The talking machine world (July-Dec 1920)

August 15, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 183 PORTLAND, ORE., TALKER MEN READY FOR FALL TRADE Expect Some Live Buying to Follow Summer Lull — Local Dealers Attend Conventions in San Francisco — Some Excellent Window Displays — General News of Trade Activities Portland, Ore., August 6. — Business is quiet without any immediate prospect of a lively renewal in this city. The dealers are not complaining and are optimistic in regard to the Fall trade, but there is no denying the fact that sales are very much less frequent than has been the case for a long time. After the conventions which were held here during the Summer it was supposed that business would pick up rapidly, but such is not the case. It is not only that Summer vacations have interfered with the usual run of trade, but there seems to be an apathy, a letting up of the interest which was so manifest all during the year. Paul B. Norris, manager of the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., has just returned from San Francisco, where he attended the Pacific Coast conference of the Victor Talking Machine Co. Mr. Norris is full of enthusiasm over the plans and policies outlined by the Victor educational representatives. Another one of the Wiley B. Allen force who attended the conference was Miss Bertha Serr, who is in charge of the record, department. "While to some dealers the ideas presented may have appeared visionary," said Miss Serr, "they were really practical and of immense value to the record seller, who takes an interest in the development of the taste of good music, an interest which should be felt by all who expect to make good in the business. The musical development which will naturally follow the selection of good records, tactfully suggested by the saleswoman, will ultimately affect the whole music business, and. as the speakers at the conference said, it will be an artistic achievement to assist in the development of what is finest and best in music. And not only an artistic achievement, but good business." The Edison Caravan convention, which opened July 19 in San Francisco, had among the large number present many prominent dealers and salesmen from Portland and other Oregon points. Harry L. Marshall, manager of the wholesale house of Portland, accompanied by John R. Lewis and Ray E. Wenger, traveling salesmen of this district, went from Portland in Mr. Marshall's car. Among others who attended the convention were Messrs. Kline, of Astoria; Carmack, of Camas; Gourley, of . Seattle; Larson, of Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. Eby, of Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, of Seattle; Pearce, of South Bend; George C. Will, of Salem; Newlin, of Grande Ronde; Palmer, of Medford; Kennedy, of Everett; Mr. and Mrs. Adler, of Baker, and many others. There is an enormous record business being done at the Remick Song Shop in Portland, although they do not sell as many Grafonolas as they might do if they had more space. The Song Shop is one of the most popular music houses in the city, and the record business is growing to big proportions. Bert Williams' "Ten Little Bottles" is humorously exploited in one of the big Wiley B. Allen show windows. The "Ten Little Bottles" are there on a shelf and the arrangement is very original and amusing. Taylor C. White, manager of the Remick' Song Shop, is an ardent Shriner and took an active part in the recent convention here. Most appropriately and opportunely a little son was born to him on the opening day of the Shrine convention, June 21. Tfie little fellow, who is a sturdy eight-pound boy, has been named Taylor Charles White, Jr., and his happy father has already indicated to his friends that junior will be a Mason and a Shriner as soon as possible. The Sonora is now carried by Lipman, Wolfe & Co. Mr. Willard, manager of the talking machine department, says they, have also added the Brunswick to their very complete stock. The Sonora, which has always been a great favorite in this section, was formerly carried exclusively by the Bush & Lane Piano Co. E. W. Barlow, manager of the Pacific Phonograph Manufacturing Co., says the BlumauerFrank Drug Co., distributors of the Stradivara for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska, are having excellent success. They have already opened several new accounts in Alaska. The Cremona Phonograph Co. has increased its capital stock from $75,000 to $350,000 and has made a provision for the issue of preferred stock. The Magnavox, a music and voice telemegafone, is now carried by and handled exclusively by the Perry Music Co. of Portland. One has been purchased by the Columbia Beach Park and the city has bought one for the children's playgrounds. W. Flemming, of the Hopper-Kelly Co., of Seattle, is now in the talking machine department of the local branch of the Bush & Lane Piano Co. At least 50 per cent more business was done in the record department of the Bush & Lane Piano Co. to date of this year than in the same period of last year. That the export business of the Pacific Phonograph Co. will be a big factor in its development is evident. The company is at present considering the opening of a distributing agency at Lima, Peru. Mrs. D. Stonebrink, formerly with the talking machine department of Lipman, Wolfe & Co., is now in charge of the record department of the Bush & Lane Piano Co. Mrs. Olga Binder, who took Mrs. Stonebrink's position at Lipman-Wolfe's, has resigned on account of ill health. Miss Janet Boyer, of the record department of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co., was married on June 28 to Elmer Xanton, one of the wellknown business men of this city. The NEW FRANKLIN Has Many Distinguishing Improvements LOUIS XVI ADDED to the superlative construction and finish of the Franklin Phonograph is the NEW HORN acoustically correct and giving remarkably increased volume and richness of tone. Also — every model w^ill have the new patented hingeless doors. When one door is opened, both open. The Franklin line contains many strong talking points that make it easily salable and a profitable line to build your future upon. The Franklin FRANKLIN PI I 0th and Columbia Ave. Is Different m GOMPANY INCORPORATED PHILADELPHIA. PA. NEW YORK OFFICE— 253 West 42nd St., New York City WM. RASHALL. Manager I I I i I I