The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

118 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD August 15, 1919 DEALERS OF DETROIT LOOK FOR ENORMOUS FALL TRADE The Only Fear Is That Strike Activities on the Railroads Will Interfere With Shipments of Stock, Which Are Most Necessary to Meet Demands — Grinnell Expansion — News of the Month II ^1 FV'<i GRAPHITE PHONO 1 J SPRING LUBRICANT Ilsiey'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. Put up in I, 5, 10, 25 and 50pound cans for dealer*. This lubricant is also put up in 4-ounce cans to retail at 25 cents each under the trade name of FUR FK A NOISELESS TALKING M->KJ M.\.M^M.xn MACHINE LUBRICANT Write for special proposition to jobbers. ILSLEY-DOUBLEDAY & CO., 229-231 Front St., New York Detroit, Mich., August 8. — We find that most talking machine dealers are taking regular vacations this summer in view of conditions shaping themselves back to normal again. In going the rounds we see many of the old familiar faces in the selling end now that the 'war is over. For instance, at the Edison Shop we find Peter Sweetie}", who served ten months in France with the American artillery, and who saw considerable action. George Middleton is back at the Brunswick Shop after being in service nearly a year and is practically in full charge. •The latest strike activities with railroad employes is by no means pleasant news to talking machine dealers and jobbers. Shipments have been none too good for the past nine months, but dealers had hopes that there would be a great improvement during August and September so that they would be well stocked for the heavy fall and holiday business. Now, with strikes among the railroad men, it means further hampering of shipments and many dealers are somewhat discouraged. Dealers are confident that they will see the biggest fall business or. record if only they can secure the merchandise. And this applies to every dealer, no matter whose goods are handled, just as long as they are nationally advertised. Wallace Brown, proprietor of the Brunswick Shop, who has been touring in the East, is expected back, not later than August 10. He will then start at once to lay out his fall campaign of advertising. Mr. Brown says business is more than double what it was last year for the firs*iseven months, and he expects to more than triple business in the fall. R. B. Ailing, of The Phonograph Co. of Detroit, Edison jobbers, is back from a month's vacation in the Northwest. A. A. Grinnell and C. H. Grinnell, of Grin nell Bros., attended the recent convention of Victor jobbers at Atlantic City. Incidentally, they held conferences with Victor officials and are confident that they will get larger shipments from now on to take care of their increasing orders. In connection with the 100th anniversary of the Michigan Drug Co.. an exhibition will be held this month at the Arcadia Auditorium. The hall is to be divided into booths and in them will be displays of the various products handled. Every druggist and every person interested will be given invitations. Among the exhibits will be one devoted tc the Pathe phonograph and Pathe records, which are jobbed in Michigan through Williams, Davis, Brooks & Hinchman Sons, a subsidiary of the Michigan Drug Co. Ed. Andrew, manager of the J. L. Hudson talking machine department, will take a two weeks' vacation in August. He reports very good summer business, particularly in Sonora machines. Grinnell Bros, now have retail stores in Grand Rapids and Toledo, which increase their total circuit to twenty-eight — the largest chain of stores in the country for the territory covered. There have been rumors of additional stores being opened during the coming year, but this is very indefinite. Officials of the company say they have no such plans in mind. A retail store specializing in OkeH records has just been established at 97 West Fort street. Detroit. This is the second Michigan OkeH store to be opened, the first being opened many months ago in Grand Rapids. An exclusive Brunswick Shop has been opened in Flint, Mich., at 125 East Kearsley street. The Grosse Pointe Furniture Co., live Edison dealers, will move early in the fall to new and larger Quarters on Jefferson avenue. POUND SPEAKS AT T.M.M. LUNCHEON Noted Speaker Outlines Situation in the Resale and Tax Questions — Sees No Immediate Relief in Sight — Meeting at the Hotel McAlpin Well Attended — Many Out-of-Town Dealers Present at Meeting — Want More Red Seal Records The July meeting of the Talking Machine Men, Inc., made up of dealers from New York, Xew Jersey and Connecticut, was held at the Hotel McAlpin, Xew York City, on Wednesday, July 16, at noon. George W. Pound, counsel and general manager of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, was the guest of honor. Following the plan inaugurated some time ago the meeting was preceded by a luncheon, at which a goodly number attended in spite of the bad weather. Music was furnished by the AllStar Trio and several vocal numbers were sung by Messrs. Field and Devine. President J. T. Coughlin, following the luncheon, introduced Mr. Pound in a few wellchosen words, outlining the great work done by this champion of the cause of music. For more than an hour Mr. Pound held the interest of his hearers as he outlined once more the fight which he waged at Washington to save music and to establish it in its rightful place as one of life's necessities. In speaking of the recent Colgate decision he said that this case has been given more prominence than it really deserves, for it is by no means a final solution or ruling on the question of resale price maintenance. This matter is still in an unsettled condition, he said, and the Federal Trade Commission has chosen a middle course. In discussing the fight against the tax on musical instruments Mr. Pound declared that it had now been carried into the enemy's camp and that bills will soon be introduced in Congress by the very men who once were bitter opponents of the cause of music to have the tax removed. He sees no immediate relief in sight from the present tax. but declared that Congress is opposed to the tax generally and will repeal the luxury tax affecting things outside the music trade. If it is found possible to include any other items besides those now covered by this luxury tax musical instruments will be the first to be placed on the free list. In closing his talk he made an earnest plea for cooperation to raise the music industry^ to its rightful high plane among the other industries of the world. The routine business was transacted after Mr. Pound's speech and the names of several new members were brought up and referred to the membership committee. President Coughlin said that he had sent a telegram to the Victor Co. asking that the dealers be supplied with more Red Seal records, as the reduction in price caused a depletion of stock among the dealers. At the meetingthe following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Whereas, on July 10, 1919, the Victor Talking Machine Co., through widespread publicity, announced a tremendous reduction in the price of Red Seal records, thus giving an added impetus and new stimulus to the talking machine industry and the cause of music generally, "Therefore, be it resolved that the Talking Machine Men. Inc., extend to the Victor Talking Machine Co. its heartiest thanks and congratulations for their far-reaching action and benefit to the trade at large, and "Furthermore, that the secretary be, and is hereby, instructed to send a copy of this resolution to the Victor Talking Machine Co. and the trade press." 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