The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. OUTLOOK MOST FAVORABLE IN SAN FRANCISCO. Conditions Throughout the State Healthy — portant Sonora Agencies — To Entertain cific Phonograph Co. — Dancing Exhibit New Concerns Make Themselves Felt — ImConventioners — Distributing Depots for Paons at Exposition Talking Machine Booths. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., July 3. — The local talking machine stores are now feeling the effects of the vacation season, but business, nevertheless, is generally reported better than last year at this date, and in California, at least, conditions appear to be healthy. Men who have been through the Northwest lately say that business in parts of that territory is not quite up to the usual standard, but on the whole the outlook is very favorable for the usual revival at the end of summer. As things are now, there is naturally less difficulty in getting stock, and the larger distributing houses are dealer for that district, and the Broadway Department Store, of Los Angeles, being exclusive dealer for Los Angeles County, with the exception of Santa Monica and Hyde Park. The district of Klamath Falls, Ore., has been covered for some time by Shepard & Son, who are handling the Sonora line in a very progressive manner. The latest dealer to take up this line is the Walter & Nichols Co., which has just opened a piano store at Stockton and O'Farrell streets, this city. Large crowds continue to visit the Sonora exhibit in the Liberal Arts Palace at the exposition and it is proving a good advertising medium for Interior of Sonora Phonograp taking care of orders promptly and filling in their own stocks. The talking machine men feel that some important changes are about to take place in the business, and, in fact, the changes are already beginning. The field in this territory has long been held by the three big pioneers of the trade, but newcomers are "beginning to make themselves felt in many ways, and increasing attention is being given to announcements of new machines or devices. What will be the general consequences of the new development is subject to conjecture, and many dealers are doing some careful figuring as to what their position will be. Judging by Pathe Freres' activity in other partsof the country, it is anticipated that they will establish their lines in this territory before long, though no definite step in this direction has yet been announced. These goods, however, are already being handled by some dealers in the Southwest and a good many of the records are finding their way to the Coast. Many Important Sonora Agencies. The Sonora Phonograph Co. is getting well established on the Coast and the impression made by the Sonora exhibit at the exposition is making the line attractive to dealers. The company's branch on Geary street, near the St. Francis Hotel, finds business growing right along, notwithstanding the unfavorable season, and F. B. Travers, local manager, is beginning to wish he had taken larger quarters. The handsome interior of the store is shown in the accompanying photo. The company is getting its agencies lined up through the Pacific territory, the Bush & Lane Piano Co., of Seattle, Wash., being now an exclusive Sonora h Co. Store on Geary Street. this excellent phonograph. W. H. Bradley, the popular demonstrator at the Sonora booth, has resigned to accept an important position with a house" in Little Rock, Ark. Increase Its Line. The Emporium department, under the management of A. W. White, has just completed a large addition to its quarters, and has taken on the Cheney, in addition to the Columbia and Edison lines. Entertainment of Convention Delegates. Local talking machine men are making great preparations for the reception of the Eastern delegates to the jobbers' convention and it is announced that something out of the ordinary will be provided in the way of entertainment, in the banquet and many other special features. As the element of surprise is a not unimportant part of the entertainment, details have not yet been given out. Demand for Edison Records. The Edison Shop reports records coming through in much better shape than before and notes a lively demand for records from country people who are here for the exposition and do a little shopping on the side. They are selling quite a lot of blue Amberol records now. Establish Branch Distributing Depots. A. R. Pommer, of the Pacific Phonograph Co., returned early in June from his Northern trip, after making arrangements to establish branch distributing depots to cover the territory recently acquired. At Portland he secured the fifth floor of the Blake-McFall building, 45 Fourth street, where D. N. Schwab is in charge. The headquarters at Spokane are at 1022 First avenue. No permanent manager has been named as yet. A complete stock has been installed, however, at both places and a number of outside men are calling on the trade in those territories. Mr. Chandler, formerly a traveler for this company in California, is now in Oregon. C. W. Darby is to be special superintendent of agencies for this company's whole territory, spending most of his time on the road. H. L. Marshall, special representative of the Edison organization, has been at the exposition most of the month getting the demonstration in the various buildings well organized. Edison machines have been placed in practically all the State buildings, and in the Eilers concert hall a demonstration is held every afternoon under the supervision of Mrs. Norris. Mr. Marshall is at present in southern California, accompanied by Mr. McCracken, traveler from this office. Ballroom Dancing Contests at Exposition. One of the attractive features at the exposition for the last month has been the Wednesday and Saturday ballroom dancing contests held at the Columbia booth. The final contest took place on the afternoon of June 26, and the prize, a $110 machine, was presented to the winning couple by Al Jrilson, who is here in "Dancing Around," on Liberal Arts Day, June 29, when the building was thronged with vis'tors. Mr. Dorian is still in the city, spending much of his time at the exposition. W. S. Gray, Coast manager for the company, says the month has been very satisfactory all over California, showing some gain over last year. Interested in President Johnson's Coming. The announcement that President Johnson of the Victor Talking Machine Co. would attend the coming convention, in company with Bedford Royal, of the directorate, and L. F. Geissler, is a matter of considerable interest to Victor dealers. Dancing at Victor Temple Attracts Crowds. The dancing events conducted on the lawn in front of the Liberal Arts building of the exposition by Mile. LaGai, under the auspices of the Victor Temple, have been a never-failing source of satisfaction, drawing large crowds on every occasion. The performance June 24, the balletdrama gypsy dance, was especially notable and was witnessed by over 2,000 people. A number of interesting Russian dances and musical numbers were introduced in the ballet. Music from the big Victrola was plainly heard all over the South Gardens. After the exhibition, as usual, a capacity crowd visited the Victor Temple, where a fine program was rendered. wuv nnw'T vnn pi a v edison or pathe discs on WHI DUN 1 IUU r LAI YOUR VICTOR OR VICTROLA? You can do this with the LITTLE 4-in-l "LEXTON ATTACHMENT." Victor, Columbia, Edison & Pathe Discs Can all be played with the "PERMANENT LEXTON ATTACHMENT" "LEXTON ATTACHMENT" complete with one LEXTON SAPPHIRE NEEDLE NICKEL FINISH, $2.00 GOLD FINISH, $2.50 LEXTON SAPPHIRE NEEDLES, $ .75 each (One Sample Attachment with one Needle to Dealers on Receipt of $1.00.) Type E "LEXTON SAPPHIRE NEEDLE" is adapted for use on Edison type discs, while Type P is for use on Pathe' type discs. In ordering state which type is desired. LEXTON SPECIALTY CO., 216 West 99th St., NEW YORK.