Evening star., 1927-11-09
RADIO IS SIDE LINE
OF MOST DEALERS
Only About 20 Per Cent of
Stores Exclusively Operated,
Survey Shows.

Do you want to buy a radio set?
Go to your nearest undertaken or fill
ing station or grocery.
Far from being merely a facetious
suggestion, it is fact that these are
among the diverse types of retailing
establishments that somewhere in
these United States are selling radio
equipment. The reason is apparent.
Radios mushroom growth has
scarcely given it a chance to become
established as a retail trade con it's
own" Taken on as a side line by all
sorts of stores, it has scarcely yet be-
come a fixed business in itself, al
though perhaps 20 per cent of the
dealers in radio operate radio stores
only.
Electrical goods houses, of course,
are natural outlets for radio equip
ment, and approximately one-fourth
of the turnover is represented by
them. But hardware stores also sell
much radio material-nearly 10 per
cent of the country's turnover.
These estimates are deduced from
the recent survey of radio dealers
stocks undertaken by the electrical
of Commerce for the purpose of as
certaining the best markets for the
disposal of radio sets and parts. Re
turns from the survey are regarded
as a fair index to potential absorption
or radio materials, for only about one
fourth of the homes of the country
are now equipped with receiving sets.
Some of the returns showed the
unique position this half billion dollar
industry now occupies in the Nations S
economy. Quite aside from the types
of homes which now regularly receive
the cultural advantages of radio. high
and lowly, it shows some amusing de-
tails regarding the manner of distri-
button.
Commissioner Sam Pickard has
marked that much radio equipment is
being sold and more can be sold
through grain elevator men who pay
the farmer for his product with radio
sets or parts. The Department of
Commerce survey reveals that while
60 per cent of the distribution Is ac-
counted for by the electrical goods
shops, radio shops and hardware
stores. there is a substantial business in
radio being done by such places as
farmers co.operatives, grain dealers,
harness shops and even at silo.
Garages, real estate companies. lum-
ber mills, clothing stores. drug stores
and a shoemaker are among the others
who are in the business on distribut-
ing radio goods in parts of the country
A tabloid version of Won Flotow's
four-act opera. Martha" by the Ma
tional Grand Opera Co. and the week
ly concerts of the Ipana Troubadours
and the Goodrich Zippers are fea-
tured tonight by WRC.
Genia Zielinska, coloratura soprano
of the opera company, will sing the
title role in Martha" Others in the
cast include Devora Nadworney, con-
tralto; Giuseppe di Benedetto. tenor,
and Nino Ruisi. basso.
The Troubadours will present a pop
ular program, featuring a medley of
selections from the "Follies." Think
ing of You" and "Up in the Clouds"
from give O'Clock Girl" and Il
Can't Believe That You're in Love
With Me-" Shaking the Blues Away"
and Sweetheart Memories also are
on the program.
WRCs only musical attraction of
local origin Is the first variety pro-
gram of a new series by the W.. B..
& A. Concert Orchestra. The concert
will be broadcast at o'clock.
WMAL Is featuring tonight a con-
cert by the United States Army Band
Symphonet and another Brunswick
Panatrope Hour. Special arrange
ments of Latin American compost
tions and Offenbach's Tales of Hoff-
man" are on the symphonies pro-
gram. Concert artists and popular
music will feature the Brunswick
Hour.
A joint recital by Roy X. Easter,
baritone, and Ethel Payne Bailey, VIC.
linist, is WMAL's only other musical
attraction.