Presto

PRESTO
October 21, 1922.
NO "MODEL HOME"
WITHOUT MUSIC
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce Pro-
tests Against New York Tribune's Exhibit
of the "Ideal House," at Larchmont
Gardens.
"An amazing development of demonstration week
for Better Homes in America which started October
9, was the appearance of the New York Tribune last
Sunday, giving considerable publicity to a "Model
Home,' in which no mention was made of music," is
a protest in a report of the Music Industries Cham-
ber of Commerce, which adds: "Investigation de-
veloped the fact that the 'ideal house' on exhibit by
the Tribune at Larchmont Gardens had no piano or
phonograph included in its equipment."
The Music Industries Chamber of Commerce im-
mediately sent the following protest, signed by Alfred
L. Smith, secretary, to the Editor, New York Trib-
une, New York City.
Mr. Smith's Letter.
Dear Sir: In looking over your publicity last Sun-
day for the Tribune House No. 6, on exhibit at
Larchmont Gardens, as a model home for Demon-
stration Week of Better Homes in America, it was
surprising to find that any recognition of music was
conspicuous by its absence.
In order to make sure that this was not an over-
sight in the publicity, inquiry was made and devel-
oped the fact that the "Model Home" has no piano or
phonograph.
Surely this is an oversight which was not inten-
tional; at least, we would like to believe so, in justice
to the many music houses who are seeking to empha-
size the need for music in the home, as well as the
vast majority of music lovers who could not conceive
of a "Better Home" without music.
Quotes the President.
The complete American home must have music,
whether in the city, suburb or country. President
Harding says: "We cannot have too much music;
we need it—the world needs it—probably more than
ever before, and I am the friend of every effort to
give it its rightful place in our national life." Dr.
John J. Tigert, U. S. Commissioner of Education,
says -that "Probably after the 'three R's,' music is of
more practical value than any other subject
There is probably no influence more potent than
music for Americanization purposes." The Hon.
James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor, says, "I would
so develop music in the community that I would have
a musical instrument of some kind in every home,
and I would have every child taught to play, sing and
know music.
Music makes for contentment,
and a contented workman is a good workman, just
as a contented citizen is a good citizen." Secretary
of Agriculture Wallace says, "Good music in the
farmhouse will contribute to a wholesome content-
ment and a happy family life." His department in-
cluded in a recent issue of its weekly news letter, the
following message to a great army of readers in the
farm districts of fhe country: "Have you music in
your home? Are you making any effort to supple-
ment the splendid offerings of talking machine rec-
ords and player rolls with home-produced vocal and
instrumental melody?"
Should you desire further evidence that music is a
vital need in American home life, we will be glad to
supply it. I am sure you will find, however, sufficient
proof in the foregoing statements that there can be
no "model home" without music. Trusting you will
do what you can to remedy the oversight at this late
date.
•
STARR DISPLAY AT STATE FAIR
Exhibits of music goods at state and
county fairs invite comparisons between
the instruments shown. The showing of
goods at the big gatherings is in itself a
test of merit in the pianos and other
things shown. When a dealer sends his
instruments to an exhibit of the kind
named he expresses.his faith in them; he
is so sure of their merits that he invites
the inevitable comparisons that will be
made.
The Starr Piano Co.'s pianos, player-
pianos and phonographs and Gennett rec-
ords made by the Richmond, Ind., manu-
facturers, are familiar objects at the
county and state fairs, and everywhere
the Starr representatives are desirous of
showing the goods in comparison with
other lines.
The Anderson Piano Company, wholesale dis-
tributors of The Starr Piano Company's products,
had a very effective display at the New York State
Fair, at Syracuse, in September.
Many Starr pianos, as well as Starr phonographs,
in addition to Gennett records, made a very attrac-
tive showing and were commented upon by hundreds
and hundreds of the fair visitors. Volume of tone,
capable through the use of the new Starr Concert
department manager at the music store is F. F.
Barment.
John Foster has been appointed sales manager of
the Platt Music Co., Los Angeles, Cal.
I. L. Heilbron, manager of the Sacramento branch
of Sherman, Clay & Co., San Francisco, recently
returned from a trip covering the most important
eastern piano manufacturing points.
The new manager of the branch of the Platt Music
Co., at 231 Southwestern avenue, is W. A. Crouse.
Henry Carter, formerly manager of the J. W. Car-
ter Music Co., Houston, Tex., who recently acquired
an interest in the business of the Ross & Hyer Co.,
Fort Worth, has assumed management of the busi-
ness.
Charles Goldsmith is proprietor of the Goldsmith
Music Shop which will move to new quarters in the
Willard Hotel, now being erected in Franklin, Ind.
Jack Rubottom has been made manager of the
Music department in the Linn & Scruggs store, De-
catur, 111.
ENCOURAGING REPORTS.
Exceptionally optimistic reports as to the business
outlook for the coming fall and winter have been
compiled from data supplied direct from the editors
and publishers of representative newspapers in all
parts of the United States. Ninety-seven per cent of
the replies received were that the 1922-23 business sea-
son would be marked by a sharp recovery. With the
government's August crop report indicating a $7,134,-
654,000 crop—a record production—with the total
building construction in the United States during the
first nine months of this year having reached the un-
precedented total of $3,000,000,000, the general busi-
ness outlook was regarded as more than "highly
encouraging."
LOOKS BACK TWENTY YEARS.
PERSONAL NEWS IN THE
RETAIL TRADE RECORDED
Interesting Items About the Dealers and Salesmen
Gathered From Many Sources.
G. M. Farrin is manager of the Wilson Music Co.,
which recently occupied quarters in the Hotel Whit-
ing, Stevens Point, Wis.
George B. Robertson is a new salesman in the
piano department of Strandburg's Music House, 107
Main street, Bradford, Pa.
; R. L. BaOmline is proprietor of the Baumline Music
Store, recently opened at 5 Court street, Auburn,
N. Y.
, : J. E. Bender is again on the sales staff of Powell
& Chandler, Scranton, Pa.
C. R. Putnam is manager of Philpitts Music Store,
in its new location at 810 Franklin street, Tampa,
Fla.
' J. N. Wheeler, for six years sales manager of the
Toledo, O., branch of Grinnell Bros., has been made
manager of the Highland Park branch of the firm.
F. H. Culp is the new manager of the J. N. Adams
i& Co.'s music store, Buffalo, N. Y. He succeeds
Stephen J. Butler, who has resigned. The new piano
O. J. De Moll & Co., Twelfth and G streets, Wash-
ington, D. C, is celebrating this week the comple-
tion of twenty years in business. The first was es-
tablished in 1902, in a small store at 1231 G street.
The modest start was characterized by ambition
and the firm in its present fine warerooms is a good
example of the rewards of progressiveness and re-
liance on a just trading policy. The firm is com-
posed of Emmons S. Smith and Otto J. De Moll.
NEW BOSTON DEALER.
A recent addition to the retail music goods estab-
lishment in Boston, is the store of Charles A. Ross,
with warerooms in the Thorndike Building. Mr.
Ross was formerly with the A. J. Jackson Co. in the
same city and is a widely known salesman. Mr. Ross
has arranged his show rooms in a very tasteful man-
ner and admirably suited to the character of the in-
struments shown.
SPREADS IN TEXAS.
Charles Parker, the Waco, Tex., music dealer, is
making plans to establish a branch in Houston, which
will be principally devoted to the wholesale phase
of his business. The Houston branch will be in oper-
ation by the end of October. An office in Galveston
will also be maintained.
Amplifier, was demonstrated with the Starr Style X
phonograph, and the latest Gennett records were
heard continuously throughout the great exhibition
building.
The cut shows John Anderson, of the Anderson
Piano Company, and Mr. A. M. Sweetland, traveling
representative of the Starr Piano Company for the
district of New York, at the Anderson company's
display.
AMERICAN PIANOS SELL
WELL IN EUROPE
United States Consuls Send Very Satisfactory
Reports About Sales Possibilities in
Some Places.
American pianos are going well in Europe, and
United States consuls report such instruments can
be sold in all districts where exchange rates and
shipping charges are not too righ, says a report from
the Department of Commerce, Washington, D. C,
which continues:
American pianos are holding the place in European
markets which they achieved during the war, accord-
ing to an analysis by the Specialties Division of the
Department of Commerce. Recent consular reports
indicate that American instruments can be sold in
practically all districts where exchange rates and
shipping charges are not too high.
American pianos are well liked in England, some
German pianos are being imported, but one consul
reports that prices on German pianos in his district
are higher than on pianos of British make. In
France the domestic makes are liked, production is
large, and the export business greatly exceeds the
import. Here American pianos have sold in fair
amounts. Sales could be increased in certain districts
if demands for particular sizes and finishes could be
met without sacrifice of quality.
Italy has imposed restrictions on imports which
tend to make trade difficult with countries other than
France and England. Portugal in 1919 imported 115
pianos from the United States out of a total of 186.
American pianos were practically unknown in this
market before the war. During 1921 many pianos
were imported from Germany at low prices.
Spain has a small domestic production. American
pianos are well known but in 1920. and 1921 imports
of German pianos increased. Under the new tariff
law which went into effect on February 16, 1922,
pianos and piano players imported from the United
States and other countries with which Spain has
commercial treaties are subject to duties of twenty-
five per cent, instead of the regulation duty of fifty
per cent. Playerpianos are arousing an interest in
Spain as a consequence of the popularity of American
dance music, but because of price playerpianos are
not widely used in European countries. American
instruments have had a good share of the existing
trade.
A SIOUX CITY CONTEST.
Since the announcement of the Schmoller & Muel-
ler Piano Co., Sioux City, la., that it would give two
scholarships in the Fleetwood vocal studios to the
hest untrained voices in Sioux City and territory,
there have been scores of inquiries pertaining to
the contest. Announcement is made that one schol-
arship will be given to the boy or man with the best
voice and the other to the girl or woman. The con-
test is open to all voices not having had training
under a vocal teacher. This does not include those
receiving training in the public schools for sight read-
ing.
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