The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 43 talking machine dealers recently. He reported business good and improving. There are seventj'-three moving picture theaters in Cleveland. The building inspector is compelling the proprietors to comply with the safety regulations regarding fire. As a matter of fact, the modern moving picture showmen take the greatest precautions for the safety of their patrons. THE TRADE IN CINCINNATI. Wurlitzer Co. Carrying on Vigorous Advertising Campaign — Political Records Being Pushed — What Manager Dietrich Has to Say — Concerts Given Before Political Clubs — Columbia Co. Make Good Report for August — Milner Music Co. Enthusiastic Over New Edison Amberol Records — llsen Music Co. Stock Being Closed Out — Other News of Interest. (Special to The Talking Machine Vv'orld.) Cincinnati, 0., Sept. 7, 1908. The Wurlitzer Co. have taken the initiative during the past month in keeping the public interested in talking machines and records, with a number of timely window trims and several good advertisements of records. The political campaign records of Taft and Bryan are being put forward vigorously. The call continues stronger for the Bryan records. Whether this may be considered as a straw which indicates the way the wind is blowing cannot yet be determined, say the dealers. But it looks suspicious to them. The past month was only fair in results. The demand for records and for talking machines was not what the dealer would like to have seen. The present month is expected to give a better account of itself, and is confidently looked to as a gauge of what the fall season will produce in the way of trade. Manager Dietricn, of the Wurlitzer talking machine department, had the following to say of trade: "There are two new features that stir up activity in this city. The new Edison machine and records and the new $17 Victor machine. This latter machine places within the reach of all a popular-priced machine, the total cost of which, along with the records, does not go over $20. This will make for active trade along the line. A big trade is predicted by the local dealers, who are enthusiastic about the new Edison goods. All the local dealers signed the new contract which allows the dealer to sell Edison goods only. One dealer who had been established by another cylinder machine distributer, and who took on the Edison goods as a side line, signed the contract, which prohibits him selling the other line. The new Victor O machines, which are now on sale in this city, will undoubtedly increase the large Victor business that now exists. Instalment sales are quite heavy. Dealers are satisfied with the outlook. The record trade is light, and this is hard to explain, as the recent cool nights have driven people indoors." Mr. Hanna, of the National Phonograph Co., was a Wurlitzer visitor for several days. He was here in the interest of the Commercial phonograph. Wurlitzer is the local dealer in this line and displayed a fine line of these instruments in the show window last week, for demonstration purposes. The window has been turned into a modern office, equipped with the commercial phonograph on the one side and the typewriter, which it seeks to supplant, on the other side of the window. Daily demonstrations are given each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the demonstration never fails to attract a large crowd. Dictating and transcribing is done in the window, the purpose, of course, being to show that the phonograph doesn't ever have to stop to ask just what word you used, or to sharpen a pencil, as the stenographer so often does; that the dictator can answer his letters at .once, and if he is called upon by a visitor he doesn't have to keep a stenographer waiting. In short, the machine is a great labor saver. The Wurlitzer Co. have had a fine display of Bryan records, and changed the trim from "The Great Commoner" display of two weeks ago to the present rich display of new Taft records. A big sign, "Ohio's Favorite Son," takes the place of the "Great Commoner." A fine photograph of Mr. Taft placed under an arch, which is draped with the national colors with a semi-circle of red electric lights, makes the trim a very attractive one, and a splendid "silent salesman." Two big Victor machines occupy each side of the window, and a number of records are shown with tlie title of same appended. As indicated above, the demand for the Bryan records have the first call. Why this is so is not yet apparent, but a paragraph which appeared in one of the local papers, the Enquirer, creates some interest. Mr. Bryan, in summarizing wherein he and Mr. Taft and the President agree, goes on to say regarding the phonograph: "But I have reason to rejoice over the fact that some of the things I have done are now viewed in a more favorable light. When I secured some phonograph records in order that I might discuss political questions before more people, the Republican papers ridiculed me and called it undignified, but Mr. Taft has lifted the phonograph to an eminence by talking into it himself." Several concerts have been given by the Wurlitzer Co. before the several political clubs of the city. In each case the company stipulate that the club shall furnish them with a complete list of the names and addresses of the club members, which are used for further reference for prospects. The Columbia Phonograph Co. report trade for the month of August but slightly less than the same month of last year, less than $100, which is considered very good in the light of conditions. Good results are expected in the next thirty days, which will come from the campaign outlined by the executive officers of the company. Wholesale business is a little quiet and the reason for this is not understood, unless It be that the up-State trade is hesitating about buying until conditions become more settled. The acting manager, R. H. Whelen, states that the new Taft records are on the way, and he believes they will enjoy a good sale. The Twentieth Century Columbia machine is said to give great volume to these records, and is in demand now by the political parties who want the candidates' speeches reproduced. The Columbia Phonograph Co. are offering to reproduce these speeches free of charge. The outlook for the present month is good, and will demonstrate the outcome of the season's trade. Manager S. H. Nicholls is spending a two weeks' vacation in the East, taking in Atlantic City, and making a call at headquarters. The Milner Music Co. report Edison trade very good. Manager Strief believes that the new Amberol records, the four-minute record, will be the greatest thing on the market, when they arrive Oct. 1. Collections for the past month were not up to the standard. In this regard Manager Strief bears out the reports had from other dealers. The outlook as a whole is good. W. H. Hug, of the National Phonograph Co., was a Milner Co. visitor last week. The llsen Music Co., which have been in the hands of a receiver for some time, had another bout with the receiver last week, and are now being closed up as fast as the stock can be sold. While the advertisement states that bids would be received up to Saturday, August 29, George llsen says the company are still open to bids. It is generally understood that it will be diflacult to sell the stock as an entirety. Mr. llsen is anxious to clean up the stock and get away from the worry and care attendant upon such sales. He leased his wife's house to Prof. Romeo Gorno, at 1041 Welsey avenue, which the professor will turn into a music studio this week. Mr. llsen has arranged to go to Bat Cave, N. C, there to rest indefinitely — for a month or a year, as fancy dictates. He will reside at Esmeralda Inn. He expresses himself as glad ol the opportunity of a rest from the long years of business cares. LIGHT PRODUCES SOUND. Some Scientific Experiments of Interest to Talking Machine Men. One of the most wonderful discoveries in science that has been made within a year or two is the discovery that a beam of light produces sound. A beam of sunlight is thrown through a lens on a glass vessel that contains lampblack, colored silk or worsted or other substances. A disc having slits or openings cut in it is made to revolve swiftly in this beam of light so as to cut it up, thus making alternate flashes of light and shadow. On putting the ear to the glass vessel strange sounds are heard so long as the flashing beam is falling on the vessel. Recently a more wonderful discovery has been made: A beam of sunlight is caused to pass through a prism, so as to produce what is called the solar spectrum, or rainbow. The disc is turned, and the colored light of the rainbow is made to break through it. Place the ear to the vessel containing the silk, wool or other material. As the colored lights of the spectrum fall upon it, sounds will be given by different parts of the spectrum, and there will be silence in other parts. LOOK AT THE MAP and the Field We Work In IOWA lUUIINOIS MIININBSOTA WISCOINSIIN MISSOURI During the past month we have opened at Des Moines one of the most complete jobbing Victor stocks to be found anywhere. Everything fresh and new from stem to stern. We have over 4,500 square feet of floor space in our new location filled with nothing but Talking Machines and Supplies. Every Record is enveloped the moment it is received and goes out the same day. We are distributers also of the Herzog line of cabinets and carry a most complete line. The attention of the trade is called particularly to the fact that we are EXCLUSIVELY WHOLESALE AND DO NO RETAIL BUSINESS WHATEVER. Any retail order or inquiry received is immediately referred to our dealer in that location for attention. We INVITE A TRIAL OF OUR SERVICE ESPECIALLY IN OUR DES MOINES FIELD. HARGBR <Sj BUISH Victor Jobbers Edison Victor Jobbers Garver Building, DES MOINES, IOWA Security Building, DUBUQUE, IOWA