The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

December IS, 1918 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 97 Are you featuring a Gift Box of Columbia Records? Many dealers are doing a big business with this idea. Columbia Graphophone Co NEW YORK THOS. A. EDISON SAYS PEACE WILL BRING PROSPERITY WAR REVENUE BILL BEFORE SENATE Noted Inventor, on Laying Aside War Work, Calls Upon Business Men to Go Ahead With Confidence in the Future — Opportunities for Patriotic Service Are Still Before Us All Thomas A. Edison, president of Thos. A. Edison, Inc., and honorary president of the Naval Consulting Board, in a statement to his business associates and friends, discusses the present situation and the outlook for the future as follows: "I expect to be mustered out of Uncle Sam's Thomas A. Edison service before long and it will seem mighty good to be on the old peace job again. "What does the first year of peace have in store for us? I have been asked to attempt to answer that question. "There are those who fear a business depression. The surest way to bring on a depression of business is to nurture fears and act hesitatingly. We now have a national financial system which is capable of meeting practically any situation that can arise and we do not need to fear difficulties from that quarter. Our farmers have harvested an enormous crop, and the assurance of good prices, together with more plentiful labor, make certain a heavy planting Record Delivery Envelopes Safe Swift Secure The heavy p a p e r means protection; the button and cord mean speed — you can wait on more customers. Brim out YOUR OWN NAME. Every time an ' envelope leaves your ^ store, let the advertisement on it take your name to the homes and bring new trade. The advertising more than pays for the envelope. Write for samples and prices. Lewis G. Frank, 694 Book Bldg. , Detroit next year. The only thing needed to insure a year of great prosperity is a determination on the part of every business man, big and little, to go ahead with absolute confidence in the future. "The business man of this country must see to it that employment is provided for our war workers and returning soldiers. There will be opportunities for patriotic service in this connection, and I hope all of you will do your part and encourage others to do likewise. We have shown our service stars and worn our Liberty Loan buttons with pride. Let us take equal pride in doing our share to make employment for the men who have worked and fought to win the war. "Every business man should speed up his sales organization. The salesmen of this country can do more than anyone else to keep the wheels of industry turning at full speed. The salesman had to take a back seat during the war, > but his time has now come. Give him a chance." EFFECT OF FLU ON PORTLAND TRADE Talking Machine Business Goes Right Along Despite Handicap of Epidemic Portland, Ore., December 8. — Although all stores closed at 3.30 p. m. during the "flu" epidemic, which happily is about over, nearly all dealers say it made very little difference in sales. Miss Hayes, in charge of the G. F. Johnson Co. phonograph department, says business was excellent all during the epidemic, and the volume of sales was not materially affected. Paul B. Norris, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., made some excellently good sales during the epidemic. J. H. Matney, of Meier & Frank Co., says business was never better. C. Giiy Wakefield, himself a sufferer from the disease, was only absent from the store a short time, and during his absence business was normal and even better than it has been for some time before. Bush & Lane were moving during the epidemic, and Mr. Loder, in charge of the phonograph department, was ill with a slight attack of the disease for a week, but business went on as usual. The SeiberlingLucas Co. did a fine business, and the general report is that during the epidemic business in the talking machine departments was better than ever before. The psychological reason is easy to explain. Nothing dispels gloom lika music. "NICHOLSON" New Catalog Showing New Styles RECORD CABINETS strictly high-grade construction at prices BELOW COMPETITION Write for a copy of the catalog and our special free advertising help for dealers. K. NICHOLSON FURNITURE CQStig? Sectional Bookcai** and Record Cabinet* Senate Finance Committee Completes Work of Redrafting Measure — Strong Opposition Has Developed — Trade Should Be on Guard. Washington, D. C, December 9. — The Senate Finance Committee on Friday reported the committee's draft of the New War Revenue bill which now goes to the Senate for discussion and passage. It is the general belief that the further progress of the bill will be a rather stormy one, inasmuch as great differences of opinion have developed as to its provisions. The provisions of the bill as they affect directly the music industry are found in Section 900 under the heading of Excise Tax, and which reads in part: That there shall be levied, assessed, collected, and paid upon the following articles sold or leased by the manufacturer, producer or importer, a tax equivalent to the following percentages of the price for which so sold and leased. (3) pianos, organs (other than pipe organs), piano players, graphophones, phonographs, talking machines, music boxes, and records used in connection with any musical instrument, piano player, graphophone, phonograph or talking machine, five per centum. As has been reported previously, the floor tax sections of the bill were entirely eliminated by the Senate Finance Committee, but those acquainted with the situation advise that trade members keep in close touch with the progress of the bill in order to guard against the possibility of the floor tax provisions being again inserted. Incidentally it might be well to keep an eye on the other sections of the bill to guard against any unfavorable action. Walter S. Gray Chronicle Bldg., San Francisco, Cal. N E E NEEDLES L E S Pacific Coast Jobber for the Best in Talking Machine Trade Accessories