The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

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30 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. THE DIAPHRAGM IS KING OUR LATEST NfOVELTY IS THE WOOD DIAPHRAGM When subjected to the impact of sound wood is the most resilient of all known substances. This is proven by its successful use in violin bodies and sounding boards for pianos. No other material can take its place. By a new and novel process we have succeeded in making a four-ply composite diaphragm, two of very thin wood and two of cotton stalk tissue, all of which is compressed within a thickness of 6/lOOOths of an inch. The reproduction by this diaphragm is truly marvelous. Every detail of sound and tone finesse that is capable of being recorded is brought out by this invention. It proves conclusively that the art of recording has been far in advance of the methods of reproduction. PRICE, INCLUDING CROSS HEAD AND U\K, $1 EACH. SPECIAL^ AUUMIINUM JEWEL ARM FOR MULTIPLYING THE TONE, 50c. EACH Norcross Phonograph Co., New Lang Bldg., 662 Sixth Ave. (39tb SI.) IM E W YORK CITV "Mr. Grouch, j^our competitor in tlie next block is doing a talking machine business of 1200,000 a month, and I can prove it. The magazines of the country are throwing good advertising to the -world at the rate of $30,000 worth a month per talking machine company, and there are dozens of them; I can also prove that. The talking machine will help you, because it will bring people to your store who go elsewhere at present. There are thousands of talking machine enthusiasts in this fine old city of ours, and it is natural that when shopping if the opportunity were presented to them, to purchase their records near their field of operations along shopping lines, they would be glad to do so; I can prove that, too. Here is the current number of The Talking Machine World, a magazine published every month in the interests of talking machines, which will tell you more in five minutes than I can in a week; that will prove itself. Now, my dear Mr. Grouch, I doubt not that you agree with me already that you must lay in a full line of my goods, but I am not satisfied with anything but a complete victory over your prejudices; therefore, I take great pleasure, on the part of my firm, in making you this phenomenal proposition: "We will establish a talking machine department in your store, keep it going for a year under your own supervision, and if it does not pay, we will gladly assume the loss. May I have your order, please?" I looked at the enameled clock on his desk; the five minutes were up. As I stood waiting for his answer, I could feel the cold sweat starting on its clammy way down my spine. What had I done? What would the president say when I told him the miserable tale of how I had taken the responsibility upon my foolhardy shoulders of inveigling his firm into a venture that could be made to fail just for poor cussedness on the part of Grouch. I could see a cold, hard picture of a young man out of a job. I was just about to admit that I was bluffing and throw myself upon his mercy, when the old man began to smile. I started nervously, for I had heard of his "cat playing with a mouse tricks" before. Then he began to speak in a soft, smooth voice that almost knocked me ofi my feet. (It was so unexpected, you know.) "I have been very much impressed with what you say," he said kindly, "but as for your firm assuming the responsibility of my success along "squawker" lines — he said "squawker" with a twinkle in his eye this time — "that is entirely unnecessary when they have a salesman in their employ who believes so earnestly in them and their goods. I have decided to establish a talking machine department in my store at once, and I want you as manager. What do you say?" "I appreciate your offer more than I can say, Mr. Grouch, but my interests are with the firm that has made me what I am. Now that I am beginning to be a salesman through their training, it would not be fair to them or to myself to leave them." "You are right, my boy; quite right, and I admire you all the more for your stand in the matter." He touched a bell, and a gentleman entered who was introduced to me as Mr. Smith, floor manager. "Mr. Smith," said Grouch, "we are about to put in a talking machine line, and I desire that you collaborate with this young man in choosing the proper location, etc." Well, as everyone knows, the talking machine emporium of the Grouch Department Store is a corker to-day, and they are selling a cool $1,000,000 worth of goods a year. I don't take any particular credit for the winning of Grouch, but it did me good because it boosted me to the job of manager of our firm. The point I wish to bring out the most prominently is that a bluff will work on a man of Grouch's caliber when a nice little meek talk will fall flat as a heavy . griddle cake. I proved that, all right. HowAED Taylor Middleton. Editor's Note. — This story is founded on lact, and the 5'oung man who was courageous enough to risk his job to bluff Grouch into purchasing his goods is a very live talking machine manager of one of the largest jobbing houses in America. His name is withheld by request. GERMAN SLOT MACHINE ORDER MAY HURT $12,500,000 INDUSTRY. Hamburg Dealers in Devices of Chance Meet With Saloon and Restaurant Keepers to Plan Action to Balk Restriction of Trade in Which 300,000 Are Employed. meeting of protest, attended by the owners of and dealers in nickel in the slot machines and QUICK SHIPMENTS FROM ST. LOUIS TO THE SOUTHWEST OF Edison Machines, Records AND GENERAL TALKING MACHINE SUPPLIES We carry the larsest stock west of New York and we invite your orders, which will receive immediate attention and quick delivery. CONROY PIANO CO. 1100 Olive Street ST. LOUIS, MO. saloon and restaurant keepers, was held last week in Hamburg, Germany, to discuss the action to be taken in view of the order of the police, issued a few days ago, for the removal of all slot machines from public houses. The order was based on an absolute clause in the German licenses which prohibits saloon keepers from carrying on any extra business. A resolution was passed protesting against the rigorous action of the police, and it was pointed out that unless it is revoked serious damage will be caused to the flourishing slot machine industry, in which three hundred thousand persons are employed in Germany and capital to the amount ot fifty million marks ($12,500,000) is invested. CHEERY NEWS FROM BALTIMORE. Financial Stringency Rapidly Disappearing and Trade Is Improving in Good Measure — High Priced Machines and Records in Demand. (Special to The Talking Jlacliine World.) Baltimore, Md., Jan. 6, 1908. If the financial stringency has caused any depression in the local trade of this city it has not been felt by the talking machine dealers, who report that business is on the increase, and despite the many new agencies that have opened up during the past three months, they are selling just as many, if not more, machines. In fact, many of the big piano dealers of this town are now making more money out of talking machines than pianos. The talking machine, as a side line for piano dealers, has proved very satisfactory, and is in many cases the main line. The machines most in demand are the highpriced ones, and there is very little sale for the cheap talking machine. High-priced records of the famous artists such as Caruso, Nordica, Scotti and Mme. Eames are much in demand. H. R. Eisenbrandt, of the firm of H. R. Eisenbrandt's Sons, who is a jobber as well as a retailer, said that business was keeping up in remarkable style, and that while the Christmas business was a little slow at first, it came with a rush, and is booming now, notwithstanding that the holidays are past. Mr. Eisenbrandt has opened up several new agencies in the city. The Sanders & Stayman Co., one of the largest piano dealers in the city, and who started last year with a few Victors, are now doing a big business, and have added the Columbia to their list of talking machines. Across the street from the headquarters of the Sanders & Stayman Co. are located the firm of G. Kranz-Smith, other large piano dealers, who have likewise added the talking machine as a side line, and are doing a good business. Postcarditis. If you're going on a journey to the mountains or the coast. Send a post card. If you're torn away by duty from the one you love the most. Send a post card. iL you're aimlessly a-wander through the country here and there, Seeking pleasure, seeking money, seeking muscle, seeking hair, . , Keep a list of all the friends that you have chonshed everywhere — Send a post card. 1£ yo\rre summoned on a jury, if you must defend a ■ suit. Send a post card, if you're touring through the country of the BlacklWt or the I'te. Send a post card. If you've got a message write it. drop a line from day to day : , Send a little post card pic ture if you ve not a word to say, . , . , Think of blonde and think of l.runelte. Ihiuk ot haul and think of gray Send a post card. ■I'hough Ifs gay and you are gloomy, though it's glad I and vou aie grim, Send a post card. It von want to tell your enemy just what you think ot ■ him. Send a post card. You will lind the hahit growing, till from every side the call, , , Will respond, though you be dining, dancing, sitting In a hall, , ^. , At a funeral or a wedding— Ifs the word that grips them all, "Send a post card !" — Post Cerd liuVrlin.