Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

Issue: 1947 July

~ineinnati
COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW
106
FOR
JULY
J947
With the coming of vacation weather,
operators here feel only a slight change
in the business tempo. Coney Island is
the one big resort, and this park owns
the coin machines it operates, it is under-
stood. Cigarette operators may place their
machines at the new Chester Park pool,
and at the River Downs Race Track for
the season.
The only change on the part of candy
operators is replacing the softer and cream-
ier bars with the hardy hot · weather va·
riety. The bar situation is looking up here,
with mom and more standard brands in
evidence.
Cigarettes are priced at 19 cents via
the machines, and even if the proposed
penny additional tax is levied it will mean
no change in .m echanics, but actually save
labor in not having to put the penny change
into the pack. Sales of the smokes remain
good, but other business is spotty, pos-
sibly due to the backward season. There
is no shifting of apparatus here to meet
summer demands, operators preferring to
maintain locations for the long pull.
The Automatic Phonograph Owners'
Assn. recently chartered two busses to
transport children from St. Joseph Orphan-
age and the Horne of Friendliness down to
the wharf. There they boarded steamers lor
Coney Island, where they spent the day as
guests of the / generous business men of
the city.
Six pounds, eleven ounces was the ring-
side weight of ex-Sgt. Bill Bigner's boy,
just lately ushered into life's squared
arena! Bill is right bower to his father,
Ray of Wesco.
Charlie McKenney and Tom Hastings
have agreed to sever their partnership.
Henceforth they will work their separate
routes independent of each other.
Lou Schoenlaub, of Columbia Amuse-
ment, purchased the Hi De Ho Music Co.
from Les Pegg. Les is headed for Florida
to bask in the sun while he formulates
new plans.
THE REVIEW is happy to report both
Jerry Levy and Phil Kennedy, recently
hospitalized, are back on the job, well
on the way to complete recovery.
Everything is 'hunka-dorra' for Bill Fitz·
patrick. The smiling Irishman of the Coin
Machine Industry attended his first APOA
meeting since December. Bill was laid
up with a fractured leg.
When the Hamilton County Cigarette
Vending Machine Assn. signed off for the
summer with a luncheon-meeting at the
Cuvier Press Club, the following members
. were on hand: Bob Iverson, Tom Federer,
Ted Schwartz, Stan Shechan, Earl Magly,
Earl Sander, Billy Schulten, Maury Le-
vitch, ·John Keller and Charlton Wallace-
with Will Magly bringing down the gavel
to close proceedings.
It's a girl, born to Clair and Bob Hahn,
niece and nephew of Milk Vender George
Strottman.. The newcomer is a seven pound-
er, and answers to the pretty name of
Carol Jane.
Cigvender Charlton Wallace has had his
hands full directing publicity for the local
cancer drive for WKRC. The cancer people
brought in the automatic music man's bene-
factor, Bing, for a golf exhibition. Wallace
also had his share in prombling a bridge
session at a' fete for the benefit of the Wid-
ows and Old Men's Horne, an affair attended
by the creme of local society.
Ed Barthel of Globe Games and Gerner
Berlt of Checker Amusement, Huntington,
are opening th eir new midget speedway.
Both are members of the Cincinnati Soci-
ety of Model Engineers, Inc.
Don Fosgate played host to no less a
personage than His Honor, Carl Rich,
Mayor of Cincinnati recently. The occasion
was the introduction of Aireon's new Fiesta
model to the local market The Triangle
showroom was converted into a veritable
stage, with Spanish motif and costumed
senoritas from a model agency. Among the
guests were: L'eo Dixen of Cleveland, presi-
dent of Triangle, and , his son, Norman;
Myron G. Erb, his sales manager; Fred
Litzie and Ray Votaw, both of Dayton;
Mike Charie, Columbus; Frank Snow,
Hamilton; Mrs. Everett Smith, Dayton;
Jess Hornsby, Blanchester ; W. G. Cher-
rington, C;ovington ; John Weisenberger,
Covington; Sam Chester, president of
APOA; Phil Ostand, Saul Ostand, Milt
Cole, Bill Harris, Charlie McKenney, Tom
Hastings, Al Lieberman, Bob Flynn, Harold
Rothwell, Charlie Kanter, APOA secretary,
Al Saluppo, Henry Kapson and Ray Bigner,
Cincinnati, and Fred Mann, Chicago.
Operator Bill Buerkel, of Amelia, is plac-
ing 500 Ford ball gum machines about the
city in favorable locations, under th e aus-
pices of the Kiwanis Club. The proceeds
, ,of the sales will go to th e club's fund for
needy children.
Pleased to report Joe Stenger's wife is
now at home recuperating from an opera-
tion. Joe is a trouble shooter for Globe
Games.
Bobby Levitch,. l3·year-old son of Cig-
vender Maury Levitch, was honored by the
presence of 700 guests at his recent recep-
tion celebrating his confirmation. Boy.like,
he was thrilled with the more than 100 gifts
he received.
Mr. and Mrs. John Nicholas announce
the advent of John Patrick Nicholas, III,
in a bundle just received direct from
Heaven!
.
The heart of ofIice secretary Elinor Batte,
of APOA, beat a little faster at the last
meeting of the organization. As special
guests, Jack and Shirley were present. Jack
is her son, and Shirley's th e charming wife
of Lt. (j.g.) Jack. The latter just earned
his wings at Pensacola. He is a product of
Kentucky schools and a U. S. Naval
Academy, 1945 grad. He is entitled to
wear medals such a:s Pre-Pearl Harbor,
Pacific Theater, 4 stars, American Defense,
Philippine Defense, 2 stars, and the Vic-
tory Medal. After a shon visit, Jack reo
turned to his base and Shirley went to
Los Angeles for a month with her folks.
Ray Bigner moved his family into their
n.ew Price I;Iill home recently. Almost
sImultaneously came the lmnou'lcement
that Ray had incorporated under the name
of Bigner, Inc, Other names mentioned in
the deal were Lawrence E. Eichel, George
E. Whitman and Attorney Edward Hoover.
Harry Hester, vice-president of APOA,
is back after a short vacation at Dillsboro,
the famous Hoosier spa.
Henry Kapson has left Ohio Specialty.
No announcement has been made of his
future business plans.
Bob Mitchell, of Automatic Canteen,
paid a flying trio to the Blue Grass section,
cementing relations in Lexington.
Candy-man, W. W. Tibbals, after a winter
in Florida, is back in town, primed for the. ·
fray.
Paul Pusateri's American Legion ball
team won its first two garnes, and may be
headed for a pennant!
Buster Brooks, mechanic for Milton Cole,
while on vacation, was privileged to visit
Madison Square Garden and see Cincin-
nati's pride, Ezzard Charles, in his fisti·
cuff debut at that eminent arena.
Pat Harding, secretary to Abe Salman,
is telling about the fun she had recently
at Cleveland, where she attended a wedding
while enjoying a brief vacation.
Fifth year wedding anniversary congratu-
lations to Ed Barthel and wife from all his
friends in the Industry.
Helen Winklejohn just returned from a
spring jaunt to Dayton, Celin a and Lima.
Leroy Craft, of Triangle, spent a pleas-
urable short vacation at Huntington re-
cently, visting his rna and pa.
,
NAMA's Automatic Merchandiser car-
ried a follow-up story on THE REVIEW
article about the installation of radio· phones
in Stern Cigarette service mach ines.
Ohio Specialty is going through the
throes of remodeling its entire building.
It's the familiar Happy Birthday song
THE REVIEW chorus sings for Sandy Levitch,
9 years old. She's the younger of Cigvender
Maury's two children. And another verse
for Bill Simon, manager of the repair di-
vision of Globe Games!
George Keith
Dallas
Dallas distributors say they find oper-
ators are getting price conscious and that
their buying is falling off. Operators are
complaining of high prices on many items
they formerly bought without a kick. Sales
of phonographs ,and marble tables are still
good, but with considerable decline in the
purchase of marble tables and bells.
Cigarette and soft drink vendors are
reaching the local market in the best sup-
ply since the war, but are still short of
demand. Demand for cigarette vendors is
far ahead of deliveries. However, two of the
largest local dealers say they are now get-
ting some deliveries on vendors within the
30-day limit.
Harry Weaver has sold his Dallas opera·
tions to I. 1. Dialessi. Harry is again back
with Urban Distributing Co. where he is in
charge of service and operations.
Evidence of the popularity of the Dallas
coin machine market is revealed in the num-
ber of buyers from all sections of the South
and Southwest. A partial list of recent
buyers includes H. L. Dennard, Dennard &
Brown, Henderson; Kake Koloscheck, West;
Jerry Marshall, Scott Brothers, West;
Johnnie Squires, Byers; Bill Russell, Albu-
querque; Joe Todd, Ardmore; Joe Giambo,
Dickinson; Guy Pruitt, Bremond; Carl
Hoelzel, Kansas City; Ray Barnes, Pal·
estine; Carl Sahdock, Shreveport; Carlos
Marcelle, New Orleans; Robert Ehrhardt,
Shreveport; W. McAllister, Sherman; Clyde
Boca and Lou Gray, San Angelo.
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Leftwich, formerly
owners of the Leftwich Coin Machine Co.,
are now associated with P & M Sales Co., a
subsidiary of Urban Distributing Co ..
Seen buying coin machine equipment
here recently was Ed Mashek. "Bear-Cat,"
as Ed is known to his friends, is quite a
character in the west where he is also a
well·known operator.
The Urban Distributing Co. is now the
North Texas sales agent for Exhibit Supply
Co.'s marble table, Exhibit. The Urban
firm reports an excellent business. They are
also distributors for Marvel Manufacturing
Co.'s table, Lightning. Just recently, the
firm was named Texas distributors for
Heinekin's Beer. Ray Isaacs is the firm's
city salesman for the Holland imported
beer.
Gary Sinclair of the Rudolph Wurlitzer
Co. advertising department has moved his
family to Dallas and will make this his
permanent home. Gary will devote his time
to promoting better music and in aiding
Wurlitzer phonograph operators of the
Southwestern states in developing and ex-
panding their music business. Welcome to
Dallas, Gary.
Harry and Roy Urban have just returned
from an extended business trip to South
Textls. The Urban brothers report coin
machine business good in San Antonio and
other south Texas cities they visited.
Commercial Music announce the appoint-
ment of J. C. Old as advertising manager for
the Dallas branch. Daniel Garnand is
Commercial's advertising manager for San
Antonio and Houston. L. T. Newman is
now the firm's branch manager at Houston
and Orval Whitridge is manager for the
San Antonio branch. Rex Bush is in charge
of the service department for Commercial
at Dallas.
C. Polsonnell, formerly with the Coin
Machine Acceptance Corp., Chicago, is now
located in Dallas and has moved his family
here. Dave Miller is the resident manager
in charge of CMAC Dallas office.
Al Mendez, district manager for Wur·
litzer, is away on a business trip to several
south Texas cities.
Frank w. Wood
ColulDhus
Most everyone around Columbus and
throughout central Ohio has been ready to
drown his sorrows during recent weeks
because of the steady downpour of rain
that has kept the grass long and tempers
short. The early days of June slackened
the downpour a little-enough to allow
the office denizens a chance to explore a
few of the resorts close by on weekends.
Of course such wet weather, mixed with
the warmer days of summer, serve to bring
those humid hours when the local beer
spots are swamped with seekers ' of the
golden brew. Comes the multitude in search
of refreshment and entertainment naturally
follows. Enter the coin machine in #all its
attendant glory and exit the shekel into
waiting operators' hands.
While visiting Combine-Richards Vend-
ing Co. offices I met Bernard Spira, distri-
butor for PX cigarette vending machines,
who calls Cleveland "home." Spira covers
Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky
and part of New York, and I might add, is
a very personable chap who is building up
a lot of good will for the Industry. Spira's ·
Cleveland headquarters is Standard Vend-
ing Machine Sales, with offices out Euclid
Avenue way.
On the. 25th of June the big noise around
Combine· Richards signified the fact that
Hazel Freck and hubbie were celebrat-
ing their 24th wedding anniversary. Con-
grats to you both and we'll be looking for-
ward to a piece of that double 25 anni-
versary cake next year. Elza Nye, of the
same office, .and the Missus will be double-
celebrating with the Frecks on the 25th,
too, as they drink a ' toast to their seven
years of married life. It's a pleasure to
report that Hazel's daughter, Virginia, is
back at work again after two recent trips
to the hosoital.
Certainly got the surprise of my young
life when I visited Mike Charie at Capital
Pla-Mor Distributing Co. The chatter ran
from this to that and finally brought out
the fact that Mike's brother, Frank, had
wedding bells planned for June 16. Frank,
by the way, is the route general manager
at Capital Pla-Mor. When asked for other
vital statistics on the wedding, Mike said
the "better half" was a gal named Garnet
Rowe. Upon further questioning I find
that Garnet is the same girl I went to
school with several years ago-but not too
many-down on the Ohio at Portsmouth
town. Small world! THE REVIEW sends its
best wishes to you both. Last month Mike
Packard Appoints Wedewen
INDIANAPOLIS-Herbert E. Wedewen
(above) has been appointed regional mana-
ger of Packard Pla-Mor for the states of
New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Dela-
ware, Maryland, Washington, D. C., eastern
West Virginia and northern Virginia, ac-
cording to Packard's president and general
counsel, William H. Krieg.
"Herb's enthusiasm and geniality com-
bined with his aggressiveness as a busi-
ness leader will win him many new
friends," said Krieg.
reported a shortage of pin games, but the
situation has bettered itself and he has
been busy keeping the floor cleared of
incoming merchandise.
Val Spohn, of Homann Music Co. is
recuperating fast from his trip to the
hospital several weeks ago. He told me
that his weight had gone up some 25
pounds since he started on the upgrade
once again.
Lester Fleck, office manager at Myco
Automatic Sales, informed me that Henry
Kapson, formerly associated with the
firm's companion office at Cincinnati, is
no longer affiliated with Ohio Specialty
there, but has gone into business for him-
self. Milton Cole of the sa,me office is
happy over the recent birth of an addition
to the Cole household.
A visit to Central Ohio Coin Machine
Exchange offices proved quite profitable.
Sam Solomon had a box of cigars which
he had recently purchased for distribution
among well-wishers at the festivities fol-
lowing the birth of his son (he hopes!),
which is an event of the near future. Some
wag had already helped himself to Sam's
cigars, so Sam decided there was no point
in saving that box and was offering pre·
natal stogies to office visitors, including
your reporte.t:. Congrats to Sani and his
wife .who celebrated their ninth wedding
anniversary , in June.
Maxine Weisenstein was disappointed
with weather conditions, too, because the
rain ruined her chances to participate in
the recent horse show. She said the wet
ground made it too dangerous to chance
taking the high jumps.
Getting heavy play among the high
school set at Olentangy Village Recreation
Center is Chicago Coin's Basketball Champ.
Anthony Brothers Coin' Machine Co. has
several live wire machines at that busy
recreation outlet.
The House Committee on Organization
of State Government of the Ohio Legisla-
ture recently killed the Barnes Bill which
would have provided for a license fee
from $2 to $25 on coin·operated vending
machines, whether they vend merchandise
or service. The identical measure was
presented to the House in the 90th Gen-
eral Assembly in 1933. Considered a dan-
gerous measure, many groups opposed the
measure, including the Ohio Dairy Prod-
ucts Assn.
The Ohio Automatic Pictu;e Machine
Co., Columbus, recently registered a stock
program with the Ohio Division of Secu-
rities, James F. Merkel, chief of 'the divi-
sion reported. The firm registered 250
shares of no par value common stock; at
$20 per share.
Visitors 'to the annual convention in
Chicago of the National Association of
Tobacco Distributors included W. K. White,
Walter Puetz and Arthur Puetz of the Gar-
field Novelty Co.
Wedding bells were an event of June 15
for Shannon Snyder of Tri-State Music
Co., Portsmouth, and Fred MiIlhuff of
the same city. Knowing · them both per-
sonally, I send them personal and Industry
congratulations and best wishes.
Patrons of Columbus restaurants and
bars having wired music machines reo
cently heard recordings of the Columbus
Boy Choir. A special recording..9f Shadrack
was played 16 times a day to call attention
, to the Junior Chamber of .commerce cam-
paign for $40,000 for maintenance of the
nationally-known choir. Maxine Wei sen-
stein, of Central Ohio Coin, was pictured
in a local newspaper placing a record on
the turntable of the centra-] record player
at Metropolitan Wired Music Service Co.,
in line with the campaign.
Shortages of candy bars were apparent
in local theatre vending machines early in
June. One theater your reporter attended
had but two varieties displayed in one of
the two machines on location there . .
W. D. Bailey, chief of the division of
cigarette tax stamp sales for Ohio, re-
cently stated that sales of the division for
May were more than $25,000 higher than
during the same month last year. Tptal
net sales for the first five months of 1947
reached $6,158,805, as compared with
$6,035,350 for the same period in 1946, an
increase of more than $123,000, or 2.05
per cent.
Local cigarette venders were relieved to
hear that a conference committee of the
Ohio Senate and House of Representatives
agreed recently to recommend to their
respective houses that the proposal to levy
an additional cent-per-pack cigarette tax
to help pay a $300,000,000 World War II
veterans' bonus be abandoned. The present
tax is two-cents-per-pack.
Two nearby towns have written legis-
lation covering coin-operated devices. A
measure to legalize pin ball and other
mechanical devices at $100 a year was
sent to a second reading at a meeting of
city council at Campbell recently. William
Glass, city auditor, claimed the city needs
more revenue. Meanwhile, at the regular
meeting, Georgetown council adopted an
ordinance providing for the licensing of all
coin-operated devices, including phono-
graphs and pin ball machines.
Shaffer Music Co. is pushing home sales
of reconditioned phonographs via local
neighborhood newspapers. The firm sug-
gests the use of the machines for recreation
rooms. A choice .of models to play 16 or
20 records automatically is offered. Among
recent visitors to the Shaffer office were:
Irv McClelland, Seeburg district manager,
sporting his usual assortment of gay neck-
ties; Dave Caplan, of Morgantown, W. Va.,
who called Shaffer from Columbus Airport
where he was changing planes; Max Cap-
COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW
107
FOR
JULY
1947

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