The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 33 From Our Chicago Headquarters CONSUMERS' BUILDING, 220 South State Street, E. P. VAN HARL1NGEN, MANAGER. (Special to The Talking Machine \Vorld.) Chicago, III., April 11. — Conditions in the local machine trade, both wholesale and retail, show little change over last month. There still exists a very unfortunate record shortage in certain of the lines, and little relief is expected for some time yet. There is also a shortage in practically all makes of smaller machines, which works little harm, however, for more expensive types benefit correspondingly. The sale of dance records continues to be very heavy, and Lent appears to have had little effect on the tango. A fair amount of Easter records has been sold, however. , Lyon & Healy Business Keeps Up. L. C. Wiswell, manager of the talking machine department of Lyon & Healy, reports that wholesale business in his department is very good ; in fact, shows a big gain. Retail trade is also reported as keeping up in fine shape. Mr. Wiswell reports comparatively little relief from the shortage in records that has existed so long. Lyon & Healy continue to produce some very fine advertising matter exploitive of the Victrola, One of the latest novelties to be used is a cardboard clock, two feet four inches high and nineteen inches wide. The hands are so shaded as 1" create the allusion that it is real. On the face of the clock is written in red letters, "Time for a Victrola." In place of the hours, photographs of twelve Victor artists are reproduced. Melba represents one o'clock, and following in order are Tetrazzini, Ruffo, McCormack, Kreisler, Lauder, Schumann-Heink, Farrar, Pryor, Victor Herbert, Evan Williams and Caruso. In reading the hours one might say, "It is almost Tetrazzini after Pry0>r." On the pendulum is written "Always ready," which can be taken to mean either that the Victrola is always ready or that Lyon & Healy arc always ready to serve their dealers. Another bit of advertising that is striking is in the form of a sixteen-sheet poster to be used in Chicago by Lyon & Healy and which is sold for use by Victor dealers in other cities." The poster represents a veranda at a summer resort. The young couple dancing to the music of a Victrola which is characterized as the "Ever Ready Home Orchestra," which name was giyen to the Victrola by R. B. Gregory. Mr. Wiswell leaves the latter part of next week for an Eastern trip which includes a stop at Atlantic City, where he will arrange for hotel accommodations for the talking machine jobbers' convention which will be held there July 6 and 7. Although it has not yet been settled, the Challfonte Llotel will probably be the scene of the jobbers' activities. Geissler on Tendencies. Arthur D. Geissler, general manager of the 1 alking Machine Co., of Chicago,.and also of the New York Talking Machine Co., of New York City, N. Y., is in Chicago for about a three weeks' stay. Mrs. Geissler accompanies him and they are stopping at the Blackstone. "There is still a very marked difference in the volume of business being done by the talking machine trade as compared with any other line,'' remarked Mr. Geissler in a chat with The World. "The business of the two jobbing houses with which I am associated, for instance, has shown between 30 and 40 per cent, increase during the months of January, February, March and so far in April, as compared with the corresponding period of last year, and the period last year was the best in our history. "Dealers come in here, and in New York complaining of the enormous amount of business they are losing because of the shortage in Victor machines and records. When you pin them down, however, as to the amount of business they are actually doing this year as compared witli last year they freely admit that it is way ahead, many saying the increase is between 40 and 50 per cent. The fact is that the great American pulse is keyed up to the point where dealers simply cannot bear to see sales going out of the front door and in their chagrin they lose sight of the really remarkable business they are doing. "Two instances" occurred recently right here in Chicago which illustrates phases of this remarkable talking machine business which you may cafe to place before the readers of The World. "A large Illinois dealer came into my office and was talking of the wonderful Victor business, how it had grown, how it was keeping up, and how difficult it was to secure stock enough at all times to take care of the demand. He. said: " "I have had to turn down several trade propositions recently. I have had a number of propositions to take in pianos in exchange for Yictro'.as. The trouble, however, seemed to be that the people expected too much for their pianos. I did not make the trades, for I was not anxious to take back the pianos, inasmuch as I knew I could sell the Victrolas and might not be able to place the pianos so easily. Then, again, you' know that we can get all the pianos we want of most makes. "Then take this and consider it. A Chicago dealer phoned us up and asked if we could furnish him with a piece of wood having the fume oak Victrola finish. LTe had an order for a piano which was to be finished to match the Victrola, which the customer had in the house. I did not treat the request as anything unusual, but simply told him that I would be glad to send him a sample of the fumed Victrola finish and suggested that he might send a finisher to the office to see just how the fumed oak .Victrolas come through. This is the first request of that kind we have had, and I thought that it was not only very interesting, but probably very significant." Harnden Leaves Wurlitzer's. F. H. Harnden, who has been assistant to Fred A. Siemon. assistant manager to the house of Wurlitzer and actively connected with the wholesale talking machine department, has resigned his position and has become interested in an extract manufacturing concern. No successor to Mr. Flarnden has as yet been appointed. Larger Machines in Demand. Local Manager C. F. Baer, of the Columbia Co. reports that one of the most satisfactory features o: the business during the last month has been the fact that the $100, $150 and $200 machines are being called for in far greater numbers than ever before. Mr. Baer accounts for this in that the talking machine is being looked upon more and more favorably by people who are able to pay the higher prices. " People who were prejudiced a short time ago are now buying heavily, not only the high grade machines, but also the better class records. Mr. Baer reports an excellent Columbia business taken generally that is decidedly better than last year. The main trouble at the present time lies ill the difficulty in getting machines, which reminds one of the condition at Christmas time. "Increased freight rates will also mean another big increase in this business," said Mr. Baer. "When one realizes the far-reaching effects of the railroads upon general business and of its countless ramifications, we can see wdiat a wonderful further uplift general business will enjoy when the railroads proceed to improve their roads and continue the work of extension as in years past. Of course, there are many arguments against allowing the railroads to increase their rates and cries of 'watered' stocks are not without foundation. It is true, (C ontinucd on page 35.) 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