PRESTO-TIMES
Scpt.-Oct.. 1936""
PRESTO-TIME
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADES JOURNAL
ISSUED THE
FIFTEENTH OF
PUBLICATION MONTH
CRANK D. ABBOTT
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Editor
Telephones, Local and Long Distance, Harrison 0234.
Private Phones to all Departments. Cable Address (Com-
mercial Cable Co.'s Code), "PRESTO," Chicago.
Entered as second-class matter April 9. 1932, a t the
Tost Office a t Chicago, 111., under act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription, $1.C0 a year; 6 months, 60 cents; foreign,
f£.00. Payable in advance. No extra charge in United
States possessions, Cuba and Mexico. Rates for adver-
tising on application.
PRESTO PUBLISHING CO.
Publishers
417 So. Dearborn St.
Chicago, III.
From Herr Hjalmar Landgrens, Rege-
mentsgatan, 14, Malmo, Sweden, comes an in-
quiry asking as to whether he should sub-
scribe for a daily, weekly, monthly or bi-
monthly music trade publication, in order that
he "may be properly posted about music and
musical instruments of America."
Why not consider the two extremes; the
daily (rare product these days) and the bi-
monthly later on the monthlies (plenty oi
'em).
The Republic of Ireland is planning- a de-
partment of art, literature and music in the
cabinet of the president of similar nature to
that now proposed in the "House Joint Reso-
lution," cjf the House, providing for the estab-
lishment of an executive department to be
known as "Department of Science, Art, Litera-
ture and Music."
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Various publications in the music field repre-
sentative of different interests in music-—
trade, professional, amateur, as well as the so-
called '"house-organ," bear names closely asso-
ciated with the particular interests they repre-
sent in the field of music. We have, therefore,
the Etude, the Baton, the Allegro, the Presto,
the Keynote, the Tempo, the Major and Minor,
and now recently put out is the "Downbeat,"
novel in name, novel and interesting- in appear-
ance, but a name quite apropos being- that the
publication is devoted largely to band and
orchestra interests.
There are a few names that could be utilized,
such as the "Drum," the '"Drummer," the
"Disc," the "Staff." "Allegro," "Quarter Note,"
the "Drum Major," the "Band Master," and
others.
Visiting De Kalb. [11., a few days ago the
editor of Presto-Times enjoyed a conversa-
tion with Cvril Farnv, vice-president of The
Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. DeKalb Division. In
the course of that conversation, speak-
ing of the real rush of activity at the Wur-
litzer factor}, Mr. Farny remarked that this
September just passing shows the biggest
September business of the Wurlitzer Grand
Piano Co. for the past eleven years and it is
the biggest month of any one month's busi-
ness within the past eight years. The Melville
Clark Piano Co. was secured by the Wurlitzer
organization in 1919.
Tn 1926 Mr. Farny was graduated from
Princeton University and he went from there
CONGRESS CONSIDERS MUSIC
The action of the National Music Merchants' Association and of the National Piano
Manufacturers' Association during the convention this year in aiding the establishment
of a portfolio in the Federal Cabinet of the United States, is an exceedingly praise-
worthy record. This action was taken by the two associations and resolutions were
adopted by each association favoring a Division of Fine Arts in connection with the De-
partment of Education. Notwithstanding both associations have been tardy, their action
will carry great weight. It will be particularly gratifying to those individuals in the
membership of the two associations who have at various times expressed themselves in
favor of the project in some form or other, whether as a direct cabinet minister or as
associated with a branch of education. President-elect Chas. E. Wells was one of the first
men in the trade to give endorsement to the effort. A year and a half ago Mr. Wells,
replying to an inquiry sent to him from Presto-Times, said, speaking ol the advantages
tcr be gained by a musical education and with reference to a department of Fine Arts.
Literature and Education in the Federal Cabinet. "There have been so many things de-
veloped from a knowledge of music that it does seem, today, as if it is a gold mine for
the possessor if he will fill in with it the great gap in the program of his life. We will do
all in our power to assist."
Others gave expression to their views on this move which is now beginning to take
definite shape. Gene Rede well. Phoenix, Ariz., said: "This is a fundamental step forward
in the interest of the music industry and profession. I'm writing our Arizona senators
and Congressmen. Everybody associated with music should do this."
Karl Shinkman, vice-president Band Instrument Manufacturers' Association, said:
"I. honestly feel that music should play a leading part in this new progress. 1 will be
strong for any movement having for its object the creation and development ol" a move-
ment for music under federal control."
Edmund Gram, Milwaukee, said: "The plan is a splendid one and could be success-
fully worked out to fill in leisure time and make our people a more contented, happier and
more musical nation."
Ed. H. Droop ( E. F. Droop K: Sons Co.). Washington. D. C. said: "I hope 1 may live
to see the day when there will be a Minister of the Fine Arts in the President's cabinet."
Steinway & Sons said: "The establishment of a department of education at Wash-
ington with a Secretary of Fine Arts attached to the President's cabinet would no doubt
be of great value to all the industries connected with the cultural development of our
country. We hope that sufficient influence can be brought to bear upon such a move-
ment to bring about the realization of the idea as soon as possible."
Mr. Paul Felder (president Philip Werl ein Ltd.). New Orleans, said: "Needless to
say we fully endorse the action and the establishment of a department of education at
Washington, with a special division devoted to music as something much to be desired.
We are writing our two senators on the subject and hope the}' will back up the program
suggested."
Lawrence Tibbetts, eminent vocalist; Dr. Walter Damrosch ; Paul Specht. orchestra
leader and director: C. C. Capell, manager National Symphony Orchestra, and other early
sponsors of the movement who have several times appeared before the committee ol the
House at Washington, are gratified at the work of Mr. Maddy and others and will be
doubly so in learning of the resolutions adopted by the National Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation at the Chicago convention.
One of President Roosevelt's letters expressing his pleasure at the movement for a
new minister in the cabinet, addressed to Mr. Paul Specht. said that he was pleased to get
the information conveyed by Mr. Specht and that he would keep the views of the commit-
tee and what Mr. Specht has written on the subject in mind and give them careful con-
sideration.
Mrs. Roosevelt also has expressed great interest in the work being done by artists
and others as has also Mrs. E. A. MacDowell. widow of the late eminent composer-
pianist. The American Federation of Musicians, numbering about 150.C00 members, is
on record as unqualifiedly in favor of having a Minister of Fine Arts, Music and Litera-
ture established as one of the ministers of the President's cabinet.
The following resolution sponsored by Dr. Maddy. president of the Music Super-
visors' National Conference was unanimously adopted by the Piano Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation :
WHEREAS. Commissioner John \Y. Studebaker of the U. S. Office of Education is
desirous of expanding his department to include a Division of Fme Arts to Junction in
the promotion and guidance of music, art and dramatic art in the educational program
of the country ; and
WHEREAS. Congressional approval is necessary to secure funds with which to
finance this program, be it
RESOLVED. That the National Piano Manufacturers' Association of America. Inc..
approves and endorses the addition of a Division of Fine Arts in the U. S. Office of Edu-
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