Presto

MESSAGE FROM JAY KRAUS,
President, Xational Association of Musical Merchandise
Manufacturers, Inc.
The fine support rendered to the Association by the leading
manufacturers of stringed instruments, accordions, cases, strings,
and accessories has been the most notable feature of the year to
the new administration which came into office at the August
Convention, said President Jay Kraus, in reviewing the activi-
ties of the year for the National Association of Musical Mer-
chandise Manufacturers. The manufacturers association had
a membership of approximately 40 concerns engaged in the pro-
duction of the many items that serve to fill the counters and
stock rooms of musical instrument departments in retail stores
everywhere.
The practical cessation of imports of musical merchandise has
had a tremendous influence on the business of our members dur-
ing the past several months. The existing situation has served
to focus attention of both dealers and wholesalers on the impor-
tance of American made musical merchandise. Thus, whether
our member concerns were producing accordions or stringed
instruments, or carrying cases or the varied types of musical
accessories for which they are known, they have experienced a
tremendous increase in demand, which for many of them has
turned the tide of diminishing returns into a surge of tremen-
dously increased plant activities.
Trade prices for our members' products are keenly sensitive
to general market conditions. A highly competitive situation
which existed during the past few years kept prices on a level
which was unprofitable for the dealer and distributor as well as
the manufacturer. Rising costs of raw material and labor have
compelled a rising trend of musical merchandise prices, the end
of which is not yet in sight. Tt would appear that a well selected
and balanced inventory of modest proportions would be a good
investment for any dealer or distributor.
Membership in Manufacturers Association is held by approxi-
mately forty concerns, including all of the larger manufacturers
in the musical merchandise field. C. Frederick Martin, of C. F.
Martin & Company, Nazareth, Pa., and Guy Hart, of Gibson, Inc.,
Kalamazoo, Mich., after giving four years of valuable service to
the Association as President and Vice-President, respectively, in-
dicated their desire to be relieved of their responsibilities. At the
annual meeting, held during the Music Trades Convention in New
York in August.
J ay K r a u s . T h e
1 larmony (.. o m -
pany, Chicago, and
G. F. C h a p i n ,
M a ]) e s P i a n o
S t r i n g Company,
New York City,
were e l e c t e d in
their places.
Activities in the
Association were
carried on through-
out the year
through the offices
of W i 11 i a m A.
M e n n i e, Sec'y-
T r e a s u r e r. A
monthly credit in-
formation service,
providing detailed
accounts payable in-
Jay Kraus
formation on job-
bers, wholesalers,
and other large distributors was provided to the members each
month. Arrangements were made during the year for initiation
of a monthly production statistical service, for the benefit of
member concerns in the stringed instrument branch of the
industry.
Since the export markets are becoming increasingly impor-
tant to the member manufacturers, the association has been
watchful of the possibilities, and has presented representations
on behalf of the industry in connection with the Trade Agree-
ment Negotiations undertaken by the government.
Functions of the Association are divided according to the geo-
graphic location of the member concerns. The Eastern Division
holds its meetings in New York City, Mr. Chapin serving as
Chairman. C. Frederick Martin is Vice-Chairman, and L. A.
Elkington, Secretary of the Eastern Dicision. The Central Di-
vision holds its meetings in Chicago, under the Chairmanship of
Mr. Kraus. H. K. Kuhrineyer, Kay Musical Instrument Com-
pany, is Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Al Frost, National Dobro Cor-
poration, is Secretary of the Central Division.
AMERICAN MADE V I 0 L I N S
BY
N 1892, Harmony first started the manufacture of American-made violins. . . .
Today, almost 50 years later, these violins present the rich fullness of tone and
perfection of craftsmanship characteristic of all Harmony products. . . . In every
detail, they are designed in the best tradition.
I
ERE is a comprehensive line of well merchandised violins —offering you
value giving second to none in the entire industry. Being American-made,
they are especially appropriate for the development of business in the large field
of school music. Their moderate prices bring them well within the reach
of the student.
H
All leading jobbers carry Harmony Violins
—Ask them for complete information. Or write us for
descriptive price list, mentioning your jobber's name.
THE HARMONY CO., 1752 N. Lawndale, Chicago, III.
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