The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

TIIH TALK I NO MACMINI<] WORLD. <•>:>> From Our Chicago Headquarters ROOM 806, NO. 37 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE, E. P. VAN HARLINGEN, MANAGER. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, III., October 11— The jobbers all report an exceptionally large September and a most encouraging volume of advance orders for both machines and records. Although the machine production of the factories has been vastly increased this year and shipments have been coming forth at a liberal rate as compared with last year, still the demand has been of such increased proportions that a material shortage in many types is already beginning to appear, and the wisdom of the jobbers in urging the dealers to place their orders early is evident. Local retail trade developed along satisfactory lines in September, and everybody is looking forward to a business of large 'dimensions from now to the holidays. Edison Disc Progress. C. E. Goodwin, general manager of The Phonograph Co., reports that September was the biggest month since the company started, and October promises to far exceed it. Not only is the retail business excellent, but the company is now, for the first time, able to fill orders promptly on Edison disc phonographs and records. The new bulletin, which will be out in a few days, will list 295 selections, of which the company will have a commercially adequate stock on hand. The beautiful Edison concert hall on the first floor of The Phonograph Co. building will soon have its only defect, a slight echo, corrected. The Johns-Manville Co. has been given the contract for the work which will be performed after specifications furnished by Professor Sabin, the wellknown acoustical expert of Harvard University. Miller Reese Hutchinson, chief engineer of the Edison laboratory at Orange, iN. J., was a visitor at The Phonograph Co. last week on his way to Lake Minnetonka, Minn., where his family has been spending the summer. Will Increase Output. The Tusko Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of the Tusko disc needle, will move on November first 'from 1379 East Fifty-fifth street to 5513-5525 Monroe avenue, where they will have much larger quarters, install additional machinery and will greatly increase their output. R. H. Jones, the president and general manager of the company, has enlisted new capital in his enterprise, and the application for incorporation has been made under the laws of Illinois with a capital stock of $15,000. Will Enter Retail Business. Harry B. Hopkins, for many years city whole sale representative for the talking machine department of Lyon & Healy, and one of the most popular men among both local and visiting dealers, resigned his position last month to go into retail business in Joliet. Together with G. B. Wiswell, brother of L. C. Wiswell, and who returns to the music business after some years spent in another line, Mr. Hopkins has organized the West Music Co., with a capital stock of $10,000, and has bought the business of Walter S. West, who has had a prosperous business in Joliet for years handling Victor talking machines, pianos, small goods and sheet music. The store is at 1921 Ottawa street, is 60 x 125 ifeet in size, handsomely fitted up with attractive reception room, booths, etc. Joliet is an excellent town from a musical viewpoint, and the business is not overdone there. Consequently the new firm starts out with every prospect of a large success. A Deserved Promotion. Walter Roach, who has been connected with the Lyon & Healy talking machine department for several years, and has had the inside city desk, succeeds Mr. Hopkins as the city wholesale representative. He has a wide acquaintance among the dealers, knows the line to a finish, and is being given a warm welcome in the stores of the dealers in the city and environs. The new position comes in the nature of a promotion, and one that Mr. Roach has deservedly won because of his faithful service. George W. Lyle a Visitor. George W. Lyle, general manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co., accompanied by John A. B. Cromelin, general manager of the company's European interests, spent a day in Chicago recently in the course of a trip among some of the middle Western branches. They inspected the new quarters of the Chicago office, now being fitted up in the Ward building, and expressed themselves as greatly pleased with them. District Manager W. C. Fuhri accompanied the visitors to St. Louis. Columbia's New Quarters. The Columbia Co. will probably be able to occupy its new quarters in the Ward building, 12 to 22 North Michigan avenue, promptly on November 1 if not before. The retail warerooms, which will occupy the ground floor store at No. 14, will not only have fine window frontage on Michigan avenue, but along the entire lobby of the building, giving a view of the warerooms and of the demonstration booths to all those entering the building. The store will be fitted up in white enamel, with eight handsome demonstration booths, and the floors will be artistically carpeted. The general and wholesale offices will occupy the greater portion of the seventh floor of the large building. The private offices of Messrs. Fuhri and Bacr, the counting room and Dictaphone department, will occupy quarters fronting on Michigan avenue, with the machine and record stock rooms, shipping department, etc., occupying extensive and conveniently arranged quarters in the rear. There will be a handsome reception room for visitors, with several demonstration booths for dealers use. The wholesale department, including the seventh floor space and the basement under the retail store, will occupy alone about 18,000 feet of space. New Manager at Hillmans. Arnold G. Lockerby, formerly of Chaffee & Young, 5f Grand Rapids, Mich., and previous to that with the Vitaphone Co., of Plainfield, N. J., has been appointed manager of the talking machine department of "Hillman's" department store. It is probable that James Montgomery will succeed Mr. Lockerby as manager of the talking machine department of the Michigan house. Resigns from F. G. Smith Piano Co. Albert D. Herriman has 'resigned as manager of .the talking machine department of the F. G. Smith Piano Co. store in this city. Goes to Factory. George Ingalls, who for the past fourteen years has been 'superintendent of the repair department of the Chicago branch of the Columbia Co., has received a notable recognition of his ability. Mr. has been promoted to the responsible position of foreman of the Dictaphone assembling room at Bridgeport, Conn. While his associates of the Chicago office regret to lose him, he is followed by the best wishes for success in his new place. Takes Western Territory. H. R. Skelton, who has for many years represented the Edison Co. in New England territory, has transferred his activities to the West, and is now visiting the Edison dealers in Illinois and adjacent territory, with headquarters in Chicago. Mr. Skelton is famed as a hustler extraordinary and the Edison dealers in this section will find him full of helpful and "boostful" suggestions born of his long experience in the trade. Urges Advance Orders. Although the facilities for the manufacture of Wade fibre needle cutters have been greatly increased since the occupation of the new factory (Continued on page 64.) The Practical Fibre Needle Cutter— THE WADE The WADE embodies the right principle, worked out through long experience. It is simple, durable and accurate. It trims the needle at an angle resulting in the best tone. The Wade Fibre Needle Cutter No. Z The WADE cutters are made of the best steel and are absolutely guaranteed. The WADE is the most economical cutter. It has a self-acting stop, which prevents waste and enables one to get from 12 to 15 perfect playing points. No. 1 is a very popular cutter which has given excellent service. No. 2 has a double action, making it especially easy to operate and affording the most powerful cut of any tool made. Order from your regular Distributor—we sell to Jobbers only RETAIL PRICES — No. 1, $1.50; No. 2, $2.00 WADE & WADE, 3807 Lake Ave. PHONE. DOUGLAS 8108 CHICAGO, ILL.