The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

36 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. TALKING MACHINES LOST AND DAMAGED BY FLOODS. Disasters in Middle West Have Their Effect on This Trade as Well as Others — Some of the Cities and Towns That Suffered Heavily and the Dealers Located Therein — Some Late News Regarding the Present Situation — Endeavoring to Get Things to Rights. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cincinnati, O., April 11, 1913. Since the last issue of The World, Ohio and other Western States have been visited by one of the most disastrous floods in the history of this section, causing a loss estimated by the Governor and the business stores in Dayton that are habitable are being fitted up and new stock being secured. Some of the views which appear on this and adjoining pages will give an idea of the tremendous scope and damage caused by the flood. The loss to the trade, from the standpoint of the was practically untouched by the flood, it was a month of big business, a record business especially, showing an increase of 100 per cent, over the same month last year. "Communication with the East was only cut off for one week, and our supplies were sufficient to run us a great deal longer than that time. Accordingly, as far as retail trade was concerned we did not suffer at all, and on the contrary the department made a most excellent showing. "Tn regard to the recent flood, there were many locations which suffered, 'but to those who have had no experience with river floods the damage Wurlitzer Store on Ludlow Street, Dayto of Ohio at $300,000,000. Over one-half of Columbus was washed away, and at Dayton, O., the entire business district was under water from 10 to 15 feet, six thousand houses being destroyed, the entire property damage in that city beng estimated at $50,000,000. In other towns along the big Miami River — that is, Miamisburg, Franklin, Middletown and Hamilton— the destruction was enormous. Hamilton was almost a total wreck, at least in that part of the town where the factories were located. At the Wurlitzer store in Dayton the water went n, O., After Flood. Street Scene in Hamilton, Note Aeolian Store Marked. talking machine industry, by reason of the flood, will not be great. The damage appears to have been principally confined to the houses specializing in small goods at Hamilton and Dayton. Cincinnati was not touched. From reports, George Krebs, at Hamilton, and the Soward Music Co., at Dayton, will be the heaviest losers among the talking machine people. No is apparently much greater than in reality. The towns which suffered from the overflow of small rivers and creeks are heavy losers. These waters raised almost in an hour or two, and there was no provision made for such an overflow. "The stocks of dealers were affected to a small iegree only, as the Victrolas could be handled very quickly ; also records moved immediately in case Extended River Bed at Dayton. within a foot of the ceiling, but fortunately the biggest part of the stock was on the second floor, which was saved. While the water was exceedingly high in Cincinnati, the loss was comparatively trifling, the business section wholly escaping. A great many piano houses were among the sufferers in the various A House in the River District. figures can be obtained. The losses there, it is known, are total. The Aeolian Co. is credited with having 100 Victrolas at Dayton, and a majority of these were swept by water. The Dayton stock of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. is a total loss. The deluge shows that the records will not stand water, for those recovered have been tried and found wanting in many respects. The question of exchange now comes up. The disposition of the factories in this respect is a matter yet to be settled. The situation in the Ohio territory is fairly well Remains of Three Business Houses on Main Street. the racks were sectional and not built as permanent fixtures. "The Ohio River was back in its banks a week after it had risen and trains were running. With the exception of the damage done to buildings, the communities along the river are practically as they were before." Depot Union Station, Dayton. cities, and it is expected that the total losses suffered by the piano and talking machine dealers will approximate between $800,000 and $1,000,000. At this writing business men are making magnificent efforts to get into working harness again, Showing High Pole Placed Between Houses by Flood. explained in the following report from Manager Dittrich, of the talking machine department of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co.: "The month of March was an unfortunate month in many particulars, but in Cincinnati, which Steinway & Sons Warerooms. Fully ten pianos floated out the two front windows. Manager Whelen, of the Columbia Graphophone Co., seems to be more than pleased with the March business. In speaking of the prevailing conditions, he said : "I have no complaint to make relative to the March business; it was good, very