The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

78 The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Trade Leaders See Prosperous 1928— (Continued from page 77) licensing policy now being followed in the industry has freed manufacturers from troublesome patent considerations. Competitive conditions are wiping out the weaker and disturbing elements in the manufacturing and distributing fields. Radio trade associations are turning their attention to marketing problems. The result is appearing in better merchandise offered with greater appeal to the prospective buyer. These are reasons why we look forward to a greater volume of business and more satisfactory conditions in 1928. Audak Co., New York City. By Maximilian Weil, President. Our outlook for 1928 will be found in the fact that during the past year we have spent a fortune — to say nothing of the tremendous amount of effort — in the development of new products for the talking machine trade. Such is our confidence in the future of the talking machine business. F. A. D. Andrea, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y. By Frank A. D. Andrea, President. Radio has passed through its most critical stages and 1928 will see a more complete understanding both within and without the industry as to its place in the sun. The result will be a far more satisfactory relationship all along the line, with more and better business. For the first time we have reached the point where real quality reception and quality broadcasting meet on a common ground. The Federal Radio Commission's efforts during the year and the work it is at present engaged in will ultimately — and that very soon — mean that the only excuse generally for poor radio performance will be a poor set in the hands of the listener. Technically, from the receiving angle, 1927 contributed as much to the enhancement of tonal quality of the complete outfit as the clearing of the air does to bring the programs to the listener with as little interference as possible. In a broad sense, too, confusion . was removed with the license agreements made during the year. This situation carried with it a clarification of the status of broadcasting to the extent that some definite participation has been undertaken by the licensees in discharging their obligation as to broadcast programs— the lifeblood of the industry. On account of the state of the country with regard to income, as revealed in the recent address of President Coolidge, it is expected that radio will share in the general prosperity for 1928. Extra special events, owing to the "presidential" year, should help not a little in making for greater sales of radio apparatus by reason of additional broadcasts of nationwide interest. On the production side as related to technicalities of radio we may, of course, look for the further development of the "electric" receiver during 1928, and this type of set will undoubtedly assume an important position in radio merchandising with the advance of the new year. Caswell Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis. By L. B. Casagrande, President. Personally, I think the phonograph industry ranks as one of the country's finest activities and that each year will see newer and better fields and finer products developed. Regarding prospects, will say that I really believe that the business is just as good as any manufacturer wants to make it. By that I mean — the amount of effort placed behind his product. The phonograph market is well established and the manufacturers enjoying this business should not forget for one minute their obligation to the trade, namely, to give them real value for every dollar, instead of being led astray by a series of false discounts, which in turn are reflected in false values. The market for portables will be bigger and better than ever and the new year will see many fine new models being offered to the trade in general. These new portables will have increased volume and reproducing qualities. Freed-Eisemann Radio Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y. By Alex Eisemann, Chairman. The trend is toward satisfying a wiser public. That means, in this fast-progressing art, that the engineering and research departments must be on their toes. Receiver design must follow quickly on the heels of tube development. I know no other rule. The American public learns quickly and is no longer satisfied with mediocre performance. As for the future, 1 am not bold enough to vouchsafe a prophecy, but I will say that this month's billings will almost double those of the same period last year. We expect to carry on in somewhere near that proportion for the coming months. There are many fine makes now on the market. Every large manufacturer has improved his product to a point at which I believe competition for the consumer dollar as against other commodities will swing more and more to radio because of the performance of the many good sets now on the market. Radio Manufacturers' Association, Inc. By C. C. Colby, President. To the radio public, which has so firmly adopted radio in its daily life, I wish to express, on behalf of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, sincere appreciation of the record of radio progress in 1927, which surpassed all previous marks. Prospects for the new year give every promise of steadily increasing popular favor, and, therefore, continued prosperity and stability for our new industry. The radio industry has "arrived." The era of rapid, revolutionary changes in design of radio receiving sets, accessories and parts, has passed, with its trials to the consumer as well as the manufacturer. Of course there will be changes, . with new discoveries, in the future. That is the history of radio and also its promise. But with the new year the public and the manufacturer, in view of the stability of design (reached especially in the last five years), face a better ordered and more stable period. The A. C. receiving set, with its popular, convenient and inexpensive "socket power" operation, unquestionably was the principal feature of radio in 1927. While it had a widespread effect upon the radio industry, it also was a force in stimulating further the public's interest and that without making obsolete the receiving set operated by battery power. With this enormous, potential market and with a large, if not the larger, part of it unequipped for the use of the newer "socket power" receiving set, there is plenty of elbow room for all rnanufacturers of radio. With the assurance of improved conditions in the air for the radio public in the future, with improvements in the art of broadcasting and quality of programs presented, in the improvement of the radio product, in beauty as well as in technical progress, the public and the manufacturer both may face the new year with a feeling of confidence and satisfaction. The development of trade association activity during 1927 also promises, to the industry and to the public, a wider and more efficient service during the new year. The Radio Manufacturers' Association, in close co-operation with the National Association of Broadcasters and the Federated Radio Trade Association of dealers, inspired with ideals of service both to the public and to the industry, will continue during the new year to forward the interests of our industry with the same deep sense of responsibility which has marked their course in the past. Blackman Distributing Co., Inc., New York City. By J. Newcomb Blackman. The outlook for business in 1928, I believe, is generally good. Whatever doubt might be reflected in cautious and curtailed sales because of it being a presidential year, it would seem, might easily be offset by many other favorable factors, among which are the following: An improved condition in the great farming sections of the country is resulting in greatly increased buying power of the farmer. There is an absence of overstock because buying for some time has been largely from hand to mouth and because commodity prices have been gradually falling. Reduced taxation and little or no indication of pending labor troubles or international controversies or difficulties which might have far-reaching effect are also important factors. Generally speaking, however, sales have been increased at the expense of profits because overhead has not been kept in check. In 1928 I believe the efficient concern with ample capital and courage to refuse to manufacture or sell except on a conservative basis assuring MONEY FOR YOU In These Power Supply Devices! TIMMONS Combination Power Amplifier and "B" Supply List $70.00 (without tubes) SPECIAL AT $18-50 ea. Both of these high quality compact units use a U.X. 216B or 281 tube for rectifying and a U.X. 210 super power audio tube as an amplifier which gives distortionless and true natural reception with wonderful tone quality and volume. Both instruments are identical in their performance as super power amplifiers. The Combination, however, is also a complete "B" Eliminator furnishing all the "B" current required by the regular tubes of the set. TIMMONS Power Amplifier List $45.00 (without tubes) SPECIAL AT $11-50 ea. No adjustments required and no output transformer or similar auxiliary equipment needed with either unit. For use with alternating current 105-120 volts, 50-60 cycles. Every Unit is brand new, packed in original factory sealed carton and fully guaranteed. They have been approved by Popular Radio and Popular Science Laboratories. Terms — 20% cash with order, balance C.O.D., f.o.b. N. Y. AMERICAN SALES CO., 19 WARREN ST., NEW YORK CITY