The talking machine world (Jan-June 1918)

May IS, 1918 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 55 CONDITIONS IN STEEL NEEDLE FIELD MEETING OF PORTLAND ASSOCIATION Suggestion Made That Needle Packages Be Increased to Two Hundred at Retail Price of 25 Cents— Timely Chat With Adolf Heineman Commenting on general conditions in the steel needle field Adolf Heineman, assistant general manager of the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Co., New York, who is in charge of the company's Dean division, remarked to The World: "The trade doubtless understands that we have been leaving nothing undone to cooperate, with our clients in every possible way, even though this has required the expenditure of time and money far beyond expectations. For example, we are using in the manufacture of Dean steel needles only the highest grade carbon steel, and, with the tremendous shortage of raw material the past year, it has been a very serious problem to secure this steel in sufficient quantities to fill the requirements of our trade. "However, we have surmounted these difficulties until, at the present time, we are producing Dean steel needles in far greater quantities than ever before. Our factories in Putnam, Conn., and Newark, N. J., are working to capacity, and we have every reason to believe that our patrons will be satisfied with our service during the coming year. "One of the many problems that have confronted us during the past few months is the increased shortage of paper. The use of paper is an important factor in the steel needle industry, as our vast output necessarily calls for the consumption of paper for envelopes in tremendous quantities. "For many years the standard needle package in this country has been the envelope containing 100 needles, but many of our customers have suggested to us during the past few months that we inaugurate a plan whereby steel needles would be merchandised in packages of 200 instead of 100. "These jobbers and dealers tell us that this is an opportune time to educate the ultimate consumer to the idea that the standard package for needles is a package of 200 retailing at 25 cents. This plan is timely in view of the fact that many dealers in different parts of the country are now endeavoring to retail the package of 100 needles at 15 cents, but would welcome a standard package of 200 needles at a retail price of 25 cents. "From a patriotic standpoint this suggestion is an excellent one, for, as the trade probably knows, the Government has already taken steps to readjust the paper situation in view of the alarming shortage of this product. In addition this plan, if generally adopted, will mean a tremendous saving in paper and labor, and will give the dealer a larger profit on every sale. "As a matter of fact, the unit of needle shipments in the export trade has for some time been a package of 200 needles. We are making shipments to South America, Australia, and all points of the globe on a basis of 200 needles to a package, and we feel sure that this same unit of shipment could be utilized satisfactorily in this country, with a material saving of paper and labor, and increased profits for the dealer." Oregon Talking Machine Men Discuss Terms and Record Approval System But Fix No Standards of Practice for Members FOR SALE 20 SHARES VICTOR TALKING MACHINE CO. COMMON STOCK Their statement as of December 31, 1917, showed undivided profits were more than times their capitalization. Last year they earned over 130% Portland, Ore., May 4. — The Portland (Ore.) Talking Machine Dealers' Association held a regular monthly meeting at the Imperial Hotel recently with a large attendance and the question of terms was paramount. Frank Case, manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., made an excellent address in which the province of the association was discussed, Mr. Case taking the stand that while all matters relating to the talking machine business should be fully and freely discussed at these meetings, it was not well for members of the association to criticize terms made by other firms. Each house has its own method of transacting business, Mr. Case said, and as long as the business is done in an honorable manner it is not open to criticism by the association. James Loder, of Bush & Lane, said that members should be broad-minded enough to discuss all subjects and not to take what was said as criticism. There was a lively tilt, free from personalities, and the association seemed to agree that the question of terms should be left to the individual houses, although it was suggested that it was to the interests of all dealers to keep payments up since money has become so easy in Portland. Strong arguments were made pro and con on the subject of letting records go out on approval. L. D. Heater, of the Columbia; E. B. Hyatt, of the Hyatt Talking Machine Co.; James B. Loder, of Bush & Lane; Paul B. Norris, of Wiley B. Allen; Mrs. Baker, of Sherman, Clay & Co.; C. A. Alphonse, of the Hyatt Co.; W. L. LeVanway, of Graves Music Co.; R. Callahan, of Johnson Piano Co., and Frank Case, of Wiley B. Allen, all took part in a spirited discussion and after a vote of the association it was agreed that it was a good thing to let customers have records on approval. Mr. Heater declared that it would not be long before the association as an association and the members as individuals would find that the practice is not good. Mr. Hyatt took the position that dealers with small demonstration rooms could do nothing else than send out records and said that otherwise much business would be lost. Mr. Case took the position that it all depended on the dealers' using their brains in the approval business and said that if records were sent out to the right people business could be improved in no little degree. The association went on record as in favor of high terms but declined to make it obligatory on the members to fix any special schedule for the members. At the May meeting the association will elect officers. A form of detectaphone small enough to be worn under a man's shirt front and record conversations on a cylinder attached to his belt has been patented by a resident of Washington. NEW SELECTIONS ON LYRIC RECORDS Latest List Issued by Lyraphone Co. of America Is Full of Interest WILLIS O. HEARD Lafayette Building Philadelphia, Pa. The Lyraphone Co. of America, manufacturers of the Lyric records, have just issued their new catalog of popular songs and dance selections. These latest releases comprise all of the songs of the moment as well as several new additions to the standard catalog of the company. A campaign to popularize the Lyric record is now under way and special emphasis will be made on the firm's long list of foreign records as well as their complete standard catalog. The foreign records include numbers in Neapolitan, Italian, Polish, Russian, Hungarian, Jewish, Hebrew, Roumanian and Servian. Jacques M. Kohner has been appointed sales manager of the company and promises the trade immediate deliveries in large or small quantities. Mr. Kohner has been connected with several record companies and has an enviable record for creafing sales. In a recent statement he said: "Promptness and service is my motto, and that is mostly what the trade wants at this time." No. 404 [Vertical Interior] For Victrolas IV and VI And Columbia 25 or 35. Height, 32 in. Width, 17 in. Depth, 17 in. Holds 208 Victor records. Quartered Oak Front. Mahogany Front. Average weight, crated, 75 pounds. [If horizontal shelving is desired, order No. 1404.] [When felt interior is wanted, order No. 404F.] Making the Best of Current Shortages War, among other things, has brought about a national shortage of both talking machines and talking machine records. Naturally this reduces the normal cash turnover of the talking machine merchant, but many enterprising dealers have been quick to recognize the best way to make up for these shortages is to push the sale of Udell record cabinets. The Udell line of trademarked cabinets stands supreme in its field The high quality of workr ship and the unusual beaut of design that characterize all Udell cabinets, insure profitable cabinet deparl ment for'the dealer. < TRADE MARK Write for Catalog The UDELL WORKS 1205 WEST 28th STREET ^ INDIANAPOLIS, IND. y