Presto
Issue: 1927 2119 - Page 3
MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
10 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1927
CONTINENTAL PIANO CO.
IS STILL IN BUSINESS
President MacDow, of the Boston Industry,
in a Letter to the Trade, Refutes
Mischievous Rumors.
Since .the closing of several of the retail stores of
the Continental Piano Co. there has been some gossip
in the trade as to what the purposes of that organi-
zation may have been. In the following letter to
the customers of his company, President MacDow
sets right any rumors which may be in circulation
in the trade. It will be read with interest and must
prove an assistance to customers of the Continental
Piano Co. who may have been annoyed by unfair
competition. Mr. MacDow's statement follows:
The Continental Piano Co. intends to stay in busi-
ness; is not threatened with bankruptcy, can make
prompt shipment on all lines, can give you as good
or better values, and does not have to go out mud-
throwing to win and hold loyal and active dealers.
These facts are presented to you to guard you
against any uncertainty of mind which might be
caused by insidious and untrue rumors being spread
by the salesmen of some manufacturers.
The Continental Piano Co. has been going through
a strenuous period of readjustment, caused not by
doing too little business, but actually caused by doing
too much business and being too ready with a helping
hand for hundreds of dealers who needed extensive
credit in order to swim the tide in the trying period
which the industry has been going through.
During this time we have continued to make satis-
factory shipments to all of our dealers, and have
readjusted our manufacturing and selling policies to
meet changed conditions.
The pianos manufactured by this company are now
better than they have ever been before. Our deliver-
ies are prompt. Our organization knows the mean-
ing of cooperation, and we can give you as good or
better values than any other manufacturer.
We will appreciate every opportunity of cooper-
ating with you to make this a most prosperous year.
Very truly yours,
T H E CONTINENTAL PIANO CO.,
By G. Wilson MacDow, President.
EPOCH-MAKING MEETING
OF SCHOOL HEADS
National High School Orchestra With Picked
Players from 38 States and 175 Schools
Focuses Attention.
"The meeting of school superintendents in Dallas,
Texas, developed into a triumph for music," said
C. M. Tremaine on his return to New York from
the conference. "Marked progress in the development
of music in the schools had been made by music
supervisors, but this is the first time in the history
of the National Education Association that it has
been made an integral part of the meeting of the De-
partment of Superintendence. Instrumental music
was part of every general session and was given a
special session of its own.
"At this meeting superintendents of national rep-
utation took an active part with music supervisors
in the pronouncement that music is a legitimate and
vital part of education and must be so recognized,
if full justice is to be given the child. Dr. P. P.
Claxton, former U. S. Commissioner of Education
and Superintendent of the Tulsa schools, stated that
it was of far greater value than many subjects now
taught in the schools. Dr. Claxton said that Tulsa
was now employing 40 music supervisors and teach-
ers on full time and that this had the entire approval
of the taxpayers. It might be noted incidentally that
Tulsa is reputed >to be paying the highest salary in
the country to its music director.
"The climax of the week's conference was the
concert by the National High School Orchestra com-
posed of 260 players from 38 states and 175 school
orchestras, under the direction of Joseph E. Maddy
of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The rendition of the diffi-
cult music was a revelation and was alike an inspira-
tion to the players themselves and to the school
superintendents who absorbed the message which
these boys and girls sent to them as to the need of
music by the human soul."
The heads of the great corporations, the music
dealers and the salesmen ought to know what is
taking place. There are great forces at work in
the trade's interest. It cost $25,000 to $30,000 to
transport these 260 players and more to provide for
their Dallas expenses. This came out of pockets of
boards of education, chambers of commerce, rotary
clubs, etc.—not from the trade.
The National Bureau gave a sterling silver pin to
each member of the National High School Orches-
tra as a souvenir of the occasion and was given a
rousing cheer when the announcement was made.
These pins were paid for by the Musical Merchan-
dise Association.
AMP1C0 TRAVELING
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT
Reopening of Famous Educational Campaign of Im-
portance to Piano Men at Houston, Tex.
The announcement of the reopening of the sessions
of the Ampico Traveling School is one of great im-
portance to Ampico dealers and piano men. The
first session of the school in this new series will open
at Houston, Tex., on March 28 under the direction
of E. J. Piquette, who will be at the Rice Hotel in
that city from March 21 to receive enrollments and
make final preparations for this session of 'the school.
The Ampico Traveling School is open to indepen-
dent tuners and repairmen who desire to acquire a
complete knowledge of the Ampico as well as those
connected with the organization of Ampico dealers.
R. A. BURKE REPORTS GOOD
TRADE IN SOUTHEAST
Busy Traveler Secures New Accounts in Atlantic
Coast States from Virginia to Florida.
R. A. Burke, wholesale manager of the Story &
Clark Piano Co, 174 North Michigan avenue, Chi-
cago, returned early this week from a tour of the
southeastern states, where dealers were visited and
trade conditions observed. Mr. Burke, when inter-
viewed by a Presto-Times representative this week,
was in an optimistic mood and expressed opinion
that the trade in all sections is on the upward trend,
due to the fact that roads are in better shape and
dealers are making preparations for the spring trade.
The popular Story & Clark traveler was especially
elated over his success in the territory covered in
his trip. Starting in West Virginia, Mr. Burke se-
cured four new accounts, in addition to orders from
established dealers. New agencies were established
in Virginia, North and South Carolina and Florida,
and old representatives proved that the Story & Clark
line is winning trade by placing liberal orders.
H. C. BAY CO.'S STUDIO
MODEL IN PERIOD DESIGNS
Small Upright, Adapted to Many Uses, Produced in
Handsome Spanish and Georgian Designs.
The H. C. Bay Co.'s Studio Model, 3 feet 8 inches
high, is now ready for delivery in Spanish and Late
Georgian period designs. The little piano, which has
been accorded an excellent demand on account of its
adaptability and performance has, in its authentic
period designs, an added feature that will create
many new sales.
The announcement was made recently of eight
period models in grands, uprights and players. The
•complete line covers a wide range, from the Italian
and Spanish Renaissance periods of fancy and beau-
tiful carvings to the plainer models of the Louis XV
and Late Georgian age. All models are designed by
experts in interior decorating where the theme is
period furniture.
It's what you say as well as what you sell that
does the piano business.
$2 The Year
CLEVELAND PREPARING
FOR PIANO CONTEST
Ohio City Music Dealers Favor the Plan, but
Thus Far Have Not Displayed Much
Substantial Cooperation.
The Cleveland Music Trades Association held the
regular monthly meeting on Monday evening, March
7, at the Winton Hotel. It was well attended. A
number of members of the Ohio Music Merchants'
Association also attended and the meeting was in the
form of a joint affair. A. L. Maresh, president of
the Cleveland Music Trades Assocation, presided.
Copies of a recent piece of sheet music were looked
over and the opinion expressed that the words were
somewhat suggestive.
It was decided to make a fresh start on the piano
playing contest, on which nothing has been done
for the past few weeks due to lack of cooperation
on part of some of the trade. It was shown that
there was considerable money subscribed already,
and the committee decided to again call on non-sub-
scribers and try and interest them.
Rex C. Hyre advised members that they could not
expect to get 100 per cent cooperation on any prop-
osition and that, if the school board agrees to have
the contest put en in the schools, it will be the most
constructive thing the association has ever done for
the piano in Cleveland.
All members expressed themselves as being
heartily in favor of the contest and things will be
progressing again within a few days. The principal
business in connection with the Ohio Music Mer-
chants' Association meeting was the planning of pre-
liminary details in connection with the convention
that is to be held in Cleveland in September. Mem-
bers decided on the Winton Hotel for the place where
it will be held and committees were appointed to
handle the arrangements.
PIANO PLAYING CONTEST
PLANNED FOR PHILADELPHIA
Strong Committee to Organize Event Formed Last
Week at the Chamber of Commerce.
At a meeting of the music trade of Philadelphia,
last week, a committee was elected to formulate plans
for a piano playing contest. Frank L. Devine of the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce presided and
C. L. Dennis, secretary of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, whom Mr. Devine had in-
vited to the city, explained the necessary processes
for the promotion of such a contest.
The following comprise the committee: H. R.
Whit craft, F. A. North & Co., chairman; L. H.
Moore, N. Stetson & Co., secretary; C. G. Ramsdell,
Ramsdell & Son; George Witney, C. C. Heppe &
Son, and B. J. Munschweiler of Lit Bros.
E. C. Boykin, executive of the National Piano Pro-
motion Plan Committee, operating under the au-
spices of the National Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, who conferred with the committee, placed at its
disposal the material and data gathered in previous
successful piano playing contests.
MUSICIAN IS GOOD SALESMAN.
E. Milton Wells, who recently joined the sales
force of the Chickering Warerooms in Baltimore,
Md., is as prominent in the musical life of the city
as he is active in the selling of fine pianos. Mr
Wells is organist at the Cathedral of the Incarnation
and his name is always associated with important
musical events. He was formerly associated with the
Kranz-Smith Piano Co. in that city.
BACK TO MUSIC BUSINESS.
F. M. Moyer has returned to the music business in
Buchanan, Mich., and has bought the interest he
formerly owned in the music . store operated for
three and a half years by Martin Schoenberg. The
latter returns to St. Joseph and will again be asso-
ciated there with his father in the music store busi-
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/
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1881
Established
1884
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE WEEKLY
10 Cents a Copy
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1927
CONTINENTAL PIANO CO.
IS STILL IN BUSINESS
President MacDow, of the Boston Industry,
in a Letter to the Trade, Refutes
Mischievous Rumors.
Since .the closing of several of the retail stores of
the Continental Piano Co. there has been some gossip
in the trade as to what the purposes of that organi-
zation may have been. In the following letter to
the customers of his company, President MacDow
sets right any rumors which may be in circulation
in the trade. It will be read with interest and must
prove an assistance to customers of the Continental
Piano Co. who may have been annoyed by unfair
competition. Mr. MacDow's statement follows:
The Continental Piano Co. intends to stay in busi-
ness; is not threatened with bankruptcy, can make
prompt shipment on all lines, can give you as good
or better values, and does not have to go out mud-
throwing to win and hold loyal and active dealers.
These facts are presented to you to guard you
against any uncertainty of mind which might be
caused by insidious and untrue rumors being spread
by the salesmen of some manufacturers.
The Continental Piano Co. has been going through
a strenuous period of readjustment, caused not by
doing too little business, but actually caused by doing
too much business and being too ready with a helping
hand for hundreds of dealers who needed extensive
credit in order to swim the tide in the trying period
which the industry has been going through.
During this time we have continued to make satis-
factory shipments to all of our dealers, and have
readjusted our manufacturing and selling policies to
meet changed conditions.
The pianos manufactured by this company are now
better than they have ever been before. Our deliver-
ies are prompt. Our organization knows the mean-
ing of cooperation, and we can give you as good or
better values than any other manufacturer.
We will appreciate every opportunity of cooper-
ating with you to make this a most prosperous year.
Very truly yours,
T H E CONTINENTAL PIANO CO.,
By G. Wilson MacDow, President.
EPOCH-MAKING MEETING
OF SCHOOL HEADS
National High School Orchestra With Picked
Players from 38 States and 175 Schools
Focuses Attention.
"The meeting of school superintendents in Dallas,
Texas, developed into a triumph for music," said
C. M. Tremaine on his return to New York from
the conference. "Marked progress in the development
of music in the schools had been made by music
supervisors, but this is the first time in the history
of the National Education Association that it has
been made an integral part of the meeting of the De-
partment of Superintendence. Instrumental music
was part of every general session and was given a
special session of its own.
"At this meeting superintendents of national rep-
utation took an active part with music supervisors
in the pronouncement that music is a legitimate and
vital part of education and must be so recognized,
if full justice is to be given the child. Dr. P. P.
Claxton, former U. S. Commissioner of Education
and Superintendent of the Tulsa schools, stated that
it was of far greater value than many subjects now
taught in the schools. Dr. Claxton said that Tulsa
was now employing 40 music supervisors and teach-
ers on full time and that this had the entire approval
of the taxpayers. It might be noted incidentally that
Tulsa is reputed >to be paying the highest salary in
the country to its music director.
"The climax of the week's conference was the
concert by the National High School Orchestra com-
posed of 260 players from 38 states and 175 school
orchestras, under the direction of Joseph E. Maddy
of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The rendition of the diffi-
cult music was a revelation and was alike an inspira-
tion to the players themselves and to the school
superintendents who absorbed the message which
these boys and girls sent to them as to the need of
music by the human soul."
The heads of the great corporations, the music
dealers and the salesmen ought to know what is
taking place. There are great forces at work in
the trade's interest. It cost $25,000 to $30,000 to
transport these 260 players and more to provide for
their Dallas expenses. This came out of pockets of
boards of education, chambers of commerce, rotary
clubs, etc.—not from the trade.
The National Bureau gave a sterling silver pin to
each member of the National High School Orches-
tra as a souvenir of the occasion and was given a
rousing cheer when the announcement was made.
These pins were paid for by the Musical Merchan-
dise Association.
AMP1C0 TRAVELING
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT
Reopening of Famous Educational Campaign of Im-
portance to Piano Men at Houston, Tex.
The announcement of the reopening of the sessions
of the Ampico Traveling School is one of great im-
portance to Ampico dealers and piano men. The
first session of the school in this new series will open
at Houston, Tex., on March 28 under the direction
of E. J. Piquette, who will be at the Rice Hotel in
that city from March 21 to receive enrollments and
make final preparations for this session of 'the school.
The Ampico Traveling School is open to indepen-
dent tuners and repairmen who desire to acquire a
complete knowledge of the Ampico as well as those
connected with the organization of Ampico dealers.
R. A. BURKE REPORTS GOOD
TRADE IN SOUTHEAST
Busy Traveler Secures New Accounts in Atlantic
Coast States from Virginia to Florida.
R. A. Burke, wholesale manager of the Story &
Clark Piano Co, 174 North Michigan avenue, Chi-
cago, returned early this week from a tour of the
southeastern states, where dealers were visited and
trade conditions observed. Mr. Burke, when inter-
viewed by a Presto-Times representative this week,
was in an optimistic mood and expressed opinion
that the trade in all sections is on the upward trend,
due to the fact that roads are in better shape and
dealers are making preparations for the spring trade.
The popular Story & Clark traveler was especially
elated over his success in the territory covered in
his trip. Starting in West Virginia, Mr. Burke se-
cured four new accounts, in addition to orders from
established dealers. New agencies were established
in Virginia, North and South Carolina and Florida,
and old representatives proved that the Story & Clark
line is winning trade by placing liberal orders.
H. C. BAY CO.'S STUDIO
MODEL IN PERIOD DESIGNS
Small Upright, Adapted to Many Uses, Produced in
Handsome Spanish and Georgian Designs.
The H. C. Bay Co.'s Studio Model, 3 feet 8 inches
high, is now ready for delivery in Spanish and Late
Georgian period designs. The little piano, which has
been accorded an excellent demand on account of its
adaptability and performance has, in its authentic
period designs, an added feature that will create
many new sales.
The announcement was made recently of eight
period models in grands, uprights and players. The
•complete line covers a wide range, from the Italian
and Spanish Renaissance periods of fancy and beau-
tiful carvings to the plainer models of the Louis XV
and Late Georgian age. All models are designed by
experts in interior decorating where the theme is
period furniture.
It's what you say as well as what you sell that
does the piano business.
$2 The Year
CLEVELAND PREPARING
FOR PIANO CONTEST
Ohio City Music Dealers Favor the Plan, but
Thus Far Have Not Displayed Much
Substantial Cooperation.
The Cleveland Music Trades Association held the
regular monthly meeting on Monday evening, March
7, at the Winton Hotel. It was well attended. A
number of members of the Ohio Music Merchants'
Association also attended and the meeting was in the
form of a joint affair. A. L. Maresh, president of
the Cleveland Music Trades Assocation, presided.
Copies of a recent piece of sheet music were looked
over and the opinion expressed that the words were
somewhat suggestive.
It was decided to make a fresh start on the piano
playing contest, on which nothing has been done
for the past few weeks due to lack of cooperation
on part of some of the trade. It was shown that
there was considerable money subscribed already,
and the committee decided to again call on non-sub-
scribers and try and interest them.
Rex C. Hyre advised members that they could not
expect to get 100 per cent cooperation on any prop-
osition and that, if the school board agrees to have
the contest put en in the schools, it will be the most
constructive thing the association has ever done for
the piano in Cleveland.
All members expressed themselves as being
heartily in favor of the contest and things will be
progressing again within a few days. The principal
business in connection with the Ohio Music Mer-
chants' Association meeting was the planning of pre-
liminary details in connection with the convention
that is to be held in Cleveland in September. Mem-
bers decided on the Winton Hotel for the place where
it will be held and committees were appointed to
handle the arrangements.
PIANO PLAYING CONTEST
PLANNED FOR PHILADELPHIA
Strong Committee to Organize Event Formed Last
Week at the Chamber of Commerce.
At a meeting of the music trade of Philadelphia,
last week, a committee was elected to formulate plans
for a piano playing contest. Frank L. Devine of the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce presided and
C. L. Dennis, secretary of the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, whom Mr. Devine had in-
vited to the city, explained the necessary processes
for the promotion of such a contest.
The following comprise the committee: H. R.
Whit craft, F. A. North & Co., chairman; L. H.
Moore, N. Stetson & Co., secretary; C. G. Ramsdell,
Ramsdell & Son; George Witney, C. C. Heppe &
Son, and B. J. Munschweiler of Lit Bros.
E. C. Boykin, executive of the National Piano Pro-
motion Plan Committee, operating under the au-
spices of the National Piano Manufacturers' Associa-
tion, who conferred with the committee, placed at its
disposal the material and data gathered in previous
successful piano playing contests.
MUSICIAN IS GOOD SALESMAN.
E. Milton Wells, who recently joined the sales
force of the Chickering Warerooms in Baltimore,
Md., is as prominent in the musical life of the city
as he is active in the selling of fine pianos. Mr
Wells is organist at the Cathedral of the Incarnation
and his name is always associated with important
musical events. He was formerly associated with the
Kranz-Smith Piano Co. in that city.
BACK TO MUSIC BUSINESS.
F. M. Moyer has returned to the music business in
Buchanan, Mich., and has bought the interest he
formerly owned in the music . store operated for
three and a half years by Martin Schoenberg. The
latter returns to St. Joseph and will again be asso-
ciated there with his father in the music store busi-
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).