Presto
Issue: 1925 2045 - Page 5
PRESTO
October 3, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
The Supreme Attainment for the
Music Room and Studio is
found in the
Studio Grand
ILLINOIS DEALERS
HOLD CONVENTION
Ralph J. Von Fossen Elected President at
Enthusiastic Gathering of Music Mer-
chants in Rockford and Decatur
Chosen for Next Annual Meeting.
INTERESTING RESOLUTIONS
Suggestion to National Association Widens Its Scope
and Amendment to By-laws Admits Chicago
Dealers to Membership.
Experienced members of the trade who attended
the convention of the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation, this week Monday and Tuesday, declared that
in point of enthusiasm the gathering compared with
any similar event within their knowledge.
Several cities made bids for the next meeting, in-
cluding Chicago, Rockford and Peoria. Mount Ver-
non, the home of ex-President Watson, made a strong-
bid, but Decatur was chosen as the next meeting
place.
(only 5 ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
Equally predominant in latest triumph
of the Piano Makers' art is the
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
N E W OFFICERS.
The new officers of the association are: Ralph J.
Von Fossen, of Beardstown, president; E. C. Hanger,
of Lincoln, vice-president; M. M. Stemper, of Free-
port, secretary; Lloyd L. Parker, of Harrisburg,
treasurer.
Prohibition and Music.
Is prohibition or the inability to obtain intoxicating
liquor directly responsible for America's demand for
jazz music?
This was a topic of discussion at the Monday
afternoon session of Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation convention following the reading of a Repub-
lic dispatch from Washington, D. C, citing depart-
ment of commerce statistics showing that production
of musical instruments has more than doubled in the
last ten years.
Credit Prohibition.
The dealers seemed inclined to give prohibition the
credit for their prosperity. Every delegate was will-
ing to admit existence of the "jazz mania/' although
a few hesitated to hold prohibition responsible.
This statement from an acoustic engineer at the
bureau of standards was endorsed by the music mer-
chants:
"Jazz—musical bolshevism—has the same disor-
ganizing effect on the nervous system as moonshine
liquor. Good music has the power to stimulate, in-
toxicate or soothe the mind like the rare old blends
of liquors."
Important Resolution.
The main resolution was for a change in the by-
laws so that Chicago dealers be made eligible to
membership. The former by-laws did not admit Cook
County dealers as members of the association. Presi-
dent Lacey said they seemed to regard Chicago as
another state, a state independent of Illinois.
A feeling among dealers at the convention was
that there is a probability of a shortage of good
pianos and especially of standard makes of grands.
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
"The Fint Touch Tells"
Reg.
U.
S.
Pat.
Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
Interesting Resolutions.
Resolved, that the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation hereby makes and offers the following sug-
gestions to the National Association of Music Mer-
chants as a means of more closely amalgamating and
recognizing the various regional and state organiza-
tions :
First—Invite each affiliated state and regional asso-
ciation to send three delegates to the next mid-year
national executive meeting, in January of 1926.
Second—Each delegation should bring its trade
problems and national organization suggestions which
it considers applicable to the national body.
Third—These delegations should then organize into
a general meeting, considering the recommendations
and problems presented in executive session.
Fourth—The national association to then consider
the final recommendations of this meeting; and
Be It Further Resolved, that The Illinois Music
Merchants' Association hereby pledges its support to
the National Association of Music Merchants in any
plan for future national operation that will permit
the smaller affiliated associations to be heard and be
benefited through united, independent, national action;
and
Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this reso-
lution be forwarded by the secretary to the president
of the National Association of Music Merchants.
An Amendment.
The following amendment to the by-laws of the
Illinois association was proposed and carried. It
should enlarge the organization quickly.
Resolved, that Section 2 of Article 1 of the By-
Laws of The Illinois Music Merchants' Association
be amended to read as follows:
Section 2—Active membership shall be conferred
upon persons residing in the State of Illinois and
who are actively engaged in selling at retail pianos,
playerpianos, phonographs, player rolls, talking ma-
chine records, sheet music and musical merchandise.
Active members shall have all the privileges of the
floor and shall be eligible to hold any elective or
appointive office.
Retiring President Praised.
At the business session of the convention the fol-
lowing appreciative resolution was read and carried.
It pays deserved tribute to the hard work of the
retiring president:
Resolved, That the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation hereby and herewith voices its keen apprecia-
tion for the hard work and persistent effort during
the past year of its president, Mr. James P. Lacey,
of Peoria, which has resulted in the continued
advancement of this organization; and
Be It Further Resolved, that this Association ex-
press its gratitude for the hard work done during
the past year by Secretary Ralph J. Von Fossen,
Beardstown, 111.
Resolutions were also passed thanking the follow-
ing, "who have contributed so much to the success
of the convention in Rockford, Illinois, on September
28 and 29, 1925, viz.:
"To the local Rockford arrangement committee,
headed by Mr. L. I. Johnson, for the complete man-
ner in which they planned the entertainment of the
guests.
"To the trade press of the country for the complete
way in which they have covered this meeting, and to
their special representatives."
A pleasant feature of the convention was the en-
thusiastic acceptance of resolutions of thanks to the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce for furnish-
ing various exhibits of their work, and having in
attendance C. L. Dennis of the Merchandising Serv-
ice Department. Also—
To the Music Merchants' Association of Ohio for
their continued co-operation and helpfulness, and
especially in recognition of their sending their sec-
retary, Recford C. Hyre, to this convention.
L. I. Johnson, chairman of the convention com-
mittee, and Mrs. D. F. Knowles, convention secre-
tary, were warmly praised for their strenuous work
during the sessions.
A banquet in the Crystal room of the Hotel Nel-
son marked the close of the convention on Tuesday
night, and the delegates began departing for their
homes in various cities throughout the state.
Some Exhibits.
The Zenith Radio Corporation had a good and
effective exhibit. The Danquard School had an ex-
hibit in charge of H. U. Norstrand, instructor. Mr.
Norstrand will remain in Rockford for a week or ten
days longer to give instructions.
At the entrance to convention hall this placard is
shown: "Meetings will be opened on time and closed
on time. Exhibits closed during meeting hours."
Pratt-Read Company had an exhibit of its player
actions. Other exhibitors are Vocalstyle Company,
of Cincinnati; Schiller Piano Company, Oregon, 111.
President E. B. Jones, Secretary Shelley and Frank
M. Hood were with this exhibit.
Special Talks.
Alex McDonald made a good talk Tuesday after-
noon on "Making America Musical," which slogan
is his own origination. Mr. McDonald made the trip
from New York by automobile, accompanied by his
wife. They have been away from New York about
four weeks, and have visited many prominent points,
including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Pitts-
burgh, St. Louis, Chicago, etc. They now go to
Milwaukee and other places and back to New York.
When they reach New York in two weeks they will
have been six weeks on this motor trip.
Arthur L. Wessell was called upon for a speech at
the Monday night luncheon before the party went to
the theater. He was introduced as the president of
the Musical Supply Association, of which he is presi-
dent, and as one of the heads of Wessell, Nickel &
Gross. He spoke of better conditions, of his exten-
sive travels recently over the country, of the better
feeling in the trade, and advised dealers to put in their
stocks.
Arrive by Motor Car.
A good-sized percentage of visitors to the conven-
tion motored to Rockford. Frank M. Hood, of the
Chicago offices of the Schiller Piano Co., Oregon,
111., drove to Oregon last Saturday morning so as to
be good and early in helping with the numerous
chores to be done. He arrived in Rockford on Sun-
day and was well settled for the crowd in the Schiller
display rooms at the Nelson Hotel, Monday morning.
Harry Bibb, the Chicago Brunswick-Balke repre-
sentative, brought over a party of Chicago Piano
Club men in his new sedan. This crowd used the
greens at the Harlem Golf Course to good purpose.
They departed from Rockford firm in the conviction
that it is a representative golf town.
Speaking of motors, and the men who use them,
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
October 3, 1925.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells"
The Supreme Attainment for the
Music Room and Studio is
found in the
Studio Grand
ILLINOIS DEALERS
HOLD CONVENTION
Ralph J. Von Fossen Elected President at
Enthusiastic Gathering of Music Mer-
chants in Rockford and Decatur
Chosen for Next Annual Meeting.
INTERESTING RESOLUTIONS
Suggestion to National Association Widens Its Scope
and Amendment to By-laws Admits Chicago
Dealers to Membership.
Experienced members of the trade who attended
the convention of the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation, this week Monday and Tuesday, declared that
in point of enthusiasm the gathering compared with
any similar event within their knowledge.
Several cities made bids for the next meeting, in-
cluding Chicago, Rockford and Peoria. Mount Ver-
non, the home of ex-President Watson, made a strong-
bid, but Decatur was chosen as the next meeting
place.
(only 5 ft. long)
This little Grand has no superior and it
presents the very qualities that win the
prospect and makes the sale.
Equally predominant in latest triumph
of the Piano Makers' art is the
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
N E W OFFICERS.
The new officers of the association are: Ralph J.
Von Fossen, of Beardstown, president; E. C. Hanger,
of Lincoln, vice-president; M. M. Stemper, of Free-
port, secretary; Lloyd L. Parker, of Harrisburg,
treasurer.
Prohibition and Music.
Is prohibition or the inability to obtain intoxicating
liquor directly responsible for America's demand for
jazz music?
This was a topic of discussion at the Monday
afternoon session of Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation convention following the reading of a Repub-
lic dispatch from Washington, D. C, citing depart-
ment of commerce statistics showing that production
of musical instruments has more than doubled in the
last ten years.
Credit Prohibition.
The dealers seemed inclined to give prohibition the
credit for their prosperity. Every delegate was will-
ing to admit existence of the "jazz mania/' although
a few hesitated to hold prohibition responsible.
This statement from an acoustic engineer at the
bureau of standards was endorsed by the music mer-
chants:
"Jazz—musical bolshevism—has the same disor-
ganizing effect on the nervous system as moonshine
liquor. Good music has the power to stimulate, in-
toxicate or soothe the mind like the rare old blends
of liquors."
Important Resolution.
The main resolution was for a change in the by-
laws so that Chicago dealers be made eligible to
membership. The former by-laws did not admit Cook
County dealers as members of the association. Presi-
dent Lacey said they seemed to regard Chicago as
another state, a state independent of Illinois.
A feeling among dealers at the convention was
that there is a probability of a shortage of good
pianos and especially of standard makes of grands.
Equipped with
A marvel of tone and expressive
interpretation of all classes of com-
position, reproducing perfectly the
performances of the world's great-
est pianists.
"The Fint Touch Tells"
Reg.
U.
S.
Pat.
Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 East 137th St.
New York
Interesting Resolutions.
Resolved, that the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation hereby makes and offers the following sug-
gestions to the National Association of Music Mer-
chants as a means of more closely amalgamating and
recognizing the various regional and state organiza-
tions :
First—Invite each affiliated state and regional asso-
ciation to send three delegates to the next mid-year
national executive meeting, in January of 1926.
Second—Each delegation should bring its trade
problems and national organization suggestions which
it considers applicable to the national body.
Third—These delegations should then organize into
a general meeting, considering the recommendations
and problems presented in executive session.
Fourth—The national association to then consider
the final recommendations of this meeting; and
Be It Further Resolved, that The Illinois Music
Merchants' Association hereby pledges its support to
the National Association of Music Merchants in any
plan for future national operation that will permit
the smaller affiliated associations to be heard and be
benefited through united, independent, national action;
and
Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this reso-
lution be forwarded by the secretary to the president
of the National Association of Music Merchants.
An Amendment.
The following amendment to the by-laws of the
Illinois association was proposed and carried. It
should enlarge the organization quickly.
Resolved, that Section 2 of Article 1 of the By-
Laws of The Illinois Music Merchants' Association
be amended to read as follows:
Section 2—Active membership shall be conferred
upon persons residing in the State of Illinois and
who are actively engaged in selling at retail pianos,
playerpianos, phonographs, player rolls, talking ma-
chine records, sheet music and musical merchandise.
Active members shall have all the privileges of the
floor and shall be eligible to hold any elective or
appointive office.
Retiring President Praised.
At the business session of the convention the fol-
lowing appreciative resolution was read and carried.
It pays deserved tribute to the hard work of the
retiring president:
Resolved, That the Illinois Music Merchants' Asso-
ciation hereby and herewith voices its keen apprecia-
tion for the hard work and persistent effort during
the past year of its president, Mr. James P. Lacey,
of Peoria, which has resulted in the continued
advancement of this organization; and
Be It Further Resolved, that this Association ex-
press its gratitude for the hard work done during
the past year by Secretary Ralph J. Von Fossen,
Beardstown, 111.
Resolutions were also passed thanking the follow-
ing, "who have contributed so much to the success
of the convention in Rockford, Illinois, on September
28 and 29, 1925, viz.:
"To the local Rockford arrangement committee,
headed by Mr. L. I. Johnson, for the complete man-
ner in which they planned the entertainment of the
guests.
"To the trade press of the country for the complete
way in which they have covered this meeting, and to
their special representatives."
A pleasant feature of the convention was the en-
thusiastic acceptance of resolutions of thanks to the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce for furnish-
ing various exhibits of their work, and having in
attendance C. L. Dennis of the Merchandising Serv-
ice Department. Also—
To the Music Merchants' Association of Ohio for
their continued co-operation and helpfulness, and
especially in recognition of their sending their sec-
retary, Recford C. Hyre, to this convention.
L. I. Johnson, chairman of the convention com-
mittee, and Mrs. D. F. Knowles, convention secre-
tary, were warmly praised for their strenuous work
during the sessions.
A banquet in the Crystal room of the Hotel Nel-
son marked the close of the convention on Tuesday
night, and the delegates began departing for their
homes in various cities throughout the state.
Some Exhibits.
The Zenith Radio Corporation had a good and
effective exhibit. The Danquard School had an ex-
hibit in charge of H. U. Norstrand, instructor. Mr.
Norstrand will remain in Rockford for a week or ten
days longer to give instructions.
At the entrance to convention hall this placard is
shown: "Meetings will be opened on time and closed
on time. Exhibits closed during meeting hours."
Pratt-Read Company had an exhibit of its player
actions. Other exhibitors are Vocalstyle Company,
of Cincinnati; Schiller Piano Company, Oregon, 111.
President E. B. Jones, Secretary Shelley and Frank
M. Hood were with this exhibit.
Special Talks.
Alex McDonald made a good talk Tuesday after-
noon on "Making America Musical," which slogan
is his own origination. Mr. McDonald made the trip
from New York by automobile, accompanied by his
wife. They have been away from New York about
four weeks, and have visited many prominent points,
including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Pitts-
burgh, St. Louis, Chicago, etc. They now go to
Milwaukee and other places and back to New York.
When they reach New York in two weeks they will
have been six weeks on this motor trip.
Arthur L. Wessell was called upon for a speech at
the Monday night luncheon before the party went to
the theater. He was introduced as the president of
the Musical Supply Association, of which he is presi-
dent, and as one of the heads of Wessell, Nickel &
Gross. He spoke of better conditions, of his exten-
sive travels recently over the country, of the better
feeling in the trade, and advised dealers to put in their
stocks.
Arrive by Motor Car.
A good-sized percentage of visitors to the conven-
tion motored to Rockford. Frank M. Hood, of the
Chicago offices of the Schiller Piano Co., Oregon,
111., drove to Oregon last Saturday morning so as to
be good and early in helping with the numerous
chores to be done. He arrived in Rockford on Sun-
day and was well settled for the crowd in the Schiller
display rooms at the Nelson Hotel, Monday morning.
Harry Bibb, the Chicago Brunswick-Balke repre-
sentative, brought over a party of Chicago Piano
Club men in his new sedan. This crowd used the
greens at the Harlem Golf Course to good purpose.
They departed from Rockford firm in the conviction
that it is a representative golf town.
Speaking of motors, and the men who use them,
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).