The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

24 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD January 15, 1919 CLEVELAND TRADE DISPLAYS REAL PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT Henry Dreher a Firm Believer in the Products He Sells— Chas. K. Bennett Invents a New Sales Aid for Retailers — Best Selling Records Cover Wide Field — General News Cleveland, O., January 7— Henry Dreher, head of the house of the B. Dreher's Sons Co., who 13 spending the midwinter in Florida playing golf and hunting, is a great believer in the usefulness of the talking machine. "I have one in my dining room at home," said he, "and when I sit down to breakfast I listen to some favorite singer's voice. The music gives me a better appetite, and I leave the table in good humor for my day's work at the store. The talking machine has a wonderful future and broad sphere of usefulness. The war has helped the music trade business by stimulating an interest in good music, and, after conditions have been readjusted and we are back to a normal peace basis, piano and talking machine manufacturers, distributors and retailers will find a big volume of new business awaiting them which will prove very profitable." • The Starr Piano Co.'s Richmond, Ind., plant, which was heavily taxed in making war materials for several months, is now pushing at full speed on talking machines. The company did not "catch up" with orders received ejrly in 1918 until after the middle of the summer. Chas. K. Bennett, manager of the Eclipse Musical Co., in this city, is the inventor of a novel record display fixture, which is destined to win, on its merits, a large measure of popularity in the trade. In telling of his invention to The World he said: "I have felt for some time past that if a dealer could file his records 'face out' instead of laying them flat or on edge, as is the custom, the sales would materially increase and a great number of slow-moving records would pass on to the consumer; however, lack of wall space prohibits this plan. This started me figuring how I could display records and do it in a limited space. The usual printed lists of records were fast becoming passe on account of the records so listed being unobtainable, so I started to figure how I could display the records instead of the lists. "The 'Eclipse Serve-Self Container' was the outcome, and hand-made samples having been tried out here in Cleveland for some time past convinced me of the advisability of manufacturing these devices to furnish to the trade at large. "While the present form is limited to bulletin display racks, samples are now being prepared which will enable a dealer to display these containers on his wall or in his booth and still another will be made in the form of an easel that can be displayed on a table or cabinet. "From actual experience I find that a consumer likes to look at the records he buys, much the same as he selects a necktie, for in a great many instances the title of a record in a catalog or on a sheet doesn't mean as much as when the customer can see the title itself HIIBIIIBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllliiiiiiii on the records. I believe every dealer of talking machine records has had this experience, for I have failed to see a single instance in all my traveling among the trade where dealers did not leave a stack or have a few records scattered over the counter, and this has, almost invariably, resulted in the records being scratched or marred in some manner and has made them unsalable. "The Eclipse Serve-Self Container displays the records in a great variety in a small space with the possibility of getting scratched being eliminated and at the same time each record is accessible. Dealers of talking machines will deem it advisable to equip their stores with these containers immediately, as the cost is but slight compared to the sales that will be made, in fact, they should pay for themselves in a comparatively short time." The Cleveland Music Trades Association, several of whose members are talking machine retailers, at the December gathering discussed unethical advertising of musical instruments. The members are disposed to draw the line close and insist that such advertising be "strictly legitimate" and in "no way misleading to the public." The association a year ago expelled a member for advertising used instruments as new ones. "Offerings in the world of talking machine records for the new year promise much, if the January lists of the different manufacturers are a sign," said the musical critic of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in reviewing offerings for the current month. "Without exception the manufacturers have announced the acquisition of new artists who ' are new to phonograph lovers. There is much in store for Cleveland devotees of the phonograph, local dealers declare, and old favorites are to be heard in new songs that, while not new, endure because of their merit." Records, according to local dealers, now in demand include: Pathe — "Anvil Polka" and the "Whistler and His Dog," by the American Regimental Band; "Flags of Freedom" and "Solid Men to the Front," by the same; "'Neath the Autumn Moon," by Grace Hofflman, and "Love Me or Not," by William Simmons. Columbia — "Oh, How She Could Spanish," by Irving Kaufman; "Merrily We'll Roll Along," by the Peerless Quartet, and "Everything Is Hunky Dory Down in Honky Tonky Town," by the same. Victor — "Mad Scene From Lucia," by GalliCurci; "Dixie," by Mabel Garrison; "Bluin' the Blues," by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band; "The Missouri Waltz" and "Kiss Me Again," by Joseph C. Smith's orchestra; "For Your Boy and My Boy," by the Peerless Quartet. Starr— "Ring Out, Wild Bells," by Royal Daduni; "My Paradise," by Conklin's Society Orchestra; and "After You've Gone," by Codey's Band. The "Society of Concerts of the Conservatory," as its official title goes, more generally and conveniently known as the French Orchestra, now touring the United States, stimulated interest in talking machine music by a concert at Gray's Armory, December 29. This band is now working for the Columbia Co. W. F. Young, manager of the Cleveland branch of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., has been made receiver for the Helm Amusement Co., which failed a few days ago. The company operates the biggest pool and billiard rooms in the city and had bought heavily of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender concern. The war, flu epidemic and other handicaps forced the Helm concern to the wall. Among the assets of the Helm concern are several talking n.achines supplied by Mr. Young's firm. The Collister & Sayle Co., Victor retailers, are offering one of the finest lines of machines and records ever displaj-ed in Cleveland. A window displa3', unique in its variety and makeup, is one of the features of the January drive. "I think the talking machine dealers will have the best year they have ever known for business," said Charles K. Bennett, manager of the Eclipse Musical Co., and president of the Talking Machine Dealers' Association of Northern Ohio. "I hear encouragement from retailers who come to our store daily. We can not fill all our orders but I believe manufacturing plants will soon be able to swing most of the business they receive." The receiver of the Goodman Piano Co., which was placed in bankruptcy several months ago, has been asked through the common pleas court to distribute some of the funds collected. A creditor holding several thousand dollars' worth of notes given for talking machines seeks to have some of the notes paid. The receiver is still disposing of the Goodman stock and maintaining the retail store, in Huron road. The Fischer Co., 25 Taylor Arcade, is featuring Pathe records, including "The Rose of No Man's Land," "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," and "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," with great success. Business with this company is steadily expanding; it is placing Pathe phonographs with the best people. The May Company repoits an unprecedented sale of talking machines, records and playerpianos for the holidays. "Business in January has started with a big rush," said Dan J. Nolan, manager of the firm's piano department. "The big question with talking machines and records is to get the goods from the makers." County Treasurer John A. Zangerle, who is a national authority on taxation, is opposed to taxing household goods, particularly musical instruments, because, he says, they are educational factors. "There is about as much sense in taxing a Victrola or player-piano in my home as there would be in taxing a school house," he said. "Both are built for educational purposes and should be free from taxes." /uperior Die Castin£ts ji will Cut Your Costs and Increase Tour Sales ■I Tonearm and Reproducer Parts, Attachments, Turntable Hubs, Motor J J Governor Discs, Knobs, Piano Player Parts— accurately cast in Alum ■■ inum. 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