Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1929 2220

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE JOURNAL
\ 0 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1929.
Raymond E. Durham, president, and C. H. De-
Acres, vice-president and general manager of Lyon &
Healy, joined the association as individual active
members.
New Columbus Members.
At the invitation of Otto B. Heaton, Mr. Loomis
Plans for Convention Week in Chicago in June spent Monday and Tuesday, February 4 and 5, in
Columbus, Ohio. Visits were paid to every music
Assume Definite Shape, Following Visit
merchant in the city, Mr. Heaton giving generously
cf Secretary Loomis—Columbus Adds
of his time, accompanying Mr. Loomis and introduc-
ing him to most of the merchants and arranging for
Six New Members and Interest
his manager, Arthur L. Roberts, to make other calls
Increases There.
with Mr. Loomis. Columbus has a number of live,
up-to-date, progressive dealers who evidenced a very
In addition to the General Convention Arrange-
ments Committee meeting, in Chicago, last week decided interest in association matters, both in their
there were also sessions of the Merchants' Conven- own Ohio association and in the national.
tion Committee and the Banquet Committee. The
Six new members were added to the roster in
program for the joint session on Tuesday of Con- Columbus and the names in the order in which they
vention week was approved by the general commit-
were taken follow: W r . M. Frickman, manager,
tee and tentative programs for the Wednesday and
Steinway & Sons; O. W. Hudnell, proprietor, Hud-
Thursday meetings of the Merchants' Association and nell Music Store; Benjamin F. Traub, manager, Ru-
the annual banquet were made.
dolph Wurlitzer Company; Arthur L. Roberts, man-
ager, Heaton's Music Store; C. A. Gaetz, proprie-
When the desire was expressed at the meetings last
tor, Gaetz Music House; William P. Hocrmle, pro-
October by several members of the board of control
of the National Association of Music Merchants, prietor, Hoerrule's Music Shoppe.
among them Otto B. Heaton, one of the board of
These new members in addition to R. C Wilkin of
directors, that the executive secretary should continue
Wilkin, Rodman Company and Mr. Heaton, make a
his visits to members of the trade, which were begun
total of eight Columbus members.
on the west coast in October. No definite route was
Mr. and Mrs. Heaton entertained a party of guests
outlined or cities named, but the board indicated
including Mr. Loonv's at their home on Riverside
that whenever the work of the executive office in New
Drive Monday evening after which some of the party
York permitted, the secretary, Delbert L. Loomis, attended the concert of the Cleveland Symphony
might make trips as extended as possible.
Orchestra.
President Roberts wished to have Mr. Loomis
Several other cities will be visited by Mr. Loomis
attend the meeting of the general convention arrange- before returning to New York.
ments committee called by Chairman O'Connor for
The Arrangements.
Thursday evening, January 31, at the Lake Shore
Athletic Club, Chicago, and it was decided that after
The general convention arrangements committee
the stop in Chicago certain other cities might be of which Roger O'Connor of Chicago is chairman and
visited before returning to New York.
which includes members of all branches of the indus-
George I. Dowling's Activity.
try will have charge of arrangements for the various
George J. Dowling, president of the Cable Com- convention activities of all of the branches of the
pany, for many years a member of the Merchants' music industries. The banquet committee of which
Carl Weber of Chicago is chairman will have charge
Association, and whose membership in company with
a number of others was carried over during the period of the arrangements of the annual banquet of the
of the chartered state assoc'ations, reinstated IT is in- National Association of Music Merchants to be held
at the Drake Hotel, Thursday evening, June 6, 1929
dividual active membership.
ACTIVE IN WORK
OF ASSOCIATION
JESSE FRENCH FOR BROADCASTING
The Montgomery, Ala..
radio station WAP1 at the
State Department of Agri-
culture and Industries went
on the a'r last week for the
first time and the event
was treated as a highly im-
portant fact by the news-
papers of Alabama and
radio fans within a hearing
radius.
An important incident of
the formal opening was
the acceptance for the new
station by Governor Bibb
Graves of a splendid grand
piano presented for use in
the station by the Jesse
French & Sons Piano Co.,
through H. K. Poston.
manager of the Montgom-
ery branch of the big
Richmond. I ml., industry.
In the accompanying cut
Governor Graves (right)
is shown accepting the
Jesse French & Sons grand
from Mr. Poston, and the
governor took occasion to
comment on the public-spir-
ited character of the house
of Jesse French & Sons
Piano Company, and the
keen interest in Alabama
progress by H F d g a r
French, its president, and
the French family gener-
allv. on all occasions.
$2 The Yeai
R. S. WILLIAMS CO.
HAS CELEBRATION
Widely Known Toronto Music House, One of
Canada's Largest Businesses of the Kind,
Celebrates Eightieth Anniver-
sary This Month.
During the month of February, R. S. Williams
Co., Ltd. Toronto, Out., with its three branch stores
is celebrating its eightieth anniversary in the music
business. R. S. Williams founded the business at
Hamilton, Ontario, in 1849, later moving the firm to
Toronto, where it is now housed in a hagnificent
ten-story building in the heart of the retail shopping
district.
The company is headed by Bert A. Trestrail, pres-
ident, and his brother, Fred A. Trestrail, vice-presi-
dent. Both are young men, born in the United States,
who have established themselves in the Canadian
music industry over a long period of years. In addi-
tion to operating the R. S. Williams Co., Ltd., they
direct the activities of the Q R S Music Company of
Canada, Ltd., which in turn is distributor in the entire
Dominion for the Rogers Batteryless Radio and the
Grigsby-Grunow Radio.
Celebrates Anniversary.
A most un'que advertising campaign has been under
way during the past few weeks. One week prior to
the opening day of the anniversary celebration, the
five leading Toronto radio stations, FFNC, EFRB,
CKCL, CKMC, EFCA, broadcasted the efforts of
over one hundred artists giving the widest publicity
possible to the eightieth anniversary of R. S. Williams.
The Williams building was especially decorated for
the event and in the windows were pictures of im-
portant events in Canada's history. A large battery
of spotlights made the R. S. Williams Company one
of the brightest illuminated spots in Toronto during
the anniversary. On the first day of the anniversary
open house was held for all. Artists, orchestras and
bands dressed in the fashion of eighty years ago
entertained thousands of people on the various ten
floors of the R. S. Williams Building. One of the
most unique parts of this celebration was the enter-
tainment of all men and wo:v.cn of Toronto who
were 80 years or over.
Old Folk Participate.
About fifty of these octogenarians were brought in
special automobiles to the W.lliams store, where they
were greeted personally by Bert A. Trestrail, the
president, entertained by the large group of art'sts
and then each lady was presented with a beautiful
basket of flowers and each man a fine pipe.
Over 50,000 people, it is conservatively estimated
visited the R. S. WiU'ams store during the day.
Handsome souvenirs were given all. Thousands of
congratulatory letters and telegrams have been re-
ceived by the Messrs. Trestrail. The R. S. Williams
Co., Ltd., has a warm spot in the hearts of all Cana-
dians.
Gordon Laughead Present.
Representatives from many American firms were
present. Gordon Laughead, sales manager of the
Wurlitzer Grand Piano Company, DeKalb, 111., rep-
resented the Wurlitzer institution. On the first day "
of the anniversary celebration no goods were sold,
but now a great anniversary sale is in progress.
Messrs. Trestrail report that they are enjoying the
largest business in the history of the old R. S. Wil-
liams firm.
HERBERT S. MILLS DIES.
Herbert S. Mils, president of the Mills Novelty
Co.. Chicago, died February 3 aboard his yacht in
Mi;imi harbor, following an attack of paralysis. He
was 58 years old He was the inventor of a vending
machine from the sale of which he amassed a fortune.
Other automatic devices were later invented by him
He is survived by bis widow, four sons who are
associated with the Mills Novelty Co., and four
daughters.
GOVERNOR GRAVES ACCEPTS JESSE FRENCH PIANO.
Leo Brick opened a new music store at 1580 St.
Johns place in Brooklyn, N. Y.
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/
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
PAST PRESIDENTS'
DAY AT PIANO CLUB
Men Who Have Served in Honored Position in
Piano Club of Chicago Hear Graceful
Speeches and Toasts at
Weekly Luncheon.
The weekly luncheon of the Piano Club of Chi-
cago this week was observed as a celebration of Past
Presidents' Day. In the absence of President Roger
O'Connor, who is ill, Vice-President Brownell named
Adam Schneider as presiding officer and toastmaster.
Mr. Schneider assumed the duties with pleasure, but
in his keen, technically minded way, first asked the
vice-president to officially close the regular luncheon
their service. Mr. Whalen presented a humorous lot
of records which he said were taken from the minutes
of the different meetings. At any rate, they pro-
vided Mr. Whalen with an opportunity to speak in
his humorous manner about events in the club his-
tory. Mr. Whalen credited the club and the associa-
tions formed in the club with a great share of his
success in the business w r orld. Three w T ords, Faith,
Hope, Love expressed his experiences.
The next past president was Matt Kennedy, who
paid a warm tribute to the club and to the many
associations formed which he said were about the
most pleasant of his life.
James Bristol, the third president, spoke in a sim-
ilar vein acknowledging the club and his associations
there as being the inspiration and groundwork of
whatever success had come to him in his business
life. He said that there was no occasion for saying
anything further, for it sometimes seemed that when
on his feet he felt as if he were an animal, but when
he sat down he was a genius. Mr. Bristol's fine
record as president had been largely eclipsed by his
record as secretary of the club, from which office he
went to the president's chair.
The speech of Henry Hewitt, fourth president, was
short but interesting and directly to the point in rem-
iniscence, good-will and fine appreciation of club ben-
efits and club associations.
How Harry Bibb Joined
Harry Bibb, another ex-president, related how he
wa •. attracted to the piano club. Matt Kennedy said
to him one day that the phonographs ought to be
considered as musical instruments and that he (Mr.
Bibb), being a phonograph man, ought to come to
the p'a:o club, which was tie chief music trade
organization of the country. He accepted the invi-
tation and the challenge and everybody knows the
PLAN OF NATIONAL
MUSIC WEEK COMMITTEE
In Addition to Listening to Music Public Is
Urged to "Make Music, for Music
Makes Happiness."
The leading idea which is being advanced through
the medium of the National Music Week, May 5-11,
is to be a plea for active participation in music in
addition to listening to it. In keeping with that
stressing of music-making, the following have been
added to the list of rallying calls for Music Week:
"Make Music, for Music Makes Happiness."
That stressing of participation is being advised by
the National Music Week Committee for the reason
that "we believe such an increase in music-making to
be greatly needed as a stabilizing influence in family
and community life." At the same time, this feature
of Music Week will be of direct commercial benefit
to the music trade for such increased participation
will undoubtedly redound to the advancement of the
products of the various firms. Through the stimula-
tion of more music in the home, they will directly
profit.
That our community and family life strongly needs
such an increase in musical participation is the re-
mainder of the committee when calling upon churches,
schools, clubs, homes and numerous community
groups to rally 'round the local Music Week as a
stimulus to more music-making throughout the year.
When issuing the announcement of this special trend
of the Music Week beginning on the first Sunday in
May. C. M. Trema'ne, secretary of the national com-
mittee, made the following comment from its head-
quarters, 45 West 45lh street. New York city:
"Tn emphasizing this phase for Music Week this
year, we are following out a policy pursued since the
week was first organized on a national scale. Each
year we have singled out for special attention some
element vital to the fulfillment of the complete idea
underlying the Music Week."
TO BROADCAST TUNER
ADVICE OVER RADIO
ADAM SCHNEIDKR
proceedings. He reminded the members that the
by-laws prohibited any person not an officer from
presiding at a regular meeting.
When this suggestion was acted upon Mr. Schnei-
der took up the gavel and in his delightfully remin-
escent way referred to his own record of fifty-five
years in t'.ie music trade, fifty-three of which had
been with one house—Julius Bauer & Co. He men-
tioned other individuals present who had been con-
nected with the music trades for fifty years or more
Mr. Lapliam, he said, had been in the music business
William C. Stonaker, Vice-President of the
New York Division of the National Asso-
ciation of Piano Tuners to Talk.
HARRY BIBB
rest of t'.ie story; how he became one of the best
and most active presidents that the club has ever had.
Air. Bibb illustrated the point of his talk by a
remark he had heard where the policemen's dances
were bigger than those of the firemen because the
police sold more tickets for their affairs. He took
the cue to himself and sold the club idea to music
trade men, with the result that a great membership
came to the club during his administration.
The secretary read a letter from President O'Con-
nor expressing his regret at not being present. A
round robin letter signed by all those present was
sent to him.
The drawing of prizes, the seventh name drawn
fell to Harry Bibb which, by the way, was his second
drawing of a prize.
A guest at the luncheon was William Sha : ler, rep-
resentative of Philip W. Oetting & Son, Inc., 213
East 19th street, New York, sole agents for Weickert
hammer and damper felts.
Other past presidents of the club who were un-
avoidably absent from the festivities were Gordon
Laughead, Walter Jenkins and Harry Schoenwald.
HEXUV HIOWITT
over fifty years, Mr. Weber about fifty-three years,
and Will Collins for fifty years.
Adam Schneider Presides
Mr. Schneider, after paying compliments to the
past presidents who were at the tables and others
present, first introduced Eugene Whalen, who was
the first president of the club, dating from its official
organization in 1913, and the others in the order of
February 16, 1929
GREETINGS FROM SPAIN.
A New Year greeting, delayed in the mail, came
this week to Presto-Times from Esteban Pinol, music
dealer, Barcelona, Spain. Senor Pinol is a graduate
piano tuner of the Municipal School of Music and
represents the Chickering, Erard, Pleyel, Bechstein,
Bluthener pianos and the Autopiano. His store is
equipped with halls for concerts and provides accom-
modation for the meetings of musical societies.
A new feature in radio broadcasting will soon be
inaugurated by the New York Division of the Na-
tional Assoc'at'ion of Piano Tuners, Inc., in conjunc-
tion with the International Broadcasting Corporation
of New York. William C. Stonaker, vice-president
of the division, will be allowed a fifteen-minute sched-
ule over WOV every Saturday afternoon, for an
indefinite period, for a talk on the history, construc-
tion and care of the piano.
There is an assurance that Mr. Stonaker's talk
will interest thousands of people who will have the
opportunity of listening in, and that the series of talks
will have an admirable effect. A great many people
need only to be reminded that the pianos require
better care and that reminder will be broadcasted by
Mr. Stonaker, who gives him services as an educator
for piano owners absolutely free.
LIKES PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE
A letter this week accompanying an order for a
1929 Presto Buyers' Guide, from O. W. Moran, 58
Gray street, Boston, discloses Mr. Moran's faith in
the accuracy and usefulness of the Guide. He has
used it each year for twenty-nine years and values
his library of Presto Buyers' Guides for their tech-
nical and historic merits. "The work verifies the
claim of the publishers in that its aim is to prove an
aid to retail buyers of pianos and piano dealers and
their salesmen,"' writes Mr. Moran.
NEW STETSON & CO. OFFICERS
N. Stetson & Company, representative of the Stein-
way piano and the Schumann piano, 1111 Chestnut
street, Philadelphia, held its annual meeting January
26, at which the following directors were re-elected
to serve during the ensuing year: Theodore E. Stein-
way, N. Stetson, Henry Ziegler, August von Ber-
nuth, Albert Sturcke, Luke H. Moore and Henry
Junge.
The officers elected for 1929 are: President, Au-
gust von Bernuth; vice president, N. Stetson; treas-
urer, N. Stetson; secretary, Henry Junge.
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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