The talking machine world (Jan-June 1920)

8 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June IS, 1920 ^TALKING ^ PUBLISHED BY EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc. President and Treasurer, C. L. Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Vice-President. J. B. Spillane 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Second Vice-President, Raymond Bill, 373 Fourth Ave., New York; Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low. J. B. SPILLANE, Editor RAYMOND BILL, B. B. WILSON, Associate Editors L. M. ROBINSON, Advertising Manager Trade Representatives: Wilson D. Bush, C. Chace, Edward Lyman Bill. V. D. Walsh, E.-B. Munch, Chas. A. Leonard, Scott Kingwill, L. E. Bowers, A. J. Nicklin Western Division: Republic Building, 209 So. State Street, Chicago, III. Telephone, Wabash 5774. Boston: John H. Wilson, 324 Washington Street London, Eng., Office: 2 Giesham Buildings, Basinghall St. W. Lionel Sturdy, Mgr. The Talking Machine World has regular correspondents located in all of the principal cities throughout America. Published the 15th of every month at 373 Fourth Ave., New York. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage): United States, Mexico, $2.00 per Year; Canada, $3.00; all other countries, $4.00. Single copies, 25 cents. ADVERTISEMENTS: $5.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed. Advertising pages, $150.00. REMITTANCES should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., by check or Post Office Money Order. tW NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS— Advertising copy should reach this office before the first of each month. By following this rule clients will greatly facilitate work at the publication headquarters. Long Distance Telephones— Numbers 5982-5983 Madison Sq. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YORK, JUNE 15, 1920 ONE RESULT OF THE RAILROAD TANGLE THE general tangle of freight transportation during the past couple of months has developed some peculiar situations in the matter of machine and record supplies for retailers. Those dealers located near the big factories have discovered that it is an ill wind that blows nobody good, and that the condition that has meant serious shortage for the trade in the Middle and Far West has meant the salvation of the Easterners in the matter of stock. Peculiar as it may seem, however, some of the Eastern dealers have complained about the sudden influx of machines and records, particularly the former, and in some cases have been inclined to call a halt, fearing the danger of being overstocked. The wiser ones, however, have been taking all they could get and saying nothing, knowing full well that with any improvement in the freight situation allotments of goods will go to distant points, and that they will then probably have to wait weeks, and even months, for more machines. It has taken, and will take, some little trouble for certain dealers to meet their payments on schedule, especially where they have had blanket orders with several jobbers and all these jobbers have followed out the spirit of the order. Better to do a little strenuous financing right now, however, and be sure of the goods, than to have the bugbear of shortage constantly in mind for the balance of the year, perhaps. Meanwhile one dealer's gain is another dealer's loss until such time as transportation conditions adjust themselves, or are adjusted, and an equitable division of factory output is again possible. ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF MUSIC IN AMERICA MUSIC as a dominating factor in our civilization is to-day more widely recognized and appreciated than ever before in history. The war undoubtedly marked a new era in music in America, for it upheld the morale of those left at home as it inspired those in the trenches. The beneficent influence of the talking machine in the home is widely recognized — it is acquainting millions of people with the very best in all forms of instrumental and vocal music, and it is proving a potent factor as a stimulator of labor in the factories where it is becoming a great power for contentment and pleasure. Those who have at heart the Americanization of the great mass of people of foreign birth who are now residing in this country are finding the talking machine, as well as music of all kinds, an effective means of accomplishing the results aimed at. American musical ideals are being comprehended and stimulated by means of American songs brought to the attention of those people through the talking machine. The growing popularity of the community sings throughout the country can in a measure be traced to the talking machine, for in smaller centers it is proving a big aid to the leader by having the popular folk songs which the people are expected to sing first played on the talking machine. Thus the "talker" has become a community leader so to speak. All in all, it is quite evident that the talking machine is doing its share in the great campaign which is now being conducted for the advancement of music in America, and it is up to the dealers everywhere to force the issue and bring the talking machine to the fore as a factor in this great cultural work. In this connection nothing should be left undone to emphasize the importance of the talking machine — it means much for the industry, and it means much for every dealer who interests himself in this movement. THE COMING CONVENTION AT ATLANTIC CITY WITHIN a fortnight after this issue of The World is in the hands of its readers, the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers will be in convention at Atlantic City, its old stamping ground, ready to give earnest consideration to a program that is declared to be distinctly constructive in every particular. Certain it is that there have been many important developments in the talking machine trade and in the business world generally since the last convention of the organization, and these changes, taken with the conditions that promise for the immediate future, demand attention if the talking machine men are to keep pace with business interests in other lines. There are those who see a gradual swing towards a buyer's market, and, therefore, it is timely and pertinent that some attention be given to the matter of selling and service, as between the jobber and the dealer, and the dealer and his customer. There are also legislative matters that will require attention, and enough other questions to keep interest at high pitch throughout the sessions. This year the talking machine jobbers will not be alone, in the fullest sense, for during the two days prior to their convention the Board of Control of the National Association of Music Merchants and the Executive Committee of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, in both of which bodies are to be found talking machine jobbers and dealers, will hold special executive sessions at the Traymore. It will really be a music week at Atlantic City. COURTESY A VALUABLE ASSET IN BUSINESS THE value of courtesy in business is so obvious that it hardly requires any argument to show its importance and benefit to a business. Yet there are establishments where some members of the sales force are not as considerate of visitors as they might be — indeed, their indifference to the needs of customers even approaches the danger line. When a request is made for certain records at the time they are not in stock, the response can be conveyed in an agreeable tone of voice just as well as in a snappy, don't-care-a-hang style of expression. The same thing applies to the queries about talking machines — the various styles — the mechanism — the different features of construction. It is sometimes troublesome, it is true, to answer fool questions, but to the salesman who knows his business and who aims to succeed it will be found most profitable to answer inquiries to the best of one's ability, because every visitor who is treated considerately and courteously is certain to come back to the store. No better means exists of making friends for a house than to have a sales force that will present considerate, courteous attention to prospective customers. There are innumerable instances in every industry where concerns have built the casual customer into a permanent and enthusiastic friend by treating the customer as he likes to be treated. Only recently the owner of a talking machine, who is a large buyer of the best quality of records, told the writer in a most appreciative way of the wonderfully considerate treatment he received at a certain store. It appears that the records he desired were not in hand, anH