The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

s THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. ^TALKING <^ Jailers of BtacJfiaes <jSX\3> EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Editor and Proprietor J. B. SPILLANE. Managing Editor. Trade Representatives: Geo. B. Keller, W. T. Dykes, L. E. Bowers. B. Brittain Wilson, A. J. Nicklin. Augost J. Timpb, R. W. Simmons. Boston Office : Ernest L. Waitt, 89 Summer St. Chicago Office: E. P. Van Harlingen, 106 Wabash Ave. Philadelphia : Minneapolis and St. Paul : R. W. Kadfpman. Adolf Edsten. St. Louis : San Francisco; Chas. N. Van Buuen. S. H. Gray, 88 First St. Cleveland : G. F. Prescott. Cincinnati: JACOB W. WAWEB. London, England, Office: 99 Basinghall St.. E. C. W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager. Published the 15th of every month at 1 Madison Ave. N.Y. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States, Mexico, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.26. England and ber colonies, five shillings. ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $60.00; special position, $75.00. REMITTANCES, should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill by check or Post Office Order. PP~IMPORTANT.— 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 YORK, FEBRUARY 15. 1910. THERE is no denying the fact that January trade was not up to the expectations of many who were anticipating that the year would start off at lively pace. • But pray tell us what January has been pulsing with business life and vitality! As a matter of fact during the holidays all reasonable efforts are made to dispose of merchandise, particularly such special creations as talking machines, and the people having gone into their reserve funds about as far as they cared to go. Naturally when the first of the year swings around the prospects are not over brilliant for immediate business until they have recovered and got started again along new lines. The sales of high priced machines has kept up wonderfully well, and there is no probability that there will be the slightest shrinkage in the demand for these particular creations. On the contrary, it looks as if the growth would be continuous and expanding. At least that is the way it looks to the man at The World masthead. February has commenced in much better form and there are plenty of indications at hand showing that tne month will be fair in a business sense. Trade in the East has shown considerable improvement, and the Eastern jobbers and dealers are talking more optimistically than they were a couple of weeks ago. A survey of the trade situation in the Middle West proves that business in that section of the country is going on increasing steadily in volume. In fact, there are towns in that specially favored section where no depression has ever been noticeable in a business way. In the South conditions are steadily improving, and on the Pacific Coast a strong sales creating element is in evidence, and there is every reason to believe that the year will be a satisfactory one in a business sense. THEN, too, as an encouraging force, it might be well to say that a number of talking machine men have regained confidence in the trade and are going ahead with business plans in a larger way than they did last year. That is the only thing for men to do, for it is in truth the day of scientific salesmanship, and the limit in this direction is a long way off. It cannot be successfully denied that the talking machine business is to-day but little understood, and is therefore not regarded in the light which it should be. A good many men who are selling talking machines to-day do not fully appreciate the product which they are offering. They do not understand that the development of the talking machine has not been in any sense accidental, that inventive minds have delved for scientific principles to be embodied in its construction. They do not appreciate the fact that the greatest commercial talents known to the world have been drawn to contribute to the success of the modern talker. They do not appreciate the fact that millions of dollars have been expended to produce a perfect machine and that back of these splendidly organized manufacturing departments are systems perfectly arranged which take high rank with the best industrial organizations of the day. They do not understand the concentration that has been focused upon tne talking machine situation to have brought it up to its present position. NOW, these facts must be understood before a dealer or salesman can feel the true interest and inspiration in his work. The present development of the talking machine industry is convincing evidence of the splendid genius of its founders. The skill which they have shown in perfecting and building up the present system is remarkable, and the business to-day extends to the progressive representatives opportunities which should make the business attractive. It is the up-to-date business for the up-to-date man, and it will furnish adequate reward for the conscientious efforts of able and trained minds. THE men who have watched the growth of this industry believe in it, and the steadily increasing demand for the machines of the better grade indicate that the product is steadily creating an army of friends among those who are best able to judge of artistic merits. Always striving for perfection, the talking machine has reached a point where it supplies the demand of discriminating people for a perfect entertainer and instructor. Now, in order to be in harmony with the creation itself, men must understand it. Understand its functions — understand what it represents in thought and skill — in mental and inventive power. When a man does this he will have a respect for the business in which he is engaged. He will have a respect for the men who have made the industry possible — for, as an exponent of the spirit of the age, the talking machine stands in a class by itself. It has passed through all the stages, from a toy to an entertainer and instructor second to none in the mechanical field. From humble beginnings it has evolved through scientific development until it is to-day t lie most versatile of all musical entertainers. Think of this, talking machine salesmen, when you are exhibiting the wares and possibilities of your product. Think of what the machine represents and it will help you to interest and impress your customer, and you, yourself, will be gaining an added respect for your profession. THE pessimist is always with us. Go where we will, seek any trade' or profession, and we will find a class of men who can always see a future dark with fearful happenings— most of which never reached beyond an imaginative stage. To-day we will find a lot of men who predict chaotic conditions as the final outcome of the rising tide of living cost and the growing greed of the men who through combinations control the necessities of life. Well, there may be some dark days ahead — we cannot tell. But the most of us can rest safely in the belief that when we have troublous conditions we always find m'en who are amply fitted to successfully guide the Ship of State through perilous waters. We never shave everything to our liking in this busy work-a-day world of ours. There always have been problems since time began. Even the old cave dwellers were not entirely satisfied with their lot, and probably there is an element in human nature which prohibits perfect satisfaction ever dwelling long in the human mind. If we were satisfied progress would cease; but one thing is certain, the man who always plans business wisely, acting with due conservatism, is going to be far better off than the man who hangs back and waits to be pulled along with the crowd. It is the active, aggressive man— the man who fully realizes that there are business possibilities around him — who will reap the business harvest of 1910. Just remember that. IT is a mistake to think that the man with a natural aptitude for learning will easily outstrip his fellow. In one or two lines of effort, such as music and drawing or painting, only those with a native talent born with them will succeed. But often in every-day callings a man considered dull will do far better than his brilliant neighbor, who loafs because it is easy to learn, gets a taste for loafing, and loafs a little too long. In a world crowded with purposeless people, drifting aimlessly about, and taking whatever opportunity offers for a little advantage, getting ahead is not a difficult matter. The man of purpose is marked. His fellows see that he means to get ahead, and they let him. The way that is closed to the idler is open to the determined and industrious. Other men see that he is bound to have what he is after, and, wanting more than anything else a leader, they get out of his way, and wheeling in behind him, follow him, to pick up what crumbs of his prosperity they can without too much effort.