The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1912)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 41 CALIFORNIA DEALERS PREPARED. Talking Machine Men in Southern District Complete Plans for Handling Holiday Trade — Shortage of Stock the Chief Complaint — Geo. J. Birkel Co. Gives Opening Recital — Activities of Other Houses — Changes Among the Salesmen — General News of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 5, 1912. November closes a very busy month with dealers throughout this entire district. Dealers have put on the finishing touches in ordering goods ready for the Christmas rush, which it is expected will be tremendous. A shortage of goods will be the only reason why this season's business will not be the greatest that has ever been experienced in this section. The opening concert for the season was given in the elegant new hall on the fifth floor of the Geo. J. Birkel Co. The hall was crowded with appreciative persons, who enjoyed music of the highest order. Among other artists who had numbers on the program were Mr. Hogan, the accomplished organist, who rendered the solos on the new Estey pipe organ, which has just been installed. He also played the accompaniment to selections rendered by the Victor Victrola. Much outside talent has been procured for the season of concerts. Schireson Bros., 349 North Main street, has had splendid success with the Columbia Lyric, which has proven to be a big seller. Harold Jackson, the special traveling representative for the Southern California Music Co., has returned from the road reporting larger orders for the new blue Amberol records daily received beyond the ability of filling. Miss Sullivan, who has charge of the talking machine department of the Thearle Music Co., San Diego, Cal., has been doing splendidly by making her department count. T. B. Anderson, who has been one of the very successful sales force of the Wiley B. Allen Co., has now joined forces with the talking machine department of ithe Fitzgerald Music Co. Mr. Anderson without doubt is considered to be one of the best in the field, which his sales have already proven. R. Keefer, Victor dealer of the rapidly growing little city of El Segunda, Cal., reports business very good and is expecting great returns in the next few weeks. Mr. Sampson, the new manager of the Gray, Maw, Thompson Music Co., Inc., of San Diego, is doing splendid work in his department ; in fact, is more than holding his own of the trade in that city. The Andrews Talking Machine Co. has had splendid success in the past month, which is only a beginning of their expectations for the next few weeks. Bowman Merritt, Edison dealer of Filmore, Cal, made a trip to Los Angeles and placed his large order for Edison goods. This enables him to supply the demand to the greatest extent. The Wiley B. Allen Co, of this city, has fitted up the reception room of the talking machine department in a very elaborate style. Mr. Wolfinger, manager of the department, reports good business. Many changes of the talking machine salesmen have taken place recently. R. W. Pittook, formerly with the Birkel Co. for many years, and Harry Vajer, of the Pasadena Music Co., Pasadena, Cal., is now located with the Wiley B. Allen Co., of this city. G. Stewart Pooler, formerly of the Southern California Music Co., and W. H. Condon, of Providence, R. I., are now with the Geo. J. Birkel Co. Guernsey S. Brown, of Santa Barbara, reports business very good in his section, and his expectations for Christmas trade are great. "Wherever you would persuade or prevail, address yourself to the passions ; it is by them that mankind is to be taken. If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whichever is their prevailing passion), on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you." — Lord Chesterfield. MORE ROOM BECOMES NECESSARY In Order to Enable the Vitaphone Co. to Keep in Touch with Demands — New Factories in the Spring — McMenimen Discusses Plans. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Plainfield, N. J., Dec. 6, 1912. Increased orders 'way over their production obliged the Vitaphone Co. to start the erection of a temporary structure 140 feet by 35 feet, adjoining its precent building. Erection is being rushed all possible, and when completed will give the company a lot of additional room and thus relieve congestion at its present plant. In the meanwhile plans are rapidly undergoing drafting for the proposed large factory which will probably be started in the spring. Adjoining the company's present factory is a large amount of land and there is plenty of room for expansion. The plant is located in the Netherwood section of Plainfield — a very beautiful environment— one that is consistent of high-class achievement. H. N. McMenimen, general manager, advises The World representative that there has been considerable interest manifested in the Vitaphone announcements, which have appeared in both The Talking Machine World and The Music Trade Review, and that the number of houses who are securing additional information is many. ''While the present production of the company is sold," commented Mr. McMenimen, "we are increasing it, and in a few months hope to be in a position to fill orders. In the starting of any business as large as the Vitaphone organization is destined to be, the officers must work slowly, surely and successfully. We have adopted this policy in the exploitation of the Vitaphone talking machines, and the rapidity of our growth augers well for the correctness of our views." C. B. Repp, the inventor of the Vitaphone and a well-known talking machine man, is likewise enthusiastic over the receptions accorded the Vitaphone. Mr. Repp is constantly experimenting, notwithstanding that the Vitaphone is as near perfection as he believes it possible to produce. If a man is smart he never has occasion to mention it. THE BLACKMAN POLICY "INSURES" DEALERS SAFE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT OVER-INSURE. The "safety" of any insurance company lies in the ability of the company to make good. There is also an obligation on the part of the insured to fulfill the terms of the policy, otherwise the policy, though issued, becomes "Void" and "Uncollectable." DID YOU INSURE YOUR HOLIDAY REQUIREMENTS? Some time ago we advised Dealers to insure their "Holiday Profits" by taking out a "Blackman Policy." If so, you will profit by it. YOU CAN'T INSURE THE RISK AFTER THE FIRE HAS STARTED. A very "hot fire" not only started, but has continued and Dealers who have "failed to collect" on policies placed with other Jobbers, are endeavoring to insure with Blackman now. We can't over-insure or promise impossibilities. That is not the "Blackman Policy," for we owe service to those Dealers who are our "steady clients,'' who "pay premiums regularly" in the form of "record orders" and other goods which are not scarce and so difficult to obtain. We must pay particular attention to those Dealers, no matter how small, who are loyal to us from January to December. CAN YOU EXPECT US TO ROB "PETER" AND PAY "PAUL?" "Peter" makes Blackman progress possible even during those hot July and August days. "Paul" in some cases apparently doesn't know we are in business and doesn't care until his "regular jobber'' has failed. THIS IS AN EXPLANATION— RECEIVE IT KINDLY. It is offered in that spirit and if you are as fair as you would expect us to be, you will not "condemn," but approve the "Blackman Policy," and probably take out one for yourself when we are not over-insured. HERE IS AN EASY PAYMENT PLAN. TRY IT. We offer you "Blackman Service" on trial. Pay "some record orders down," continue the same payment regularly, and you will eventually "have full title" to the delivery of scarce Victrolas. Take out a "Blackman Policy" at the first opportunity. "The premium" is very small when you consider the "dividends."