The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

4 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. TRADE ON THE PACIFIC COAST. Good Reports from All Coast Points with Great Activity in the Northwest — Allen Representative to Visit Honolulu and the Orient — Rothschild Co. Enlarge Talking Machine Department— Heine Co. Reopen Phonograph Department — Commissioner McCarthy's Cheery Report Regarding Sherman Clay's Business — The News of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, May 6, 1911. Walter S. Gray, Pacific Coast manager for the Columbia Phonograph Co., has just returned from a trip over the northern part of his territory, covering Portland, Seattle and Spokane. He reports satisfactory business all along the line. At Spokane there is great activity in the music business, the Eilers Music House having just started a new building and Kohler & Chase having doubled their capacity by the annexing of another store, where their, growing business with the Columbia goods will be more conveniently accommodated. At Seattle the branch store of the Columbia Co. made the best record of the year with its March business, and the April trade has kept up to the same level. Mr. Gray found conditions in Portland very satisfactory. The outlook on the Coast and the business which has been done in the last few weeks are of the best, Mr. Gray says, and he is much pleased also with the fact that many new accounts are being opened constantly of greater size than former new accounts. The recent Alexander Heinemann concerts in this city were followed by a very brisk demand for Heinemann records, with the result that the local stock of these was soon exhausted. Marion Dorian, auditor of the Columbia Phonograph Co., is now in Los Angeles, working on the company's books in that city, and is expected in San Francisco early next week. This is the annual auditing trip to the various Columbia offices. E. W. Cyrus, who for some years has been traveling man for the local office of the Columbia Co., has severed his connection with this office to take a similar position with the Dallas store. Lawrence K. Wilson, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., will leave shortly on an extended trip to Honolulu and the Orient, which will be of a business nature as well as of a pleasure trip nature. This is the first trip to the Orient of any Allen representative, and it is expected that good results will follow from it. He will go alone and expects to be away several weeks. Nelson J. Birkholm, who has charge of the record department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., is installing the new system of filing — a new departure from the usual way of keeping records. With the new system the service of the department will be greatly increased and the business will be made easier to handle. The department has been enlarged and the Red Seal end of the businss is being specialized upon by Mr. Birkholm, who will soon visit all the Allen agencies to push this line of goods. F. P. Corcoran, traveling man for the Wiley B. Allen Co., has returned to this city after an extended Southern trip. He found very pleasing business, especially in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose. After one or two months he will make a tour of the North. James J. Black, manager of the phonograph department of the Wiley B. Allen Co., reports that VictorVictrola machines, style XVI, are being received more regularly than formerly and that the company has assured the Western trade that they can depend upon a much more steady supply from now on. Mr. Black also reports that the Oakland branch, which for the last three months has been under Mr. Blodgett's charge, is showing a 25 per cent, increase, and is holding forth promise of becoming one of the most productive fields in the State. The Hauschildt Music Co. have moved the talking machine goods from the old Clark Wise store to their own store on Grant avenue, in this city, and are at present getting the stock ready for sale. The stock made up of the Wise and Hauschildt stores, recently reinforced by large shipments, will give the Victor goods a very able representation. Richard H. Wise, for years in charge of the Clark Wise talking machine department, is in charge and has several assistants in his department, which occupies one whole floor for sales purposes, with part of another floor and basement for storeroom. The company expect to put a great deal of attention on this end of the business, opening with a sale the third of this month. The Standard Phonograph Co., which for three years has been located on the main floor of the Eilers Music House, have moved their entire stock to the Oakland store, in the Bacon building, where the two will be consolidated. Manager W. E. Horrisberger reports an excellent business in the trans-bay city. The Eilers Music House has moved into its new building in Portland, Ore., where it is finely housed to care for its growing business. One whole floor of the company's six-story building is devoted to the talking machine department under the able management of G. H. Eilers. The Heine Piano Co. have reopened their phonograph department, which has been closed for about six months, under the management of C. F. Lundberg, an old talking machine man in this city, formerly with the Clark Wise house. The business was resumed last Thursday and has started off well, according to the reports of the company. The department is given almost an entire floor, and has four sound-proof demonstrating rooms. It will carry a complete line of Victor machines and records. A. R. Pommer, head of the Pacific Phonograph Co., is kept busy handling the orders which are coming in faster than the goods to supply them, and reports an especially lively business in the interior. The factory is behind on orders, and shipments which are received are disposed of in advance. This season has been the record season in the history of the company, according to Manager Pommer. Mr. McCracken, traveling man for the company, has returned from the South, where he found excellent business in the talking machine line. He is now in the North. W. A. Voltz, of the National Phonograph Co., is on his way to the southern part of the State by way of Reno, having spent some time in the Northwest. Alfred Widdop, a Fort Bragg Edison and Victor dealer, came to San Francisco about two weeks ago alone to pay his debts here, stayed two days, during which time he cashed a check of $2,600, most of which was paid out to local dealers, and mysteriously disappeared. Search by the police failed to locate him and his whereabouts now are unknown. His business in Fort Bragg has been taken over by W. D. Coombs, to whom Mr. Widdop was indebted, Mr. Coombs assuming the liabilities. Among out-of-town dealers who have recently been in San Francisco purchasing goods for their stores are : A. Avery, of the Avery Drug Co., Coalinga; J. L. A. Bioderson, Redlands; E. Edstrom, Vacaville, and J. L. Green, Napa. Judging from their orders the interior business is anything but slow. Andrew McCarthy, vice-president of Sherman, Clay & Co., reports business as continuing much more heavily this spring than in former years, and says that if the company could get more Victor machines they would be happier, as orders keep ahead of the shipments from the East. Victrolas are especially popular in town as well as in the country, where the traveling men of the company are having admirable success with their goods. Mr. McCarthy, who was recently appointed a park commissioner in this city, is kept pretty much on the go, with the new duties added to his business engagements. "A credit man hurts not only himself but business in general when he extends credit to those not entitled to have it or in excess of a man's capacity for credit. The tireless pursuit and systematization of information is therefore the highest duty of the credit man." SIXTEEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE Handling Talking Machines, Records and Accessories Does Count EDISON Experience is a great teacher. The results of our experience are yours to command. Especially if these goods are handled exclusively. Just how much it counts you can easily demonstrate to your own satisfaction by placing your orders with us for Victor and Edison Machines, Records and Supplies, and becoming familiar w^ith Eastern Co. service. THE EASTERN TALKING MACHINE CO. 177 TREMONT STREET BOSTON, MASS. DISTRIBUTORS OF EDISON AND VICTOR MACHINES, RECORDS AND SUPPLIES VICTOR If you do not handle our GRAND OPERA NEEDLES you are not supplying your customers with the best.