The talking machine world (Jan-June 1920)

May 15, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 129 INDIANAPOLIS TRADE CONTINUES VERY BRISK Temporary Slowing Up of Trade Fast Disappearing— Permanent Home for Starr Co. — Columbia Dealers' Meetings — Walter Kipp Optimistic Over Business — News of Month Indianapolis, Ind., May 6. — The slowing up in business that marked the first part of April, together with a heavy record shortage, cut down the sales records of most talking machine dealers, but the last few days of the month showed a decided trend toward a quick return to brisk business. A combination of factors evidently had its effect not only on the talking machine business but on all retail lines. The railroad situation, extremely bad weather, tax-paying time and the sudden reaction against the sellers' market all had a bearing on local conditions similar to those elsewhere in the country, the dealers believed. An unusual feature of the attitude of the dealers, however, was expressed in the fact that the majority of them made comments to the effect that it was probably best for everybody that a "breathing spell" had come. While nearly all of them were convinced that the condition was only temporary, the general sentiment was that the public was beginning to show some indication of doing a little thinking before spending and this fact, the dealers contended, will help toward placing the commercial affairs of the country on a sounder basis than any one thing. The Starr Piano Co. has arranged for a permanent home for the Starr pianos and Starr phonographs in this city and has acquired a ninety-nine-year lease on the building at 49-55 Monument Circle and this property will be remodeled. T. H. Bracken, manager, said that the company plans to make the new home both a retail and jobbing center for Indiana. The building which is a four-story structure will be practically rebuilt and a modern piano and talking machine house provided. The present location of the company store is at 138-140 North Pennsylvania street. Walter Kipp, of the Kipp Phonograph Co., in discussing present business conditions, declared that the phonograph business in his opinion was in a very healthy condition and would continue so in the future. Mr. Kipp added that the Edison business continued to be a matter of getting the goods from the factory, and that the railroad situation had added another handicap along this line. George Standke, manager of the Brunswick Shop, managed to get 500 Brunswick records from Chicago by bringing them home with him in a Pullman. Frank S. Butteweiler, Indiana manager for the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., said that the Brunswick dealers are all enthusiastic over the demand for the Brunswick records. The only complaint is getting enough of them, he added. J. B. Ryde. of the Fuller-Ryde Music Co., The ften?fl B«£K<2 5OI-9 PLYMOUTH Cl Chicago , luLimoui reports increasing demand for Victor records which it is difficult to supply. The Edison Shop and the Edison machines received fine advertising in connection with the appearance here of Signor Friscoe with his act using the Edison. H.e also gave several special recitals at the Shop.. E. R. Eskew, manager of the Pathe Shop, did not let the weather conditions keep back his sales. His sales force on the outside rounded up the business in spite of the obstacles. O. M. Davis, of the Indianapolis Talking Machine Co., has returned from the salesmanship course at the Victor factory. The company has added Artempo player rolls to its line of Victor machines and records and Carl Anderson, manager, reports the new business is moving nicely. Arrangements have been made for the Amplifone Co. to take over the sales agency of a company that is being organized to manufacture a tone modulator for talking machines. The device on which a patent application is pending consists of a steel band which is attached to the tone box and holds against the diaphragm a noduled disc. Mr. Anderson, who is president of the Amplifone Co, predicts a big demand for the modulator. W. G. Wilson, manager of Widener's Grafonola Shops, Inc., is in the midst of a complete remodelling of the store, and expects the work to be finished by next month. H. E. Whitman, of the Circle Talking Machine Shop, said the Victor record shortage was the chief drawback to business last month. Morris Rosner, manager of the talking machine department of the Pearson Piano Co., reported that business is now picking up briskly. J. M. Wallace, Sr., of the Wallace Music Co., of Marion, Ind., who is president of the Pathe Dealers' Association in the Indianapolis district, visited C. O. Mueller, of the Mooney-MuellerWard Co., Pathe distributors, last week on his way home from Martinsville, where he had gone for his health. Mr. Wallace said that the Pathe business in Marion was holding up almost as brisk as during the Christmas season. Joseph Shafer, a druggist at Poseyville, Ind., is an example of a druggist who has made good with talking machines, according to Mr. Mueller. Mr. Mueller said that, although Mr. Shafer started to handle Pathe machines only six months ago, he now has signed up the largest contract available for Pathe dealers. O. Gordon, of Gas City, Ind., and Frank H. Brown & Co., of Logansport, Ind., are other Pathe dealers to take on increased contracts. Among the recent dealers to sign Pathe contracts in this territory are: Bardstown Furniture Co., of Bardstown, Ky.; M. E. Pruitt, of Millersburg, Ky.; D. G. Miller & Co., Central City, Ky.; Bell Music Co., of Peru, Ind,; William Byerly & Co., of Marengo, Ind.; Conrad & Son Piano Co., Corydon, Ind.; J. H. Landreth, Mitchell, Ind., and S. L. Kutz & Son, Kirklin, Ind. Mr. Mueller reported a heavy demand for (Continued on page 130) CAN WE DELIVER? We showed the man from Missouri — where do you live? -: Ask your stock man how many needlecups and covers you need for the next six months — then tell us Nickel Brass CONTINUOUS HINGES NEEDLE RESTS WEBER-KNAPP CO. Gold Silver AUTOMATIC SUPPORTS AUTOMATIC STOPS OUR CATALOGUES WERE PRINTED FOR YOU Jamestown, N. Y.