The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine W orld, New York, January, 1928 81 Peak of Demand Is Still to Come— (Continued from page 80) effort will not concern itself with volume alone but more particularly with application of sound merchandising methods to the end that real profits may be had by all — dealer, manufacturer and jobber alike. At the same time radio faces its hardest year from the standpoint of outside competition, that is to say the new competition about which we hear so much these days. Because of the brevity required in this forecast it will not be possible for me to review and preview the causes and the reasons for the opening assertions. Developments in 1927 that stand out may be listed as follows: The introduction of the inherently, or all-electric receiver; the practical settlement of the broadcasting difficulties with this work continuing into the coming year. Under this head, of course, is included the appointment of the Federal Radio Commission through whose agency the clearing of the air was undertaken in orderly fashion. The removal of the patent confusion by the licensing of a number of firms to manufacture under the tuned radio frequency patents. Another accomplishment of 1927 that will see its real reward in 1928 is the driving home of the "Beauty in Radio" idea. Now, briefly, for 1928 possibilities. Here are six points for dealers which, if followed, will do much to "lick" 1927 from a selling angle: Get going early in 1928 and get as many customers budgeted for radio receivers as possible early in the year. Seek prospects. Abandon earlier methods of arousing interest in radio by getting down to specialized selling and all that implies. Learn all possible about the new electric type of set. There will be some of all types of sets sold but the people want the all-electric receiver and you can make it easier by knowing what it is all about. Learn to discuss "furniture" in addition to every other phase of radio selling, for this will be a big factor in radio from now on. Help the public to remove the confusion that has been existing as to the electric receiver. Departmentize radio wherever this is practicable. Have special men handle it, if you are a music dealer. Secure the right sort of servicemen or serviceman and be sure they, too, are "up" on the all-electric set. In spite of anything that has happened there is one thing we can all keep in mind; the potentiality is there, it is largely a matter of going after the business properly. H. A. Weymann & Son, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. By Harry A. Weymann, President The year 1928 — our sixty-fourth year in the music industry — will in our opinion be exceptionally prosperous. Most lines are showing advancement, including the steel industry, which is accepted as the barometer of America's business. The buying public has learned to appreciate good music as well as the advantages in paying the higher prices for the very best instruments to obtain the best tone qualities necessary for good music. This was evidenced during the last several months of the year 1927. The reorders for the various costly type new Victor instruments up to and including the No. 9-55, at $1,550 list price, exceeded the supply. The sale of the costly Victor instruments in preference to the less expensive types induces more extensive buying of the Red Seal Orthophonic Victor lecords and the dealers' sales volume accordingly will show a corresponding gain during the coming year. Our efforts in promoting the sale of our own factory products — the Weymann Orchestra banjos — have been most successful in creating a demand for all styles of Weymann fretted string instruments. A decided preference is shown by the musical public for high-grade instruments that will encourage permanent interest and pleasure in music. Our national advertising in widely read magazines, coupled with our sales promotion plan, will have a very decided influence in greatly increasing the volume of sales for Weymann instruments this year, 1928, in which every active Weymann representative dealer will participate. F. A. D. Andrea, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y. By R. M. Klein, General Manager Radio manufacturers may look with confidence to 1928, because some of the gravest problems that ever faced any industry were cleared up for radio in 1927. The virtual solving of the entire patent situation by the license agreements made in 1927 went far deeper than the clearing away of patent litigation that kept the trade in constant turmoil, important as that latter aspect of the matter was. The progress on clearing of the air through the work of the Federal Radio Commission is, of course, another outstanding achievement of the radio year. For 1928 we may, of course, look for the further development of the alternating current tube sets. The "electric" set will probably become an exceedingly important phase of radio merchandising as the year advances. Extension of the musical instrument interest in radio appears to be a natural sequence for 1928, with specialized selling receiving even greater attention. Three-Day Sales Conference Held at Freshman Offices Charles Freshman Presided at Gathering — Interesting Addresses Made by Myron D. Goldsoil, Harry A. Beach and P. S. Weil A three-day sales conference was recently concluded at the New York headquarters of the Charles Freshman Co., Inc. Charles Freshman, president, presided, and addresses were delivered by Myron D. Goldsoll, vice-president; Harry A. Beach, general sales manager, and Paul S. Weil, advertising manager, as well as members of the engineering department. A banquet at the Hotel Astor, and a theatre party concluded the convention, which was devoted to a discussion of sales, merchandising and engineering plans for 1928. United Air Gleaner Go. Brings Out New Motor A new United portable phonograph motor, known as No. 2, is the latest product to be placed on the market by the phonograph division of the United Air Cleaner Co., Chicago. This motor, which is of the single spring type, has a two-record capacity, with a worm gear wind. The first showing of the new motor is in this issue of The Talking Machine World, and advance announcements were sent to portable phonograph manufacturers late in December. . The motor measures only two inches in height, and is so constructed as to make it adaptable to the popular "thin" model portable phonographs. The crank is located one-half inch from the top of the motor so that the handle may be turned by the user without striking the table or object upon which it is placed. In designing the No. 2 motor, the United engineers had in mind a motor of high quality which could be used in the higher priced portables, yet sufficiently reasonable in price so as to be adapted for the cheaper machines. The motor weighs about two and one-half pounds, and according to advices received from the United Air Cleaner Co. offices, a long period of time was spent in perfecting the product to the point where the firm could guarantee that it possesses no defects. Pen Makers Are Denied the Use of Trade-Mark "Edison" The Dragner Music Shop, Inc., Palisades Park, N. J., was recently incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000 to deal in musical instruments. Henry, Philip and May V. Dragner are the incorporators. Thomas A. Edison and Thomas A. Edison, Inc., were sustained by the Patent Office in their contention that the registration of the trade-mark, "Edison," for fountain pens granted to the Edison Pen Co., Inc. should be canceled. White's Furniture Co., Middleboro, Ky., is featuring the Columbia-Kolster electric phonograph with success. Radiola Dealers and Distributors! Write today for special radio cabinet catalog for RADIOLA 1 6 and 1 7 NOW READY. Dealers handling these Pierson cabinets are reporting wonderful success. Ask about MINUETTE at $35 List THE Rockford, 111.