The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 37 with what he believes is a unique record and one that St. Louisans are likely to require fish-story proof for; that he accompanied a party of jobbers on a tour of inspection of the Milwaukee lireweries and did not taste the beer. When this story is told to a St. Louisan he is likely to say ; "Tell glaube wir werden einen sturm haben." The Victrolas IX. were placed in the local trade first of the month and at the Thiebes Piano Co. it is reported that the first one had been sold before it had been in the house an hour, but the purchaser left it until another could be received. Manager Levy, of the Aeolian Co. talking machine department, says that he is in despair over ever catching up with orders for this popularpriced machine after the long start the orders had over the delivery of the instruments. They are looked for everywhere and practically every Victor dealer is waiting for machines alread}' practically sold before they come. The Columlna Phonograph Co. disposed of a lot of cylinder records at bargain counter rates late in July, stocking a window with records which the large placard, which announced "These six-inch wax cylinder records (full four-minute) at two for 2o cents, formerly oO cents each." The stock did not last long. L. A. Cummins, who travels in this territory for the Victor Co. has gone to Camden to visit the factory for three weeks. J. M. Leonard, recently in the advertising business, has joined the office force of the Aeolian Co. in the wholesale talking machine department. Manager Levy says that his force is now equipped for the big fall business expected and that he will have three men on the road by August lo, and is planning a number of short trips for himself. The Val Reis Piano Co. is to join the talking machine stores with a retail Victor department. W. W. Largent, Jr., of Portageville. Mo., an Edison dealer, was a first of the month caller at the Silverstone Talking Machine Co. store. Mark Silverstone, of the Silverstone Talking Machine Co., expects a good fall business, and he thinks that the Edison disc machines will be a great help, as many owners of old cylinder machines are ready for exchange and have been awaiting the placing of the new machine on the market. This, he believes, will enlarge the Edison dealers' field and a record business can be looked for. Vacalions are in order at the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s local store. Manager E. B. Walthall, of the Columbia Phonograph Co., will leave .August 1!) for Kentucky, to spend his vacation among home folk, "the on'y place to take a vacation." he says. Otto Prinz, of the collection de partment, departed the first of the month for two weeks. Ralph Connors, of the sales department, spent his vacation in Louisville, Ky. L. J. Reid, of the retail force, returned from his vacation July fii). E. Schneddig, head of the repair department, will spend his two weeks ofif in Milwaukee. Assistant Manager C. L. Byars, accompanied by Mrs. Byars. spent two weeks in Colorado. F. O. Leidel, the Columbia dealer at Troy, 111., was a recent caller in the city. F. L. Scott, of the distophone department of the Columbia Phonograph Co., recently made a business trip to Bowling Green and Louisiana, Mo. He has recently completed a big installation of dictaphones in the Rice. Stix Dry Goods Co., one of the immense jobbing institutions of which St ■ Louis is proud, and also in the Mallinckrodt Chemical Co. offices, a firm that is known wherever drugs and chemicals are used. Manager Walthall, of the Columbia Phonograph Co., reports that the retail and installment business for July was greater than any month since December, much to the surprise of all concerned. Mr. W'althall is one of the few business men who have concluded recently that "the dull summer season in St. Louis is all poppycock," and that there is plenty of business if you go after it. His report on results certainly justifies his position. "Because a few persons go away for the summer, there is no use neglecting the other 700,000," he remarked, in talking of the business, and it might be remarked that he had passed on this spirit to the rest of the force of the store, hence the record to whicli all hands are pointing with pride, while they get busy to do better. A feature of the business has been the demand for the $loii Grafonola line. Manager Walthall, of the Columbia Phonograph Co., reports closing a deal whereby R. W. Greene, of Kane, 111., will handle Columbia products exclusively. Their llrst order was for hornless machines and grand opera records. The Greene store is one of the big concerns in tliat fertile part of Illinois, and does an immense business. TO HANDLE VICTOR MACHINES. Messrs. Hager & Bro. to Open Department for Talking Machines and Fianos In Lancaster — A Well-Known and Prominent House. Messrs. Hagar & Bro.. the foremost department store of Lancaster, Pa., which w^as lounded eighty-eighty years ago, have decided to launch into the piano business, and will leave nothing undone to make it a big feature of their store. Besides the large amount of space that will be given to musical instruments, there will be a big music hall on the fourth floor, which will occupy at least two-thirds of. that floor. The hall will be provided with a stage, and work is being pushed rapidly, in order that the department can be opened on the first of September. In considering the opening of stich a department in their big store they sought the Aeolian-Pianola line as being the products that were necessary to the high ideals of their house. In this idea there was only one obstacle to overcome, and that was to get the consent of the Heppes' m i'hiladeiphia, who controlled this territory. This was at once secured. Walter Wellman, who is at present the Heppe representative in Lancaster, will be in charge for some time. He will, so to speak, inaugurate the department in the new store. The firm will also handle the Victor talking machine. Hagar & Bro.'s store is one of the largest and most substantial in the State, outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburg. POINTS IN CONTRACT MAKING. What Each Contracting Party Should Understand in Making a Business Agreement. A written contract is the highest evidence of the terms of an agreement between the parties, and it is the duty of every contracting party to learn and know its contents before he signs and delivers it. He owes this duty to the other party to the contract, because the latter maj'. and probably will, pay his money and shape his action in reliance upon the agreement. Pitc aiso owes it to the public, which, as a matter of public policy, treats the written contract as a conclusive answ-er to the question, "What was the agreement?" Xo one can enter into an agreement with another part)' by merely making an entry on his books, of which the other party has no notice or knowledge. Where a person residing in one place makes a proposal to purchase property by letter to a person residing in another place, and such proposal is there accepted, the place of acceptance, and not the place of the proposal, is the "place of the contract." Where a contract is entered into by correspondence, printed matter on the letter heads, which i not referred to in either the order or the acceptance, such as "Quotations subject to change without notice. Contracts made at home office only and contingent upon exigencies of transportation and accidents beyond our control," is not a part of the contract. DEALERS ! Why don't yon send for a free ART TONE Diaphragm? You can easily retail it for $i. Every talking machine retail sale that you have ever made ; every one that } ou are making and every one that you will make IS A PROSPECT for the ART TONE ! We know you will sell hundreds. Before turning the page, send us your business card, and the sample goes to you by return post. THE TALKING MACHINE CO. 218 Worthington St., SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. Hear the VOICE of the TALKING MACHINE Through the ART TONE DIAPHRAGM JOBBERS! You are in a most advantageous position to wholesale ART TONE Diaphragms at NO SELLING COST. A sample can be carried in a salesman's vest pocket, and special literature can be mailed gratis with correspondence. Send for a free NE\\' ART Diaphragm to-day and secure our special jobbing proposition. It is sure to interest you and everybody who hears it. Round, Rich and full in tone. Let us send you sample. THE TALKING MACHINE CO. 218 Worthington St., SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.