The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. CINCINNATI TRADE CONTINUES TO BE OPTIMISTIC. Messrs. Rugles and Ahaus Invent New Needle Which Will Soon Be Put on the Market — Millner Enlarging Victor Department — Whelan Tells of Columbia Expansion — Victor Activity at Wurlitzers and Aeolian Hall — News of the Month Recorded in Detail. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cincinnati, O., May 4— P. B. Ruggles, a Cincinnati chemist, and Louis Ahaus, manager of the Victrola department of the Lyric Piano Co., have invented a new needle, which gives free use of the music without the scratching which so often mars the reproduction. Messrs. Ruggles and Ahaus are preparing to put their invention on the market, though no. company is to be formed for the present. The needle is said to be made of the quill of a feather, chemically treated. One can be used for ten selections, and soft, medium and loud effects can be secured through the new needle. A special holder will be required for the new contrivance. These are to be manufactured by the Cincinnatians. The needle is in the shape of a spear. There have been no, further developments in the affairs of John Arnold. Nothing has been heard of Mr. Arnold by his former business associates. The Milner Musical Co. has discarded its sheet music department, and in about a week the Victrola section is to be enlarged. The latter work has been given in charge of Willis H. Strief. Manager Stotler expects to do considerable newspaper advertising very shortly. Manager Whelen, of the Columbia Graphopho.ne Co., expressed no dissatisfaction over the outcome of the month's business. He said: "During the first part of the month business was certainly on the "boom," but toward the latter part it sort of fell off, that is, as far as machines were concerned, but the record business held its own to the end. We have found it difficult to get in some of the larger types of machines from the factory, owing to the large demands, which the factory has been unable to supply. We are looking forward to a greater business as the summer season opens up, when the demand is great for machines and records for camping purposes. The 'Tango Outfit' has been greatly in demand, and inasmuch as it looks like the 'dance craze' is a permanent feature, machines and records will be more than ever in demand this summer." Speaking of business in the outside territory, Mr. Whelen said : "We have closed with a large number o.f new dealers during the past month, all big accounts, and business seems to be good throughout the entire territory." Victor business at Aeolian Hall has been entirely satisfactory the past month. The last week was especially active and gives promise that it will continue so during the next month. Record sales picked up, especially in the dance music, which fell off during the Lenten season. One of the mo.st pleasing features of the month's business at Aeolian Hall was the demand for higher priced Victrolas. Victrola XVI was a big seller and a number of $200 cash sales went through. The record stock is in much better shape now than for some time past. Good use is being made of the attractive record catalogs recently gotten out by the Victo.r Co., and the Aeolian Co. continues to use large space in the daily papers in its advertising of the Victrola and Victor records. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. makes the following report : "In reviewing the business of the last thirty days and comparing it with the corresponding period in 1913, a splendid increase was found. During two weeks o.f this period the record trade was rather light owing to unfavorable weather conditions, but taken as a whole the results were most satisfactory. "The dance records continue to hold the interest of the public, and instead of showing a decrease, the records are showing an increased sale, probably on account of larger shipments arriving, and a correspondingly more complete stock. "We look forward to the summer without any misgivings as to trade conditions, and are already considering ways and means of handling the tremendous fall business which will surely result from the favorable conditions which now exist. On May 13 Mr. and Mrs. Castle will give a performance in this city, and at this writing (May 4) the greatest interest is being shown in this event by Victrola owners, and the various demonstrating rooms are devoted almost entirely to demonstrating the new dance records. "That the impression made upon the trade by this fad will have far-reaching results is beyond question, and there is no doubt when the dance craze dies out, if it does, the versatile Victrola will be no less an attraction in the homes where the dance craze has placed it." A VALUABLE ACQUISITION To the Talking Machine Establishment of W. D. Andrews, of Buffalo, Is Prince Lei Lani, a Musically Gifted Hawaiian. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Buffalo, N. Y., May 7. — In musical circles in this city, Prince Lei Lani, who is a native of Hawaii, .has made quite a number of friends. It was in 1901 that he came to the United States, spending his first two years in Stanford University improving his voice, which already possessed all that natural sweet quality peculiar only to the native Hawaiian. His first appearance in public was with the famous Royal Hawaiian Band, which toured the world and played before the principal royalties of Europe, the prince appearing at each performance as a tenor soloist and a member of the Hawaiian octet. During the great success of the "Bird of Paradise" the prince took a prominent part for two seasons as a member of the Hawaiian quintet. At the close of the season, in the spring of 1913, two. of the number were killed in an automobile Prince Le accident near Boston. He has played the Orpheum circuit — also the Sullivan & Oo.nsidine circuit. He was engaged at the Winter Garden for ten weeks during the late season of 1913 and scored quite a measure of success. Prince Lei Lani, or E. K. Rose, as he is known off the stage, has a phenomenal voice. He sings with perfect ease tenor, baritone or soprano, and has a range o.f four octaves. During his appearance in Philadelphia in April, 1913, his ability attracted the attention of the Victor Talking Machine Co., which made Mr. Rose and his associates a flattering offer to appear at the laboratory and sing for the Victrola. These records were a success and have had a wonderful sale among all music lovers. After the death of Mr. Rose's associates he decided to. quit the stage and locate permanently. He selected Buffalo as the most desirable city. Since locating here last October Mr. Rose has appeared in many churches and clubs. His different voices, and several changes of costumes, enable him to give a full evening's entertainment. He has also had many out-of-town engagements in Western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Mr. Rose is permanently connected with the Victrola department of W. D. Andrews, -632-634 Main street, where he daily demonstrates his records to visitors. MEDIUM ISJMPORTANT. A drop of ink can still make millions think. But it has to be turned into live-wire language and printed in the right kind of paper to do it. rXhe DITSON Pledgei Is to see that our clientele has a better service than ever— setting a new standard in Victor jobbing deliveries. The demands of alert Victor dealers— the kind that grow— are many and varied, and we furnish the "first-aid" in every instance. We believe this year's Victor business will be of tremendous proportions, and it will pay you to have The Fastest Victor Service which is a requisite in this hustling age. We possess the largest stocks, the best organization and most up-to-date equipment in the Eastern half of the country. This covers Victor machines, records and supplies of every kind, not to mention cabinets, needles and trade-marked accessories. Will you let us tell you more about Ditson co-operation? A postal gets this information! i-OLIVER DITSON CO., Boston, Mass,