The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

60 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. With the Makers, Sellers dLnd Vsers of Auiom^Liic SpecidLlties TRADE CONDITIONS REVIEWED. Prosperity Prevails in tlie Automatic Field — New Arcades Springing Up Throughout the Country and an Increasing Demand Prevails for All Kinds of Specialties Suitable for These Parlors — Equipment at All Times Should be Kept in First Class Condition, and Public Satisfied in Order to Hold Custom. The past montli has been one of exceeding prosperity in the slot machine trade, the arrival of cool ■jveather bringing back to town the thousands that still lingered amidst the pleasures at mountain and seashore. Hundreds of new arcades and nickleodians continue to spring up throughout the country, and manufacturers are kept on the jump filling orders. One of the most promising features of the fall market is the number of new machines being put out that are radical departures from the old beaten paths followed for the most part by manufacturers heretofore. And by this we do not mean to depreciate in any way past efforts in this line. However, it is with pleasure that we welcome new ideas in this trade. As we have stated in previous Issues, the slot machine business is one wherein change is imperative to success. Of course, there are devices such as automatic pianos, talking and moving picture machines, that are standard and wi'l exist. But here, too, the public demand for the new must be gratified, and this is evidenced in the tremendous improvement in the modern talking machine and automatic piano playing devices which are simply amazing in their satisfaction-giving qualities. Manufacturers , in every branch of this industry have been overwhelmed with inquiries concerning "where, when and what to buy to fit up an arcade" by men or parties starting out in this business. These interrogations, without minute details, are impossible to answer. For instance, a man on a main thoroughfare in a large city will not only need more capital than another in -a less pretentious locality; his whole plan may need an entirely different treatment. For example, John Jones has a place in a neighborhood frequented by the working class, men who earn their living through physical exertion. Here punching bags, target and muscle testing machines will reign supreme, while John. Smith, in another section, seriously considers relegating this part of his equipment to the junk pile, only waiting for something to take their plac3 that will appeal to his more refined patrons. Prospective operators, however, must rely on their own perspicacity for the solving of these minor problems. As to general cost of equipping a parlor, a fairly accurate estimate of cost is possible only when floor space, approximate number of machines and style of decorations are given. Then market values on material vary in different sections of the country, and therefore investors could arrive at more satisfactory results if they lay their plans before their locil architects. :;: * To secure the best results in the automatic or arcade business, close attention to details is necessary. In many cases we notice a flagrant disregard on the part of managers in seeing that the machines are properly cared for. No matter how perfect a product a manufacturer may turn out, it cannot do its work as it should unless thoroughly cleaned and overhauled every two or three days. No machines on the market receive such constant vvear and tear as do these penny-in-the-slot devices. On their intake depends the success of the arcade — and yet this oversight is nearly universal. Go into almost any parlor in this country, and out of 100 to 400 machines you will find anywhere from six to ten bearing the sign. "Out of order." Nine times out of ten these are the ones that have proved to be the most popular, therefore receiving all the rough usage. Causes for breakdowns are innumerable, slugs, however, giving the most trouble, with dirt a close second. The former nuisance is all but impossible to eliminate, but need not cause a hold-up of several days, as is often the case. The latter is inexcusable. It is not so much the fact that the public cannot deposit their pennies in this or that particular machine, but if their desire to see a particular picture or hear a certain song is denied, it creates a feeling of disappointment — the very thing an arcade man should avoid. * ::: * * So much for those machines that are actually out of commission, for after all this is a minor thing compared to having the majority of the machines in the parlors in imperfect condition, and this is so often the case that it is deplorable. Here again the public is cheated, and this is remembered. The slot machines of to-day, wonderful as many of them are, are not so perfect that an operator can afford to let them for a moment drop below their best. Again, man Increase Your Business Profits By handling our Wonderful New Line of Coin-operated Machines For Arcades, Hotels, Cafes, Parks, Depots, Department Stores, Pavilions, Resorts, Etc. THE PICTURE-PHONE An Instantaneous Success Recognized by experts as The Biggest Hit in ttie Aniii.sement Field 1 USING PERMANENX NEEDLE AND DISK RECORDS These machines have demonstrated their superiority over all others, wherever placed. They are universally pronounced The Greatest Money Makers Ever Produced WE ARE AHEAD OF ALL OTHERS You do not have to wait for the Talking Machine Manufacturers to list new songs. Latest song tiits are brought out at once. We have them The records and pictures Our machines earn money while others are waiting for the new popular songs to be made. 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