The talking machine world (July-Dec 1923)

94 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD October 15, 1923 IN DES MOINES Fall Buying on in Earnest — Trade Looking Forward to Very Busy Holiday Season — Trade Changes, Visitors and Other Activities Des Moines, Ia., October 6. — Fall buying in the talking machine trade has begun at a lively rate, according to local jobbers. Although it is a little early in the season for the peak of the volume to be attained, early buyers are placing comparatively large orders. All orders received so far show substantial increases over those placed by the same dealers last year. This is interpreted by jobbers to mean that dealers' stocks are very low and that 1923 business has cleaned out most of the old stock in the dealers' hands. There is every indication of a big business this Fall and Winter, according to local jobbers and retailers. There is a healthier note in business than was evident a year ago. Dealers are buying with good judgment, but are not overcautious as some were last year. Record sales show the same healthy increase as the machine business. The weekly release plan adopted by Edison, Brunswick and Victor has been partially responsible for the better demand for records. Dealers like the plan, as it gives them new offerings to feature each week. Since the Victor Co. adopted the plan a few weeks ago there has been a substantial increase in the sale of Victor records. Console models continue to retain their popularity with the trade. This has extended to the rural districts and is reflected in Fall orders of dealers. A large percentage of the out-of town dealers are including a fair percentage of these models in their orders. H. H. Blish, Jr., of Harger & Blish, local Edison jobbers, returned the first part of September with the winning delegation of Edison dealers. All report a thoroughly enjoyable time on the extended trip through the East. Harger & Blish report that the contest was very successful in that it stimulated dealers to dispose of machines on hand and clean up their stock before placing Fall orders. Among Edison dealers calling at the Harger & Blish establishment the past month were E. A. Thomas, Hartley, la.; J. F. Shuey, Jefferson, la.; C. R. Quade, Ames, la., and G. B. Baker, Ottumwa, la. W. D. Duning, of the Duning Co., jobber of Starr machines, returned the latter part of September from a business trip through the northwestern part of Iowa, where he found the trade in an optimistic mood. W. O. Walker, who travels northeast Iowa for Mickel Bros., announces that he is the proud parent of a baby girl. Harry A. Dixon has purchased the Victor stock of a retired dealer at North Platte, Nebr., and will continue the Victor business at that place. Willard Brewster has assumed charge of the record department of the Ross P. Curtice Co., Victor dealer, in Lincoln, Nebr. DES MOINES VICTOR DEALERS MEET Instructive Sessions and Interesting Talks Mark Sixth Annual Meeting of Iowa Victor Dealers' Association — New Officers Elected Des AIoines, Ia., October 6. — While the sixth annual gathering of the Iowa Victor Dealers' Association, which met here recently, had its attendance retarded somewhat, what it lacked in numbers was made up by enthusiasm. Rainy weather kept many of the Victor dealers of the State from attending, but those present found a most interesting and instructive program arranged. Jilonday, September 17, was devoted mostly to renewing old acquaintances and making new friends. Frank H. Walter, of the Morris Sanford Co., Cedar Rapids, read an exceedingly interesting paper on the subject, "The Record Overstock Situation," and told of a number of clever ideas for the disposal of surplus records, based on results from his own store. An interesting discussion was made by Mrs. Jesse Vance, of Mason City, la., on the question of operating a musical instrument department in connection with a Victor store. Airs. Vance conducts one of the most successful music stores in the northern part of the State and her talk was based on actual experience. A debate was held on the question of the Victor club plan. The affirmative side held that the Victor club plan was entirely successful as a business stimulator and won the decision of the judges on their able presentation. L. R. Spencer, of Iowa City, la., chose the subject, "The Value of Organization Among the Victor Dealers" for his talk and told of some of the helpful ideas he had received from attending the conventions and how he adopted them very successfully in his own business. The question of radio and the talking machine dealer was taken up by C. E. LeBlatt, of Clinton, la., who gave his experiences covering several years in developing the radio branch of his business. D. Earl Combs spoke on the negative side of the question. The Victor Co. was represented by C. L. Enger, who told something of the care exercised in the manufacture of Victrolas and the plans of the Victor Co. for the following 3'ears. He also was called upon to answer a number of questions pertaining to the new marketing policies of the company. His talk straightened II ^11 FY'^ GRAPHITE PHONO * J SPRING LLBRICANT Ilsley's Lubricant makes the Motor make good. Is prepared in the proper consistency, will not run out, dry up or become sticky or rancid. Remains in its original form indefinitely. Put up in 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50-pound cans for dealers. This lubricant is also put up in 4-ounce cans to retail at 25 cents each under the trade name of FTTRFKA NOISELESS talking J-i^ JVJ-i«.n. MACHINE LUBRICANT Write for special prc-t'osition to jobbers ILSLEY-DOUBLEDAY & CO.. 229-231 Front St., NewYork out a number of things regarding the new Red Seal double-faced records which have puzzled dealers. A feature of the Tuesday morning session was a talk by Professor Bristol, of Iowa State College. Professor Bristol's talk was based on a recent survey of the State in a number of different lines of business. George E. Mickel, of Mickel Bros., Victor jobbers, was called upon for a short talk and spoke on the subject, "The Outlook for Fall and Holiday Business." John Vance and Mort Duncan each spoke on some of the problems encountered in present-day business and how solutions to these problems were found. R. S. Boas, of Rock Island, 111., delivered a talk preparatory to an open discussion on the subject, "Which is Best — Outside Selling, Store Selling or the Combination?" In the discussion that followed many dealers joined in and gave incidents based on actual experience. Mickel Bros. Co. entertained the visitors at a dinner held Monday evening, followed by a theatre party. At the business session of the convention the following officers were elected; Mark W. Duncan, Albia, president; Earl E. Alason, Valley Junction, vice-president, and Frank H. Walter, Cedar Rapids, secretar3'-treasurer. FT. WAYNE FIRM CHANGES NAME Spiegel Sonora Shop Incorporates and Changes Name to Spiegel Music Co. Ft. Wayne, Ind., October 6. — The Spiegel Music Co., 1223 Calhoun street, this city, which was formerly known as the Spiegel Sonora Shop, was recently incorporated under the laws of this State and the name changed to the above. The concern has one of the most attractive stores in this * vicinity. ■ There are ten booths for the demonstration of machines and records and the whole interior has been pleasingly decorated in old ivory. Miss Ida Pickmeyer is president and general manager of the concern and has been in active charge of the business for the last two j'ears. Brunswick and Sonora phonographs are handled. The W. J. Sannebeck Music Co., Ale.xico, Mo., has secured the Brunswick agency in that city, following the dissolution of the business of the Taylor Music Co., which formerly handled that line. Id LA OTP NEWWiSON RECORD COMPARISON WITH THE LIV1.\G .\RTIST REVEALS NO DIFFERENCE HARGER & BLISH DES MOINES