The talking machine world (July-Dec 1924)

172 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1924 Normal Business Features Portland Trade as the Public Starts Shopping for Gifts Effect of General Business Prosperity Felt by Music Dealers — Oregon Radio Dealers' Association Elects — Edison Tone Test Recital Scheduled — Other Important Trade Activities Portland, Ore., December 4. — Business in Portland maintained that status known as normalcy during November. The repeal of the State Income Tax at the November election marked a step of more than ordinary importance to the development of Oregon. General business took a big stride and music dealers have naturally felt the effect of these improved conditions and all reports anticipate a record-breaking business for the coming holiday season. Forty members of the Oregon Radio Dealers' Association met at the Portland Chamber of Commerce November 7, to elect officers for their new organization. G. F. Johnson, of the G. F. Johnson Piano Co., was elected president; Joseph Hallock, of Hallock & Watson, and the pioneer radio man of Portland, was elected vicepresident; Sidney Goodwin, of Radio headquarters, secretary, and R. E. Brown, of Brown's Radio Shop, treasurer. A constitution and bylaws were adopted and read in part: "The purpose of the Association is to foster the interest of its members in any way connected with or relating to the radio industry in the State of Oregon; to establish and maintain uniformity and harmony in the customs and commercial usages of the radio industry; to acquire and preserve and disseminate business information; to promote a more enlarged and friendly intercourse among those engaged in the radio industry; all of which being consistent with the public interest and laws of the State and Nation." Membership in the organization consists of radio manufacturers, their salesmen, radio jobbers and retailers. Music men who have joined to date are G. F. Johnson Piano Co.; Meier & Frank Co., Wiley B. Allen Co., L. D. Heater, jobber; and the McCormick Music Co. Alma Gluck, one of the most popular of Victor artists, sang before a capacity audience in Portland's public auditorium, and again delighted her many admirers. Increased demand for her records followed. Geraldine Farrar, another famous Victor artist, was presented in her celebrated role of "Carmen." The Edison Phonograph, Ltd., of Portland, Edison distributor for the Pacific Northwest, feels unusually fortunate in procuring Betsy Lane Shepherd, famous soprano, who will be presented in an extended tone test recital tour throughout Oregon and Washington. Arthur Gabler, district manager, with headquarters in Portland, says: "It is seldom that so noted an artist can be procured for this work, due to the fact that artists of this high standing are usually contracted for by managers in their regular concert work. In fact, Betsey Lane Shepherd concludes a private tour at Olympia, Wash., about the middle of January and her Edison recitals will ensue immediately following. Miss Shepherd has been appearing before capacity audiences throughout her present tour." Edison dealers of the Pacific Northwest are admonished by Mr. Gabler to prepare for and procure the largest auditorium in their respective towns to accommodate their audiences. Mr. Gabler reports shipments of Edison mer chandise to the following newly established dealers: The Victor Earle Music Co., of Chehalis, Wash.; Liberty Music Shoppe, of Seattle, Wash.; "Courson, the Music Man" of The Dalles, Ore.; Vernon Drug Co., of Portland; Raymond Drug Co., of Raymond, Wash.; and Ritzville Drug Co., of Ritzville, Wash. Roy E. Titsworth, special representative from Thos. A. Edison, Inc., is visiting Edison dealers in Oregon and Washington, with special personal messages from Mr. Edison. The wholesale department of Sherman, Clay & Co., Elmer Hunt, manager, reports excellent business in Victrolas, Victor records and the newly acquired radio, which comprises the products of the Radio Corp. of America, Crosley Radio Corp., and Gilfillan Bros., Inc. L. W. Sturdevant, radio manager from San Francisco Sherman, Clay & Co. headquarters, spent several days going over the radio field with Mr. Hunt and is more than pleased with the rapid progress being made in this district. A. B. Mattingly, Pacific Northwest representative of the Victor Talking Machine Co., with headquarters in Seattle, spent several weeks in the Portland district, helping the Victor dealers with their problems, etc., and extending valuable information along these lines. Mr. Hunt reports the following new Victor accounts: Wetherbee-Powess Furniture Co., Eugene, Ore., and the Silver Fox Pharmacy of Vernonia, Ore. A. R. McKinley, Pacific Northwest manager for the Brunswick-Balke Phonograph Co., reports phenomenal business with the BrunswickRadiolas. He says, "The Radiolas are revolutionizing our business and the demand for this combination phonograph and radio machine is enormous. The public is beginning to realize that they do not desire two machines in their homes and by combining the phonograph and radio they get just what they want." Mr. McKinley reports sales far exceeding those of former years when they sold phonographs alone. Charles Soule, wholesale manager of the Starr Piano Co., for Oregon, Washington and Idaho, spent several weeks in November touring western Washington in the interests of the Starr phonograph and Gennett records. Mr. Soule reports a big volume of business with large orders for the holiday trade. Lorraine Evon and her "Golden Bird," famous Gennett artist, paid Portland another visit and further endeared themselves to their many admirers. This interesting combination was the headliner at the Hippodrome Theatre. The Bush & Lane Piano Co. is having a removal sale, preparatory to moving to a new location the first of the year at the expiration of the present lease. All musical instruments are being offered at attractive prices and a big business is being handled. H. W. Heineck, who has been local manager since last Spring, has resigned and J. F. O'Gara, for several years local credit manager, is in charge. D. A. Halgren, of the Seattle branch, is assisting at the local store during the sale. The new location has not yet been announced. CARTER "ONE WAY" PLUG Leading manufacturers have adopted this plug as standard equipment. An item that sells readily in the music store. 50c Any jobber can supply. In Canada: Carter Radio Co., Limited Toronto Sell one with every Loudspeaker or head §et. National Victrola 400 Week went over big in Portland. All Victor dealers concentrated on this model and were greatly benefited in the time and thought given to the "drive" and large advertisements and exclusive window displays of the model were featured. H. J. Ebert, in charge of the Victrola department of Sherman, Clay & Co., had on display an unusually attractive window and reported splendid results. The holiday rush is on and the 400 is proving a favorite, now that it is publicly featured. Frank M. Case, manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., made a short business trip to San Francisco headquarters and returned full of enthusiasm for his Christmas business. The exclusive Victrola department of the Powers Furniture store, A. T. Erickson, manager, is nicely installed in handsome new quarters on the main floor and reports business flourishing. A radio department has been installed with the Sherman, Clay & Co. George H. Stimson is in charge. Walter Camp, famous football expert and originator of the "Daily Dozen," was a Portland visitor during November. The local papers were full of his visit and his "Daily Dozen" records were in big demand Eight Victor Artists Entertained in Portland Portland, Ore., December 3. — During the recent visit to this city of the Eight Popular Victor Artists for a concert at the Municipal Audi Eight Victor Artists at the Falls torium they were the guests of the Portland Victor dealers at a luncheon at the Crown Point Chalet, on the famous Columbia River highway. The illustration shows the Victor artists, with Multnomah Falls in the background. STYLUS BARS Stylus Bar & Mfg. Co. Clague Rd. North Olmsted . . . OHIO