Presto

Issue: 1929 2240

December 1, 1929
PRESTO-TIMES
YEARS AGO IN THE PRESTO
foundation placed under it and newly floored, and
other things are being done to add to the convenience
of the plant.
While Mr. and Mrs. George Steger were away on
their wedding trip, the factory purchased a handsome
mantel clock, which was presented to Mr. and Mrs.
Steger on their return.
States and Canada, and by whom manufactured. It
gives reliable information concerning every piano and
crgan and other musical instrument, and will be, as
(From The Presto November 29, 1894.)
its name implies, a guide to the reliability, quality,
Another of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Cone's advertising reputation and general standing of all these instru-
specialties is out, a little volume entitled "Things You ments.
Need to Know." It is a very handsomely printed
Friends of A. L. Ebbels, the well-known traveler
booklet, giving, concisely, facts about the W. W. for The American Felt Co., learned with sorrow of
Kimball Company, their capital, experience, factories, the death of that gentleman's infant daughter on Fri- Expressions About Causes and Effects in Present
etc., and is another evidence of Mr. Cone's ability day of last week.
Trade by Piano Club of Chicago.
as an effective advertiser.
Mr. J. C. Henderson, of the Ann Arbor Organ Co.,
The talks at the Piano Club of Chicago on Novem-
A few years ago all that was rtqu'red of the suc- is in Texas, visiting his company's agents in that
cessful piano dealer was good salesmanship. This is state. He says business in that part of the country is ber 18 were more intimate than usual—-little formality
enough, even today, in the case of a small dealer. excellent this season and he is more than pleased with and straight shooting marked the session. Adam
Schneider said there was no question in his mind hut
But to direct the operations of any of the mammoth his connections there.
that we are going to have piano music. He quoted
houses now conspicuous in the trade, requires a rare
Piano Row was made glad yesterday by the advent Fred Stock, the Chicago conductor, on the necessity
combination of abilities. There are some younger of Mr. A. M. Wright, New York manager for the
members of the trade who have this executive power Everett. It is so long since Mr. Wright has visited of this form of music. The different associations of
to a pre-eminent degree. Who is the "Napoleon" his familiar old haunts in Chicago that the trade music men were like church denominations—all striv-
ing for a common purpose but each taking its own
of the trade at this time? Don't all speak at once.
felt almost like taking a holiday. Mr. Wright came
Owing to unexpected delay in securing the signa- west with Messrs. Frank A. Lee and E. V. Church. methods.
Roger O'Connor asked the audience to look hack a
ture of one of the parties to the suit of Everett Co.
Mr. George Foster is one of the members of the
vs. Bent, the complaint in that celebrated case was piano industry whose ambitions are hard to satisfy. quarter of a century and consider the frame of mind
not placed on file until last Tuesday.
Not content with leading interest in three flourishing that people got into when they thought the phono-
The new ruling of the Treasury Department as piano industries, including that of Foster & Co., the graph was going to put the piano off the map. People
to the classification of violin strings, is having some gentleman named has also embarked in the manufac- now were apt to imagine that radio was producing
effect and has caught some dealers. It went into ture of automobiles. The horseless wagons are short- the music that really came from the piano. "What
effect November 15, pending a decision as to whether ly to be turned out in Rochester at the rate of 25 per you can do for yourself is better than what is done
for you," said Mr. O'Connor.
strings shall be classed as
of musical instru- week.
Fred P. Bassett of the M. Schulz Company, said
ments at 25 per cent duty, c
at no duty.
There is little in the way of news to add to the
Patents for inventions relath. o u musical interests report of the lockout and strike situation as printed that when Mr. Boykin was here the previous week he
dated November 20, 1894: Banjo, F. H. Andres, New in The Presto extra last Saturday. The manufac- had asked where he could see the group teaching of
York city; Pianoforte, F. B. Long, Los Angeles.
turers are not idle although their factories are prac- the piano in actual operation. He was furnished with
Wm. M. Treloar, mus'c publisher of Mexico, Mo., tically so. They are, in several cases, looking into a list of the schools and went out to visit them. Mr.
is the latest member of the trade to win political propositions from small towns pointing to the removal Bassett thought the times were not going to be so
honors. He will represent the Ninth Missouri Con- of their plants to places more secure from the ever- had on account of recent stock market slumps; the
gressional district at Washington.
recurring labor troubles. It is quite probable that two losses were mostly paper profits. Personally, he
or three will follow the example of Story & Clark didn't know anybody who had lost any real money.
THESE ARE THANKFUL:
Henry E. Weisert, speaker of. the day, gave the
and the Russell-Lane Co. and decide to leave Chicago.
Geo. P. Bent—For the granting of an injunction.
Such a step would be bad for the workmen, many National Bureau for the Advancement of Music
Wm. Steinway—That he did not run for governor of whom would no doubt resume their places under much of the credit for helping the industry
of New York.
their old employers in new factories; but the neces- by starting group playing in the schools of
Ex-Governor Fuller—That the excellence of his sity of breaking home ties would be one of the the nation. In Chicago alone, there would be more
administration was appreciated.
than 20,000 children in these classes before the end
penalties of the folly of their fellow-workmen.
Platt Gibbs—That the Gibbs system is, "as I said
The meeting of piano workers on Sunday at Central of the year. The chief remedy for dull business in
before."
Music Hall accomplished nothing, and when Presi- pianos at present, Mr. Weisert said, consisted of hard
F. G. Smith, Jr.—That he took turkey in the great dent Gompers of the American Federation of Labor work and courage.
Garden City.
called upon W. W. Kimball and others, he received
Sam Harris said: "The piano business isn't gone.
E. V. Church—That he can eat h : s turkey thia year little encouragement. Mr. Gompers is still in the city Just let the depression get by. Radio is certainly
in the old New England homestead.
attempting to adjust the strike. In common with musical consciousness."
P. J. Healy—That the "Father of His Country" some other labor leaders he declares that political
The next speaker, Ted Benedict, said he was in
did not make guitars out of that cherry tree, and influence is at work.
the radio business. He advocated having exclusive
whoso claims he did infringes on the great Washburn.
Personal—$500 reward. The reward will be paid radio salesmen and exclusive pir.no salesmen.
Will Bush—For the prospects of a beautiful new to any person or persons who will furnish such in-
One of the speakers said Burley Ayres, well-known
catalogue and a rich fund of good stories.
formation as will establish the identity and conviction advertising man, 74 years old, enjoyed playing his
Alfred Dolge—For the boom in blue felt.
of the person or persons who assaulted and injured piano as much as a youth.
E. S. Conway—That they let him live after that Mr. Nystrom, employee and foreman of the Russell-
K. F. Lapham said he thought the future of the
bicycle story.
Lane Piano Co., on the evening of Nov. 8, 1899, at piano business would confine itself more to the good
Lyman Bill—The beauty of that New England or near the corner of North and Clybourn avenues, instruments.
ed'tion.
Chicago. The money is on deposit for this purpose
On Monday, December 2, Paul B. Klugh, of Zenith
Marc Blumenberg—That he is alive.
at the Commercial Safety Deposit Co., Chicago.
Radio Corporation, is to be the principal speaker.
John E. Hall—Same as St. Marc.
—Russell-Lane Piano Co.
On Wednesday night, November 20, the Piano Club
Wm. E. Wheelock—For that wonderful Weber
Soon will be placed on exhibition in New York entertained with a dinner at the Medinah Athletic
tone.
city, a piano which is a work of art in the real mean- Club, Chicago, followed by eight whirling boxing-
Herman Leonard—For his good looks and winning ing of that term. It is a veritable chef-d'-ouevre. bouts. Including guests, 30 persons sat down to the
ways (as the ladies say).
This most beautiful instrument—illustrated on the dinner. G. R. Hrownell, president of the club sat at
H. D. Cable—For his success in fixing up certain entire opposite page—is from the manufactory of the head of the table.
deals.
Messrs. Strich & Zeidler, New York, who distinctly
The Trade generally—That times are looking up perceiving American progress in the arts and the in-
PIANO TEACHERS CO-OPERATE.
and that trade is better.
.creasing refinement of popular taste among the culti-
The spread of the idea of class piano instruction in
Ourselves—For the friends we have and for the vated classes in the United States, have accordingly
ethers we hope to win.
prepared themselves to keep pace with the advance. the public schools depends to a large degree upon
F. G. Smith, Jr., of Brooklyn, is the guest of J. M.
Dear Sir: In the unspeakable grief which has the support that is given by piano teachers. The
Hawxhurst this week. The two gentlemen will take befallen us through the sudden death of Mr. Maurice piano class idea was not originally designed for the
a trip to Milwaukee and elsewhere this week and, on Krakauer, it has been a source of the greatest com- public schools. Progressive piano teachers today are
their return, Mr. Smith will remain to see the en- fort for us to be the recipients of numerous messages forming their own piano classes. It has been their
experience that in piano classes the children whose
largements of the Bradbury store in Chicago.
of profound sorrow and condolence from members of exceptional talent merits more advanced individual
"The Reminiscences of Mr. Morris Steinert," the the piano trade near and far, and it is with feelings study, are more easily recognized and, in addition,
widely known New England piano dealer of New of sincerest gratitude that we, through your esteemed their class training prepares them for private study
Haven, has gone into the publisher's hands and will journal, beg to acknowledge these expressions of in such a manner as to make their progress exceed-
be ready for circulation early in the new year. The heartfelt sympathy.—Krakauer Bros.
ingly rapid.
Mr. F. W. Teeple is back in Chicago after an
work of arranging and editing these interesting recol-
lections of Mr. Steinert was given into the charge absence of six weeks passed in the far west and
STEINWAY PIANO ON STAGE.
of Mrs. H. M. Marlln. From two to four hours a Mexico in the interest of the Chicago Cottage Organ
day for ten or twelve weeks have the collaborators Co. and Cable Piano Co.
A Steinway Concert Grand piano, loaned by Lyon
John A. Schaff's string factory, which was burned & Healy, was used on the stage on the evening" of
worked together—Mr. Steinert talking in his quaint,
original way; Mrs. Marlin seeking to catch and retain out on Nov. 1st in the building at 39 W. Washington November 17 at the Goodman Theater in Grant Park,
the personality of the speaker as much as possible in St., is now located at 141 S. Clinton St., Chicago.
Chicago. It was played by George H. Shapiro,
J. H. Reiman, who has been conducting a musical accompanist in the violin recital given by Walter anr*
arranging his thoughts.
supply house in Fort Wayne, Ind., has accepted a Mirny Schulze-Prisca, under the direction of William
position with the Carl Fisher Music Co., New York Cherney. Walter Schulze-Prisca showed wonderful
city.
skill in his solo violin performance in a Bach sonata
The Baldwin Piano Co. branch in Danville, HI., in G minor, particularly in the movement entitled
(From The Presto, November 16, 1899.)
has moved to the Brand building where they have
Many of the selections of the program
The publishers of this paper have now in progress, one of the largest stocks of musical goods in that "Siciliano."
were for two violins and piano and the lady also
to be published early in 1900, a work bearing the portion of the state.
showed very rare skill in handling the bow.
title: "Buyers' Guide to the Piano, Organ, and Gen-
The A. B. Chase Co. is making some more im-
eral Music Industries of America." This book con- provements at the factory in Norwalk, Ohio. A
Fraulein Marie Schumann, eldest daughter of the
tains the names of all pianos and organs and general brick building is being erected for the storage of oils
musical instruments manufactured in the United and varnishes, one of the lumber sheds has had a great German composer, died on November 14, at
Interlaken, Switzerland. She was 88 years old.
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
PIANO BUSINESS MUST
CONTINUE TO CARRY ON
THIRTY YEARS AGO
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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10
December 1, 1929
PRESTO-TIMES
IMPORTANCE OF PIANO IN
AUTOMATIC MUSIC FIELD
The Automatic Piano Must Reach the Highest Ac-
cepted Place Among Instruments of Its Kind.
Presto-Times notes a constant gain in the interest
that is being taken in automatic musical instruments.
That this specific concernment is not due to whims
is the assurance to be had by a call at any one of
the factories where such instruments arc being man-
ufactured to fill orders for them.
Many of the music dealers now begin to realize the
true, undistorted value of * "the old-fashioned, yet
always new, atuomatic piano. The enterprise now
is to heighten the interest in these instruments and
the manufacturers of them as well as the makers of
their music rolls are advertising toward that end.
The Clark Orchestra Roll Company of DeKalb,
111., are sending out a novel and timely advertise-
ment promoting the real value of the automatic piano.
Accompanying the circular is the cut of a truly
"smiling" piano which (by their permission) we have
reproduced for our readers.
music, whether it be automatic or otherwise, will live
to the end of time and. as is quoted in the accom-
panying advertisement—'After all, no automatic in-
strument has quite the rhythmic "punch" and dance
possibilities that are to be found in the automatic
piano.' "
GROUP PIANO INSTRUCTION
IN CHICAGO SCHOOLS
E.G. CLARK VISITS MUSIC
DEALERS SOUTHEAST
He Finds Revived Interest in the Automatic
Musical Instruments—His Pecan
Trees Bear Well.
E. G. Clark of the Clark Orchestra Roll Company,
DeKalb, 111., has just returned from a visit to the
pecan orchards near Macon, Ga., in which he is
Piano Merchants of Chicago Co-operating to financially interested Mr. and Mrs. Clark make reg-
Aid in the Valuable
ular annual trips to this orchard in which Mr. Clark
is very much interested. The autumn shipments of
Lessons.
the nuts are about ready to go out to the trade, and
The following is an extract from the report of
Mr. Clark is pleased because the yield is an increase
Adam Schneider, executive secretary of the Chicago over last year's production and the prices are to be
Piano & Organ Association at its annual meeting in satisfactory.
Chicago November 14:
While en .tour through the South and East, Mr.
"We have at present 306 elementary schools of
which 251 have group piano instruction and there are Clark took the opportunity of calling upon several
now approximately 12,000 school children taking music dealers.
"Most dealers," he says, "are looking forward to
piano lessons. We have 15 center schools where
a
busy season in 1930, and especially contemplate a
piano lessons ar^ given during school hours on the
school's time. In the other schools lessons are given strong 'come-back' in the automatic music field. How-
after school hours and are paid for by the pupils. ever, some dealers remain pessimistic, which all goes
About 20 per cent of the pupils who received in- to prove that all of the nuts are not in Georgia."
struction a year ago in the group classes are now
Buy the best piano your means will permit and let
taking lessons from private music teachers. We have
many high schools and branch schools where they it become the heart of your home life.—James
have group piano classes, data on which is not yet Francis Cooke, Editor of the Etude.
obtainable."
The largest radio studio in the world will be built
Among the firms in Chicago who are co-operating atop Chicago's famous Merchandise Mart by the
in the work of group piano instruction by furnishing National Broadcasting Company.
pianos free to the schools are the following:
Ampico Hall, Baldwin Piano Company, Cable
Piano Company, Gulbransen Company, W. W. Kim-
ball Company, Kranich & Bach, Lyon & Healy,
Reichardt Piano Company, Starck Piano Company, M.
Schulz Company and Meyer & Weber. The above
firms have already furnished 157 pianos for this pur-
pose.
HE COMES UP SMILTXG.
This meeting was also interesting in other ways.
The advertisement reads: "He comes up smiling. Among the speakers who had interesting messages
The coin-operated piano is as important to the auto- were Secretary E. C. Boykin of the National Piano
matic music field as the violin still is to the sym- Manufacturers' Association headquarters. New York,
phony orchestra.
and R. J. Cook, of The Cable Company, retiring presi-
"After all, no automatic instrument has quite the dent of the association. E. P. Williams of the Bald-
rhythmic 'punch' and dance possibilities that are to be win P-'ano Company and Emil W. Wolff, of the M.
found in the automatic piano, especially when it fea- Schulz Company, joined the association.
tures Clark Orchestra Rolls."
The names of the new officers elected at this
Harry D. Hamilton of the advertising department meeting were printed in Presto-Times of Novem-
of the Clark Orchestra Roll Company in a recent ber 15.


chat with a Presto-Times representative said:
"The idea behind this and other timely adver-
tisements of The Clark Orchestra Roll Company,
announces our sincere belief that the automatic pianos
are not going to give way to instruments that do
not contain the original tone-qualities but are imi- He Was a Son of the Late H. C. Waite and Brother
tations, pure and simple, and however good they may
of Roy and Ralph Waite of Chicago.
be, still remain imitations.
Alvin Henry Waite died on Friday. November 16,
"By virtue of the true musical tone produced by
a genuine piano, and the resultant rhythmic 'punch' so at his home. 518 34th avenue, Seattle, Wash., follow-
desired, plus the long-standing years of conscien- ing a surgical operation several weeks ago. Mr.
tiously adapted experience in the making of auto- Waite was in the piano business, principally renting
matic pianos by men who have made a name and pianos, and his store was at 217 Stewart street,
No. 5 2 0 20 Inches High
reputation for themselves and their products, the Seattle.
automatic piano must ultimately find the highest
He was the son of the late H. C. Waite. widely
No. 5 2 0 J
18 Inches High
accepted place among instruments in the automatic known piano man of Cedar Rapids and Chicago, and
music field.
a half brother of Roy and Ralph, Claire, and Mabel,
Knocked down only. Upholstered tops—32" Long.
"I often wonder why some of the 'old-school' piano now Mrs Cress. He is survived by his widow,
In Red, Brown, Blue and Taupe Figured Velour. No.
520 carried in stock in Medium Bed and Brown Ma-
manufacturers who have put the best years of their Donna S. Waite.
hogany and Medium Walnut. No. 520a carried in
Mr. Waite was 67 years old.
lives into the making of pianos and who have 'staked'
stock in Medium Brown Mahogany and Medium Wal-
The funeral services were held at 1:30 p. m. Mon-
and -won their reputations on the results of their
nut. Not made in Oak.
achievements should suddenly turn their backs to the day, November 18, at the University Undertaking
awards of their efforts and delve into other musical Parlors, Seattle, the Rev. Mr. Kleihauer, of the Uni- In Ordering—Specify Upholstery and Dull or Polished
versity Christian Church, officiating.
lines of which many know not a great deal.
Finish.
Before moving to the Pacific Coast, Mr. Waite had
"Are they led to bel : eve that the mythical pot of
The Complete New Tonkbcncli Culalogue mill be sent on request
gold at the end of the rainbow lies, not with the been in the employ of his father at his store in Cedar
Rapids, where he made hosts of friends by his com-
merits and achievements they have accomplished, but
rather in some new strange territory where short- panionable and genial ways. He was fair, strictly
reliable and honest—traits that followed lr'm during
lived novelty creations hold sway?
"True enough, certain markets have come and gone his entire business career. It can safely be said of
Chicago, 111.
1912 Lewis Street
with the ever changing times-—buggy whips and sim- "Harry" Waite that he was one of the best liked
ilar commodities arc obviouslv in small demand but and highest regarded men in the piano trade.
1627 E. SOlh Si.. LOS Anjreles, Calif.
From Page 10
of
T h e TONKBENCH
Catalog
We Present
ALVIN HENRY WAITE, WELL
KNOWN PIANO MAN, DIES
TONK MFG. CO.
STARR PIANOS
STARR PHONOGRAPHS
GENNETT RECORDS
Represent the H'njhcrt cdttamme-nt in cMiisicul
\
(yVorth
W»eSTARR'PIANO COMPANY
Established 1872
.
.
.
Richmond. Indiana
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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