The talking machine world (July-Dec 1918)

102 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1918 JOY REIGNS IN LOS ANGELES WITH HANDICAPS REMOVED Coming of Peace and Lifting of "Flu" Ban Cause Talking Machine Dealers to Go After Business With Renewed Energy — Shortage of Goods Passing the Acute Stage Los Angeles, Cal., December 4. — Joy reigns supreme in Los Angeles as the "flu" ban is to be lifted at twelve o'clock and the "lid" will be removed from all public gatherings. While Los Angeles has not suffered from the epidemic as much as other cities of the same size, the restrictions have been very severe and all places of amusement, etc., have been closed for seven weeks. In spite of this apparent handicap the talking machine business has kept up and everybody in that line has been kept busy. Although many in the trade had the "flu" not one fatality occurred and at the present time all are back on the job again. The opening of the Liberty Fair, which has been postponed from time to time since October 26, has finally been officially set for today. Several exhibits of talking machines are slated and nearly all the different makes handled by the local dealers will be represented. The shortage on machines has passed the acute stage and now conditions are getting desperate. Many models are getting scarce and in fact some are entirely out at this time. All of the jobbers hold out very little encouragement as to machines during December, as what few they get will not go very far toward making up the shortage this year. Record stocks are in better condition but still far from being normal. The exchange system originated by the local talking machine association seems to have worked out to the benefit of all. Of course, many of the standard records will be out of stock this Christmas and many people will be disappointed at not being able to get some of their old favorites. No one seems to be able to predict just when this shortage will be over, but most dealers do not expect to see much relief until the new year is well on its way. Herman Beck, manager of the talking machine department for the George J. Birkel Co., reports the best November business in the history of the house and looks for another record-breaking month in December if his machine stock will only hold out. Mr. Johnston, who has been connected with this company for the last nine years, has left for Montana, where he will try his hand in the ranching business. Mr. Beck now has an "all lady" record force and is very much pleased at results so far in that line. C. S. Ruggles, local manager for Sherman, Clay & Co., has been on the sick list for the last two or three weeks. His many friends are glad to hear that he is on the road to recovery. The Burnham Phonograph Co., located at Nineteenth and Los Angeles streets, are doing a rushing business at present and Mr. Burn ham, the president of the company, says he has had to put on extra help to catch up with his back orders. Owing to the large number of tourists in the city at present there has been quite a demand for rental machines. Most dealers, however, are refusing to rent them because of the shortage. B. S. Pittenger, who has been on the outside for the last three years for the Southern California Music Co., has accepted a position with them as floor salesman in the talking machine department. Mr. Pittenger is well known in the music trade, having been for fourteen years with the John Wanamaker house in Philadelphia, previous to his coming to California. Harold Jackson, manager for the Wiley B. Allen Co., had a very unique window display last week. Twenty-five Victrola Xs in the original cases with the fronts removed were arrayed in a double tier semi-circle. Mr. Jackson had a "special drive" on this model during the week and says that most of them were sold during the "special." COMMERCIAL FAILURES CUT Fewer Insolvencies Reported Than in Any Month Since 1894 A continued decrease in the number of commercial failures in the United States is shown in the report of R. G. Dun & Co. for the month of November, when the total was only 570. This marks the eighth consecutive month in which a decrease has been shown. The failures of last month involved an indebtedness of $13,815,166. These figures compare with 660 insolvencies for $13,980,306 in October of this year, 981 for $13,635,605 in November, 1917, and with 1,815 reverses for $25,489,458 in November, 1914— the high point for the period. Last month's failures disclose a numerical decrease of 13.6 per cent, from those of October and one of 41.9 per cent, from those of November, 1917, while the falling off from the very heavy mortality of No vember, 1914, which reflected the dislocation of trade and industry caused by the outbreak of the war several months earlier, is 68.6 per cent. More than this, the November liabilities, although somewhat larger than those of November, 1917, are smaller than in October and September of this year, and are also less than in any November, with the exception noted, back to 1910. Of greatest significance, however, is the fact that so few insolvencies as the 570 of November have not previously occurred in any month since monthly returns were first compiled in 1894. Over 10,000 talking machine records were collected in one week recently by the Providence Journal, Providence, R. I. The records will be sent to military camps here and abroad. Walter R. 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