April-May. 1934
P R E S T O-T I M E S
NATIONAL APPROVAL FOR
PRESTO - TIMES' SUGGES-
TION FOR MINISTER OF
FINE ARTS IN PRESI-
DENT'S CABINET
A DELIGHT TO THE PUBLIC—A TRIBUTE TO A PIANO
The piano playing of the child, Ruth Slenczynski, has been one of the notable events in pianodom this
past season.
This child under ten years of age has startled the world by her ability of execution and her musical
knowledge. She has been truthfully
likened unto Mozart as being his
equal in every way and equally a
The wide awakening of interest throughout the genius.
country in the Presto-Times editorial for a Minister
Ruth's tribute to the Baldwin
of the Fine Arts in the President's cabinet has ex- piano which she has used in all of
tended beyond the membership of the music indus- her recitals and the several orches-
tries and the musical profession. In view of the
shortening of the working day and the increase in tral concerts where she has appeared
was a simple and sincere tribute to
leisure time, Federal action for aiding in disposal of
leisure time seems imperative for the benefit and well- an instrument she loves dearly. It
being of the masses.
was as beautiful and worthy a
The most favorable comment has been accorded
recommendation as any piano ever
to the proposition as outlined and printed in Presto-
Times, and the time is opportune for a national move- received.
ment to carry out the plan for the appointment of a
The reproduction of the photo-
Minister of the Fine Arts, which would tend to give graph of Ruth seated at her piano
a decided impetus to the educational and cultural de-
as shown herewith is a perfect pic-
velopment of the people of the United States.
Dr. John Dewey, outstanding American philosopher ture of this little wizard of the piano
and "dean of modern education," in an extended and keyboard.
able article in Good Housekeeping sums up the situa-
tion in a nutshell in these words: "The time seems
ripe to urge again a Federal Department of Educa-
tion with a Secretary of Education in the President's
cabinet. England, France, Germany, Italy, in fact
Baldwin
nearly all of the large countries of the world except
the United States, have departments of education in
their governments."
Edwin R. Weeks, president of the National Asso-
Supreme
ciation of Music Merchants, adds his hearty endorse-
ment in a communication to Presto-Times.
Newspapers throughout the country continue to
with
make mention of the editorial in Presto-Times, "Fed-
eral Action for Disposal of Leisure Time," and the
proposal for a Minister of the Fine Arts. The Chi-
cago Sunday Tribune recently had reference to this
World-Famous
important issue in its editorial article on music by
Edward Moore, the distinguished musical critic of
7 love to play the BaUhvin because of its easy touch and its richness and
the Tribune.
quality of tone."
....
Artists
NATIONAL MUSIC MERCHANTS' PRES-
IDENT EDWARD R. WEEKS'
ENDORSEMENT
Binghamton, N. Y.
Since practically every day over the radio I
am broadcasting the doctrine of filling our lei-
sure hours with the study and the enjoyment
of music, I shall naturally be one of the most
emphatic in endorsing the suggestions proposed
by Mr. Freund.
Since his article was written a new bill fs
being suggested of cutting the labor week down
to thirty hours, which if put through will mean
that, allowing seventy hours for sleeping and
eating, there will be left 68 hours per week for
leisure time.
It has been my thought even in normal times
that music should be represented in some de-
partment of our national government, and I
should be happy in any way feasible to help
bring this about.
EDWIN R. WEEKS,
President.
JAY GRINNELL SPEAKS OF USED PIANO
SHORTAGE
Information conies to PRESTO-TIMES that an
Speaking of the scarcity of suitable second-hand
individual known as Arthur Shephard has been
soliciting subscriptions for PRESTO-TIMES on the upright pianos, Grinnell Bros, at Detroit made this
remark to a Presto-Times correspondent recently.
Pacific Coast and even as far north as Vancouver,
The statement came direct from Jay Grinnell, gen-
British Columbia, where he received one subscription
eral manager of Grinnell Bros., who said: "There is
at that place of $4.50 from Mrs. Mignon Duke Gidy,
already a very serious shortage of salable used up-
of 71 Fairfield Building, that city. Therefore, look
rights and private owners are not selling to one an-
out for such a character.
other at ridiculous prices as they had been doing for
The O. J. DeMoll "Going Out of Business" sale the past two or three years; in fact, we spent con-
at 12th and G. Streets, N. W., Washington, D. C, siderable money trying to buy used pianos from vari-
ous homes but had verv little success."
was an assignee's sales by order of the court.
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Presto-Times will add in succeeding issues fuller
comment from letters, as some of the things before
omitted are so true and so apropos that they should
be given publicity, also further communications that
have been received will be included.
The preponderance of opinion up to date is most
favorable and encouraging for Presto-Times' proposal
and has become nationwide.
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EDITION OF 1933-34
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