Presto

PRESTO
April 11, 1925.
IN LIMPID VERSE THE
FIRST CRIPPLE LIMPS IN
If the Other Youngsters Respond in This
Manner Mr. Bent's Dinner Will Prove a
Collection of Stalwart Poets.
The invitation by Geo. P. Bent in last week's Presto
created much excitement in the ranks of the aged and
infirm members of the piano industry and trade. It
is already clear that the host should have engaged
the Coliseum instead of the Drake Banquet Hall for
his Convention dinner.
It would be a pleasure to present all of the accept-
ances that have come to Presto's attention but, in
view of the possibility of Mr. Bent's objecting to so
much pre-convention publicity, only the following,
which was handed in as a copy of the original sent to
the Illinois Athletic Club address of Mr. Bent, is now
"released."
The writer will be recognized by his limpid limping
style and the shaky feet in some of the lines. But
the sentiment is superb and precisely in keeping with
what might be expected of the aged and crippled
bald-heads and infirm derelicts to whom Mr. Bent's
invitation was specially addressed:
Chicago, April 6, 1925.
Mr. George P. Bent,
Illinois Athletic Club,
Chicago, Illinois.
My dear Mr. Bent:
My hand is feeble—
I am sixty-one—
So please invite
An aged old bum.
My eyes are dim,
I cannot see,
But I love to eat
When it is free!
My hair is thin,
My teeth are loose,
My leg is lame—
So what's the use—
But still my tongue
Is working well,
One ear can hear,
Tf you will yell.
So, if I may,
I'd like to come
With the other cripples
And have some fun.
Sincerely yours,
E. F. LAPHAM.
RULES CHANGED BY
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
All Complaints Affecting Only Complainant Must
Be Handled Out of Court.
Changes in the rules and methods of procedure of
the Federal Trade Commission are planned to reduce
the volume of work, the increase in which has be-
come a problem within the past few years. The
changes will lessen the damage to business men
from the publication of formal complaints of unfair
practices which are later dismissed as unfounded.
It is the purpose of the commission to take no action
on complaints which affect only the complainant and
which can be handled by the courts, but will con-
tinue to act in all cases where the welfare of the
public is involved.
This means that the commission hereafter shall
accept no case of alleged unfair practices where the
complaint arises from a purely private controversy
redressable in the courts, except where the practices
complained of substantially tend to suppress compe-
tition as affecting the public.
Another important change is that providing that
respondents shall be permitted informally to pre-
sent their side of the case to the commission before
a complaint is issued. Heretofore a complain has
been issued first and the respondent heard after-
wards; the new method, it is expected, will materially
lessen the number of complaints to be issued, since
many now issued are later dismissed, and in cases
where no complaint ensues the person or concern
interested will be saved from much adverse publicity.
NEW AEOLIAN BUILDING
AS IT WILL APPEAR
Twelve Million Dollar Structure of Twelve
Stories as It Will Stand at 54th Street
and Fifth Avenue.
The accompanying cut shows the new Aeolian
Company's building to be erected within the next
year at Fifth avenue and 54th street, New York City,
at a cost of twelve million dollars. A straight lease
of the building for sixty-three years has been se-
AMERICAN PIANO CO.
HOLDS ANNUAL ELECTION
At Annual Meeting Old Officials Are Again
Chosen and Two New Offices Are Cre-
ated and Filled.
The election of officers of the American Piano
Company, New York, took place last week at the
annual meeting of the directors. It really was a re-
election in every instance except for filling appoint-
ments for the two new posts—assistant secretary and
assistant treasurer.
The officers named are: Chairman of the board,
C. H. W. Foster; president, George G. Foster; first
vice-president, William B. Armstrong; vice-presi-
dents, George L. Eaton, Frank E. Wade and C.
Alfred Wagner; secretary-treasurer, F. R. Guilfoil;
assistant secretary, A. P. Conradt and assistant treas-
urer, Duane Wychoff.
At a meeting of the stockholders, which preceded
the election, the following directors were named: C.
H. W. Foster, George G. Foster, William B. Arm-
strong, George L. Eaton, George L. Nichols, B. A.
Tompkins and Walter E. Hope, the latter to take the
place of A. G. Milbank. All the others were re-
elected. The holdover directors are Frank E. Wade,
Henry Corcoran, Frank T. Heffelfinger, C. Alfred
Wagner and A. B. Boardman.
HANK HEWITTS PARTY
WAS UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS
Dinner at Drake Last Week Gave the Booster's Rush
to Membership.
Hank Hewitt's party, Monday, March 30, at the
Drake Hotel, was a big success from all standpoints.
He didn't celebrate his birthday, but the beginning
of the big pre-convention membership drive of the
Piano Club of Chicago to line up some new members.
"If you are in the music business you should belong
to the Piano Club—associate with the live boys—pro-
mote music—help us with the big convention in
June," was the solicitation to prospective members.
Mr. Hewitt is chairman of the membership com-
mittee and anyone who hasn't time to sign up a
member should tell him the name of the chap who
should join and he will do the rest.
There was music, vaudeville, good fellowship and
a real dinner. "Let's get behind 'Hank,' fellows. He
is not only a.good old scout but we want to show the
world just what the Piano Club can do. We want
to make this our most successful drive," said G. R.
Brownell, chairman of the membership committee.
cured by the Aeolian Company, and it will stand as
a monument to the progress of that great industry.
Aeolian pipe organs and Duo-Art pianos will be pro-
vided with special exposition and sales features, and
a large recital hall will add to the importance of the
new structure as one of New York's music centers.
As the illustration suggests, the building will have
an imposing corner entrance at each side of which
will be the show windows of magnificent proportions.
The complete description and story of the new
Aeolian Hall appeared in last week's Presto.
THE STARR IN KANSAS CITY.
The Starr Shop has succeeded the Starr Piano Co.,
at 1025 Grand avenue, Kansas City, Mo., and the new
company, in which E. F. Burns and B. R. Riddle are
partners, will be the distributors of the products of
the Starr Piano Co., of Richmond, Ind., in the Mis-
souri city. In addition to Starr pianos and players,
Starr phonographs and Gennett records, the company
will carry a line of radio. Both partners have been
associated with the Starr Piano Co. in Kansas City
for the past ten years.
THE BOWEN LOADER
makes of the Ford Roadster the Ideal piano truck,—most Convenient, most Economical and most Efficient.—Goes anywhere, over any-
kind of roads, and distance makes no difference.
It will greatly assist any energetic Salesman, City or Country, but is indispensable for successful country work.
It's the best outfit for making collections and repossessions.
Our latest model is fool-proof and indestructible, and the price has been reduced to $95.00 including an extra good water-proof
moving cover. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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