The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

146d THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD February 15, 1922 HEALTH BUILDERS IN TRUTH President of Health Builders, Inc., Tells Why He Is Not Afraid of the "Flu" — The "Daily Dozen" Set to Music Grows in Favor "Why I Am Not Afraid of the Flu," by Robert B. Wheelan, was the title of a timely advertisement placed in several of the metropolitan dailies during the period when the number of flu cases were steadily growing day by day. Mr. Wheelan is president of Health Builders, Inc., New York, which produces a set of health building records of the same name which are Walter Camp's "Daily Dozen" set to music. This advertisement, which was in the form of a news article, interestingly set forth the ability to ward off the attacks of a contagious germ when the body is kept fit. The efficiency and timeliness of this advertisement is to be found in the report that three days subsequent (o the appearance of this advertisement the business of the metropolitan retailers carrying the Health Builders' course increased 300 per cent. Mr. Wheelan reports that the Health Builders' course is increasing steadily in popularity among talking machine dealers. It was last October that this course was originally placed in the hands of the dealers and every month since then the volume of sales through the talking machine retailer has doubled itself. It was remarkable that the month of January, which is ordinarily expected to be a quite month, doubled the total sales of December to retailers. As an instance of progressiveness, Mr. Wheeler called attention to a Columbia dealer of Warsaw, Va., who, with the aid of a Ford truck, placed a set of Health Builder records on trial in every school that was equipped with a talking machine and' those who were not he also provided with a phonograph. This dealer received considerable encouragement in that out of the first twenty-four outfits placed twenty-two sales were consummated and he plans to extend this work throughout the entire State of Virginia. Health Builders, Inc., is conducting an extensive advertising campaign and in this month of February is represented in fifty-four advertising mediums. JOBBERS MAKING ARRANGEMENTS The arrangements committee of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers is holding a meeting at the offices of the Silas E. Pearsail Co., New York, just as the February issue of The World is going to press. At this meeting detailed arrangements will be made regarding this year's convention, and as soon as everything is arranged the jobbers will be advised accordingly. M. E. LYLE JOINS STRAND FORCES Well-known Executive Will Represent Manufacturers' Phonograph Co. in South — Ideally Qualified for New Work Mervin E. Lyle, formerly associated for fifteen years with the Columbia Graphophone Co., and well known in the industry from coast to coast, has joined the staff of the Manufacturers Phonograph Co., New York, manufacturer of the Strand phonograph. He will represent the company in the South, with headquarters at Atlanta, Ga., and he left New York the early part of the week to establish offices in that city. The acquisition of Mr. Lyle to the organization of the Manufacturers' Phonograph Co. is a distinct tribute to the success that the Strand phonograph has achieved since it was placed on the market a few months ago. A keen student of merchandising and familiar with every phase ol the industry in all of its important developments, Mr. Lyle became identified with the Strand organization after a careful investigation of the product and its sales possibilities. Mr. Lyle has studied the talking machine field from every possible angle, having occupied important executive posts in the manufacturing, sales and development divisions of the business. He has been particularly interested in co-operating with the dealers wherever possible and will be in a splendid position to give practical service to the Strand representatives in his territory. PHILADELPHIA VOCALION JOBBERS Lincoln Business Bureau to Act as Distributors for Both Vocalion Phonographs and Red Records in Quaker City Territory Oscar W. Ray, general manager of the wholesale Vocalion record department of the Aeolian Co., recently announced the appointment of the Lincoln Business Bureau, 1011 Race street, Philadelphia, Pa., as distributor for Vocalion phonographs and Red records in the Philadelphia territory. Stocks of both machines and records have already been shipped to the new distributor, who is now in a position to meet the requirements of Vocalion dealers in and about Philadelphia. The Lincoln Business Bureau has been established for a number of years and has heretofore specialized in filing devices and office equipment. The concern has two large floors in the heart of the wholesale district, with abundant facilities for keeping on hand at all times a large stock of machines and records. R. E. CLIFFORD'S NEW POST Robert E. Clifford, formerly Eastern sales manager of the Cardinal Phonograph Co., has been appointed exclusive sales representative for New England for the Puritan record, which will be manufactured by the Bridgeport Die & Machine Co., Bridgeport, Conn. This record will retail at 50 cents, and Mr. Clifford, who has established temporary offices at 351 West Fifty-fifth street, New York, is planning an intensive drive for dealers throughout New England. E. J. DINGLEY GUEST AT LUNCHEON Edward J. Dingley, assistant sales manager of the Victor Talking Machine Co., was a visitor to New York recently. An informal luncheon in his honor was arranged by Clarence L. Price, vice-president of Ormes, Inc., Victor distributor, at which other New York jobbers were present. W. C. Thomas, president of the Tampa Hardware Co., Columbia distributor at Tampa, Fla., was a visitor at Columbia headquarters in New York recently. His visit was for the discussion of plans for the distribution of Columbia Grafonolas in southern Florida, during the coming year. He predicts a healthy and normal demand for Columbia products during 1922. TRADE IN CANTON ON UP GRADE Business Shows Improvement Following a Quiet January — Leading Companies Are Optimistic Regarding Outlook — Cope & Son's Purchase Canton, O., February 6. — The talking machine and record business here seems at last to be on the up-grade after what is said to have been one of the most quiet business periods during the past year. Following a brisk holiday business, there was a decided slump during the first few weeks of January, which is now happily past history. Prospective purchasers of talking machines here desire the better grade of instruments, but they are unable to assume the obligation which a purchase such as this entails, due to slack industrial conditions here, and, consequently, most sales consist of the cheaper machines. The industrial situation is picking up, however, and dealers are looking to the future with considerable optimism. C. M. Alford, head of the Alford & Fryar Co., reports the Starr phonograph business as very satisfactory in the face of existing conditions. This firm is making many sales, and the volume of business this year is already in excess of the corresponding period of last year. January proved a fair month for the Edison product here, according to an official of the Rhines Edison shop, the newest music shop in Canton. He reports that Edison records experienced an unusually good month. The George C. Wille Co., Victor distributor, has acquired a large storeroom at Cleveland avenue and Third street, which will be used for a talking machine and piano storeroom: The company expects to change locations soon and it is believed the store will be located at the Cleveland avenue site in about another year. Victor business in January fell off, compared to previous months, but optimism prevails with this concern, and February is doing well. Purchase of the entire stock of the Cassaday Co. and lease of the entire store building at 314 East Main street, Alliance, O., have been made by T. W. Cope & Sons, that city, Pathe distributors. After March 1 the Cope Co. will be located in the new location. The Van Fossen-Smiley Co., Sonora dealer, is without a president as the result of the recent death of S. B. Van Fossen. Mr. Smiley has been made acting president until the annual meeting in April, when new officers will be elected. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., which recently opened a store in the New Northe'rn Hotel building, Sixth street and Market avenue, here, will add a line of talking machines and sheet music, it was announced by M.. M. Potee, manager. No successor to R. E. Jones, recently resigned manager of the talking machine department at the William A. Zollinger & Sons Co., has been named. Mr. Jones is now with the George R. Dales & Sons Co., Akron, O. REPAIR MEN CAN BOOST SALES One factor for increasing business, particularly record sales, which is often overlooked by the talking machine merchant is through the medium of the repair staff. The repairman should be kept supplied with a few of the latest records for demonstrating when his work is finished. A catchy air will often arouse interest and terminate in a" sale. MOTORS (Swiss) DOUBLE SPRING Suitable for Portable Phonographs Stock On Hand, Ready For Delivery Sample $3.75 — Write for One MERMOD & CO., 874 SroYadway 90 Of All Phonograph Spring Trouble Absolutely Eliminated by Anaconda Lubricant It prevents jumping, jerking and binding of springs. It is a scientifically densified Pennsylvania oil and is 1009r. lubricant. Positively contains no graphite, grease, vegetable oils, acid, asphalt or fibre. One filling lasts for years. Quality and uniformity guaranteed. One-half as much only is needed. We are making special offer on first order ONLY: S-pound can $2.00, delivered anywhere in U. S. A. PRICES: 5-pound can $ 2.00 Box of 6 5-pound cans 10.50 Box of 12 5-pound cans 19.80 50-pound can. . .' 15.00 F. O. B. St. Louis, Mo. Anaconda Lubricating & Supply Co. 3008 Louisiana Ave, ST. LOUIS, MO.