The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

Attention is called in the report to the fact that the fundamental patents, admitted to have created and to control the present art have stood every test, and that new patents have been taken out in this and the principal countries of the world. Appended to the report is a comparative statement of assets and liabilities on April t, 1S95 and September 30, 1899. This shows an increase in patent franchises and good will of $668,473.38; in merchandise accounts, cash, fixtures, etc., $448.161.86; in factory plant, $472,534.63; in raw material and finished product, $224,294.87, and other increases in lesser items, or a total increase of assets of $1,881,606.34 5Harv\> fl>. <3obwm IDeab Advertising Manager of the Qraphophone Company Succumbs Harry P. Godwin, advertising manager of the Columbia Phonograph Company, died at his residence in Bridgeport, Conn., during the afternoon of March 30th, 1900. He had been seriously ill for several months, and while his condition was such as to cause the gravest apprehension, the end was sudden and in the nature of a great shock to his family and friends. Last summer, while bathing in Long Island Sound, near Bridgeport, Mr. Godwin fell heavily across the gunwhale of a boat, injuring his lungs. For several months he was seriously ill in the hospital and at his home, suffering from a pleural abscess. Careful nursing, medical skill, and a strong constitution united to bring him safely through the crisis of this dangerous disease, and hopes were entertained of his speedy and complete recovery. The severe extra exertion required of his heart, however, proved too much for that organ and for several weeks prior to his death he had been in a most serious condition. Mr. Godwin's death was quite sudden. In the morning he seemed as comfortable as usual, and listened attentively to the news of the day read to him while he was sitting in his chair breakfasting. His physician visited him in the forenoon and noticed no alarming symptoms. About fifteen minutes before his death his nurse left the house without any apprehension of a serious change. Then it was he began to sink. He called to Mrs. Godwin to give him some oxygen, and after she had administered to his wants, he rested his head against the high back of his chair and apparently fell asleep, and in this position peacefully passed away. His physician was hastily summoned, but he was beyond medical aid. Services were held at his residence in Bridgeport Sunday afternoon, April 1, and at St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral Church, Washington, D. C, Monday afternoon, April 2. The interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D. C. The active pall bearers, with one exception, were all closely associated with Mr. Godwin during his long newspaper experience on the Evening Star of Washington, D. C. The honorary pall bearers were representative of his warm personal friends in Washington and the Columbia Phonograph Company. Mr. Godwin was born in 1857 in Bingham ton, New York, but perhaps was better known in Washington than anywhere else, having resided there for about 25 years, during most of which time he was actively engaged in newspaper work, in which he achieved a notable success. In the earlier part of 1874, when but 17 years of age, he becime a member of the repertorial staff of the National Republican, and immediately gave evidence of the ability which marked his later THE PHONOSCOPE career so signally. He rose rapidly to the position of City Editor of the National Republican, and held it until 1881, when he resigned to accept a position on the Washington Evening Star. His responsibilities in his new field were immeasurably greater than those which he had relinquished, and his measure of capability was fully equal to the new demand. Eventually he became City Editor of the Evening Star, and held this position until he resigned in the spring of 1897, to become advertising manager of the Columbia Phonograph Company. His capacity for work — for important work that required keen judgment, quick discernment, and discretion of the highest character — was remarkable, and he accomplished his duties with a placid and unruffled serenity that made him one of the most lovable of men to his superiors, his associates, and those whose work was under his direction. An incident which illustrates his remarkable memory and newspaper ability, occurred when the Board of Police were making an investigation in Executive session in Washington, shortly after Mr. Godwin's entrance upon newspaper work in the capital city. He was known then as "Farmer Godwin" on account of his style of dress and simplicity of manner. While the room was cleared of all other outsiders, Mr. Godwin was allowed to remain because of his innocent simplicitv and his statement that he would not take any notes. Seated on one of the benches, vacantly staring at the ceiling, with his hands in his pockets, he stored up in his remarkable memory all the important facts brought out during the investigation, and the next morning in his newspaper there appeared over four columns of his report, with dates, names, figures, etc , correctly reported. The sensation produced hv this remarkable achievement is clearly remembered by many Washingtonians to-day. One of the keenest bits of satire which ever appeared in the Washington newspapers was from the pen of Mr. Godwin, and appeared in the Washington Star, under the caption : "Major Lydecker Goes Down Into the Tunnel." It was written at the time of the discovery of the frauds in the Washington Aqueduct, and while this publication was largely responsible for the professional undoing of the officer in charge, it is remembered more for its great literary merit and its keen cutting satire. Mr. Godwin was regarded by every one who knew him as a modest, noble, tender, chivalrous man. His lovable character attached his friends very strongly to him, and all who were brought in contact with him merely in a business way, looked up to him with the utmost confidence and regarded him as a man of the very highest integrity and honor, unswerved by any personal or selfish considerations. His brief career with the Columbia Phonograph Company, extending over nearly three years, was characterized by the same qualities of heart and mind which brought him into such esteem during his newspaper experience in Washington. He was in necessitv forced to decline a very large part of the manv advertising propositions submitted to him by solicitors, and yet he invariably "turned them down" with such gentleness and kindliness, that thev were made to feel that he regarded it as a privilege tc have had the interview. An eloquent tribute to the man personally and to his work professionally is made by Mr. E. D. Easton, President of the Columbia Phonograph Company, in his announcement to the offices of the service throughout the world, of the death of Mr. Godwin, as follows : "Harry P. Godwin, for about three years advertising manager of this company, died at his residence in Bridgeport, Conn., on March 30, at 7 the age of 43 years. The cause of his death was heart disease, following pneumonia. He leaves a wife and four sons. "The funeral services were held in Bridgeport on April 1st, and in St. Mark's Church, Washington, D. C, on April 2d. The interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington. "Mr. Godwin made a remarkable record in journalism, and was one of the ablest men in that profession in the United States. He was the city editor of the National Republican of Washington several years before reaching his majority, and for over fifteen years occupied a position of high responsibility and trust on the Evening Star of that city. "With great ability, he possessed to an extraordinary degree, gentleness, modesty and unselfishness. His consideration and sympath}' for others were unbounded. "As an officer of this company his devotion to duty was complete. The loss of his wise, thoroughly matured and disinterested counsel is irreparable. "As his intimate friend for more than twentyfive years, the undersigned, in offering this tribute to his memory, can now only express the hope that Mr. Godwin's life may be an inspiration and an example to all who knew him." The Phonograph in Divorce An entirely new and somewhat startling feature of divorce litigation appeared in a Paris police court when a husband, accused by his wife, presented himself bearing under his arm a small box which turned out to be a Phonograph. The instrument was placed upon the magistrate's desk and set going and immediately there came these words from it, yelled in the unmistakable tones of the wife, "scoundrel," "liar," "brute,' with other forcible expletives. It was explained by the husband that he had foreseen trouble in the courts with his wife, and had taken the precaution to have the Phonograph cocked and primed and conveniently placed when his better half indulged in one of her conjugal tantrums. He was advised by the magistrate to take the instrument to the divorce courts. Instantaneous photography has already become an important aid to divorce. The visual evidence it presents needs no oath or corroboration. It is conclusive. The vocal evidence of the Phonograph is equally strong. Armed with these two testimonies the aggrieved husband or wife who wants to shake off the hateful bonds of matrimony can dispense with lawyers' fees and other consequent legal superfluities. The case is won from the start. Spain Piles on Duties Washington, Feb. 16. — In a new Spanish tariff just put into effect considerable increase has been made in the duties on a number of articles now exported from the United States to Spain. Consul General Lay, at Barcelona, has reported this matter to the State Department. On typewriters, which formerly paid a duty of about fifty cents, the tariff is now from $13 to $20. Phonographs, formerly unenumerated, now are taxed sixty-four cents a pound weight All kinds of electrical, scientific and office labor-saving apparatus now is classed under heavy rate, plus 20 per cent war tax. The duty on paraffine has been doubled, making business impossible for America. Duties on lubricating oils from the United States also are increased to a point that will stop entirely all importations, even if the duty should be reduced to that now paid on British and Russian oils.