The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

184 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD September 15, 1919 HOUSING PROBLEM WORRYING DETROIT BUSINESS MEN Lack of Sufficient Homes May Have Some Effect on Talking Machine Sales, Is Belief — Present Demands for Instruments Breaking Records — What the Leading Dealers Are Doing Detroit, Mich., September 5. — This city is building new homes and apartments in every section and yet at this very time there was never a greater scarcity of places to live. Landlords are raising rents, and while people are resenting the increases that range from 20 to 80 per cent, they are helpless to do anything, as there is "no place to go." Indications are that the coming fall and winter will see the greatest home shortage in the history of Detroit, and many families will be .compelled to either double up or pay the high rents. This may have some effect on the talking machine business because many people will have to go "rooming" and will not be able to conclude plans for increasing their household furniture, including a talking machine. Nevertheless, while this condition will surely prevail, the demand for talking machines this fall will be so great that dealers will never notice the business they are losing as a result of the home shortage. Dealers say themselves that it is remarkable the way trade is holding up arid continues to pile up. Larger down payments than ever are being demanded, the monthly payments are also larger, and yet collections were never better. There seems to be plenty of money regardless of the high cost of living. At the State fair this year there were less exhibitors than ever in the talking machine line, only two recognized dealers being represented — Grinnell Bros., who had a large exhibit displaying Victrolas and Victor records, and the Starr Piano Co., displaying Starr phonograph and Starr records. Those in charge of both displays said they sold considerable goods and also landed many excellent prospects. The Detroit Piano Co., which moved last month from Broadway to 1005 Woodward avenue, is carrying a full line of Columbia grafo nolas and records, in addition to its full line of player-pianos and uprights. F. M. Ramsdell, president and general manager of the company, says the move was an excellent one, as it has already been proven. The particular section where he is located is fast becoming the new "gay white way" of the city and within a few years it will be as congested with shoppers as the downtown sections. The Pathe Shop, on Broadway, is having the greatest business in its history. The store now ranks with the most attractive in the city. There are many demonstrating booths and at all hours of the day there seems to be a good crowd in the store buying machines and records. The store is owned by the H. N. Ness, Inc. Pathe goods are jobbed in this territory by the firm of Williams, Davis, Brooks & Hinchman Sons. Grinnell Bros, are getting ready for big business on the Red Seal records of Farrar, Kreisler and Braslau, which artists are coming to Detroit for recitals on October 13. October 27 and November 24 respectively. In connection with their appearance Grinnell Bros, plan special advertising and window displays in order to reap full benefit. Other Victor dealers will no doubt take full advantage of the personal appearance of these artists also by special publicity. The Artonian Piano Co., 50 Grand River avenue west, this city, is doing a nice business with the Steger line of phonographs. We might add that other piano stores handling talking machines made by piano manufacturers, such as the P. A. Starck Piano Co. and Bush & Lane Piano Co., report a brisk sale. They are handicapped of course by the lack of records, but other record stores get the benefit. Burton Collver, who represents the Cheney talking machine, has returned to New York after Plays any make record THE NEW NATURE'S NATURAL TONE © PHONOGRAPH Made by manufacturers of musical instruments of the higliest grade for over a quarter of a century A GOOD PROPOSITION! Write for Territory THE REGINA CO. 47 West 34th Street NEW YORK, N.Y. 209 S. State Street CHICAGO, ILL. spending several weeks in Detroit with his family, combining business and pleasure. Max Strasburg, who handles the Victor and Columbia line, is building up a very large business in records. This seems to be a specialty with the Strasburg shop, which probably carries one of the largest assortments in the city. The J. L. Hudson Co. has had a big business the past thirty days on the Cheney talking machine, and a large order was placed with Burton Collver when he was in town a few weeks ago. The Brooks Automatic Repeating Phonograph is justly termed The Wonder Instrument. It has all the good Dealers There are some communities where the Brooks is not represented effectively as yet. Perhaps yours is one of these. There is as much profit and satisfaction in selling the Brooks as there is in owning it. The Repeating Device The Brooks Automatic Repeating and Stop Device is an exclusive Brooks feature. It gives this phonograph a broader scope than any other make and requires no attention beyond setting the needle and turning a little knob. qualities of other high grade makes, but is completely put in a class by itself by virtue of the inbuilt Repeating Device, which enables jm^g^B^ss the operator to play any make of record, any desired number of times. There are three Brooks models, of different sizes, all beautifully carved and finished. Each style may be had with electric motor, if desired. The Wonder Instruments Automatic Repeating Phonographs BROOKS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, SAGINAW, MICH. ■■ ■■■■■■■■■ ■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■ • -■■ I ■iWl.l.ll—I.MMM —