Presto

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1884
Established
1881
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE JOURNAL
10 Cents a Copy
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10 Months.. .$1.00
6 Months.. 75 cents
CHICAGO, JULY, 1931
THE MUSIC INDUSTRIES
It is not difficult to put into words the annals of
ihe recent Music Industries convention held at the
Palmer House, Chicago. These men had gathered
by concerted arrangement to meet a situation; to learn
from one another just what would be the best things
to do under the present stress of circumstances, and
to find out just how far they could control future
seem to be having what might be called a "vogue" at
the present time. Sale of band and orchestral instru-
ments was reported as excellent.
Open Forum Discussion
During an open forum discussion at one of the ses-
sions, there was very clear indication that sheet music
departments in general music stores are productive of
very satisfactory results not only from the point of
actual sales and profits but also because of the fact
that these departments bring about the closest pos-
sible contact with the leading music teachers in vari-
ous communities. Much interest was expressed in
legislation which has been outlined in various states
looking towards making the teaching of instrumental,
as well as vocal music in the public schools optional
with the boards of education.
The open forum meetings at the convention en-
gaged the attention of very large groups of music
Issued Monthly-
Fifteenth of Each Month
CONVENTION
dealers and the discussions by leaders and laymen took
on a very wide range of subjects. Good stories were
told, too, twisted out of the commonest stuff of hu-
mon experience. Every talk had a purpose; there
were no aimless journeyings, and various classes of
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circumstances. They did not meet to devise compli-
cated tactics or to unravel any tangled skein, or to dis-
cover a revelation that in some incomprehensible way
would bring great prosperity immediately, but they
met for sympathetic interpretations of present-day
trends—in short, to learn something.
H i l l
NEW OFFICERS OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF MUSIC MERCHANTS
useful information was imparted. The gist of the
talks on piano selling was summed up by one of
the speakers by saying "There is nothing to hinder
Edwin R. Weeks of Binghamton, N. Y., Chosen Presi- any man from going out and selling pianos today if
he works at it hard enough and persistently."
dent; Vice-Presidents Elected from Detroit, Chi-
These open forum meetings were not held for the
Go-Getters Attend Convention
cago, Kansas City and Denver; Carl H. Droop,
purpose of displaying ethical insight on disputed is-
Here were met the go-getters. Presto-Times could
Treasurer, Carl H. Yahrling, Secretary.
sues, but for the examination and description of ac-
name them, but any list that would leave out one
tual methods of restoring confidence, convincing in-
The election of officers at the business meeting of
first-class go-getter would be almost as bad as no
list at all, so the attempt must be abandoned before the National Association of Music Merchants on the telligent customers and actually selling musical mer-
it is begun. However, there is a strain of admira- afternoon of June 9 at the Palmer House, Chicago, chandise of every sort and make, from pianos down.
They were good-will meetings, proving that the
tion running through the human race for the men resulted as follows:
President—Edwin R. Weeks of Weeks & Dickinson, knocker, like the dodo, is an extinct bird in the best
who do things, and this admiration is particularly
piano circles. Proving, also, that merchants of good
strong for the men who go out and sell merchandise Binghamton, N. Y.
when sales are hard to close.
Vice-Presidents—Jay Grinnell of Grinnell Bros., D'e- sense overlook the lesser foibles or constitutional
The National Association of Music Merchants in- troit, Mich.; C. H. DeAcres of Lyon & Healy, Chi- weaknesses of their business rivals.
cludes in its membership men and women engaged cago, 111.; W. W. Bradford of the Kansas City Music
Each man gave some incident in his experience.
Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Philip Lehman of the Lehman
in the distribution at retail of pianos and all kinds of
Some of them speculated on reasons for this or that;
musical instruments as well as sheet music and radio Piano Co., St. Louis, Mo.
others spoke of good advertising as the only way to
Secretary—Charles H. Yahrling of the Yahriing- satisfy organized curiosity about pianos; still others
sets. The convention was held concurrently with the
annual convention and trade show of the Radio Manu- Rayner Piano Co., Youngstown, Ohio.
spoke of a few prejudices that had not yet been shot
Treasurer—Carl H. Droop of E. F. Droop & Sons to pieces because they had been inconspicuously placed
facturers Association which had its convention head-
Co., Washington, D C-
quarters at the Stevens Hotel.
as targets.
Actual Helps for the Dealers
Three
directors
to
^er\e
three
years—Reinhard
Music Industry Not Hardest Hit
Kneupfer of Kneupfer & Dimmock, Lawrence, Mass.;
In fact, the talks at these meetings were actual
It was clearly brought out, at the convention ses- Edward J. Walt of Lincoln, Neb.; Robert J. Shackle-
helps for the dealers—how to broaden trade and in-
sions, that the general business depression which has ton of Louisville, Ky.
terest customers by enlarging the line by putting in
affected all departments of industrial activity in this
At the closing meeting of the Music Industries a stock of sheet music and musical accessories, mak-
country has not affected the music industry to any-
where near as great a degree as might have been ex- Chamber of Commerce Wednesday noon, June 10, the ing the store more than a mere piano house. Some
of the dealers told how they had made their stores
pected. It was stated by members present that the following members of the National Association of
Music Merchants (in addition to President Edwin R. the musical centers of their communities—a place
sale of grand pianos during the past year has been
the largest of any similar period in the history of the Weeks, who becomes a member of the chamber board where concerts were given and a gathering place for
musically-inclined people generally.
industry, a remarkable fact in view of the conditions ex-ofificio) were elected as members of the board of
directors of the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
Each day's open forum program consisted of a
generally throughout the country.
Tt was also indicated that there lias been a very merce: Otto B. Heaton of Columbus, Ohio; Parham questionnaire and the answers. And the answers were
decided increase in the sale of piano accordions which Werlein of New Orleans, and Jay Grinnell of Detroit. not stultified by the witness box "Yes" or "No," but
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