The talking machine world (Jan-June 1923)

132 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD May 15, \922 CLEVELAND Hundreds Attend Columbia and Victor Lectures at Convention of Music Supervisors — The Music Memory Contest — Other News Cleveland, O., May 7. — Hundreds of delegates to the convention of the Music Supervisors' National Conference, held here during April, attended the lectures conducted by the Columbia and Victor interests in connection -vfiXh exhibits held adjacent to the convention proper in the Hotel Statler. Conspicuous demonstrations included the showing by the Columbia Co. of the process of record making from the raw material to the finished product, and illustrations showing how records are made. Several quality models of Columbia machines, as well as much educational material, were displayed. Instruments and other material were supplied through the local Columbia branch by Branch Manager S. S. Larmon and Service Manager George Krauslick. In charge of this exhibit were W. A. Willson, educational director, assisted by Miss May Skilling, Canada; Miss Florence Hazlett, Kansa? City; Miss Madeline Davis, Terre Haute. Mrs. Frances Elliott Clark, director of education for the Victor interests, was in per.sonal charge of the Victor displays, and with her was the permanent educational stafif — Miss Esther Gatewood, R. J. Coleman, Miss Alice Keith, Miss Margaret Streetor, Miss Marie Finney and Miss Esther Beaver, of the Perry B." Whitsit Co., Columbus. All the literature, and the various types of machines and records used were shown. Semi-finals in Music Memory Contests In connection with the event the semifinals in the Ohio Music Alemory Contest were held for Cleveland schools. More than 1,000 children took part. This part of the contest was moved forward by Mrs. Grazella Puliver Shepherd, director of music appreciation in the public schools, in order that delegates to the conference might take part. Both Victor and Columbia records were used during the contest itself, and the delegates to the convention were impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the children. Another exhibitor of the local talking machine trade was the Euclid Music Co., though tb'^ consisted primarily of band instruments. Exhibits at Better Homes Exposition Simultaneously with the conference in this city of the national supervisors was held the Better Homes Exposition, in which musical merchandise figured prominently, notably in the use of talking machines in demonstrations by lecturers on how to properly furnisli living rooms. The exclusive showing of a talking machine was acquired by L. Meier & Sons Co., which erected a complete hearing room, and showed about ten different types of Victor machines. The feature of this exhibit was the demonstration of health records by Miss Mary Craig, who came from the Standard Talking Machine Co. for this purpose. The Cleveland Talking Machine Co.'s own exponent. Miss Marjorie Barnhardt, would have filled this part of the bill, only she was at Massillon, performing for C. J. Duncan, Victor dealer there, and drawing almost as large crowds in that city as did Miss Craig at the exposition here. Eight Famous Victor Artists in Concerts Dealers in the smaller cities adjacent to Cleveland are extending themselves in many ways to interest the people in instruments and records, and the work of dealers in bringing the Eight Famous Victor Artists to this section this season is significant. The group has appeared under auspices of Oscar E. Soderberg, Sandusky; the Wickens Co., Lorain, at Alliance and in other cities, drawing huge houses, and consequently stimulating business for the enterprising merchants who underwrite these performances. S. E. Burgess Expands The college town does its bit by the dealer who works with it, and a good demonstration of this is the expansion of the business and the addition of more sales people by S. E. Burgess at Oberlin. Mr. Burgess has remodeled his store and has held an informal reception as well. Celebrates Seventy-third Anniversary The seventy-third anniversary of the Seward Music Co. will be held some time in May, following the remodeling of its Dayton building. The Cleveland Talking Machine Co. will have representatives to aid in holding the opening that will accompany this event. Sonera Executives Visitors Warren J. Keyes, treasurer, and Frank V. Goodman, assistant sales manager, of the Sonora Phonograph Co., of New York, were visitors to Cleveland during the latter part of April and while here were entertained with trips about the city, visits to dealers and at dinners and other social af?airs by J. L. Du Breuil and J. T. Pringle, of the Sonora Phonograph Ohio Co. The home office men were much impressed with the strides Sonora is making since the gifted Messrs. Du Breuil and Pringle took charge here. Many New Edison Accounts Marked development of business among dealers in outlying territory, and this without the addition of more sales representatives, has been made by the Phonograph Co., Edison distributor, according to E. S. Hershberger, secretary, following his return from a trip through the district, including Mansfield, Wooster, Ashland, Sandusky and other points. This is part of a sales drive that has already resulted in fourteen new dealers being added for Edison, as well as increased business in machines and records from established clientele. Later a selling campaign, with suitable attractions for both dealers and sales people, will be developed. Practical Aid for Brunswick Dealers Several unusual plans for aiding dealers to increase their business have been instituted by Leslie I. King, district manager, the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. One of the latest is the re-enameling, in white or other colors, of machines, to harmonize with hearing rooms of similar colors. At the same time the machine One of the Redecorated Machines crevices have been filled with seven coats o* enamel, which has been found to make for better tonal qualities in carrying the higher and lower notes of records. Five new dealers have adopted this principle in the fitting of their establishments, and others are expected to follow their example, according to Mr. King. Big Gain in Okeh Record Demand Okeh record business in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh districts served by the Record Sales Co. has increased 15 per cent for the first quarter of 1923 over the same period a year ago, according to T. R. Buel, secretary, and April figures are expected to surpass this mark. Fine Department at Yahrling & Raynor The main floor of the Yahrling & Raynor Co., Youngstown, establishment will be given over almost entirely to the talking machine end of its business, following the rebuilding of the establishment. Gruesome Display Sells Records of "Fate" the De Foreest establishment in Warren, Brunswick made a distinct hit, under the tutelage of Bob Markley, store manager, by the use of a unique window attraction to feature the record "Fate." A skeleton, surrounded by New Style Cabinets New Range of Prices New Smooth Surface Records New Records Every Week CINCINNATI, OHIO 314 West Fourth Street The New Edison "THE PHONOGRAPH WITH A SOUL" Special Notice : There are still a few towns and cities where we desire new or additional representation. Write us for our latest dealer proposition. Our Field Manager will be glad to visit you with full information. THE PHONOGRAPH COMPANY Exclusive Edison Distributors Hear Mr. Edison's New White Label Record CLEVELAND, OHIO 1240 Huron Road