The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. ALWAYS PROTECTING. An incident occurred in New York City on November 4th which furnished an excellent means of comparing the popularity of two companies manufacturing and selling cylindrical Records, one of which is the National Phonograph Company. A New York jobbing firm failed some time ago, and its stock of all kinds of talking machines and records was offered for sale on the date mentioned. In the stock was a large number of Edison Records. In order to make sure that these Records did not fall into the hands of unauthorized Dealers, C. H. Wilson, Manager of Sales of this company, was present. When our Records were offered, the highest bid was made by Mr. Wilson, and he took the entire fot. The sale was largely attended by authorized Edison Dealers and when Mr. Wilson stepped forward and his identity became known as the purchaser of the entire lot of Records, one impulsive Dealer shouted out "What is the matter with Edison? Three cheers for Edison!" Cheer after cheer followed and for several minutes it was impossible for the auctioneer to proceed with his business. It was the most remarkable expression of good feeling toward this company that we have heard of in some time. To have allowed these Records to be sold to an unauthorized Dealer and by him possibly disposed of at cut prices would have affected the business of practically every Dealer in and near New York City. To have the entire lot bought back by the company was gratifying to every Dealer who attended the auction, as well as to every one interested in the business. OPENED BY HEANS OF A FIRE. Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1903. A few evenings ago there was a fire in the tailor shop above our store and the firemen broke in our door believing the fire worse than it was, for the chemical put it out. After the excitement was over the officer in charge of the store sent me the following note which struck me as being about the funniest thing I have seen in some time and I thought it might strike the readers of the Phonograph Monthly as funny, also. I will not try to spell it the way he did. Manager of the Talking Machine Co., No. 43 Lawn Street. Sir. The Talking Machine Co : — Your store has been opened by means of a fire upstairs. Please come and fix door or tell the boy where the manager lives. Officer Pat Hennessey. W. B. B. Smith, Mgr., The Talking Machine Co., Rochester, N. Y. A STORY WITHOUT A HORAL. One of our Western Jobbers relates an incident that is amusing as showing the stature of some men. For the purpose of telling the story we will say that the Jobber's name is Mack. The list of our Jobbers will not show such a name, but real names are not necessary for the purpose. Mr. Mack was selling the "steen cent" records. One day his stenographer answered a telephone call and a male voice asked if Mr. Mack had any more of the "steen cent" records on hand. He had just bought some and found them so .fine that he wanted more. He was told that there were still several hundred in stock. He gave a name and address and said that he would be right over to get a dozen or two. His name I and address could not be found in the list of ; record buyers kept in the store. The next day the young lady in the store had a similar telephone conversation and re I cognized the voice as that of the man who had called the day before. He praised the "steen cent" records as the best ever and would call that evening to get some. He gave another name and address. As none of the parties to whom Mr. Mack had sold "steen cent" records had paid them any compliments, but, on the contrary, had stated that they would have no more at any price, he began to suspect the sincerity of the telephoning individual, and directed his stenographer to call him to the 'phone if the man called up again. The opportunity came a few days later. The telephone rang and upon answering it the young lady found the same voice asking questions. Mr. Mack was close at hand and at a sign from his stenographer took the receiver. A man's voice told him how he had bought some "steen cent" records and had found them superior to the Edison, etc., etc. Mr. Alack recognized the voice as that of the manager of the branch house of the company manufacturing the "steen cent" record and called him by name, assuring him that so far he was the only one who had said anything good about the records in question. Mr. Manager denied his identity at first, giving a fictitious name and address, but after a little further pressure he admitted the fact. He asked Mr. Alack how he knew who called him up. Mr. Mack replied that as he was the only person who could speak well of the "steen cent" record he was satisfied that he knew where the messages came from. The smallness of the incident does not permit the storv to have a moral.