The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

40 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD July 15, 1918 VAN VEEN "BED-SET" BOOTHS Install your booths during the summer and be ready for holiday business WRITE FOR A COPY OF OUR NEW CATALOG Van Veen "Bed -Set" Sectional Booths can be erected as easily as a bed (no skilled labor required). Booths shipped on short notice anywhere. Room sizes any multiple of 3 feet. High grade finish, will match your sample if desired. Sound-proof construction. We design and build complete interiors. We also build record racks, which are described in our new catalog. Arthur L. Van Veen & Co. TELEPHONE GREELEY 4749 TRADE NEWS FROM PHILADELPHIA (Continued from page 39) but are taking only the very best, deeming it advisable to be careful as to whom we take. The firm will move the phonograph department to the second floor of the building, which they are fitting up in an extensive way in order to handle their rapidly-growing business." Giving Good Service on Records Manager R. J. Heath, of the Columbia Co. (wholesale), reports that their business has been remarkably good in June, and is still going along at a record-breaking pace. He says: "The Grafonola shipments are mighty scarce this month, due to embargo shipments, but we have been very fortunate in giving our dealers excellent service on records. Our record service has been remarkably good, due to the company's policy of advising the dealers beforehand St. Louis, Mo., July 5.— A good many inquiries have been received by the officers of the TriState Victor Dealers' Association from dealers over the country asking if the association could not be extended into a national organization. This matter has been discussed by the executive committee and the leaders in the local movement do not see their way clear to do this. They believe that the effectiveness of the association would be lost when its territory is extended beyond the distance at which dealers cannot easily come to two or three meetings a year. Already the membership of the Tri-State Association has been extended beyond expectations. The inquirers usually state they learned of the association's good work through the Talking Machine World. But in making this decision, the local committee suggests that a national organization easily can be erected on the organization begun here by organizing a number of local associations in the chief trade centers where there is a jobber who is willing to undertake the work the Koerber-iBrenner Music Co. has undertaken here. If a number of these organizations were formed, they could be nationalized by annual delegate meetings and in this way accomplish much good. But the leaders of the Tri-State Association believe that the most good from association work comes from the mingling of as to the advance in product, and many of the dealers have taken the opportunity to buy substantially in June of the smaller type Grafonolas, which advanced in price on July 1. Records will advance on August 1 and the dealers have been advised to this effect so that they may get in a supply before the advance actually takes place. This policy has met with the hearty approval of our dealers, making them feel that we are trying to watch out for their interests at all times." John Neldine, who has been connected with the Columbia for a number of years in the wholesale department, has enlisted in the navy. C. B. O'Donnell, who has been in charge of the Columbia's record stock department, also enlisted in the navy in June. F. K. Pennington, sales manager of the Columbia Co., was a recent visitor to his many friends in the local trade. the various members and the good feeling that results from social intercourse. They reason that a dealer will be much less apt to cut prices against a man with whom he has enjoyed a pleasant dinner than he would against a man concerning whom he knows nothing except reports carried to him by favor seeking customers. The social end is regarded as the chief feature. An exceedingly successful meeting was held at the Century Boat Club the last week of June, and at this meeting a rough draft of a repair cost schedule was made. It will be completed and passed on to the members very soon. This move naturally follows the change made recently whereby all Victor dealers gave up their mechanics and pooled their repair work in one shop, conducted by one of the best talking machine mechanics in this section. This move was made with a dual purpose, economy and the releasing of as many mechanics as possible for more necessary work. It has been known for many years that guarantees by dealers and charges for repairs were not uniform. The proposed schedule will define free service, fix a reasonable charge for all ordinary repairs and endeavor to have this practice made uniform. Under present conditions when dealers are entirely independent as to sales and are picking only those that they want to put on the books, it is believed that such a rule will be enforced. There will be no further meetings of the association until September, at which time new officers will be elected. President A. B. Magoon and his staff were elected at the organization meeting as temporary officers and continued in office when the constitution was adop'ted, under the title of temporary officers. It is believed that the St. Louis trade district will be well organized under their direction by September, and then a general meeting will be planned to advance the work of the association still further. In the meantime President Magoon and the executive committee will hold weekly meetings, or oftener, if need be. Chairman Ditzell, of the exchange department, says that this work already has transferred much dead stock from discard boxes to shelves where it will be readily sold. So far, this work has been confined almost entirely to records, but it has relieved some dealers of machines which were made to special order and then left on their hands. PLEASED WITH PATHE PRODUCTS The Pathe Freres Phonograph Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., recently received a very interesting letter from the Swanson & Nolan Supply Co., Pathe jobbers in Denver, Colo., referring to the splendid list of Pathe records that was issued in the August supplement. During the pa.st few months the Pathe Freres Co. has received many letters from its jobbers reflecting enthusiasm and satisfaction with their products, and the following letter is a fair example of their spirit: "August releases were received at this office this morning. To tell you what we think of this release in the usual way would be too mild. We can only say that if you keep this kind of stuff up we will have to draw on the United States Army for more help. Yours very truly, Swanson & Nolan Supply Co. (Signed) Earl D. Dryden." HAPPINESS AND SERVICE Happiness is a by-product. We can't buy it because it has no price. Some people try to purchase happiness by getting drunk; others build fine houres, and some travel around the world. But the goal is as elusive as the horizon. The main issue in life is service, and happiness is incidental to service. The Marion County Board of Review has increased the tax valuation on the property of the Kipp Phonograph Co., Edison jobbers in Indianapolis, from $25,000 to $50,000. THE REGINAPHONE A phonograph of the highest grade with many exclusive features. The new Regina Sound-box is the greatest improvement in talking machines in years, reproducing all hill and dale and lateral cut records equally well, and in a manner unsurpassed. Territory arrangements with active dealers. Send for particulars. THE REGINA CO. 47 West 34th Street, NEW YORK 209 S. Wabash Ave., CHICAGO. ILL Manufacturers of the Regina Music Box and other musical instruments for over 25 years. TRI-STATE ASSOCIATION DISCUSSES NATIONAL BODY Believe That Local Organizations Should Act Together But Not Expand Beyond Present Confines — Victor Dealers Pool Repair Work — Present Officers Continue to Officiate