The talking machine world (Apr-June 1921)

The Talking: Machine World Vol. J 7. No. 4 New York, April 15, 1921 Price Twenty-five Cents HARRY A. BEACH JOINS THE UNIT CONSTRUCTION CO. Manager of Traveling Department of the Victor Co. Resigns to Become Vice-President of Unit Construction Co. — This Appointment Makes No Change in the Existing "Unico" Organization Philadelphia, Pa., April 6.— Harry A. Beach, for many years manager of the traveling department of the Victor Talking Machine Co., resigned that position on March 31 to become vice-president of the Unit Construction Co. of this city, producers of the nationally known Unico system of musical merchandising. Mr. Beach carries into his new field of endeavor an intimate knowledge and keen appreciation of the merchandising requirem-ents of Victor dealers whose interests he will continue to serve. More than seventeen years have elapsed since he first became identified with the Victor industry and for the past ten years he has been a member of throughout the United States gives him an insight into retail conditions which will be invaluable in connection with the program of the Unit Construction Co. to place Unico service on a plane of constructive efficiency heretofore unequaled. The appointment of Mr. Beach makes no change in the existing organization of the Unit Construction Co., which remains under the able guidance of Rayburn Clark Smith as president, the personnel of the executive staff being as follows: Rayburn Clark Smith, president; Harry A. Beach, vice-president; Elton E. Sullivan, treasurer; Alfred Sparing, assistant treasurer; Frank L. Rice, secretary and purchasing agent; A. E. Catersoh, traffic manager; August O. Mayer, general sales manager; George A. Lyons, assistant sales manager; Arthur W. ]3eas, Chicago office manager; J. N. Hallinan, New York office manager; H. C. Baish, Atlantic district manager; Charles Clement, sales service manager; Clarence W. Reid, production engineer; Clyde L. Musselman, factory superintendent. The co-ordination of Mr. Beach with this staff means that the high standard already established for Unico products as a result of eight years' development will not only be maintained' but even still greater accomplishment in the field of musical merchandising may be looked for from the Unit Co. TALKING MACHINE EXPORTS GROW Harry A. Beach the Victor executive staff at Camden. As manager of the Victor traveling department since 1918 he has been most successful in putting into effect the constructive trade-building policies for which the Victor Co. is noted. During his connection with the Victof industry he has witnessed its growth from its inception to its present magnitude. The appointment of Mr. Beach as vice-president is in keeping with the policy of the Unit Construction Co. in the advancement of Unico service and his influence and able advice will in no sense be lost to the members of the Victor trade. His personal contact with the trade Exports, Including Records, for Seven Months Ending January, 1921, Total $4,289,255 Washington, D. C, April 5. — In the summary of exports and imports of the United States for the month of January, 1921 (the latest period for which it has been compiled), which has just been issued, the following figures on talking machines and records are presented. The dutiable imports of talking machines and parts during January, 1921, amounted in value to $50,655, as compared with $102,657 worth which were imported during the same month of 1920. The seven months' total ending January, 1921, showed importations valued at $474,920, A special effort will be made during the annual convention of the National Association of Music Merchants in Chicago during the week of May 9 to organize the retail talking machine and phonograph dealers of the country into a national association in line with the proposals made by the Music Trades Association of Southern California and sent to the various local associations of talking machine men by the secretary, A. G. Farquiharson, of Los Angeles. It has been urged that delegates from the various local associations attend the Chicago convention to consider the formation of a national body. The National Association of Music Merchants, whose membership scarcely contains a single merchant who does not sell phonographs, has decided to give its fullest co-operation to the movement to organize all the retail talking machine dealers nationally. A special session of the national convention 'in Chicago will be devoted to phonograph and talking machine interests and a program for special discussion is being prepared. The general plan of a program selling as compared with $459,684 worth of talking machines and parts during the same period of 1920. Talking machines to the number of 6,194, valued at $281,925, were exported in January, 1921, as compared with 5,980 talking machines, valued at $371,202, sent abroad in the same period of 1920. The seven months' total showed that we exported 53,467 talking machines, valued at $2,369,766, as against 44,907 talking machines, valued at $1,982,326, in 1920, and 26,391 talking machines, valued at $779,606, in 1919. The total exports of records and supplies for January, 1921, were valued at $222,498, as compared with $364,181 in January, 1920. For the seven months ending January, 1921, records and accessories were exported valued at $1,919,489; in 1920, $2,278,345, and in 1919, $1,540,787. RETAIL DEALERS MAY FORM A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION Many Important Subjects of Interest to Be Taken Up for Consideration at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Music Merchants to Be Held in Chicago During Week of May 9 helps, which has been announced for the Music Merchants' Convention, will be followed during this session. Competent speakers on selling helps in the phonograph field will be on the program of this special session, which will be the closing feature of the merchants' program. Innmediately following these speakers the meeting will be given to the organization of the retail talking machine interests. The idea in many minds that the present National Association is for piano merchants alone is one that its officers are anxious to correct. "Our name was changed two years ago to the National Association of Music Merchants," said Secretary Dennis, in announcing the proposed feature of the convention program. "Our constitution was revised and our membership may include dealers in phonographs and all forms of musical merchandise. We realize that tliere are many exclusive phonograpli dealers who have not yet a full understanding of our work and we hope they will join our association. If not, we would like to see them organizeseparately." VOCALION CANADIAN DISTRIBUTORS Scythes Vocalion Co. Appointed Exclusive Distributors in Canada for the Vocalion Products — E. C. Scythes Heads the Organization Announcement has been made by the Aeolian Co. that in future the Vocalion and Vocalion Red records will be distributed in Canada by the Scythes Vocalion Co., Toronto, recently organized with E. C. Scythes as president. Mr. E. C. Scythes Scythes is well known in the Canadian trade, having been for many years vice-president and general manager of the Nordheimer Piano & Music Co., Ltd. He also spent several years in V\'innipeg. At the present time he is president of the Canadian Piano Manufacturers' Association, and has taken a prominent part in other trade organizations. For some time Mr. Scythes has been negotiating with the Aeolian Co. and the contract has now been concluded whereby the Scythes VocaHon Co. has the exclusive right to import and manufacture Vocalion products in Canada. As a result a Vocalion phonograph and records of Canadian production will be a reality, with deliveries being made from headquarters in Toronto. The temporary location of the Scythes Vocalion Co. is in the Nordheimer Building, at the corner of Yonge and Albert streets, Toronto, where the Vocalion headquarters in Canada have been located for the past three or four years. In a short time Mr. Scythes expects to announce a permanent address with warehouse accommodations sufficient to carry stock that will provide for immediate deliveries of all orders. Having been "for four years intimately associated with the Aeolian Co. in n;arketing the Vocalion lines in Canada, Mr. Scythes is very enthusiastic over his proposition. Not the least important announcement made by Mr. Scythes is the appearance of the dollar Vocalion record in the Dominion of Canada. See closing pages for Index of Articles of Interest in this issue of The World