November, 1931
PRESTO-TIMES
MR. O'CONNOR FINALLY GETS H I S
BUYERS' GUIDE
REPLY TO A CHASE-HACKLEY
INQUIRY
Resultant of an inquiry to Presto-Times by a west-
ern dealer concerning the Chase-Hackley piano it is
learned that the Chase-Hackley Piano Co. business is
still in the hands of the Bankers' Trust Co. of Mus-
kegon, Mich., which was appointed receiver for that
corporation. Although Presto-Times is informed
that there are a few of the old product of the piano
factory on hand for sale no work in making new
instruments or even finishing up stock is in progress.
In other words, Chase-Hackley has about entirely
succumbed to the inevitable.
INTERESTING COMMENTS ON A
MUSIC ROLL CONTEST
The Clark Orchestra Roll Co., in announcing the
names of the winners. Christianson Brothers, Racine,
Wis., of the "Nation's Capitol Popularity Contest,"
have this to say concerning the winners:
"With a score of 6 out of 10, a batting average of
0.6, Christianson Brothers Co., of Racine, Wis., won
the 'Nation's Capitol' popularity contest hands down,
taking as their win their selection of four new Clark
Orchestra Rolls.
"Picking ten of the Nation's most popular rolls
The Canadian Advertising Data, published at was no easy task, as Christianson's will tell you. To
Toronto, contains in its October issue an interesting do it required thorough familiarity with the hits of
"I must say that this was indeed an interesting story of Walter Kiehn, a Chicago boy who has de- the day; a keen observation of the trend of public
veloped into a widely known and valuable music trade opinion. They didn't tell us but we'll bet another
incident and I can imagine your surprise on opening man. Our Canadian exchange says of Mr. Kiehn:
contest that many hours of study were spent in se-
the letter and finding the money after all these years,
"From office boy, reporter, ad-writer, to the more lecting t'.ie ten numbers that are hits throughout the
and although I had almost forgotten the incident of
responsible executive posts of editor, advertising man- Nation.
having sent the letter, I wondered for a long time ager, and a company director, Walter Kiehn has risen
"One of the hardest jobs in selecting an Ail-Amer-
steadily. He has only made three major changes, ican program of musical numbers is to decide on
why I did not hear from you or receive the book.
and in each of the organizations with which he has pieces that will be as popular in Dixie as in the lum-
Thanking you for your interest in this matter and been connected he has made good, as evidenced by ber camps of Minnesota: as well liked on the side-
trusting that I will receive the Buyers' Guide at a the promotions he received at the hands of his em- walks of New York as on a dude ranch in Wyoming;
ployers in each instance. Today Mr. Kiehn, still a as highly appreciated where the salmon jump in Ore-
very early date, I am,
young man in his late thirties, is sales and advertising gon as where the alligators bask in Florida's swamps.
Truly yours,
manager of Rogers-Majestic Corporation, Ltd., To-
"Of course Christianson Brothers didn't hit the nail
S. W. O'CONNOR.
ronto, and also president of the Advertising and Sales on the head. They picked six pieces, but in so doing
Junction, Tex.
Round Table of Toronto, having been elected by they came closer than some of us do. They know
It is needless to say that Mr. O'Connor now gets acclamation to that office recently.
now, if they didn't know before, just how much of
his Guides, together with our apologies for the long,
"It was in his native city, Chicago, that Wallie a job it is and what skill it requires for Clark Orches-
long delay. "All's well that ends well." Thank you, Kiehn became the most juvenile junior in the office tra Roll music editors to make their selections each
Mr. O'Connor.
of the Chicago Musical Times (trade paper) at the month. Christianson Brothers probably spent hours
princely salary of $4 per week. One thing he did
in their selection; our editors spend weeks and often
have, and that was an aptitude for writing. In time months studying publishers' offerings, listening to
New York, Nov. S, 1931.
he became a reporter of this business newspaper, famous orchestras and bands, observing programs
Editor Presto-Times:
then ad-writer, and finally managing editor. For 13 broadcast from leading radio stations, discussing with
I notice that Hardman, Peck & Co. have been years he remained with the organization, all the time musicians what the public likes.
doing some special advertising on quality in piano taking a keen interest and active part in the activities
"In the face of the size of this job of editing a
production which has brought them substantial busi- of the music trade associations of the United States. music roll bulletin, it is remarkable instead that Clark
"Further advancement has marked Mr. Kiehn's
ness. There isn't any doubt in my mind but that
Orchestra Rolls contain each month a high percent-
the piano is slowly emerging from the pit in which career as a result of his third move—that of coming age of hits. No other music rolls, customers declare
it has been engulfed. At its present rate of progress to Canada in June, 1929, as advertising and sales pro- offer the number of hits which the Clark bulletins
a few years should see it fairly well established again. motion manager for the Q.R.S. Canadian Corporation, contain. And no other rolls, because of this fact,
Hut the present generation of manufacturers and distributors of Rogers and Majestic radios. This dis- attract nickels from the dancing public as do these
dealers will have to develop a new approach. They tributing organization was taken over by Rogers- merry music makers.
will have to learn that it is a new deal, that MUSIC Majestic Corporation, in so far as radio business is
"It's hard to pat one's finger on that certain some-
is the only reason for a piano, and that crass indif- concerned. Mr. Kiehn continued with the new organ- thing that makes a music roll a real producer. Some
ization in the same capacity until June of this year,
ference to the cultural aspect of music can do for the when he was appointed sales and advertising say it's rythm but that can't be all else a drum solo
piano what it did so completely to the player piano. manager."
would be popular. Others say it is melody, yet some
Which would be just too bad. Bill Strich was telling
of the world's loveliest ballads lack the snap and
me the other evening how they vised to spend every
sparkle required for a popular music roll.
JESSE
FRENCH
CHANGES
CORPORATION
Sunday morning playing chamber music (trio), violin,
NAME
"But whatever it is, Clark Orchestra Rolls have it,
'cello and piano. 1 giggle at the thought of any-
Notice is given out that the corporate name, Jesse as is attested by the fact that electric pianos every-
present-day piano manufacturer (or dealer) so amus- French & Sons Piano Co., an Indiana corporation where play them month in and month out and earn
ing himself.
with offices and factories at New Castle, Ind, has their owners substantial incomes. And this month,
Yours in the faith of good piano production,
been changed by proper decree of court to Jesse without fail, wise piano operators will play the "Na-
French Manufacturing Co.
X. Y. Z.
tion's Capitol' roll."
In the last issue of Presto-Times under the heading,
"House Cleaning Pays," there appeared an item men-
tioning the incident of S. W. O'Connor who, in 1928,
sent one dollar for copies of the Buyers' Guide from
Rock Springs, Tex., which was his address at that
time. This letter which had been lost for nearly four
years was just recently found. Mr. O'Connor see-
ing the item "Housecleaning Pays" in Presto-Times,
writes us from Junction, Tex., where he now resides,
as follows:
When in need of music rolls, or advice about them write to the experts who make the
CLARK ORCHESTRA ROLLS
for all standard 65-note rewind electric pianos and automatic pianos of all makes and
descriptions. Rolls for Goinolas and Orchestrions. Also Calliopes and Calliaphones.
"Always the latest and snappiest"
When ordering, give style of instrument on which roll will be used.
CLARK ORCHESTRA R OLL COMPANY
DE KALB, ILL.
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