Presto

PRESTO-TIMES
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS NA-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC
MERCHANTS YEAR ENDING 1937
George L. Kyerly, the 193<>-37 vice-president of the
Retail Musical Instrument Dealers' Association, is
the president and general manager of the Byerly Bros.
Music House, Peoria, 111., the beginning of which
business was in 1921. In 1926 it was incorporated
as the Conn-Peoria Company, being a factory branch
of the C. G. Conn Company, Ltd., Elkhart. This con-
tinued until 1931 when Mr. George Byerly, who had
been manager and a minor stockholder in the Conn-
Peoria Company since it started, bought the controll-
ing interest and in January, 1932, the name was
changed to Byerly Bros. Music Company with George
Byerly president and E. S. Byerly secretary and treas-
urer. Mr. George Byerly gives his main attention to
the band instrument and musical merchandise depart-
ment and E. S. Byerly to the piano department.
A few years ago the Byerly Bros, moved to their
new and elegant store, 106 N. Adams Street, and the
opening on October 21, 1933, was a grand affair. They
introduced a spectacular parade of about 17 visiting-
school bands from points in Central Illinois and as
a souvenir to all drummers and members of drum
corps a pair of drum sticks was given; a shining cloth
was presented to all wind instrument players and a
set of finest quality steel strings to all fretted instru-
ment players who visited the store.
Sept.-Oct., 1936
The Resolution of Thanks
This is the resolution of thanks passed the last day
of the convention:
"WHEREAS, certain individuals, firms, corpora-
tions and organizations have rendered services at the
President and Vice-Presidents
annual Convention of the National Association of
Charles K. Wells ((.'has. K. Wells Music Co.), Den-
Music Merchants held at the Stevens Hotel, Chicago,
ver. Colo., President.
July 27, 28 and 29, therefore be it
Jerome F. Murphy, Boston; W. Howard Beasley,
RESOLVED—That the National Association of
Dallas; Robert T. Shackleton, Louisville; Paul S.
Music Merchants hereby expresses its deep gratitude
Felder, New Orleans, vice-presidents.
to the following individuals, firms and groups listed
S. Ernest Philpitt, Miami, Fla., secretary.
below for their generosity in contributing to the suc-
Carl A. Droop, Washington, D. C , treasurer.
cess of this convention without cost to the association.
Executive Secretary
Our fellow member, Mr. Melville Clark, for his ap-
W. A. Mennie, 45 \V. 45th St., New York City.
pearance as harpist at the thirty-fifth annual banquet.
Directors
Steinway & Sons for the presentation of Mischa
W. Barry Hamilton, Pittsburgh; J. F. Huber, Buf-
Levitzki at the banquet.
falo; Carl Wittich, Reading, Pa.; Melville Clark, Syra-
Lyon & Healy, Inc., Chicago, for furnishing the
cuse, N. Y.; R. F. Heidner, Holyoke, Mass.; Edwin
piano for the use of Levitzki at the banquet.
J. Walt, Lincoln, Nebr.; J. W. Jenkins III, Kansas
The Baldwin Piano Co. for furnishing the piano for
City, Mo.; Jay Grinnell, Detroit; and Raymond E.
the use of Dr. Sigmund Spaeth at the banquet.
Durham, Chicago.
J. C. Deagan, Inc., for the presentation of Clair
These are the officers and committee elected to suc-
Omar Musser at the banquet.
ceed the officials of 1935-'36.
Kranich & Bach for furnishing a grand piano for
the banquet program.
The National-Dobro Corporation for the presenta-
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS NATIONAL RE-
tion of the Osborne Guitar Trio at the banquet.
TAIL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DEALERS'
H. A. Selnier, Inc., for the presentation of the
THAT TIMELY RESOLUTION
ASSOCIATION, FOR 1936-37
Warmelin Clarinet Quartet at the banquet.
Howard Lyons, Chicago, President.
There had been much time, careful consideration
The Chicago Musical Instrument Co. for the pre-
Geo. Byerly, Peoria, Ills., Yice-President.
given to making a declaration on the matter of dis-
sentation of Jerry Shelton, accordionist, at the ban-
demons Lueck, Ripon, Wis., Secretary and Treas-
counts, to whom and to whom not. Finally the fol- quet.
urer.
C. G. Conn, Ltd., for the presentation of the cornet
lowing resolution was accepted and unanimously
Executive Committee-Directors
trio at the banquet.
R. 1. Salter ( Fx-Pres.), Wilmington, Del., chairman. adopted:
The Banquet Committee for invaluable assistance in
"WHEREAS, the sales promotion and service ac-
Members: P. W. Guest (Ex-Pres.), Detroit, Mich.;
arranging the musical program and other banquet
T
Chas. Parker, Houston, Tex., E. L. Weir, Los An- tivities of the music merchants of the L nited States
details.
geles, Calif., W. P. Hare, Warren, Ohio. Mr. Weir are primarily responsible for the extension of musical
The Chicago Piano & Organ Association for spon-
culture, and for the growth and future prosperity of
is now with the Wurlitzer Company.
soring the opening convention luncheon on July 27.
the music business, and
All the exhibitors for their splendid display of musi-
Mr. Charles E. Wells in accepting the presidency of
WHEREAS, the continuation and expansion of
cal instruments and accessories.
the Nat'onal Association said that he does so with these sales promotion and service activities, requiring
The National Retail Musical Instrument Dealers'
considerable fear "for," as he says, "following in the the investment of substantial sums, are wholly de-
Association for participating in this convention.
footsteps of Alfred D. La Motte and having in mind pendent upon a fair and adequate profit for the music
The National Association of Sheet Music Dealers
the notable work he did for the association it is not merchant, therefore, be it
for participating in this convention.
going to be an easy task for me (nor would it be for
Last, but not least, the trade press for publicity and
RESOLVED, that the Advisory Board of the Na-
anyone); When Mr. La Motte took over the duties
co-operation.
tional
Association
of
Music
Merchants
urge
manufac-
of president, a great proportion of our bunch of fine
and always ready members had pulled out, each with turers and wholesalers of band instruments, musical
CONVENTION LEFT-OVERS: RE-HASH
some excuse or another; yet Mr. La Motte accepted merchandise, phonograph records and accessories, and
the job and we all know what wonderful work he publishers and wholesalers of sheet music and music
AND
OTHER HYPHENATED FILLER-
books, to confine their sales discounts from list prices
did."
INS.
to established music merchants who carry adequate
When a young man and just after his marriage, Mr. stocks of the types of products involved."
Mr. W. R. Kellerman. known to some of his friends
Wells secured a position as bookkeeper and cashier
as "Bill Kay," who is the president of the Bergstrom
During the discussion, although it was fully agreed
with a commission house of Chicago where he re-
Music Company, Honolulu, and one of the two gentle-
mained thirteen years. His friend, George Campbell, that the resolution covered practically every depart-
men who were honored at the convention as traveling
who had been a piano tuner and who, with Mr. Knight, ment of music trade commerce, it was brought out
the farthest distance for the convention, did a con-
had formed the Knight-Campbell Music House, in- that it did not cover completely one matter of vital
siderable deal of buying during his stay in this coun-
duced him to come to Denver where he joined Mr.
try. To have been host to Mr. Kellerman was an
Campbell in his newly organized business. He re- importance. "Phonograph record makers, all of them
honor sought after and he, in turn, was a delighted
mained with the Knight-Campbell Company about 19 have adopted the policy that any man in a community
and appreciative guest. On the opening day of the
years and on the death of Mr. Campbell Mr. Wells who owns and operates nickel-in-the-slot machines
convention at the P. & O. opening luncheon, he
with his two sons, Russell and Horace, started the that play records is entitled to receive exactly the
was the guest of Mr. Cook of the Schiller-Cable Piano
business which has now become the great Charles E. same price on every record he buys, as you receive.
Company and he attended numerous other dinners
Wells Music Company.
He maintains no place of business, he resells no rec- and festivities and many individual and private get-
togethers and "then some." However, Mr. Kellerman
One of the first vice-presidents of the association. ords, but he is enabled to buy records from your jobber
could not remain for the Wednesday night banquet
Mr. Jerome F. Murphy, that gentleman, although at your full discount." It is absolutely wrong; there-
inasmuch as he had booked passage on the S. S.
far from being an old man, has had a long experi- fore the following resolution was regularly moved,
Lurline which sailed from San Francisco on Saturday.
ence in the music business and all the years, from seconded and unanimously adopted:
He left Chicago on the streamline train City of San
boyhood with the house of M. Steinert & Sons with
Francisco.
which he was first employed as an errand boy. For
"WHERKAS, it has become known to this Asso-
"'We were greatly pleased at the enthusiasm of
about 25 years Mr. Murphy was the managing director ciation that there is a general practice upon the part
nearly
400 dealers from the larger cities and towns
of the Steinert Manufacturing subsidiary, the Jewett of the makers of phonograph records to sell these
who visited our exhibit. They seemed happier than
Piano Company at Leominster, Mass. For ten years records directly to the consumer, when that consumer
those who visited the convention last year and like-
he was treasurer and general manager of the East- is operating coin-operated devices for the playing of
wise for several preceding years. This is significant
those
records;
and,
ern Talking Machine Company, wholesale Victor dis-
that they are optimistic and have every reason to be
WHEREAS,
We
consider
as
non
ethical
the
prac-
tributors for New England At the present time Mr.
of any manufacturer permitting his jobber to so so. As we see it, the convention was a great success."
Murphy is the president and treasurer of the M. Stein- tice
market his product directly to the consumer and at —D. D. Luxton of Vose & Sons in a special message
ert & Sons Company, Inc., which concern has for the same time expect the support of the retail music
to Presto-Times at the close of the convention.
many years controlled various subsidiary houses and stores which are the true outlet to the consumer,
branch stores in every state in New England.
T H E R E F O R E , BE IT RESOLVED, that this
Did persons who came in contact with these indi-
Association very strongly condemn this procedure by
Mr. Wm. H. Lyons, president-elect of the Musical the manufacturers and by the jobbers of phonograph viduals during various conventions this summer re-
call that they were prominent in their respective music
Instrument Retail Dealers Association, was formerly records, and
trade associations a decade ago. W. C. Hess, now sec-
BE
IT
FURTHER
RESOLVED,
that
we
call
of the Tom Brown Music Company, Chicago. In 1927
he organized the Lyons Band Instrument Company, upon the manufacturers to correct this error in the retary of the Estey Piano Company, was then presi-
dent of the Musical Supply Association of America
Chicago; Wm. H. Lyons, President; H. R. Lyons, system of the distribution of their product, and
and Roy Hibschman of Chicago was secretary. C. D.
BE IT F U R T H E R RESOLVED, that copies of
Yice-President; C. L. McCreery, Sec'y-Treas.
this resolution be given to the trade press and be sent
Greenleaf, head of the C. G. Conn Company, was then
They were located in the State Lake Bldg. until to the manufacturers of records throughout the
president of the Band Instrument Manufacturers' As-
May this year, moving into the large and commodious United States."
sociation; Karl B. Shinkman was vice-president, an
quarters at 17 W'est Lake Street where they have a
It Avas desired to get the widest publicity of this office to which he has again been elected this year as
large and complete store, studios, stock and display resolution and the trade press requested to help carry
a running mate with his competitor and contemporary,
room.
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