The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

26 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. INTEREST ON INSTALMENT SALES Formed the Subject of Discussion at a Meeting of the Managers of the Leading Talking Machine Houses in Chicago — Sense of Meeting That Six Per Cent. Interest Rate Should Be Charged on All Deferred Payments. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, III., March 12. — Pursuant to a call by L. C. Wiswell, a meeting of talking machine managers in the loop district was held at KuntzRemmler's this afternoon to consider various matters affecting the retail trade. The principal subject of discussion was the matter of interest on instalment sales. It developed that some concerns have been charging interest invariably while others have waived it providing the entire amo.unt was paid up in a specified number of months or if in the monthly payments a stipulated minimum amount was maintained. It was the general sense of the meeting that all such exceptions were against the best interests of the trade, and that in the future a 6 per cent, interest rate should be charged on all deferred payments. It is believed that all of the concerns in the loop will take the same view. In fact, since the meeting several of the absent managers have been communicated with and have so expressed themselves. Those present were : L. C. Wiswell, Lyon & Healy; F. A. Siemon, Wurlitzer Co.; Ed. Smith, Kimball Co. ; George Davidson, Talking Machine Shop; G. H. Bent, George P. Bent Co. ; P. T. Stark, P. A. Stark Piano Co. ; Leonard Hall, John A. Bryant Piano Co.; E. A. Fearn, Tresch, Fearn & Co., and George C. Vining. Other matters were suggested, but lack of time prevented adequate discussion. Another meetingwill be called in the near future at which the matters of terms of instalment sales and allowances on second-hand machines will be considered. The formation of a permanent association was not broached at the meeting, but it is not improbable that such an organization may result. This movement has nothing whatever to do with the old Chicago Talking Machine Dealers Association composed entirely of dealers outside the loop district. THE GRAFONOLA CO., INC. Organized in Cleveland — Takes Over Columbia Store at 913 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, and Will Feature Columbia Goods Exclusively. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cleveland, O., March 10. — The present Columbia store, at 913 Euclid avenue, has been purchased by the Grafonola Co., Inc. C. A. Routh, who was assistant manager of the Columbia, is at the head of the new company, and will handle Columbia goods exclusively. Flereafter, the Columbia Co. will confine itself to the wholesale and distributing business exclusively. The new store is on the fourth floor of the new mammoth Kinney & Levari Building. The H. M. Brainard Piano Co. will open at 1817-19 Euclid avenue on April 1, with a complete line of Columbia goods. JOHN McCORMACK WAS GUEST Of the Southern .California Talking Machine Men's Association at Banquet at Union League Club on Way East from Australia — Given a Great Welcome — Evening Was One of Keen Enjoyment to All Present. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Los Angeles, Cal., March 7. — The Southern California Talking Machine Men's Association gave a banquet at the Union League Club on the evening of February 13 in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John McCormack, the great Irish tenor, who is just making his tour through the entire country. Aside from Mr. and Mrs. McCormack there were, present Chas. F. Wagner, manager ; Donald Macbeath, violinist, and Vincent O'Brian, pianist; L. E. Behymer, impresario, and his private secretary, Miss Rena McDonald. After the sumptuous repast short talks were John McCormack. given by E. P. Tucker, manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co.; C. H. Rundel, secretary of the Southern California Music Co., and Impresario L. E. Behymer. Mr. McCormack gave a very interesting talk pertaining to the value of educating the people to a higher standard of music, stating that Irish music was not all jigs and reels, but real folk lore of Ireland. Mr. McCormack says this was the first time he was ever entertained by any talking machine association of this kind. So impressive and congenial were the characters of this great artist and his little wife that it made a strong impression upon the members, their wives \ and friends of the association, that they unanimously elected Mr. and Mrs. McCormack to honorary membership. Through the courtesy of Mr. Behymer all members of the association that were present "at the banquet were given tickets to the McCormack concert, which was immensely enjoyed by all who attended. This Talking Machine Men's Association, under the official direction of Sibley G. Pease, president; B. H. Burke, vice-president; H. H. Fish, secretary and treasurer, and Lo.renz Dornseiff, assistant secretary, has proven to be a great help in the talking machine trade. It is a little over three years old, with a membership of nearly a hundred,' composed of both employers and employes. General questions pertaining to the welfare and condition of the trade are always under discussion and advisement, which has proven to be a great civic center for the talking machine trade. APPOINT NEWJ^DISON AGENTS. Four Connecticut Houses Take on the Edison Disc Line — J. W. Scott's Effective Work. Reference is made elsewhere in this issue to the success scored by J. W. Scott, special representative of the phonograph sales department of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., in New Haven, Conn., where he has interested thousands of people in the new Edison disc phonograph. His recitals have attracted a great deal o.f interest and have been the subject of considerable mention in the New Haven papers. During his stay in New Haven Mr. Scott closed a number of new agencies for the Edison line, among others the Calder Music Shop, one of the best equipped establishments in New Haven, which will give the Edison line a strong representation ; the Alfred Fox Piano Co., which has stores in Stamford and Br.dgeport, and C. L. Pierce & Co., of New Britain. These establishments placed large initial orders for Edison disc phonographs and records. .Mr. Scott is quite a veteran in the phonograph field, having been associated with the Edison interests for over fifteen vears. MASTERPHONE POPULARITY. Demand for Fibre Needle Masterphone as Well as Original Steel Model Is Enormous — Prominent Dealers Are Placing Large Orders. "The demand for the Masterphone is steadily increasing, both in the original steel model and the fibre needle styles," said an official of the Masterphone Corporation, 187 Broadway, New York. Although the fibre needle Masterphone has heen on the market hut a short time, we have been unable to supply the demand for it, and at the present time are behind on our orders. From all parts of the country we are in receipt of letters. from prominent talking machine dealers, speaking in the highest terms of the improvement that is noticeable by the use of the Masterphone on all classes of records. "The steel needle Masterphone is now being marketed by dealers in practically every fair-sized town in the country, and the consistent advertising that we have been placing in the national mediums has been of considerable benefit to our patrons in producing inquiries that resulted in ready sales." Schafford Record Albums 17 new style cut envelopes, bound in either brown silk cloth or imitation leather in any color. Strongest bound Album made. Schafford Albums are of the highest quality and should not be confused with lower-priced, inferior albums. Send for sample and prices. The quality will surprise you. SCHAFFORD ALBUM CO., 27-29 Walker St., NEW YORK CITY