The talking machine world (Jan-June 1927)

April, 1927 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 133 David L. Day Elected President Musical Merchandise Manufacturer's Assn. (East) Other Officers Chosen Include H. C. Lomb, Epi Stathopoulo, Treasurer — To Secretary; Walter Grover, Vice-President, and Inaugurate Drive for New Members The annual meeting of the Musical Merchandise Manufacturers' Association, Eastern district, was held last month and officers for the coming year we're elected. The results of the election put the following men in office: David L. Day, vice-president and general manager of the Bacon Banjo Co., Groton, Conn., president; H. C. Lomb, of the Waverly Musical Products Co., Long Island City, secretary; Walter Grover, of A. D. Grover & Son, Inc., Long Island City, vice-president, and Epi Stathopoulo, of the House of Stathopoulo, Long Island City, treasurer. It was decided that the principal activity for the next year will be directed toward an increase in membership and a publicity campaign will be carried on with this end in view. Walter Grover is chairman of the publicity committee. Mr. Day, in accepting the post of president, gave out the following interview: "The National Association of Musical Instrument & Accessories Manufacturers is composed of two groups, those of the Eastern District and those of the Western District, the former having its headquarters in New York City and the latter in Chicago. Most of the Eastern members are also members of the National Association and I believe the Chicago zone has a 100 per cent membership in the National Association. I think it is opportune at this time to express the importance of all becoming members of the National Association. "As a result of our semi-annual meeting in Buffalo, there seem to have developed a number of important matters of vital interest to all engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments and accessories. "As a result of these semi-annual meetings, several very important projects have been advanced, and as they develop they are bound to react to the greatest benefit of the organization and its members. Through the publicity department of the National Association the dealers throughout the country are becoming acquainted with our aims and efforts for the enlargement and benefit of the music industries. You have probably seen the last circular in colors which was sent out a short time ago to a list of 5,000 dealers throughout the country. This circular in colors is a large illustration of a magnet showing how, with the help of our efforts, a greater business is drawn to the dealers' stores. I think I am safe in saying that the seed which has been sown in the past is now beginning to bud and soon will show results. The National Association of Musical Instrument & Accessories Manufacturers is not only bee oming a factor and talked about by the other national associations of our music industry, but we are also beginning to attract the attention of dealers throughout the country. It is our object to help them in every way possible, and no doubt they will appreciate this and extend their co-operation to us in the future. "Six thousand dollars was appropriated on a certain percentage basis to come from the members of our organization last October as an appropriation to cover two years' expenditures in the way of publicity, and it is surprising to note that almost this full amount has been subscribed before the first year is up. "I might mention that there is another cir cular which is probably on the order of a poster, which will be ready for distribution early in May, to help the dealers in getting David L. Day Spring business. You will notice on these circulars a list of names of those who belong to the National Association. How can you get cheaper advertising than to have your name on what is really the organ of our Association going out to 5,000 or 6,000 up-to-date dealers throughout this country and Canada? You will want to build up your name and the more you become known the easier it is to dispose of your merchandise. By joining our National Association you have an opportunity to benefit the industry and yourself at the same time. "Another important matter is that only members of the National Association can exhibit at the convention of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, held in June of each year, either in New York or Chicago. Those not members and trying to exhibit may cause themselves some trouble, as the rules are very strict in the arrangements made between the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce and the hotel which is chosen for the convention. "The standard approved label which has been adopted and will soon be in use by those who are entitled to its benefit can be used only by members of the National Association who have submitted their merchandise for the approval of the Standardization Committee of this body, which acts as judge in this very important matter and decides whether or not the merchandise submitted is up to the standards as laid down and passed upon at the meeting of the National Association held in Buffalo. "There are big problems to handle in our trade and they can only be worked out through some sort of national co-operation. It has been said by leading industrial writers that to-day business is a war of industries. What is presented to us most strongly is most liable to get a hearing. No one, whether manufacturer or dealer, can hardly do business unless he gets a hearing. "We are now entering a most important era of our Eastern Zone Association and I think that those of us who have attended National Association meetings are now more vitally interested than ever. We feel sure that our meetings here from month to month are leading to better and bigger results. "If we can strengthen our local it will strengthen the National. Working on these lines, let each of us make ourselves a committee of one to further the ends of both." The Oldest and Largest Musical Merchandise House in America Exclusively Wholesale ESTABLISHED 5©M C.Briznoc)-Scw,inc. 351-53Fovrth Ave. NewYorkCity