The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

October, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 67 STEADY DEMAND PROVES EMBARRASSING IN CINCINNATI Talking Machine Trade Starting to Worry Over Conying Holiday Troubles — Vitanola Enters the Field — Columbia Branch. Employes Hold Pow-Wow — What Various Concerns Report Cincinnati, O., October 9. — General shortage of goods, mainly due to the incessant buying power of the people this year, is the story of the trade in the Middle West just now. None of the houses appear to be able to accumulate a surplus and a continuation of existing conditions will certainly bring about a peculiar holiday situation. The Titanola, one of the new recruits in the phonograph line, has already found an entrance into Cincinnati, the agency having been taken on by Theo. Heck & Co. "Glad to have it" is the way the officers of the local house greeted the new arrival, adding, "It is a fine instrument." L. H. Ahaus, about one of the best known managers in the retail line in Cincinnati, is back in the field and has charge of the department of Otto Grau & Son, which includes Victors, Columbia and Brunswick machines. Mr. Ahaus was but recently discharged from the army. He was in the medical corps and was stationed at Camp Sherman at the time of his release. Manager F. F. Dawson, of the Columbia Graphophone Co., made a visit recently to Bellefontaine, Springfield and Urbana, Ohio, calling on the various dealers in the above mentioned towns. Becently the employers of the local branch enjoyed a pow-wow and luncheon held at the local office on the fifth floor of the building. Every member of the branch attended and also assisted Mr. Dawson in celebrating his birthday. A beautiful birthday cake was presented by the girls with the proper number of candles. Among the various visitors to the branch this past month were H. S. Crossfield, Lawrenceburg, Ky.; Mr. Van Doren, of the Hamilton Outfitting Co., Hamilton, O.; Paul Burling, of the Samuel Horchow Co., Portsmouth, O.; J. J. Davis, Seaman, O.; Mrs. Phoebe Anderson, of the Anderson Piano Co., Hamilton, 0.; Mr. Threlkeld, of the Threlkeld Piano Co., Flemingsburg, Ky.; Mr. Shannon, of the Louisa Furniture Co., Louisa, Ky.; G. Murphy, of Maysville, Ky.; Mrs. Jeff Thompson, Lebanon, O.; E. P. Schunck, Minster, O.; A. B. Simpson, Hillsboro, O.; Chester Fisher, Harrison, O.; E. Biker, Beiley, 0.; A. W. Polasky, N. J. Bowermeister, Bowersville, O.; F. B. Follis, of the Bike-Kumler Co., Dayton, O.; C. C. Baker, Columbus, O.; Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Bice, Wilmington, O.; Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson, Circleville, O.; Elmer Woodhead, Falmouth, Ky.; A. F. Hibbard, Athens, O., and others. The Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo and Indianapolis branches attended a convention in Indianapolis Thursday, September 25. George W. Hopkins, general sales manager; B. F. Bolton, manager of the International record department; H. L. Tuers, manager of the dealers' service department, and O. F. Benz, of the general sales department, from the executive office at New York, attended the convention. A meeting of the Columbia dealers in the Cincinnati territory was held in the local offices on the evening of September 29. November samples of records were played and discussed. This is the first meeting since the summer season. The Huss Bros. Phonograph & Piano Co., makers of the "Be-call" phonograph, as usual, are alive to the situation. This progressive company is pushing their new model table phonograph to supply the great demand for these machines throughout the country. Having had numerous inquiries and requests for this style machine from various parts of the country, especially Southern States, they decide dto turn their energies toward supplying the holiday trade with this style phonograph. Their new model is being sought after by dealers everywhere. Manager T. Sigman, of the Budolph Wurlitzer Co., said: "With the cool weather setting in the increase in the demand for Victor Victrolas and records is quite noticeable. The continued demand for Bed Seal records that were recently reduced in price is very gratifying. The shortage of records in general, however, is very acute and from all reports record stocks are very much depleted. The demand for records is so great and allotments of records so small that there is hardly a chance to stock any records, as they are sold before they can be put in the bins. This condition has prevailed for quite some time. "The $35 mahogany Victrola proved a large seller in September with the dealers. This attractive little instrument placed in a Converto cabinet to match was sold with great success by many dealers. Victor needles, both steel and tungsten, which have been so scarce for such a long time, have been coming through from the factory in greater quantities and incidentally there was a noticeable increase in the sale of them. Shortage considered, the past month was excellent." CLOSED A BIG MOTROLA BUSINESS Los Angeles, Cal., October 10. Charles H. Yates of this city, who handles a complete line of acees sories, featuring the Jones Motrola particularly has just returned from a trip to the Northwest bringing with him excellent reports of the busi ness situation. In Seattle Mr. Yates secured orders from the leading retail stores in that city to equip all of their demonstrating rooms with Motrolas. In Portland he also received large orders, and in San Francisco the Wiley B. Allen Co. placed an order for 180 Motrolas to equip all of their branches. The local branch of the Wiley B. Allen Co. is closing a very active Motrola business, and Mr. Jackson, manager of the talking machine department, states that the Motrola. is a valuable stimulant to trade. Mr .Yates also succeeded in securing good-sized orders for the Sterling reproducer. THE GATELY-HAIRE CO., Inc. 121 N. PEARL ST. Victor Distributors JOHN L. GATELY7 Pres. ALBANY, N. Y.