The talking machine world (Jan-June 1920)

May IS, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 173 BUSINESS IN MILWAUKEE CONTINUES VERY BRISK Slight Reaction in Retail Field Not Considered Serious — R. H. Zinke Music Co. Opens Up — New Quarters for Smith Co. — Congestion of Freight Traffic Delays Shipments Milwaukee, Wis., May 12. — The deeply rooted appreciation of the value of music is becoming more and more apparent as talking machine business among local dealers is sustained at a high point, while other retail merchants are beginning to feel some of the effects of an anticipated reaction from the period of almost reckless extravagance through which American business men have been passing for two years or longer. Although deliveries of talking machines as well as records show gradual increase, compared with three and six months ago, dealers are not able to make any appreciable headway in the accumulation of stocks, as the demand continues active and the main difficulty still is to get merchandise. : It seems to be generally recognized that sales resistance is developing in all lines of retail business, and the talking machine trade has not lost any time in preparing for the time that probably will come when doing business will be a matter of real salesmanship, rather than a matter of taking orders. The trade is advertising heavily, but wisely, and keeping up public interest in music. While production is increasing and reaching the pre-war normal, it probably will be a difficult matter for most factories to go far beyond that point for some time to come, and even if demand should decline materially, there will be no surfeit of stocks, at least of the standard makes. This market, like many others, has met its flood of cheap makes of doubtful origin, but the time seems past when almost anyone with a few dollars can open a store and offer a stock of "junk" under the guise of talking machines and phonographs. The public is buying more wisely now than at any time before the days when munition wages made practically everyone prosperous as never before. Talking machine trade has been kept pretty well in the legitimate channels in Milwaukee, thanks to the good work of the Milwaukee Association of Music Industries and the effective co-operation of the Milwaukee Better Business Bureau and the National B. B. B. of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. Optimism prevails among all members of the local wholesale and distributing trade. The report of Harry A. Goldsmith, secretary of the Badger Talking Machine Co., Victor jobber, is PERSONAL SERVICE The members of our Company are always available and will gladly see you personally or write you at any time we can possibly serve you. Why not communicate at once with us? EXCLUSIVELY WHOLESALE BADGER TALKING-MACHINE CO. WSBTM VICTOR DISTRIBUTORS that despite increased production and general improvement in deliveries, the wants of Victor dealers continue in excess of the supply. Fred E. Yahr, president of the Yahr & Lange Drug Co., Sonora distributor, says that the recent terrible congestion of freight traffic, made utterly bad by the outlaw strike of union switchmen at the middle of April, had a serious effect on deliveries, but relief is now gradually coming. Thomas I. Kidd, manager of the Milwaukee branch of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., was less seriously affected by the railroad tieup than others, for Milwaukee is advantageously situated on Lake Michigan and the car ferry snd other boat lines running to and from Michigan ports provided fairly good service. The Phonograph Co. of Wisconsin, Edison jobber, has been using all sorts of ingenious devices to effect prompt deliveries to its retailers. The motor truck was used to excellent advantage through the worst of the traffic tangle. Robert H. Walley, who is now looking after the Columbia distribution in Milwaukee and eastern Wisconsin, expresses himself as greatly pleased with the condition of business, although the shortage of merchandise continues to be a thorn in the side. The big sales promotion campaign launched by Mr. Walley with a banquet to Columbia dealers at Milwaukee on April 1 is netting splendid results. Charles J. Orth, Puritan distributqr, who is located only thirty miles from the factory, has had little trouble in getting instruments to his warehouse, using the "Ship by Truck" method with excellent results. Because of his advantageous location with reference to the factor} , Mr. Orth has never been concerned a great deal abou't railroad transportation troubles, but the difficulty has been to get instruments rather than to get them to his customers. A new Victor shop was opened in Milwaukee in April, when the R. H. Zinke Music Co., a new $50,000 corporation, began business in the former retail store conducted by the Jackson Piano Co., at 425 Milwaukee street. Mr. Zinke is one of the' best known Victor retailers in the Middle West, but for about eighteen months was out of this business, retiring when the Badger Victrola Shop, at 425 Grand avenue, which he established about eight years ago, was purchased by Leslie C. Parker. In re-entering the Victor trade, Mr. Zinke also invades the piano field, taking over the Kurtzmann and Miessner piano agencies, which the Jackson company handled through its retail store. Mr. Zinke is popular among Milwaukee music tradesmen and also has an exceptionally wide acquaintance generally. His new store has met with a most encouraging reception. He is president of the Wisconsin Association of Music Industries and is a past president of the Milwaukee Association, now serving as a director. The Kesselman-O'Driscoll Co., one of the largest Victor and Edison dealers in Milwaukee, has finally succeeded in getting a permanent location, and on June 1 will move to the threestory building at 517-519 Grand avenue, which is being remodeled for its occupancy. Since September, the Kesselman-O'Driscoll Co. has been occupying temporary quarters on the ground floor of the Plankinton Arcade. It is now a general music house, although the Victor and Edison departments are among the most important parts of the business. A. G. Kunde, one of the pioneer Columbia dealers of the Northwest, observed the eleventh anniversary of the establishment of his present store at 516 Grand avenue during the last week in April. As a little celebration, he installed six additional record booths and otherwise dressed up the interior of the store. The Playonola Talking Machine Co., organized early in February to manufacture the Playonola, and having its factory at 1210 Third street, has opened a retail display room and store at 98 Wisconsin street. Jack Hyland, general manager of the company, will supervise the store but spend most of his time in directing the producing activities. Stanley V. Waldheim, vice-president of Waldheim & Co., Columbia dealers, was married May (Continued on page 174) IMllUM