The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

50 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. COMPETITION AS A STIMULATOR. Battle for Trade Becoming Keener — Dealers Must Adopt Every Modern Idea and Improved Device to Maintain Their Position. Competition is keen in tlie tallving machine mtlastry and is becoming keener every day, and to tlie man who believes in and utilizes up-todate methods will fall the laurels of success. It is an old saying with The World that you cannot evolve too many ideas to help trade. Dealers cannot be too busy, and some of the essentials to this end are to keep the store at all times attractively arranged. Present in the daily advertisements special features which will lure the public from the vacation spirit and put ttiem in the mood to stay indoors and enjoy the good things provided by the modern "talker." Often some dealers wake up too late to the modern spirit of commercial enterprise, and then they wonder how it is that "the man ciown the block" has had to move into more spacious quarters while he has all he can do to pay the rent. There is one certain rule for success: "Always be on the go." When trade is brisk see that you can supply it promptly and satisfactorily; when things are dull work doubly hard to improve them. The giving of concerts to which the public has free admission is a good instigator to business. Advertise the giving of these entertainments, and impress on the people the fact that they are under no obligation to buy. Attractive window displays are also a strong drawing card and one which should receive close attention. All these things tend to make the successful business man, and to such men there is no dull season. The Perry B. Whitsit Co., of 213 South High street, Columbus, O., have been holding extended and successful demonstrations of the teaching of languages with the aid of the talking machine. THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME. An Impromptu Comedy Not on a Set Stage, However, But Under Heaven's Canopy — Moral Discovered on Reading. Scene — A crowded car from Flushing. Characters — A wonderful mixture of Teutons, Scandinavians, Orientals, Africans, representatives of the Latin races, an Anglo-Saxon or two, and lastly a large talking machine, liberally supplied with late records and in the possession of a crowd who had been generously imbibing of the famed product of Milwaukee. In a corner of the car moodily rehearsing the happenings of the evening sat a youth who had received a "dressing-down" from his "best," an exponent for higher education of women, for addressing a companion as "slob." He was aroused from his reverie by hearing the strains of "Is It Warm Enough for You?" followed by "Let Me See You Smile" and "Travel On." He was the first to strike the platform — the music was too personal. A German sat dozing and dreaming of his Gretchen in the Vaterland. Suddenly the strains of "Hans and Gretchen" rent the air, and he sat up and asked. "Vas iss?" Before his curiosity was satisfied the "Stein Song" from the "Prince of Pilsen" was played, and thoughts of the flowing bowl brought Hans to the platform to look for a thirst-quenching dispensary. None in sight, so he and the youth remained outside — veritable outcasts for sentiment. A Swede from one of the boats moored nearby was the next victim, his tears becoming too copious to admit of his facing the fellow passengers when the machine ground out "Necken han spelar par pa boljanbla," and another folk song dear to his people. A darkey and his "gal" were next in order and when he gave her an especially fervent squeeze he was greeted with "A Darktown Courtship" and "I'm Tired of Eating in Restaurants," pieces indicative of matrimonial intentions. "Sambo" was game, however, until he was assailed with "Bill Simmons," and he had to retire to the platform to do a buck and wing. Could any colored gent keep still with that music? As each of the pestered ones made his exit the crowd at the machine greeted him with loud guffaws, and as a consequence the outcasts became more angry every minute when they realized that they were being made butts for the jokes of the happy ones. The crisis was reached when "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" and "Bon Voyage," played to a sailor, were followed by "Waiting at the Church." It was the straw that broke the camel's back, and when, after being warned to keep still, the crowd started the machine on "It's Up to You to Move, things happened. The six, composing the guard of the "talker" and the machine itself, landed in the ditch at Woodside. That the latter was not injured was evident from the fact that before the car started "General Mixup U. S. A." was rendered as an appropriate piece for the occasion, followed by "I'm Up in the Air About Mary,'' addressed to a youth with auburn hair, who had just boarded the car. and that was all. Two bells from the conductor and the "talker" was left in the distance, while the bunch on the platform heaved a united sigii of relief and started to search for ferry tickets. Moral — Music may sooth the savage beast, but it can also rouse the sleeping lion. A Philadelphia manufacturer making a new line of flower horns called Artistic Flower Horns reports sales recently made to several jobbing houses aggregating over ten thousand. As these horns are somewhat more expensive than the ordinary flower horns at present on the market, it speaks well for their general attractiveness. INCREASE YOUR RECORD BUSINESS THE TRAY SYSTEM FILLS THE LONG-FELT IV A N T Every dealer will readily see the advantages obtained by using this System of carrying records in stock. It is concise and appeals at once to the prospective customer. Every dealer using this System speaks in the highest terms of its convenience and selling power. By actual experience sells as many records as a first-class salesman, attractive looking stock than can be obtained by any other method. Sold to the trade in complete outfits, consisting of ijjo Trays and Labels for every Edison record listed in the Domestic catalogue. Makes a more uAnv..crvnnn BOSTON CYCLE & SUNDRY COMPANY, ---- 48 Hanover Street, BOSTON, MASS.