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THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD.
48
TALKING MACHINE DEALERS MEET IN BERLIN.
EDISON REFUSED $ 1,000,000.
Some of the Important Matters Discussed at the Recent Congress of the Talking Machine Deal-
ers of Germany—Gives an Idea of Conditions Prevailing Across the Water.
Rejected Offer Made by Cleveland Financiers
for Talking Films.
(Special to The Review.)
Berlin, Germany, Jan. 24, 1913.
At the close of the year a congress of German
talking machine dealers was held in Berlin. Many
important points were down for discussion. The
first question taken up was that of public demon-
strating salons for talking machines. In these
handsome salons, of which, for instance, several
are situated in Friedrichstrasse, the main thoro-
ughfare of Berlin, the public for a trifling pay-
ment can listen to any disc, seated in comfortable
settees in a handsomely furnished apartment. A
salon of this nature is not only a source of reve-
nue on account of the money inserted into the
talking machines, but it is above all an advertise-
ment calculated to further the sale of the discs
and indirectly of the machines themselves. The
dealers therefore proposed that the manufactur-
ers should furnish them with machines for such
demonstration purposes at specially low prices
(say 150 to 200 marks) to assist them in opening
up such salons.
Professor Reko spoke on the use of talking
machines in teaching foreign languages. The
speaker referred to the favorable experience he
had had as teacher in Vienna in the use of talk-
ing machines equipped with proper "language"
discs. He was successful in interesting the au-
thorities in Vienna in the matter, so that a definite
amount is set aside every year for this purpose.
The ideal machine for teaching languages, espe-
cially in cases of self-instruction, must comprise
a repeater and a recorder, both of which must be
easy to handle and not too expensive.
Another speaker pointed out that the numerous
vocal societies could probably be induced to par-
chase talking machines by demonstrating to them
a few selections from their repertoires from
records obtained from eminent choirs. In prac-
ticing new and unfamiliar pieces it would be a
great help to the choirmaster to be able to first
play the piece over on a talking machine.
Dictating machines are making but little head-
way in Germany. Their use entails a great strain
on the typist especially if the record is at all in-
NEW COLUMBIA REPRESENTATIVES.
Many Additions Made to the Present Imposing
List Throughout the Country.
H. A. Yerkes, manager of the wholesale depart-
ment of the Columbia Graphophone Co., who re-
turned Monday from a short trip through New
England, is enthusiastic over the prosperous con-
dition of the talking machine trade, and in a chat
with The Review, stated that the industry was
certainly booming in that part of the country.
Columbia dealers all reported the closing of an ex-
cellent year, and the first month of 1913 was a
banner record month for Columbia representatives.
Mr. Yerkes did not confine his activities to visit-
ing Columbia trade, but in his short stay in New
England territory closed a number of very im-
portant deals with prominent firms who were de-
sirous of handling the Columbia products. Among
these new connections are the Atherton Furniture
Co., of Brockton and Worcester, Mass.; Wise,
Smith & Co., Hartford, Conn.; and Meekins,
Packard & Wheat, Springfield, Mass. Mr. Yerkes
also called on the prominent department store of
Forbes & Wallace, Springfield, Mass., who are en-
thusiastic Columbia representatives, and maintain
a handsome "talker" department under the man-
agement of Mr. Larkin. Since moving into their
new headquarters, Forbes & Wallace have con-
siderably enlarged their Columbia warerooms, and
placed an unusually large order with Mr. Yerkes.
Among the new Columbia representatives who
dosed arrangements this week with the Chambers
distinct. In certain exceptional cases, however, the
machines are indispensable; for instance, if a
man wishes to dictate letters in the evening when
no stenographer is available, which letters can be
transcribed the next day.
It is cited as a great drawback in connection
with the talking machine trade that manufacturers
use different velocities in making their discs.
Every talking machine should at least be equipped
with a velocity scale and each disc should bear a
corresponding number. This is the only way in
which dealers and private users can play each disc
at the proper tempo.
The responsibility of dealers for the cutting of
prices was the subject of a lengthy discussion.
Many dealers make a practice of endeavoring to
deceive the manufacturers into the belief that
competing firms are selling at much lower prices.
Cutting of prices is the result. But even among
themselves the dealers ofjten make the mistake of
not adhering to the selling prices laid down for
them. Above all, there is a great tendency to stock
the cheapest possible kinds of discs. In many
places discs are offered for sale at one mark and
even at one-half mark. It is true that these discs
emanate from manufacturers who soon went out
of the business, but in view of the demoralizing
effect which such inferior goods have on the mar-
ket in general, it is very advisable that reputable
dealers in talking machines should have nothing
to do with such trash.
Apart from this, the far-sighted dealer will Te-
frain from stocking discs of too many different
makes. By dealing with only one or two manu-
facturers it is always possible, in return for com-
paratively large orders, to obtain better terms than
if the orders are spread over tea or twelve firms.
Another speaker pointed out that the dealers
suffered considerably owing to the manufacturers
selling to their employes at reduced prices. The
employes often resell to private users and thus
become competitors of the legitimate dealers who
adhere to the prices fixed for them.
The congress was very well attended, so that it
will doubtless be repeated next year.
street headquarters of the Columbia Graphophone
Co., were Schmidt & Zitterer, Hastings-on-Hudson,
N. Y.; John de St. Leger, Hicksville, L. I., N. Y.;
and H. Baker, of Bolton Landing, N. Y. It is
expected that the last named gentleman will score
an emphatic success as his name and address con-
tain both the names of R. F. Bolton, manager, and
George D. Baker, assistant manager of the Colum-
bia Chambers street store.
The following concerns have also completed
arrangements to handle the Columbia line:
F. C. Henderson Co., for the C. T. Sherer
Co., of Worcester, Mass.; R. H. Decker, Pitts-
field, Mass.; Robert M. Carter, Concord, Mass.;
Mason & Phelps Piano Co., Keene, N. H.; A. C.
Bay, Chicago, 111.; Edward B. Selvman, Chicago,
111.; Brenard Mfg. Co., Iowa City, la.; Taylor
Music House, Waterloo, la.; Ohio Pottery & Glass
Co., Cleveland, O.; R. B. Henderson Drug Co.,
New Albany, Miss.; Columbiana Columbia Gra-
fonala Co., Columbiana, O.; Winter Piano Co.,
Erie, Pa.; and Ramaker Bros. Co., Seattle, Wash.
A feature of the March list of new Columbia
records will be a new arrangement of Nevin's
popular melody "My Rosary," as sung by a male
quintet without accompaniment. This new record
which will be ready for distribution the 25th of
the month, is stated to be one of the sweeest and
most pleasing arrangements of this beautiful selec-
tion that has ever been presented to the public.
"My Rosary" is a ballad that has been sung in
every part of the world, and although it is over
twenty years of age seems to increase in popularity.
A dispatch from Cleveland to the New York
papers says that "when a certified check for $1,-
000,000 was offered to Thomas Edison by P. J.
Brady, representating Cleveland and Chicago
financiers who wished to obtain a controlling in-
terest in the new Edison talking picture machine,
the inventor laughed.
" 'He turned us down, saying he intended to
operate the machines and market them himself,'
said Mr. Brady."
EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING.
Featuring of Beethoven Records Is Along Ad-
mirable Lines and Must Be Provocative of
Results—Interesting to Musicians.
An interesting advertisement that contained a
touch of personal interest was published this
week in the daily newspapers by the Victrola
department of Lord & Taylor, New York. The ad-
vertisement referred to was headed "A Beethoven
Group of Superb Victor Records," and made a
direct appeal to the musically inclined readers of
the paper, whether or not they owned a Victrola.
Below the heading was a list of six unusually
successful records of Beethoven compositions,
some being played by the celebrated violinist,
Mischa Elman, and others by Vessela's Italian
Band, and the Victor Concert Orchestra, with
two selections sung by Herbert Witherspoon and
Otto Goritz.
It is unusual for a. newspaper advertisement
to be constructed along these lines, as the average
talking machine advertisement is devoted more to
the commercial details of the prospective purchase
than to the artistic side of the talking machine
industry. Copy like the above cannot fail to pro-
duce excellent record sales, as the text is out of
the ordinary and appeals to Victrola owners who
are interested in the development of. their record
library from a musical standpoint.
ISSUE LIST OF MASONIC RECORDS.
In a recent letter the Victor Talking Machine
Co. called the attention of their representatives to
the Masonic records featured on the March ad-
vance list of Victor records. H. C. Brown, adver-
tising manager of the Victor Co., suggests to Vic-
tor dealers that they take advantage of this oppor-
tunity to promote the sale of these records among
their customers who are Masons, in addition to
placing them in the rooms of the Masonic lodges.
A special window hanger and supplement sheet are
ready for distribution among those dealers who
wish to push this Masonic record list.
RECUPERATINCHN TENNESSEE.
V. W. Moody, assistant manager of the New
York Talking Machine Co., 81 Chambers street,
New York, who is at present in Memphis, Tenn.,
spending a well-earned pre-holiday vacation, will
probably return to New York about the 15th of the
month. He is taking advantage of the southern
climate to regain his customary vigor, which was
put to an unusual strain by trade demands during
the past few months.
TRY THIS.—"Was your daughter's musical
education a profitable venture?"
"You bet! I bought the house on either side of
us at half their value."
If you desire a man for
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selling department, forward
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