Coin Machine Review (& Pacific ...)

COIN
MACHINE
REVIEW
"86
FOR
MARCH
1946
Using a Drew Pearsonism, "My predic·
tions of things to come", I am happy to
report the success of one prediction. Last
Fall, when the first meeting of Coin Ma·
chine Industries, Inc. took place, there
was some mention of a Public Relations
Program for the coin machine industry.
At the time I reported that meeting in
these columns, I predicted that such a
program would some day be instituted, and
I warmly endorsed such action. Last week,
the C. M. I. took the firs t important step
in this direction. It must have taken a
lot of oratory and a great deal of com·
promising among the manufacturers, but
they fi nally agreed on the method of launch·
ing it.
By inviting all Operators and Distributors
to become associate members of C.M.1.
at $25 per head. they accomplish two
things simultaneously . . . they knit all
branches of the industry into one compact
unit, and at the same time raise SOME
of the money needed for this important
work. T he manufacturers still will bear
the brunt of the cost, but they can, and
will get a great deal of help from the
rank and file, and a lot of big distributors.
However, there is one fly in the oint-
ment as far as I can detect. In asking
the operators and distributors to donate
to this cause or to join the CMI with $25,
they are very vague in the benefits de-
rived. A great deal more could be accom·
plished by specifically stating just what
CMI will do with this dough, how it is
going to do it, and what voice the operator
or distributor whose money is being used,
has in the manner of using this dough.
I'm not finding fault with anything spe-
cific, I'm merely suggesti'ng to Dave Gott-
lieb, et. aI., that to insure the success of
this venture and to get all the help possible
from the operator and distributor, they
should state the BENEFITS of associate
memberships. They should outline the pro-
gram, and stick to it. If it isn't ready, let
us know. We all want to help get it ready.
How much money do you think you need,
and how do you think it ought to be
spent, etc.
The National Automatic Merchandising
Association has already under way a com-
prehensive program for public relations
started last January 1st. The NAMA is a
large ·a nd powerful group of manufacturers
and distributors, and are a distinct and
separate entity, and take great pains to
UNOBTAINABLE PARTS
MANUFACTU RED
Bring in sketch or old part
for precision duplication
LIGHT MACHINE SHOP WORK
TOOL & DIE MAKING
MODEL MAKING
Prompt Service • . Reasonable Rates
•
Ha-Mal Machine Shop
1151 Venice Blvd.
Los A_geleo 15, Cal .
DRex.1 4044 or WAlnut 5452
keep it distinct and separate. They dis-
claim any relationship or anything in
common with the coin machine industry
as represented by CMI, but the program
about to be launched is bound to help
both NAMA and vice versa. Such Public
Relation Programs will undoubtedly im-
press the American Mass before long, and
any stigmas attached to the coin business
will eventually disintegrate and disappear.
A very important angle on the public
relations program is the suggestion I made
in' these columns in an earlier issue about
the formation of COIN TABLES. This is
the appelation of Weekly Luncheon Clubs
in every city in the nation, composed of
coin men in all branches of the business,
who can meet and break bread with the
City Fathers, prominent business men, and
educators, and acquaint them with the
virtues of coin men and coin machines.
That idea that started with just a sugges-
tion a couple of months ago has made
steady progress, and I am receiving a
growing stack of mail each week asking
for advice on the formation of COIN
TABLES. I can supply a set of by-laws
and other pertinent facts, and I want one
and all to know that I will help in every
way possible to get these clubs started
from coast to coast. From personal ex·
perience, I know such clubs can exert a
tremendous influence toward a better un-
derstanding of coin men. These Tables will
prove invaluable to .the Public Relation
Campaign to be waged. Now gentlemen,
get started. Chicago will have one very,
very soon.
FRANK NEWMAN, of NAMA phoned
me last week to ·a sk if Kelner Vendors
had written contracts with its locations.
You're hootin' tootin' right, and what's
more they are forthright, straightforward
statements of agreement, neatly printed
without ambiguous phrases and designed
to protect both the interests of the loca-
tion and the operator.
And I'll tell you something else, I
said to Frank. Our stationery now carries
the emblems of the Chicago Chamber of
Commerce, the Chicago Tobacco Table
and the NAMA. Acceptance of member·
ship by the Chicago Chamber of Com·
merce is tantamount to saying that the
Better Business Bureau thinks we are all
right. THAT is the way all operators of
vending machines should do business. The
good operator today doesn't keep his books
in his back pocket, and doesn't forget
to pay his just taxes, and keep proper
records of commissions for his customers.
He does his business as other types of
business do . . . abides by a CODE of
ETHICS as stringent as any rules of con·
duct laid down by the OLD GUILD
MASTERS. And when he does these
things, no politicians will be able to pick
on him.
Camels are still very short in these parts
. . . and the cigvendor operators are
having troubles. Used machines are scarce
as hen's teeth. The strikes will push back
delivery dates on new equipment of all
kinds about four months. Don't sell your
used machines . . . hang on and repair.
Prices still remain high.
Don O'Connor of Mr. BIG fame of the
movies, was our special luncheon guest
at the Tobacco Table last week. He was
BIG.
You mayor you may not have heard
about Leaf's Gum. During the war, when
gum was so awfully hard to get, Leaf was
able to supply a goodly quantity to
civilians because the government hadn't
heard much about him before the fracas.
To make the story short, Sol Leaf made
a pile of dough. He made so much money
that he is able to lay down a half million
in cash to buy the plant used by Minne·
apolis-Honeywell during the war for gov-
ernment goods. It's a tremendously big
place out on the west side in this city.
I understand he got a good deal from
DPC (Defense Plant Corporation, or Uncle
Sam) and is able to combine all his small
manufacturing places under one roof. Give
Leaf credit . . . he is alive and pro-
gressive, and has committed his company
to several expensive radio programs and
a lot of periodical and billboard adver-
tising. His gum wasn't what you would
call top stuff before the war, but since
he has the money now, he can afford to
make it as good as anybody else, and
so he intends to crash the top market in
a big way, and give Wrigley and Beech
Nut a run for the money.
Now, Leaf is showing his far-sigh ted
genius by laying plans for a tremendous
distribution of gumvendors with a deal
to handle his gum. I know Sol personally,
and can testify that he is a canny Pinochle
player. One day he asked me about gum
vendors, and I gave him answers to a great
many shrewd questions . . . all the while
he was making a 400 hand. If you haven't
heard about Leaf's Spearmint gum and
the other flavors, YOU WILL. And you
will also hear about the most advanced
and radically designed gum vendor dreamed
possible. It's in the making. I can give
you first hand knowledge because my
fingers are in it. More about this anon.
Speaking of gum, Wrigley sent out a
circular letter to all operators recently
making inquiries as to possible quantities
of gum they predict they may use during
the next twelvemonth. They want to gauge
their production. They annOUl\ce with great
pleasure that the old favorite brands will
be back soon . . . Spearmint and Juicy
Fruit and P .K.'s etc. They are about to
launch a large SAMPLING campaign to
re-introduce you to the delights of the
old Spearmint flavor. They also enclosed
a questionnaire asking operators what they
feel is the most needed improvement on a
gum vendor. What size and style the
operator prefers, the capacity, the delivery
mechanism, etc. If they get a lot of good
answers to this, they have some valuable
information that will aid in designing the
type of vendor most needed. Lots of luck
to you, Mr. Humphries. Hope you get
some real ideas out of it.
/ack Keln er
* * *
Heard in a London air raid shelter:
"Is there a macintosh in here that's large
enough to keep two young ladies warm?"
"No, but there's a MacPherson who's
willing to try," was the reply from a dark
corner.
* * *
Those holes in Swiss cheese wheels are
Naught but senseless ostentation.
Limburger is the stuff that ought
To have the ventilation.
* * *
"Please, Sir, can you tell me why the
tide is not up this morning?"
"Yes, my child, it's because it was out
late last night."
* * *
Those who live on hope are never bur-
dened with excess fat.