Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

CONGRATULATIONS TO WESTERN MANUFACTURERS!
By Harry E. Williams
President, Coin Machine Institute
Each passing year I notice with great interest the
ever increasing growth of industry on the West Coast.
Going through the pages of the Coin Machine Review.
it is very interesting to see the increasing number of
We st Coast manufacturers. This is one of the very
optimistic signs of the Industry. At a time when some
might say the Industry ,will stop growing. western
manufacturers are definitely expanding in number.
It is very appropriate that this spirit of invention and
growth . be recognized. and that trade members in all
parts of the country come to appreciate what the trade
in a group of several important states are doing to
keep the whole business forging ahead. The business
is going ahead and the west,e rn states are helping it
to do that very thing.
The West Coast has produced many original ideas
and inventions that have made the Coin Machine In-
dustry as great as it is today. These inventions are a
part of the heritage of the trade. and are too numerous
for me to try to mention. More gifted writers can tell
the story as it should be told. I know personally of
many of the contributions, and every operator through-
out the land no doubt is well aware of the ideas that
have originated in the West to be used by op erators
over the nation. It w ould be interesting to know. if a
count could be made. how many operators in all the
states are using some machines that are the outcome
of western developments. or maybe manufactured in
the western area right now.
Our Industry thrives on invention and aggressiveness
and that ·is why we need to pay our respects to it.
wherever the spirit of progress happens to be at work.
Your business and my business depends on a success-
ful and continuous flow of new ideas. new firms and
new aggressiveness. That is why western manufac-
turers mean so much to the Industry and why they are
to be congratulated on their good spirit in these times.
The business world has its eyes on the West Coast
and the gigantic development in business and indus-
try that has taken place there in recent years. The
rapid gains in population show that many people are
thinking of the future that lies ahead in that territory.
A lot of people. factories and industries are moving in
that direction and a lot more will als.o go that way.
While all this growth is taking place, the manufac-
ture of coin machines. the invention of new machines.
and the operation of machines will expand right along
with the industrial expansion. And it will all make
our Industry bigger and more profitable.
I'm glad of the opportunity to extend the greetings
of the Industry. through the Coin Machine Institute. to
western manufacturers and to congratulate them on
their activities. Many of them were exhibitors at the
1949 Coin Machine Show and helped to make it the
success that it was. The new ideas that were shown
by western firms were certainly proof that things are
being done in that area.
BUSINESS REVIEW
(Continued from Page 5)
Retail stores got a better start in the
first month of the year than had been
anticipated, and the reason given is that
lower prices brought in the trade.
This emphasizes the importance of the
present price trend, which is generally
downward. This is the trend that 90 per
cent of the people have been waiting for,
including coin machine operators almost
to a man. But the big problem still is how
to bring prices down without causing un-
employmen t. At present, a good job is
being done in gradually lowering th e price
level without causing sudden: upsets to
business.
".
But there are a lot of industries, a lot of
firms and millions of people who are feel·
ing a pinch. The experts say this leveling
off of business is likely to continue through
the year, and that the number of those
MARCH, 1949
I feel that our Industry is in its infancy. as inventions
and new ideas go. and that the years ahead will bring
still greater marvels in coin-operated devices. The
western manufacturers will help to s,e e that greater
ideas are forthcoming.
Even though our Industry has achieved a degree of
greatn e ss over the passing years. I feel it is still in its
infancy also in its Public Relations work. We may in-
v ent and build beUer machines and in greater numbers
in future years, but our progre ss from year to year will
depend more on doing a good public relations job. I
know western manufacturers will agree with that and
w ill be ready to help accomplish results.
W e. the Coin Machine Industry as a whole. have not
scratched the surface of good public relations. A good
many members feel that public relations begin at the
top among manufacturers and directors of CMI. They
are not exactly right. as public relations really start
with the man dealing with the public-the Operator.
The Operator sows the first seeds of impressions
about our Industry with the people he comes in con-
tact with each day. To recall a case in point. one
does not have to go back too many years to see what
' happened in Los Angeles wh en the question of coin
machines was put to a public vote.
The way that each operator conducts himself in his
business. in the eyes of the public. plays a very im-
portant part in public relations. and after the operator.
the dis,tributor and manufacturer. There is so very.
very much that has to be done all along the line to
beUer our public relations that I feel we are in our
infancy in this work.
In time, and following a set course which we are now
laying out at eMI. I believe we will have more open.
territory in which to operate our amusement machines.
We will have fewer proposals to tax music and mer-
chandise machines. and still fewer sueh proposals be-
coming law. We may even be able to get present
oppressive taxes removed in time.
All this won't happen overnight. as we have to insti-
tute a real educational program first. We have learned
a lot already but there is much more to be accom-
plished in the education of the trade membership in
the whys and ·w hats of public relations.
With me. this public relations idea is serious busi-
ness and I know that every operator. distributor and
manufacturer in the whole western area will give the
public relations cause their hearty support. When wes,t-
ern manufacturers give the trade new ideas they are
building up the trade that much. But there is also
much more to do. Every firm and every operator must
also help. carry the nationwide move toward a beUer
public relations program.
.
Hearty congratulations to all the manufacturers of
the West and may their growth and success keep right
on expandi~g from year to year.
who get pinched in th e process will in·
crease.
As mention.ed frequently in this column,
one of the most interesting reports on busi·
ness is the monthly survey of the National
Assn. of Purchasing Agents. Its report on
January caused a stir in manufacturing
circles. It said that manufacturing indus·
tries did not bound back in January from
the slump that came in November and De·
cember; manufacturers replied that a pick·
up 'never comes in January and February,
but usually begins in March. The report
said that price trends are generally down·
ward, except where higher freight rates are
an item.
Some business leaders say the spring and
early summer of the last two years have
been unusually trying and that this third
year may be the real test of how well the
country can "level off." The postwar busi·
ness boom has now come to a showdown,
many say; . others affirm that the peak
passed last year. Many reports say there
is an unfavorabl e psychology among lead-
ers.
With th ese general views on th e business
outlook, a digest of some of the specific
points in th e picture follows:
ALLOCATIONS - Congress extended
PLAY SAFE!
For the next 30 days, with every
V. P. Overhaul Job, we will in-
stall free of charge-the famous
Graham Anti-Cheat Assembly!
H. R. GRAHAM
203 East
CItruB 1-1093
Feliz Blvd.
Glendale 5. Calif.
LOB
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