The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

52 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. WITH THE TRADE IN INDIANAPOLIS. Approach of Winter and Demand for Indoor Amusements Helps "Talker " Sales — Joseph Joiner Moves to New Location — Prohibition Records Popular — Featuring New Columbia Double Disc and Indestructible Records — Talking Machines in the Theaters — Some Interesting Personal Notes. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 8, 1908. Cold weather and the desire for indoor amusement is adding somewhat to the talking machine business among Indianapolis dealers just now. All dealers report a fairly good trade. The KippLink Co., who handle Victor and Edison machines, are having a good business out in the State. Dealers feel optimistic over the outlook for fall and winter business. Joseph Joiner, who handles Victor and Edison machines, has moved from his old location in E^st Ohio street to a place in ^Massachusetts avenue, just across the avenue from the hig Marott department store which has just been established. In his new location Mr. Joiner is a few doors removed from the store of Prank Lesley, who handles all kinds of talking machines, and it is to be expected that these two business men will engage in friendly competitive battles. Local dealers say that if the sale of records had been any indication as to the national election the Prohibitionist candidate for president would have won hands down. More of the Prohibitionist political records were sold than of any other kind. There was a big demand for the Prohibitionist speeches on records and the dealers believe this is due to the fact that the Prohibitionists take more interest in their politics than the leaders of either of the two great parties. The local committee rooms cf the Democratic party made quite a feature of Bryan records. In one room they used a Columbia disc machine and in another a Twentieth Century graphophone. "Billy Boy," a song about William J. Bryan, has proved to be a big hit. The Columbia Co. had an attractive window last week featuring the new Columbia propositions, especially the double disc records. If there is a man, woman or child in Indianapolis who does not know of the n^w Columbia 65-cent disc record it is not due to a lack of attractiveness on the part of the Columbia window. Mr Devine, local manager for the Columbia Co., is greatly pleased with the double disc record and predicts a big sale for it. He says, too, that the new Columbia Indestructible record is proving to be a very popular seller and undoubtedly will be one which must be reckoned with by anyone who handles talking machines. Artie Williams, manager of the Columbia Co.'s store at Terre Haute, has been making trips over the State in the interest of his company, with a view to securing new contracts. He has been in the larger cities of the State and reports an excellent demand for his line of goods. Henry McDonough, widely known as the tenor of the Haydn quartette, was featured last week at a local theater. There is a feeling among local dealers that business is going to be unusually good this fall. Jobbers report that trade is steadily increasing and the increase seems to be general. At the final prohibition meeting of the campaign, which was held in Monument place, records giving the speeches of Prohibitionist leaders were used. The Lyric Theater in Niorth Pennsylvania street is running a song series of Life of Christ pictures. In connection with this they use a Columbia disc graphophone with the fiber needle behind the scenes for effect work. The new Gayety Theater in West Washington street is said to be a great success. This is the theater which is featuring the talking moving pictures during the winter, and is the only playhouse of any consequence that continued this plan after the close of the summer season. It was merely a venture, but it is said that it has proved successful. KISSING BY TALKING MACHINE. New York Genius Suggests Such a Form of Osculation — Its Advantages from Both Sentimental and Sanitary Viewpoints — Beats Cloves for Concealing the Strong Breath. In these days of wireless telephone and telegraph it is a simple matter for lovers to communicate with each other without interruption, but the sentimental young couple wrapped up in their calf love are not content with mere talk. Kissing is as necessary, at this stage of the game, as the cherry in the cocktail. A New York man has overcome this diflBculty, however, via KiSS BY ^ the talking machine route. The youth simply puts the photograph of his beloved before him, concentrates his mind upon the original, and does some fervent smacking, interspereed with short phrases, such as "Oh, you kid — smack — does it love its Reggie — smack — its little hands will never touc'h a broom or kettle after we're married (he's getting $12 per) — more smacks." He seals up the record, mails it, registered, and awaits the record bringing a similar line of chatter from the girlie in response to his bright remarks. All the young lady does is to take the recoid to her boudoir, where she has the talking marhine, start things going, and sit enraptured until the spasm is over. A dummy with a padded lap, hugging mechanism, and well-shaped, soft rubber lips, with down on the upper, might prove a valued addition to the girl's equipment, but at last reports had not been adopted. The records could be exchanged every day and played over as often as desired. The suggestion is especially useful to those couples who believe, with the doctors, that kissing transmits disease germs. They could sit together on the sofa, her head on his shoulder, perhaps, and let the machine do the work. What a cinch that would be for the man who meets some friends on his way to "her" house and has to "smile" with them. Whisky or beer leaves an odor that cannot be mistaken, so he drinks gin rickeys, so that when he kisses bis little angel she'll ask him where he drank the lemonade, unless she gets wise, accidentally. With the talker in action he can drink up the contents of a distillery and keep it dark by keeping his face turned away from the lady. Truly, the wonders of modern science and invention are unceasing. It may not be long before the record manufacturere will be listing sets of courtship records, numbered and to be used as directed, number one, for instance, being for the first call, and number fifty the proposal, with "spat" records in between. VICTOR CO. DISCUSS DOUBLE DISC. Issue List of 125 Double-Faced RecordsSome Excellent Numbers — Their Views. In sending out their circular to the trade on October 21 respecting their first list of doublefaced records, the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J., state that 100 ten and 25 twelveinch records are in the list. Respecting the selections, the company add: "While our list is very small, it is very comprehensive and very attractive." Commenting on the double-faced record situa tion the letter says: "It is not our intention to specially advertise or exert any extra effort to create a demand for double faced records. . . . We want to give Victor dealers every advantage if they are compelled to show fouble-faced records to insistent buyers. A perfect hail of protests has been received by this company from talking machine dealers all over America against the introduction of the double-faced record. We are equally opposed to it, and we are quite contented with the way in which the trade is receiving the news of our move on the double-faced record question. The sentiment is exactly as we would have it. . . The dealers now have a chance to test the matter out, and it lies largely with them whether they shall sell or not We don't care to have ours sell, but we certainly do object to the sale of double-faced records by our rivals." Schedules in bankruptcy of the Colonial Phonograph Co., 903 Second avenue. New York, show liabilities of $3,031 and assets of $2,095, consisting of stock, $300; accounts, $1,758; judgment, $25, and insurance rebate, $12. The IVIunson Koldlng Horn (PAXEMXEDi OH! WHAT A DIKFEREIMCE WHEM YOU COME TO CARRY IX. F"OR DISC A.ND CYHINJDER MACHINES is the only OnePiece Indestructible Folding Horn on the market. Mode of the finest quality cfSelected Leatherette in plain solid colors or handsomely decorated by hand. 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