The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

144 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD March 15, 1922 EMERALD green RECORDS (Each Record is "an echo from Emerald Isle") Are Ready for You A specially made record that appeals to everyone. Now being advertised in leading Irish magazines. Dealers and agents write for discounts UNION OF IRISH INDUSTRIES, Inc. Distributing Division 236-38 WEST 116th STREET, NEW YORK PORTLAND, ORE. Impressive Figures That Account for Prosperity in Oregon — Activities of Dealers Indicate That They Are Alert for Trade Portland, Ore., March 4. — Ralph Budd, president of the Great Northern Railroad, is in Portland and has announced that the 1922 budget of his company for improvements is more than $15,000,000. Of this amount approximately $3,500,000 will be spent in Oregon and Washington on materials and labor. When we consider that similar action will be taken by the Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific and O. W. R. & N. lines, all of which enter Portland, the business interests of the Pacific Northwest cannot but be optimistic. Ordinarily the lumber camps would all be in operation at this time, but on account of weather conditions in the mountains many of the camps are still closed down, and but for this fact all would be in operation and business in all lines would be booming. In view of the above, coupled with the great resources of the inland empire in wheat, wool and livestock and the tremendous increase in both imports and exports through the port of Portland, the music dealers, together with the business men in all industrial lines, are more than content with business conditions of the present and the outlook for the future. H. Donaldson Leopold, Jr., representing the Victor Talking Machine Co., who recently was transferred from the California territory to cover Oregon, Washington and Idaho in place of W. G. Gaston, who is now with the Victor Co., of Detroit, Mich., is in Portland visiting the retail accounts and doing some very excellent sales promotion work among the dealers. Mr. Leopold is quite enthusiastic over his new district and sees a great future for the Pacific Northwest with its wonderful natural resources. M. Davis, district manager of the phonograph division of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., reports good business for those dealers who go and get it, and says "The business is here for those making the canvass and a little effort to get it.'' Mr. Davis has just returned from a three weeks' trip throughout eastern Oregon and says the people of that territory are all optimistic now, with a much better feeling among the wheat and lumber districts. The F. C. Fry Brunswick shop, of Baker, Ore., has been remodeled with the addition of a large reception room and a big display room for Brunswick machines. Mr. Fry reports three times as much business for January and February as for the corresponding months last year. E. K. Bellony, manager of the Eastern Oregon Music Co., of La Grande, Ore., and an exclusive Brunswick dealer, has added two salesmen to his force and reports a big increase over 1921. Another exclusive Brunswick dealer to give a good account of himself is G. E. Courson, the "music man" of The Dalles, Ore. Miss E. M. Buelow has opened an exclusive Brunswick department in her music store at Hood River, Ore., and anticipates a good year on account of the prospective big apple crop for this year. The Ontario Furniture Co., of Ontario, Ore., has built a very neat phonograph department by utilizing one of its entire plate glass window fronts for the display of its Brunswick machines and records, Mr. Davis says one of the best records made by any Brunswick dealer so far is that of J. E. Metzger, of the Metzger Furniture store, of Gresham, Ore. Mr. Metzger was appointed a Brunswick dealer on December 15, receiving his initial order on the 18th, and by Christmas he had disposed of twenty-two of his machines, most of them of the larger sizes. The Wiley B. Allen Co. has moved from its old location on the corner of Broadway and Morrison street into most attractive quarters at 148 Fifth street. The talking machine department, in charge of C L. Neilson, is on the mezzanine floor with two large demonstrating rooms and a spacious floor space for the display of the Victrolas and Brunswick phonographs. The record department, under the management of Miss Erma Ewart, is on the main floor with eleven hearing rooms equipped with every modern convenience, furnished in wicker with rose-colored draperies at the windows. An instant service counter for records has been installed in the center of the floor and Frank M. Case, manager of the Wiley B. Allen store, has designed and planned the establishment with the view of extending to the patrons the utmost quality value and service. The interior of the store is finished throughout in imitation caen stone with odd and attractive archways carrying out the old Italian scheme. Mr. Case is receiving congratulations on the artistic store he has given Portland. Elmer Hunt, manager of Sherman, Clay & Co.'s wholesale department and one of the men in the music trade of Portland best able to pass judgment on conditions in and around Portland, reports an improved trend everywhere he has visited, showing a material increase over January and February, 1921. W. L. Brown, of Sherman, Clay & Co.'s wholesale department, has just returned from an extensive trip through eastern Oregon and Idaho, visiting numerous Victor dealers, and he found all dealers visited most optimistic. Farmers are in much better shape and although things have not opened up to any great extent so far they are all encouraged by the fact that they have been able to dispose of their wool and wheat at prices above their anticipations.