The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

62 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD WONDERFUL MONTH IN LOS ANGELES Trade in Southern California Shows Activity in Practically Every Department of the Business— New Talking Machine Dealers Announced— Personals and News of Interest Los Angeles, Cal., March 6. — February has been a wonderful month in the "Talker Line" in spite of the deplorable shortage of all makes of machines and records. Especially was the lack of records felt, as all local dealers report being out of many standard selections that have never been out before. There seems to be a great deal of activity in the schools regarding the use of machines for musical instruction. Although a great many schools in Los Angeles and vicinity have already been supplied in that line, there is still a large field not worked yet and few dealers seem to realize the wonderful opportunities to be found in school work. O. A. Lovejoy, manager of the Diamond Disc Distributing Co., local Edison jobbers, has just returned from a trip to the Atlantic Coast, where he went to attend the Edison Disc Jobbers' convention. Mr. Lovejoy seemed much pleased with the outlook at the Edison factory and says that if he can get the railroads to haul them he will soon begin to get plenty of Edison machines and records. Barker Bros, report the sale of a Victrola XVII, American Walnut Electric. This was a very beautiful machine and was one of the first to be sent to the Coast. W. H. Ruggles, manager for Sherman, Clay & Co., says he is literally swamped with business and doesn't know whether he will ever catch up or not. He also reports the following outof-town dealers as having enlarged their Victor departments and more than doubling their last year's business: R. L. Riley, Colton, California; Monrovia Book and Music Store, Uplands Book Store, and G. W. Finch, Fullerton, Cal. The Wiley B. Allen Co. have enclosed their beautiful window, which is one of the curved glass pattern. This permits of a very attractive display and draws more attention than before the change. Joseph Carter, of the talking machine de partment of the Southern California Music Co., has gone East on a six-weeks' visit. While away Mr. and Mrs. Carter will visit points of interest, including the talking machine factories. Chas. Hebbard, secretary and treasurer of Trell & Gibbs, Inc., Victor and Edison dealers in Spokane, Wash., is in Los Angeles. While in this city Mr. Hebberd visited most of the local dealers. Earl S. Dibble, manager of the talking machine department for the Southern California Music Co., San Diego, Cal., spent several days in the city last week. Mr. Dibble says business is good and is looking forward to a banner year at San Diego. TALKING MACHINE MEN, INC., MEET Organization of Local Dealers Listens to Addresses on Unity of Action in Matters of Legislation, Selling, Advertising and Other Topics, Delivered by Prominent Speakers The regular monthly meeting of the Talking Machine Men, Inc., was held Wednesday afternoon, February 21, at Keen's Chop House, 70 West Thirty-sixth street, with an unusually large attendance due no doubt to the fact that several speakers of note addressed the gathering. The usual luncheon preceded the meeting, after which the regular program was dispensed with in order to give as much time as possible to the addresses. Henry H. Harkavy, counsel of the New York Piano Manufacturers' Association, was the first speaker of the afternoon and he addressed the gathering on the need for united action of all organizations interested in legislation pertaining to provisional sales. Mr, Harkavy urged his hearers to give financial support to those who are already representing musical interests at Albany and thereby assist the passage of such legislation at this session of the legislature as will help their interests. The matter was placed in the hands of the legal committee for prompt action. There then followed an address by Charles H. Townsend, one of the staff of the "Music in the Home" page of the New York Evening Mail, who throughout the course of his remarks gave much valuable information to those present and also thoroughly covered the work his paper is doing. A demonstration of transfer products was made by John H. McGowan, of the Globe Decalcomanie Co., which proved very interesting. Mr. McGown also promised to present the members with decalcomanias of the official seal of the Talking Machine Men, Inc., to be placed on the window or the door of the dealer. Chas. Kahn, Eastern representative of the Edward C. Plume Co., Chicago advertising specialists, then made an address on analyzing sales. Max Landay, one of the hardest workers in the association, also addressed the gathering on membership and its duties. The meeting proved to be one of the most enthusiastic in the history of the association and the consensus of opinion of those present is that the Talking Machine Men, Inc., is due to make more progress than ever throughout the coming year. SIGN MANY NEW CONTRACTS The Century Cabinet Co., New York, N. Y., whose factory at Utica, N. Y., is one of the most up-to-date and perfectly equipped cabinet plants in the country, has signed a number of important contracts the past few weeks which are an impressive tribute to the quality of the cabinets turned out by this company. James T. Lee, president of the Century Cabinet Co., visited the factory last week, and made arrangements whereby the most important departments at the plant will be considerably enlarged to take care of present requirements. The department devoted to the production of complete machines on a cost plus a manufacturing profit basis has been unusually busy since the first of the year. QUALITY 25c 30c in the West Each 35c in Canada The Demand Has Doubled Dealers everywhere report that this new Double Disc is doubling their sales and their record profits. The reason is apparent. The only difference between Par-O-Ket Quality records and other high-grade records is the size and the price. They are only seven inches in diameter, but they play full three minutes — as long as any ten-inch record. They cost less, but they play as well as the highest priced records. The selections are of the very highest standard, and the best of the new music is recorded on Par-O-Kets. Par-O-Kets mean repeat orders. You dealers know the answer. Get in on a good thing. We are already doubling our capacity to meet the daily increasing demands. Send in your orders and you will see why the demand has doubled. Par-O-Kets play with a medium tone, steel needle on any machine with a universal tone arm, and on the only other two machines with an easily adjusted attachment. Look on Page 126 for list of new numbers. Distributors Wanted in Every City— WRITE. Paroquette Record Mfg. Company 47 West 34th Street, NEW YORK 36 So. State Street, CHICAGO