The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

88 The Talking Machine World, New York, March, 1928 Baltimore Victor Jobbers at Meeting of Southern Dealers Victor Dealers Meet at Greensboro — Enthusiastic Reception Accorded Brafco Catalog by Dealers Throughout Country — Other Trade News Baltimore, Md., March 9. — Victor dealers in the South recently met at a gathering held at the King Cotton Hotel, Greensboro, N. C, on March 5. I. Son Cohen, president of Cohen & Hughes, and J. T. Hutchisson, traveling representative of the well known Victor distributing concern of this city, were present and report that the meeting was most success How Retailer Features Columbia Line ful It was held under the auspices of Victor wholesalers and conducted by Victor factory representatives. William Biel, general manager of Cohen & Hughes, .feels that the reduction in the list prices of the several models of Automatic Victrolas is certain to increase sales on these items, and states that orders for additional supplies of the models are already being received. M. P. Smith, assistant general manager of the company, states that a portable campaign has been started to impress upon dealers the wisdom of placing orders for their portable requirements over the entire Spring season. Victor E. Moore, Pennsylvania representative of Cohen & Hughes, gives a very optimistic report on business conditions in his territory, and states that although there is some depression in certain parts of the state, the Victor situation on the whole is very good. Louis & Co., one of the leading talking ma chine establishments in this city, recently erected a monster sign atop the roof of the building in which the store is located, calling attention to the Columbia Viva-tonal phonograph line and Columbia New Process records. The sign, which can be seen for a great distance, has been responsible for a decided increase in interest in the Columbia line. The Brafco catalog issued by the Braiterman Fedder Co., received such an enthusiastic reception from dealers throughout the country that a second edition is now in preparation, and will be issued shortly. E. M. Fedder and Phil Kaufman of the Brafco organization recently returned from their first trade trips of the year, greatly enthused by the dealers' reception of the portable line. The company is preparing to offer two new models of portables, the Orpholo Junior and the Orpholo Senior, early in April. Thompson Sets Use Arcturus Apparatus — i The Arcturus amplifier, detector and power tubes have been adopted by the Thompson Radio Co. for use in 600 of its R-82 receivers originally designed as battery sets. It is stated that the Thompson Radio Co. decided to facilitate the sale of these sets by converting them to AC operation. The Arcturus tubes are mounted on four-prong bases which fit the standard UX sockets without additional side or overhead wiring of any kind. Trade Activities in Akron-Canton Field Akron-Canton, O., March 5.— With employment on the increase, due to growing production of steel and rubber in this area, there is a much better tone in talking machine and radio buying. In this area there is much expansion in progress, many stores are giving over added space to talking machines, and from all appearances 1928 will be a bigger year than last for talking machines and records. George S. Dales, Akron music dealer, has sailed from New York on a European tour. Removal of the music departments of the M. O'Neil Co., largest Akron department store, will take place within the next thirty days, officials of the company have announced. No mention has been made as to where the music departments will be located. The Radio & Phonograph Exchange has been opened on Second street, Canton. House in Debate Over Radio Bill Washington, D. C, March 12.— Members of the House engaged in a lively debate last week over the Watson bill extending the life of the Federal Radio Commission, and carrying a provision, added by the Merchant Marine Committee, providing for the equal distribution of wave lengths, stations and power among the five districts from which the members of the commission are chosen. This latter clause is the subject of the debate and the outcome is looked forward to with interest by everyone interested in broadcasting and the radio industry. The Congressmen in favor of the "equitable distribution" clause state that this would correct conditions which are objected to. As this issue of The Talkinq Machine World goes to press no vote has been taken on the bill. Illinois Ranks High in Radio Industry Chicago and Illinois rank high among national centers for the radio industry, according to two reports issued recently by the Department of Commerce in Washington. The first deals with retail stocks, and shows that New York and California are the only two States ahead of Illinois in the matter of distribution of radio sets and parts. The second report, revealing patent grants to inventors, states that large contributions have been made by residents of the Chicago area to radio development. There are 2,750 radio dealers in Illinois, including shops devoted exclusively to the sale of radio apparatus, music stores, department stores and others engaged in retailing parts, sets and tubes, according to the dealers' stocks survey. The department, which obtained its data through questionnaires sent to these 2,750 concerns, estimates that approximately $35,000,000 worth of radio business is done in Illinois each year, compared with $48,000,000 in New York State and $37,000,000 in California. Amrad Corp. Names Six New Jobbers Medford Hillside, Mass., March 7. — W. H. Lyon, general sales manager of the Amrad Corp., of this city, has announced the appointment of the following additional distributors to handle the Amrad line of radio receivingsets: Harbison Mfg. Co., Kansas City, Mo.; J. H. & F. A. Sells Co., Columbus, O.; Aitken Radio Corp., Toledo, O.; Kruse-Connell Co., Indianapolis, Ind.; Hudson-Ross Company, Chicago, 111., and A. & E. Supply Co., Parkersburg, W. Va. A. Hospe, head of the A. Hospe Co., of Omaha and Council Bluffs, la., died last month from angina pectoris. Qreatest Records Ever Made Music critics, the press and the public agree that the Bayreuth Wagner Festival Recordings are the greatest achievement in recorded music. These eleven matchless Columbia Viva-tonal Rec ords, complete in handsome crold embossed leather album, retail at $16.50, or $1.50 for single records. As Columbia Masterworks Set No. 79, they offer you prestige and profit, not only for to-day, or to-morrow, but through the years to come. Write us for details ColumbiaWholea L.L. Andrews -* Wm.H.Swartz M Exclusively Wholesale 205 W Camden St., Baltimore, Md.