The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

50 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. Tone plus tone control— this is the added satisfaction purchasers of Columbia product have. (Write for "Music Money," a book "full of meat" for those dealers interested in quick and frequent turnover of capital.) Columbia Graphophone Company Woolworth Building, New York BUSINESS BOOMING EVERYWHERE Is the Report of Marion Dorian, Treasurer of the Columbia Graphophone Co., Who Recently Returned from a Trip— New Stores Being Opened and Increasing Interest Displayed in the Products of the Columbia Co. at All Points — An Encouraging Interview. Marion Dorian, treasurer of the Columbia Graphophone Co., returned recently from a short trip to several of the most important trade centers imbued with the optimism and enthusiasm that he states is apparent in all parts of the country. Among the cities Mr. Dorian visited were Phila Marion Dorian. delphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis and Kansas City. "At every point I visited," states Mr. Dorian, "the talking machine business was at a high-water mark. Everybody is enthusiastic, with present business conditions most gratifying, and indications for a phenomenal holiday season business. The principal difficulty is to get products in sufficient quantities to fill the orders actually in hand. As fast as goods come into the house they are distributed, and in nearly every instance the supply is unequal to the demand. "Columbia dealers everywhere report unprecedented interest in Columbia machines and records and have a ready sale for all the goods they can -get hold of. Collections are exceptionally good. While on this trip I learned of a number of new accounts opened and new talking machine departments established by prominent music houses. Two such departments were opened during the last month in St. Louis, both of them beautifully equipped and already doing a fine business. "fn Cincinnati there is a most complete recovery from the set-back to business generally resulting from the disastrous floods earlier in the year, and this is also true in Cleveland territory. The dealers in the Ohio flood districts who were temporarily put out of business by the floods have re-established themselves and are taking good care of the business coming their way. They report that the demand for talking machines and records is very gratifying, indicating that the people in the flood districts who are fast recovering their equiibrium are refitting their homes and evidently regarding the talking machine as one of the indispensable adjuncts of such refitting. "In Philadelphia business is on the boom and of a class to indicate that the sales of the last few weeks of 1913 will have but one limit, namely, that of the quantity of merchandise which we are able to supply to that territory. In Baltimore and Detroit almost exactly similar conditions exist." CLOSING GOOD YEAR IN BALTIMORE. All the Leading Makes of Machines in Strong Demand — Preparation's Completed for Handling Record Holiday Business — What the Various Dealers and Jobbers Have to Report. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Baltimore, Md., December 10. — Preliminary to what the local talking machine dealers believe will be the grand rush toward the marking of the most successful year in this line of business, the reports show magnificent results, such as are most encouraging to all hands. These reports are that November surpassed any previous record for the same month and in some instances tripled the figures for the same month a year ago. Joseph Fink, proprietor of the Fink Talking Machine Co. the youngest dealer in the city, is most enthusiastic with his November figures and, in fact, with the showing he has made during the short while he has been in the game on his own hook, and predicts that December will be one of the best months of his whole career. He handles both the Victor and Columbia lines and has put in a big stock so as to be able to handle and accommodate all comers who wish to purchase machines of any grade and price. Manager F. A. Dennison, of the local branch of the Columbia Graphophone Co. has started the ball rolling to round up the year with a record-breaking December. The entire year, taken as a whole has been a most satisfactory and profitable one with this firm under the tireless efforts of the genial manager and he hopes to round up these good results with one of the biggest records attainable. In addition to the graphophones, the Dictaphone is also making rapid strides toward popularity in this section of the country. E. F. Droop & Sons Co., local wholesale and retail distributers of the Victor line, have also had a remarkable year with this popular machine as well as with the Edison, and Manager H. C. Roberts predicts that when the figures are gotten into shape . they will show 1913 to have been one of the best in the history of the talking machine business. Many of the months have shown sales in excess of those made last December and Mr. Roberts declares that judging from indications, and prospects the present month will be the greatest one for sales ever ex perienced. Mr. Roberts states that the dealers have helped the cause along immensely by putting in ample stocks right along and especially for the holiday trade so that they have at all times been able to supply demands immediately instead of letting the stock get so low that they would have to hold off customers and in thie way cause them to lose interest by the time that additional instruments could have been received from the factory. Hammann & Nevin have made remarkable strides with the Victor line and have an ample stock for all comers. They expect to deplete this during the month and make December the biggest sales month of all. Stewart & Co's. department store have had a good run with the talking machine business during their short career in the game and indications are that the venture into this line of business will be a profitable one. Hecht's Reliable Store, 517 to 521 South Broadway, have also had a good year with the Victor lines. This firm is open at nights and hope to be in line with the other dealers in making December the banner year for the local talking machine business. Hecht Brothers & Co., 681 to 687 West Baltimore street, also make encouraging reports with regard to their Victor business. Manager Albert Bowden, of Sanders & Stayman Co., Inc., reports a big November for the Columbia and Victor lines together with an excellent record trade. The sales have not been confined to any one style of machine but the demands have been general. DECISION IN LUCKER CASE. Suit and Countersuit of Victor Talking Machine Co. and Laurence H. Lucker, the Prominent Talking Machine Man, Decided in Favor of Latter But Damages Denied. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Minneapolis, Minn., December 6. — The suit and countersuit of the Victor Talking Machine Co. against Laurence H. Lucker, tried last week in the district court of Hennepin County was decided by the jury in a manner that made it difficult to decide wmich side had the best of it. The Victor Co. sued for goods sold and delivered, the amount with interest being $7,172. Mr. Lucker put in a counter claim denying that he owed anything and asking for judgment for $240,000 for business he lost through failure to make him an exclusive agent. The jury found for Lucker, but awarded no damages for loss of business. It is assumed that this is but the preliminary round and that the case will be heard of in other courts before long. 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