The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

4 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD TWIN CITY TALKING MACHINE MEN A CONTENTED LOT Report a Growing Demand for Better Grades of Accompanying Publicity Campaigns Still Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., May 28. — If everyone in the world was as satisfied and contented as the talking machine and phonograph dealers of St. Paul and Minneapolis the millennium might be expected any minute. Without any exception the dealers of the Twin Cities, and the jobbers are' doing more business than they handled a year ago, and 1916 was not a slow year for them, far from it. Not only are they selling more and better instruments, but they could show a substantial increase over even the present satisfactory volume could they but obtain the goods desired. So they say. The grand opera season is over, and the tone tests as well, so there is not as much activity in public affairs pertaining to the trade, but the people are buying instruments and records. It seems that the public has accepted a general dictum that "No home is complete without a talking machine." At any rate, without any special publicity, or any great effort the people are buying. Of course, many of the city folks have gone to their summer homes along the rivers, on the lakes and in the wilderness, and the need for phonographs and records at these places may have stimulated the trade somewhat. Manager George A. Mairs, of the Victrola department of W. J. Dyer, states that their sales are far ahead of the totals for a year ago. "We could close many more sales, if we could get all we wanted of certain popular styles," he said. "But we can't. We had hoped all along that the shortage of supply which has been acute for a long time, would be overcome, and we could stock up, but we find no relief. For fear this may continue we already have placed orders for the fall trade. Three of our salesmen are on the road all the time, and are getting all the business that can be handled to advantage. Machines— Effects of Grand Opera Season and Being Felt — What Jobbers Are Doing The Minnesota Phonograph Co., in addition to its regular business, which has been increasing monthly, still is feeling some of the stimulation from the big Edison convention, banquet, recital and tone test. It was a big event for the Edison dealers and their hosts, and President L. H. Lucker has reason to feel elated. Like other jobbers Mr. Lucker complains that they want the same styles of machines as he wants, the result being that he can't get all the machines that he wants, and the final consequence being that he loses business every day. Aside from that May was a much better month in every way than April, and is something like 20 per cent, ahead of the May of 1916. By making the most strenuous sort of effort the Beckwith-O'Neill Co. is trying to accumulate a stock of Victrolas for what is coming later, but it can hardly be said that their labors are profitable or even encouraging. There are a few machines in the main storeroom, but too few by far. They report that the great caution so noticeable in the April orders has quite disappeared and the rural dealers are ordering about at their normal rate. With the volume of business greater than a year ago the house has reason to feel considerably at ease. A switch has occurred in the Columbia management for the Northwest. W. L. Sprague, formerly at Buffalo, is now in charge. Just where Robert Souders, who has been boss here for two years, will go, has not been learned. The company is reported to be doing a nice business, especially with its Dictaphone line. J. W. Shaw, formerly St. Paul manager for the Cable Piano Co., is on the road for the G. Sommers Co., Northwestern jobbers for the Pathe machines and goods. J. L. Pofahl, manager of the Victrolas in the big Golden Rule store, St. Paul, attended the piano conventions in Chicago, particularly to view the displays A lady, Miss Gladys Hutchins, formerly with the New England Furniture Co., is manager of the Victrola department of Davis & Ruben, 313 East Hennepin avenue. This placard has been posted in every department of W. J. Dyer & Bro. All department heads pronounce it to be of inestimable value in stimulating the interest of the employes: The Success of This Business Depends on the Co-operation of Every Employe From Errand Boy to Manager WAGES MUST BE EARNED BEFORE THEY CAN BE PAID Anything that Hurts this Business Will Hurt Every Employe Protect it in Every Way You Can May it Grow, and Grow With It. The military spirit has entered the soul of F. S. Smith, manager of the Victrola department of the Cable Piano Co., St. Paul. He is drilling nightly with the Civilian reserve, and may get the shoulder straps of an officer later. RIMINI J0INS_PATHE STAFF The Pathe Freres Phonograph Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., has announced the addition to its staff of recording artists of Giacomo Rimini, leading baritone of the Chicago Opera Co., and prominent in musical circles here and abroad. His first recordings will be issued on June 20, at which time the July Pathe records are announced to the public. Mr. Rimini achieved phenomenal success with the Chicago Opera Co. the past season, and proved such a favorite with opera-goers that the management of the opera company re-engaged him for a number of years. His first Pathe recordings are: "Faust" (Gounod) "Invocation" in Italian; and Otello (Verdi) "Brindisi" (drinking song) in Italian. HERE'S FOR VACATION r% ICTOR D OLLARSt E ALERS I It sells itself — just what your trade has been waiting for! 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