The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

Till: fALKING MACHINE WORLD. WQJ^LD EDWARD LYMAN BILL. Edilor and rr.prielor J. B. SPILLANE. Managing Editor. Trade Representatives: Geo. B. Keller, W. T. Dykes L. E. Bowers. B. Brittain Wilson, A. J. Nickxin, Adgdst J. Timi'b, R. W. Simmons. Boitan Office : Ernest L. Waitt, 60 Summer St. Chica.no Office: E. P. Van Harlincen, 166 Wabash Ave. Phila.delph.ia : Minneapslii and St. Paul : It. W. Kadffmax. Adolf Edsten. St. Louia : San Francisco; Chae. N. Van Buren. S. H. Gray, 88 First St. Cleveland : G. F. Prescott. Cincinnati: Bernard C. Bowen. London, England, Office: 68 Basinghall St, E. C. W. Lionel Sturdy. Manager. Publiaked the 15th of every month at 1 Madiaon Ave. N.Y. SVBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States. Mexico, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.25. England and her colonies, five shillings. ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special dis count is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00; special posi tion, $76.00. REMITTANCES, should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill by check or Post Office Order. ISflMPORTANT.— Advertisements or changes should reach this office by the first of each month. Advertisements arriving too late for insertion in the current issue will, in the absence of instructions, be inserted in the succeeding issue. Long Distance Telephones— Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YOR.K, JANUARY 15. 1910. WHEN the curtain was rung down on 1909 there were many eager and expectant men throughout America who were awaiting the next act with joy and confidence believing that the industrial stage of 1910 would depict many scenes which would delight and enthuse the onlookers. Well, the Old Year is gone with its joys and with its sorrows, and it was not such a bad year after all. The first half was uncertain and spasmodic. Business men were holding back on account of the pending tariff legislation, for while we may say that the tariff does not affect business, yet as a truth we are supersensitive upon that one subject and the least agitation sends the cold shivers down the business spine. It was not until the year was half gone that business conditions were settled and we knew just what course lay before us. With a half year of spasmodic trade, it naturally required much activity for the remaining six months to bring the average of the year up to a fair standard, and while we have had some excellent months, yet, as a whole, the talking machine trade for 1909 was not satisfactory. In some sections of the country business was up to its old-time standard, but in the East and in the larger cities there was a falling off. There is no denying the fact that the workmen who have been large purchasers of medium priced machines and records have been out of employment so long that when they were again employed they were compelled to pay off obligations which they had incurred for the necessities of life. They were not thinking about the purchase of talking machines and other home accessories with which to delight and entertain. They were rather interested in the procurement of the essentials. In the agricultural regions conditions were entirely different, and trade in those specially favored localities has been excellent. The farmers have been large purchasers of automobiles, piano players, talking machines and other articles which indicate a leaning towards the good things of life which were not in evidence in the purchase.-! of the agriculturists some years ago. But the farming wealth of the country has been growing at an enormous rate, and as a result the farmer has become a more important factor than ever in our modern life. CONDITIONS for the New Year point unerringly to better times. If we may judge anything from the reports which come to us, by the opinions of eminent men in the financial world, we have now started upon an era of prosperity which will surpass anything hitherto experienced in the industrial annals of this country. Men whose business it is to know state that 1910 will be a record-breaker in all that the word implies. Well, that is cheering news to most of us, and certainly the influence of every man can be helpful in making times good, for it is the optimistic spirit developed and encouraged by millions of minds which will be a powerful factor in swinging business and trade along the right pathway with a tremendous force. Public opinion on any great subject is heeded by political leaders. Public opinion changes men, and the concentrated force of millions of minds in the accomplishment of a single purpose will accomplish it. If we all preach the doctrine of optimism — talk encouragingly and stimulatingly along lines of business advance it will help — it will put the right kind of backbone in spineless men — it will lend encouragement to those who are wavering and it will further inspire those who are fairly charged with the optimistic spirit to-day. Let us all make it a year full of energy, then things will move forward in a way that business men in every line will appreciate. We need that kind of spirit in the talking machine trade. THERE are plenty of men who, through the poor business of the past two years, have lost a certain belief in the future of the talking machine. Now, a man who has no faith in the future of the industry with which he is associated had better get out of it, for he is only holding back the machinery. He is sand in the bearings and the quicker he is removed the better. This industry will thrive and expand, but it will not go ahead with the aid of the pessimist, and the men who see nothing but blackness ahead for the talking machine. The weak-kneed fellows had better get out. There is no place for them, but there is a bright future for the men who have courage — for the men who appreciate the talking machine for what it is and who believe in its future as a business forces — an educational force and an entertaining force. The trouble is we have had a lot of men who have only a superficial knowledge of the talking machine and its powers. They know nothing about the fundamentals of business. They simply took up the marketing of talking machines because in it they thought they saw advancement. They thought they could pick up gold nuggets on the floor every morning. Well, the man who believes that a thing comes easy nowadays in any line is fooling himself. The man who believes that a profitable talking machine business can be built easily has an entirely false view of the situation. There is nothing worth while that comes easy. Success in business life is not gained without sa< rifices — without energy — without concentration— devotion to a single purpose. 1910 CAN be made a year full of good, sound business profit by the men who look at the situation as it is — who do not fool themselves as to conditions, but who will go ahead resolutely — courageously — and plan a business campaign on advanced lines. We know plenty of them who are made of the right stuff and who will make a lot of money the next twelve months, but the weak-kneed men who have lost faith in the business, if they continue along the same lines they will not go ahead nor would they in any other business. Of course, the talking machine trade has been dull. What trade has not! Facts are, this country has been hit mighty hard — a good deal harder than a lot of people wish to admit. But it has been hit and so heavily that it was stunned for a while, but it is recovering and this year is a year for effort. A GOOD many talking machine men did not show sufficient faith in the fall trade to order high-priced machines early. They could have made a great deal more money if they had placed orders earlier in the season, so that the manufacturers could have made ample provisions and so that they would have known just what was expected of them in the way of production. When dealers have to pay express charges on machines it means their profits are cut down materially. It would have been a mighty sight better to have ordered machines early — even if it was necessary to go to the bank and borrow money on warehouse stock — than to have lost sales and to have paid heavy express charges. The lessons of 1909 should be impressed upon the minds of talking machine men throughout the country and wise moves should be made during the present year so that no sales be lost. We need all of them. No doubt of that! The merchant must take chances as well as the manufacturer and he cannot expect that the manufacturer will assume the entire burden. Orders should be placed well in advance, for in that manner only will the merchant be sure of obtaining the stock which he desires at the right time. Now, in other lines of merchandise orders are placed many months ahead. It must be so, else the mills and factories could not produce the stock. For the talking machine trade is controlled by business men. It is run on business lines and because it has been controlled by business men is one of the reasons why the industry has held together during the terrific strain to which it has been exposed during the past two years. I t? dealers could have placed their stocks on the market and slaughtered them at ridiculous