The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

Vol. III. No. 1 THE PHONOSCOPE 13 three in one order (either of the same or different qualities) 20 per cent. From three to six in one order 22^ per cent. From six or more in one order 25 per cent. « Stationery. 4. We forward to the Agent as soon as appointed, free of charge all necessary stationery and printed matter, of which we have more than twenty different kinds, large illustrated catalogues, price lists, circulars, letter paper with our own heading and the agents address, cards, advertising puzzles, etc., etc. Expenses. 5. All indispensible expenses and outlays such as cartage of sample machine, postage, telegrams, mailing circulars, repairs, etc., will be refunded to the Agent, and paid at the end of each month with the commission and salary due to him. Salary. 6. As a special inducement for Agents to devote their entire time to our business we shall compensate those willing to do so at the rate of 30s per week besides the commission. But this salary to run only from the second month of appointment as Agent, so as to enable us during the first month of appointment to judge of his capacities and business results. This arrangement is fair to both sides as it puts you in the position to judge first of the extent of the business you may be able to do in your county before giving up a good position which you may perhaps have at present. Advertising. 7. We do a large amount of advertising here in the United States but have not yet done so in Great Britain. We know of course that advertising on a large scale is indispensible to make very large sales of the Phonograph. We shall make arrangements with our New York Advertising agency to place through their London agents our advertisements in the English papers, containing the list of our agents for every count)' and their address so that orders and remittances can be sent to these agents directly from their neighborhood. Engagement. 8. The engagement of an agent will be binding on us for one year in case of good behavior and general satisfaction. We have the right to terminate the same immediately in case of any irregularity or dishonesty on the part of the agent. District. 9. The Company cannot give more than one county to an Agent and it is useless to ask us for a larger district. This is the maximum of what he is able personally to manage, and more than sufficient to occupy his activity and all his energy. Losses. 10. The Company expects that the Agent will use all possible precautions in his transactions and not cause them losses through bad debts, though of course the Agent is not to guarantee the payment of his customers. Large and frequent losses to us would be a valid reason for the dismissal of the agent. Duty of Agent. 11. The Company expects the Agent to further their interests in every possible way and not to accept the agency of any firm of musical instruments, as this would interfere with our sales, and to devote himself seriously and actively to the business of the company. Samples. 12. Samples of our Phonographs being of course indispensible, in order to show same to intending customers, we are willing to forward for this purpose any one or any number of our machines after receipt of the amount less trade discounts and commission, i. e. suppose, you desire one each of our 12s, £2 and £10 machines the total would be £1^.12, less 20 per cent, trade discount— £2.10.5 and your 25 per cent, commission — £2.10.7, the net amount therefore to remit for the three machines would be £7.11.0. Of course it is to the great advantage of the Agent to order a sufficient stock at once so as to enable him to sell directly on the spot or to execute himself urgent orders for which customers cannot wait. The agent does not incur through these orders any liability or risk whatsoever, as the money paid for any machine or any number of machines will be at once refunded on demand, if the Agent should desire to discontinue the agency and to hand the goods over to the successor which we appoint in his stead. As it would be useless for an Agent to offer goods of which he has not a sample to show and as we are most anxious to place an Automatic Penny-inthe-slot-machine in your neighborhood we do not entertain any application for agency unless you place one of these machines in any prominent and well frequented place, and the receipts of which are to be shared equally between the Agent and the Company. All further details you find in the accompanying leaflet "How to Become the Owner of the Penny-in-the.Slot-Machine on the Hire Purchase System." The agreement to protect agents against threatened suits by English Phonograph Companies was as follows .: "REGARDING OTHER PHONOGRAPH COMPANIES. In order to prevent some misunderstanding regarding other Phonograph Companies, we beg you to understand that the original Phonograph Patent of 1876, in favor of Thomas A. Edison has become public property long ago, and that there are a number of Companies, each one having some supplementary patents for improvements of the original Phonograph and manufacturing machines according to these supplementary patents. There is absolutely no infringement and there never has been any lawsuit about such. Of course some of the Companies are bluffing in order to advertise themselves. We do not need to do this, relying on the quality and price of our machines, which have left all others far behind. We furthermore give our absolute guarantee to fully protect any of our agents, dealers, customers, against any litigation whatsoever, which, as we explained never has arisen and never can arise." Having received enquiries from the English correspondence as a result of the foregoing circulars the following letter was sent on a fine billhead which had an engraving purporting to be that of Edison but which in fact was that of Vice-President Thomas A. Hendricks. "THE EDISON PHONOGRAPH COMPANY. Chicago, III., October 31, 1898. Mr. John Collins, 221 Norwood Rd., Herne Hiee, London. Dear Sir : Your letter in reply to our advertisement for an agent and addressed to our advertising agency has been received and we send you herewith full particulars of the conditions under which we are willing to appoint you our General Agent for your county to take charge of our business and to obtain sub-agents. We are manufacturers of the Phonograph, and we do not doubt you have heard of this wonderful invention, if not actually seen some. It is no exaggeration to say that there is absolutely no article at the present moment so well adapted to bring a substantial fortune to an intelligent and active person as the Phonograph is capable of doing for you. We need hardly point out to you the numerous advantages the Edison Phonograph offers over every other article. Like the bicycle at the beginning it is getting immensely popvdar with all classes, for it is everything to everybody. To the business man it is a faithful stenographer, to the child it is a never ending source of delight, to the sick it is the most cheerful companion, to the scientist the most marvelous instrument ever invented, and for the sitting-room, the public-house or place of amusement an untiring brilliant musician who plays, acts and sings without a penny of wages. Everybody needs one and will buy one now as our prices have been so far reduced as to bring them within the reach of everybody ; and this all the surer as Xmas is soon approaching when our 12s machine will be found an ideal present — inexpensive, novel, useful and universally entertaining. Our most important object is to place at once one of our automatic penny-in-the-slot machines in your neighborhood. We will share the profit with you as explained in the accompanyinginstructions, and as such profit is from 7s to 9s per day and per machine, this alone would be a permanent source of income to you, without necessitating more of your attention than collecting every two or three days the receipts from the drawer of the machine. Our conditions are very liberal and advantageous as it is proved by ouragents here and in Canada who make on an average from 15 to 30 pounds monthly. This seems a large commission but give the Phonograph a trial and convince 3rourself. This Agency would not interfere with your present occupation or residence, as all the business can be done in spare time, as mailing price lists, showing samples to shopkeepers, etc. As the Xmas season is approaching and desiring to reap the advantage of same for our goods, you will kindly forward your definite application by return of post. We remain, dear sir, Yours faithfully, For the Edison Phonograph Company, [rubber stamp signature] GEO. B. HENSCHEE, Manager. ' ' Later the following letter was sent out to the Englishmen from the Chicago office on the same swell letter head : "THE EDISON PHONOGRAPH COMPANY. Chicago, Iee., October 31, 1898. Mr. Jas. Heaeey, 30 Crete St., Kirkdaee, Liverpool Dear Sir : We are in receipt of your favor, and beg to saythat the instructions from our Board of Directors are such as not to allow any modification whatever of our conditions. Besides if we would make an exception for one, we had to make same for everybody. You will understand that it is impossible to take orders without at least one or more samples to show to intending customers. At the same time we cannot send samples to everybody for the mere asking, without being at least in some way secured against loss. This applies all the more, as you have not given us any reference on this side where we can make inquiries about your standing. You must not consider this as a personal mistrust, but disagreeable experiences with agents who never had any serious intention to carry out their promises have unfortunately taught us to, be provident. Till now we have not yet nominated an Agent for your county and should be pleased to appoint you as such according to our Agents conditions sent before. You would be the only and exclusive Agent for this district, but this should not be construed so as to prevent us to sell direct or through wholesale traders to persons living in your district before you have accepted our Agency. After you have definitely accepted and been appointed b}rus, we would of course accept no orders from your district except such as pass first through your hands and would instruct then such persons having applied for Agency there to address themselves to you as sub-agents if you desire to engage them. We agree to your proposition of making first payment of £2 provided that you send us the entire profits of the machine for the first month instead of only one-half. Awaiting your definite reply by return, we remain, dear Sir, Yours most truly, The Edison Phonograph Company, [rubber stamp signature] Geo. B. Henschel, Manager. '' At this point the numerous English correspondents who had sent to the Baron on an average of $37.00 were advised of the bursting of the company as heretofore related. There are nearly 100 letters addressed to the Baron in Stamford, Conn. ' to which address he ordered mail forwarded when he left Chicago. It is believed the swindlers cleared $50,000 on the scheme. They are sure to be given a generous dose of judicial medicine by an American Judge when arraigned for trial. The Teaching of Birds A school for the higher education of parrots and song birds has been founded recently in New York by Louis Ruhe of 248 Grand Street. Parrots whose education has been neglected will now be enabled to enlarge their vocabularies, while canaries may improve their range and technique in singing. The talking-machine plays an important part in the business. The feathered pupils are usually instructed in classes. As soon as they hear a line in which the vowels or "r's" abound they will prick up their ears. By using a Phonograph the phrase, or whatever the lesson may be, is repeated always with exactly the same inflection and this makes it easier for the parrot to memorize it. A class of a dozen or more parrots with careful training can be made to recite a comparatively long selection in chorus and with the most perfect gravity. Some of the phrases, for example, which are easily learned and go to make up the education of a well-educated parrot are as follows : "Glad to see you," "Good morning. Have you used — soap," "Hope you're well," "Rubbe'r neck,'' "Hurrah for McKinley," "Break the news to mother," "Get your money's worth," "The Lord lovetha cheerful giver," etc. The bird academy also offers a course of instruction to cockatoos, bullfinches, starlings and other songsters.