The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 45 FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS ROOM 806, NO. 156 WABASH AVENUE, E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, MANAGER. Dealers Accept New Propositions Offered by Big Companies — Result of Election Increases Optimism — Some Recent Visitors of Prominence— Will Oakland Pleased With Records — Scarcity of Amberol Records and Attachments Relieved — 0. E. Goodwin on Trade Conditions — Better Machines Have the Call — Travelers Make Good Reports — Columbia Business Good — Increase Facilities for Manufacturing Economy and Perfection Record Racks — New Universal Edison Business Phonograph Shown — Changes at Lyon & Healy's — Hopkins With Oliver Typewriter Co. — Fibre Needles Help Record Sales — Eckland in New Field — Otto Gives Political Debate With Victor — Coon Records Cause Trouble — Other Interesting Trade News of the Month Worth Recording. (Special to The Talking Macliine World.) Chicago, 111., Nov. 7, 1908. While tlie trade is still discussing and occasionally cussing different departures announced by the big companies last month, a more philosophical attitude has taken the place of the state of mental confusion caused by the promulgation of so many new policies and revolutionary ideas. The feeling is now quite general that while many of the new propositions may not have had time to demonstrate their practicability, that the net result will be a benefit to the trade, adding thereto virility and new interest on the part of the public. The spirit of optimism which has been gradually growing in the trade concerning a return to normal business conditions has received a decided stimulus as the result of the national election. While it is possible that the jubilant reports in the dailies of the resumption and ac tivity in lines that have been especially depressed, and regarding the immediate starting of new enterprises, may be more roseate than the facts justify, there are evidences of new life on every side. In the calking machine trade a considerable amount of business, held back pending the election, is already coming to hand, and all the important houses here believe that the last impediment to a fine fall and winter business has been removed. Lawrence McGreal, of Milwaukee, was in the city on Thursday of this week. His genial countenance was as radiant as ever, and he expressed himself as very happy over the trade outlook. Oliver Jones, credit manager for the Victor Talking Machine Co., spent a few hours in Chicago on Friday of last week and called on the principal Victor distributere. Will Oakland, one of the latest additions to the Edison galaxy of artists, and who is now traveling with the Cohan & Harris minstrels, was a visitor at both Wurlitzer's and Lyon & Healy's recently. He listened with interest to all his records, some of which he had not heard since his seance in the Edison laboratories. He related in a vivid manner his experiences with the music committee, who in some instances made him sing the same selections as many as seven times before they were satisfied with the results. He was highly impressed with the efforts of the company to secure the most perfect results. Sam Wade, one of the best mechanical experts in the talker line in the West, has been put at the head of the repair department of the Talking Machine Co. Mr. Wade is the inventor of a new device for pointing B. & H. fiber needles and he has turned it over to the Talking Ma chine Co., who will manufacture it and have it ready for the market in a short time. E. C. Plume, western wholesale manager for the Columbia Phonograph Co., believes that the election of Mr. Taft will restore business conditions to a sound basis. "This is the first case in history," said Mr. Plume, "when the party in power during a financial panic has been victorious at the succeeding election. Personally, I look forward to the most prosperous year that the trade has known. I have already taken several good orders from customers, who said they would not buy except in a hand-to-mouth manner unless the election resulted in a Republican victory." Edward J. Melick, who has been handling Victor, Columhia and Edison goods at 1220 South 40th avenue, near 12th street, for the past two years, has moved to larger quarters at 2055 West 12th street. In his new location he expects to devote considerable attention to pianos and other musical instruments. The day after election, George N. Nisbett, manager of the wholesale department of Babson Bros., received an order four times as large as any he had received from the same dealer for several months. Across the top of the order was written, "How is this for the day after election." The business on Amberol records has now assumed the proportions that the initial orders indicated. The scarcity of machines with the new equipment and of the attachment for old machines has been relieved the past week. Lyon & Healy received a few days ago two carloads of machines and have a large shipment of attachments now on the way. Other jobbers are likewise getting in shape to supply the trade. In speaking of trade conditions, C. E. Good THE ECONOMY RECORD BACK FOR HOME USE A Radical Departure Marks a Ilevolution in Home J^ecord Storage No handling of several records Especially Adapted lorj the DouWc Face discs to get the one you wish. The index number leads you direct to the record you want. The characteristics are neatness, cleanliness, portability and great utility. RETAIL PRICES Rack for 10-inch Records . Rack for 12-incli Records . Rack for InserUon la Cabinet $3.50 3.75 1.50 Can be either placed on under shelf of table or suspended from picture moulding; or is adapted by special fixtures for insertion in existing cabinets. The Perfection is a rack similar to the Economy but less ornamental and therefore cheaper. Price $1.50, for rack holding lo-in. records, $1.75 for i2-in. rack. R. H. JONES Patentee and Sole Manufacturer 1-17 Bryan Place, CHICAGO, ILL.