The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 79 Confidence in the Outlook for 1928 Justified— (Continued from page 78) reasonable profit, can look forward with confidence, and to such concerns the outlook is favorable. On the other hand, in the automobile and radio industry it is my opinion that the keenest competition we have experienced in years is just ahead. It will be a time when seasoned experience, established reputation and conservatism will win out over rank speculation, which has prevailed, and apparently successfully so, for some time in the past. Yes, the old condition of "survival of the fittest'' will again be applicable to the coming year. It will be a good time for dependable concerns to get together and to carry out this theory from the manufacturer down through the distributor and dealer to the consumer. But for those who are prepared in the many ways that will be necessary to meet the conditions which I believe we will experience in 1928, the outlook is good. Bacon Banjo Co., Groton, Conn. By D. L. Day, General Manager. The trade in quality goods is well established and I feel that the coming year the manufacturers of same will receive their share of trade. At the same time it is becoming more and more evident that the situation is developing into more of a fight for the dollar between the industries. Many things are constantly kept before us in the newspapers and trade press and other forms of advertising, so that in this way the sales resistance is so much lessened for that particular article, and the chances are that it is something we think more or less of and it may be something for pleasure or everyday use. The musical merchandise trade needs a slogan and this can only be worked out to the best advantage through the various associations and getting finally to the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. This movement has been started for some time and money appropriated, and lately through the efforts of the New York dealers and Musical Merchandise Manufacturers' Associations, joint committees have been appointed to consider various plans for the benefit of the Music Industries. These joint committees should work through other joint committees of other associations. Splitdorf Radio Corp., Newark, N. J. By Walter Rautenstrauch, President. To my mind the most significant comment that can be made on the radio situation to-day is that it has entered the realm of big business. Heretofore regarded as more or less of an uncertainty from the business angle, radio now takes its place along with other important industries in receiving the consideration of men engaged in shaping the commercial destinies of this and other countries. The work of the Federal Radio Commission has given a stability and dignity to broadcasting. While the work of the Commission went on the manufacturers busied themselves with the settlement of patent suits. The license agreements made in 1927 did much to wipe out further uncertainty in the new industry. My belief is that radio is on the threshold of a tremendous development, not only in the realm of broadcast reception but in the field of television and certain allied branches of other industries that lean to some extent on communication of the type afforded by radio. It is needless to forecast in detail the probable events of 1928 for many are doing this and, so far as the instruments devoted to broadcast reception are concerned, generally with a concurrence of opinion. I should, however, like to point out just one or two things. The public needs to exercise the same care, and this, of course, applies to the dealer, in selecting the all-electric type of set, as it learned by bitter experience to do in the case of the battery-operated and the socket-power operated receiver of a different type. Not because we have featured the Beauty in Radio idea, but because it is sound as a fundamental appeal to the court of last resort in buying, do I believe this movement will proceed with rapid stride in 1928 and thereafter. It is a part of cur times and as such is firmly imbedded as a strong force within the confines of "what do the people want?" and nothing can halt it now. Stromberg-Carlson Tel. Mfg. Co., Rochester, N. Y. By Geo. A. Scoville, Vice-President. It doesn't take much optimism to predict a much better radio year for 1928 than that experienced in 1927 because of the following factors: The good work done by the Federal Radio Commission in lessening disturbances; the contributions to broadcasting that are being made by so many manufacturers building radio equipment; the good chain programs that the National Broadcasting Co. has produced and for which they are responsible; the rapid clearing up of patent difficulties, and the settling down of the technical side of the art. The improvement of these factors cannot help but improve the 1928 radio business and they are going to make it much simpler for manufacturers to settle down to a good, constructive merchandising effort. Crosley Radio Corp., Cincinnati, O. By Powel Crosley, Jr., President. There are many reasons for optimism. Here are a few of them. Confidence in the stability of our national government was never more apparent. Business men have a feeling of security, based largely on the sound, economic principles which are being applied in the control of the nation's resources. Assurance that Congress will enforce a tax reduction of a quarter billion of dollars, more or less, means linancial relief of far-reaching effect in all parts or the country. Immediately it will make available huge sums for business advancement. Money will continue to be easily obtained at reasonable interest. This assurance is given by Wall Street and other large financial centers. With easy money there is little possibility of depreciation in commodity prices. Despite political preachment to the contrary, the farming industry, which is the nation's most dependable resource, bids fair to enjoy a most prosperous period. Steel manufacturers are preparing for large deliveries during the early months of the year and express confidence in a continuation of activities. There is no better barometer of business than the steel industry, unless it be farming. Economic conditions are getting better almost daily in the foreign fields. This is especially true in Europe. It is a good omen for international business. Radio Corp. of America, New York City. By J. L. Ray, General Sales Manager. The outlook for the radio industry for 1928 is extremely favorable. Indications point not only to a continuance of the popularity of lighting current operated radio receivers, but to an increase of the demand for these devices. In addition to the market composed of homes not yet possessing radio sets, there will be a large replacement market formed by that portion of the public who will desire to purchase the new socket power operated sets to take the place of battery operated sets now in use. The far-seeing dealer will take advantage of this replacement trend. His selling job to this market will be simpler in many ways since it will not be necessary to sell such prospects on radio itself but only on improved radio reception and the convenience of socket power operation. Broadcasting has progressed steadily during 1927. Technical advancement and program quality have kept step in this constant advancement. This progress will undoubtedly continue throughout 1928. The most important events of the year for radio, those which will lift the valley in the sales curve, are the political conventions in June and July. Election returns in November should not be forgotten. All these factors lead me to believe that 1928 will be the most prosperous the industry has ever had. Buckingham Radio Corp., Chicago. By Roy T. Anderson, Sales Manager. The fact that the AC set has arrived is no longer a matter of speculation. What it has done to the radio market this year is ample evidence of its popularity. Unquestionably the demand next year will be for direct AC operation and also a considerable improvement will be necessary over the present models. Aside from the demand for AC sets, it is rather difficult to predict any further than this, due to the introduction of several new types of tubes which give promise to reveal some startling developments. While in the developments a constant improvement is necessary in radio, we believe (Continued on page 80) PORTABLE MOTOR No. 55 Built to sell portable phonographs High in quality — Low in price Send for a sample, and for a copy of the KRASCO catalog which illustrates and describes motors from a portable to a 10-record console type. KRASCO PHONOGRAPH MOTOR COMPANY llOO West Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, Indiana, U. S. A.