The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. FURTHER DECISIONS IN OUR FAVOR IN THE WITTMANN CASE. f\ NE after another the courts of the country ^"^ are upholding the validity of the agreement system of the National Phonograph Company. Last month we noted in these columns the granting of two restraining orders by Judge Munger, of the U. S. Circuit Court for the District of Nebraska, restraining the Wittmann Company, of Lincoln, Neb. , and Kansas City, Mo., from cutting prices and also from changing the serial numbers on Phonographs. Just as we go to press with this issue, we are advised that the same judge and court have issued two preliminary injunctions against the Wittmann Company for the same violations of contract. Abstracts of the opinions appear on another page. ABOUT DELAYED ORDERS. IF we did not feel that some explanation was due the trade because of the delay in filling orders, we would rather not refer in these columns to the growth of our business in the last six months. A year ago we believed that our factory facilities at Orange, N. J., were sufficient to meet all demands for a long time. Early in the fall orders began to increase beyond their, usual number, making it necessary to work overtime in some departments. Soon other departments were working the same way. Then the working force was increased in every department and still the orders exceeded the output. The holidays found several departments working with one force during the day and another all night, the factory being closed at no time except Sundays. We thought that the unusual demand was due to the holiday season and that January would see a let-up, giving us a chance to catch up with orders. It pleases us to have such a volume of business but at the same time we regret that anyone has to wait a day for our goods. We have perfected plans for several additions to our factory and until they can be built we must ask the trade to bear with us patiently. Rely upon it that nothing is being left undone to get goods on the market. If we were disposed to be boastful and give out figures showing the number of Phonographs and Moulded Records that we are shipping each week the public would be amazed. It is evident that the talking machine idea has grown tremendously throughout the entire world and that the Edison Phonograph, as the leading type, is reaping the harvest. The situation was such on March ist that it was deemed advisable to cut down the number of new Records to be listed in April and instead of thirty or more, as has been the custom, a list of only sixteen was made up. This will, we believe, aid materially in filling orders for Records previously listed. For the same reason a small advance list has been made up for May, and we expect that before that time we shall be filling orders as fast as received. ANTICIPATE ORDERS. A JOBBER suggests that we advise the <l* trade in these columns not to promise too prompt delivery of Phonographs, Records and Reproducers, in view of the inability of the Company to make them fast enough to fill orders. While it is just as well that the trade should understand the situation, we think that both Jobbers and Dealers should anticipate the probable demand in their territory and place orders in advance, instead of waiting until their stocks run low. There is no risk in keeping a large stock of Edison goods. They are as stable as flour and just as certain to sell. RECORDS BY MAIL 17 CENTS NOT 10 CENTS. IN the new machine catalogue, Form 375, through a misunderstanding, the price for mailing Records is given as ten cents. This was formerly the cost when they were mailed unregistered. In many cases, however, claims were made that they were not received, and it was decided to mail no more unless registered. This increased the mailing cost to seventeen cents. We make every effort to induce users of Records to buy from the trade, but when they insist upon having them mailed we are compelled to add the cost of mailing and registering. Jobbers and Dealers who are in doubt as to whether to address the Company at Orange or New York are advised to write to the New York office, unless they are replying to a communication sent direct from the factory. All orders must be sent to the New York office. Jobbers and Dealers should keep a file of the Phonograph Monthly. They will find it useful to refer to from time to time.