October 13, 1928
PRESTO-TIMES
as they are. The secretary of the Department of Fine
Arts would have no authority to interfere with their
finances or management.
"There would be an advisory body, composed of
the best authorities on all arts in the country, to
advise the secretary and to prevent foolish legislation.
The offices of the secretary, however, would be of
Committee, with Frederick Philip Stieff, Balti- great and wide-spreading importance.
President of the Music Industries Chamber of
more, Piano Manufacturer, as Chairman,
''In a word, the movement means that the United
Commerce, on His Return from Abroad,
States Government would, like the French Govern-
and Including Leading Artists, Moves
Expresses Satisfaction at Evidences
ment, eventual'}' recognize and be of assistance to the
for Creation of Federal Depart-
of Success of Scheme.
artists of the country."
ment of Fine Arts.
Invitations to many of the leading musicians, paint-
Hermann Irion, president of the Music Industries
ers, sculptors and architects of the country will soon Chamber of Commerce, has issued the following state-
Frederick Philip Stieff, member of the firm of
be issued by Mr. Stieff for a meeting to be held at ment about the National Musical Instrument Slogan
Charles M. Stieff, Baltimore, Md., well known manu- his home in Roland Park, Baltimore.
Contest:
facturers of the Stieff, Shaw and other pianos, has
"I am extremely gratified to find, on my return
been appointed chairman of a committee on the foun-
from Europe, that the Musical Instrument Slogan
dation of a movement to create a Federal Department
Contest has been launched and that early reports to
of Fine Arts with a secretary at its head and sitting
the contest committee indicates keen interest of the
in the president's cabinet. The movement has been
general public and various groups in the musical in-
started as a result of a speech delivered by Albert C.
dustry, f have always felt that a good slogan is an
Ritchie, governor of Maryland, in Xew York last
invaluable asset to any enterprise, and I believe that
summer before 1,300 members of the National Asso-
President George Henkelman Will Be Able the best way to evolve such a slogan is to set the
ciation of Music Merchants.
mass mind at work on the problem."
by This Arrangement to
At a meeting held at the Roland Park home of
Accordingly, I wish to urge everyone connected
Travel More.
Mr. Stieff, those present being artists, musicians,
with the manufacture, distribution or sale of a musical
sculptors and architects, he appointed a committee of
Edwin Jarrett is back again with the Henkelman instrument to use every effort possible to get people
four to confer with the leaders in the four arts
Piano
Manufacturing Company, 709-717 East 140th to thinking and talking of this slogan contest. The
throughout the country. The committee consists of
street, New York, in the field that has engaged his more wo arouse popular enthusiasm the better will
Frederick R. Huber, municipal director of music of
be the quality of the winning slogan and, furthermore,
Baltimore city, and himself a musician: Hans Schu- best efforts for several years past.
the greater will be the effect of the contest on the
Mr.
Henkelman
believes
(and
Mr.
Jarrett
fully
ler, sculptor and director of the Maryland Institute;
musical business in general.
Thomas C. Corner, an artist o\ national reputation, agrees with him) that he can best serve himself by
maintaining constant dealer contacts, as conditions
Recalls Incident of Trip Abroad.
and Bayard Turnbul', architect of Baltimore.
are today, and Mr. Jarrett is re-entering his old field
"As I wrote the above words, thoughts came back
Movement Spreads.
in the production end of the business, which will per- to me of certain remarks I made recently, when I had
The movement for the creation of this new office mit the chief to visit his trade more than he has the privilege and pleasure of speaking before a d n-
f
lias already spread throughout he country, although
been able to.
iier of the Federation of British Music Industries in
no publicity has been given it, it was stated by Mr.
With the revival of better trade which all observers London, as president of the Music Industries Cham-
Stieff and Clarence J. Roberts, also of the firm of
are foreseeing as soon as election is over, the good ber of Commerce of the United States. I traced the
Charles M. Stieff, and president of the National Asso- old Henkelman line may well expect its share of
similarity of purpose of the two organizations: the
ciation of Music Merchants, in explaining the aims of orders.
advancement of popular interest in the art of music;
the movement.
and I called attention to the highly educational and
Acting on a suggestion in Governor Ritchie's speech
cu'tural value of the appreciation and love of music,
MAY
REVIVE
OLD
WELTE
COMPANY.
to piano men, Mr. Roberts called a conference of
not only when the art is used as a mere pastime by
the leaders in national music and Mr. Stieff was
There has been some sight stirring in a movement listeners, but when it is employed, enjoyed as an
elected to the foundation chairmanship. A confer- to revive and put again into active manufacturing the outlet for self-expression through the playing of some
ence of Mr. Stieff and his Baltimore advisers was held
old Welte organization, which for some years con- instrument.
Then I recounted the vicissitudes
during the past week.
ducted its factory at 653 West 5lst street. New York. through which the music industry has passed in recent
A meeting was held in Chicago last week at which years, caused, for example, by the development of
"None of the present institutions, whether mu-
nicipally or privately contro'led, would find interfer- tentative p'ans for the reorganization were discussed, the automobile and the radio, and dually I made my
ence from the Federal Government, according to our but so far there has been no call for capital subscrip- point—that music has survived in popularity in the
present plans," Mr. Stieff said. "Music conservatories, tions. At one time some years ago George W. Git- face of all these distractions, because music is eter-
art galleries and other organizations would remain tins was in control of the old company.
nally young.
Calls for Action.
"Nevertheless, tris ho'd of music on public favor
must be revitalized from time to time by those who.
like the members of the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce, are its mentors. 1 look on the National
Musical Instrument Slogan Contest as an opportunity
The new Starr Grand Style 40, pic-
to be seized by manufacturers, jobbers and dealers
tured herewith, is an instrument of
everywhere—an opportunity which they can seize
great possibilities for the trade. Its
simply by obtaining the contest leaflets and other
appeal to the customer is irresistib'y
accessories and making the widest possible distribu-
strong.
Although only
fifty-eight
tion of them to the public in their immediate
inches in length, its tone is one of rich-
localities.
ness, fullness and resonance. The
"Public response can be counted on if the public is
action responds with ease, promptness
properly informed, and the members of the trade must
and facility, and throughout its con-
necessarily form the main reliance of the contest com-
struction, embodies such durability that
mittee for disseminating know'edge of the contest.
its own reliability is immediately estab-
For this reason, I again urge the fullest cooperation
lished.
between all elements of the industry and the small
For almost two-thirds of a century,
group of men at the head of this nation-wide enter-
homes, educational institutions and
prise which is designed to create good-will for our
eminent musicians have given Starr
business."
pianos heartiest acclamation. In tone,
contour and finish, in distinctive crafts-
ACTIVITY AMONG THE TUNERS.
manship—they truly reflect the Starr
The National Association of Piano Tuners now
standard of quality. In the new Starr
has 1,500 members; the Chicago local association
Grand, thus endowed with those in-
about (0 members. The removal a few days ago of
herent qualities which liav*- distin-
the national hearfqmrters from room 804 to room
guished all instruments of Star: origin,
808 gives the offices more space and besides there is
is presented an instrument which meets
a small consultation room nito which a group may go
every requirement of the most discrim-
if they have something they want to talk over. This
inating musical taste and offers an im-
year a membership drive is on the program. Some
mediate appeal for the vogue in the
of the former tuners have deserted the ranks and gone
smaller piano.
into other lines of activity. Ex-Secretary W. F. Me-
Prominent among many features of
Clellan still makes his headquarters at the national
the Style 40 Grand are its new im-
association offices, and he and all who come there
proved scale of seven and one-third
to pick up their orders are getting enough to do.
octaves; latest type repeating action;
copper wound bass strings; genuine
spruce sounding board, reinforced by
MUSICAL TYPEWRITER.
ribs; cross-laminated, multiple-ply pin-block of thin
a worth-while grand at a price to meet the average
Paul Bonnard, a Paris lawyer, has just obtained a
sawn, hard rock maple; reinforced and built-up frame income. The instrument is built primarily for and patent on a typewriter for writing music, according
and rim, cross-laminated of thin veneers; full metal to fit the space and acoustic conditions of the average to a telegram to the New York Times. In the in-
plate, polished brass hardware throughout; hand- modern home, and in it is incorporated the best of
vention the most complicated music may be recorded
somely finished keys.
the most modern ideas in advanced grand piano on his machine just as effectively and much more
Heretofore the purchase of such an instrument, building.
rapidly than bv the old style of writing it out by
because of its size and price, has been restricted, but
The dimensions of Starr Grand, Style 40 are: hand. According to the Bonnard system, each note
l
in the new Starr Grand Style 40 is presented a fine
Height, 38 / 2 inches: width, 57 inches, and length, 58 and octave will be replaced by a letter. A figure on
piano in a reduced size at a very limited investment. inches. It is n.ade in mahogany and walnut, all the left would mark an octave on the first note,
This is the sincere result of an endeavor to produce
finishes.
while a figure on the right would indicate tempo.
NEW MOVEMENT
WOULD AID MUSIC
HERMANN IRION
ON SLOGAN CONTEST
E. JARRETT RE-ENTERS
THE PRODUCTION END
STARR GRAND WINS TRADE
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