The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 53 MILWAUKEE'S BUDGET OF NEWS. Supplying Heavy Demand for New Styles of Machines, Records and Attachments Keep Trade Busy — New Columbia Style Creates Interest — Association Formed by Dealers — Those Interested — A. D. Herriman's Clever Sign — Victor Entertains Crowds at State Fair — George Huseby Closes Branch — Other Interesting Trade News. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 8, 1908. The question of securing the trade is not so important to Milwaukee dealers just at this time as the matter of being able to supply the demands of the trade. Wholesalers in practically all lines are experiencing the greatest difficulty in securing stocks, especially in the new machines and equipment, from their factories, and this fact is proving to be a serious obstacle just at the time when retailers all over the State are hustling to restock in preparation for the fall trade, which is already under way. It seems to be the natural thing that both retailere and trade are interested in the latest in the talking machine field, and wholesalers say that the factories are taxed to the utmost. Demand for the new Edison attachments and new four-minute Amberol records is exceeding all expectations of wholesalers and retailers, and the greatest trouble in securing stocks seems to be experienced in this line. The new styles of the Victor and the Columbia, together with the new double records, are creating no end of interest, and demand is greater than the supply. General business is very satisfactory. The wholesale trade is still in excess of retail, owing to the fact that dealers are still ordering heavily in anticipation of heavy sales this fall and early winter. The retail trade is showing decidedly more life and great things are being looked for, not only in the Milwaukee field, but all over Wisconsin. Dealers are contrasting the bright prospects now in view compared with the dark outlook of a year ago. Money is especially plentiful in Wisconsin, owing to the abundant crops and the excellent prices which are being received. General manufacturing is now estimated to be at about 80 per cent, of the normal, confidence is being fast restored, and little fear is being held concerning the' outcome of the fall elections. Dealers say that they were never better pleased with the outlook than at the present time. The new B. Y. style Columbia has just arrived in Milwaukee and is creating considerable interest in the talking machine field. The machine comes in a mahogany cabinet, with an extra heavy spring and a 12-inch turntable, all of which are factors in its future success, say some of the dealers. The machine is listed at $G5, a half-way price between the $50 and the $100 Columbia, and indications are that this will be a popular inducement to the buyer. Milwaukee talking machine dealers have formed an association for the purpose of mutual protection and regulation of sales and prices. The need of such an organization has been felt for some time, and it is expected that it will be successful from the start. The organization was perfected recently by a gathering of some of the dealers at the establishment of Lawrence McGreal, 174-176 Third street, preceded by a dinner at the Plankington House. Officers of the new association elected are as follows: President, E. B. Gennerich; secretary, Harry W. Krienitz; treasurer, C. C. Warner. Others present were George Huseby, Charles H. Iddings, Simon Goerke, George H. Eichholz, E. P. Piasecki, P. C. Struebing, and A. B. Mallott. Present plans are for the holding of business meetings fortnightly during the coming winter. Arrangements are also being completed for the formation of a State association among Wisconsin dealers, and it is expected that the new organization will be completed by Christmas. A. D. Herriman, Milwaukee manager of the Columbia lines, is well known for his hustling ideas of advertising and business push, and his latest innovation is proving to be a winner as a business-getter. The well-known manager has constructed a large portable sign which relates the Columbia plan of $1 weekly payment for machines, and each day this is taken by a couple of salesmen in a rig down into the factory districts. A Columbia machine and a line of records are stored away in the rig, which is always on hand as the factory force of some of the big plants emerge at the dinner hour. The Columbia machine "gets busy," the salesmen talk, and the sign speaks for itself, and the result is that the plan is daily selling machines to the working classes of Milwaukee. Industrial conditions in the city are fast returning to the normal basis, money is becoming more plentiful with the workingman now that he has plenty of work, and he is feeling more inclined to become interested in "talkers." One of the most popular places at the recent Wisconsin State Pair, held in Milwaukee, was the headquarters of the Milwaukee Daily News, where a Victor machine from the establishment of Lawrence McGreal, 174-176 Third street, entertained the busy crowds with extracts from the speeches of William Jennings Bryan. The voice of the orator could be plainly heard across the street, and there were some interesting scenes about the tent. "Why, I don't see Mr. Bryan," said one woman who had met the Democratic leader during one of his Wisconsin visits. The multitude laughed while the woman crowded her way into the tent expecting to see Mr. Bryan. The new Columbia double records have made a decided hit in Milwaukee, and the only thing that is troubling dealers is the fact that they are unable to secure the new records fast enough to satisfy the demand. "The new double records are bound to be a big thing," said A. D. Herriman, Milwaukee manager for the Columbia Co. "Any number of the dealers are interested in the records, and all are most enthusiastic over the future of the records. The 100 samples that we received went in one day, and now we are waiting for more. The Columbia Taft records have been selling and inquiries are arriving for the new Bryan records. Business has been tip-top for the past month, and the prospects are that the month of October will be a winner for the Columbia in Wisconsin territory." C. H. Wilson, general manager of the National Phonograph Co., recently spent a day with his friend, Lawrence McGreal, the genial Milwaukee jobber and retailer. George Huseby, well known retailer of the Victor and Edison lines, has discontinued his Grand avenue establishment and has removed part of his stock to the main store at 454 Grove street. Mr. Huseby has opened a new establishment on the fourth floor of the Enterprise building, where an exclusive talking machine line will be handled. A new Auxetophone, recently sold to the Plankington Hotel, in Milwaukee, by Lawrence McGreal, is arousing considerable interest among the patrons of the well-known hostelry. The Auxetophone is being used in connection with Bach's Symphony Orchestra, and is proving to be a most valuable adjunct. Only the Red Seal records are being used. The senior member of Paulus Bros., well-known talking machine dealers of Manitowoc, Wis., in company with his wife, were recent Milwaukee visitors. Sales of the new October records on all machines are proving to be very satisfactory. Demand is good for both the Taft and Bryan records as the campaign advances, and the recent visit of both candidates to Milwaukee has aroused more interest in the line than formerly. Dealers all over the State are most optimistic over the future of the new Edison Amberol records, and the trade in general seems to be enthusiastic over these records. The new double records of the other companies promise to be winners also, judging from present sales and inquiries. Lawrence Lucker, head of the Minnesota Phonograph Co., of Minneapolis, recently stopped over in Milwaukee while on his way home from an eastern trip. The first two machines of the new Victor O. style to be sold in Milwaukee were recently disposed of by the Hoeffler Mfg. Co. through J. H. Becker, Jr., manager of the talking machine department. Mr. Becker is enthusiastic over the prospects of the new machine and believes that sales in the line are to be heavy. Mr. Becker is now personally superintending the Edison business phonograph line because of his close intimacy with the trade and his intricate knowledge of the machine. Some very flattering sales to some of the leading manufacturing companies of Milwaukee have been made, among them the Cutler-Hammer Co., where two machines were placed. Mr. Becker has placed a machine on trial at the offices of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., of "^Milwaukee, and present indications are that several machines will be disposed of here and an entry made into a most profitable and valuable field. Lawrence McGreal, jobber and retailer at 174176 Third street, recently made an over-Sunday visit at the home of his father-in-law, at Dixon, 111. Mr. McGreal was accompanied by Hughie, 1 A Tip: Live Issues for Season 1908=1909! Victor Machines and Double Discs Columbia Indestructible Cylinders <]f Dealers will find tHese tHe money makers for the coming season. <]f It always pays to keep in touch with — BENJ. SWITKV, :2T East 14th Street, New Vork VICTOR AND irVDEISTRUCXIBLE JOBBER