The talking machine world (Jan-June 1927)

134 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD June, 1927 Variety of Retail Trade Problems Discussed at Merchants' Meeting (Continued from page 133) The opening speaker at Thursday's session was W. Lee White, treasurer of the BankersCommercial Security Co., Inc., New York, who spoke on the "Carrying Charge" and pointed out the essential fairness of this system to all parties in an instalment transaction. The speaker stated that he thought it a fair estimate that 80 per cent of both talking machine and piano sales during 1927 would be made to buyers who were familiar with the carrying charge, and that if the music dealer does not use it he is working against an established business custom. Following Mr. White's address an open discussion among the members was held, during which H. H. Fleer, of Lyon & Healy, pointed out the benefits of the carrying charge in comparison with interest, showing by means of a chart that there is twice as much profit realized with the carrying charge as with interest. Other talks were given by Russell B. Wells on "Junior Salesmanship and Training," by Frederick Philip Stieff, vice-president of Charles M. Stieff, Inc., Baltimore, on "National PriceFixing," and by C. Alfred Wagner on "Tradeins and Price-Cutting." Charters were presented to the Maryland Music Merchants' Association, the Music Trades Association of Southern California and the Indiana Music Merchants' Association. Eighteen new individual members were also accepted by the association. Tribute was paid to the memory of Norman P. Stahl, of G. A. Barlow's Sons Co., Trenton, N. J., and C. A. Grinnell, of Grinnell Bros., Detroit, who passed away during the past year. A resolution to increase the dues of the individual members to $20 annually met with some discussion and it was finally decided to increase them from $10 to $15, beginning with the next fiscal year. That section of the by-laws which bars paid association employes from active membership or elective office was amended to exempt music merchants who are active members of the association and who from time to time receive pay for services rendered to the organization. A resolution amending the wording of the application membership forms was also adopted. George W. Allen, chairman of the traveling commissioners, presented an interesting report in which he told of the efforts of the travelers in promotion work, with particular reference to the progress of the Melody Way plan, telling of the list of cities in which the plan had been adopted or was being considered. At this point the winners of the 1927 advertising contest, conducted by the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, were announced. In Class AA, embracing group store and factory warerooms, the awards were in order to Sherman, Clay & Co., San Francisco; Steinway & Sons, New York; Aeolian Co., New York; Lyon & Healy, Chicago, and Grinnell Bros., Detroit. In the class for independent merchants not affiliated with any chain store or factory, the cup went to the Fitzgerald Music Co., Los Angeles; with the Otto Grau Piano Co., Cincinnati; the J. L. Hudson Co., Detroit; Parkinson's Music Store, Providence, R. I., and Zitzer's of Mansfield, O., next in order, the last four being awarded certificates. A vote of thanks was extended to the prominent advertising men and trade members who had acted as judges in the contest. A silver loving cup was also awarded to Lyon & Healy, Chicago, for the best Music Week window display, second place being captured by the Copp Music Store, South Bend. Ind., and third by the Daynes-Beebe Music Co., Salt Lake City. The committee judging the music displays consisted of Arthur L. Walsh, general manager phonograph division Thos. A.' Edison, Inc.; B. B. Wilson, associate editor, Talking Machine World, S. Ernest Philpitt, Miami. The selection of a city for the next year's convention aroused considerable discussion, many dealers feeling that there should be a change in the practice of alternating between New York and Chicago. A resolution that New York be selected failed to pass and, in the end, the matter was referred back to the board of control for final decision. The election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: President, C. J. Roberts, Charles M. Stieff, Inc., Baltimore; first vicepresident, Charles H. Yahrling, Youngstown, O.; second vice-president, Parham Werlein, New Orleans; third vice-president, Henry P. Mayer, Paris, Tex.; fourth vice-president, A. Z. Moore, Lancaster, Pa.; secretary, Herman H. Fleer, Lyon & Healy, Chicago; treasurer, Carl A. Droop, Washington; directors for three years, Shirley Walker, San Francisco; J. Grinnell, Detroit; Otto B. Heaton, Columbus, and A. D. LaMotte, San Diego, elected to succeed C. J. Roberts to the board. E. H. Uhl, Henry E. Weisert and M. V. DeForeest were elected directors representing the Association in the Music Merchants Chamber of Commerce. After resolutions of thanks to E. H. Uhl for his fine services as president during the past year and to the Piano Club of Chicago for its excellent convention arrangements, the convention made its final adjournment. National Contest Favored At a meeting of the Executive Board of the National Association of Music Merchants, held on Thursday afternoon, the Association went on record as favoring a national piano-play ing contest under the auspices of the National Association of Music Merchants. Over 1,000 merchants, manufacturers and their guests attended the twenty-sixth annual banquet of the National Association of Music Merchants held Thursday night at the Hotel Stevens. T. A. Bates, the oldest member, was presented with a cane by his many friends. The chief speaker was Captain Norman Allen Imbrie, of Culver Military Academy. An elaborate musical program was a feature of the evening. Chamber Officers Elected The annual meeting of the delegates of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon, and, after listening to the reports of President E. R. Jacobson and Secretary Alfred L. Smith and approving the budget for the coming year, the following officers were elected: Hermann Irion, Steinway & Sons, New York, president; Charles H. Yahrling, YahrlingRayner Music Co., Youngstown, O., first vicepresident; William J. Haussler, C. Bruno & Son, New York, second vice-president; Herbert Simpson, Kohler Industries, treasurer, and Alfred L. Smith, secretary. The directors include E. R. Jacobson and R. W. Lawrence, directors at large for one year; C. H. Yahrling, Mark P. Campbell, H. C. Dickinson and A. J. Kendrick, the latter to fill the unexpired term of Percy L. Deutsch, at large for two years; Hermann Irion, W. W. Clark, Herbert Simpson and R. E. Durham; from the piano manufacturers, M. J. de Rochemont, C. A. Wagner and C. D. Bond; from the music merchants, E. H. Uhl, H. E. Weisert and M. V. DeForeest; from the Musical Supply Association, E. C. Johnson and A. L. Wessell; and in addition the newly elected presidents of all affiliated associations. The decision as to what city would be given the convention next year was left open, pending action by the other associations. Convention Exhibits of Interest to the Trade Among the many exhibits at the convention of the Allied Music Trades were the following: American Sales Co., Chicago, 111., displayed the new Concert Phone automatic phonograph, playing four records automatically by means of revolving the tone arm. In attendance were W. H. Daily and W. G. Gray. Amplion Corp of America, New York City, displayed the complete line of Amplion loud speaker products, including the Amplion cone, Grand and Patrician models. As feature of the display was the Mus-Art reproducer which uses the piano as a means of reproducing and amplifying record and broadcast music, and in which all electric equipment is Amplion. In attendance were Lloyd L. Spencer and F. W. Piper. Atwater Kent Mfg. Co., Philadelphia, Pa., displayed the complete line of Atwater Kent products, Models 33 and 50 receivers, the new E speaker and "B" power unit and also on display were models 30, 32, 35 Atwater Kent receivers and Models I, H and G horn speakers. In attendance were V. W. Collamore, R. E. Smiley, T. Wayne MacDowell, P. A. Ware, George Jaud, L. M. Willis, Jos. Graham, J. H. Hickey, L. A. Pratt, H. S. Stockholm, J. J. McGingan, Edward Meany, James Kelly, John Delp, Frank Miller and J. H. McKee. Audak Co., New York City, displayed its complete line of Ultra (phonic) reproducers, including the Polyphase, Singlephase and Revelation models; also displayed Models 1 and 2 Audak tone arms, and a phonograph pick-up. In attendance were Maximilian Weil and E. A. Schroeder. Bacon Banjo Co., New London, Conn., displayed a complete line of B & D Silver Bell banjos, with two prominent artists in attendance to demonstrate the instruments. D. L. Day was in attendance at the exhibit. Geo. P. Bent Co., Louisville, Ky., displayed the complete line of Crown phonographs, 271, 272, 273, 278, 279 and the Royal model; also Crown brand pianos. In attendance were N. P. Bloom, Allan Strauss, R. J. McCloy, R. R. Roath and John Adler. Berg Auto Trunk & Specialty Co., Long Island City. N. Y., displayed the complete line of Artone portable phonographs as well as the complete line of new large phonographs, the line comprising consolettes, two consoles and four table models. Eight different models of Artone portables were displayed featuring the new Artone Grand portable with 53-inch tone column. E. R. Manning was in attendance at the display. Brllliantone Steel Needle Co., New York City, displayed the company's complete line of steel needles, including Gilt Edge, Brilliantone and Rcflexo brands. In attendance were Harry W. Acton and Irving Unger. Brunswlck-Balke-Collender Co., Chicago, 111., displayed the complete line of Brunswick phonograph products. including Prismatone models 10-7, 8-7 and the Madrid, Valencia and Cortez models. Also Panatrope P-13, P-14, P-ll, PR-138, PR-148; model 104 portable and several period styles. In attendance were W. C. Hutchings, Harry B. Bibb, R. T. Devlin, S. Schulz, E. J. Ackerman and Henry Burr. Buegeleisen & Jacobson, New York City, featured a complete line of Durro and S. S. Stewart musical instruments, showing a number of old violins, also a full line of Abbott brass instruments. In attendance were Morris Baer and Harry Bloom. Buescher Band Instrument Co., Elkhart, Ind., featured a complete line of band instruments, including a solid silver saxophone and a straight baritone saxophone six feet high. Also all types of wind instruments, including cornets, trombones, etc. In attendance were F. A. Buescher, A. J. Scanlon, R. L. Shepard, Harry Lewis and W. W. Wagner. Carryola Co. of America, Milwaukee, Wis., displayed the complete line of Carryola portables, including the Carryola Master, the new Flapper, the Cub and several special machines. A feature of the display was the new curved throw-back tone arm. In attendance were Don T. Allen, Geo. Hough, B. B. Conheim, E. D. Driscoll and B. W. Busche. Caswell Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis., displayed the complete line of Caswell portables, including the new Aristocrat model, which plays with the lid closed; the newGypsy and Melody models and the Giantone line. There was also on display a complete line of Duro metal tone arms and sound boxes for which the Caswell Mfg. Co. is sales agent on replacement equipment. In attendance were John Casagrande, L. B. Casagrande and A. J. Engel. Cole & Dunas Music Co., Chicago, 111., displayed a complete line of musical instruments, Lark portable phonographs and the Olympianphono. In attendance were F. E. McCullough, B. W. Jaffee, A. E. Cohen and A. A. Rosenbloom. C. G. Conn, Ltd., Elkhart, Ind., displayed a complete line of saxophones, new cornets, also brass instruments and reed instruments. In attendance were C. D. Greenleaf, J. F. Boyer, C. J. Fairchild and W. L. Stevenson. Consolidated Talking Machine Co., Chicago, 111., displayed ..Swanson portable phonographs, Heineman motors, Okeh records, Wall-Kane needles. Eveready dry batteries, and a complete line of musical merchandise were also on display. In attendance were F. A. Fearn and F. P. Dunford. Thos. A. Edison, Inc., Orange, X. J., displayed the new Edison consolette, just introduced, the William and Mary console, the Italian (Umbrian) long-playing model and the Nos. 2 and 3 long-playing consoles. The display featuring a replica of the original Edison phonograph made in 1877. Present were Arthur Walsh, L. P. Brock, H. G. Anderson, J. Carson, A. R. Kennedy. (Continued on f>age 136)