The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. ^^TALKINQ ^> EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Editor and Proprietor. J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor. Trade Representatives: Glad. Henderson, C. Chace, L. E. Bowers, B. Brittain Wilson, A. J. Nicklin, August J. Timfe, I M. Robinson. Boston: John H. Wilson, 821 Washington Street Chicago Oltice: E. P. Van Harlingen, 87 So. Wabash Ave. Henry S. Kingwill, Associate. Philadelphia: R. W. Kauffman. Minneapolis and St. Paul : Adolf Editbn. San Francisco: S. H. Gray, 68 First St Cleveland: G. F. Prescott. St. Louis: Clyde Jennings. Cincinnati: Jacob W. Walter. London, Eng., Office: 2 Gresham Buildings, Basinghall St. W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager. Published the 15th of every month at 373 Fourth Ave., New York. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage). United States, Mexico, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.26. England and her colonies, five shillings. ADVERTISEMENTS: $2.60 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed Advertising Pages, $75.00. REMITTANCES should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill by check or Post Office Order. ISNOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. — Advertising copy should reach this office by the first of each month. By following this rule clients will greatly facilitate work at the publication headquarters. Long Distance Telephones — Numbers 5982-5983 Madison Sq. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YORK, AUGUST 15, 1913. THERE is a decided tendency on the part of many business men to relax efforts during the summer months, and as a consequence thereof there is a sale shrinkage which is not pleasing, particularly when there is no shrinkage in overhead expenses. Selling organizations can be arranged so that vacations can be enjoyed by the individuals and yet have the working efficiency of the staff well maintained. Expenses go on just the same whether business is dull or not, and every talking machine dealer is naturally interested in keeping the earning capacity o€ his business well maintained. In order to do this effectively, systematic summer plans should be made. The talking machine, unlike many other products, has a summer demand as well as in winter, for the talking machine is used through the vacation season in a way that eclipses any other home accessory. Sales of other musical instruments, such as pianos, drop off in summer, because people naturally seek outdoor entertainment, and here is where the talking machine comes in as a trade-creating factor. It can be used on. yachts, in camps, at lawn parties and outings in such a manner that it gives pleasure and entertainment to parties everyhere. There is also a good farmer trade to be gotten during the summer months, and it is a period that should be productive of good business returns for the progressive talking machine men. It is not necessary to wait until the busy fall months arrive — efforts should be put forth during the heated period to show the entertaining qualities of the talking machine to interested parties. There is no product of human brain which can be fitted in in so many ways as the talking machine, and if these facts are well borne in mind by the dealers in different parts of the country, summer business can be materially increased. The "good old summertime" should be made "good", in a business sense, and it can be if systematic plans are carried. Good, prompt, effective work along progressive lines will increase the net profits in a material sense. AT no time in the history of this trade has the talking machine and its development been receiving closer consideration from great inventive minds than to-day. A number of important improvements, now hatching, so to speak, will be introduced to the trade at an early date. In view of the wonderful perfection of the modern talking machine it would seem as if improvements were hardly possible, but this is an age of progress, and in the inventive world, as in the commercial field, standing still means going backward. The talking machine is a faspinating study and opens up a world of possibilities that enthuse and interest, and it is therefore not surprising that it is receiving such consideration from those of a creative and inventive turn of mind. NO matter whether times are good or bad, calamity howlers are always stalking abroad throughout the land. They are in evidence in every trade and in every profession, but once in a while it pays to sit down and study reports so that we may be better able to determine whether the pessimists are simply talking facts or fallacies. The figures just given out by the Internal Revenue Bureau, charged with the collection of the corporation income tax, show that during the calendar year 19 12 the net earnings of the corporations of the country were $3,304,000,000, exceeding all previous records by $400,000,000. Such startling sums do not suggest that the corporations have practically suffered, however much their managers have suffered in their feelings. For several years it has been continuously asserted by those opposed to the country's tariff policy that this policy throttled and killed our foreign trade, that it particularly interfered with and prevented the sale abroad of goods manufactured in America. Yet official figures given out recently show that last year the exports of manufactured goods, excluding foodstuffs wholly or partly manufactured, aggregated $432,528,006. In 1904 the total was $225,717,951. In eight years, during the period of largest complaint of a restricting policy, the exports of manufactured goods have doubled. This does not suggest that the tariff laws have stood in the way of developing a demand for American goods abroad. For several years the railroad managers on all possible occasions and in every conceivable tone of voice have declared that they were on the verge of bankruptcy, that drastic and discriminating laws and wage increases with no corresponding increase in rates were slowly pushing them toward the precipice of insolvency, that their credit had been shattered almost beyond restoration, and that it was impossible for them to borrow money for necessary improvements. Yet the computations of income for the year ended June 30 show that the railroads of the United States during the preceding twelve months had the largest gross and the largest net earnings of their history. It also appears that during the last ten years the railroads of the United States have raised more money for investment in improvement and extension than was similarly invested in any previous decade. It is not true that the corporations have suffered in their incomes because of the Sherman law agitation and the attacks on what is called predatory wealth. It is not true that our foreign trade has been stifled by tariff laws. It is not true that the railroads have been squeezed close to death by regulatory legislation or that they have been unable to attract new capital. All over the world, affecting every class of security, there has been a rise in interest rates. The indulging cause for this has been the rise in commodity prices, in turn caused by an overabundant production of gold. In consequence there has been a constant tendency to exhaust supplies of liquid capital, for those did better who bought things instead of making loans which could be discharged when due in dollars, or pounds, or francs, or marks of diminished purchasing power. Although affected much alike, each business in every country has deemed itself specially a victim and has sought for immediate explanations. In England the blame is laid on Lloyd George and his social legislation; in Germany on the Kaiser and his over-preparation for war; in France on the extravagance of the government and on the economic troubles of Russia. In this country it is sadly agreed by business men when they come together that the fault is with politicians and demagogues who are continually stirring up the people. Yet, looked at in the large, there has been no decade in which employment has been so universal, the world as well fed and clothed, and no decade in which men of enterprise and managing genius with something really valuable to sell to the world have amassed fortunes more rapidly. These are facts worth remembering when one is inclined to view things through indigo-hued glasses.