Music Trade Review

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The Music Trade Review
AUGUST 6, 1927
National Association of Piano Bench
Manufacturers Supports Promotion Drive
Organization at Meeting in Atlantic City Subscribes $1,000 to the Fund of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association Promotion Campaign
H E twenty-sixth meeting of the National
T Association
of Piano Bench & Stool Manu-
facturers was held recently at the Haddon Hall
Hotel, Atlantic City, with a representative
group of association members in attendance.
F. A. Merriam, of South Acton, Mass., president
of the association, presided at the meetings,
which occupied two days. In his opening
address, after welcoming the delegates, he
called attention to the prevailing low market
prices and the necessity for lowering produc-
tion costs to meet the situation. He held that
costs should be reduced through increased pro-
ficiency and not through sacrifice of quality
and service, regardless of the price-cutting
tactics of some manufacturers.
M. Wulpi, of Chicago, commissioner of the
association, in his semi-annual report reviewed
the work of the organization for the past six
months and complimented the members upon
their spirit of co-operation. He stated that
costs had lowered but little, although some
manufacturers were inclined to sell at prices
that showed a disregard for costs, a course that
appeared to be suicidal. He urged the value
of organization as a means of improving con-
ditions and quoted statistics on piano sales and
the sales of benches. He predicted a steady
but slow improvement in business.
The committee on pooling hardware pur-
chases reported that considerable progress had
been made along the line of group buying with
material savings to all. The costs committee
also made an interesting report on prevailing
manufacturing costs. Traffic Manager C. S.
Bather reported on the hearings that have been
held regarding increased freight rates and the
prospects of future rates on benches.
President Merriam stated that he and Com-
missioner Wulpi had attended the May meeting
of the United States Chamber of Commerce
and emphasized the importance of that or-
ganization to the business of the country. A
number of papers were read by various mem-
bers of the association. Percy Tonk, of Chicago,
read a paper on the future of the piano busi-
ness, with special reference to possibility for
bench sales. S. E. Ovcrton, of South Haven,
Mich., also read a paper along the same lines
and led a discussion on the subject. C. L.
Lyon, of Meriden, Conn., gave a talk on the
future of the bench industry which was de-
veloped in various discussions. E. B. Ash, of
Logansport, Ind., started ?. live discussion with
his paper on "How to Keep Piano Manufac-
turers from Making Period Designs," Mr.
Merriam leading the discussion. F. C. Comp-
ton, of Coshocton, O., entertained the delegates
with a humorous paper on the subject, "What
Is the Market Price of a Basic Bench?" and
there were a number of other topics presented
at the sessions.
Following a report of the publicity and pro-
motion committee of the association which
recommended that the organization co-operate
with the sales promotion campaign of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association,
the following resolution was passed by the
bench manufacturers:
"Resolved, that this association views with
favor the promotion efforts made by the piano
manufacturers, through general advertising ef-
fort. Resolved, tkat in the development of the
musical tendencies of the buying public we
recognize that the piano industry as a whole
will benefit and in consequence that the piano
bench industry will also benefit; be it resolved,
that this association approve and endorse the
effort and as an industry co-operate in it with
our contribution.
"Piano Bench & Stool Manufacturers' Asso-
ciation—A. Merriam Co., Chas. Parker Co., S.
E. Overton Co., Tonk Mfg. Co., Standard
Piano Bench Mfg. Co., Logansport Furniture
Co., Art Novelty Co. and Stradivara Co."
One thousand dollars was unanimously sub-
scribed for the current year's effort, to be dupli-
cated the two succeeding years if the campaign
progresses satisfactorily.
Following a discussion of the work of the
Forest Conservation Association, which was
highly commended, the business sessions ad-
journed until the annual meeting of the asso-
ciation, to be held in Chicago in December.
The various entertainments provided by At-
lantic City for its visitors were thoroughly
enjoyed, particularly by the ladies present.
Following the adjournment, President and Mrs.
Merriam and Commissioner and Mrs. Wulpi
left on an automobile trip through the Catskills
and the Green and White Mountains to Port-
land and Boston, with Mr. and Mrs. Merriam as
the hosts.
Olsen on Vacation
Frank Olsen, advertising manager of the M.
Schulz Co., is spending a short vacation with
his family at the popular Summer resort, Dow-
agiac, Mich. Recent visitors to the M. Schulz
plant, 711 Milwaukee avenue, were George
Salak, Salak Bros., Racine, Wis. and B. F.
Sharp, Effingham, 111.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review.
The Cabinet You Have Been Waiting For
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No. 10
Height, 35^2 inches; width, 18 inches; depth, 14 inches.
This is a full sized cabinet with a capacity for 70
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NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA