The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 25 PROSPERITY PREVAILS IN KANSAS CITY TERRITORY Agricultural Conditions Greatly Improved — A. A. Blackman — May, Stern & Co. Close Local Trostler's Interesting Trip — Honors for M. M. Store — Clever Wunderlich Advertising Kansas City, Mo., June 9. — The talking machine trade in the Kansas City territory has been a source of much satisfaction to distributors in the past month. Dealers have been aggressive; and in some districts have found their special efforts well rewarded with large increase in business. The district is in fine shape, with the replanted corn, or forage crops replacing wheat, Bountifully moistened, and needing only sunshine now to yield a harvest far beyond ordinary past years in value. The oil district of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma — the mineral districts of the same States — the live stock production, and the many varied sources of wealth of the territory, all promise to provide a more than generous prosperity. People have in the main recovered from their fears of a scant harvest, and are adjusting themselves to war conditions. The Federal Reserve Bank, in its report of June 2, declared that the usual business barometers indicated trade quite up to normal. A. A. Trostler, manager of the talking machine department of the Schmelzer Arms Co., distributors of Victrolas, made the trade trip with the Chamber of Commerce recently, into Oklahoma, Southeastern Kansas, and Western Missouri, meeting many dealers, and finding everywhere a demand for quick shipment of goods, for which the dealers had the orders in sight. May has been the best May in the company's history, both in machines and records. E. A. McMurtry, manager of the local Columbia branch, advised dealers in advance of his coming on the Chamber of Commerce trip, and met one or more of the dealers at each of the thirty-six stops made by the tourists. Incidentally, though this had not been his purpose, he did quite a good deal of business. The chief result was his getting into close touch with the dealers, and seeing them in their stores, learning about their territory. The trip was an inno vation for the Chamber, in that half an hour to several hours were spent in each town, so that distributors had plenty of time to meet their customers. "I was surprised most to findthe small size of communities that had been giving us good business," said Mr. McMurtry. "Oklahoma is in fine shape, and it is a hustling district all the way through." M. M. Blackman, manager of the Phonograph Co. at Kansas City, takes office as president of the Kansas City Advertising Club following the convention at St. Louis of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World. He was prominent in the arrangements for the trip to the convention; but his greatest work so far has been preparing the way for an efficient administration when he takes charge. The members are delighted with the vigor with which he is tackling the problem of managing an advertising club in a city like Kansas City, that is so full of opportunities. May, Stern & Co., for many years a leading furniture house at Eleventh and Main streets, handling talking machines and pianos, will close the Kansas City store soon, moving stock to St. Louis. The few remaining Grafonolas in stock will, it is expected, be disposed of to the customers attracted when the furniture is put on sale at a closing-out event. The W. W. Kimball Piano Co. is exploiting the Pathe very cleverly in its handsome display window, where the records and a machine are shown arranged beside a Kimball piano. The Altman Music Co. is enjoying a good trade in talking machines, although it has not been exploiting them. The company emphasizes pianos in its advertising, but also carries Columbia and other machines. C. V. Bissell, manager for the Starr Piano Co., reports a good trade in Starr phonographs. The retail business, it can well be understood, gets a large impetus from the tiny display window, in which the phonograph and records are featured. This window is scarcely larger than necessary to hold a machine and a sign; but it is conspicuous by its very minuteness, adjoining a widely advertised clothing store, and on a much-traveled street. Harry Wunderlich is rounding out the appeal to music lovers of his excellent advertising, by including Victor talking machines and records. The store has exceptionally well equipped and convenient demonstration rooms, and it does a large business in talking machines as well as pianos and players. The talking machine department is not left to become merely an incident, however; it is played up prominently, with the same artistic special drawings, as are the pianos— sometimes with a general appeal on the machine, sometimes with an attention-compelling display on a special record. H. A. Ivey, formerly city salesman of the Columbia branch in this city, has been transferred to New Orleans, to do similar work. L. Earl Elsham, manager of the retail section of the talking machine department of the Schmelzer Arms Co., has exceptional facilities for exploiting the vacation Victrola outfits. Anybody who gets within a half block of the Schmelzer store has to think of camping, or outings of some sort — and Mr. Elsham has then merely to hook that idea up with Victrolas. The variety of suggestions that can be imparted to the visiting retailers are almost infinite. Business with this house is excellent, and it deserves to be, for they are ever "on the job" with real constructive work. The sale of patriotic and band records has been large in Kansas City. The J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co., distributors and retailers, has effectively promoted such sale by its' newspaper advertising and window displays. In the windows, with samples of patriotic sheet music, there is always a Victrola and a few records suggestive of the many pieces available that are particularly popular now. Built Especially for This One Purpose ELECTRIC Motors, to operate phonographs, require special designing and construction. Ordinary electric motors for ordinary service will not do for phonographs. The noise caused by the average motor is not important for average service. But on a phonograph the motor must be silent. Variance in speed for the average service of electric motors matters little. But for phonograph use the speed must be absolutely uniform. The oiling system, too, must be perfected for electrical phonograph service. All oiling troubles, such as oil leaking on commutator and in the windings, must be overcome. The arrangement and requirement for oiling necessitate the greatest skill in designing. Electric motors for phonographs must have an oil capacity to sufficiently lubricate all parts over a long period. Arnold Electric Motors are constructed for phonograph purposes only, and are built more like a watch than a motor. They provide for every important requirement of phonograph usages. Phonograph engineers after many tests declare the Arnold Electric Motor to meet fully and completely the specific needs for electrically driven phonographs. For uniform speed, absolute silence, and smoothness of operation these engineers say the Arnold Electric Motor is perfect. Our splendid factory equipment and facilities enable us to deliver Arnold Electric Motors promptly and at prices that compare favorably with the highest grade spring motors. Write us for details and prices. Amold EleCtric CO, ^Phonograph Division.) Racine, Wis.