Classic Mode

Marketplace

Issue: 1975 April 30

Page 35 Text:

MARKETPLACE
'
Ver fine
ersonal letter from Geor e A. Miller, retired executive director of CMMA
(California Music Merchants Assn. and forever to be remembered as outstanding first and
longtime president of MOA (Music Operators of America). George writes of the very wonder-
ful dinner given him by coinmen from all over California with the climax the surprise
presentation to him of the 52 page book entitled, "Friends of George A. Miller". In con-
clusion George writes, "Please, Bill, say thanks for me to all the many people who took
po.rt in this book. I shall treasure these friendships all my lifa."
With long distance phone time being cut down to 1 minute from 3 minutes, eastern dis-
tribs have one advantage - can call after 5 P.M. and still find Chi factories open. To
help distribs in mountain and far west time zones save some money, factories may set up
special nighttime phone numbers attached to message units •••• Many changes have come
about. ll~ve been informed by travelin' men that old timers here and there have bowed out
of active participation. Sorry to hear this for, if ever there was a time when knowledge
gained over many years most needed, this is that time •••• Once again, now that U.S. cig
smokers set another new record, over 62 billion ciggies smoked in '74, FTC (Federal Trade
Comm.) wants a "much stronger warning" from Congress to appear on cig packs as well as on
"little cigars". (So far Congress cold to this request.) ••• Moonlighters have not dis-
appeared. Many who lost their daytime jobs very happy they maintained small routes. One
such moonlighter advised, "I've decided to get back with coin machines full force. No
more sidf' jobs for me." ••• Reports published here past few issues on "Medical Juke-
boxes" captured much attention. Hoar Faircild Camera has picture unit that can be synchro-
nized to recordings. Records are the big problem. These have to be recorded by outstand-
ing medical authorities. Dr. Frank M. Woolsey of Albany (N.Y.) Medical College has good
selection of such records in jukeboxes featured by this college.
Most important in all meetings are the men who attend. It's so easy to advise, "l know
it's an important meeting - but - this was a prior commitment I made weeks a.go. Anyva.y,
whatever the majority decides, I'm with them. Count on me for my share." Other excuses
are offered and, when the meeting takes place, there are only a handful of men present.
These are the men who count. They.may not be the smartest, the richest, the most influen-
tial, the best knovn - but - they're there. They attended. They're the most important men.
These are the men who form the core, the nucleus, on whom all can depend. These are the
men who lead the way. These are the men who attended. Who left their work, the comforts
of home, their families, their friends. They're there. Fully respecting the speakers.
Giving of their time for all concerned. These are the men who should be honored. For,
without these few faithful, earnest men, most organizations would be out of existence.
,,,
Cutest cartoon in many a moon appeared in large number of newspapers 3/25/75 that of
"Ziggy", the fat, little elf shown standing in front of a juke box with this blurb, "You
know you're 'out of it' when you can't recognize any of the songs or singers on the juke
box!!" ••• U.S.Supreme Court (3/25/75) ruled 5-4 that criminal defendants can be prose-
cuted for both illegal gambling plus conspiracy. Supreme Court reported the 1970 "Organ-
ized Crime Control Act" authorizes such prosecution regardless of the 125 year old Whart-
on Ruling. Justice Vm. Douglas, among the 4 who dissented, wrote he believes prosecution
on both charges for the same activities violates the constitutional protection against
double jeopardy •••• CBS-TV, channel 4 in Miami,Pla., not only favorably featured news
broadcast of prize winning youthful player in pinball championship contest 3/25/75 but
also filmed its own reporter competing against the young champ.
Whirlwind tour of the country with C.B.Ross of Vurlitzer,N.Tona.wanda,N.Y. escorting
Klaus Telegheder of German Wurlitzer to meet his U.S.distributors. Both very much_ im-
pressed with distribs' reactions to Atlanta II, Atlanta III a~d Cabaret phonos bei~g
produced by the German Vurlitzer firm that has very conservative approach to the big
u.s. jukebox market. Do not plan too many distribs at this time. Have also mad~ ne~ess
ary modifications in their phonos to meet U.S. needs. Shipments under way to distribs.

Page 36 Text:

MARKETPLACE
PAGE 35, APRIL 30, 1975
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Nevada's Gaming Control Board reported 15% gain in gaming last quarter of '74 is con-
tinuing. Both Las Vegas and Reno report crowded hotels and casinos. Big Vegas hotels are
90% occupied. Additional 15 casinos expected to open in Nevada this year •••• Pong games
on Continental Airlines for coach passengers in its DC-10s were expected to be placed in
operation la.st week of this past month •••• Ca.rd tables in taverns as well as commer-
cial bingo became legal by voter referendum in Va.ncouver,Wa.sh., and were licensed by the
Wash.State Gambling Commission. Slots were rejected by voters. City gets 10% gross from
card tables and 7% cut from bingo games •••• Mexico is trying to cut out Coke and Pepsi
and other foreign soft drinks bottlers by offering big tax rebates to bottlers who are
100% Mexican owned and produce only Mexican soft drinks.
Do not believe ugly rumor floating about that today's 3 U.S. jukebox mfrs may become
2 befo~e end of year. No basis in fact from what could be ascertained after talking with
execs of jukebox factories •••• Harsh debt collection methods are bringing legal action
by FTC (Federal Trade Comm.) Especially for those who fail to serve debtor with notice
of a lawsuit and then sue him •••• If you sell your business and promise not to compete
with the buyer in a certain area, instead of capital gains deal this can result in ordi-
nary income. The U.S.Tax Court so ruled in case where specific payment by the buyer to
the se ler was for such a promise without any coercion. The payment for the business be-
came ordinary income for tax purposes •••• Very few will be going to the British coin-
show next year. There's a crackdown under way on all expenses for overseas conventions.
Federal gov't agency, General Services Administration, Atlanta,Ga., uses United Par-
cel Service instead of U.S.Postal Service. Claims UPS gives "better service at cheaper
rates" •••• Even Uncle now admits average family pays 23% more taxes and that affluent
families pay from 25% to JOfo more taxes.
The TV playback video disks which have created so much press publicity since '72 are
now heating up with N.V.Philips and MCA in one corner and RCA in the other corner in U.S.
The idea that these disks can give a certain number of minutes of entertainment via home
TV receivers is not new. Decca Records Co.,Ltd. of London and A.E.G.Telefunken of Germany
have developed the T.E.D. system which is being marketed in Europe at about ~650 for the
player unit and about ~4.50 for each disk. So far the plan of all these firms is to win
out ov~r regular TV broadcast ~nterta.inment. (There isn't, as yet, any development here
that effects the jukebox. There may be an entertainment tie in with today's video games.
This could lead to a new type machine. As of this moment, all this talky-talk reminds of
the sensation created by "Mills Panoram" in 1939. All know what resulted in that case.)
Now that the new tax bill has become law many changes a.head for small businessmen.
First comes the lower tax on profits under $50,000. Operators should refigure, with the
help of their accountants, best combination of salary and profits as to which will pro-
duce lowest taxes. Very important - the 10% investment credit on purchases of new equip't.
Just as important, the same 10% investment credit applies to purchases of used equip't up
to $100,000. (Can prove tremendous money savers for all operators.) ••• Brunswick Corp.,
Skokie,Ill., expects profit to fall first half of '75 with possible drop for full year.
High interest costs, lower earnings from a joint Japanese venture and other recession
factors a.re indicated as the reasons.
Midway's Andy Ducay, Bally's Tom Ha.ta and Dick Linkens reported most highly success-
ful "Service Seminar", March 20, 21, held at Ed Shaffer's Shaffer Distributing Company,
Columbus,O •••• Vendo reported net loss of over $2.9 million on sales of over S88.3
million for 1974 •••• Inflation at present galloping at rate of 11.1% according to U.S.
Labor Dept's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Drop of possibly 3% to.5% pr~dicted by som~ of
the economists by end of this year. This would be due to recession which has cut prices
of many materials and components. Other economists mai~tain inflation to continue to.
gallop in double digits for the rest of the year even if recovery takes r,1ac~ later in
the Pa l l of the year than expected •••• Rush your news to "'ih.at's News? Write now to:
Marketplace, 185 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601.

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