The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1914)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 45 From Our Chicago Headquarters P. VAN HARLINGEN, Manager HENRY S. KINGWILL, Associate World Office Consumers' Bldg., 220 South State St., Chicago Telephone: Wabash 5774 (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, III., October 9. — The local talking machine trade is enjoying the first fruits of the fall season. A very decided increase in sales is reported all along the Avenue, and in every talking machine store the opinion is given that the fall of 1914 will be a most profitable one despite the general adverse conditions which prevail and which have so seriously impaired so many other industries. The heaviest machines being sold are, of course, the ever-popular styles that retail around $100, but numerous disposals of the largest styles of machines are reported on all sides. The record situation, while it does not show as much improvement, perhaps, as the improvement in the sale of machines, is nevertheless good. The dancing fad continues to contribute its beneficence, but records now called for are for the "fox trot," which dance is the successor to the tango. The fox trot is said to be very much the same as the tango, but the time is doubled. O'Neill-James Gets Pathe Agency. L. L. Leeds, of the New York office of Pathe Freres, while on a recent visit to Chicago, announced that his company had placed the agency for its goods in Chicago and Western territory with the O'Neill-James Co., of Chicago. A. J. O'Neill said to The World : "We are very much pleased at securing the Pathe line. We think it is a winner, and I look for every success with it here in the West. I start on my first trip in connection with our new business in a few days and will visit St. Louis, Omaha and cities in the Northwest. Hold Formal Opening. Rolf Hammer, famous Norwegian singer and maker of many of the popular Edison records, was a visitor last week to the shop of James I. Lyons. Mr. Lyons was also visited by Otto Clausen, another Norwegian singer of the same company, who has contributed many of the popular issues in the Norwegian division of the Edison library. Mr. Lyons was one of the exhibitors at the recent Household Show at the Coliseum, where he showed in addition to an elaborate display of the Edison Amberol machines, the Victor and Columbia machines and records. Singers Visit Dealer. The enlarged and improved record department of the Phonograph Co., local Edison representative, was opened September 26 to a large crowd of interested patrons. The latter availed themselves of the many new facilities and privileges of the Edison shops and incidentally invested heavily in records and machines. The affair was quite social in tone. Tea and light refreshments were served. L. A. Sutfin is the new general traveler for the Phonograph Co. Mr. Sutfin is at the present time making a trip . through Southern Illinois, calling on Edison dealers and prospective Edison dealers. Inaugurate Instalment Business. Two of Chicago's largest department stores, namely, Siegel Cooper & Co. and the Fair, have decided to institute the instalment system in their respective departments. This is an entirely new departure for the Fair, although Siegel Cooper & Co. did it at one time and then decided to discontinue it. General Manager George W. Montgomery, of the Fair, made his decision during the past week following a visit by Clifford R. Ely, special representative of the Columbia Graphophone Co. Mr. Ely disposed of a large stock of Columbia goods to Mr. Montgomery, and it was following this that the decision to operate the instalment business was made. The talking machine department of the Fair will be greatly enlarged by a number of large booths and the business will be actively pushed. The talking machine department of Siegel Cooper & Co. will be removed from the fourth to the third floor, and Manager Sandeberg is planning an active campaign for the fall months. As a first step he placed a large order for Columbia goods with Mr. Ely also. Mr. Ely deserves much credit for the business-like way in which he handled these deals. There are now six of the eight large department stores on State street who are Columbia dealers. They are Siegel Cooper & Co., Rothschilds, the Fair. Hillman's, the Boston Store and Marshall Field & Co. The details of the adoption by Marshall Field & Co. of the Columbia line will be found in another part of this paper. Business in Northwest Good. R. J. Keith, manager of the Talking Maclvne Co., spent a few days this week on a trip through the Northwest. While at Minneapolis Mr. Keith was entertained by Archie Mattheis, dealer in that city, who showed him about the city and took him for a motor trip through the beautiful lake country that surrounds it. "I found things in the Northwest especially good," said Mr. Keith. "A1 big business is undoubtedly assured for that section of the country this year, and all seem to realize it, as they are stocking up heavily. Grain crops were tremendous and they are enjoying one of the biggest businesses in their history. "We closed our business for September with a substantial gain over September of last year, and so far this month are continuing to go at a good pace. There seems to be a considerable feeling of confidence, and despite the big war we are finding dealers to be in an optimistic frame of mind." Wade Business Double. S. O. Wade, of Wade & Wade, announces that his company's bus:ness for September, 1914, was just double that of September, 1913. "This is very encouraging to us," said Mr. Wade, "and in our opinion shows that dealers are realizing the advantages of handling a first-class needle cutter such as we believe ours to be. A cutter that pleases customers and a cutter that users recommend to their friends is naturally much in demand." Rothschild in Dance Program. Rothschild's Department Store is offering a novelty to its customers that is more than successful. B. F. Dvorak, in charge of the department, arranged and is now giving concerts which include not only talking machines, but which also includes the violin and player-piano, and the three in concert. Mr. Dvorak secured Miss Dunn and Mr. King, society dancers, to illustrate the latest steps to the music of the talker and the player-piano, and the concerts which are given twice a week are being attended by increasing numbers all the time. The first program was made up of eight numbers, and those present remained from start to finish. New Victor Store. S. K. Tureck, 3223 West Twenty-second street, has just placed a large order of Victor goods with the Talking Machine Co., and will open a fine store. Whitman to Indianapolis. H. Whitman, formerly floor salesman for the Talking Machine Co.* was selected some time ago to take charge of the new Victrola department (Continued on page 47.) THE WADE-™* NPe*™«er-THE WADE The WADE embodies the right principle, worked out through long experience. It is simple, durable and accurate, needle at an angle resulting in the best tone. The WADE cutters are made of the best steel and are absolutely guaranteed. It trims the The Wade uC COTTER N,,^ Needle Cutter No. Z The WADE is the most economical cutter. It has a selfacting stop, which prevents waste and enables one to get from 12 to 15 perfect playing points. No. 2 has a double action, making it especially easy to. operate and affording the most powerful cut of any tool made. No. 1 is a very popular cutter which has given excellent service. The Wade Fibre Needle Cutter No. 1 RETAIL PRICESNo. 1, $1.50; No. 2, $2.00 Order from your regular Distributoi — we sell to Jobbers only WADE & WADE, 3807 Lake Park Ave. CHICAGO, ILL.