The fifth annual convention of the American Guild of Piano Tuners (AGPT) was held in Rochester, NY at the Hotel Seneca, from August 3 to 6, 1914. These early gatherings consisted of talks given by prominent tuners and other prominent "piano men" from around the country, discussion from the executive committee and delegates about the structure of the organization and usually included a trip to a factory, along with a banquet and election of officers. At this particular gathering, the first speaker, after the welcoming speech by the President of the AGPT Emil Kohl and various other reports from the different officers were given, was Frank E. Morton, the acoustic engineer of the American Steel & Wire Co. He spoke on defining the position of the tuner, and what responsibilities he had, within the piano industry and the tuner's organization. And he treated his subject in a very interesting way.
He stated: "Criticism is neither good nor evil . . . but it may be used intelligently or unintelligently, and such uses are termed good or evil respectively. A tuning hammer is neither good nor evil, but it may be used either constructively to bring order out of chaos or destructively as a deadly weapon. When constructive utilization exceeds destructive utilization, growth results.
"The AGPT under the destructive criticism of its membership will die. Under constructive criticism, it will grow. This constructive criticism should find its expression in the educational activity of its members. . .
"Most tuners have found the key note of the users of pianos, but I want to tell you to find and how to find the key note of the industry with which you are closely allied and upon which you are dependent. This industry is the manufacture and sale of pianos. First recognize your interdependence, and when the mutuality of this interdependence is freely acknowledged, the condition will be favorable for growth and development.
"Although the tuner always has been the manufacturers' critic, whose decisions voluntarily or involuntarily have been accepted and acted upon, he has been looked upon as a necessary evil rather than a beneficial agent. Occupying as he does a position between the manufacturer and the consumer, he must accept the responsibility and intelligently utilize every factor in the service of both. . .
"You now have an organization whose avowed policy is exclusive in its nature. You are seeking to make the way more difficult for those who follow. This is wrong in principle. You should make it easier in order that those who follow may use their strength for progress greater than yours. Their labor should begin where yours leaves off. The American Guild of Piano Tuners' can be and should be a firmly established educational institution.
"The only requisites for membership should be a good moral character and a desire to follow this vocation. The classification which now is made outside the organization through examinations, etc., should be made inside the organization thus permitting progressive, cumulative and continuous action by its members.
"With the present ideal standard of proficiency determining the eligibility for membership in this organization there is no incentive to activity. Its members have "arrived", hence no further effort is necessary. . .
". . . Let your object be mutual helpfulness and your motto be "No Direction Without a Corresponding Responsibility.
"Those industries upon which you are dependent and whose help and co-operation are absolutely essential to your welfare will respond at once to this key note.
"The American Guild of Piano Tuners' under the broad and liberal policy suggested through larger enrollment, will become a power for the proper adjustment of those conditions now deemed unfortunate. With this added power you will influence public opinion through such literature and such emanations from your publicity department as will naturally lead to discrimination between Guild members and non-members without recourse to coercive measures. . ."
Thus was the AGPT put under some well meaning criticism for the intended betterment of their organization way back when.
Frank Morton was Chairman of the Technicians' Conferences that would be held between the years 1916 and 1919 under the auspices of the American Steel & Wire Co., where Mr. Morton was the acoustic engineer. Now, the word 'technician' was meant to indicate men who were involved in the piano industry who were not salesmen nor tuners. Technicians were piano builders, scale drafters, belly-men, action finishers, regulators, voicers, etc. In short, they were factory men.
If it wasn't for the recording of these proceedings by stenographers, and then compiled into the book titled "Piano Tone Building", we would likely not know much of anything else about Frank Morton. But he was a well educated man, and looked up to as a premium authority in the realm of piano building and design.
No comments:
Post a Comment