The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

34 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD September IS, 1918 STILL COMPLAIN OF STOCK SHORTAGE IN SAN FRANCISCO Absence of Sufficient Stock to Meet Demands a Serious Setback to Business Growth — Dealers Hopeful That Requirements Will Be Met Later — Interesting Budget of News San Francisco, September 3. — According to reports from different talking machine distributors and dealers here, the situation in regard to stock shows no signs of improvement, and the outlook for the holiday season is far from bright, although there is still some hope that heavy shipments may be made to the Pacific Coast in the next few months, thus relieving the present shortage of machines to a considerable extent. The inability of the older manufacturers to meet the requirements of the trade is being taken full advantage of in this territory by some of the newer companies in placing their lines. By filling in with various makes the retailers in position to do so are making out somewhat better than the departments where one of the leading lines is handled exclusively. Andrew G. McCarthy Reviews Situation Andrew G. McCarthy, treasurer of Sherman, Clay & Co., who gives his personal attention to their Victor talking machine business, says they have no stock to sell wholesale, and don't know when they will be able to get more. Much the same condition prevails as far as their retail business is concerned. In fact, Mr. McCarthy says the stock situation is the worst it has ever been since they engaged in the talking machine business. Meanwhile Federal jury duty demands a good portion of Mr. McCarthy's time. He gets an hour or so, or half a day, off occasionally, but for several weeks he has been obliged to sit in court a good part of each week. Columbia Demand On Increase At the local warerooms of the Columbia Graphophone Co., Manager F. A. Denison says the amount of business done is controlled by the amount of stock received each week, the demand being greater than ever before for Columbia products in this territory, and the supply shorter. A number of dealers in this vicinity have stocked the company's foreign records re cently and from Mr. Denison's observations are doing very well with them. Wm. Pickering has been added to the Columbia sales force, covering northern California. James J. Black Joins the Navy James J. Black, treasurer of the Wiley B. Allen Co. and president of the San Francisco and Oakland Talking Machine Dealers' Association, has joined the colors. He donned the navy uniform and took up his new tasks on August 20. Being stationed in the Bay district, he still spends an hour at the store each evening. During the absence of Mr. Black, F. P. Corcoran, his able assistant for a number of years, has charge of the talking machine end of the Allen business. Association Members Enjoy Outing A very enjoyable outing was held early in August under the auspices of the San Francisco and Oakland Talking Machine Dealers' Association and the direct supervision of Wm. Norton, of Sherman, Clay & Co. The party, consisting of a hundred or more identified with the trade in the Bay section, their families and friends, assembled at Howard street wharf at 8:30 in the morning to board a large launch which had been chartered for the day. After cruising around the bay for three or four hours, with music and other forms of entertainment on board, a stop was made at Paradise Cove for lunch, including clam chowder, coffee, etc., made on the picnic grounds. When ravenous appetites were appeased, dancing ensued, and the afternoon was well along before the start was made on the homeward journey. Talking Machine Man From India Valabhdas Runchordas, head of the Talking Machine & Record Co. of Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, India, and also of the general importing and distributing concern of Bombay, known as Valabhdas Runchordas & Co., has IT FV'Q GRAPHITE PHONO iujuli 1 j SPRING LUBRICANT llsiey's Lubricant makes the Motor make good Is prepared in the proper consistency, will not run out, dry up, or become sticky or rancid. Remains in its original form indefinitely. Write for special proposition to Jobbers. MANUFACTURED BY ILSLEY-DOUBLEDAY & CO., 229 231 Front St.. New York Established 1853 CABINETS that ARE DISTINCTIVE The first impression that is obtained of a talking machine is that part which is seen — the cabinet. If the cabinet appeals the sale is half made. We have built into our cabinets our years of experience in fine furniture building. They have the distinction and pleasing lines of perfectly built furniture. We have an interesting proposition for YOU whether you are a manufacturer, jobber or dealer. We will supply you with cabinets unequipped or equipped with the most modern accessories on the market. Write for detailed information. Harponola Guaranteed and Manufactured by THE CELINA FURNITURE CO. CELINA, OHIO been spending some little time in San Francisco, after which he will proceed to New York and other Eastern cities for a stay of several months. The principal object of his trip to this country is to make connections with American manufacturers and distributors of various lines for handling their goods in India, replacing products received from Germany before the war. Walter S. Gray Engages More Travelers Walter S. Gray, jobber of talking machine needles and other trade accessories, recently put on two travelers in order to cover the Western territory more thoroughly. They are Mr. Sittenfeld, who will look after the southern part of California with headquarters in Los Angeles, and Mr. Altschuler, who will travel out of Seattle, Wash. Mr. Gray reports business well up to expectations, the demand for needles being unusually brisk. Shipments of Brilliantone needles are coming through very satisfactorily, he says. C. T. Compton Back in the Fold C. T. Compton, who left the Phonograph Shop a few weeks ago to engage in another line of business, has returned to his "first love," and claims to be glad to get back'to selling talking machines and records. Omer N. Kruschke, of the Western Phonograph Co., which distributes Pathe machines and records in California, Arizona and Nevada, says the principal difficulty nowadays is to get stock. At present his warerooms are practically cleaned out and future deliveries are uncertain. Miss Dorothy Douglass a Bride Miss Dorothy Douglass, daughter of Leon F. Douglass, of the Victor Talking Machine Co., became the bride of Joseph Trabucco, of San Francisco, who is now serving the United States as a naval aviator, in San Rafael, Cal., recently, the wedding being one of the most elaborate of the season. The ceremony was performed in the chapel of the Dominican Convent, where the bride was a former student. Earl Douglass, brother of the bride, was best man. Contrary to the regular order of things the groom's outfit attracted much attention. He was in full uniform, even to the wings, which symbol of the flying cadet he had just received. From the convent the guests were taken to the beautiful home of the Douglass family. Immediately after the wedding dinner and reception the young couple left for Akron, O., where Mr. Trabucco is stationed. Mrs. Howard Features Pershing Record Mrs. Helen Plummer Howard, manager of the talking machine department of the Hauschildt Music Co. in Oakland, Cal., announces that the company has added a stock of Columbia records to its line. She continues to extend her publicity work in new channels. Four times daily she has been giving an interesting talk at the Kinema Theatre, illustrating the Columbia record recorded by General Pershing on the battlefield of France. During the recent production of "Pershing's Crusaders" at one of the local picture theatres she co-operated not only with the Pershing record, but by sending a truck to the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company's works, equipped with a talking machine playing patriotic airs, etc. It made a big hit. JAZZ RECORDING BY FULLER'S BAND The Emerson Phonograph Co. has called the attention of its dealers to the fact that its latest list features recordings by Earl Fuller's famous jazz band. This organization has achieved great success, and is generally recognized as the leading exponent of this popular class of music. The jazz numbers presented on the Emerson list are original compositions by Earl Fuller, and his band does ample justice to these interesting selections.