Presto
Issue: 1927 2135 - Page 5
July 2, 1927.
LATE TRADE NEWS
FROM LOS ANGELES
Activity of Piano Men Particularly in Evi-
dence in Southern California City, Where
Several New Stores Are Appealing
for Attention of Music Buyers.
WURLITZER PIANO ATTRACTS
Wayfarers on South Broadway Admire the Wur-
litzer Grand Shown in Window With Spe-
cial Overhead Lighting Effects.
The Bald-win Branch.
By GILBERT BRETON.
The music trade of Los Angeles and in particular
the piano dealers have been considerably agitated
over the announcement made months ago of the open-
ing in that city of a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store.
This event took place this week, and much to the
relief of dealers in Los Angeles and in fact southern
California territory, the announcement is made that
this big mail order house will not carry a piano de-
partment; that they will not carry a line of pianos
even for a local retail trade. The matter of carry-
ing pianos as a regular line has of course been
gone over thoroughly and from every angle, with the
conclusion that piano selling at the present time
should be left out by them and delegated to the at-
tention of the regular and established piano houses.
There to Stay.
Manager Foster, manager of the Baldwin branch
in Los Angeles, when interviewed by a Presto-Times
representative this week, said: "Yes, we have come
to Los Angeles to stay. We have long felt that the
commanding position the Baldwin piano occupies in
the piano trade, that the company's interests would
be better served by conducting its own warerooms,
thereby enabling the many friends of the Baldwin
line to receive better attention by buying direct from
a regular branch store."
This view is concurred in by General Agent J. J.
Griffith, who has been in Los Angeles during the past
week superintending the arrival of the large stock of
Baldwin grands and uprights, together with their
subsidiary line of Ellingtons, Hamiltons and Howard
pianos. The company is to be congratulated in
securing the valuable services of Mr. Foster, who for
many years occupied an important position with the
Platt Music Co., and consequently is widely and
favorably known not only in Los Angeles, but the
entire coast as well.
General Manager Griffith said, in answer to a ques-
tion, "That the Baldwin pianos, both grands and up-
rights, would be featured by distinguished operatic
soloists and pianists, also by many prominent local
musicians and teachers who would now be able to
secure the pianos of their preference."
New Los Angeles Store.
George Heine of San Francisco has opened a piano
store on South Spring street, Los Angeles, and also
an automobile establishment on Pico street under the
title of the Heine Auto Sales Co. Frank Jordan, who
has been selected as manager of the Spring street
establishment, is well known in the piano trade.
M. T. McCullon, 'the well-known coast representa-
tive of the Winter Piano Co. of New York, was a
visitor in Los Angeles this week and reports that he
has enjoyed a remarkable business during the first
six months of the year, something to be expected
owing to the popularity of his line and his wide
acquaintance with the prominent members of the
piano trade.
The Convention.
The convention of the Western Music Trades As-
sociation takes place July 12, 13, 14, 15 in San Fran-
cisco. It is the fourth annual gathering of Pacific
Coast piano dealers and many members of the piano
fraternity in Los Angeles are planning to attend.
A Wurlitzer Exhibit.
The spacious warerooms of the Wurlitzer Co. are
graced by an elegant grand piano with Oriental set-
ting and lighting effects. The piano is finished in
natural mahogany and the unique lighting system
spreads a ray over the entire window which attracts
great attention from the passersby on South Broad-
way. The Wurlitzer organ recitals which are broad-
casted from the Wurlitzer studio every evening from
7 to 8 p. m. by Albert Hay Mallette, the distinguished
organist and composer who has also been appointed
organist at Graumans Chinese Theater at Hollywood,
where he is adding to the impressive production of
"The King of Kings" by his masterly interpretation
of this great production.
Elmer Armstrong's recent article on remuneration
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
for piano salesmen in the Presto-Times has attracted
widespread attention in Los Angeles, both on account
of his prominence in the trade and his ability to talk
and write on vital topics. The interest is increased
by his choice of a medium—the Presto-Times.
Wishing to ascertain the various opinions from
the prominent members of the trade, your repre-
sentative talked to several sales managers in Los
Angeles.
Sales Manager's Views.
Crosby Hopps, manager of the sales department
of the Martin Music Co., formerly sales manager for
Sherman, Clay & Co., Sacramento, Cal., and J. W.
Jenkins Co., Kansas City, said: "While I heartily
agree with the statement expressed in Mr. Arm-
strong's article, he should have gone still further and
said that some salesmen should receive a special line
of credit for their work and their commission should
vary according to relative merits. A salesman who
is worth $250 per month should not receive as much
commission in comparison to the hard-working out-
side hustler who only receives $150 per month. I
find it more beneficial >to encourage the less con-
spicuous salesman than the high-grade man. For
instance, I would allow the man drawing $250 per
month and who should sell at least $3,000 per month
only a commission of 3 per cent, and I would allow
the hard-working hustler who only gets $150 per
month a commission of 10 per cent provided he sells
$1,500 per month.
EVANSVILLE MANAGER RESIGNS.
Harry W. Voss has resigned his position as
secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Stahl-
schmidt Piano Company at 618 Main street, Evans-
ville, Ind., and will leave Evansville about July 18th
for Toledo, O., where he will become manager of the
adjustment bureau of that city. Voss formerly was
manager of the Evansville Adjustment Bureau and is
a director in the Evansville Association of Credit
Men.
OTTO SCHULZ, JR., IN CANADA.
Otto Schulz, Jr., and George Schulz, who is a
junior at Princeton, took leave of the M. Schulz head-
quarters at 711 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago, for a
month's trip in the Canadian forest. The brothers
and their party will travel by horseback from Jasper
Park on the Canadian National Railway to Lake
Louise on the Canadian Pacific, a distance of more
than a hundred miles. They left on Wednesday of
this week and will return the latter part of July.
B. B. PLATT EXPLAINS
STORY OF STOCK DEAL
Head of the Platt Music Company, Los An-
geles, Gives Details of Purchase of
Julian Petroleum Stock.
The daily press of Los Angeles, Calif., had a news
item this week concerning the indictment by the
grand jury of prominent citizens of that city growing
out of the purchase of Julian Petroleum stock, of
which group of buyers B. B. Platt of the Platt
Music Co. is one. Upon being interviewed by a rep-
resentative of Presto-Times Mr. Platt said:
"All I know about the matter is that some time
ago I was invited by several prominent and influential
men of this city to participate in a pool to purchase
a block of Julian Petroleum stock with the expecta-
tion that it was going to advance in price. I made
this small investment as I have made many others
in various lines, employing my individual funds for
the purpose. I was assured that the pool members
were amply protected against loss. Further than
this I had no knowledge of the manner in which the
transaction was handled."
Presto-Times received telegrams last week con-
cerning this event, but which could not consistently
be published until we had received further particulars
from Mr. Platt, which are printed above.
NEW INCORPORATIONS
IN MUSIC GOODS TRADE
New and Old Concerns Secure Charters in Various
Places.
The Music Shop of Lafayette, Ind.; Arthur S.
Primmer, president; Joseph S. McClurg, vice-presi-
dent and general manager, and E. St. Clair, secretary-
treasurer. The firm is successor to the Marion Piano
Co., Marion, Ind.
The Dallas Music Co.; John L. Leyne, W. B.
Leyne and M. S. Mills, all of Dallas, Tex.
The World Music Corp., New York City. The at-
torneys are Bennett & Wattenberg, 36 West Forty-
fourth street. New York.
Waters & Waters Manufacturing Company (Mis-
souri corporation) has filed papers of withdrawal
from the state of Indiana.
A PRIZE=WINNING SHOW WINDOW
PRIZE-WINNING WINDOW IN THE LOUIS STERLING WTNDOW DRESSING COMPETITION, WON BY READ,
FRANKLIN & HAYWARD.
Read, Franklin & Hayward, Bury, England, one of
the English firms handling the Ampico, won the
monthly cash prize of £10 recently offered in the
Louis Sterling window dressing competition.
The prize-winning window, tastefully arranged as
a room, had as a background a scenic showing of an
enchanted castle. In the foreground fairy and elves
are seen drawing near, attracted by the beautiful
music of the Rogers Ampico, supposedly playing in
the room through the windows of which elves and
fairy enter, discovering the scource of the exquisite
sounds which have attracted them.
The color scheme of this finely planned window
was no small part of its success. The fairy-like
quality of the vision seen at the back of the setting
was effectively done in perfect contrast to the warm
richness of the setting for the Ampico.
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/
LATE TRADE NEWS
FROM LOS ANGELES
Activity of Piano Men Particularly in Evi-
dence in Southern California City, Where
Several New Stores Are Appealing
for Attention of Music Buyers.
WURLITZER PIANO ATTRACTS
Wayfarers on South Broadway Admire the Wur-
litzer Grand Shown in Window With Spe-
cial Overhead Lighting Effects.
The Bald-win Branch.
By GILBERT BRETON.
The music trade of Los Angeles and in particular
the piano dealers have been considerably agitated
over the announcement made months ago of the open-
ing in that city of a Sears, Roebuck & Co. store.
This event took place this week, and much to the
relief of dealers in Los Angeles and in fact southern
California territory, the announcement is made that
this big mail order house will not carry a piano de-
partment; that they will not carry a line of pianos
even for a local retail trade. The matter of carry-
ing pianos as a regular line has of course been
gone over thoroughly and from every angle, with the
conclusion that piano selling at the present time
should be left out by them and delegated to the at-
tention of the regular and established piano houses.
There to Stay.
Manager Foster, manager of the Baldwin branch
in Los Angeles, when interviewed by a Presto-Times
representative this week, said: "Yes, we have come
to Los Angeles to stay. We have long felt that the
commanding position the Baldwin piano occupies in
the piano trade, that the company's interests would
be better served by conducting its own warerooms,
thereby enabling the many friends of the Baldwin
line to receive better attention by buying direct from
a regular branch store."
This view is concurred in by General Agent J. J.
Griffith, who has been in Los Angeles during the past
week superintending the arrival of the large stock of
Baldwin grands and uprights, together with their
subsidiary line of Ellingtons, Hamiltons and Howard
pianos. The company is to be congratulated in
securing the valuable services of Mr. Foster, who for
many years occupied an important position with the
Platt Music Co., and consequently is widely and
favorably known not only in Los Angeles, but the
entire coast as well.
General Manager Griffith said, in answer to a ques-
tion, "That the Baldwin pianos, both grands and up-
rights, would be featured by distinguished operatic
soloists and pianists, also by many prominent local
musicians and teachers who would now be able to
secure the pianos of their preference."
New Los Angeles Store.
George Heine of San Francisco has opened a piano
store on South Spring street, Los Angeles, and also
an automobile establishment on Pico street under the
title of the Heine Auto Sales Co. Frank Jordan, who
has been selected as manager of the Spring street
establishment, is well known in the piano trade.
M. T. McCullon, 'the well-known coast representa-
tive of the Winter Piano Co. of New York, was a
visitor in Los Angeles this week and reports that he
has enjoyed a remarkable business during the first
six months of the year, something to be expected
owing to the popularity of his line and his wide
acquaintance with the prominent members of the
piano trade.
The Convention.
The convention of the Western Music Trades As-
sociation takes place July 12, 13, 14, 15 in San Fran-
cisco. It is the fourth annual gathering of Pacific
Coast piano dealers and many members of the piano
fraternity in Los Angeles are planning to attend.
A Wurlitzer Exhibit.
The spacious warerooms of the Wurlitzer Co. are
graced by an elegant grand piano with Oriental set-
ting and lighting effects. The piano is finished in
natural mahogany and the unique lighting system
spreads a ray over the entire window which attracts
great attention from the passersby on South Broad-
way. The Wurlitzer organ recitals which are broad-
casted from the Wurlitzer studio every evening from
7 to 8 p. m. by Albert Hay Mallette, the distinguished
organist and composer who has also been appointed
organist at Graumans Chinese Theater at Hollywood,
where he is adding to the impressive production of
"The King of Kings" by his masterly interpretation
of this great production.
Elmer Armstrong's recent article on remuneration
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
for piano salesmen in the Presto-Times has attracted
widespread attention in Los Angeles, both on account
of his prominence in the trade and his ability to talk
and write on vital topics. The interest is increased
by his choice of a medium—the Presto-Times.
Wishing to ascertain the various opinions from
the prominent members of the trade, your repre-
sentative talked to several sales managers in Los
Angeles.
Sales Manager's Views.
Crosby Hopps, manager of the sales department
of the Martin Music Co., formerly sales manager for
Sherman, Clay & Co., Sacramento, Cal., and J. W.
Jenkins Co., Kansas City, said: "While I heartily
agree with the statement expressed in Mr. Arm-
strong's article, he should have gone still further and
said that some salesmen should receive a special line
of credit for their work and their commission should
vary according to relative merits. A salesman who
is worth $250 per month should not receive as much
commission in comparison to the hard-working out-
side hustler who only receives $150 per month. I
find it more beneficial >to encourage the less con-
spicuous salesman than the high-grade man. For
instance, I would allow the man drawing $250 per
month and who should sell at least $3,000 per month
only a commission of 3 per cent, and I would allow
the hard-working hustler who only gets $150 per
month a commission of 10 per cent provided he sells
$1,500 per month.
EVANSVILLE MANAGER RESIGNS.
Harry W. Voss has resigned his position as
secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Stahl-
schmidt Piano Company at 618 Main street, Evans-
ville, Ind., and will leave Evansville about July 18th
for Toledo, O., where he will become manager of the
adjustment bureau of that city. Voss formerly was
manager of the Evansville Adjustment Bureau and is
a director in the Evansville Association of Credit
Men.
OTTO SCHULZ, JR., IN CANADA.
Otto Schulz, Jr., and George Schulz, who is a
junior at Princeton, took leave of the M. Schulz head-
quarters at 711 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago, for a
month's trip in the Canadian forest. The brothers
and their party will travel by horseback from Jasper
Park on the Canadian National Railway to Lake
Louise on the Canadian Pacific, a distance of more
than a hundred miles. They left on Wednesday of
this week and will return the latter part of July.
B. B. PLATT EXPLAINS
STORY OF STOCK DEAL
Head of the Platt Music Company, Los An-
geles, Gives Details of Purchase of
Julian Petroleum Stock.
The daily press of Los Angeles, Calif., had a news
item this week concerning the indictment by the
grand jury of prominent citizens of that city growing
out of the purchase of Julian Petroleum stock, of
which group of buyers B. B. Platt of the Platt
Music Co. is one. Upon being interviewed by a rep-
resentative of Presto-Times Mr. Platt said:
"All I know about the matter is that some time
ago I was invited by several prominent and influential
men of this city to participate in a pool to purchase
a block of Julian Petroleum stock with the expecta-
tion that it was going to advance in price. I made
this small investment as I have made many others
in various lines, employing my individual funds for
the purpose. I was assured that the pool members
were amply protected against loss. Further than
this I had no knowledge of the manner in which the
transaction was handled."
Presto-Times received telegrams last week con-
cerning this event, but which could not consistently
be published until we had received further particulars
from Mr. Platt, which are printed above.
NEW INCORPORATIONS
IN MUSIC GOODS TRADE
New and Old Concerns Secure Charters in Various
Places.
The Music Shop of Lafayette, Ind.; Arthur S.
Primmer, president; Joseph S. McClurg, vice-presi-
dent and general manager, and E. St. Clair, secretary-
treasurer. The firm is successor to the Marion Piano
Co., Marion, Ind.
The Dallas Music Co.; John L. Leyne, W. B.
Leyne and M. S. Mills, all of Dallas, Tex.
The World Music Corp., New York City. The at-
torneys are Bennett & Wattenberg, 36 West Forty-
fourth street. New York.
Waters & Waters Manufacturing Company (Mis-
souri corporation) has filed papers of withdrawal
from the state of Indiana.
A PRIZE=WINNING SHOW WINDOW
PRIZE-WINNING WINDOW IN THE LOUIS STERLING WTNDOW DRESSING COMPETITION, WON BY READ,
FRANKLIN & HAYWARD.
Read, Franklin & Hayward, Bury, England, one of
the English firms handling the Ampico, won the
monthly cash prize of £10 recently offered in the
Louis Sterling window dressing competition.
The prize-winning window, tastefully arranged as
a room, had as a background a scenic showing of an
enchanted castle. In the foreground fairy and elves
are seen drawing near, attracted by the beautiful
music of the Rogers Ampico, supposedly playing in
the room through the windows of which elves and
fairy enter, discovering the scource of the exquisite
sounds which have attracted them.
The color scheme of this finely planned window
was no small part of its success. The fairy-like
quality of the vision seen at the back of the setting
was effectively done in perfect contrast to the warm
richness of the setting for the Ampico.
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).