Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
NEBRASKA VICTOR DEALERS MEET
BUILD A VICTROLA ON WHEELS
State Association Holds Second Annual Con-
vention in Omaha and Listens to Some Inter-
esting and Profitable Addresses and Discus-
sions by Experts—New Officers Elected
Clever Delivery Vehicle Designed and Built by
Andrew Thomas, of Scott Bros. Piano Co.,
Ashland, Ky., a Reproduction of Victrola XVI
OMAHA, NEB., September 3.—The Nebraska Vic-
tor Dealers' Association held their second an-
nual convention on Thursday of last week in
the banquet hall of the Hotel Rose, and at the
conclusion of the meeting the delegates went to
their homes in various sections of the State
possessed of much practical information to aid
them in the further conduct of their business.
The feature of the opening session was an
illustrated lecture on the care of the Victor
motor by H. H. Schwenker, special representa-
tive of the Victor Co., who had with him a num-
ber of completed and partially completed
motors and parts with which to illustrate his
various points.
Following Mr. Schwenker's lecture, Prince
Lei Lani (E. K. Rose) gave a -pleasing recital
during the course of which he sang in direct
comparison with his own records on the Vic-
trola. He also illustrated the practical value of
the Oscar Saenger vocal course to the student
and singer.
Following the reports of the officers and com-
mittees which were submitted at the business
session in the afternoon, the by-laws of the
association were amended to create an associate
membership open to anyone engaged in selling
Victor 1 merchandise other than a dealer or
branch store manager at a nominal fee.
The first speaker of the afternoon was J.
Raymond Bill, associate editor of The Review,
who delivered a short talk on the advantages of
co-operation among retailers.
H. H. Schwenker, of the Victor Co., also
spoke at the afternoon session, and was fol-
lowed by L. M. Bough, who offered some excel-
lent advice upon methods for promoting the sale
of records. He urged that dealers carry as
large a stock of records as possible, and in
their exploitation feature one particular record
or one particular class of records at a time to
get best results.
A. Hospe, of Omaha, was the next speaker,
and went on record as strongly endorsing price
maintenance, offering some excellent reasons for
his views. Ross P. Curtice, of the Ross P.
Curtice Co., next addressed the convention and
urged the excellent results secured through hold-
ing regular meetings of the sales staff to bring
about greater co-ordination of effort. He also
urged that dealers get after business from the
farmers at this particular time.
Geo. E. Mickel, of the Nebraska Cycle Co.,
spoke at some length upon the question of con-
tracts and emphasized the value of a proper con-
tract between the dealer and his customer. In
a general discussion that followed it was
brought out that 90 per cent, of Nebraska deal-
ers are charging interest on instalment sales.
Chas. Gaston, of Hastings, Neb., explained a
successful method followed by his company in
sending out records on approval.
The chief speaker at the session was Ernest
John, editor of "The Voice of the Victor," who
delivered a somewhat extended talk on various
topics which are of vital interest to dealers at
the present time, and which included advice
regarding the ordering and handling of record
stocks and some excellent suggestions on retail
advertising and much practical information of
a general tenor.
The association went on record as endorsing
the Stephens bill and ordered that a telegram
to that effect be sent to the proper members of
the Congress.
The officers elected for the coming year are:
Chas. Gaston, president; J. L. Gaskill, vice-presi-
dent; H. S. Thorpe, treasurer; Will Mickel, sec-
retary, and W. M. Robinson and W. Zitzman,
members at large of the executive committee.
The convention was brought to a close with
an elaborate banquet in the evening provided
by the Victor jobbers of Nebraska, and which
was followed by motion picture views of the
Victor factory in full operation.
ASHLAND, KY., September 4.—A most effective
means for delivering Victrolas and records has
been found by the Scott Bros. Piano Co., this
city. Andrew Thomas, a member of the firm,
recently built on a light automobile chassis, a
perfect reproduction of a Victrola XVI about
twice the size of a regular machine, but other-
Scott Bros. Clever Publicity
wise similar in every detail. The case is large
enough to hold many of the present standard
types of machines, together with a goodly num-
ber of records, and special arrangements are
made to hold the records securely in position
while in transit. A reproduction of a Red Seal
record on metal is fastened to the outside of
each wheel, as will be seen in the accompanying
illustration. The vehicle attracts a great amount
of attention while traveling about the city and
suburbs.
Scott Bros, are now located in their new store
at 208 Sixteenth street, where they have four
large soundproof booths and an up-to-date
equipment for handling records and music rolls.
The company also deals in pianos and player-
pianos.
TURNER MUSIC CO/S NEW QUARTERS
Six Plate Glass Demonstrating Rooms, a Rest
Room and Other Features Included in Recent
Installation in Wallace, Idaho
WALLACE, IDAHO, September 4.—The Turner
Music Co., this city, has just completed the re-
modeling of their quarters in this city and now
have one of the most attractive and convenient-
ly arranged music stores in this section of the
West.
The new installation includes six demonstra-
tion rooms with full glass panels, each of the
rooms measuring 9 x 9 feet, and the series is so
arranged that three rooms may be thrown into
one when desired for recital or other purposes.
The rooms are finished in white enamel and
green walls furnish an attractive contrast. A
special rest or waiting-room well furnished has
also been provided for the comfort of visitors
and designed particularly as a place where they
may meet their friends.
The company handles the Columbia line of
Grafonolas exclusively and carries a large stock
of both machines and records, giving a great
deal of attention to the foreign record business.
It reports that trade in this line is constantly
on the increase. In its piano department the
company features the P. S. Wick and other
makes of pianos. It also handles musical mer-
chandise and sheet music.
W. R. Turner,- head of the company, who has
been in the music business for over twenty-two
years, reports that business has kept up right
through the summer and in the matter of
Grafonolas the demand has exceeded the supply.
NEW INCORPORATION
The Talking Machine Shop, Inc., Norwich,
Conn., has been incorporated with a capital stock
of $5,000.
C. F. Bath, dealer in Edison phonographs in
Abilene, Kan., has turned his business over to
R. H. Seeds, as trustee.
Increase Your
Income
Piano merchants, who
have not investigated
the talking machine
field, will find that the
subject is one of deep
interest to them and
they will also learn that
talking machines con-
stitute a line which can
be admirably blended
with piano selling.
The advance that has
been m a d e in this
special field has been
phenomenal and every
dealer w h o desires
s p e c i f ic information
concerning talking ma-
chines should receive
The Talking Machine
World regularly.
This is the only publi-
cation in A m e r i c a
devoted exclusively to
the interests of the talk-
ing machine, and each
issue contains a vast
fund of valuable in-
formation which the
talking machine job-
bers and dealers say is
worth ten times the cost
of the paper to them.
You can receive the
paper regularly at a cost
of $1.00 a year and we
know of no manner in
which $1.00 can be ex-
pended which will sup-
ply as much valuable
information.
EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Inc.
Publisher
373 Fourth Ave.
NEW YORK