The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

28 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. upon every phase of the work of making records of the better class of music, and especially of instrumental compositions. He will assist in the selection of suitable music for record-making purposes, aiming always toward such music as will widen the field of the phonograph. Mr. Herbert will go frequently to the recording laboratory of the National Co. and supervise and criticise the work of making records. He is so earnest about this feature of the work that he is already apprehensive of getting so deeply interested in it as to interfere with his other duties as a composer and leader. He will personally conduct his orchestra in making records, and states that the records must be no less creditable to his name than the concert work of his orchestra. In getting Mr. Herbert to identify himself with the Edison organization the National Phonograph Co. have brought about one of the most notable achievements in the history of the phonograph. THE VALUE OF EFFORT. The difference between success and failure, between getting business and not getting business, is not always so much in the quality of the effort put forth, as in the amount. In other words, the effort which gets business frequently differs from that which does not get business, more in degree than it does in kind. Men who do things and are heard from accordingly, seem to do their work a great deal like other men who never are heard from. The difference is that they are a little more intense, they hold out a little longer, and when the other fellow stops, thinking that the case is hopeless, they make another big effort and win what they are after. It takes a lot of fuel and heat to bring water to the boiling point. It takes just about as much fuel and heat to raise the temperature of the water to 210 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you take away the fire when you have* reached the 210 degrees, the water will never boil. Moral — Add a little more fuel and keep the fire going. He who can read the signs of the times should know all about patent medicines. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS. Talking Machine Men Believers in Advertising — Wide Territory Covered — Big Call for Expensive Victors — Amberol Records in Spanish Will Have Great demand — Columbia Indestructibles and Double Discs Selling Well — Renovating and Improving Stores — Recent Visitors to the City of the Angels. (Special to The Talking Machine' World.) Los Angeles, Cal., April 30, 1909. The month of April has closed more quietly than usual, although the opening was very brisk. This lull, however, has given the dealers an opportunity to make preparations for the future, in which there promises to be some keen competition. The methods used in advertising the talking machine in this section are beyond criticism, especially the ads. which appear in the daily papers. In every way the dealers are realizing more clearly the possibilities of the future. Southern California is already a great field for talking machines and records, and the growing demand for these goods is very large in both wholesale and retail. Jobbers here not only supply Southern California, but Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Old Mexico. These parts are not the field they will be in a short time, as they are growing very rapidly. Sherman Clay & Co. report a strong demand for the new style Victors II and III and also for the Victor wood horn. Referring to the latter, Manager Ruggles says, "We seldom receive an order for machines with metal horns since the dealers have recognized the fact that an additional profit can be made by selling to their customer a wooden horn. The appearance of the instrument is much better, to say nothing of the great talking point regarding the tone quality." The Southern California Music Co. have received a large shipment of special design cabinets for both disc and cylinder records, among which are many attractive shapes and styles. Their business phonograph department reports several sales of commercial outfits recently, and some strong advertising is being done for this line. The news of a first list of Amberol records in Spanish has been greatly welcomed, as many inquiries have been made regarding them. Their arrival is anxiously waited by the trade. The retail department has several shipments of Victor-Victrolas, among which were several in special finishes of oak and Circassian walnut. The Columbia Co. have had a steady demand for double disc records from the out-of-town dealers. Chas. Kauffman is now making his regular trip through Arizona, where he will call on the trade. W. S. Storms, who for two years has been connected with the Los Angeles branch, has gone to San Francisco to join the company's forces. He will travel through Northern California. E. W. Scott, who was at one time connected with the Los Angeles store, has succeeded Herman Beck as manager of the retail department of the San Francisco store. Mr. Beck has resigned and expects to open a store of his own at an early date. The Fitzgerald Music Co. have completed their new department and have announced their opening to the public in a series of clever newspaper advertisements. Mr. Fitzgerald is personally interested in the new department and watches every detail in its affairs. Their splendid show windows on Broadway afford a splendid opportunity for their attractive displays. The Angelus Talking Machine Co. are now using an automobile as a business getter. Mr. Pfaff says he finds it very handy for use on prospective purchasers, who cannot refuse him when he asks them to take a ride with him in his auto. The Geo. J. Birkel Music Co. have just finished installing a new system of record racks for disc records. Their entire stock is kept in heavy cardboard covers, and every number is given a separate partition in the new rack. More space has been added to accommodate the catalog of double-faced Victor records. The Holmes Music Co., one of the new Victor stores, is welcoming old customers in that location. Their stock is in splendid condition, a complete line of Victor goods being carried. The Wiley B. Allen Co. are continuing the arrangement of attractive window displays, which are truly original. Fiske & Co., Edison dealers, are featuring the I. C. S. language teaching machines with much success. Hamberger's, who have the handsomest show windows of any department in the city, have given considerable space for display of talking machines and records. H. T. Walz, of the W. G. Walz Co., of El Paso, Tex., was a recent visitor in Los Angeles. While there Mr. Walz studied the conditions of the trade and also investigated the arrangement of some of the different stores handling talking machines. The Walz Co., who are Victor jobbers for Texas, are expecting to make many changes for the improvement of their tradehandling facilities. The great success with which the Russian violinist Mischa Elman met with in concert in this city is due more to the Victor, which preceded him with the splendid records of his playing, than all the foregoing press comment. His records have been and are among the most popular in the Victor catalog. Mme. Johnstone-Bishop's voice is delighting many of her local friends and admirers in a sweet little Hawaiian song which she has sung for the Victor. Her records are in considerable demand in Southern California, Los Angeles being her home. GEORGE W. LYIE OFF TO EUROPE. The departure of George W. Lyle, general manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co., general, for Europe was delayed until May 6, when he sailed on the "Kaiser Wilhelm II." He will be away four or five weeks. Following the custom inaugurated some months ago the following talking machine dealers of Indianapolis keep open house monthly when they invite the general public to hear the latest records. The dealers who dispensed hospitality recently were: Messrs. Kipp-Link, Frank Lesley, Joseph Joiner, E. E. Hill & Co., George Maze and William F. Burns. Have YOU seen IT? ' THA T'S JUST H HA T WE'VE WANTED! EVERY disc talking machine dealer who sees the New Idea Discv Record Album says, "Just what we've wanted." His customers say so, too. A beautiful Album that preserves records perfectly — protects them absolutely from scratching and breakage — keeps those of a certain artist or class together. Powerfully bound and reinforced to last a lifetime. Finest thing out for Red Seal collections. Capacity; 12 records. Dealers' prices 9O cts. for 10-inch size, $1.20 for 12-inch (used also for 10-inch records). We furnish handsome two-color advertising circulars, ready for your imprint, FREE. Send for a few of these Albums on approval. Dealers everywhere say they are going fine. Be the first to show them in your city. ►: Have you gotten our offer on the agency for Regina Music Boxes ? We are the Regina Company's only jobbers and can fill orders promptly for all styles of Regina Music Boxes and Tune Discs. THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO. VICTOR, EDISON and REGINA JOBBERS CINCINNATI AND CHICAGO. D®* Two points of supply ; order from the nearer. VICTOR, EDISON and REGINA JOBBERS