Presto
Issue: 1937 2281 - Page 4
PRESTO-TIMES
PRESIDING OFFICIALS OF THREE ORGANIZATIONS
Jan.-Feb., 1937
Thursday and Friday, January 14-15
L. P. Bull
President, National Piano Manufacturers Association
for diversified comment and discussion and the ob-
taining of funds to be used to aid such a propaganda.
How much and what methods and where to spend
the money were talked about and even "wrangled"
over. The things this subject brings up for attention
could have been discussed at various angles of the
subject for the balance of the day had not a motion
been adopted to leave the heavily laden subject to a
committee. It was admitted that could the piano
manufacturers be induced to give to a music mer-
chants' Propaganda Fund 25 cents on each piano man-
ufactured, $25,000 would be realized. But this amount,
remarked another, would be not much more than a
"drop in the bucket." "One dollar a piano," he said,
"would be the least that would be worthwhile to
start a fund such as he had in mind would be
required.
At this juncture, Mr. L. P. Bull, president of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association who had
been invited to be present said that in his opinion the
piano manufacturers would be very careful about
undertaking such a transaction. He said the piano
manufactuiers were pretty hard hit on many sides
these days and loaded down with requirements so
that to take on what he termed a proposition of this
nature to collect a fund for the dealers would go hard
with them.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
At the afternoon session Mr. Lawrence Selz was
called upon to explain the workings of his organiza-
tion in spreading the work of piano publicity. He told
of the various angles of his operations and remarked,
"There is just no end to the things we can do to
advance the interests of piano merchants and of the
entire piano trade." He said that the object of his
organization in the piano field is to try to help the
dealers sell pianos.
After Mr. Selz's talk the matter of incorporating
the National Association of Music Merchants was
taken up. At the present time the association is not
incorporated, a condition which leaves members open
to libel and other suits. Upon motion of Mr. La Motte
the secretary was instructed to proceed with incor-
poration of the association as a non-profit organiza-
tion.
A long discussion was had :n the matter of fixing
prices on pianos; of establishing through the manu-
facturers a fixed retail price for instruments but no
conclusion was arrived at in the matter of establish-
ing prices that would conform to piano selling gen-
erally. During this talk Jerome F. Murphy of the
M. Steinert & Sons Co. said that his house takes
pride in selling nationally advertised pianos. He said
that his business conducted a one price system and
Charles E. Wells
President, National Association of Music Merchants
S. E. Zack,
Second Vice-President, Chicago Piano and
Organ Association
that they adhere strictly to the one price system. He
said that $885 was charged for the Styles Steinwa/,
no more, no less, and the same all along down the
line.
All these topics in regard to price fixing, and the
one price system, brought out a multitude of expres-
sions from every one of the directors and finally a
resolution was passed along the lines that the associa-
tion condemn the practice which has been going on
with some manufacturers and some retailers of placing
excessive retail prices on merchandise and then allow-
ing all kinds of discounts to reduce the price. The
resolution should go on record as favoring a National
price on all pianos and at prices not to be an exces-
sive mark-up from the established wholesale price.
This motion was seconded by E. J. Walt.
The selection of holding the 1937 convention brought
out various comments, but getting down to a vote 10
of the directors were for New York and the other five
for Chicago and it was recommended that the Hotel
New Yorker be the place of holding the convention
in that city. Secretary Mennie, called uppon to tell
of the replies sent to dealers throughout the country,
went into detail concerning the votes received. The
motion to hold the convention at New York begin-
ning Monday, August 2 and continuing through
August 3, 4 and 5, was made by Paul S. Felder and
seconded by Mr. La Motte. It was proposed that the
fee for exhibits be made $25 minimum instead of $15
and graduated on up to $50.
President Wells' words in closing were: "I thank
you very much for your presence and participation in
the matters that have come up at this meeting"' and
at about a quarter of five the mid-winter conference
of the Board of Control of the National Music Mer-
chants Association came to an end.
PRESIDENT CHARLES E. WELLS KEEPS UP
THE DRIVE FOR MEMBERSHIP
President Charles R. Wells of the Music Merchants
National Association has been following up the ad-
vance appeals made by Secretary Mennie in calling
for new members of the Association. Mr. Wells' let-
ters to the trade are such as appeal to the best judg-
ment of every dealer to become a member of this im-
portant association of music dealers.
Mr. Wells points out the newest advatnages offered
members, such as free copies of the little house or-
gan, the "Musicgram"; trade reports and bulletins
sent out regularly, aside from the certificate of mem-
bership which in itself carries a great deal of weight
and various kinds of literature that the dealer can use
to advantage.
Speaking of the certificate of membership Presi-
dent Welln says: "This certificate displayed in your
window will stop many a passerby curious to note its
significant contents. This certificate and many other
tangible objects and considerations," continues Mr.
Wells, "are things you can see—things you can feel—
give away and benefit by—then you'll realize that this
is not an organization which hoards members' dues in
its treasury, but puts them to work for its mem-
bers—for you."
By the way, a copy of the "Musicgram" has reached
Presto-Times office bearing the imprint and display
advertisement of the E. Ernest Philpitt & Son Mu-
sic House, Miami, Fla., and it shows up well.
P. & O. ASSOCIATION BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Aside from the two conference meetings of music
trade organizations, that of the National Associa-
tion of Piano Manufacturers at the Chicago Ath-
letic Club on Thursday, the 14th, and of the Mid-
Wintcr Conference of the Board of Control of the
National Music Merchants Association at the Stevens
Hotel, the following day, Friday, and a special lunch-
eon of the Chicago Piano & Organ Association, there
were several other meetings and conferences—the
Baldwin Chicago Branch luncheon at the Auditorium
and a Straube gathering at the Congress Hotel, etc.
At the P. & O. Association luncheon on Thursday
the 14th, two important future events were discussed
and one of them, the setting of the time for the
annual banquet, was disposed of. The other was the
association's grand piano playing carnival in associa-
tion with the Chicago Tribune as sponsor. After
considerable talk from members present the matter
was "laid on the table," so to speak, until the return
to Chicago of Mr. Maxwell, who has charge of this
particular line of work for the Chicago Tribune, with
which paper negotiations for sponsoring the festival
have been in progress. It is hoped this event may
be arranged to take place some time in May. By the
way, since this luncheon it has been announced that
the Wilking Piano Festival will take place Sunday
afternoon and evening, May 2. This Festival is
sponsored by the Wilking Foundation, an organiza-
tion of piano teachers in the State of Indiana pledged
to the advancement of the piano by providing schol-
arships and student lo'in funds.
The most interesting event for the Association at
the present time is the annual banquet Tuesday night,
February 9, probably at the Auditorium Hotel. This
is the big event that the association is most interested
in, in which every member is urged to cooperate. It
is hoped and intended to make it a dinner after the
style of the big affairs which the association used to
carry out in the grand days of the music business.
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/
PRESIDING OFFICIALS OF THREE ORGANIZATIONS
Jan.-Feb., 1937
Thursday and Friday, January 14-15
L. P. Bull
President, National Piano Manufacturers Association
for diversified comment and discussion and the ob-
taining of funds to be used to aid such a propaganda.
How much and what methods and where to spend
the money were talked about and even "wrangled"
over. The things this subject brings up for attention
could have been discussed at various angles of the
subject for the balance of the day had not a motion
been adopted to leave the heavily laden subject to a
committee. It was admitted that could the piano
manufacturers be induced to give to a music mer-
chants' Propaganda Fund 25 cents on each piano man-
ufactured, $25,000 would be realized. But this amount,
remarked another, would be not much more than a
"drop in the bucket." "One dollar a piano," he said,
"would be the least that would be worthwhile to
start a fund such as he had in mind would be
required.
At this juncture, Mr. L. P. Bull, president of the
National Piano Manufacturers' Association who had
been invited to be present said that in his opinion the
piano manufacturers would be very careful about
undertaking such a transaction. He said the piano
manufactuiers were pretty hard hit on many sides
these days and loaded down with requirements so
that to take on what he termed a proposition of this
nature to collect a fund for the dealers would go hard
with them.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
At the afternoon session Mr. Lawrence Selz was
called upon to explain the workings of his organiza-
tion in spreading the work of piano publicity. He told
of the various angles of his operations and remarked,
"There is just no end to the things we can do to
advance the interests of piano merchants and of the
entire piano trade." He said that the object of his
organization in the piano field is to try to help the
dealers sell pianos.
After Mr. Selz's talk the matter of incorporating
the National Association of Music Merchants was
taken up. At the present time the association is not
incorporated, a condition which leaves members open
to libel and other suits. Upon motion of Mr. La Motte
the secretary was instructed to proceed with incor-
poration of the association as a non-profit organiza-
tion.
A long discussion was had :n the matter of fixing
prices on pianos; of establishing through the manu-
facturers a fixed retail price for instruments but no
conclusion was arrived at in the matter of establish-
ing prices that would conform to piano selling gen-
erally. During this talk Jerome F. Murphy of the
M. Steinert & Sons Co. said that his house takes
pride in selling nationally advertised pianos. He said
that his business conducted a one price system and
Charles E. Wells
President, National Association of Music Merchants
S. E. Zack,
Second Vice-President, Chicago Piano and
Organ Association
that they adhere strictly to the one price system. He
said that $885 was charged for the Styles Steinwa/,
no more, no less, and the same all along down the
line.
All these topics in regard to price fixing, and the
one price system, brought out a multitude of expres-
sions from every one of the directors and finally a
resolution was passed along the lines that the associa-
tion condemn the practice which has been going on
with some manufacturers and some retailers of placing
excessive retail prices on merchandise and then allow-
ing all kinds of discounts to reduce the price. The
resolution should go on record as favoring a National
price on all pianos and at prices not to be an exces-
sive mark-up from the established wholesale price.
This motion was seconded by E. J. Walt.
The selection of holding the 1937 convention brought
out various comments, but getting down to a vote 10
of the directors were for New York and the other five
for Chicago and it was recommended that the Hotel
New Yorker be the place of holding the convention
in that city. Secretary Mennie, called uppon to tell
of the replies sent to dealers throughout the country,
went into detail concerning the votes received. The
motion to hold the convention at New York begin-
ning Monday, August 2 and continuing through
August 3, 4 and 5, was made by Paul S. Felder and
seconded by Mr. La Motte. It was proposed that the
fee for exhibits be made $25 minimum instead of $15
and graduated on up to $50.
President Wells' words in closing were: "I thank
you very much for your presence and participation in
the matters that have come up at this meeting"' and
at about a quarter of five the mid-winter conference
of the Board of Control of the National Music Mer-
chants Association came to an end.
PRESIDENT CHARLES E. WELLS KEEPS UP
THE DRIVE FOR MEMBERSHIP
President Charles R. Wells of the Music Merchants
National Association has been following up the ad-
vance appeals made by Secretary Mennie in calling
for new members of the Association. Mr. Wells' let-
ters to the trade are such as appeal to the best judg-
ment of every dealer to become a member of this im-
portant association of music dealers.
Mr. Wells points out the newest advatnages offered
members, such as free copies of the little house or-
gan, the "Musicgram"; trade reports and bulletins
sent out regularly, aside from the certificate of mem-
bership which in itself carries a great deal of weight
and various kinds of literature that the dealer can use
to advantage.
Speaking of the certificate of membership Presi-
dent Welln says: "This certificate displayed in your
window will stop many a passerby curious to note its
significant contents. This certificate and many other
tangible objects and considerations," continues Mr.
Wells, "are things you can see—things you can feel—
give away and benefit by—then you'll realize that this
is not an organization which hoards members' dues in
its treasury, but puts them to work for its mem-
bers—for you."
By the way, a copy of the "Musicgram" has reached
Presto-Times office bearing the imprint and display
advertisement of the E. Ernest Philpitt & Son Mu-
sic House, Miami, Fla., and it shows up well.
P. & O. ASSOCIATION BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Aside from the two conference meetings of music
trade organizations, that of the National Associa-
tion of Piano Manufacturers at the Chicago Ath-
letic Club on Thursday, the 14th, and of the Mid-
Wintcr Conference of the Board of Control of the
National Music Merchants Association at the Stevens
Hotel, the following day, Friday, and a special lunch-
eon of the Chicago Piano & Organ Association, there
were several other meetings and conferences—the
Baldwin Chicago Branch luncheon at the Auditorium
and a Straube gathering at the Congress Hotel, etc.
At the P. & O. Association luncheon on Thursday
the 14th, two important future events were discussed
and one of them, the setting of the time for the
annual banquet, was disposed of. The other was the
association's grand piano playing carnival in associa-
tion with the Chicago Tribune as sponsor. After
considerable talk from members present the matter
was "laid on the table," so to speak, until the return
to Chicago of Mr. Maxwell, who has charge of this
particular line of work for the Chicago Tribune, with
which paper negotiations for sponsoring the festival
have been in progress. It is hoped this event may
be arranged to take place some time in May. By the
way, since this luncheon it has been announced that
the Wilking Piano Festival will take place Sunday
afternoon and evening, May 2. This Festival is
sponsored by the Wilking Foundation, an organiza-
tion of piano teachers in the State of Indiana pledged
to the advancement of the piano by providing schol-
arships and student lo'in funds.
The most interesting event for the Association at
the present time is the annual banquet Tuesday night,
February 9, probably at the Auditorium Hotel. This
is the big event that the association is most interested
in, in which every member is urged to cooperate. It
is hoped and intended to make it a dinner after the
style of the big affairs which the association used to
carry out in the grand days of the music business.
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).