The talking machine world (July-Dec 1924)

76 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD July 15, 1924 Trade in San Francisco Interested in the Proposed Convention of Coast Dealers Convention Plans Practically Completed — Death of George R. Hughes Shocks Entire Trade — Successors to Posts Held by Deceased Appointed — Activities of the Trade During Month San Francisco, Cal., July 3. — The entire music trade of this city was greatly shocked to hear of the death of George R. Hughes, secretary of the Wiley B. Allen Co., who passed away at the Mercy Hospital in Chicago after a week's illness from bronchial-pneumonia. Mr. Hughes was stopping for a few days in Chicago en route from New York, where he attended the annual convention of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce and where he was signally honored by being elected to the presidency of the National Association of Music Merchants. Mr. Hughes was fifty^six years old and was connected with the Wiley B. Allen Co. for twentytwo years, starting as a salesman and working his way up to the position of secretary and member of the board of directors. In addition to his business responsibilities Mr. Hughes was most active in civic and trade affairs. Successors to George R. Hughes The position held by George R. Hughes as head of the committee preparing for the Western Music Trades convention to be held the latter part of this month has been taken up by Philip T. Clay, president of Sherman, Clay & Co. At the same time E. H. Uhl was selected by the executive committee to act as chairman of the executive committee. This position was left vacant by the death of George Marigold in May. The death of Mr. Hughes left unfilled the position of president of the Music Trades Association of Northern California, which has since been filled by the appointment of Shirley Walker, of Sherman, Clay & Co. A vacancy on the board of directors was filled by the selection of Frank Anrys, general manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co. ■ Convention Plans Completed Plans for the coming convention are rapidly assuming definite shape and it is safe to say that when the gavel falls on the morning of July 22 everything will be in ship-shape order. Advance reservations have more than exceeded the expectations of those who are in charge of this Western gathering and every committee re ports that every detail has been attended to. The position which radio has assumed in the music trades has been recognized and the subject of merchandising radio products will receive a large share of attention. The transportation problem will also be the cause of much discussion, as will the usual subjects, such as sheet music, small goods, pianos and talking machines. "Victor Night" at Convention The first night of the convention will be known as Victor Night and arrangements have been completed for a dinner-dance to be tendered to the entire convention with three Victor recording orchestras, all popular on the Pacific Coast, furnishing the musical features and dance music. The affair will take place at the St. Francis Hotel and the orchestras are Art Landry's, Max Dolin's and Halstead's. It is expected that the new Victor plant at Oakland will be a magnet that will attract many of the conventioners as visitors, an invitation having been extended to all. Hauschildt Opens Branch A branch store of the Hauschildt Music Co. has been opened in Manteca, Cal. Manteca is one of the small but rapidly growing towns in the San Joaquin Valley. The store will be located for a time in a portion of the Alger Furniture Store, but, as soon as business warrants and a desirable location can be secured, the company will have its own store. Talking machines, records and pianos are carried. Magnavox Co. Moves The Sonora distributor for the San Francisco territory, the Magnavox Co., formerly located at 616 Mission street, has moved to 274 Brannon" street. F. B. Travers is manager of the Sonora organization for the Pacific Coast. Tie Up With Isham Jones Brunswick dealers tied up with the appearance of Isham Jones, exclusive Brunswick artist, at the Orpheum Theatre here recently. The sales of records by this popular artist were stimulated greatly. This is Mr. Jones' first appear ance in the Far West and he was under the guidance of C. L. Morey, Coast representative of the Brunswick Co., and J. J. Black, of the Wiley B. Allen Co. Big Call for Columbia Products The local branch of the Columbia Phonograph Co. reports that the past month has seen a satisfactory demand for portables crop up in both the city stores and in the different branches scattered along the Pacific Coast. The holiday and vacation season is in full swing and the desire for music as a necessary adjunct to a successful vacation is reflected in the demand for the portable type of instrument. Records are selling briskly and O. E. Sklare, Columbia dealer, of Portland, Ore., informed the Columbia headquarters that the New Process records are selling in a most satisfactory fashion, the demand being of large proportions and growing consistently. Adds Brunswick The White House, well-known department store, recently added the Brunswick line of phonographs and records. The talking machine business of this store has been growing steadily. Stages Radio Demonstration The City of Paris is doing a steady business in radio sets and recently announced that demonstrations would be given three nights during the week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, between the hours of 7:30 and 10 o'clock. These hours were selected because reception is better at this time and the programs are more interesting. Good Portable Business J. J. Black, of the Wiley B. Allen Co., reports that portables are selling well in all the stores operated by the company. The record trade also continues to be brisk. General Phonograph Corp. Enjoys Increased Demand The New York district office of the General Phonograph Corp. reports that the total volume of record sales for the past month shows a 25 per cent increase over the same period of last year. Business is continuing brisk and new accounts are constantly being opened. Music Master loud speakars and portables are also going well. One of the departments of this organization which reports an unusually large increase over preceding years is the needle department. Needle sales are being pushed vigorously and orders for needles in million lots are quite common. Norman Smith, district manager, is quite satisfied with sales and predicts an even greater increase this coming month. Geo. L. Fuhri Gotham Visitor Geo. L. Fuhri, a son of W. C. Fuhri, vicepresident and general sales manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co., Inc., was a visitor to New York recently on a business trip which included a call at the Columbia factory in Bridgeport and an inspection of the recording laboratories. Mr. Fuhri is a member of the staff of the Columbia Wholesalers, Inc., at St. Louis, Mo., and his keen enthusiasm regarding his work is reflected in the rapid strides he is making under the able direction of A. B. Creal, vice-president and general manager of the Columbia Distributors, Inc. Music on Lake Steamers The music for dancing and entertainment on the fleet of excursion steamers operated on the Great Lakes and tributary rivers by the White Star, Ashley and Dustin lines will again be furnished this Summer by Finzel's Orchestra. Wm. Finzel, manager of Finzel's Orchestra, is the personal director of the Finzel's Arcadia Orchestra of Detroit, exclusive Okeh dance orchestra and well known to dance enthusiasts in the Middle West. 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