The talking machine world (July-Dec 1920)

October 15, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 183 LOS ANGELES CONTINUES TO BE A BIG BUYING CENTER Opinions Are General Here That Totals of Former Years Will Be Exceeded This Fall and Winter— Great Reunion of Bnmswick Forces — Some Notable Speakers — Bonnell's New Post Los Angeles, Cal., October 5. — Sales of talking machines for the past month have again proved very satisfactory, according to reports from the various departments and opinions seem general that all previous totals in former years will be beaten. The manager of one department, Harold Jackson, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., states that orders have already been placed for talking machines for Christmas delivery, together with substantial deposit payments in about a dozen instances, the customers remarking that they would not take any chances of shortage of goods. General Sales Manager Here A. J. Kendrick, general sales manager, phonograph division of the Brunswick-Balke-CoUender Co., visited Los Angeles in the early part of September. He called on the local Brunswick dealers and met practically all of the Southern California dealers at a banquet, which was given in honor of his visit at the Hotel Clark on September 10th. Mr. Kendrick expressed himself as very pleased with the representation of the Brunswick in this section of the country. E. M. Bonnell Accepts New Position One of the most popular wholesale representatives, a man known in every town throughout the Pacific Coast, from Seattle to San Diego — we nearly said to Tijuana— E. M. Bonnell, has been appointed supervisor of sales for the Pacific Ccj-.st for the Western Jobbing & Trading Co., distributors of Emerson phonographs and records. Mr. Bonnell, who recently resigned from his position as Western representative for the Magnavox Co., So.iora phonograph distributors for the Pacific Coast, will make his headquarters in Los Angeles. He will make frequent visits to the San Francisco, Portland and Seattle branches. Bartlett Music Company Opens Branch The phonograph and piano concession at the Broadway department store has been taken over by the Bartlett Music Co., from Fuller & Sunderland. The Columbia and Pathe lines are featured and the department is under the management of Geo. W. Kabel. Exclusive Brunswick Dealers Lyon, McKinney, Smith Co. recently announced that they would handle the Brunswickphonograph and records exclusively. A bignewspaper advertising campaign has been launched and the department has been renamed "The Brunswick Shop." P. H. Beck Returns After an absence of nearly six months in San Francisco, P. H. Beck, one of the most popular members of the music trade of Southern California, has returned to Los Angeles. Numbers of his old friends have called on him already and welcomed him back to Los Angeles. He has accepted a position with the Piatt Music Co. in the capacity of general manager of the Victrola, sheet music, small goods and player roll departments. In recognition of the high esteem in which Mr. Beck was held by all his associates, he was unanimously elected last May an honorary member of the Music Trades Association of Southern California. Whittier Dealer Invades Broadway J. Van Grove, music dealer of Whittier, has opened up an exclusive Columbia Grafonola and record department at the Melody Shop on Broadway. Mr. Van Grove has been very successful in Whittier, where he handles both pianos and phonographs. Brunswick Banquet a Notable Affair Harold Brown, sales manager of the Los Angeles branch of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., chose the visit of General Sales Manager Kendrick the occasion for the second "verse" of his "Harmony Meetings." The first "verse" took place on June 21. The "verse" proved to be su])stantial and satisfying with its ten lines stress on the remarkable showing and volume of business in this territory. Leopold Godowsky gave a very humorous and entertaining talk and was followed by Milton Diamond, who explained the objects of his bureau and stated that it was his ambition to enable the rhusie dealer in the smaller city, as well as in the large centers, to promote music by giving concerts with famous stars as attractions. He then initroduced Miss Gertrude Huntley, announcing that she was a special pupil of Godowsky's, with whom she would make her debut at Carnegie Hall, New York, in December. Miss Huntley then played three exquisite Chopin selections, which were greatly appreciated. L. E. Behymer then made an intensely interesting speech; he told of the wonderful strides made by the phonograph business and of its benefit to music. He also quoted in . teresting figures from the assessment reports on musical instruments in Los Angeles County alone which went to show the tremendous total in dollars and cents of talking machines and pianos owned in this section. Seventy-five guests were present and included dealers from all over Southern California. Picnic of Barker Bros. Force The music department of Barker Bros, recently held a picnic and barbecue in the Arroyo Banquet of Southern California Brunswick Dealers at the Clark Hotel of good things to eat and drink; then, too, a very distinguished line-up of guests added to the pleasures of the evening, consisting of Madame Irene Pavloska, of the Chicago Grand Opera Co.; Leopold Godowsky, renowned pianist and composer; Milton Diamond, director International Concert Bureau, New York; L. E. Behymer, famous impresario; Gertrude Huntley, talented pianist; Julius Balke, vice-president; F. P. Simpson, Los Angeles branch manager, and Dan C. Voorhies, special representative of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., were also present. By special request Madame Pavloska sang three beautiful songs which were enthusiastically applauded. This was followed by a brief interesting speech by Vice-President Balke. General Sales Manager Kendrick spoke eloquently of the phonograph business and laid Secco above Devil's Gate Dam. After a very sumptuous lunch, which included delicious beef steaks, broiled with consummate skill over the great barbecue fire by Ray Daynes, chief chef for the occasion, and his assistant, the baseball game of the year was played. The baseball captains, Wilbur Spray and Ray Daynes, directed their men with marked ability, and although heavy bets had been laid, General Manager Boothe saw to it that there was no tampering or bribing done among the players — that is, among the other players, because he was a prominent third baseman himself, not to mention home-run striker. Probably owing to a great extent to Wilbur Spray receiving a black eye from a foul ball, his team lost. Score 20 to 15. Among those present were J. W. Boothe, {Continued on page 185) SOLOTONE— New Series Solotones are all carefully hand finished in factories far removed from the rush of the city. While they are of superior merit, they are made under favorable conditions which make possible a moderate priced instrument. 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