The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

February 15, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 123 TORONTO TRADE OPPOSEi THE REGISTRATION OF LIENS Appear Before the Public Service Commission and Tell How Industry Would Be Affected — Proof That It Pays to Tie Up With High-class Concerts — Post-holiday Trade Has Been Favorable Toronto, Can., February 7— Representatives of companies selling pianos, talking machines and other products on lien notes, under the Conditional Sales Act, appeared recently before a special session of the Public Service Commission tc protest against the suggestion, previously submitted to them at a meeting some time ago, that the Conditional Sales Act be changed to make it compulsory that all lien notes covering articles sold in this manner should be registered with County Court clerks. The Canadian Manufacturers' Association and its Ontario division were also represented and opposed such a change. The Public Service Commission had previously suggested that all notes be registered in order than when a sheriff was instructed to seize certain goods he could ascertain before going to make the seizure whether or not there was a lien against them. It was also suggested that some legal process should be provided whereby a merchant who had ordered goods seized could have his claim satisfied by disposal of the debtor's equity in the goods under lien, despite the fact that the lien was undischarged. Such procedure, the commission had pointed out, would have to be subject to the full satisfaction of the claim of the seller of the goods covered by the lien. For the purpose of determining what price and what class of records enjoy the most active demand, a dealer of your correspondent's acquaintance has established an effective card system. A rack above the cash register holds a series of cards in assorted colors. Each time a record sale is made a card — black for popular song records, yellow for dance records, green for band selections, red for the better class of records, such as operatic, oratorio and symphony, and so on — is placed in the till. The dealer is therefore in close touch with local record demand and can order accordingly from his jobber. J. C. Pickard, Columbia dealer of Thamesville, Ont, has rented a store in the local Parks Block, where he is carrying a large-sized stock of Columbia Grafonolas and records. A survey of the Canadian advertising field by Marketing, Toronto, shows that for 1922 30 per cent of advertisers will spend more, 60 per cent will spend the same and 10 per cent will spend less for advertising than they did in 1921. Bruce Beattie, the well-known dealer who conducts three stores in various parts of this city, has changed the location of his Danforth avenue store slightly. He has moved into fine large premises a few doors farther east on the same side of the street, the address now being 575. and 577 Danforth avenue. The other two stores are in the Yonge street Arcade and at the Beach, respectively. His Master's Voice and Sonora lines are carried in the new s^ore. The Apex phonograph, to retail at $100, is being announced by the Sun Record Co., of Toronto, Ontario distributors of Apex records. The Flonzaley Quartet, the well-known His Master's Voice string organization, attracted a capacity audience to Massey Hall, this city, recently— an event worthy of special mention, because it serves to show how the cream of music will draw the public when it is offered at a price within the average person's reach. The event was an experiment on the part of the newly formed Toronto Chamber Music Society to bring chamber music of a high order to as large a number of citizens of Toronto as posc'ble. So successful was the experiment that no doubt other organizations of a similar character will be brought to the city more frequently in the future. Such concerts can have no other effect than creating more popular interest in the better-class music — a condition which will certainly benefit phonograph and record dealers. One or two advertisers this year carried their Christmas copy past the holidays and attempted to take advantage of presents in the form of cash in the hands of the consumer. "I'm going to buy a Brunswick with my Christmas check" was the heading of one advertisement put out by the Musical Merchandise Sales Co., Canadian distributor of the Brunswick. The Columbia Graphophone Co. has increased the price of Blue Label twelve-inch records from $1.25 to $1.50 and twelve-inch Symphony from $1.50 to $1.65. Model X Grafonola in mahogany only has been increased in price from $95 to $97.50. Proof of the wide recognition attained by Vocalion records, for which the Scythes Vocalion Co., Ltd., is Canadian distributor, is seen in the inquiry for Vocalion records this firm has received from "Heaven." Readers must not be misled, however. "Heaven" does not refer to "that land beyond the sun" we read about in Scripture, but to a gentleman by that name who has become fascinated with the delightful tonal qualities of Vocalion records as a whole. Hector Garand, manager of the Columbia Gramophone Co.'s branch at Montreal, who visited the local headquarters recently, is planning for an active business year. C. J. Pott, Canadian manager of the General Phonograph Corp., has returned from spending several days in New York in conference with the firm's president, Otto Heineman, Mr. Ribolla, of the Chicago district, and Eastern sales managers of the General Phonograph Corp. The spirit of optimism prevailed and reports from every district were most gratifying. The outlook for business in the future was considered bright, and it was the general opinion that 1922 would produce a good volume of sound business. Aldermanic candidates for the City of Toronto Boys' Council included two representatives from the firm of I. Montagnes & Co., the well-known Sonora distributors. The young son of Mr. Pickering, of that firm, was elected, while Mr. Montagnes' son, who made an excellent run in the most difficult part of the city, was fourth in the running in his ward. MONTREAL REPORTS BIG POST-HOLIDAY RECORD TRADE Sales of Records Remarkably Active in January — Advertising Through the Theatre Curtain — Many New Concerns Open — R. L. Chilvers Resigns From Berliner Co. — Live News of the Month Montreal, Can., February 6. — The large number of new converts to the use of the talking machine through sales made during the holiday season had its effect on the sales of records, which were particularly active during the month of January. The plan of one aggressive dealer in particular, already made mention of in these columns, had a stimulating effect on the sale of not only records but talking machines as well. He suggested newspaper publicity which would advocate the spending by the public of Christmas gift money in an investment of a phonograph. It had telling results to the trade in. general. The severance of his connection with Berliner Gramophone Co., ltd., Montreal, is announced by R. L. Chilvers, since 1910 general sales manager for that firm, and who latterly acted as recording manager. The firm of Carette & Lesieur, one of Quebec's most progressive music houses, have recently added the Brunswick agency to their line and reports a most satisfactory volume of business since assuming the representation. A very beautiful and unusual theatre curtain has attracted much attention at the Auditorium Theatre, Quebec City. The Lee, Lash Studios are responsible for the ingenious idea, depicting an attractive home interior, with a Brunswick phonograph much in evidence. Through a large French window you look out on a welllaid-out residential street, on one corner of which is shown a billboard advertising Bruns wick phonograph dealers in Quebec City — Marceau & Fils, Lavigueur & Hutchison and Carette & Lesieur. These firms report this curtain has a real business-pulling power and sales have been traced directly to this unusual form of advertising. George S. Layton, manager of the phonograph department of Layton Bros., the well-known music house of Montreal, called on a number of his Toronto friends in the trade on the occasion of a honeymoon visit to the Queen City. The Starr Phonograph Co., according to reports of Manager Beaudry is enjoying a period of prosperity and a healthy tone to business exists at this branch. Manager Beaudry is most optimistic as to the future. The past month's volume of sales in Starr phonographs and StarrGennett records has been most gratifying. Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Layton have left on a two months' pleasure trip to Bermuda. George O'Reilley, for ten years manager of the St. Catherine street branch of C. W. Lindsay, Ltd., passed away recently after a two days' illness of pneumonia. He has been succeeded by Mr. Trudeau, who has been in charge of the Three Rivers branch. Through Layton Bros, a Brunswick phonograph was recently sold to Prof. J. J. Goulet, a musician of local and national fame. Lamoureux & Mercier, 568 St. Catherine street East, have opened phonograph parlors and are (Continued on page 124) TALKING MACHINE SUPPLIES AND REPAIR PARTS The superiority of RENE MADE SPRINGS and PARTS is not accidental but is the result of years of painstaking devotion to the highest standards of machine shop craft. NONE BETTER IN QUALITY THE RENE MANUFACTURING CO. NONE LOWER IN PRICE Montvale, New Jersey See page 78