The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. ^TALKING ^ EDWARD LYMAN BILL. Editor and Proprietor J. B. SPILLANE. Managing Editor. Trade Representatives: Geo. B. Killer, W. T. Dykes, L. E. Bowers. B. Brittain Wilson, A. J. Nicexim. Boston Office : Glad. W. Henderson. CKica-jo Office : E. P. Van Harlingen, 156 Wabash Ave. Philadelphia : Minneapolis and St. Paul : R. W. Kaoffman. Adolf Edsteh. St. Louis : San Francisco; Chas. N. Van Buejw. S. H. Geat, 88 First St Cleveland: G. F. Prescott. Cincinnati: JACOB W. Walter. London, England, Office: 09 Baainghall St, E. C W. Liomel Stuedt, Manager. Published the 15th of every month at I Madison Ave. N.Y. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage), United States, Mexico, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.26. England and her colonies, five shillings. ADVERTISEMENTS, $2.00 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed, Advertising Pages, $00.00; special position, $75.00. REMITTANCES, should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill by check or Post Office Order. ►^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 iasue. Long Distance Telephones— Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy. Cable Address: "Elbill." New York. NEW YOR.K, APRIL 15, 1910. TALKING machine dealers in eastern territory have long discussed the formation of an association for trade good and in last month's World there appeared a detailed report of the first meeting and this month we present the subsequent moves made by the new organization. For an embryo association considerable interest has been aroused and there is every belief that this organization will increase rapidly in numbers and influence. There is an idea prevailing in some quarters that the manufacturers are opposed to such an organization. This belief is absurd. At the first meeting expressions from the manufacturers clearly emphasized their attitude towards the proposed organization. Manufacturers are interested vitally in any project which makes for trade betterment and the theory that they are opposed to an association is too ridiculous to be considered for one moment. On the contrary, they favor it, and if the talking machine dealers of this country can work up trade organizations in various localities they will aid themselves very materially. They will keep the trade from certain depressing influences— they will arouse interest on the part of the members and they will stimulate better work, bring about new thought and materially assist the trade in every particular. Now, the manufacturers are just as much interested in seeing ideal conditions as the dealers themselves. Organizations which bring the manufacturing and retailing departments of any trade into close union are beneficial and must necessarily bring about more cordial relations between the manufacturing and distributing forces. NO organization in the talking machine trade can be autocratic and attempt to dictate what the manufacturers shall do. That is impossible, nor would sober, sensible men for one moment recommend such action, but to work together in harmony, making suggestions here and there in order to eliminate certain defects will work out admirably for the benefit of each division of trade. If the talking machine men will stand together they can accomplish a good deal in every way. They can build the business on a firmer basis and they can conduct their own enterprises so that they will command greater respect and attention from the public. They will work their territory more thoroughly and more completely, and right here brings us to an interesting subject — unworked territory. We venture to assert that there is not a part of this great, big country that has been worked in the manner which it should have been in the talking machine business. The surface has not been scratched and if men get together, exchange views and discuss ways and means whereby this unworked territory may be developed, each one will profit by the suggestions and experiences of the other. Each one will draw some enthusiasm from contact with optimistic, successful business men and the result is the weak ones will become stronger. There is rich territory closely adjacent to every talking machine man in this country — territory which is not half or quarter developed and it promises good returns if close attention be paid to it. good work and a good business cannot be made up through carelessness or indifference. Making mistakes in business is like falling down in a foot race. It is a setback — a very serious one at that and the talking machine man makes a mistake who believes that trade is gotten easily and without effort on his part. It is not so. BUT you cannot work territory by sitting down in your wareroom and not building up systematic plans for trade capturing. People are not going to fall over each other in their haste to reach talking machine warerooms. They must be interested. Talking machine men must evolve new thoughts — new ways — with which to win trade. In the piano business the system of personal calls— "door bell pulling" they call ithas been the means of vastly augmented piano sales. All of the big houses follow up this plan systematically. They cut territory up into blocks and they put a corps of men working over each division. Reports are made and prospects checked up and the whole campaign framed as completely and systematically as it is possible to do in working any territory. Now, talking machine men might take a leaf out of the piano trade history in this particular. They are selling expensive creations. They are selling home entertainers which are unrivaled. They are entering a field which affords splendid sales possibilities and they have got to appreciate that fact. They must realize that good trade requires THE time was when the talking machine business came easier than to-day. But the talking machine has indeed won a settled position among the products of this country and must be pushed as systematically and progressively as any other creation of human skill and genius. To sit supinely down and say that the talking machine business is in its decadence is to invite evil and disaster. The man who has such a conception of the future of the trade should rub elbows with some of the men who are doing the great, big talking machine business of this country to-day. They might meet them if they joined organizations and attended meetings and got vaccinated with a little of the enthusiasm virus. It will probably help them out and Lord knows some of them need it. Now, if the men in any business are to advance they must do it through their own efforts, and this industry affords ample opportunity for the future of the men who are in sympathy with modern methods— who are in sympathy with the future of the up-todate product— who realize the value of the talking machine as an entertainer and as an instructor, and who do not view it with indifference or do not appreciate its marvelous sales-getting qualities. Now, an association can be of no particular benefit unless it is supported by men in a fair manner. Some always have to make sacrifices, and it will be necessary to devote some time and money to a successful upbuilding of a trade organization, but it will be worth many times its cost in money and in time. THE eccentricities of individuals are ofttimes beyond human understanding, and editors and publishers have probably to stand as much blame as any people engaged in professional work. Some of the correspondence received at this office is interesting — some humorous. Recently we received a communication from a subscriber, who writes: "You may cancel my subscription, because one of your advertisers cost me about ten dollars on account of not knowing how to pack a shipment of merchandise. I sent a bill of lading in time for me to get it corrected before paying freight in the deal, and I am practically out the above amount." In other words, this subscriber blames The World for an excessive freight rate and the methods by which some manufacturers ship their merchandise. Probably someone will blame us if the tail of Halley's comet swishes dangerously close to the earth ! We can stand for it— it doesn't matter much.