The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

July 15. 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 67 Friends" and "Smiles'* and "Tears'* are all big hits. "Friends" is the latest one. A-2744. Columbia Graphophone Co. NEW YORK REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE IN SAN FRANCISCO Music Stores Rapidly Being Outnumbered — Heineman Progress — Recording Numbers of Talking Machines — Widdicomb Display at Baldwin's — Business Brisk, With Satisfactory Outlook San Francisco, Cal.. June 28. — Perhaps nowhere else in the country has the talking machine business shown such a remarkable development in proportion to the population as on the Pacific Coast. It seems but a short time since the business was a mere side issue of the music trade, while now the number of stores devoted exclusively to talking machine goods probably outnumbers the regular music establishments. In the large cities some of these stores are regal in their equipment and occupy the most prominent locations in the business districts. The music houses,, without exception almost, have been compelled to devote their most attractive space to the talking machine departments and judging by the vast amount of alteration work going on the future prospects are very bright. The shortage of standard machines is a great inconvenience to the trade, but there is no lack of new makes. The rapid increase in the number of manufacturers on the Coast is somewhat disconcerting and one wonders how success can be possible with most of them, especially when prices are being maintained on so firm a basis as they are at present. The general report is that the mOre expensive machines show the strongest demand. Though only established in San Francisco a few months, the Pacific Coast branch of the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Co., Inc., has already had to increase both its office force and storeroom space. L. Gruen, themanager, is gratified that his company has been so liberal in supplying him with stock notwithstand ^TONE ARMS S SOUND BOXES Speak for Themselves Mutual Talking Machine Co., Inc. 145 West 45th Street, New York ing the heavy Eastern demands upon the factories and he says this fact has done much to gain him the goodwill of the Coast trade. By making prompt deliveries he has won the confidence of his new customers and has established a reputation for excellent service. Jobbers in all the principal cities of the Pacific Coast region now handle Heineman goods and show a disposition to co-operate with Mr. Gruen in developing the market, both for the popular OkeH records and the various specialties. The repair department in San Francisco fills an urgent need and is kept busy all the time. Most of the Heineman and Meisselbach products can be repaired here without sending East. The 6C soundbox, the new product recently introduced to the trade, is considered a wonder for tone quality and volume. Some of the largest manufacturers of talking machines on the Coast are using it exclusively in their machines. The Talking Machine Dealers' Association of the San Francisco Bay District, at their last business meeting, adopted a policy of recording the number of each machine which is brought in f<y repairs at the various repair shops, with the idea of keeping track of all machines. Thus stolen machines may be traced more easily and the dealers given greater protection against irresponsible buyers. A spe£ial list of missing machines will be placed with all the dealers so that they can be on the lookout for them. This co-operative measure helps to solve one of the most puzzling problems in the business. Other progressive plans will be discussed at the next business meeting. F. A. Levy, president of the Ta-lking Machine Dealers' Association and president of the California Phonograph Co., has planned to leave this week for an extended Eastern trip, combining business and pleasure. He will study conditions in the Eastern trade with the idea of discovering new wrinkles for the Coast business. The latest arrival at the Sonora Shop on Stockton street is the beautiful $140 model called the "Nocturne." This machine will prove a winner, thinks E. C. Johnstone, the store manager, as it combines the best features of the Sonora machines with a popular price. Business on high-priced machines is encouraging. The special featuring of the Sonora Invincible has already borne good results. The demand for machines for country homes has increased this year, as the exodus to the country this summer is unusually heavy. Andrew McCarthy, of Sherman, Clay & Co., is attending the annual jinks of the Bohemian Club at Bohemian Grove on the Russian River, an event which he never misses. Four members of the company are at the grove this" year. Sherman, Clay & Co. are making extensive alterations in both their Tacoma and Spokane stores. The talking machine departments will be greatly enlarged and improved by the addition of some of the newest equipment features. R. E. Wolfinger, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., is about to leave for his annual vacation This year he will visit the Yosemite and also southern California as far as San Diego. The chances are he will cross the Mexican border. Tijuana promises to be a popular resort for Americans in the very near future. The Baldwin Piano Co., of San Francisco, has been displaying on the main floor for the last few weeks the line of Widdicomb phonographs manufactured in Grand Rapids. Mr. Thompson says he is trying out the idea of selling talking machines on the piano floor and if the scheme proves sufficiently attractive he will make it a permanent feature of the business. Some of the piano salesmen are former talking machine specialists. No records are carried. New Pathe agencies recently established by Omer Kruschke, the Pacific Coast Pathe jobber, are: The Morgan Furniture Co., Livermore; J. R. Ricks, Dinuba, and Miller & Pinnell, of Porterville. Columbia business is heavy all along the line. Mr. Milnor, manager of the San Francisco office, has been calling on the Columbia agencies in the San Joaquin, and says the prosperous condition of the interior means a continuance of good talking machine and record business. The traveling force of the company has not yet been able to let up on activity despite the summer vacation season. Mr. Milnor attended the national convention of the Rotary Clubs at Salt Lake City June 16 to 21. Byron Mauzy, of San Francisco, also attended it on his way to the Piano Merchants' convention in Chicago. INCORPORATED The Repeatograph Co., Dover. Del., has been incorporated to manufacture talking machine repeating devices and attaciiments. The capital stock is $100,000. LANGUAGE RECORDS Progressive Dealers sell LANGUAGE Phone Method and ROSENTHAL'S Practical Linguistry The courses are so simply arranged that the demonstration satisfies the prospect. An excellent line for high-class dealers. We especially want to hear from dealers with good store locations. Write for dealers proposition, booklet and advertising matter. THE LANGUAGE PHONE METHOD 992 Putnam 2 West 45th Street, Naw York