Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1928 2184

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
10 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1928
$2 The Year
KEYNOTE AT CHAMBER LUNCHEON
Get=Together Event for All the Trade Associations Made Interesting by Notable Addresses
by President Irion and Prof. John Erskine Who Take A Cheerful
*
Attitude on Problems Confronting Music
The luncheon and mass meeting at noon Monday
was the official opening of the convention proceed-
ings of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce
and all the constituent associations participated in
the joyous function.
President Hermann Iron, who presided, said it was
a genuine pleasure as well as an honor to welcome
so large a delegation to the 12th annual convention
of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce.
"Gotham, too, extends to you its open arms in wel-
come and bids you to enjoy your stay within it to the
fullest possible extent," said Mr. Irion.
No country is ultimately happy and prosperous un-
less each individual in it has an opportunity to study
the art of music, in the opinion of John Erskine, pres-
ident of the Juilliard School of Music, who spoke
at the luncheon.
Music, as a subject in the high schoo's of the coun-
try, Dr. Erskine declared, should receive a recognition
equal to that given to history, mathematics or litera-
ture. Dr. Erskine's address was broadcast by WEAK.
Five hundred persons attended the luncheon.
Among the organizations which make up the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce, the members of
which participated in the luncheon are the National
I'iano Manufacturers' Association, the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants, Band Instrument Manu-
facturers, the National Piano Travelers' Association
and the National Musical Merchandise Association.
by the Congress. The question is not yet settled.
Meanwhile, however, the phonograph industry, which
is particularly interested in this legislation, is the
beneficiary through our efforts.
"There were also matters relating to transportation,
credits and collections, and a surprising amount of
miscellaneous and incidental activities, all of which
are in the interest of and for the benefit of our trade
as a whole.
Praise for Chamber Staff.
"It seems but meet and proper, at this time, to say
a word on behalf of the paid staff of the chamber.
Air. Smith, our general manager; Mr. Tremaine, the
P R E S I D E N T IRION'S REPORT.
''In greeting you on this occasion it also becomes
my duty to briefly refer to what, if anything, your
chamber has accomplished during our fiscal year
which is just passing into history, so as to make you
acquainted in a general way with the reasons for its
existence and for its continuance as a useful and
effective agency of the music industry.
"1 take it for granted that all of you are agreed
that a trade association is necessary in every industry.
Our own association during its relatively short life
lias many valuable accomplishments to its credit.
Foremost among these was its outstanding success in
preserving the very life of our industry during the
stirring days of the war when the War Industries
Board, rating us as a non-essential industry, pro-
ceeded to curtail our raw 7 material and supplies. The
HERMANN IRION.
chamber was able to convince our government of the
director of the Bureau for Advancement of Music:
absolute indispensability of our industry.
Mr. Loomis, the secretary of the National Associa-
The Tax Reduction.
tion of Music Merchants, to Mr. Dixon, Miss
"Next in line was its successful effort in the elim-
Borchardt, and down the entire line. It must be diffi-
ination of the tax on musical instruments, which was
cult, and at times trying, to work for- as impersonal
accomplished in the very earliest stages of our gov- an employer as an association, the officers of which
ernment's tax reduction plans. Whatever the mainte- change from year to year. But in spite of that handi-
nance of your association may have cost, it is easily
cap I am convinced that they have all handled their
offset manyfold by the spectacular results accom-
tasks with ability, energy and efficiency—and with
plished in those two acts alone!
loyalty to the cause. And for that reason they are
entitled to our thanks and appreciation.
Things Accomplished.
Mr. Simpson, Too.
"All this work is covered by detailed reports of the
"Another gentleman whom T wish to mention by
various departments of the chamber, which show
name in this connection is our worthy treasurer, Mr.
that much has been done along the l'nes of our most
Herbert Simpson. It is a simple matter to handle
important activity—that of general music promotion
funds and to be their custodian when they are in
and special musical instrument promotion; legislative
abundancy, but when the opposite is the case, as it
work, particularly with reference to the important
unfortunately has been during Mr. Simpson's first
installment sales tax returns. In this sphere our
year in office, it must be said to his credit that he
Legislative Committee, in co-operation with two
other industrial associations who are also vitally inter- managed exceedingly well. A part of that credit is
ested, succeeded in obtaining a favorable compromise due also to Mr. Smith, who, in company with Mr.
Simpson, found it possible under adverse conditions
which is embodied in the new tax bill just signed by
President Coolidge. The effect of the new law will to bring together those two everlasting strangers of
budgets—the incoming and the outgoing ends. Our
save many of our merchants from double taxation
on deferred installment profits. Our chamber is thanks are therefore due to Mr. Simpson and Mr.
entitled to the credit for this achievement and we are
Smith for their good work.
to be congratulated on this victory.
Tribute to Trade Press.
"And last but not least, there was another helpful
"The chamber has also continued its activities in
matters relating to the proposed copyright revision factor which I wish to record, and that is the atti-
tude of the trade press toward our association. I
wish, therefore, to thank the trade press for its whole-
hearted and constructive cooperation.
"I have left for the last a reference to the National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music because 1 want
to be a little more explicit on this subject, as it is the
most valuable and for our industry the most im-
portant activity of your chamber. Since your chamber
about ten years ago created its bureau for the ad-
vancement of music, this bureau has extended its
influence and its contacts over our entire country. It
;s the sponsor for Nat onal Music Week, as well as
all the local music weeks, that are observed annually
throughout the land and it has as its ally a countless
h<;st of volunteer workers, all acting and working
a'ong the lines and in the direction indicated by our
bureau from which they seek guidance and advice.
The prestige of the bureau has grown to such pro-
portions that only recently four very prominent and
well-known educators appeared before the bureau's
advisory committee proffering advice and assistance
for a still greater unfolding of its educational activi-
ties in the field of music.
Use Promotion Stamps.
"Your part in this development is to assist it in
the use of the promotion stamp of the chamber and
of the merchants' association. Refuse to accept a
piano from your manufacturer without the stamps. It
is a mere trifle for the manufacturer and the merchant,
but collectively it furnishes the sinews for '.he work
we must do. Re:nembcr the stamp! The future of
our industry is indissolubly linked with it in our
desire for a bigger and a better music industry.
In a notable address, Prof. John Erskine of the
Juilliard Foundation reviewed musical education in
America and commented on the conditions relating
to music study.
PROlv ERSKINE'S ADDRESS.
Before we can make progress in musical education
in America we must recognize the factors in the
situation which constitute our special problem.
There is great talent in the country; as great, prob-
ably, as anywhere else. There is a great love of
music, audiences everywhere eager to enjoy the art.
In certain parts of the country there are great teach-
ers, especially since the war. Many of the artists
with whom our best talent would have wished to
study abroad are now permanent residents of the
United States. It would seem that with these three
factors we ought to have all the conditions of great
progress in music.
The Difficulty.
1 he difficulty, however, is that the teachers are not
in touch with the talent. Some of the gifted young-
sters live in remote parts of the land, and in whole
sections of the country there is no adequate provision
for music teaching. Although the big foundations
can bring to the East a small proportion of this
talent, the majority is neglected and will continue to
be so until better teaching is provided at central
points in all sections of the land. This is especially
true of the remote West, where the disparity between
native talent and provision for teaching is great.
A problem equally urgent is the lack of contact
between talent after it is trained and the audiences
waiting to hear it. The managerial systems which
were adequate in former decades cannot now meet
the situation. The enormous development of the
radio has disarranged the traditional concert activities.
Both teachers and pupils show a disposition to cling
to the large cities in the East—a panicky fear to
launch out into those parts of the country which most
need them.
Whatever the large music schools and the conserva-
tories and private teachers can effect, our greatest
hope and opportunity lies in the schools, especially
in the high schools, where we can reach the young.
But here there is an enormous unsatisfied demand
for competent teaching. Wherever a good musician
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
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June 9, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
is in charge, the high school music is creditable, but
these instances are comparatively few.
What we need are teachers who are themselves
artists, who can produce music in first rate style, and
by the quality of their performance constitute them-
selves musical leaders in the community.
But before we can greatly improve the situation in
the schools, we must also persuade the administrative
authorities that music as a subject should receive a
recognition equal to. that given to history, mathe-
matics, or literature. The general attitude of the
schools and colleges toward music as an educational
subject betrays an attitude toward the art which to
a musician is, to say the least, grotesque. In most
cases the faculties are ready to grant academic credit
for courses in appreciation, but no credit at all for
the severe discipline which goes with the practice
of the art. The student who sits in class and hears
lectures about-music, or has music played and sung
to him, gets credit toward his degree for that passive
experience. For arduous rehearsals in an orchestra,
and the mastery of his instrument, however*, he
usually can get no credit at all.
Just because the high schools are our central point
of attack at present, there is clanger that we shall
overstress their importance and reduce good music
to the state of those intellectual subjects which youth
studies while in school and neglects afterwards.
What we really aim at is the development of music in
the home, music as the habitual art of as many people
as possible of every age. The opportunity of the high
schools would be important if we use it to inspire
the later enjoyment and practice of the art.
SECRETARY SMITH'S REPORT.
In his annual report Secretary and General Man-
ager, A. L. Smith, Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce said.
"The constituent association members have num-
bered eleven, the same as for the past several years.
The Organ Builders' Association of America has con-
tinued to be dormant, and as there appears to be little
likelihood of an early assumption of activities, it is my
recommendation that this association be dropped from
membership. There are 37 individual members.
During the year, there were two resignations, two
new members were elected, and two applications are
pending.
The National Bureau.
'"The increased standing and prestige of the National
Bureau for the Advancement of Music with music
educators and others w+ro influence trre trend of musi-
cal demand and appreciation in this country is ex-
tremely gratifying, as its possibilities for service to
the industry depend wholly upon its success in this
respect.
Legislative Activities.
"The adjournment of Congress last week brought
to a successful close one of the busiest periods of
legislative activity which the chamber has ever ex-
perienced. The music industry was especially inter-
ested in provisions of the revenue bill affecting report-
ing of income from installment sales and in various
bills to amend the Copyright Act of 1909, affecting
the use of copyrighted music on phonograph records
and music rolls.
Double Taxation or. Installment Sales.
"The matter of taxation of income from install-
ment sales has engaged almost the constant attention
of the chamber since the adverse decision of the
Board of Tax Appeals in the so-called Todd case in
1924. This decision, in effect, declared the install-
ment regulations of the Treasury Department to be
invalid.
"Your general manager presented a brief and
argued the case of the music industry before the w r ays
and means committee of the House of Representa-
tives.
Revision of 1909 Copyright Act.
A number of hearings were held early in the year
by the House committee on patents on bills to revise
the Copyright Act of 1909, relating to the use of
copyrighted music by phonograph record and music
roll companies, after which a sub-committee was ap-
pointed for the purpose of drawing up a bill which
would eliminate the fixed two-cent rate of the present
law and, at the same time, continue to give to all
phonograph record and music roll manufacturers ac-
cess to all copyrighted music whenever released to
anyone for mechanical purposes. The resulting bill
was introduced in the House early in May.
MERCHANTS' BANQUET
CLOSES CONVENTION
Optimism Tinctures Notable Addresses of
Prominent Men at Annual Event Given
at Hotel Commodore.
The annual banquet of the National Piano Mer-
chants' Association was held in the Grand Ball Room
of the Hotel Commodore on Thursday evening and
the great number of guests represented every phase
of the music trade and industry. The event was
broadcasted.
The event was a fitting close to an enthusiastic
week and an air of optimitsm tinctured all the
speeches by guests and members of the music trade.
GOV. R I T C H I E SPEAKS.
MR. TREMAINE'S REPORT.
The address of Gov. Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland
Mr. Tremaine presented a report for the National at the banquet was broadcasted from Station WEAK
Bureau for the Advancement of Music, in which he and all associated stations at 9 p. m. Eastern daylight
reviewed the chief activities of the bureau. The three saving time. The governor, who took "Music and
chief fields of its specific promotion have been the the State" as his theme, said:
"I hope you believe that 1 genuinely appreciate the
school piano classes, band contests, school orchestras,
and recently fretted instrument promotion and, ac- honor of appearing before this musical gathering to-
cording to the report, the success attained in these night. Yet I confess you may find me somewhat
out of place. 1 am fearful lest I disturb the beauty
has been due in large measure to the steady and
rapid growth of the bureau's influence among the and harmony of your art by interjecting too much of
school authorities, parent-teacher associations, music the static which abounds in the political atmosphere
teacher's, women's clubs, music clubs, etc., and among in which I move." Continuing Governor Ritchie said:
thousands of individual local workers of many dif-
"At least some of this political static, however, need
ferent types. These contacts have also been used in
not concern you. For example, I count the tendency
the Music Week campaign.
for standardization one of the evils of modern political
life. In the field of commerce it may be economical
CREDIT SERVICE.
to standardize everything from screw nuts to straw
The annual report of the Credit and Collection De- hats. At any rate, no spiritual or social consequences
partment, Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, are involved. But when you come to deal with men,
was made by Dewey M. Dixon, assistant general
the case is different.
manager:
"I hope for the day when our Government, instead
With reference to the service covering music deal- of spending so much of its substance on activities
ers 13,239 requests for credit information were re- which do not appertain ot it, will spend a little on
ceived during the entire year, showing a slight drop one yhich does, and that it will become the supporter
from the previous year; 7,339 new reports were added and the champion of music, and establish as other
to the files. This figure is also slightly less than
the preceding year. To date 41,889 reports have been nations have established a national conservatory of
compiled, which number represents comprehensive music, a national opera and a national orchestra, for
the pleasure, for the culture and for the lasting benefit
ledger information on about 32,000 music dealers.
of the people of our land."
Collection Service.
During the year just completed 552 claims totaling
$131,186 were turned over to us by members. This
figure does not contain claims resulting from bank-
ruptcies and creditors committee arrangements han-
The National Association of Band Instrument Man-
dled for the Musical Supply Association. There is
reflected an increase over last year of more than 12 ufacturers elected C. D. Greenleaf of Elkhart, Ind.,
per cent in amount and about 2 per cent in number. president; H. J. Charlton of Elkhorn, Wis., vice-
On the above we collected about $13,637 without the president; and Alfred L. Smith of New York, sec-
aid of attorneys, while the latter secured payment retarv and treasurer.
of nearly $17,452; $11,732, was closed out as hopeless
and uncollectable and the balance is pending in ours
F. S. SPOFFORD AT CONVENTION.
and the attorneys' files.
The detail work in connection with the handling
F. S. Spofford, who was known for many years
of the affairs of bankrupt concerns and those in the as the Hardman, Peck & Co. representative at Chi-
hands of creditors committees organized through the cago, with offices in the Republic Building, was in
assistance of the Musical Supply Association was attendance at the convention. He is liquidating his
handled by this department during the year.
The advisory committee for the year has consisted business affairs gradually at Chicago, probably to
of Fred P. Bassett, chairman; James T. Bristol, Fred retire to his beautiful home in Sarasota, Fla. He
A. Holtz, W. C. Hepperea, W. W. Kerr, C. J. Mul- says the Hardman agency will lie taken care of at
Chicago by Steger & Sons.
vey, L. W. Peterson and R. P. Alexander.
C. D. GREENLEAF REELECTED
JACOB BROS. CO.
Manufacturers of "Pianos of Quality
Established 1878
We have a financing proposition worthy
of your investigation.
JACOB BROS. CO.
3O6 East 133rd St.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
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