Presto

P R E S T O-T I M E S
The American Music Trade Weekly
Published Every Saturday at 417 South Dearborn
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
advisory board formed by Dr. Browne. From
a study of its use in asylums for the insane,
ways may be developed for its application to
the hundreds of subnormal, backward and
mentally incompetent children in the city's
school system.
PRESTO P U B L I S H I N G CO., Publishers.
Editor
F R A N K D. A B B O T T
- - - - - - - -
(C. A. D A N I ELL—1904-1927.)
Managing Editor
J. FERGUS O'RYAN
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter Jan. 29, 1896, at the
Post Office, Chicago, 111., under Act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $2 a year; 6 months, $1.25; Foreign, $4.
Payable in advance. No extra charge in United States
possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for advertising on
application.
Items of news and other matter are solicited and if of
general interest to the music trade will be paid for at
space rates. Usually piano merchants or salesmen in the
smaller cities are the best occasional correspondents, and.
their assistance is invited.
Payment is not accepted for matter printed in the edi-
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 of other
than strictly news interest.
When electrotypes are sent for publication it is re-
quested that their subjects and senders be carefully indi-
cated.
Forms close at noon on Thursday. Late news matter
should be in not later than 11 o'clock on that day. Ad-
vertising copy should be in hand before Tuesday, 5 p. m.,
to insure preferred position. Full page display copy
phould be in hand by Tuesday noon preceding publication
day. Want advertisements for current week, to insure
classification, should be in by Wednesday noon.
Address all communications for the editorial or business
departments to PRESTO PUBLISHING CO., 417 South
Dearborn Street, Chicago, III.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 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
'ban Wednesday noon of each week.
CHICAGO IN LINE
The Chicago Piano & Organ Association
scores another for achievement in the en-
eourgement of music and the promotion of
musical study. The installation of piano classes
as prominent features in the Chicago public
schools has been a definite object of the organ-
ization for quite a while but since the appoint-
ment of a special committee to further the
object, which was named by President Roger
O'Conner several months ago the efforts to-
ward the desirable object have been continuous
and persistent.
Plans of the Chicago Board of Education
will keep that city in step with the nation-wide
efforts to promote musical culture and increase
the study of music. At a recent meeting of
the Board of Education the expenditure of
$30,000 a year in salaries for the executive
heads of this new Department of Music was
approved.
The salary of the director. Dr. J. Lewis
Browne, one of the most prominent musicians
in the Middle West, was fixed at $6 000 a year
and his assistant's at $5,000. A compensation
of $4,000 a year for each of four supervisors
for vocal music in junior and senior high
schools, orchestral music in junior and senior
highs, class instrumental instruction and mil-
itary band music was authorized. A salary of
$3,000 a year also was approved for an assist-
ant supervisor of class instrumental instruc-
tion.
The possibility of broadening the scope of
music in Chicago schools to aid in the treat-
ment of mentally-handicapped children is cited
by Dr. John J. Killeen, a member of the lay
AIDS GROUP CLASSES
A special report of the National Bureau for
the Advancement of Music issued this week
includes mention of the efforts of the Packard
Music Co., Fort Wayne, Ind., to extend the
group piano teaching movement. Mr. C. R.
Moores, who is president of the Indiana Music
Merchants' Association, is in charge of that
feature for developing 1 interest in the piano bv
the progressive Fort Wayne house.
The report tells of Mr. Moores' success in
interesting the heads of schools and colleges,
and C. M. Tremaine, director of the Bureau,
praises his efforts to bring teaching institu-
tions showing interest in the group classes
to the notice of the Bureau. Mr. Tremaine
recommends a similar course of procedure by
dealers successful in interesting local schools
in the group class methods of teaching the
piano.
It is acknowledged by all phases of the
piano trade that the future of piano sales de-
pends on active methods of encouraging piano
lessons in the schools and among the growing
girls and boys generally. And it is acknowl-
edged that the group plan of teaching the
piano is one of special allurement for children.
The group system as developed by the Pack-
ard Piano Co., is a revelation to parents whose
children have enjoyed the privileges of the
group classes.
The element of art in the piano industry is
an acknowledged necessity and that of science
is an equally important requirement, a fact
cleverly set forth in another part of this paper
by Mr. A. G. Gulbransen, head of the Gulbran-
sen Company, Chicago. Science in industry is
a part of the new order of things. The scien-
tific character of manufacturing methods de-
termines the merit as well as the profit possi-
bilities of the goods, all of which is admirably
set forth by Mr. Gulbransen.
In an interesting article in this issue of
Presto-Times. Mr. Frield Miller, head of Frield
Miller & Co., Indianapolis, tells of the advan-
tages of pyrolin ivory in the construction of
the modern piano keyboard. From experi-
ence in using the product in his piano key cov-
ering business, Mr. Miller is competent to ex-
plain the merits of pyrolin ivory, the uses of
which he says have increased amazingly
within recent years.
The important element of timeliness in mu-
sic rolls for automatic pianos is impressed
on piano owners by the Clark Orchestra Roll
Co., which says in its clever little house organ
that "a popular roll has a limited time value
and is good only while the numbers it contains
are enjoying a run of popularity. The consid-
eration is involved in the question of profits,
excellent advice about securing which is
printed in another part of this paper.
The hope of the piano trade is in the live men
who clearly understand the circumstances in
the piano business and also what is required
by the duty to themselves and the pianos they
represent. They are the energetic men who
September 1, 1928
cooperate with the piano promotional schemes
and who make consistent uses of the adver-
tising and other selling aids provided by pro-
gressive piano manufacturers. In short, the
hope of the piano business is in the men who
strive for results and get them.
* * *
Everywhere busy piano stores are being
made busier and the too quiet ones roused to
desired activity bv the adoption of one or
other of the teaching systems. Piano instruc-
tion by the plan selected is a feature of a great
number of stores and the movement continues
to grow.
*
;|:
:|e
With the aid of piano playing contest-; and
the group instruction classes in the stores a
healthy enthusiasm is being infused into the
trade.
It is a spreading movement which
means the recreation of bin ing interest in the
piano.
* * *
It is clear that the consideration of music is
the strongest argument in the appeal for piano
sales.
The moment that music disappears
from the argument all real need for the mu-
sical instrument disappears likewise.
THIRTY YEARS AGO
(From Presto, September 1, 1898.)
It is a pity that so capable a gentleman as Mr.
Thomas Floyd-Jones, after long years spent in the
p ; ano trade, should deem it best to change his voca-
tion.. We are sure that Mr. Floyd-Jones would easily
find an opening to fit him right in the business with
whr'ch he is familiar.. And we wish he would do it
and stay with us.
As will be seen by an article on another page,
Chicago has one more very active piano factory. The
"Hamilton" piano will be a factor in the trade from
this time forward. It has, in fact, been winn : ng pop-
ularity for some time past. But with the establ : shing
of a separate factcry fcr its production the "Hamil-
ton" will now take its place conspicuously among the
Chicago-made p : ancs, and swell the number of west-
ern instruments to an appreciable degree.
There is no argument due on the subject of trano
paper; that is. piano dealers' customers' paper. Every
couniry cr small city bank greets it gleefully and in
large places the money-men take it in with thanks.
Fianc paper is pretty clcse to the government bond
in pcint of popularity with peop'.e who make a busi-
ness of : nvesting their loose change.
We understand that the new Haines Bros. Piano
Company has already secured a factory at No. 511
West 20th street, New York, and will begin to do
bus : ncss without delay.
Mr. C. R. Stone of Fargc, N. D., has been in the
city this week.
Mr. F. W. Teeple cf the Chicago Cottage Organ
Co. returned from his vacation trip from New York
last week, and this week started south on a business
(rip.
Mr. E. S. Votey of the Votey Organ Co., Detroit,
has been in town t h s week. He was in a most cheer-
ful rr.ocd and spoke in sanguine words of the outlook
cf trade generally and of his house in particular.
Mr. W. B. Williams, the "Sterling" traveler, was
in Chicago on Tuesday westward bound. Mr. Wil-
liams had just come from the fac'ory in Derby, Conn.
He said that trade is good with the "Sterlng" and
that Messrs. Blake and Mason both anticipated a
remarkably good fall trade.
Mr. Charles Grundy, Jr., traveler for the Chicago
Cottage Organ Cc, in Minnesota and North and
Scuth Dakota, has been at headquarters this week
and has been showing some cf his customers, who
have been here, the Chicago Cottage Co. factories.
Mr. Julius Breckwoldt of Dolgeville, arrived in
Chrcago Tuesday afternoon, and by this time, no
doubt, has filled his order book to the muzzle with
the wants of the wideawake western piano makers.
Mr. Breckwcldt. in a pleasant talk with a Presto
writer, expressed the utmost enthusiasm on the sub-
ject of fall trade. His own fast spreading industry
in Dolgeville is in a most prosperous condition.
WANTED.
F'rst-class salesman for floor and short trips.
Tuner preferred. Give full references and state sal-
ary. Only sober and reliable man cf ability need
apply.
JESSE FRENCH PIANO AND ORGAN CO.,
Dallas, Tex.
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