The talking machine world (Apr-June 1921)

April IS, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 77 thoroughly familiar with conditions in their localities, are decidedly encouraging. They show the farmers are planning to go ahead raising close to hundred per cent crops, but they are buying less farm machinery of all kinds and fewer automobiles. Savings accounts show on an average about 15 per cent increase and the checking accounts a somewhat smaller increase. Notwithstanding the farmers' troubles, however, the sale of talking machines have kept up very well in these sections. Manager P. H. Oelman, of the Edison Co., says his house is getting excellent results from the "tone test" tours which are being conducted by Hardy Williamson and the Fleming Sisters Trio. The tours started at Charleston, W. Va., and included towns in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Mr. Oelman says the month of March was closed with the unusual record of being the best month since December. Usually, he says, January leads, with February and March falling behind. This year things have reversed and March shows up very much better than either of the other two months. He cites their experience as an indication of the business trend and believes there is every reason to take a cheerful outlook. Mr. Oelman attributes part of the Edison success to keeping up public interest in the line of news values of the company's advertisements. F. F. Dawson Tells of Progress F. F. Dawson, president of the Sterling Roll & Record Co., 137 West Fourth street, returned recently from a visit to Pittsburgh, where he completed arrangements whereby the Pittsburg'h branch of the company will occupy quarters at 436 Fourth avenue. Mr. Dawson made arrangements for subleasing the present quarters at 434 Fourth avenue and, according to present plans, the company will be located in its new home in Pittsburgh by May 1. Mamie Smith, popular Okeh artist, accompanied by her jazz band, will appear on April 16 in this city at the Music Hall, and, judging by the demand for tickets for this concert, the house will be sold out well in advance of the date of the performance. On April 15 Mamie Smith and her band will appear at Memorial Hall in Dayton and it is expected that she will go from Cincinnati to Columbus, appearing in that city on April 18. The Sterling Roll & Record Co. is co-operating with Okeh dealers in every possible way in exploiting the concerts given by this well-known Okeh artist. R. C. Swing, of the Crystola Co., does not look for any great improvement in the talking machine trade until there is a general resumption of business and money becomes easier. Manager F. F. Dawson, of the Sterling Roll & Record Co., reports the best month in its history and says reports from dealers are very encouraging. Mr. Dawson is another Cincinnati shipper who has been using the river for shipments to points in Kentucky, West Virginia and Indiana and finds that he not only saves on cost, but dealers get their goods within a day or two, whereas if the goods had been shipped by rail it would have taken anywhere from one to two weeks. Baldwin Co. Increases Sales Force Manager McLauighlin, of the talking machine department of the Baldwin Co., has added Walter Potune, formerly of Boston; Frank J. Grievenkamp; Harry Kennedy, formerly of Biloxi, Miss., and George Sheets to his sales force and is preparing to make a big drive for business this month. Sales have kept up during the month, but he believes there is an unlimited amount of business that can be had by going after it, and he is determined to go after it. Robert Morris, who has been with the company as salesman for about a year and who recently turned down an offer from another talking machine company, is credited with turning in the most new business for the month. A sale during the last week in the month, when miniature Victor dogs were given to customers, brought 1,100 people into the store and resulted in many new sales. Miss Florence McMahon has been attending the Victor educational conference at Chicago and will probably be put in charge of the new educational department which the Baldwin Co. is planning to open in connection with its talking machine business. Miss McMahon already has done some excellent educational work in the local schools. Sam Mesh, manufacturing a talking machine, now at 239 Walnut street, has just leased the southeast corner of Pearl and Vine streets for his business. DINNER GIVEN TO GRANBY FORCE Newport News, Va., April 2. — A very delightful dinner was given by the factory management of the Granby Phonograph Corp. to its foremen on Saturday, March 26, at the Hotel Warwick. This dinner is a monthly affair inaugurated some time ago to serve as a stimulus to production and to afford an opportunity to discuss conditions throughout the plant. This last meeting proved very successful, as there were many suggestions made which will result in improving the already high quality of the Granby phonograph. All present expressed themselves as having enjoyed and been greatly benefited by attending this pleasing affair. EDDY BROWN MARRIES Famous Violinist and Columbia Star Weds Miss Helena Bruzezna in Greenwich, Conn. Announcement was recently made of the marriage in Greenwich, Conn., of Eddy Brown, the famous violinist, and Miss Helena Bruzezna. The bride is a descendant of the Polish family of Modjeska and came to this country only a year ago. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are now touring the South on an extended honeymoon. Eddy Brown, who is one of the foremost violinists of the younger generation, makes records exclusively for the Columbia Graphophone Co. and these records have been enthusiastically received by music lovers everywhere. His concert tours have attained signal success and he is regarded as one of the most talented violinists now appearing on the concert stage. Faith Builds Success |NLY when one possesses faith in the line of merchandise which he handles, will success result from his efforts. Every Victor dealer has absolute faith in the merchandise which he is selling, because it represents the very highest quality obtainable. Victor supremacy is indisputable. CURTIS N. ANDREWS Victor Wholesaler BUFFALO, NEW YORK