The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

8 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD April 15, 1919 PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc. President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President, J. B. Spillane, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low. J. B. SPILLANE, Editor RAYMOND BILL, Associate Editor Trade Representatives: B. Beittain Wilson, L. M. Robinson, Wilson D. Bush, C. Chace, V. D. Walsh, E. B. Munch, Chas. A. Leonard, L. E. Bowers, A. J. Nicklin Boston: John H. Wilson, 324 Washington Street Chicoeo Office: E. P. Van Harlingen, Republic Building, 209 South SUte Street. Telephone, Wabash 5774 London, Eng., Office: 2 Greshara Buildings, Basinghall St W. Lionel Sturdy, Mgr. The Talking Machine World has regular correspondents located in all of the principal cities throughout America. Published the 15th of every month at 373 Fourth Ave., New York. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage): United States, Mexico, $2.00 per Year; Canada, $3.00; all other countries, $4.00. Single copies, 25 cents. ADVERTISEMENTS: $4.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $125.00. REMITTANCES should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., by check or Post Office Money Order. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.— AdvertUing copy should reach this office by the first of each month. By following this rule clients will greatly facilitate work at the publication headquarters. Long Distance Telephones— Numbers 5982-5983 Madison Sq. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YORK, APRIL 15, 1919 WE are face to face with extraordinary developments in every phase of business in America to-day. Manufacturers in the talking machine and record fields whose business was seriously disrupted through their patriotic efforts to help Uncle Sam win the war are now rapidly increasing their output and within a few months normal pre-war conditions will be attained. This is a situation which will bring joy to an army of dealers. Meanwhile all branches of business continue to be extremely active, with the demand exceeding the supply. This development does not mean that there will not be problems to meet and handle and that our path will be as flowery as we now anticipate. It means, however, that the nation's foundation is solid and sound despite the fact that there are some factors in the industrial situation which are irritating. We have a handful of extremists who have got to be taken in hand and made to realize that this is the United States and not Europe, and on the other hand we must watch those who would take advantage of public susceptibility to preach reaction and an impossible return to outworn ways. There is no time or room to-day for people of this type. American business cannot be reactionary. Prosperity must not only exist, it must be distributed. The future of the talking machine and the music industry as a whole rests on the growing capacity of the individual consumer. The one hundred richest men will buy only one or perhaps two talking machines for each of their houses, but a million prosperous, middle-class Americans will buy a million talking machines and a great many million records. Despite the croakers business since the war closed has been rapidly readjusting itself. The masses of the American people are earning good money, and have some to spend. They are ordering talking machines and other musical instruments far in excess of the ability of the manufacturers to provide. Dealers reaHze these facts and find themselves able to demand prices and terms that are in accordance with sound business principles. It is the time to continue this policy of large cash and short-term sales. The public will recognize the justice and wisdom of this policy and will subscribe to it willingly. We are entering a new era in the history not only of this nation, but of the world. The League of Nations is born, and this is indicative of international stability — in time. To-day the United States is a large creditor nation and in a condition of financial health that is unparalleled. The banks are filled to bursting with money, savings deposits have increased immensely, and the approach of the Victory Loan only emphasizes confidence in the ability of the people to support it and thus continue the saving habit. The demand for talking machines demonstrates that the people to-day, as never before, appreciate the value and importance of music in the home, and find an investment in Government Bonds and talking machines along lines of essential savings, hence it can be said that the economic condition of the country is on the best possible basis, and that the present prosperity will continue for an indefinite period. It is certainly not a time to view the future through indigohued glasses ; it is not a time for doubtful forebodings or misgivings. It is true that some men will always worry when times are good, less perchance they cease to be so some day. This is a case of borrowing trouble, and is a mighty illogical and unsound form of reasoning. Conditions to-day are fundamentally safe and sound. The people of the nation realize the importance of a policy of progress and are going to choke reactionism when once they recognize its real danger. We must have courageous thinking and bold speaking if we are to maintain the happiness and increasing prosperity which we to-day so thankfully recognize is ours. AS a great many members of the talking machine trade are already aware, George W. Pound, general counsel of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, is now on a two months' tour of the United States, and before returning to his offices in New York he will have addressed music dealers in over thirty cities, and delivered to them the message of trade unity primarily for the purpose of building up the future of the industry and developing a more general interest in music itself. Mr. Pound started his tour in Pittsburgh on March 18, and will end it in Buffalo on May 18. It is significant to note that in the cities wherein he has already stopped the talking machine dealers have been prominent among those gathered to hear him, for the work he is engaged in doing is, for the most part, of distinct interest to the talking machine man, as well as to the piano dealer. Anything that tends to develop musical interest, to advance the cause of music and to place the entire industry on a higher plane naturally reacts to the benefit of everyone engaged in any branch of that industry. Talking machine interests have not taken an active interest in the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce so far as becoming members of that organization is concerned, but that fact should not interfere with the members of this trade joining with piano men and other factors in the industry in any promotion work that will forward the cause of music, and which has for its object the developing of new demands for musical instruments. The National Association of Piano Merchants has broadened its scope, and has readjusted its by-laws to make talking machine dealers, sheet music dealers and others eligible to membership. Whether or not talking machine men take advantage of the opportunity, the fact remains that they can at least join with piano men in local and national campaigns that are calculated to benefit the music industry as a whole. That they are helping in no small measure to make Mr. Pound's trip a success shows that this fact is genuinely appreciated. THE move now under way to bring together the retail talking machine interests in Ohio,^ Michigan and neighboring States into one general organization is most interesting and should receive encouragement as one of the initial moves along this line. It is true that The Talking Machine Men, Inc., in New York City took in dealers from the neighboring States of Connecticut and New Jersey, but these members are for the most part located within the immediate vicinity of the metropolis, and those in the further reaches of the State are left out. The move in Ohio and neighboring States is the first to bring together all the dealers in several States into one organization, and it is not going too far to foresee in the success of such an organization the formation of a nucleus for a national association either complete in itself or made up of smaller State bodies. THE co-operative idea in advertising — that is between manufacturer and jobber — has been one of the gratifying trends in modern publicity. The talking machine industry has been no exception, for every issue of The World witnesses a broader spirit in this