The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

May 15, 1925 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 67 Outlook for Busy Season Creates Better Feeling Among San Francisco Dealers Record Sales Continue Excellent— Portables Coming Into Favor With Approach of SummerStarr Piano Co. Moves — Association Elects Officers — Convention Plans Mature San Francisco, Cal., May 4. — The general feeling toward business among members of the mu' sic industry and trade is one of real optimism and dealers are preparing for a busy year. The rainfall has been heavy as compared with a far less than normal rainfall last year in the southern part of the State, where agriculture is practically the sole source of revenue, betokening better business conditions. Record Sales Consistently Good Radio sales still lead in comparison with other departments, although the record end of the business has brought nothing but satisfaction to dealers during the past few months. The visit of the United States Navy fleet to San Francisco brought a surprising demand for records and all dealers participated in supplying the sailor boys with the means of musical enjoyment when afloat. Robert Bird, of the Victor wholesale department of Sherman, Clay & Co., in commenting on the sale of records, stated recently that it is surprising the manner in which record sales stay consistent, although machine sales have remained rather quiet. Portables Coming Into Favor The approach of Summer and the vacation season is noticeable in the increased demand for portables. This type of instrument, although a consistent all-year seller, always reaches its highest point during the Summer season and the climb toward the apex starts during April. Starr Piano Co. to New Quarters The local office of the Starr Piano Co. is soon to be moved from the Furniture Exchange to 680 Howard street. For years past the company has had an office, display space and warerooms on floor 2 of the San Francisco Furniture Exchange, at New Montgomery and Howard streets. The move will afford more space for the activities of the branch. J. W. Steinkamp is the local representative of the Starr Piano Co. He is a very active traveler of this section of the State for his company. Music Firm Represented in Chamber Fred R. Sherman, vice-president of Sherman, Clay & Co., has been nominated a director of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, which is a very large and influential organization, with many ramifications, all laboring for the building up of business in this city. Shirley Walker, of Sherman, Clay & Co., has just been made second vice-president of the Retail Merchants' Association of San Francisco. Trade Association Elects Officers The very successful annual meeting of the Music Trades Association of Northern California was held at the Stewart Hotel, April 21. About twenty members of the trade were present. The reports for the past year presented by the various officers were very satisfactory. The following officers and directors were elected for the coming year: President, Shirley Walker, of Sherman, Clay & Co. (the retiring president of the Association who was re-elected); first vice-president, George Q. Chase, president of Kohler & Chase; second vice-president, J. Raymond Smith, of the J. Raymond Smith Co.; treasurer, Lawrence S. Lindsey, of the Wiley B. Allen Co.; directors, elected in addition to the foregoing officers, were: James J. Black, treasurer of the Wiley B. Allen Co.; B. P. Sibley, president, Western Piano Corp., and H. C. Hanson, of the H. C. Hanson Music House. Purchases Broadcasting Station Paul Verdier, president of the City of Paris, recently purchased the KFRC broadcasting station in the Whitcomb Hotel here. During the week that the station has been in the hands of the City of Paris a good deal of talent has been used in broadcasting. W. S. Storms, manager of the radio and phonograph departments, is leaving shortly for a trip to the East. He said to-day that they hope to be able to give concerts by artists, in person, who have recorded for the phonograph records carried in the store. These are Victor, Vocalion and Columbia. Convention Plans Completed The second annual Western Music Trades Convention, which is to be held June 23 to 26 at the Hotel Biltmore, Los Angeles, gives every indication of being an even more successful event than the initial gathering of last year. Invitations have been dispatched to the trade embodying copies of the convention program. Discussions will be held on Association matters, general business subjects and special sessions will be devoted to pianos, talking machines and radio. Each subject will be assigned to one or two dealers well known in the trade and particularly fitted to discuss it. There will be displays of talking machines, radio receivers and other musical instruments. The usual entertainment features have been arranged for. Drissel Martin Manager of Emporium Drissel Martin was recently appointed manager of the phonograph and radio departments of the Emporium, succeeding Charles Mauzy, who has taken charge of the music department of the John Breuner establishment. Remodeling Department The talking machine department of Nathan Dohrmann is undergoing extensive remodeling, with six new demonstration rooms being added. R. L. Rayner Visits Gotham R. L. Rayner, vice-president of the MunsonRayner Corp., Pacific Coast distributors for Vocalion Red records, Cheney phonographs and Colin B. Kennedy radio receivers, was a recent welcome visitor to New York. ASSURES CRYSTAL-PURE TONE The 199 Radio Tube That Needs No Adapters! 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