The talking machine world (Jan-June 1923)

116 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June 15, 1923 KANSAS CITY Schmehzer Co. T'ictor Business Taken Over by J. IF. Jenkins Sons Co. — A^ezv Lines Added — Completing Blackman Store — The News Kansas Citv, Mo., Tune 7. — The most notable event which has taken place in talking machine circles here during the month is the retirement of the Schmelzer Co. from the wholesale Victor trade and the taking over of all the Victor wholesale business by the J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co., which will now practically control most of the Victor distributing business of four States. Fred Jenkins, Jr., who has had charge of the wholesale department of the Jenkins Co., will continue as head of the combined business. He has grown into this position and his thorough knowledge of not only the business, but the territory which the company is to serve, makes him well fitted for the larger responsibilities which have come to him. He will be assisted by a number of men who come from the headquarters of the Victor Co. and the business will be developed to still larger proportions than in the past. Walter Lyman, formerly of the Schmelzer Co.'s Victor organization, will be connected with the Jenkins Co. from this time on. Also, Miss Hammett, of the wholesale record department, will assume similar duties with the Jenkins Co. Plan Monthly Victor Dealer Meetings Among the plans for the enlargement of the business is a monthly meeting of Victor dealers from the four States whose business centers here. The first of these meetings, held Tuesday night, was very successful. The talks by Mr. Jenkins and the new members of his force were much appreciated and were inspirational. There has been devised a plan for offering prizes to dealers which is expected to create considerable interest. The meeting was held at the Baltimore Hotel and had a social value, as well as a purely business one. New Edison Dealers John J. Van Scoyoc, of Alton, Kan., has just recently taken on the Edison agency. Another dealer who now handles the Edison is A. G. Scaverns, Hoxie, Kan. The Lynn Music Co., Fairfax, Okla., has just sold its entire stock to the Osage Music Co., which will continue the Edison agency. The Gates Drug Co., Hominy, Okla., has sold out to the Barnes Music Co., which will represent the Edison line in that city. Visitors to Edison Headquarters The following Edison dealers visited the Phonograph Co., in Kansas City, during the past month: Carl Latenser, Carl Latenser Music Co., Atchison, Kan.; Alderson, Alderson Bros., Erie, Kan.; L. K. Bannon, Ingalls, Kan.; F. G. Mortiboy, Topeka Music Co., Topeka, Kan.; F. H. Allen, Allen Alusic Co., Independence, Mo.; W. G. Hutchens, Hutchens Music Store, Lees Summit, Mo.; C. J. Eriksen, Eriksen Furn. Co., Lavvrence, Kan.; A. N. Pickerell, Pickerell Music Co., Independence, Kan., and Cherryvale, Kan.; Mr. Stephens, of Church Stephens Furn. Co., Liberty, Mo.; Mr. O'Brien, of Nelson & O'Brien, Plattsburg, Mo.; F. W. Haight, Pioneer Hardware Co., Burlington, Mo.; J. M. Voder, Herington, Kan. New Blackman Store Nearing Completion Work on the new store of the Blackman Music Co., 1209-11 Walnut street, is rapidly nearing completion. This new store will have two of the finest windows in Kansas City for the display of pianos and Edison phonographs. Very elaborate demonstrating rooms have been arranged for and will soon be completed. The formal opening occurs the week of June 11, with Frederick E. Colber, of New York, composer-pianist, assisting. Various local artists will participate. Victor for Governor's Mansion Arrangements have been made for the installation in the governor's mansion, in Jefferson City, of a beautiful No. 415 English brown electric Victrola. The deal was effected by E. G. Kathan, Victor dealer, of Trenton, Mo., which is the home of Governor Hyde. Artophone Portable Popular Manager Guttenberger, of the local branch of the Artophone, has just returned from a successful trip through Kansas and Oklahoma. He found a great demand for portable machines and Okeh records. Miss Wise, the office secretary of the branch, states that the company is getting gratifying results from its advertising in connection with the visit to Kansas City of Our AAA Quality ■ India Ruby Mica I DIAPHRAGMS I Are, without doubt, the finestDiaphragms H manufactured. H Samples and Prices on Request WILLIAM BRAND & CO. B 27 East 22nd Street New York City H Telephone, Ashland 7868 the colored artist, Sarah Marty, who is booked to appear at the Lincoln Theatre here next week. Her song, "Michigan Water Blues," is making quite a hit with her own people. New Columbia Models in Demand The local Columbia branch reports a remarkably large business in records for the month just closed. The campaign to dispose of old models which were on hand has been about completed and a very satisfactory business in the new cabinets is being done. Planning Artists' Tie-up Victor dealers in Kansas City are preparing to tie up with the appearance of the Bargy Orchestra, which will play a week's engagement at the Main Street Theatre. Special invitations will be sent to all the local members of the International Clubs — the Rotarians, Kiwanis, Lions, Co-operative. Window displays will be devised by the Main Street Theatre artists for the use of the dealers. A clever stunt used by the Bargy Orchestra in impressing on the audience that the music rendered by it can be secured on Victor records consists of a moving picture shown just before the curtain rises, in which is seen a happy family and in the midst a Victrola. One of the members of the family places a record on the machine in response to a request for a Bargy selection. And then the members of the orchestra file in and play the selection called for. This stunt will be used here to increase the sale of the records next week. J. A. Arbor Joins Jenkins Staff J. A. Arbor, formerlj' in charge of the Victrola department of Fred Kaiser, Ottawa, Kan., has been added to the traveling staff of the J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co. and will specialize in the sale of Victor products. DISTRIBUTING NEW TONE ARM Favorite Mfg. Co. Making Quantity Deliveries — J. G. Stadelmann Joins Organization — To Issue New Illustrated Catalog The Favorite Mfg. Co., 105 East Twelfth street, New York Cit}^ is now making quantity deliveries of its new tone arm. The talking machine equipment made by this concern was introduced to the trade some months back, and the demand has constantly increased since that time, making it necessary for the manufacturer to enlarge production. J. G. Stadelmann recently joined the Favorite organization in the capacity of sales and advertising manager. Mr. Stadelmann has had long experience in the sales field and in traffic and production, and he has special qualifications as a business efficiency expert. The Favorite Mfg. Co. will shortly issue a new illustrated catalog of motors, tone arms, sound boxes, musical merchandise and accessories. The catalog will list revised prices of its products. Carl Kronenberger, head of the company, in a recent statement to a representative of The World, stated that talking machine manufacturers are enjoying a greatly increased business, particularly in the portable field, as is indicated by orders for motors, springs and other talking machine parts. The Thomas Music House, of Scranton, Pa., has taken on the Victor line, and expects a big business during the rest of the year. The London Console $135 The Hit of the Year Edison Dealers and their salesmen carry a conviction in their sales talk which is born of an Absolute Certainty of Superiority It is this absolute conviction which wins 9 out of 10 side by side comparative sales. A few attractive territories are now open for dealerships. The Phonograph Co. of Kansas City 1215-17 McGee Street KANSAS CITY, MO.