Presto

May 15, 1929
15
P R E S T O-T I M E S
R A D I O
GREAT EXPANSION
LOOMS FOR ERLA
Impulse Given to Manufacturing Activities of
Electrical Research Laboratories by the
Taking Over of The Cable Com-
pany's Chicago Plant.
Purchase of the Chicago plant of The Cable Com-
pany by the Electrical Research Laboratories (Erla)
presages large scale expansion in the manufacturing
activities of this pioneer institution, according to Bur-
ton Greene, president.
Cabinets as well as receivers, electro-magnetic
pick-ups and dynamic speakers will be manufactured
in the new quarters, under the most modern and effi-
cient production methods, using the straight-line prin-
ciple of assembly and materials conveyance.
Real estate acquired measures three acres, with area
under roof 300,000 square feet.
Land now vacant
allows for the tripling of present floor space. Ap-
praised valuation of the property is $1,300,000.
Equipment for manufacturing 1,500 cabinets daily
was taken over as part of the purchase, including a
battery of five dry kilns with a capacity of ten car-
loads of lumber. Contemplated additions to equip-
ment, together with a rearrangement of the produc-
tion layout are expected to increase cabinet capacity
to a maximum of 2,500 per day, without extra floor
space.
Cable employees previously engaged in the plant in
piano manufacture, are being retained as nucleus of
the Erla cabinet manufacturing division. Piano stand-
ards of workmanship and finish are expected to rule
in Erla cabinet manufacture, as a result.
Manufacturing operations now conducted at the
Erla plant at 2500 Cottage Grove Ave., and at the
Greene-Brown plant at 5100 Ravenswood Ave., Chi-
cago, will be transferred to the Cable plant as rap-
idly as possible.
Mass production of the entire new Erla line, in
eluding cabinets, is scheduled to be under full head-
way at the new plant in another sixty days. Mean-
time, productieoi of new Erla models at the present
Erla plants is being maintained.
JESSE FRENCH OPENS WHOLESALE
AGENCIES.
The Jesse Erench and Sons Piano Co. has estab-
lished wholesale agencies for the handling of its new
line of radio receivers in Scranton, Pa., and in Dallas,
Tex., and sales offices in Boston, Mass., under the
management of Lester G. Jones; and in Los Angeles,
Cal.. under the management of Marshall Breeden.
In connection with the enlargement of the sales
force an extensive advertising program is being ar-
ranged, which will include radio programs from most
of the broadcasting stations in the middle west. With
this extensive advertising campaign, the management
hopes to increase the radio volume to capacity pro-
duction.
A new sales office opened recently in Dayton, O.,
took orders for forty-eight radios in two weeks, and
RADIO RECEIVING SETS
RADIO PARTS
RADIO-PHONOGRAPHS
was so pleased with the machine that it has arranged
for a series of programs to be broadcast soon from
station WSMK.
"SCHOOL RADIO" DEMONSTRATED.
Centralized radio tor schools was demonstrated re-
cently in the New Utrecht High School of Brook-
lyn by Stanley & Patterson, Inc., a sales agent for
the Radio-Victor Corporation of America, to enable
educators to observe af first hand the operation of
a radio system especially adapted to school use.
As many loudspeakers as are desired in the various
classrooms may be connected to a master control
panel. A lime clock automatically starts and stops
the programs. A simple buzzer system is used to
notify the operator at the control panel when to
change the radio program or switch over to the
phonograph mechanism.
This demonstration forecasts the important part
radio is destined to play in supplementing existing
methods of teaching.
SUMMER RADIO SALES.
The radio industry still has much to do to
strengthen the sale of receivers during the summer
months, information compiled by the merchandising
division of the Radio Manufacturers' Association in-
dicates.
Much progress has been made toward equalizing
the distribution of sales throughout the year, for sales
during June, July and August have been increased
from an average of only 6% previous to 1928 to 14%
of last year's total. Still, much remains to be done to
convince the public that the uitility of the radio does
not end with the advent of warm weather.
TO HANDLE MAJESTIC PAPER.
The Grigsby-Grunow Company announces the for-
mation of The Majestic Corporation, with offices at
120 South La Salle street, Chicago, to finance the
paper of its authorized dealers in connection with in-
stallment sales of Majestic electric radio receiving
sets. All of the stock of The Majestic Corporation
will be owned by the Grigsby-Grunow Company.
The decision of the company to finance the install-
ment paper of its dealers has caused no little dis-
satisfaction in the local banks throughout the coun-
try, which heretofore handled the paper.
ARCTURUS RADIO CO. BUYS FACTORY.
Arcturus Radio Tube Company has purchased the
factory building at No. 708 Frelinghuysen avenue.
Newark, N. J.. in connection with its plan of ex-
pansion. This building will add 111,000 square feet
to the present 45,000 square feet of manufacturing
facilities of the company and will provide for an in-
crease in production of from 17,500 tubes daily to
about 45,000 tubes. Operations will be started four-
teen days and extended as rapidly as possible, accord-
ing to President C. H. Braselton.
t
NO SUMMER BROADCAST SLUMP
There will be no summer slump in radio broadcast-
ing this year, for chain broadcasting has now been
established on a basis that insures quality entertain-
ment the year round. Broadcasters are announcing
that the popular radio programs heard weekly during
the winter evenings will be enhanced rather than dis-
continued this summer.
TAXING BROADCASTERS.
The radio industry is manifesting unusual interest
in the proposal of license fees for all broadcasting
stations in the country in order to pay Government
radio administration costs. In accordance with a Sen-
ate resolution the Radio Commission is preparing a
schedule of fees for different kinds of licenses.
With 40,000.000 radio listeners in the United States
and the annual radio administration cost to the Gov-
ernment amounting to only $800,000 a year, Uncle
Sam is paying only two cents a year per listener.
It is believed by radio listeners that taxing the
broadcasters will result in inferior programmes and
make it necessary for them to sell more time to adver-
tisers to meet expenses, thereby cutting down the
time left for entertainment.
RMA CONVENTION AND SHOW PLANS.
The greatest radio assemblage in history, as well
as the largest 1929 industrial gathering in the United
States, is now assured for the Radio Manufacturers'
Fifth Annual Convention and Trade Show at Chi-
cago, June 3-7, at the three Chicago hotels—the
Stevens Hotel, the largest in the world; the Congress
and the Blackstone, all close together on Michigan
avenue. The entire trade show space of over 30,000
feet has been oversold, it is announced by President
H. H. Frost of the RMA. An attendance of close
to 25,000 persons connected with or interested in
radio manufacturing, merchandising and broadcasting
is expected.
SUMMERTIME RADIO THEN AND NOW
"Due to the remarkable organization and develop-
ment of broadcasting, the eighth summer of radio
broadcasting comes unnoticed by the broadcast lis-
tener,'' states J. L. Ray, president of Radio-Victor
Corporation of America. "Conscious of the benefit
of a repetitious and cumulative message, most large
commercial program sponsors are continuing their
efforts through the summer months."
LYON & HEALY ADDS SPARTON.
Lyon & Healy, Chicago, has added the Sparton
radio line to the radio department which now features
eight different makes. "The new 1929 Sparton radios
have been added in order that Chicagoans may con-
tinue to have the opportunity for direct side-by-side
comparison of every leading radio," the company
states.
CANVASS TELEVISION PROGRESS.
Recent developments in television are to be con-
sidered by the Radio Manufacturers' Association's
television committee at 10 a. m., Wednesday, May 15,
at ihe Hotel Mayflower, Washington, D. C.
With the installation of radio in the Vatican, Pope
Pius can talk to the Catholic world by means of the
most powerful broadcasting station.
Planning on enlarging its stock and display room,
the Erickson Music company, La Crosse, has leased
the second floor of the building it now occupies. The
second floor will be used for piano display rooms,
while phonographs, radios and sheet music as well as
band instruments will be displayed on the main floor.
Recitals sponsored by the Will A. Watkin Co., Dal-
las, Texas, feature the observance of National Music
week at the Watkin music salon.
NOWF IEADY
THE PRESTO B BUYERS' GUIDE
PRICES
EDITION OF 1929
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forward by first mail after receipt of order
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