The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 39 FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS ROOM 806, NO. 156 WABASH AVENUE, E, E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, MANAGER. Interesting Estimate of Amount of Talking Machine Business Done in the Windy City, Which Runs Into Millions — Big Future Looked For — Conditi|0,n,s Much Improved— ■ National Phonograph Co.'s Announcement Causes Much Discussion — What Victor Co. Say Regarding Advisability of Pushing Popular Priced Machines — Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. Give Outing to Employes at Ravinia Park — Big Demand for Fibre Needles — Items of a Personal Nature — Pushing Disc Record Protector— Popularity of Tiz-it Metal Horn Connection— Harger & Blish Open New Jobbing Branch in Des Moines, la. — Handsome New Building for Carstensen & Anson Co. (Special to The Talking Machine Worla.j Chicago, 111., Sept. 7, 1908. So far as my knowledge goes, there has never been an estimate published of the amount of talking machine business done in Chicago in a year. I am able to give conservative figures this month, and they bear witness to the magnitude of the industry. Chicago jobbers ship about $1,600,000 worth of machines each year. This figure, of course, represents the wholesale price to the dealer. In mail order business Chicago easily leads the world. There are three concerns in Chicago who do a business of $500,000 each, and the total business can be conservatively placed at $1,800,000. Another medium for the distribution of talking machines, particularly those of the cheaper class, is the big premium houses. The annual business done by these houses in talking machines alone is estimated at $1,000,000. The strictly retail business of Chicago is also important.-^ The amount of business done direct from stores, both in the downtown and outlying districts is approximately $500,000 per annum. In all but the first and third of the above items, those of the regular jobbers and the premium houses, the standard of calculation is, of course, the price to the consumer. No one can scan the above figures and believe for a moment that the talking machine business shows the slightest signs of decline. On the other hand, judging from the plans being made by sales managers East and West, and by inventive brains both West and East, engaged even now in the origination of new and valuable devices and processes, the talking machine industry, even of the near future, will be established on a firmer and more extensive basis than ever. Indications point to a good normal fall trade. Dealers everywhere are making noises like orders and stocking up is proceeding merrily on every hand. With the jobbers August was a much better month than July, and September so far is more than keeping pace. Retail business in Chicago is also already showing signs of revival. Naturally the big topic of discussion of the month is the National Phonograph Co.'s announcement that hereafter dealers cannot handle other makes of cylinder machines and records if they wish to retain the Edison line. Little knots of men are discovered everywhere talking the matter over pro and con. But the Edison Co. is not responsible for the only revolutionary announcement in this issue, as dealers who do not confine themselves to the cyclonic utterances of the brilliant Chicago correspondent will soon discover. In this connection one is inspired to inquire whether there is necessarily anything unworthy about a two-faced record. Dealers often question the advisability of pushing popular-priced machines. In this connection something that the Victor Co. has to say in a circular announcing that the Victor O, a splendid substitute for their Z, may be found interesting: "Our distributers and dealers must recognize the fact that tens of thousands will buy this $17.50 Victor, and thousands upon thousands of records will be sold if they will go after this popular-priced field. Don't imagine when you sell a $17.50 Victor that you lose the sale of a $25 or $30 style. Our American public are not built that way. You can't keep them from spending $25 or $30 for a Victor if they have got it in their pocket by showing them a $17.50 style, and you can't sell a $25 or $50 style to a man that only has $17.50 to spend. We want our cheaper goods made popular. They are but a stepping stone to a higher-priced style, and we do not feel that we are jeopardizing our business in the slightest by insisting upon your giving the cheaper styles all the prominence that is their due. Remember, one hundred people go to see vaudeville at 25 and 50 cents per seat, where one goes to see grand opera at $5 per seat." The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. gave an outing at Ravinia Park to the employes and iheir families and sweethearts last Saturday afternoon. The company bore all the expenses, including a special car on the Northwestern to the park and return, and admissions to the park, Thomas concert and the Donald Robertson players. There were 73 in the party, and they certainly had an enjoyable afternoon and evening.' There were several special guests, and these were entertained by Mr. Uhl at an informal luncheon at the Casino. The rest took their luncheons with them and banqueted in style on the green sward. The afternoon was crowded with athletic events, but main interest clustered around the ball game between the married and single men. The score was 16 to 12 in favor of the singles. A marked feature was the strong pitching of Ernest Hartman, of the single men's team. A great number of long hits were made on each side, and the fielding of Thomas Clancy at first base stood out prominently. The excellent base running of the married men was especially commented on by the spectators. Fred Siemon, catcher of the married men's team, was so anxious to get a foul that he threw off his glove instead of his mask, with disastrous results. The game was watched with intense interest by hundreds of the elite of Chicago, who were in attendance on account of the Gads Hill benefit. Mention should not be finest salesroom and stockroom in America, by illustrations and data shortly to appear, ders to us. He will have service that is omitted of the work of Umpire E. H. Uhl, which has been the subject of a great deal of praise. No one questioned his decisions, but whether this was due to their impartial nature or because he was the boss of the ranch and held in the hollow of his hand their workaday jobs deponent knoweth not. The other events of the afternoon, together with the winners of the prizes were as follows: Men's Running Race — Henry Glass, automatic department, fountain pen. Ladies' Running Race — Miss Margaret Caldwell, of the office force, gold broocti set with pearls. Men's Bag Race — Lawrence Schofield, nephew of the great General Schofield, pair gold cuff links. Ladies' Bag Race — Mrs. Hugh Roberts, of retail force, pair of gold cuff links. Three-legged Race — Tie. Ernest Hartman and Frank Zarobsky, solid gold scarf pins. Young Ladies' Running Race — Miss Sara Lessick, a box of handkerchiefs. Boys' Running Race — Double tie. William Beutelspach and Frank Zarobsky, a box of linen handkerchiefs. The entire arrangements for the day were under the management of Fred A. Siemon, assistant to Mr. Uhl, and he had an able lieutenant in J. E. Kurtzenknabe. Arthur D. Geissler, general manager of tne Talking Machine Co., is now on a visit to his old stamping ground, the Pacific Coast. He is expected back in a few days. The Salter Mfg. Co., of this city, will introduce to the trade next month something unique and meritorious in the way of record cabinets. The B. & H. Fibre Needle Co. are having a most excellent demand for their fiber needles for disc talking machines. They are about to bring out a new fiber needle that will even mark an advance over their excellent product now on the market. The company have simply myriads of letters from users, dealers and jobbers everywhere, all testifying to the excellence of the fiber needle. It has certainly done much to bring the talking machine into its own, artistically^speaking. . f J. F. Bowers, president of the National Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, has returned from Asbury Park, N. J., accompanied by his How well we have succeeded will be shown Meanwhile every dealer should send his or facilities for the handling of Victor and Edison business. We have employed a large force of carpenters, painters, etc., all summer in making our great 5th floor over into the largest AND