Presto

June, 1930
P R E S T O-T I M E S
chandise in his window. This made him so angry
that he went out and closed a sale just to prove that
he was in a real live business.
As a Crime Deterrent.
Mr. Yahrling told of a special campaign he had
undertaken to educate parents to the value of a musi-
cal education for their children. He wrote to the
head probation officer in his city (Youngstown, Ohio)
and asked him what age proved the most dangerous
one for children and further, what he thought of
music as a crime deterrent. The probation officer
answered that he found 14-15 the dangerous age.
That social workers in investigating the home of a
juvenile delinquent always report whether or not
there is a musical instrument or musical education.
Further, this probation officer said he thought a
musical education a splendid interest for children to
have and one which would undoubtedly tend to keep
them on the right road. Mr. Yahrling had some ten
thousand copies of his letter printed in a booklet and
distributed in his town.
Revival of Player Demand Foreseen.
William A. A. Mennie of New York, in his ad-
dress at the convention, talked in part about the
player-piano, saying: "For a long time we had the
demand for player-pianos based upon the desire of
music lovers to have in their homes piano music
without being obliged to go through the preliminary
stages enabling them to learn to perform on the
instrument. Naturally, by as much as the develop-
ment of the radio has improved in the quality of its
tone and the high standards of the programs pre-
sented, by so much has the player-piano been obliged
to give way—temporarily only we hope—to the dan-
gerous competition of this new type of instrument.
We are confident that in time there will be a worth-
while revival of player demand.
"However, there always has been a sound demand
for the piano based upon enduring foundations which
unquestionably should be fostered and every effort
made to intensify and enlarge that demand. I refer
to the general recognition that the true path to
musical education and cultural appreciation must lie
through the knowledge of some basic instrument,
such as the piano."
TUESDAY'S MASS MEETING
The meeting of the entire music industry, held
Tuesday, June 10, in the North Ballroom of the
Hotel New Yorker, New- York, was marked by a
goodly attendance. Much interest and enthusiasm
was shown. Mark P. Campbell of New York pre-
sided. It seems certain that everyone who attended
the meeting went away well convinced of the growth
of a new spirit throughout the music industries, a
spirit which is bound to result in a greater public
interest in music and correspondingly a greater use
and need on the part of the public for musical instru-
ments of all descriptions.
Mr. Campbell suggested that every merchant make
it a point to go, either individually or as a com-
mittee, to the editors of his local newspapers when-
ever they became guilty of publishing propaganda
unfavorable to the piano, or the "boiler-plate" arti-
cles of syndicate writers.
Parham Werlein Takes the Rostrum.
Mr. Campbell then introduced Parham Werlein of
New Orleans, whose topic was co-ordination. He
compared the various departments of the music in-
dustries to the various departments of a single retail
organization and suggested that it was equally neces-
sary in both cases to get all together at stated inter-
vals for "pep" or sales meetings, so that each one
might realize that all hinged on him and likewise that
he prospered as everyone else prospered.
Urges Work Among Students.
Mr. Werlein quoted interesting figures showing
that there are 27,000,000 students in the public schools
of this country, 2,000,000 graduates every year. In
this we see the enormous potential market of the
future. The Bureau for the Advancement of Music
has been doing splendid work in this field and Mr.
Werlein suggested that each and every person in the
music industries should see that it is to his own as
well as to the general advantage to further this work.
He urged that everyone do his part both through co-
operation and through increasing the funds of the
bureau to make their work increasingly effective.
Attendance at the meeting of each of the compo-
nent parts of the Chamber of Commerce was also
advocated by Mr. Werlein.
Campbell on Cooperation.
Mr. Campbell resumed the floor and seconded Mr.
Werlein's remarks. He further suggested that mer-
chants and manufacturers more actively cooperate
with the chamber by sending figures on sales, trade-in
allowances, production, etc., to them so that the
averages might be placed at the disposal of all the
brother merchants and be a guide to them in con-
ducting their own business. He cited the success
with which the automobile industry has worked out
this type of cooperation.
Mr. Bassett on Class Instruction.
Fred P. Bassett, retiring president of the National
Piano Manufacturers Association, also spoke very
highly of the work being carried on by the Bureau
for the Advancement of Music. He cited figures
showing that the bureau is carrying on correspond-
ence with 11,000 school superintendents, supervisors
of music, teachers, etc., with relation to class instruc-
tion in the various musical instruments.
Twofold Task for the Industry.
President Lomb of the National Association of
Musical Instrument Manufacturers, followed Mr.
Bassett with a talk in which he stressed the need of
coordination in the promotion of all classes of musical'
instruments for the common good. He outlined the
twofold task that lay before the industry. First, to
promote music; second, to make playing music easier
and more popular, and, to not alone "Make America
Musical," to "Make America a Playing Nation,'"
as one can only fully participate in a thing through
using it.
President Mennie Pledges Aid
President Mennie of the Musical Supply Associa-
tion, after a careful analysis of the present situation
in relation to pianos, pledged his association to do
all in their power to promote the work in the Bureau
and the Chamber.
Notable Piano Men Take Part.
Then followed very interesting open forum com-
ments by Messrs. Graff, Grinnell, Folz, Weeks and
Clay. Mr. Pope, a merchant, suggested that govern-
ment recognition through the Department of Edu-
cation would be a very potent help to the cause of
music, and further that a bill to this end now lay
before the House of Representatives in Washington.
His remarks were received with great interest and a
motion was made and passed that the Music Indus-
try through its Chamber of Commerce send a reso-
lution and petition to the proper persons that Music
lie recognized in the Cabinet of the President.
Glynn Criticizes "Bum" Ads.
John J. Glynn of New York spoke of the fact that
not all the propaganda against the piano came from
"boiler-plate" articles but some from the merchants
and manufacturers themselves, when they bought
newspaper space to offer the public pianos "free" lie-
cause of distress conditions.
Mass Meeting Committee Formed.
At the instigation of Mr. Werlein it was resolved
to hold a similar mass meeting at the next conven-
tion. This move was duly recorded in the motion to
form a Mass Meeting Committee. It was further
resolved, anent propaganda, to supply to all the news-
papers who would care to publish the facts, the sen-
timents and feelings of this meeting in regard to the
future of the music industry.
AT MANUFACTURERS MEETING
At the National Piano Manufacturers' Association
meeting, President Bassett spoke of the evils arising
from putting "distress merchandise" on the market
at very low prices. Some firms that were liquidating
were doing this. Remarks were also made by Her-
bert Simpson, Hermann Irion, Mr. Bogart, Mr, Jack-
son and Mr. Bond.
Gordon Campbell of the Committee on Resolutions
read two, expressing sorrow at the passing on of two
members, Henry Zeidler and Otto Schultz. These
were adopted. The meeting had received a friendly
message from Col. E. S. Payson, and it was resolved
to send him a telegram of friendship and regards.
It was decided to let the activities of the Sales
Promotion Committee—who had retained Mr. Boykin
—lapse for the present but to maintain the Commit-
tee so that it should be ready to function when
again needed. Mr. Irion was elected to the chair-
manship in place of Max De Rochemont, who re-
mains on the committee, however.
A long discussion of ways and means of eliminating
the deficit due the Chamber from this Association
followed. The matter was finally placed in the hands
of the new secretary for action.
It was decided to endorse the raising of the piano
stamp to one dollar of which the manufacturer will
pay half and the merchant half.
CHAMBER'S ANNUAL MEETING
President Mark P. Campbell presided at the annual
luncheon and business meeting of the Music Indus-
tries Chamber of Commerce held in the New Yorker
Hotel, Thursday, June 12. The treasurer's report
showed an unencumbered balance of some $4,000. A
$50,000 budget for 1930-1931 was heard and approved.
Tt contemplates using $10,000 to set up as a reserve
to ensure the Chamber's activities, $15,000 for oper-
ating expenses and $25,000 for the work of the Bureau
for the Advancement in Music. This budget to come
from the National Piano Manufacturer's Association,
the National Music Merchants' Association, the Mu-
sical Supply Association, the Musical Merchandise
Association, the National Musical Instrument Manu-
facturers' Association, C. G. Conn, Ltd., the Phono-
graph Manufacturers' Association and various indi-
vidual and miscellaneous sources.
A resolution was passed to be presented to the
proper officials in Washington as expressing the Mu-
sic Industries Chamber of Commerce as favoring a
Music Member to the President's Cabinet.
Favor Chicago for Next Convention.
A resolution was also adopted favoring Chicago as
the city for the next convention and, if possible, the
Drake as the hotel.
MERCHANTS BUSINESS MEETING
President Werlein presided at the annual business
meeting of the National Music Merchants' Associa-
tion held on Thursday morning.
Canada Joins In.
The Association of Music Merchants of Montreal,
Canada, had applied for membership in the Chamber
of Commerce of the Music Industries. A resolution
was passed by Thursday's meeting accepting this
application.
A resolution, paralleling that of the Piano Manu-
facturers' Association, was passed agreeing to a one
dollar stamp half of which is to be paid by the mer-
chant, half by the manufacturer.
Miss Ella Mason of the Bureau for the Advance-
ment of Music addressed the meeting telling the mer-
chants of the work she had been doing in promoting
the use of piano classes throughout the country.
Berthold Neuer, of the Knabe house, gave as his
opinion that never in the history of the piano had
there been a time when the general public "demanded"
pianos. It has always been a matter of salesman-
ship.
Mr. Neuer thinks every piano should contain a sec-
ond piano. In other words the industry should look
and work toward the day when practically every
piano sold will not only be an instrument to be played
but an instrument which will render good music
automatically. Then the purchaser will get the full
enjoyment and use out of his instrument and we will
have fewer silent pianos which cause part of the
public to think of the piano as a dead issue.
Other Open Forum Speakers.
Mr. Lang of Erie, Pa., suggested that we take the
attitude of helping the customer to buy rather than
"selling" them. He further stated that the modern
grand piano has a many-sided appeal so that he feels
that its market is almost as large as the number of
people who are able to afford to buy. One very
good suggestion made by Mr. Lang was to the
effect that the piano be shown, not in warehouse-like
rows; but individually, with home-like surroundings
of chairs, pictures, etc.
Mr. Pope of Cumberland, Md., mentioned he had
offered the use of his store as a downtown studio
to the teachers of his town at a very nominal rent.
In this way many pupils take their lessons in and
get to know his store. This plan has had good sales
results.
Mr. Wittich of Reading, Pa., suggested that the
National Merchants' Association look into the possi-
bility of constructing a piano without a name to be
sold at its manufacturing cost to schools throughout
the country to encourage the class teaching move-
ment.
Mr. Werlein addressed the forum on radio. He
spoke of the manner in which the New Orleans
dealers had formed a Radio Association and working
concertedly through it had been able to enforce a
carrying charge on installment sales and a $7 aerial
charge, thus making their radio business profitable.
This work was further made possible by the support
of the jobbers and manufacturers.
Parham Werlein of New Orleans advocated that
the dealer concentrate on a few lines, thus being able
to get better discounts and to make his sales effort
count for more.
Mr. Axelrod of Atlantic City succeeded in saying
that the band instrument dealer is adversely affected
by the jobber and wholesaler coming into his terri-
tory and selling at cut prices. Mr. Axelrod was
assured that the Merchants' Association intend to try
and improve this situation.
It was decided to open the Convention of next
year with a mass meeting as this year.
PRESIDENT WERLEIN'S
ANNUAL REPORT
Parham Werlein, president of the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants, in making his annual
report to the convention said:
"Permit me at the outset to express my sincere
appreciation to my fellow-officers and to those mem-
bers of the Board of Control who have been so faith-
ful in the performance of their duties during the
administration year now closing. Bert Loomis, our
executive secretary, has been more than faithful and
conscientinous in the exercise of his duties, though
he has conducted the executive office under severe
financial handicaps. I am certain no association has
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