The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 43 Columbia Double Disc Records A5973— A5971— A2266. A lew fox-trots and onesteps that the majority of Columbia dealers are finding it hard to keep in stock. Columbia Graphophone Co Woolworth Building, New York NO LET-UP IN ACTIVITY IN KANSAS CITY TERRITORY Steady Volume of Trade During Summer Makes — M. M. Blackman Heads Advertising Dealers Worry About Stocks for the Fall Rush Club — Trade Members on Vacations Kansas City, Mo., August 8. — The trade situation in this section during midsummer is from all reports about the same as that which prevails throughout the country. In short, while handling a very satisfactory volume of retail business, the dealers, to say nothing of the jobbers, are most anxious about future supplies. In fact, there is a distinct shortage in some lines right now when the summer lull is supposed to exist. Members of the trade now wonder what to expect when the rush comes in the fall. It is noticeable that the retailers are placing an unusual volume of orders in an effort to overcome the effect of delays in production or the holdup of shipments later on. A. A. Trostler, manager of the talking machine department of the Schmelzer Arms Co., and recently appointed assistant secretary of the company, reports a remarkably good business for the last month. The only difficulty, according to Mr. Trostler, is in the scarcity of machines. The demand for Victrolas is constantly increasing and the shortage is more apparent than ever. M. F. Martin, of the Martin-Adams Co., Wichita, Kan., was in Kansas City recently with glowing reports of the prosperous outlook for Wichita. The Martin-Adams store has been remodeled and attractively decorated. Joseph S. Wilde has accepted a position as manager of the Victrola department of the Rorabaugh Wiley Dry Goods Co., Hutchinson, Kan., and was in Kansas City recently, preparatory to a reorganization of the department. Mr. Wilde is an Eastern talking machine man. George D. Standke, manager of the retail department of the Columbia Graphophone Co., left on a short vacation trip to Chicago and Detroit about August 6. On his return Mr. Standke will spend a week or two on his father's farm near Clinton, Mo., eating all the fried chicken he wants. H. E. Schofield, of the Victrola department of the J. W. Jenkins Music Co., has joined the second company of the Coast Artillery and will report for duty in San Francisco August S. Willard Pierce, son of Burton J. Pierce, manager of the Victrola department of the J. W. Jenkins Music Co., has left for a month's visit on a ranch in northwestern Colorado. M. M. Blackman, manager of the Edison distributing company in this district, has taken his post as president of the Kansas City Advertising Club, and has the enthusiastic support of the entire club in his heavy program of work for the coming year. Mr. Blackman, in his "inaugural" address, related experiences while visiting other branch managers of the Edison Co., and emphasized the value of such exchange of information as he had with the managers; he said he hoped to see this idea carried more fully into the work of advertisers in Kansas City. Mr. Blackman has appointed a strong list of committees, and will aid the chairmen in their work by an arrangement for frequent conferences, to see what they are doing, and secure the active assistance of club members in their work. Miss Jessica Owens, of the Operaphone Talking Machine Co., is spending several weeks' vacation in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Before coming home she will make a short trip East. The Operaphone Talking Machine Co. has opened up a record exchange department in connection with the talking machine department. They have bought out the Symphony Record Exchange and the National Phonograph and Record Co. The company handles the following makes of machines: Mandel, Playerphone, Operaphone, Brooks, Delpheon, Carola, Sterling, Stewart, Arion, and others. The Henley Waite Music Co. reports that the business done in the talking machine department during the last month was the best that company has ever done in July. There has been an unusually good sale of records, the majority of which have been patriotic records. The Hall Music Co. reports that the talking machine business for July was much better than for the months of May and June preceding. R. S. Peer, of the Columbia Graphophone Co., has left on a motor trip to Chicago and Detroit. Mr. Peer was accompanied by his wife. C. J. Schmelzer, president of the Schmelzer Arms Co., and his family are sojourning in the mountains of Colorado. Harvey J. Schmelzer, vice-president of the company, will motor through to Colorado this month. O. D. Standke, manager of the Victrola department of the George B. Peck Dry Goods Co., states that the July business in that department shows a 110 per cent, increase over July of last year. The department has a new man in the person of G. A. Phillips, formerly of the Columbia Graphophone Co. E. A. Uden, Sapulpa, Okla., has been in the city recently on his return from the Edison convention. R. H. Deweese, of the Steinola Co., will leave shortly on a business trip to Des Moines, la., and Omaha, Neb. Mr. Deweese will be accompanied by his wife. Miss M. Johnston, of the Victrola department of the George B. Peck Dry Goods Co., has left for a three weeks' visit in Arcadia, Mo. E. A. McMurtry, manager of the wholesale department of the Columbia Graphophone Co., and his wife will leave for a few weeks' visit in Estes Park, Colo., about August 16. A certificate of incorporation was issued recently to the Eclipse Phonograph Co., of Newark, N. J., for the purpose of manufacturing talking machines and accessories. The capitalization is $1,000,000, the incorporators being Chas. A. Islieb, A. R. Winans and J. P. Sibley. BOSS'AND SALESMANMOTROLA HELPS BOTH * \ TOW that the Motrola has relieved me of winding the demonstratI ' ing phonographs," said the salesman, "I am able to wait on more customers, wait on them better, and sell them more." "That's true," said the boss, "and besides, the Motrola has paid for itself, and has earned additional profits, too, by selling other Motrolas." The Motrola winds phonographs by electricity. It is easily attached in place of the winding handle. It insures perfect time and tone. Do not pass up the profits Motrola will bring you ! Write today for our interesting trial offer. JONES MOTROLA Incorporated 29 West 35th St. New York