The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

28 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. time that it is constantly under a great strain, this is a greater benefit than at first appears. In any well regulated office an ordinary phonograph operator is able to turn out at least twice as much work as a shorthand writer of the same capability. This fact is demonstrated daily by one of Chicago's great mercantile firms. An ambitious transcriber strives to establish a record. The phonograph is the best adapted arrangement to promote speed on the typewriter of any modern invention. It is possible for a good operator to keep up word for word, with the dictation of the phonograph regulated at the ordinary rate of speed. The benefit of this to the employer is obvious." Miss Stella Pettigrew, who captured the second prize, tells her experience with the business phonograph and the fears that assailed her when the machines were first installed in the office in which she was employed. She was quite certain that she would soon be asked to accept a reduction in salary. Instead of this, the fair essayist is able to report a substantial and unsolicited increase, for the reason, I supiwse, that she is getting out more work and doing it better than before. While from sixty to seventy letters a day is all that the average stenographer is able to get out, according to Miss Julia Brodbeck, the third prize winner, she is able with the aid of the business phonograph to average 100 letters a day, and often considerably more. EXCELLENT POST-HOLIDAY TRADE Reported by Jobbers and Dealers of Boston — Victor Line May be Taken on by Boston Cycle & Sundry Co. — Recent Visit of Opera Co. Has Helped Sales of High Class Records — Demand for Christian Science Songs — Talker Used by Goodwin's Co. — Ditson's Publicity During Opera Week Profitable. WARNER'S "TALKER" CONCERTS. W. W. Warner, the enterprising dealer of 27 West Main street, Madison, Wis., is having great success with his Victor talking machine grand opera recitals in that city. His programs are of unusual excellence and the people who have attended have been delighted at the opportunity to hear the great operatic artists through the medium of the Victor. It is hardly necessary to say that this kind of work has resulted in excellent business for Mr. Warner. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Boston, January 8, 1908. Post-Christmas trade with the various dealers in talking machine goods, both wholesale and retail, has been somewhat of a surprise. Everybody expected there would be a fairly good trade, but it is better than anyone anticipated, hence the surprise. The recent financial flurry does not seem to have affected the high grade trade at all, but there was for a short time, a noticeable decline in business on the moderate priced goods. That has all gone away now, however, and business is reported everywhere as very good indeed. Chief feature of the month here is the as yet undecided question as to whether the Boston Cvcle and Sundry Co. will take on the Victor m line for jobbing. It is but a matter of days before this will be settled one way or the other. Business there has been very good on the Edison line, but Manager Andrews thinks it wise to have as many strings to his bow as possible. The Lynn carrying case has proven a big factor in developing business here. W. A. MacArdle, of Hawthorne-Sheble Co.. was a visitor to the trade this month, also Mr. Royer, of the Victor Co., who spent Christmas with his folks here. 'V\rholesale Manager Chamberlain, of the Eastern Talking Machine Co., declares that he is going to give up prophesying. Last month he prophesied that January would be very light so far as business is concerned. But it has developed some big business for him instead, so he says he evidently isn't a prophet. He is afraid now to prophesy good business for Feb ruary for fear it will be a hoodoo for him. At the Eastern Talking Machine Co.'s store it is reported that the recent visit of the San Carlo grand opera company helped retail sales amazingly and the continued season of opera at the Castle Square is continuing the good work over the counters. Harry Brown, formerly with the Steinert Company, has joined the sales force here. There seems to be a slight run on medium priced machines at this store of late. The Columbia Co. are having quite a sale of Christian Science ■ songs on disc records. The presence here of the "Mother Church" acts as an impetus and the Columbia Co. carry a fine line of the records that appeal to the attendants at that church. Manager Yerkes spent part of this month looking after the trade through Maine and reports good results. He says that the trade on the cheaper goods was affected during December, but everything is now normal, with prospects getting brighter every day. The new cylinder machine, with the aluminum tone arm and flower horn is being sold very rapidly. While Nat Goodwin's company was here recently, the Eastern Talking Machine Co. sold them a talking machine for use behind the scenes. It was used in the new play "The Master Hand," but did not have anything to do with the fact that the play was a "frost" here. Business is good on all the lines that the C. E. Osgood Co. carry and an additional salesman was put on the force this month. The Oliver Ditson Co. made good use of the theatre programs last month, while the grand opera company was here, and carried on an extensive newspaper campaign for the Victor. The result was an unusually good business. Patrons have fallen in love with the new Ditson talking machine department and Manager Winkelman is wearing a perpetual smile now. The Victor Victrola business here is very big. There is every indication that the Indestructible Record Co. will open up an Eastern office in this city soon. The business of this concern has been steadily expanding and dealers everywhere are taking the agency for their line. r Automatic Stopper For EDISON STANDARD .and HOME PHONOGRAPH Just demonstrate to your customer that with an Automatic Stopper on his Edison he need not touch the machine again after once starting it. It stops after record is finished. Everyone appreciates what this means. Result— quick and growing sales! Retail price for "Home" style is 25 cents. Retail price for "Standard" model is 75 cents each. Place your order through your jobber ; if unable to get them of your jobber, write us. EASY SALES Adjusting Device for the Edison Crane Use with any Horn Retails at $1.00 Regular machine discounts to dealers. If you want samples send price, less discount, with the name of your jobber— we will see that you eet them, UTICA CRANE CO. MAKERS UTICA N. Y.