The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

46 THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. of course, be used to the most dramatic advantage witli the aid of an automatic stop. The Ravenskilde Talking Machine Starter, as the inventor terms it, is susceptible to a wide variety of usage. The present model is adapted to either Edison phonographs or Columbia cylinder graphophones, but a style for disc machines will be introduced in the near future. The device is simply constructed and can be instantly applied to the machine by anyone. DEALERS MUST "GET A MOVE ON." National Phonograpli Co. Put New Policy in Force of Protecting Enterprising Dealers — Slow Ones Must Get Busy or Give Way to Others. The new policy of the National Phonograph Co., in protecting the interests of their dealers, which became effective on December 1, besides giving every dealer a fair field and no favor should prove a stimulus to those dealers who have got into a rut, and do not push their business with the proper amount of energy. In an article in the current issue of the Phonograph Monthly, treating of this matter, the company say: "If Edison dealers carry a fair stock, based upon the size of the towns they are located in, if they make a reasonable effort to push the business and make sales in proportion to the populations of the towns, they will not be disturbed and no additional dealers will be allowed to compete with them. Otherwise, the National Phonograph Co. will establish new dealers. Their decision not to accept new dealers where they are now properly represented does not alone mean protection for existing dealers; it means that they intend improving the standard and extending the business of the dealers. They expect that the additional business obtained from the protected dealers will more than offset the business that would be obtained from the initial orders of new firms and that the additional business will be more profitable to those who do it. Consequently, every present Edison dealer who desires to keep out competition will have to do what is expected of him. After all, whj' should a dealer who carries a machine or two and a hundred or two records, and who makes no effort to sell goods, care to continue in the business? He cannot make a profit worthy of the name, he is occupying space iu his store that might be filled with more profitable goods, and he is occupying a town in which another firm might do a good Edison business." VICTOR=AUXETOPHONE RECITAL. Scott & Jones Co. Entertain Large Audiences at a Special Concert in Youngstown. (Special to Tiie Talking Machine World.) Youngstown, O., Dec. 7, 1908. The Scott & Jones Co., talking machine dealers of this city, gave their first Victor Auxetophone concert of the season, last Wednesday night, and a large audience enjoyed listening to the grand opera selections sung by famous stars. The auxetophone was accompanied by Liebman's orchestra, under the direction of Maurice Adheimer. The concert was the first of a series which the Scott & Jones Co. intend to make a permanent feature of the musical life of the city. Judging from Wednesday night's audience the plan will meet with general favor. Opportunities to hear good music are so rare in Youngstown that semimonthly concerts, such as are proposed when the new Scott & Jones building is completed, are certain to increase public appreciation of it. The idea of the concert was novel. Selections from grand opera, sung by Caruso, Mme. Schumann-Heink and others were reproduced by the Victor Auxetophone, while the accompaniment was played by a full orchestra. The smoothness with which the whole program was rendered was abundant proof of careful preparation. The orchestra followed the songs perfectly, always subordinating its own playing, so that the voices sounded full and clear above it. A PROFIT IS A PKOFIT. While the fixed charges of a business may demand at least an average 20 per cent, profit, it is out of the question to measure arbitrarily if a live, active, aggressive and growing policy is determined upon. The fixed charges are there, anyhow, if you don't sell a dollar's worth, so many a live day is created without a visible profit by selling a staple at cost or a particularly good purchase at say 10 per cent, advance. If these bring work to fingers that were otherwise idle, it keeps them in touch with your customers and prevents forming lazy habits or circulating idle and pessimistic gossip. Whatever draws your customer in gives the other departments a chance to sell, and, be it ever so little, the crowd that comes for one great bargain, leaves something — even though small — in the other parts of the store. This policy, pursued by one man and ignored by his competitor, will eventually win for the rornior the big bulk of the business, all other tilings being equal. Where both spur business by this method, their neighbors share in the general prosperity brought about by the aggressive activities of both. You simply cannot lie back and say, "There's no money in it at that price," if the other fellow does it without actual loss. Maybe you sell a fair quantity at a higher price, but each year will find it dwindle, instead of growing, and one day the hustler who sold too cheap will have the bigger business and a start on you that gives him a lead which only his own carelessness can lose. THOS. A. EDISON A VISITOR To the New York Headquarters of the National Phonograph Co. — Pleased With Its Equipment— His First Visit to the Building. For the first time since the occtipancy of the National Phonograph Co.'s New York headquarters at 10 Fifth avenue, the building was visited one day last month by Thomas A. Edison. After inspecting the various departments of the different floors, he was particularly pleased with the sumptuous quarters of iNIessrs. Dyer, Pelzer, Dolbeer and Stevens, with the gorgeous rugs, beautiful mantels, and the elegant surroundings in general of the palatial rooms. Subsequently he called upon Walter H. Miller, manager of the recording department on top of the impressive Knickerbocker building. Fifth avenue and 16th street. This was Mr. Edison's first visit also to the laboratory, and Mr. Miller took great pleasure in showing "the old man" around his perfectly equipped department. Doubtless the distinguished inventor and originator of the Edison phonograph was familiar with the sound reproducing apparatus in use, but he admired the arrangement of the well-appointed place, and congratulated Mr. Miller upon the excellent work he had and was accomplishing. HOW IS YOUR SYSTEM, MR. DEALER? Talking of system. J. Newcomb Blackman, president of the Blackman Talking ^Machine Co.. 97 Chambers street. New York, said the other day: "Mr. Lawson opposes a system which has great bearing on stocks. This has no reference to talking machine record stocks, however, for a good system is necessary for your record stock. I advocate the use of the Blackman system, which combines my folding tray with the Rapke record label. "This system don't boost prices, nor tear them down, but it brings customers, as it provides better service at the same price. Every dealer should be able to immediately locate any record called for iu his stock. If he cannot do so he drives customers to dealers who can, for the price of records is the same and service counts." Reference to the Blackman Co.'s ad on page 31 of this issue will probably prove profitable to dealers and jobbers. Edison Jobber Zonophone Distributor New Design Wooden Disc Record Racks Wire Record Racks RECORD CABINETS SPRINGS for all makes and size machines Stereopticons, Post Card Projectors and Moving Picture Machines JAMES I. LYONS 265 Fifth Avenue CHICAGO