The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

124 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD January 15, 1922 STOCKS LOW IN PORTLAND OWING TO HOLIDAY DEMAND Continued Buying of Machines and Records Since the Holidays Affords Encouragement to Merchants Regarding Continuation of Good Business — What a Talk With Leading Dealers Reveals Portland, Ore., January 4. — A better Christmas trade than was enjoyed last season was experienced by the dealers in talking machines and records of Portland in the period just ended. Dealers throughout the city have expressed surprise at the condition and to-day the stocks are decidedly low. * One of the most heartening factors for the dealers is the condition since Christmas. The amount of buying of both machines and records since the holidays has eclipsed former similar periods. The same condition seems to be true in all lines of trade in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. E. B. Hyatt, of the Hyatt Talking Machine Co., reports business for the month of December better by far than expected. The sale of the better grade of machines took a big jump just before Christmas and this popular shop was so busy during the holiday buying that people were turned away. Mr. Hyatt proved himself to be a wonderful Santa Claus to his employes. Frank M. Case, manager of the Wiley B. Allen store, is very greatly pleased over the December business. C. L. Neilson, formerly of the Sherman, Clay Victrola department, has been secured by Mr. Case, to assist Paul B. Norris, sales manager. Bertha Serr, for the past three years manager of the record department, has resigned her position and Erma Ewart has taken Miss Serr's place as manager of the department. Margaret Corbett has been added to the record sales force. D. C. Peyton, manager of the Meier & Frank talking machine department, who advertises extensively "The House of the Big Four" — Victrola, Vocalion, Columbia, Edison — reports a rushing December business, with over 300 machines being placed in Portland homes during the month. A. C. Sherbet has returned to the Meier & Frank department and Marvel Case and Flora Wakefield have also been added to the force. Charles T. Corbin, general manager of the Seattle b ranch of the Bush & Lane Piano Co., extended an invitation to the Portland firm to participate in the annual banquet which was given by them on New Year's Eve. As many of the force as could get away gladly accepted the invitation and motored to Seattle. Garrett Stetzel, credit man for the Bush & Lane Piano Co., has gone to California and J. F. O'Gara, formerly of Lipman, Wolfe & Co. and president of the Portland Credit Association, has been secured by J. H. Gallagher, manager, to fill his position. F. E. Shaw, formerly of the Sherman, Clay & Co. Victrola department, has been added to the sales force of the Bush & Lane phonograph department. The Harold S. Gilbert Music Co., which for the past six years has occupied quarters at 384 Yamhill street, has moved to bigger and better quarters in the Pittock Block, at 103 West Park street. The store has very fine window space and with a fine big electric sign being installed Mr. Gilbert expects to attract a great amount of new trade to his store. Clyde Freeman, manager of the Remick Song Shop, reports a good December in the Columbia department and when the Christmas rush began he added three salesmen to his force to accommodate the throngs of customers. W. B. Maxwell, for some time assistant to Mr. Freeman, has accepted a position with the wholesale Victrola department of Sherman, Clay & Co., and will assist Elmer Hunt, manager. Ray Feldenheimer, manager of the Lipmtem, Wolfe & Co. phonograph department, reports an excellent sale of Sonoras and Brunswicks during December. Charles D. Carter, Northwest representative of the Sonora Phonograph Co., who had his headquarters at Seattle, Wash., has moved to Portland, where he is now making his home. Andrew Noble, formerly of the Berkey & Gay Co., of Grand Rapids, Mich., has been secured as superintendent and designer for the Stradivara Phonograph Co. Mr. Noble is proving a very valuable man and has designed some very artistic work. C. A. Alphonse, of the Hyatt Talking Machine Co., was an active member, acting as vicepresident on the Christmas tree committee of the Portland Elks, 142, who entertained 3,200 poor children at a Christmas party given by them at the public auditorium Monday, December 26. Gifts and baskets of food were generously given. CHEER INVALIDS AND MAKE SALES Smith & Stout, Brunswick Dealers, Send Machines to Homes of Sick and Reap Profits of Several Sales and Much Publicity La Plata, Mo., January 9. — A clever stunt which is selling Brunswick machines and records for the firm of Smith & Stout, Brunswick dealers, this city, is the loaning of a machine and records to persons who are ill. Upon hearing of any person confined to the house by illness or accident, a machine and records are immediately sent out to the house in an effort to cheer up the invalid. There is no solicitation to buy, but in every instance where this plan has been tried a sale was made. A. C. IRETON'S OPTIMISTIC LETTER Edison Phonographs, Ltd., Edison jobbers on the Pacific Coast, with headquarters in San Francisco, and branches in Los Angeles and Portland, sent out on the first of the year a most optimistic letter to the trade regarding the business opportunities that were in view for 1922. The letter was signed by A. C. Ireton, manager, and was of a character to instill confidence. The New Year 1921 was spent in the further liquidation and reduction of prices of commodities to a normal basis. This year we start with this liquidation practically completed, which means an increase in production and an increase in employment. With this splendid outlook for the present year, there is every reason why Victor dealers throughout the country should enjoy a greatly increased business. We trust that each will secure his share, and we also trust that we may be given the opportunity to help and co-operate in furthering this prosperity of the Victor dealer. CURTIS N. ANDREWS BUFFALO, NEW YORK