manufacturers, state universities, industrial
vocational agencies, chambers of commerce
and manufacturers' associations.
* * *
There will be an exhibit of pianos and other
music goods in connection with the Pageant
of Music planned for the annual convention
of the Western Music Trades Association in
Los Angeles, June 26 to 28, inclusive. As was
expected, the western trade, with character-
istic spirit, has underwritten the pageant and
its accompanying attractions, which are de-
signed to keenly interest the general public in
the means towards making music. The West-
ern Music Trades Association is recognizing
the advantages of inviting the prospective
buyers to take part in the convention, so to
speak. The incidents of the pageant will pro-
vide the means for good music goods propa-
ganda.
* * *
The influence of American "jazz" music in
foreign countries on the sale of American-
made musical instruments has been very pro-
nounced, and it is conceded that vast increase
in the exports of American instruments asso-
ciated with jazz music, is significant of a popu-
lar demand for that type of music. During
the calendar year 1922 shipments of band in-
struments from here to England were valued
at $3,514 and after a consistent increase each
year the shipments in 1925 amounted to $121,-
034. Owing to the great strike, shipments fell
off in 1926. It is said the shipments lor 1927
will be bigger than those for any previous
year.
Another set of suggestions printed this
week in Presto-Times, is worthy of the at-
tention of the earnest dealer. The sugges-
tions this time are by Mr. Will A. Watkin,
head of the Will A. Watkin Company, Dallas,
Tex., who favors a standard schedule of piano
depreciation to be prepared by the Music In-
dustries Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Watkin's
set of suggestions are the practical kind to be
expected from a music dealer of judgment and
experience and are valuable aids to the solu-
tion of a grave problem.
* * *
Apart from its value as a marshalling of
The new expression in music matters in the
forces and the outlining of campaign plans,
Another erroneous impression of the influ- the conference of Straube Piano Co. salesmen,
smaller places was an interesting change, the
speakers agreed. Whereas in the past a con- ences of radio on the phonograph business is roadmen, factory heads and the executives
cert or recital by some famous singer or mu- removed by a report of the Allen-Hough Man- last week was a significant showing of the
sician was treated simply as the appearance ufacturing Co., Racine, Wis., which began spirit which assures success in a sales effort.
of a great person and audiences were made up manufacturing portable phonographs about a Enthusiasm is contagious and where it is di-
of curious folk who w r erc more desirous of year ago with a force of fifteen workers. In rected, permeates every activity in an under-
seeing the celebrity than of hearing his art, spite of the supposed deterrents of radio com- taking. Such enthusiasm has its best effect
today the assemblages are more interested in petition the business has grown from the be- in promoting a cordial relationship between
the music offered than in the individual ginning. The production rate of the increased the dealers and the manufacturing company.
force of eighteen to eighty-seven factory
artists.
* * *
workers is 600 portable phonographs a day
The year 1928 is another of the years in
and the factory on an overtime schedule.
which the slaves of precedent will bow their
DAMROSCH PROMOTION PLAN
* * *
necks to the yoke of the inevitable. In the
Mr. Walter Damrosch. conductor of the New
The importance of foremen in the industries music trade as elsewhere are those who ex-
York Symphony Orchestra, is now presented is so well recognized that the number of
as a powerful aid to piano promotion plans courses in foreman ship established in the pect the worst in Presidential election year.
and similar efforts in the cause of music. Mr. United States has grown from 105 in 1922 to This year is one in which viewing with alarm
Damrosch has a plan to teach music to the 933 in 1927. The production of foremen in the will be a common mental activity and in which
millions of school children in the United representative music goods factories is a con- high priests of precedent will offer up large
sacrifices of energy to the deity, Bunk.
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