The talking machine world (Jan-June 1920)

May 15, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD .Ml' FROM OUR CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS — ( Continued from page 135) sections of the city to one of the outlying districts on the South Side. The Federal Electric Co. was incorporated in 1901 for the purpose of manufacturing and selling signs. It early saw that it would fill an urgent demand by renting signs. The Chicago Edison Co., predecessor of the Commonwealth Edison Co., had already started this business in Chicago, using signs manufactured by the Federal Electric Co. In 1905 the Federal Sign System was incorporated for the purpose of carrying on sign renting business. Its function was to sell and rent signs made by the Federal Electric Co. It was made the exclusive agent for the Eastern territory. A second office was soon established in Cincinnati, and now there are offices in twenty-nine other cities. To-day the company's annual sale of signs is over $1,000,000. New Mail Order House J. P. Lyons, formerly buyer of musical merchandise for Butler Bros., announces that he has resigned his position to incorporate the J. P. Lyons Co., a $10,000 concern, which will branch into the retail mail order field to market musical merchandise of all kinds. Poetic Publicity Frank Schimandle, dealer at Coal City, 111., has gotten out some cards advertising the Victor machine in poetry: A young lady from the city of Coala Bought herself a new Talkinola; But when she started to play, Someone heard her say, "I wish I had bought a Victrola." Makes Eastern Trip L. H. Lowitz, of the Repeater-Stop Co., of this city, has just returned from an extensive trip through the East. Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Boston and a number of smaller cities were touched en route. Mr. Lowitz says he finds a great demand for appliances for the talking machine, and particularly for such a refinement as the Repeater-Stop. Production has been speeded up in order to carry on the increasing volume of business. Theodore Weiss, traveler for the RepeaterStop Co., is at present traveling through the Central West, and visiting jobbers as far as Omaha. Lester D. Gordon, another traveler for this ' concern, is covering the territory between Denver and San Francisco. Music in Industry A bit of work being carried on in Chicago by the Chicago Piano & Organ Association will be heard of with great interest by the talking machine trade. The Association above named has undertaken, through its members, to call upon large industrial plants in the city and sell to the executives the idea of music in industry. It has been found in certain definite instances that the establishment of music through pianos or talking machines in factories has resulted in a more efficient working personnel and increased production. However, the members of the Association have not attempted to sell musical instruments direct to managements of fac^ tories, for the reason that the workers object to having music shoved down their throats, as it were. The idea is to get the management's consent and co-operation, secure some person working in their factory, develop an interest in community music, and then proceed to sell the musical instruments to the factory workers themselves, and not to the management. It has been found in past instances that where the workers have financed such an activity, the activity has been maintained more strongly than where the management has undertaken to boost the idea themselves. Via Wireless A-t the annual Aviators' Ball on May 6, in rooms of the Chicago Aviation Club, dancers tripped the light fantastic toe, a la wireless music. Said music was furnished by a "Fairy" phonograph lamp, supplied by P. R. Gonsky, and was transmitted from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to the dance hall and there reproduced. There was also a "Fairy" phonograph lamp in the Aviation club rooms, playing in comparison with the wireless music. It was a delightful affair. The Vitanola in the Tornado The attached illustration shows a Vitanola which suffered the indignity of being slammed through one of the display windows of Klein Bros.' department store, on Halsted street, during the tornado which visited Chicago something more than a few weeks ago. In spite of the undignified handling to which it was subjected by what our inspired reporter calls "the elements," the machine remains unscathed, except for slight damage on the outside, and was quite ready to start in discoursing sweet strains as soon as it was picked up. perfect condition. Victim of Tornado It s in a remarkably Buys Needle Cutter Rights William Wade, of the Wade Talking Machine Co., has bought out all rights for the manufacture of a fibre needle cutter. He will wholesale it to dealers and through his regular jobbing business, and has already mailed out circulars to his trade announcing the fact. Baseball Two Chicago music concerns are represented in the Chicago Industrial Athletic Club, which was recently organized under the auspices of the Association of Commerce to promote baseball activity amongst local business institutions. The Q R S Co. and Lyon & Healy are the two from the music trade. There will be fifty:six (Continued on page 138) Your Account With Us au Lateral Cut Lateral Cut Records Will Be an Insurance Policy Against EMPTY RECORD SHELVES LOSS OF CUSTOMERS LOSS OF PROFITS Record Dealers Reach the Acme of Wisdom WHEN THEY STOCK UP WITH POPULAR HITS ON No Waiting for Delayed Shipments When You Order From Us MAGNOLA TALKING MACHINE COMPANY 711 Milwaukee Avenue OTTO SCHULZ, President CHICAGO, ILL.