The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

December 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 105 COLUMBIA DEALERS HOLD IMPORTANT MEETINGS IN CINCINNATI Monthly Meetings Prove Successful — Cincinnati Club of Artists Formed — New Columbia Dealers Announced — Huss Bros. Pushing Re-Call Phonograph Extensively Cincinnati, O., December 6. — A rather acute shortage of talking machines is being faced by the distributors and retail merchants in the Cincinnati district. Some of the houses describe the condition as being more severe than last year. There are a few who anticipated their regular connections being unable to supply them with goods and these have stocked up with some of the new machines of the year. Anything to get goods is the slogan of the merchants around Cincinnati, who expect to have bare talking machine departments prior to January 1. November's business, particularly in the record line, was limited because of the lack of sufficient supplies from the factories. This is touched on in a statement by T. Sigman, manager of the Victor department of The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., who said: "The Victrola and record sales for the month of November were considerably larger than even the most optimistic prophecies. This is not near what the sales would have been, however, had there been more goods available. The shortage in the record end of the business was especially noticed, for the shipments of the popular priced records from the factory were very limited. The recent announcement made by the factory that the long looked for Period Model Victrolas would be ready for dealers to sell for the holidays was very good news to the trade as the market is just about right for these attractive instruments, and a new field will be opened, that is sure to be profitable to all dealers handling them. ' ' Monthly meetings of dealers in the Columbia product in cities near their places of business, have struck a most favorable response, according to N. B. Smith, assistant manager of the Cincinnati headquarters. Mr. Smith explains the workings of this method of getting in direct touch with their retail connections in the following manner: ' ' During the month many meetings of Columbia dealers have been held in the territory. These meetings included Columbus, Dayton, Huntington, W. Va., Lexington, Ky., and Cincinnati. At our Cincinnati meeting O. F. Benz, supervisor of record sales and distribution from our New York office, was the guest and made the principal address of the evening. About fifty dealers and their salespeople attended this meeting, coming in from a radius of about seventy-five miles. ' ' At the Dayton and Columbus meetings, F. F. Dawson, manager of the Cincinnati branch, made the principal address and was assisted by E. B. Shiddell of the sales' department. At the Huntington meeting J. D. Bright, of the sales department had charge of the meeting and F. F. Dawson made the address. "The Huntington meeting was the first held in that city and fifty-eight dealers turned out and they voted unanimously for another meeting each month hereafter. ' ' The Cincinnati Columbia Club, with its object of studying the various composers and Columbia artists was formed at the home of Mrs. F. F. Dawson, Hyde Park, last week. About sixteen charter members enrolled and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. F. F. Dawson; vice-president, Mrs. E. B. Shiddell; secretary, Mrs. N. B. Smith; treasurer, Mrs. H. L. Chubb. Meetings will be held twice each month, at the homes of the members and a musical program will be rendered with discussion open to all on the artist of the day ' ' New Columbia dealers signed up in the last few weeks are Bangham & Gallimore, who take over the franchise of Geo. D. Bauman, of Wilmington, O., Mill's Furniture Store, who take over that of Mills & Blankenship, New Straitsville, O.; E. Vernon Moore, Lewisburg, O.; E. M. Dopp, Osgood, Ind.; Dow Drug Co., Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, O.; Dow Drug Co., Carthage, O. "Some of the visitors to the local Columbia branch during the last few weeks, were H. K. Biggers, of the Music Supply Co., Harrodsburg, Ky.; W. M. Dings, general manager of the Campbell Furniture Co., Piqua, O.; Arthur Woods, manager of the Campbell Furniture Co., Greenville, O., also W. C. Kobin of the Dictaphone department at New York City. ' ' The Huss Bros. Phonograph & Piano Co., announces that their product, the "Re-Call" phonograph, is being introduced in various parts of the country. They have just recently signed contracts with agencies covering all the Southern States, and have under way at the present time, negotiations for contracts which will take care of a great part of the Western States. "From present indications, it looks as though they will soon complete negotiations for the Eastern and Northern territories. In this event, their -product will have a country-wide distribution and with the contemplated increase in production, it is expected within the next year, the 'Re-Call' phonograph will be found in homes and stores throughout the country. ' ' The Phonograph Co., jobbers of Edison machines, will have a new and much larger place for its Cincinnati branch early in 1920. Arrangements have been made for the leasing of the second and third floors of 314 and 316 West Fourth street. The company takes a three-year lease, paying $6,000 a year. The property is of fireproof construction, having been remodeled during the past fall at an expenditure of $100,000. MEIKLEJOHN CO. TAKES ON VICTOR Providence, R. I., December 6. — The Meiklejohn Co., Edison and Starr dealer, has taken on the Victor line and is planning to open a large Victor department about the first of the year. When the change is made the talking machine department will be moved to the first floor and will have ten demonstration rooms as part of its equipment. REAL MERIT WINS MOTORS OF QUALITY Universal Tone Arms THE HAS IT REG. U. S] PAT. OFF. PLAYS ALL RECORDS PERFECTLY RECORDIONS make friends easily by their wonderful tone and stay sold o naccount of the unchallenged quality. Ten Superb Styles in Mahogany, Walnut or Oak Embodying Individuality, Beauty in Design $ioo to $350 Tone Chambers of all Selected Woods With Hand Carved Throats Special Features are Patented Booklet and Dealers Prices on Request Columbia Mantel Co., Inc. Leonard and Devoe Sts., Brooklyn, N. Y. RECORDIONS are selling fast. We have but recently enlarged our factory floor space and shall do so again. BE A LIVE WIRE-BE THE FIRST RECORDION DEALER IN YOUR VICINITY