The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

74 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD July 15, 1919 LIVELY GENERAL CONVENTION OF VICTOR JOBBERS AT ATLANTIC CITY— (Continued from page 73) the demonstrated needs of the trade when those needs are properly and concisely presented, and to co-operate sincerely with distributors and dealers in broadening and bettering the conditions under which we carry on the business of marketing Victor products — wherever and whenever such co-operation is possible and consistent. In view, therefore, of the splendid prospects of early relief from the shortage of Victor products which has prevented the full exercise of our sales effort, and of the development of the legal situation as reflected in the Colgate case, with which you are now familiar, the present stability and the future prosperity of this industry seem doubly secure. By way of recommendations for the consideration and action of the association at this time I beg to submit the following: First. That the annual membership dues be reduced to $50 for full members and $25 for branch members, and that no membership dues for the year 1919-20 be charged or collected by the Association. When the annual dues were raised in 1917 to $100 the raise was consented to by the membership because it was considered there existed an emergency wherein the safety and success of the Association demanded a larger Louis Buehn, Who outlay of funds than the Looked After the lower rate of dues Arrangements would provide. That emergency is passed. In fact, the dues should have been reduced last year, and no doubt would have been reduced had there been a general meeting at which such action could properly be taken. Second. That members of the Association take advantage of every opportunity to convey to the directors and department heads of the Victor Talking Machine Co. the fullest and clearest possible information as to general trade and competitive ccrnditions existing in their respective territories, and that the urgent need of greatly increased production on both machines and records be constantly emphasized to the factory by citing specific cases, etc. Third. That members who have up to this time conducted both wholesale and retail operations now carefully consider the rapidly changing trade situation and the future bearing which those changes may have upon the interests of a house conducting both wholesale and retail operations in the same territory. Fourth. That members carefully consider the new status of competition and representation in our industry as compared with the old status of three to five years ago, and that a most thorough and thoughtful study be made of the subject of readjusting retail representation in such a manner as best to meet the needs of the line in each locality. Fifth. That those members who believe the present level of list prices on machines and records is low enough, and in the interests of the line should not be reduced, express their belief to the directors and department heads of the Victor Co. at every opportunity. It has been said there is sentiment at the factory favoring return to pre-war price levels as soon as quantity production is again achieved. I submit that it would be more in the interest of the entire trade and would help to maintain better service to the public if the economies accomplished through increased production were expressed by an increased discount to the dis tributor, which would enable him in turn to quote a correspondingly increased discount to the dealer, leaving list prices approximately at the present level. Treasurer's Report A. A. Trostler, the treasurer, in his report, also covered the two-year period in a most efficient manner. The report covered the financial afifairs of the Association for each of the two years and there was also provided a recapitulation, which might be accepted as a complete financial statement of the Association in detail. Incidentally the report indicated that the Association was in a most healthy financial condition. Mr. Trostler was tendered a vote of thanks for the manner in which he had handled the duties of his office, a mark of appreciation that was also tendered the president and secretary at the conclusion of their reports. Legislative Committee Reports The legislative committee, of which George E. Mickel is chairman, presented a short report, much of the matter being already covered in the report of the president. By-Laws Changed In order to simplify matters a resolution was adopted changing the by-laws to provide for the holding of general conventions of the Association during the month of Jun^ or July instead of confining the convention period to the month of June as was formerly stipulated. Annual Dues Reduced Another resolution, likewise adopted promptly, provided for the .reduction of the annual dues of association members from $100 to $50. The dues, originally fixed at $25, were increased during the period of the war to $100 to provide funds to carry on the greatly increased work of the association in handling the various problems growing out of wartime laws and regulations. With the passing of the emergency came the reduction of the dues,. a move which was accepted most gracefully by the membership of the association at large. After some discussion on general matters the meeting adjourned until Tuesday morning. I Much Important Business | 1 at Tuesday Morning Session j The convention session on Tuesday morning was devoted largely to the discussion of the several recommendations offered in the reports of the president and secretary, both in regard to matters to be taken up with the factory and C. N. Andrews, Mrs. C. N. and W. D. Andrews other matters concerning the actual business of wholesaHng machines and records. All the recommendations made by the officers were accepted and approved by the association as a whole, and their carrying out was left in the hands of the incoming executive committee. Suggests Votes for Washingtonians E. H. Droop, of E. F. Droop & Sons Co., Washington, together with W. R. Roberts, of the same house, brought before the association the question of securing the voting privilege for residents of the District of Columbia. As is generally known, residents of the district have no say by vote in the conduct of the Government, and a move is on foot to give them this right. A. Davega and B. R. Forster It was the consensus of opinion of the association members that the movement should be regarded favorably, but no definite action was taken. Endorse Victor Co. War Policy E. H. Droop presented to the association a resolution, adopted promptly and unanimously, supporting and approving the policy of the Victor Co. during the period of the war in turning over their manufacturing facilities to the Government for war purposes. The resolution was accepted as expressing most admirably the sentiments of the entire association. Business Men and the Government The association went on record as being strongly in favor of the idea of business men generally taking a more active interest in national politics, for the protection and advancement of the business of the country generally. The association in convention reaffirmed the sentiment already expressed to the effect that factory production must not be allowed to lag, but should be stimulated to the greatest degree possible, with the assurance that the trade will be able to absorb and distribute any possible increase of production of Victrolas and records. At the same time some encouraging reports were received regarding the present increase in Victor factory output. Favor One-cent Postage Campaign On motion of A. Hospe, of Omaha, the association went on record as favoring the campaign that has been conducted for some time past providing for one-cent postage on letters. Atlantic City Again Next Year There was the usual discussion regarding the place at which the 1920 convention is to be held, and, as usual, the sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of returning again to Atlantic City, and this is the final decision. The exact date is left to the discretion of the executive committee. Tellers Have a Busy Time Considerable time during the morning was given over to the election of a new executive committee to preside over the destinies of the association during the coming year. It finally developed that twenty members had been nomi nated for the fifteen positions on the executive committee. A vote was then taken and the tellers disappeared ostensibly to count the votes to determine the result. Strict search was made but they were not found in time for the afternoon session. (Continued on page 75)