The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 43 space you can afford, whether small or large, and say something in that space. If you can train the people in your locality to think of your store whenever they want talking machines and records, then your advertising is dominating." Mr. Brown also held forth at some length on the growth of the Victor Co. since it started in business. He stated that although Mr. Johnson started the business in one small room, the present Victor Co.'s plant, if rebuilt in the form of one-story buildings 100 feet wide, would extend for three and one-half miles. At the present time there are 8,500 employes in the Victor factory, and yet the goods cannot be turned out fast enough. Mr. Brown also emphasized the importance of the Stevens bill to the talking machine trade and ended his interesting talk with a touching tribute to the memory of Edward Lyman Bill, publisher of The Talking Machine World, who was a speaker at last year's dinner of The Talking Machine Men. Toastmaster Hunt next introduced Marion Dorian, treasurer of the Columbia Graphophone Co., who spoke at considerable length upon the stupendous character of the talking machine business of to-day, giving facts and figures. The speaker traced the development of the talking machine from a position as a toy of the rich some twenty-five years ago, to its present standing as a universal musical instrument, to be found in the homes of the rich and poor alike. He emphasized its educational possibilities and its ability to teach the child under the guise of offering amusement and entertainment. Mr. Dorian declared that the talking .machine business was in no sense temporary, but was permanent and would continue to grow indefinitely. In closing he outlined the Columbia Co.'s policy in its relations with its dealers; its strict adherence to the .policy of price maintenance and its interests in the welfare of the trade at large. He also endorsed the Stevens bill, and declared that the bill was a sign of the times and that the price cutter must go. Mr. Dorian also referred humorously to some of General Sales Manager Bradt's troubles. Mr. Bradt joined in the laugh at his expense. The next speaker was Frank L. Devine, of the Merchants' Association of New York, who dwelt upon the work that trade organizations may accomplish. He expressed the opinion that the annual dues of the talking machine men should be raised above the $3 now charged annually. "You can only get $3 for $3 worth," declared Mr. Devine. "A $3 clerk will do $3 worth of work and a $10 clerk will do $10 worth of work. The members of The Talking Machine Men should support their officers not only morally, but in a financial way that they may carry out plans for the improvement of the trade in general." Mr. Devine also gave some figures regarding New York as a convention city and a manufacturing center, and declared that the manufacturers of this city exceeded those of Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston combined, and that the capital invested and the output of finished products exceeded the total of Philadel JM1 These little Black Boxers execute all the blows, swings, shifts, counters, and side-steps known — and then some. Put on a good lively record and you'll see some boxing that makes any one scream with laughter. Hand painted in four colors and sold retail for $1.25. THE BOXERS PATENTED MARCH 16, 1915. RAGTIME RASTUS, the automatic dancins darky, is the delight of thousands. This is no doubt the fastest selling toy on the market. Hand painted in four colors. Retails for $1 .00. Doesn't mar or slow down the machine; doesn't injure records. Excellent window demonstrator. An allyear-round seller, so you can stock up without fear. To ys Our latest marvelous toy is the Wireless Pup, operated by sound waves. Whistle, and the dog jumps out of his house — entirely by wireless. Built on scientific principles similar to those underlying the art of submarine signaling. Retails at $5. Sample sent for $3.50. We already have filled many repeat orders on the Wireless Pup from talking machine dealers. It is such an unusual novelty that any store with well-to-do trade can sell them. RAGTIME RASTUS PATENTED MARCH 16, 191S. Many dealers in the United States and abroad have found "National Toys'* the toys for use on talking machines, not only fine window displays, but good all-year-round sellers, and novelties that bring new people to their stores. These toys do not Jit the Edison Machine Ragtime Rastus retails for $1; The Boxers sell for $1.25; combination of both retails at $1.50. 33Mt% discount in dozen lots. Discount on larger quantities. Send in your order now — get them going in your store and liven things up. National Toy Company 271 Congress Street, Boston, Mass. phia and Chicago together. He also stated that 37 per cent, of the Federal income tax was collected in New York City. R. W. Morey, general manager of the New York Talking Machine Co., next addressed the gathering on the broad subject of "Service," which he divided into three sections, namely: safety, courtesy and loyalty, with special emphasis placed upon the value of courtesy in the development of any business. Mr. Morey pointed out that the successful dealer was the one who injected the element of courtesy into his business personally and who, although having a corps of trained clerks, found time to extend a greeting to every customer as she or he enters the store. W. B. Holland, of the American Fair Trade League, held forth briefly on the evils of price cutting and of the unfair competition developed by that system. Mr. Holland made one excellent point to the effect that the price cutters did not advertise the goods, but traded simply and purely upon the name. It was not just soap or silk or talking machines sold at certain special prices, but special brands of those goods that were offered at an inducement. The final speaker of the evening was J. Newcomb Blackman, of the Blackman Talking Machine Co., who confined himself chiefly to some humorous remarks and promised that he would talk on the Stevens bill, in which he has taken a great personal interest, at a later meeting of The Talking Machine Men. Taken all in all, it was the most successful affair yet held by The Talking Machine Men and should prove a means for greatly increasing the membership of and interest in The Talking Machine Men, Inc. In order that the diners might make notes of matters that interested them during the evening, there was placed at each plate, before the banquet, a convenient pencil with the compliments of Schloss Bros. WILL NOT DELAY SHIPMENTS A fire occurred in the building at 136 Liberty street, New York, causing considerable damage to the stockroom and offices of George A. Smith & Co., Inc., makers of Magnet decalcomanie. It will not, however, inconvenience them in the delivery of goods. MOVES TO LARGER FACTORY The Oceanic Import and Export Co., manufacturers of sound boxes, tone arms, etc., formerly located at 154 Nassau street, New York, has moved to larger quarters at '290 Church street, where new machinery is being installed. The voice of the noted operatic and concert artist, Yvonne de Treville has been recreated by Thomas A. Edison. Her first recreation was announced in the fifty-fifth supplement to the Edison diamond disc record catalog. LATEST HIT! The firm of ANDs KOCH is well known to each Music House all over the World in regard to quality. I offer this fine rubbed finish mahogany Talking Machine with reversible sound box, which plays all makes of records, at the price of $4.40 each, retail price $9. Write for catalog of Phonographs and Phonograph parts. AND* KOCH, 296 Broadway, New York City.