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56
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
OEISSLER TELLS OF PROSPECTS
COLUMBIA CONFERENCE CAMOUFLAGE
President of New York Talking Machine Co.
Talks of Business Conditions and Prospects
for 1918—Lessons Learned in 1917
Interesting Feature of Recent Columbia Ban-
quet Was Booklet Containing Topical Poem
Written Concerning Various Officials
The representative of The Review was think-
ing of business conditions more than world-
wide conditions when he visited recently the
offices of Arthur D. Geissler, president of the
New York Talking Machine Co.
The first question asked Mr. Geissler was
worded "A lot happened last year, didn't it?''
the aim of this question being to get Mr. Geiss-
ler's ideas on the different changes in organ-
ization, methods of distribution, etc., which had
transpired during 1917.
In answer to this question Mr. Geissler said:
"Yes, not only last year but the year before
that and the year before that. But now, what
a different atmosphere seems to pervade, that
we have the first inklings of peace and that we
can, for a moment, stop and consider all the
dreadful debauchery and waste of homes, lives
and treasure since this war began.
"And now that we are in it, how fortunate it
was that France was ready—that Great Britain
was ready with her navy—that little Belgium
was able to throw herself into the breach until
France could gather herself together and hold
the onrushing tide—and then Britain was able
to sustain that support!
"What must be the feeling to have them 'over
there' now to know that we, too, are really 'in
it!' The months of recruiting and enlistment—
the filling up of officers' instruction camps—the
draft bill—the shipping and food regulation—
the huge appropriations—and finally, for them
to realize the glow of heart with which we
greeted their Joffre, their Balfour and their
Italian Mission—'Vive L'ltalia,' I say. She un-
derstands and must—sore beset as she has been.
"The largest industries in the country have
offered their entire resources to the Govern-
ment. I understand the Victor Talking Machine
Co. was amongst the first to do so. If labor,
material, fuel and transportation conditions
permit the Victor Co. to make even as much
merchandise as they made last year, then the
business of the retailer and the wholesaler will
be as large as last year.
"We are selling Victrolas and Victor records,
that is true, but essentially what we sell is
music—a product no longer considered a lux-
ury, but a necessity—shown by the liberal ap-
propriations made by the Government for pro-
vision of'music to its soldiers and sailors, realiz-
ing that mental and physical strength comes not
through food alone. And through the Victrola,
we are furnishing to the people the most inex-
pensive medium, of relaxation, pleasure and in-
spiration.
"You ask me what was the greatest lesson
learned in 1917? I feel that through the Lib-
erty Loan issues we have learned that huge
sums of money can be raised by the Government
without disturbing business seriously. Through
the placing of these funds in the hands of the
best consumer that business has ever known—
the Government—we have a consequent speed-
ing up of industries which has caused the
country at large to look iipon Washington with
confidence, and feel that big business, small busi-
ness and the laborer will be treated fairly."
One of the most pleasing features of the re-
cent banquet given to the Columbia selling or-
ganization by the officials of the Columbia
Graphophone Co. at the Hotel McAlpin was an
attractive booklet entitled "Columbia Conference
Camouflage." This booklet was also prepared
in the shape of a twelve-inch record which was
presented to everyone in attendance at the
banquet. Arthur Fields sang the record, which
was composed by Howard Johnson.
This
booklet, under the heading Columbia Medley,
read as follows:
GEO. L. SCHUETZ THE FINAL WINNER
George L. Schuetz, of the Indianapolis branch
of the Columbia Graphophone Co., is the final
winner in the Pittsburgh district of the individual
salesman cup donated by President Whitten for
each district, his third victory in November giv-
ing him permanent possession of the trophy. He
now enters the Columbia "Hall of Fame," along
with L. C. Ackley, of the Los Angeles branch,
who won the cup offered in the Pacific Coast dis-
trict. The contests in Philadelphia, New York
and Chicago territories are still undecided, a
three-time winner in these districts having not
yet been registered.
It costs some dough, as we all know, to buy a phonograph.
I tried to buy one just last week, and couldn't help but
laugh,
The agony a man goes through selecting a machine;
They try to grab your coin so hard they make the eagle
scream.
I looked at different makes till nearly dead:
At last I met a gentleman who said:
The Columbia's a gem when in motion,
Won't you come to our offices and see?
It's famous from ocean to ocean,
Come down and look it over, please, with me.
So I thought it over and said I'll go along,
When we hit the office, I could see I stood in strong.
Everyone I saw there had a smile upon his face,
I was introduced to everyone around the place.
There was Mr. Hopkins, he's the fellow, don't you know,
Put the Pep in Pepsin gum so many years ago.
Try and get away from him, you'll get it in the neck;
He can sell you stuff until your bankroll is a wreck.
Next was Mr. Hanson; he's the factory support;
When I looked him over, 1 could see he was a sport.
He gets all complaints, and puts them all upon the shelf;
He just says forget it, boys and then forgets himself.
JANUARY 26, 1918
Ileud HIP lijulc Mark carefully.
hear the inn<-ti!n<\ and you'll affre«
lliai It IH truly
The World's Musical Instrument
Improves All Records
Send for our Sptcia I Proposition
nOFFAY TALKING MACHINE CO.. Inc.
3 West a«Mli Street
New Vork City
1 saw Mr. Goodwin; he's an educated chap;
He's a "highbrow"—I could tell by looking at his " m v . "
1 must give him credit in these simple little terms:
He's the guy that puts it over on the other firms.
k»
I saw Mr. Milnor, also of the "Dictaphone."
Milnor is a name that has a meaning all of its own;
He can trim you when you buy, you'll all agree to that,
But he is one (Milliner) who has never trimmed a hat.
Next was Lester I.everich, the marvel of the age,
Faster in the office than the boy they call the "page."
Ninety miles a minute is his record, so they say;
Don't know where he's going, but he knows he's on his way.
Now my little tale's nearly all over, all over,
But there's one man who's a Rover.
We wish the battle was all over, so he'd be here as of yore.
"Big Vision" Whitten, our president, I mean,
He's in the navy, and here he's seldom seen.
So pray for the day when it's all over
He'll come back to us once more.
MME. MUZIO VISITS PATHE SHOP
Prominent Pathe Artist Inspects New Retail
Quarters Opened in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA., January 21.—One of the re-
cent visitors at the new Pathe Shop, recently
opened by the Philadelphia Pathephone Co., at
1026 Chestnut street, was Mme. Claudia Muzio,
There was Mr. Willson, tho' he's quite severe he's nice,
Tho' they call him the big boss, he's not without a "Vice. 1 '
When the day is over, he is never through his toil,
Business is so rushing that lie burns the midnight oil.
Next was Mr. Ilayden, and I noticed by his hair
That he was a genius who had missed the barber's chair.
In his eyes he had a look as wild as it could be,
Maybe some wild women gave it to him, don't you see.
There was Mr. Tuers, quite the nicest little thing—
These remarks are all in fun, so don't mind what I sing—
When 1 looked him over, there" were two things that 1
missed:
Flower in his buttonhole and watch upon his wrist.
1 saw Mr. Pennington, he's bigger than an ox;
Everybody says that he's as crazy as a fox.
Tho' his hair is redder than the blush of any quince,
All the boys agreed and told me that he was a "prince."
Next was Mr. Ileindl, he's a man of many tricks,
Speaks a lot of languages—1 think it's thirty-six.
When I talked a bit with him, he took me by the hand,
English was the only thing he didn't understand.
Next was Mr. Benz, the man who's never known to shirk,
When I looked at him I knew he was a bear for work.
All day long he dictates, many letters he will write;
lie dictates all day, but still his wife dictates at night.
Next I met a fellow, who is known as Mr. Jell,
If I didn't mention him he'd he as sore as—well
If I had my way I'd like to put him on the pan;
All that 1 can say is that he's just a married man.
Mr. Knox was on the job, I shook his hand with ease;
Knox was pasted in his hat, and Kno(cks) were on his
knees.
As the advertising man friend Knox was introduced,
So you see that goes to prove that ever Kno(ck's) a boost.
There was Mr. Burns, the man who picks the records out,
When it comes to picking he is there beyond a doubt.
If the records turn out good that don't increase his fame;
If they're bad, it's always Mr. Burns who gets the blame.
Next comes Mr. Sause, the man who makes the foreign
sales,
When you speak of traveling he'll tell you many tales.
My advice to Mr. Sause is really not the worst:
Speaking of America, why don't he see it first?
Then came Mr. Bauer. Talk of Oscar Hammerstein,
Bauer makes old Oscar look as tho' he were a shine.
What I'm going to tell you now is worse than any crime:
Harris says that Bauer has a temper all the time.
When I mention Harris, then I mean a friend of mine,
Also of each jazz band that you meet along the line.
He played me a record that he values more than pearls—
You all know the one I mean, made by the Watson girls.
Next was Mr. Dorian, who sells the Dictaphone,
Friend of all stenographers who like to work alone.
Wives of all the business men declare that he is great;
Hubby cannot alibi, " I ' m at the office late."
r
Mme. Muzio and the Pathe
the prominent operatic soprano, who is a mem-
ber of the Metropolitan Opera Company, and
an exclusive Pathe artist.
Mme. Muzio has made several Pathe records
which have been very well received by the deal-
ers, and when she visited the Pathe Shop she
expressed her keen appreciation of the hand-
some warerooms which the Philadelphia Pathe-
phone Co. have established, congratulating Mr.
Eckhardt upon the progress he is making and
upon the exquisite decorations in his retail shop.
LATEST VOICE OF THE VICTOR
January Edition Most Attractive and Interest-
ing—Includes Special Drawing of Final
Scene From "Aida," for Display Use
The Voice of the Victor for January, just
issued, is a truly interesting volume, full of
helpful business suggestions for the dealer, il-
lustrations of attractive store arrangements,
and other matters of general trade interest.
The cover page is printed in rich purple, and
in the center appears a reproduction in colors
of the new Victrola No. 2 soundbox, gold
plated.
With the current issue of the Voice there is
included an unusually effective pen and ink
sketch, 15^x11/8 inches, of the final scene from
the opera "Aida" (The Fatal Stone), with the
suggestion that dealers frame the sketch and
hang it in their demonstrating room.
D. G. Lewis is planning to open a retail music
store in Canton, N. Y.