The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 31 DEATH OF J. B. BEEKMAN. OHIO DEALERS UNITE. tendance at the first meeting, as the Ohio dealers are interested In the association plan. The Former Sales Manager of the Universal Talking Machine Mfg. Co. Passed Away on Monday at Liberty, N. Y. The many fr^iends of J. B. Beekman, recently sales manager of the Universal Talking Machine Manufacturing Co., Newark, N. J., will regret to learn of his death, after a lingering illness, on Monday, Nov. 9, at Liberty, N. Y. The deceased's THE LATE J. B. BBEKMAN. first connection with the trade was as traveling salesman for the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J. Subsequently he became sales manager of the Victor Distributing and Export Co., of New York, when J. T. Williams became the general manager, remaining there until he became connected with the Universal Co. in January of this year. In the same month he started on an extended selling trip, intending to reach the Coast, and then into Mexico and Cuba, coming back via the Atlantic coast States. When Mr. Beekman reached Portland, Ore., in April, however, he was taken seriously ill, and by the advice of his physician he was hurried across the Continent to his home in New York City. Shortly afterward he was taken to Liberty, being a victim of tuberculosis, where his death occurred. The funeral took place Wednesday from his residence here. Mr. Beekman was not only a very successful man in his special line, but was also highly esteemed for his many admirable traits of character. TWO SPECIALTIES OF MERIT Are the Devineau Self-Supporting Horn and the Biophone, a Device Which Allows Discs to be Played on Cylinder Machines. Two of the talking machine novelties made by the Federal Manufacturing Co., Cleveland, O., that have proven very popular with dealers, owing to their practical value, are the Devineau Self-Supporting Horn with repeating attachment, for cylinder machines, and the Devineau Biophone, a device to be attached to cylinder machines and allowing disc records to be played with the same power. The self-supporting horn is made of pure aluminum, and is nearly six feet in circumference, insuring a full volume of sound. The elbow is of ebonite, the middle part being on a swivel so that the sound may be thrown in any direction without moving the machine. The Biophone is very simple in construction, considering the object accomplished, and is operated entirely by friction, this eliminating all gears and belts. It is equipped with aluminum tone arm and patented sound-box, and is said to open an entirely new field to the dealer, i. e., supplying disc records to owners of cylinder machines. Talking Machine Men of the Buckeye State Interested in the Association Plan — Will Meet in Columbus on the 20th — Objects of the Association — Supported by Leading Men. BIG DEAL IN PITTSBURG. standard Talking Machine Co. Buy Out Stock and Fixtures of the Powers & Henry Co. and the Pittsburg Phonograph Co. The Ohio talking machine dealers are taking steps toward the formation of a State association. A number of dealers have favored a move in this direction, and communications have been sent to the trade throughout the State by A. C. CaJacob, of Wapakoneta, with the request that dealers express their views as to the advisability of forming a retail talking machine association for Ohio. Mr. CaJacob says in his letter: "I am firmly of the opinion that the time is now ripe for the retail dealers to get together and form an association on the plan of the Jobbers' Association, which association, as all know, has met with great success. "Not only has the Jobbers' Association greatly benefited the jobbers' interests, but it has in a like measure benefited the manufacturer and the retailer. The success of the organization will not depend so much on the number of its members as it will on the kind of dealers its membership is composed of. "One of the prime objects of the association should be to eliminate 'the little fellow,' whom we know is doing most of the mischief in the way of cutting prices and committing other abuses. Other objects would be two prices for outfits, one for cash and one for instalments, also assistance in tracing stolen goods and forcing payments on accounts that move to another dealer's town, more restriction in the number of selling agents, etc. The exchange of ideas, besides, is sure to make more enthusiastic and better dealei-s." A few have already gone over the matter in Columbus, and a temporary president and secretary were selected, Mr. CaJacob being named for the former office and Mr. Chandler, of the Chandler Phonograph Co., of Chillicothe, the secretary. James F. Bowers, president of the National Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, was in Columbus at the time, and he stated the jobbers would certainly encourage such a move. A committee has been appointed to draft the constitution and by-laws, and this committee is to report at a meeting to be held in Columbus, at the Southern Hotel, on Friday, November 20, at 10 a. m. It is believed that there will be a goodly ai ( Special to The Talking Machine World.) Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 7, 1908. On Nov. 1 the Standard Talking Machine Co., of Pittsburg, Pa., took over and bought out the entire stock of merchandise, fixtures and furniture of the Powers & Henry Co., and the Pittsburg Phonograph Co., of this city. This deal involved some $70,000 and combined with the Standard Talking Machine Co.'s $60,000 worth of merchandise, gives them a combined stock of $130,000, making the Standard Talking Machine Co. the fourth largest talking machine jobber in the United States. It is the intention to run the business under the name of the Standard Talking Machine Co., with our showrooms and main office at 435-437 Wood street, using the former Powers & Henry warehouse at 335-7 Second avenue. The combined Edison record stock will aggregate 175,000 Edison records, and 90,000 Victor records, and it is our intention to push the trade vigorously, and we feel confident that we will be able to fill all record orders complete and ship them the day order is received. A. G. Higgins, formerly traveling representative of the Victor Talking Machine Co., Is now associated with the Standard Co. and he, together with E. G. Bachtell will -continue to call on trade in their interest. We understand that it is the intention of W. E. Henry, of the Powers & Henry Co., to locate in the Illinois oil fields, and that Mr. Wagner, of the Pittsburg Phonograph Co., intends to withdraw from the talking machine business entirely. The former stockholders of the Standard Talking Machine Co. have not been increased by the addition of any outside parties, and none of the Powers & Henry Co. or Pittsburg Phonograph Co. stockholders are at all interested in the Standard Co., they having gone out of the business entirely. The present oflicers of the Standard Co. are: C. F. Haudenshield, president; M. S. Rocereto, vice-president, and J. C. Roush, treasurer and manager. Don't try to do a $20,000 business on a $3,000 capital. Some folks learned better during the past year, and school's still open. A Postal will bring to you our illustrations of over fifty of the finest Music and Record Cabinets on the market this season. If you want the Cabinet trade in your locality, put in a line of our goods, they will sell easily and make a good profit for you. Write to-day. No. 688 Closed Rockford Cabinet Co., 1920-30 12th street, Rockford, 111.