The talking machine world (Jan-June 1920)

June 15, 1920 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 189 LOS ANGELES ASSOCIATION DISCUSSES TRADE ETHICS Important Subjects Considered at Recent Meeting — Opening of Richardson's New Store by Mme. Galli-Curci Notable Event — Magnavox Figures in Various Ways — Interesting News Los Angeles, Cal., June 5. — At the regular monthly meeting of the Music Trades Association of Southern California held on May 11 at the Starr Piano Co.'s store, President Marygold addressed the meeting on the ethics regarded by firms with respect to sales. He said that a gentlemen's agreement had existed for some time by which a music house would refrain from interfering with a customer to whom a piano or talking machine had been sold by another firm but that it would appear desirable that some definition or definitions should be laid down in order that everyone might know just what, in the opinion of the .Association, constituted a sale. After some discussion a motion was adopted fixing a talking machine sale as completed (a) when a contract had' been signed by a customer and the machine delivered at his home, (b) When a talking machine had been delivered to a customer's house on open account, (c) When a contract had been signed by a customer and a payment towards the first payment had been made, consisting of a minimum of $5.00 cash or its equivalent as a consideration. Magnavox Attracts Attention For some weeks the Bartlett Music Co. has been using a Magnavox in order to play records on the street and attract the attention of the passers-by. A horn has been placed on the centre display window and wires connect with the talking machine and Magnavox. General Manager Searles declares that it is a great business-getter for record sales and that he would not take $500 for it in the event of being unable to replace it. It can be heard above the noise of traffic at a distance of a block away. Manufacturer's Float in Parade A very beautiful and attractive float was entered by the Burnham Phonograph Co. in the recent parade of Southern California Home Products. The parade occupied three hours in passing a given spot and was the largest ever held. San Diego Salesman Comes to Los Angeles F. F. Stricklin, former manager of the talking machine department for the Bledsoe Co., of San Diego, has been appointed manager of the talking machine department of the Barnes Music Co. Mr. Stricklin has had several years' experience in the trade and looks forward to keeping up his reputation of "making good" in the sales rooms of the Los Angeles Broadway house. Well-Known Dealer Returns T. J. Johnston, of the T. J. Johnston Music House, has returned to his duties after several weeks' absence due to illness and an operation which he underwent. Mr. Johnston appears as hale and hearty as ever and was welcomed back by his many friends. Columbia Educational Manager Here W. A. Willson, manager of the Columbia Graphophone Co.'s educational department, visited Los Angeles and gave an address and message to Columbia dealers at a special" meeting held in the Alexandria Hotel. May 24. Mr. Willson seemed full of a number of very valuable selling suggestions which he imparted to his audience in a very lucid manner. He also spoke of the great additional factories which were under construction by the Columbia Co. and the yortron Perfect Portable Phonograph Dealers See Page 109 huge advertising appropriation for 1920. Speaking of Columbia policies, Mr. Willson remarked that one .week ago he had been traveling "on the great Columbia Highway by the famous river of that name, and he could not help thinking of that other great "Columbian Highway" on which all Columbia dealers were traveling. Obstructions were not tolerated on one or the other. Richardson's Inc. Opened by Galli-Curci The new store of Richardson's Inc., 727 West Seventh street, was formally opened by Mme. Galli-Curci. Several hundred persons witnessed' the ceremony which took place immediately after the afternoon's concert at Clime's Auditorium. A guard of honor consisting of twelve cadets from the Page Military Academy attended the diva and conducted her to the store where the key of the new premises was presented to her on a cushion by a charmingly attired page. Turning the key in the door and entering, Madame declared the new store open and signed her name in the Distinguished Visitor's Book — "Amelita Galli-Curci, Good Luck!" She was. then conducted over the establishment by President W. H. Richardson. She expressed herself as charmed with the unique interior decorations and architecture, which are of Spanish design. Owing to the enormous crowd collected in front of the building, Mme. Galli-Curci was compelled to leave by the rear door leading to the alley, which caused her considerable amusement and merriment. Spectators and visitors were admitted as rapidly as possible so that they might view the new store and refreshments were served. Great Voice Announces Names At the close of the great Electrical Convention held in Pasadena last month, the names of the departing guests were announced through the Magnavox. Manager Davis of Oakland made a special trip to operate the device, which, fitted with amplifying vacuum tubes, enabled persons to hear within a radius of six miles. Wiley B. Allen Alterations Nearly Complete The extensive alterations and additions to the talking machine department of the Wiley B. Allen Co. are practically completed. A double line of record demonstration rooms and sales rooms extends almost through the entire depth of the store and the record racks are shelved CHAS. H. YATES JOBBER Phonograph Accessories 312 Langhiin Building Los Angeles, Cal. Pacific Coast Distributer for the "Jones Motrola" P.. O. P. Music Rolls. Sterling attachments. Ogden Record Cabinets and a complete line of supplies needed by the Phonograph dealer. Write tor New Catalog in the broad aisle leading down the centre. This new arrangement will give the department over twenty sales rooms. Fitzgerald Music Co. Reports Big Increase The sale of the New Edison by the Fitzgerald Music Co. shows a remarkable increase over the corresponding period of last year. Department Manager Scouler reports that he has had considerable difficulty in obtaining sufficient stock to keep up with the demand. A large order for Emerson records was recently placed with the Western Jobbing & Trading Co. Undergoes Operation M. F. Fybush, general manager of the Blue Bird Talking Machine Co., recently underwent an operation which was entirely successful" and he is now well on the road to restored health. DOING GOOD WORK IN NEBRASKA Omaha, Neb., June 8. — The Lee-Coit Andreeson Hardware Co. of this city are doing some very aggressive work in this section on the Sonora phonograph, for which they are the jobbers and also on the Okeh records. They have recently secured a live Omaha dealer for the Sonora in the Oakford Music Co., who are having excellent success with the line and are advertising it vigorously. W. H. Baldwin, the manager of the talking machine department of Lee, Coit & Andreeson, formerly traveled western territory for C. J. Van Houton & Zoon. ATLANTA EDISON DEALERS MEET The Edison Dealers' Association of the Atlanta, Ga., jobbing territory, held a convention in Atlanta the first week of June. Over 300 dealers were present. Wm. Maxwell, vice-president of Thos. A. Edison, was also in attendance and made an interesting address. Height 45" Width 18^" Depth 19" Sample $52.50 Quantity Prices on Application. ARE YOU catering only to the high price trade and neglecting the popular price customer ? For every high priced phonograph sold there is a demand for one hundred cheaper priced machines. The "RECALL" is an ideal proposition for this purpose. It compares favorably in finish, workmanship and equipment with higher priced phonographs and sells at a price satisfactory to the majority of buyers. Investigate our proposition; send for sample. The Huss Bros. Phonograph & Piano Co. 6-8-10 W. Canal Blvd., Cincinnati, 0.