The talking machine world (July-Dec 1923)

40 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD September 15, 1923 A Dancing Son^ "You can't ^o-wron_^ Wit h any FElSTsorg" Words by Music by GUS KAHN WALTER DONALDSON Ive^gt a fe&Iin^ that I'll soon be a-steal-in^ to Vir ^in ia, © LEO.FEISTmc n.y.c. A NEW FIELD FOR WOMEN'S WORK Howard, Farwell & Co. Use Woman to Adjust All Complaints and to Follow Up New Sales in Order to Keep the Customers Satisfied With the Musical Instruments Sold Them Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 4. — Tell your perplexities to the attractive young woman in the picture. Miss Myrtle McLaughlin or "Mac," Myrtle McLaughlin as she is known, smooths out perplexities and adjusts complaints for purchasers from the St. Paul, Minn., store of Howard, Farwell & Co. Her position is quite unique, representing service in one of its most attractive forms. Shortly after a piano or high-grade Victrola is purchased "Mac" and her smile appear at the customer's door, ready to help in playerpiano operation, Victrola operation and to ascertain if the purchase is proving as satisfactory as the purchaser expected it to be. Her services are particularly appreciated by player-piano purchasers. Her prompt appearance and her offers of continued help from Howard, Farwell's service department are winning many friends for the store, as well as the many live new prospects. When a prospect materializes into a purchaser. Miss McLaughlin introduces the friend who suggested the prospect to a wonderful array of premiums, including 1847 Rogers' silverware, a set of dishes, a half dozen Phoenix hose, watches, clocks, cigarette cases, etc. These premiums are available to anyone who has suggested a prospect who buys either a piano or Victrola. When not engaged cementing the company's and customers' good-will, Miss McLaughlin takes a musical census which yields the firm a list of prospects. Charles P. Wagner, assistant treasurer of the company, heads the service department and was chiefly responsible for the creation of the post of field representative which Miss McLaughlin fills so capably and successfully. It is possible that some other concerns have carried out the idea to a greater or less degree in certain instances, but it is doubtful if in any single instance the policy has been followed out as consistently as in the case of Howard, Farwell & Co. The plan has passed the experimental stage and has proved of definite value not only in cementing friendship between the house and its customers, but in bringing in actual business through direct sales and the securing of actual prospects as well as satisfying the customers. The success of the work is due in no small measure to the pleasing personality of Miss McLaughlin, who has firmly established her faculty for securing satisfaction for the complaining customer and turning him into a firm friend of her company. JOHN CHAS. THOMAS IN LONDON Well-Known Tenor Sails to Fill Special Engagement at Albert Hall John Charles Thornas, the well-known tenor and Vocalion record artist who recently completed his work as movie star in the new Cosmopolitan film "Under the Red Robe," has sailed for England for a short rest prior to his appearance in recital at Albert Hall, London, on September 30. Mr. Thomas will sail from England on October 3 in order to appear in recital at Aeolian Hall, New York, on the 14th of that month. PHONOGRAPH CASES RADIO CASES Reinforced 3 -ply Veneer The Standard Case for Talking Machines and Radio Sets Let ua figure on your requirements MADE BY PLYWOOD CORPORATION, Goldsboro, N. C. MilU in Va., N. C *nd S. C PAUL SPECHT_WELCOMED HOME Head of Columbia Recording Organization Given Dinner on Evening of August 20 Paul Specht and His Orchestra were the guests of honor at a dinner given late in August by the representatives of music industries, including music publishers, songwriters and others, at the club rooms of the National Vaudeville Artists, 225 West Forty-sixth street, New York. This famous orchestra arrived in New York recently on the S.S. "Aquitania" after spending eight weeks in London in appearances at Lyons' New Corner House, the largest restaurant in the world, the Empress Rooms of the Royal Palace Hotel and the Coliseum and Alhambra theatres of London. The success of Paul Specht and His Orchestra in London was sensational, and the orchestra returned to New York to open an engagement at the Alamac Hotel, Seventy-second street and Broadway, New York, beginning September IS. At the dinner E. C. Mills, chairman of the M. P. P. A., officiated as toastmaster, and among the guests were many prominent members of the theatrical and musical worlds. Bird S. Coler, Commissioner of Welfare of the City of New York, represented the city administration, and George W. Hopkins, vice-president and general sales manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., was also one of the speakers of the evening. Paul Specht and His Orchestra make Columbia records exclusively. ARMSTRONG CO. DAMAGED BY FIRE Newark Piano House Suffered Smoke and Water Loss — Reconstruction Under Way A considerable part of the stock of the Armstrong Piano Co., 587 Broad street, Newark, N. J., was damaged by smoke and water in a recent fire, which started on the floor above its showrooms. According to estimates, the total damage, which aflfected two or three adjacent stores, exceeded $15,000, but that suflfered by the Armstrong store was covered in the main by insurance. The stock from the showrooms, including many expensive Knabe grands and Ampicos, has been transferred to the stockroom of the Lauter Piano Co., at 14 Central avenue. Workmen are already busy repairing the damage caused by the fire, the ceiling of the establishment having been considerably damaged. The work is being rushed and the store will be reoccupied in a month or so. ROY L. ALEXANDER TO OPEN STORE Salinas, Cal., August 28. — Arrangements are now being made by Roy L. Alexander to establish himself in a music and stationery business here about September 1. He recently leased the premises on the easterly side of Main street, near Gabilan, and his stock and fixtures have already been ordered.