The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

August 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 45 The Trade In Boston And New England John h. wilson, manager, 324 Washington street, boston, mass. Boston, Mass., August 6. — A strike on the Boston Elevated Railway system during the latter half of the month put a kink in business and it might have proved very serious to retail trade in particular had it lasted much longer. For a few days business was quite flat and managers of retail establishments realized for the first time how serious a strike on local transportation lines can become. Business people had to get into town and the steam railroads met the situation very creditably, but shoppers, those not absolutely obliged to come to the city, did not care to suffer the inconveniences, which there certainly were, attached to a visit into the business section. There was a decided sigh of relief when the ordeal was over. But this was not the only strike that the city suffered at the same time, for the waterfront experienced one by which seaboard traffic was held up for several days and quite a few cargoes were not allowed to be unloaded here, but were shunted to other ports. In this case both the wholesale and retail business felt the effects. Speaking of the elevated, one must not overlook the significance of the increased rate of fare, which about the tenth of July was advanced from eight to ten cents, a fare that entails great hardships to many persons. Meetings of protest have been held in many places and municipal authorities and trade boards have been appealed to by way of remedying 'the situation. The outcome may be that the State will be compelled to take over the property. Beyond these perplexing problems, which affect all lines of business alike, the talking machine business has been up to expectations for this time of year. On the whole, July was a good month, dealers all seemed to feel satisfied and with a big fall business staring them in the face it is no wonder that they can take their vacations this summer with a better sense of ease than last year. Enjoyed Vacation Period Manager Warren Batchelder, of the retail warerooms of the Eastern Talking Machine Co., took a week of his vacation the middle of July, spending the time with his family at Marblehead. Ralph W. Longfellow, of these same warerooms, has just returned from his vacation, which was spent at Narragansett Pier, R. I. Rejoins Ditson's After Return From Service . One of the latest members of the talking machine craft to return from service is Joseph Stcincrt Service Serves M. STEINERT & SONS CO. 35 ARCH ST. BOSTON WHOLESALE HEADQUARTERS RECIPROCITY with our friends is our aim. We believe the dealers who have stood by us in these past trying months should be repaid in terms of Victor merchandise. This is and will continue to be our constant policy. Carlson, who has been for a year with the 317th Field Signal Corps. He is back with the Victor department of the Oliver Ditson Co., where Manager Henry Winkelman and all his old associates have had a pleasant welcome for him. J. Edward Dunham a Visitor Among visitors at the headquarters of the Eastern Talking Machine Co. late this month was J. Edward Dunham, Victor traveling representative in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Mr. Dunham has come East to spend his vacation at his home in Worcester, Mass. G. Hovey Dodge, of the Eastern, paid a visit to the Victor factory in Camden early this month. W. J. Hallahan Rejoins Kahn Shop \Y. J. Hallahan, who has been in the navy for the past two years, has just been honorably discharged from service, and has returned to his position of assistant manager of Kahn's Music Shop, 564 Washington street. Mr. Hallahan is being gladly welcomed back into the business after his long absence. Rusticating at Manomet Beach Francis White, manager of the Edison and Victor departments of the C. C. Harvey Co., left the first of the month for his annual vacation, which he is spending with his family at Manomet Beach, down below Plymouth. Miss Anna Heurlin, one of Manager White's saleswomen, has returned from her vacation, which comprised the whole month of July. Harvey's "Red Room" Renovated The Red Room of the talking machine department of the C. C. Harve} Co. has undergone a renovation and is now all ready with its new color scheme and furnishings for the big fall business which the house is expecting. The (Continued on page 46) rJpAKE gigantic strides right now in preparing for Fall. The mission of Eastern Service, concentrating in New England, is to make your work profitable. The Eastern Talking Machine Co. Victor Wholesalers 85 Essex Street BOSTON