The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

Till: TALKING MACHINE WOULD. 30 From Our Chicago Headquarters ROOM 806, NO. 37 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE. E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, MANAGER. (Special to The Talking Mac him Wi.i 1,1.) CHICAGO, III., December 0. It was ,i record breaking November in the talking machine trade, so far at least as the Chicago jobbers were concerned. In several instances it was staled that November equaled or exceled December of last year. This may be due in a measure to the fact that main' dealers, taking advantage of their ex periences last year, announced their requirements earlier than usual, in fact the orders on the jobbers, books for delivery November 1 were larger than they have ever been, still the manner in which shipments are going forth so far in December and the new "hurry" orders which are being rushed in would indicate that December is going to be a heavy month in spite of its enormous predecessor. While the demand for the more expensive types of machines is not only actually but proportionately heavier than usual, the shortage was so great last year that the factories seem to have concentrated their efforts on providing a supply of the large machines, the shortage this year is for the most part on the lower priced types, and it is hardly possible that the demand can be anywhere near filled in time for the holidays. Judging from the reports from all the principal warerooms in the loop the rush in talking machine sales began earlier than usual this year. November was a piping month and the first week in December has been unusually heavy. While business is larger than last year there have not been the usual number of early sales of machines to be delivered Christmas. This somewhat paradoxical state of affairs is probably accounted for that buyers heard from their friends of the great difficulty they had in getting machines last year and therefore consider it wise to go on the bird in the hand principle and get the coveted instrument into the home at once. Another Victory. Legal recognition of the therapeutic value of music as purveyed through the medium of the talking machine may be claimed as the result of a verdict returned by a jury in the Superior Court rendered last month against the proprietors of the North Shore Health Resort in Winnetka. For four years William J. Reedy gave talking machine concerts there for the benefit of the residents and, as he asserts, missed many meals in so doing. When he left the resort it was to be confronted with a suit on a board bill of $1,102.84. Reedy made a counter claim for 451 meals missed while playing the machine and four years' salary as official phonograph starter at a salary of $1,000 per year. \ftei carefully considering the matter the jurj re turned a verdict awarding Reedy a judgment foi $897.11. and canceling the hoard bill. Not for Chicago, rhe proposal of a California judge thai the dictation machines be used in the courts in conveying instructions to the jury was taken up quite seriouslj by Chicago papers. The Rec ord Herald went to the trouble of interviewing various members ol the Chicago bench, and treated the matter at length although a trifle irreverently. The Record-Herald said : "No phonograph's squeak will send a defendant in a Chicago court to prison or set him free. No jury in any local court will turn on the talking machine when in doubt about a judge's instructions. "Judges of the Municipal Court so declared yesterday when asked whether it was probable that the Chicago courts might adopt the plan proposed in Los Angeles by Judge Wilbur, that when a judge delivered oral instructions to a jury he should talk into a phonograph and that the phonograph might be turned on later in the jury room if the jurors forgot the instructions. "Two things stand in the way of the adoption of the plan of instructing Chicago juries by phonograph. "They are the law and Chicago's experience with mechanical devices. "The law provides that instructions of a court to a jury must be delivered in the presence of legal representatives of all interested in a case. Even when a jury sends a message to a judge requesting the repeating of instructions he is obliged to send for the lawyers before, he can comply with the jurors' requests. The turning on of a phonograph in the juryroom, it is declared by judges, would be a violation of this provision. "The other obstacle is the fact that evidence taken before the Butts legislative committee showed that the voting machines used in Chicago elections did not work satisfactorily. They declared this evidence would make Chicagoans reluctant to trust to another mechanical device." Signs of Prosperity. A dramatic instance of the activity in the talking machine business has been offered every evening for a couple of weeks past when passers-by on Wabash avenue have been impressed with the illumination of the entire 140-foot third story frontage of the Talking Machine Co., quarters, where practically the entire force have been working until nearly midnight to get out the accumulated orders of Victor goods. On two of the center windows the Vic tor trade-mark sign gleam out brilliantly. Owns Columbia Grand. !'". Wight Neumann, the well-known Chicago im pressario, is the owner of a Columbia grand Grafonola and is enthusiastic regarding its merits. Among the other prominent Chicagoans who have purchased these fine instruments is Mr. Selig head of the Selig Polyscope Co. Add to Wholesale Facilities. Two handsome booths have been erected in the wholesale Victor warerooms on the fifth (loor of the Lyon & Ilealy building. They are designed for the benefit of out-of-town dealers who may bring in customers and where they may demonstrate machines for their benefit. The booths on of which is in mahogany and the other in oak with handsome leaded glass panels, Smith unit-construction portable type manufactured by the Georg<; W. Smith & Co., of Philadelphia and which many dealers are installing in their places of business. Lyon & Healy are Chicago representatives forthese booths. Cheers 'Em Up. The weather handed out to Chicagoans of late has not been of an exactly exuberating type and the average impressionable citizen has been more or less in the dumps. Visitors to the Talking Machine Co., however have been shocked out of their depression. Miss Fahey who presides at the telephone switchboard was sticking around the other day when a new shipment of Victor dogs arrived. She claimed one of the most intelligent ones, surnamed him Rover and chained him to her desk where he greets everyone who steps off the elevator with a sidelong glance. "Rover" is making a distinct hit as a risibility tickler. At Wurlitzers. At the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., both F. A. Siemon, wholesale, and L. K. Cameron, retail, talking machines were enthusiastic over the volume of business being done. The $50, $100 and $200 machines were declared to be the big sellers. November was one of the largest months in the history of the house. Rudolph Wurlitzer was a visitor at the Chicago branch last week as was also Mr. Lampe, the company's general advertising manager with headquarters at Cincinnati. Victor In Gary Schools. Simon Bros., of Gary, fnd., recently sold a Victor 25, the special educational machine, to one of the Gary schools and as a result all of the other (Continued on page 40.) The Practical Fibre Needle Cutter— THE WADE The Wade The Wade The WADE embodies the right principle, worked out through long experience, ft is simple, durable and accura needle at an angle resulting in the best tone. The WADE cutters are made of the best steel and are absolutely guaranteed. The WADE is the most economical cutter. It has a selfacting stop, which prevents waste and enables one to get from 12 to 15 perfect playing points. No. 1 is a very popular cutter which has given excellent service. No. 2 has a double action, making it especially easy to operate and affording the most powerful cut of any tool made. te. 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