Presto

P R E S T 0-TI M E S
CHAMBER BRIEF
ON TARIFF RATES
Representatives of Various Music Industry
Groups Frame Paragraphs of Brief Pre-
sented Before Ways and Means Com-
mittee of House in Washing-
ton, February 18.
An increase in the tariff rates on organs and a con-
tinuation of the present rates on all other articles
except fretted string instruments and accessories was
recommended by the Music Industries Chamber of
Commerce in its brief presented before the hearings
of the Ways and Means Committee, House of Repre-
sentatives, in Washington on February 18, 1929. The
brief was presented by Alfred L. Smith, general man-
ager of the Chamber. G. F. Chapin, one of the
directors of the National Association of Musical In-
strument and Accessories Manufacturers, appeared on
behalf of the manufacturers of fretted instruments
and accessories, and briefly outlined their require-
ments. There also appeared the following: Joseph
Estey, Estey Organ Company; Robert Elliott, W.
W. Kimball Co.; George L. Catlin, Skinner Organ
Company.
The Chamber brief w r ith reference to Paragraph
1443, musical instruments, and Paragraph 1444, phono-
graphs, of the Tariff Act of 1922, speaks for all
branches of the music industry as represented by the
following national associations: National Associa-
tion of Music Merchants (retailers), National Musical
Merchandise Association (jobbers), National Piano
Manufacturers' Association' Committee of Phono-
graph Manufacturers, Musical Supply Association of
America (manufacturers of piano parts), Band In-
strument Manufacturers' x-\ssociation, National Asso-
ciation of Musical Instrument and Accessories Man-
ufacturers (fretted instruments), Organ Builders' As-
sociation of America.
The Brief.
"Most imported musical instruments, including par-
ticularly band instruments, come under 'musical in-
struments and parts thereof not especially provided
for' in Paragraph 1443," says the brief. "In addition
there are twelve types of musical instruments, parts
and accessories classified specifically by name. We
recommend the following:
1. Upon 'musical instruments and parts thereof
not especially provided for,' we recommend a con-
tinuation of thep resent rate of 40 per centum ad
valorem.
2. Upon 'pianoforte, player actions and parts there-
of,' we recommend a continuation of the present rate
of 40 per cent ad valorem.
On Tuning Pins.
3. Upon 'tuning pins,' we recommend a continua-
tion of the present rate of $1 per thousand and 35
per centum ad valorem.
4. With respect to the remaining instruments
named specifically in Paragraph 1443 and upon such
stringed instruments and accessories as may be cov-
ered by 'musical instruments and parts thereof not
especially provided for,' we make no recommenda-
tion, as we understand that the domestic manufac-
turers in the name of the National Association of
Musical Instrument and Accessories manufacturers
and the jobbers in the name of the National Musical
Merchandise Association will themselves appear with
respect to these particular instruments.
5. We recommend that pipe organs be taken from
the miscellaneous classification and that a special
classification 'pipe organs' be created, and that the
duty thereon be either 75 per cent ad valorem, or
45 per centum ad valorem with a proviso that the
value upon which the duty is based shall be the com-
plete cost of the pipe organ to the domestic con-
sumer, including cost of erection. (The reason for
this recommendation is discussed in other parts of
this brief.)
Phonograph Rate.
6. We recommend a continuation of the rates con-
tained in Paragraph 1444 applicable to phonographs
and parts thereof, phonograph needles and similar
articles.
Canadian Organs.
"At present, most imported organs are high grade
organs manufactured in Canada. However, if the
present situation continues, we anticipate that it will
not be long before organs manufactured in Germany
and Italy, probably of a cheaper grade, will be im-
ported under similar circumstances.
"The erection cost of an organ in this country by
a Canadian manufacturer is much less than would
be the erection cost of a similar organ in this coun-
try by a domestic manufacturer, as it is the practice
of the Canadian manufacturer to send skilled Cana-
dian workmen into this country for the purpose of
erecting the organ. The wage rates of these work-
men are much less than those of domestic workmen.
"The above explains clearly, we believe, the reason
why the American valuation for the completed prod-
uct, including the erection costs, should be the basis
of valuation for customs purposes if a 45 per cent
duty is granted. If, however, thep resent basis of
valuation is continued, domestic builders will require
protection of 75 per centum ad valorem in order to
enable them to compete with imported organs. It is
our opinion that the alternative rates suggested would
provide equal protection to the domestic manufac-
turers.
Disadvantages of Organ Industry.
"American manufacturers of high grade pipe organs
are unable to compete with the similar Canadian
product, as contracts are now being made for Cana-
dian built organs, including cost of erection in this
country and duty, at figures which American organ
builders cannot meet without loss.
"Approximately 42 per cent of the cost of a pipe
organ consists of direct labor. According to our
information, Canadian pipe organ workers receive
about half the wages of similar workers in thos coun-
try. For instance, the wage rate of 'voicers' of one
of the leading organ builders in this country is $1.34
per hour as against 65 cents per hour for the Cana-
dian 'voicers.' Similar rates for 'console men' are 90
cents per houh in this country as against 45 cents
per hour in Canada.
"Approximately 36 per cent of the cost of a pipe
organ consists of materials, of which lumber is a very
important element. Very fine lumber is used. Ameri-
can buildersc obtain it chiefly from the Pacific Coast,
and the freight thereon is substantial. The Canadian
builder, we understand, obtains much of his lumber
locally at prices far less than in this country."
GULBRANSEN FOR MODEL HOME.
Day's Music Co., Elyria, O., has installed a Gul-
bransen piano in the model home on Columbia ave-
nue which was built by A. E. Gray. Day's Music
Store recently sold eleven Gulbransen pianos to the
Elyria schools, and has also placed many in private
homes of the city.
One of the outstanding factors in the success of
the Gulbransen has been the company's one price
policy, which means that a Gulbransen sells for the
same price in Elyria as in any other part of the
United States.
March 1, 1929
COMSTOCK, CHENEY & CO.'S
FAME IN THE TRADE
One of the Oldest Houses in America Asso-
ciated with Piano Supplies Is Also Among
Newest in Methods.
Everybody in the piano and organ trades is familiar
with the products of Comstock, Cheney & Co., Ivory-
ton, Conn., one of the oldest houses in America asso-
ciated with piano and organ supplies. Everybody,
too, is aware of the high character of those supplies,
a factor that has assured success for the company
throughout the years since its foundation. Piano and
organ builders depending upon intrinsic merit in
their manufactured products have always relied on
the commodities from the great plant at Ivoryton.
Ivoryton, Conn., is a town named for an industry
with ivory an important material in its manufacturing
activities. Comstock, Cheney & Co. has imported
ivory and used it in its products since 1834 so that
the name of the firm today is suggestive of the town
and vice versa. Every manufacturer, craftsman and
artist who uses ivory in his products is familiar with
the name of the town and the great ivory cutting
house of Comstock, Cheney & Co.
The comprehensive character of the commodities
produced by Comstock, Cheney & Co. has won for
the house the unique place it holds today in American
industry and the arts. By many years of specializa-
tion the company has developed a reputation for the
reliab : lity of its products. The company has been
cutters of ivory since 1834 and its grand and upright
piano keys and organ keys are in themselves badges
of merit in an instrument. In its relation to the piano
and organ industries, Comstock, Cheney & Co.
occupies a place of great importance. In the great
Ivoryton plant are manufactured the finest grades of
keys for upright and grand pianos and organs. The
activities of the company also include t'.ie manufac-
ture of actions and hammers. In Comstock, Cheney
& Co. is presented one of the oldest American indus-
tries characterized by the most modern methods
of production.
If you keep telling a trade lie long enough it may
become a revered tradition.
SCHUMANN FOR FRATERNITY HOUSE
The Delta Upsilon Fraternity House recently
erected at De Pauw University at a cost of $75,000,
selected the Schumann Grand style E of the Schu-
mann Piano Co., Rockford, III., for its music room.
After a careful examination of all the leading instru-
ments sold in Indianapolis, the Schumann instrument
was selected from the Marion Music Co. by the
committee appointed to purchase the piano. This
sale places the Schumann piano in a college frat house
noted for its musicians, many who will be in the lime-
light tomorrow, and a school that has produced some
of the foremost pianists of the country. De Pauw has
long been known for its famous musicians and is
considered one of the leading schools in musical in-
struction in the middle west. The committee was
especially interested in the construction of the piano,
and pronounced it perfect in every respect, and unan-
imously decided on the selection regardless of its price.
The Charles R. Ettinger Construction Company,
New City Trust Building, Indianapolis, under date
of February 20 wrote the following letter to the
Marion Music Company, 208 North Delaware street,
Indianapolis—Attention Forest Wilking.
"Dear Mr. Wilking: It is very gratifying, indeed,
that the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House at Green-
castle, Ind., just recently constructed and furnished
by us, have a Model "E" Schumann Grand.
The tone and beauty of this grand is certainly
above reproach and is very fitting to its new sur-
roundings.
"In purchasing a piano for this new fraternity house
we considered above all the usage to which it would
be put and your U N L I M I T E D WARRANTY cer-
tainly appealed.
"Thanking you for past favors and wishing you
continued success, we remain, yours very truly,
"CHARLES R. ETTTNGER CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY."
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