The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 45 PITTSBURG REPORTS PROGRESS. Business Very Prosperous — Powers & Henry's New Store — Enders Opens Up — Mitchell in Charge of Commercial Graphophone Department— Other News of Interest. (Special to Tine Talking Machine World.) Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 12. 1906. From inquiry at the many talking macliine stores throughout the city there is no doubt hut that the business is in a very prosperous condition. All classes of people are buying all Icinds of machines. Selling machines on time has become a very notable feature of the business here, and one which has brought great prosperity to the several dealers. There is a very large class of people, honest working people who are earning good wages throughout Pittsburg and surrounding territory, who are making wages which enable them to indulge in the luxuries and pleasures of life, and they are not slow to take advantage of their opportunities. These people are without musical education in very many cases, and living somewhat remotely from places of amusement, take to the talking machines naturally as a source of entertainment and diversion. Hundreds of machines are being daily sold to these people, very generally on time payments. It necessitates upon the part of the dealers keeping up a regular collection department. These departments are capably and ably manned, and from inquiry it is learned that comparatively few losses are sustained from transactions of this kind. I'he Columbia Phonograph Co., under the management of Elmer A. McMurtry, has taken a somewhat forward step in keeping open until 9 o'clock every evening and until 10.30 on Saturday. Mr. McjMurtry reports that his innovation has been very profitable up to the present. Notwithstanding that the Columbia office is on Penn avenue and not in what would be termed strictly the center of transient traffic, a great many purchasers have found their way to the Columbia store at night, and have made in very many cases handsome purchases. The opportunity for careful investigation of the machines, and without rush and liurry hearing the records available, probably promotes many sales that would not be made throughout the day. Powers & Henry Co. report excellent business in both of their stores. They have recently opened a store in the Arcade on Fifth avenue, which is also adding to the prosperity of thi^s enterprising concern. W. H. Enders, well known in New York in the talking machine business, and more recently connected with the Powers & Henry Co., has opened an establishment at 126th street for renting films. Powers & Henry Co. have on exhibition a Victor Auxetophone, the only one in Pittsburg up to the present time. It has aroused considerable interest and excited a great deal of wonder as to what will be the next advance step in the talking machine line. The C. C. Mellor Co., Fifth avenue, have recently added to their stock a complete line of Columbia records, both cylinders and disc, and also a complete line of the disc graphophones. They report excellent business in all of their lines of talking machines. R. L. Mitchell had recently been put in charge of the Pittstairg territory for the sale of commercial graphophones. Mr. Mitchell was formerly a newspaper man, and more recently a publisher of a trade newspaper in this city. He reports that the effect of the business show in New York is being felt in this city in many inquiries for the new commercial graphophone. Those who saw it pronounced it absolutely perfect, and many are now waiting the opportunity to give it a thorough trial in their own offices. GREAT INCREASE OF SALES In West Virginia — Some Plain Words About Conditions — A New Snake Story. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Wheeling, W. Va., Nov. 8, 1906. When you ask the talking machine dealer, "How is business?" the invariable reply is, "Slower opening up this year than last." When a comparison of sales is made, then comes the revelation that the increase of this year's sales over last year is well worth considering. When one looks over the stocks of goods now carried by the retailers in this city, as in comparison with a year ago, then it's easy to figure out the cause of the feeling usually expressed. They merely overlook the fact that their big stock was put in so that the holiday business could be handled to the best advantage, and then have a surplus to help them carry on business without being solely at the mercy of the jobbers, who by that time will be handing o\it the old story of "I told you so" instead of their present promises to flu 98 to 100 per cent, of your record orders. By the way, a new snake story was uncoiled here. A down-river West Virginian stalked into one of the prominent talking macliine stores last week and asked to be shown "one of them things what makes a noise." At the same time he offered the information that he bought and captured snakes, tamed them, then sold them for pets. He thinks the machine will be a great aid to him in the taming end of his business. If his experimenting meets with success the summer business in talkers should show a great increase. Mother will allow Mary to go out and pick blackberries if she promises to keep the phonograph playing all the time. Both C. A. House and the F. W. Baumer Co. report good business in their talking machine departments. Bard Bros, keep pushing right along after business. The showing of machines and records made at their new Main street store would be a credit to a much larger city. They have just had the front of their building redecorated; it makes a very striking appearance. Manager Rogers, of the Columbia store, is well pleased with the business he is getting. LIPTON AND THE "TALKER." Hears His Own Voice While Visiting the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s Plant Last Week. Sir Thomas Lipton heard his own voice reproduced while a guest in the factory of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s factory at Bridgeport, Conn., on Friday, November 9. The distinguished yachtsman was a guest in that city, and in the forenoon he was taken up to the plant of that company. On the way the auto that carried liim broke down and the occupants were gently lowered to the street. Fortunately no one was hurt. Arriving at the factory Sir Thomas was instructed in the art of sound reproduction and allowed to see the record-making. John J. Fisher sang for record an original song, entitled "Tommy Lipton," to the air ot "Tommy Atkins." This song had been sung for the first time at a banquet given in Sir Thomas' honor the previous night. The yachtsman then spoke for a record, his theme being "How I failed to lift the America's cup." He first treated the subject humorously, told stories to illustrate his points and' succeeded in spinning an interesting yarn. He said that knowledge of the sailing conditions about Sandy Hook had something to do with his defeat, but he was careful to emphasize the statement that he had been beaten fairly each time. In terminating the speech he referred to the bright prospects for a fourth race, and that he pinned his faith in the fourth leaf of the shamrock,' and was confident that Shamrock IV. would be the means of taking the cup across the Atlantic. It is hoped .that Sir Thomas will allow the Columbia Co. to place this record on the market, as he has a host of admirers that would be proud to own one. PROTECTS "PENNY ARCADES." Police Must Let Them Alone While Injunction Is Argued. The question whether the "penny arcades" must obtain theatrical licenses is before Justice Mareau, of the Supreme Court. There are over forty such places in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and it has been held by the police that they must obtain licenses. Most of them have none and others are operating under showman's licences, for which they pay $25 a year. The police contend that they must obtain theatrical licenses, which cost $500 a year. Captain O'Brien has been making trouble for several of these places in Brooklyn, and Gustavas A. Rogers has obtained an injunction preventing the police from interfering while the question is before the courts. Under the title "Powers & Henry, Agents for the Edison Phonograph Co.," some party or parties are sending out letters through Colorado for some purpose not apparently legitimate. The Powers & Henry Co. desire to warn the trade at large, particularly in the West, against communications of this kind, and they have placed the matter in the hands of the police. The letters are distinct forgeries; AXXEISJXION If you are interested in Talking Machine FLOWER HORNS Write us immediately for full particulars. Our Horns are constructed from the finest sheet metal obtainable. WE GUARANTEE EVERY ONE NOT TO FADE. Jobbers, send for Free Sample. NEWARK TINWARE AND METAL WORKS 53=55 IN. a. R. R. Ave. = = INEWARK, IV. J.