The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

71 FASHION SHOW IN LOS ANGELES. Talking Machine Dealers Take Advantage of the Opportunity to Make Special Displays — General Business Improving — Death of H. M. Marquis — Charles S. Ruggles Meets with Accident— More Salesrooms for Wiley B. Allen Co. Store — Outfits Tru-it Are in Demand. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Los Angeles, L'al., October 8. — September proved an unusually good month for the local i. ilkiug machine jobbers, though the retail dealers found a lull prevailing during a large part of t he month. The feeling of optimism that prevails, however, is reflected in the heavy orders being placed for both machines and records. A feature of the month was the Fashion Show which was held September 26-28. The talking machine dealers took full advantage of the occasion and the majority of them provided elaborate displays in their show windows during the three days. E. A. Borgum, who was recently appointed sales manager for the Woods Manufacturing Co., reports many large sales of special built-in file cabinets for talking machine records, the cabinets having been placed in some of the finest homes in the city. A. Graham Cook, manager of the talking machine department of the George J. Birkel Co., has just completed and moved, into his handsome new bungalow, 723 Lillian Way, of this city. Mr. Cook has taken a great deal of pride and care in making this home an ideal place. The sudden passing away of H. M. Marquis, vice-president of the J. B. Brown Music Co., of this city, was a great shock to all his friends and associates. Apparently Mr. Marquis was in the best of health in the morning, and at 1 o'clock had a stroke of apoplexy, which caused his death. His death means a great loss to the firm for which he so faithfully filled the duties of his office for many years, and the store of the Brown Music Co. was closed for three days as a mark of respect. Charles S. Ruggles, local manager of Sherman Clay & Co., returned from his vacation to Camp Baldy very much in need of a real vacation. The same day on which he arrived at the camp Mr. Ruggles slipped upon a rock while crossing a stream and sprained the ligaments of his leg so badly that he was laid up for several weeks. Upon all of this the local manager states that Victor orders from the dealers are being filled very completely. The Wiley B. Allen Co. is still sending out the talkers at the usual rate of speed. Business has been splendid through the season. More salesrooms have recently been added to the department, and one large demonstration room in particular has been fitted up, showing every size, style and finish ..I \ ill.. i \ Kin. I. is and Columbia (iiaioiiolas, ihtis making llic largest displa\ room of its kind in the city. I'he Andrews Talking Machine Co. is very much pleased with the results of the past month, the sales of machines being principally those of Victrola Xls and up. 1. 11. Andrews and family have returned from Catalina Island, where thej spenl their vacation. V. I!. Chatten, manager of the talking machine department of the J. B. Brown Music Co., has had great success with the Edison Disc machine. A magnificent display of these goods was shown in the windows during the week of the Fashion Show. TO BREAK RECORDS IN BALTIMORE. Talking Machine Dealers in That City Look for an Unusually Active Business — F. A. Dennison Celebrated Second Anniversary as Manager— Hammann & Levin's Progress — New Department for Peabody Piano Co. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Baltimore, Md., October 11. — With the beginning of October at hand the dealers in talking machines announce that they are looking for the breaking of many sales records from now on until the first of the year. September was a corker, and reports from all hands show that it was right up with the other months, while Manager W. C. Roberts, of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., says that his figures show September to be ahead of any month with the exception of last December. Mr. Roberts is getting ready to install two new bmith booths such as recommended by the Victor people, and with these in place he hopes to have one of the prettiest arranged stores in town. The Peabody Piano Co. has just put in a special talking machine department, this being necessary in consequence of the increase in this branch of the business. The firm handles the Columbia line. Last Wednesday, October 1, marked the second anniversary of F. A. Dennison as manager of the local branch store of the Columbia Graphophone Co., and in recognition of the excellent results obtained during this time the employes of the store tendered him a supper. Mr. Dennison's efforts have been very successful since his arrival in Baltimore two years ago, the increase in business being such as to make it necessary to open larger quarters to handle the customers, the firm now occupying one of the largest stores south of New York at 305 and 307 North Howard street, which has practically become the center of the talking machine business. Mr. Dennison reports trade for the month of September to have been very fine, it being necessary to establish a number of small agencies throughout the city. Hammann & Levin, who have just recently passed the sixth year of their business career arc very elaborate in their statements regarding business at this time with the Victor machine. The firm has made steady strides toward the front and arc now preparing to put in two handsome sound-proof demonstrating rooms in their store. Eisenbradt Sons, who established their music store in 1811, have found it necessary to seek larger quarters in consequence of growing trade, and after October 15 will occupy their new stand at 806 .md 308 North Howard street. This ston ha been recently rebuilt and made up to date in every way, and will afford larger and more up-to-date quarters for this growing concern. The lirm will occupy the entire two floors of both buildings, and on the main floor will have an elaborate salesroom. Joseph Fink, who handles the Victor and Columbia lines, has made rapid strides since he succeeded to the Gordon Talking Machine Co. under the firm name of the Fink Talking Machine Co. He reports business during September to have tripled that for the same month last year. HOW TO CURE CAR SHORTAGE. Autumn Car Shortage Earlier Than Usual — Seriousness as Great as Ever — Plan Submitted by One of the Railroads — Programme Includes Ten Principal Suggestions. With the autumn car shortage earlier than usual this year, and with a prospect of its being every bit as serious as last fall, railroad managements are making every effort to make this scarcity felt as little as possible by the shippers. Taking care of the demand for cars in a big crop fall is one of the most important problems facing railroad managements. One of the railroads has asked its patrons and employes to help it handle the problem. Just how business men can do this is showed in a circular just issued. It says: HOW THE PUBLIC CAN ASSIST. 1. Placing orders for cars with the station agent or other representative, in writing. 2. Mot ordering cars in excess of immediate requirements, a. Promptly canceling orders for any cars found not to be needed and giving notice when, for any cause, cars will not be required at the time for which they were ordered, but will be wanted on a subsequent date. 4. Not ordering any more cars for one day than are actually required for loading on that day. 5. Applying returned lined cars promptly for other loading, or removing the linings. 6. Patrons who are both receivers and forwarders of freight ordering their inbound business via this line, in order that cars when made empty will be available for their outbound loading, and soliciting their friends to order their inbound business via this line. 7. Loading cars as promptly as possible and to their full capacity. 8. Giving disposition orders in advance of arrival of cars, when possible, and if it is not practical to do this, as quickly as they can after notice of arrival is received. 9. Not taking advantage of full free time allowed for loading and unloading, and by giving agents immediate notice when cars are made empty or of loading being completed. 10. Commercial organizations of cities and towns urging their members to load and unload cars as expeditiously as practicable. 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