The talking machine world (Oct-Dec 1921)

150 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD December 15, 1921 RECEIVER IN EQUITY APPOINTED FOR PATHE FRERES CO. PRICE FIXING again BEFORE COURT Action Taken to Conserve the Assets and to Reorganize the Business, Which Will Be Continued Under the Direction of the Receivers — To Put Business on Healthier Basis The United States District Court in Brooklyn, N. Y., on Friday morning, December 9, appointed Eugene A. Widmann, former president of the Pathe Freres Phonograph Co.; WiUiam C. Redfield, former United States Secretary of Commerce, and Benjamin A. Kay, a New York attorney, receivers in equity for the Pathe Freres Phonograph Co., Brooklyn. This action was taken in order to conserve the assets and revive the business. In a statement presented to the court it was stated that the property of the company, if properly liquidated, would yield more than enough to cover the claims of all creditors. The receivers appointed are all executives of the highest ability and the inclusion of Mr. Widmann is particularly encouraging, not only through his intimate knowledge of the Pathe business, but his thorough knowledge of the talking machine business in general. It was stated at the headquarters of the company in Brooklyn that the business would be probably reorganized under stronger lines than ever before and that, under the able direction of the receivers, it was expected that the Pathe Co. would rapidly emerge from its difficulties. CORRESPONDENCEMUST SUIT TIMES Cannot Longer Be Matter of Mere Routine, Declares Prominent Milwaukee Credit Man Milwaukee, Wis., December 5. — "The present prolonged industrial depression has clearly shown that commercial correspondence is no longer a mere matter of routine, but a problem that deserves the careful consideration that is given to every other matter of importance in the successful promotion of business," said V. J. Schulte, credit department of a prominent Milwaukee store, addressing the Milwaukee Credit Men's Association. "During the past few years a heretofore unheard of condition existed in the business world. Money was plentiful and it did not require a high grade of salesmanship and much advertising to sell commodities. To-day just the reverse condition prevails. "Not only in the collection of accounts is careful and diplomatic correspondence necessary, but also in the handling of complaints, adjustments, sales and, as a matter of fact, in every department of a business organization. The consuming public to-day demands that every complaint be made good no matter how unreasonable and unjust it may be. The retail merchant is extremely critical about the merchandise that he receives. He is exacting about the date he desires it shipped. Cancellations, from his point of view, mean nothing and returning merchandise has become somewhat of an established rule. The price question presents another problem. These and numerous other matters present themselves daily to the business correspondent for skillful handling. "To-day a business letter must not only be clear, courteous and concise, but must be tactful and diplomatic. "The letter of to-day must contain only pertinent facts that have a direct bearing on the subject written about. It must in a brief and affable way 'tell why.' In short, it must be educational. "The great function of the business letter of to-day is to restore the confidence that was destroyed by the approach of the present industrial depression. To-day more than ever is the business letter the universal implement of business and when used rightly is the greatest potential creator of business yet devised. The importance of good, clever, result-getting business correspondence cannot be overemphasized. The necessity of such correspondence is imperative and is one of the means that will hasten the return of normal conditions because its great mission is the restoration of confidence." MAKING NEW INDUSTRIAL SURVEY War Department Interviewing Firms to Determine Time Necessary for Conversion of Plants From a Peace to a War Basis The industrial survey of the country inaugurated some months ago by the War Department is progressing satisfactorily, according to the annual report just submitted to the Secretary by the Quartermaster General. A total of 516 firms liave been interviewed and 716 reports giving identity, location, product, normal and emergency capacity, and changes and time necessary for possible conversion from peace to war basis have been filed. These reports go to form the basis for detailed tabular and graphic studies in quartermaster supply, transportation and allocation of industries, both current and for the future. All such data are obtained by patriotic co-operation and assistance of the industries concerned and filed in the confidential records of the office of the Quartermaster General. The work will be continued until all the important industries of the country are reported in this manner. RETIRES FROM BUSINESS The American Odeon Corp., New York, will go out of business on December 31 of this year. Max Strauss, managing director of Carl Lindstrom, Ltd., Berlin, Germany, sailed for Europe the early part of the month, after completing arrangements whereby the General Phonograph Corp. will be the sole licensee for the products of Carl Lindstrom, Ltd., in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Arguments Presented Before U. S. Supreme Court in Case Brought Against Beech Nut Packing Co. by Federal Trade Commission Washington, D. C, December 8.— Oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court on Friday in the case of the Federal Trade Commission against the Beech Nut Packing Co. indicate that the decision of the court in this case will decide the legality of maintenance of resale prices. Many cases pending before the Commission, including one against Cluett, Peabody & Co., alleging unfair methods of competition in the maintenance of resale prices, are being held up pending the decision of the court. Solicitor General Beck appeared before the court to-day for the Commission, while the Beech Nut Packing Co. was represented by Charles Wesley Dunn. If the Supreme Court should -favor the Commission in its decision the following order will be issued in all cases pending before the Commission, it is understood: "It is ordered that respondent cease and desist from directly or indirectly recommending, requiring, or by any means bringing about the resale of products by distributors, whether at wholesale or retail, according to any system of prices fixed by respondent, and more particularly by any or all of the following means: "1 — Refusing to sell to any such distributors because of their failure to adhere to any such system of resale prices; "2 — Refusing to sell to any such distributors because of their having resold respondent's said products to other distributors who have failed to adhere to any such system of resale prices; "3 — Securing or seeking to secure the co-operation of its distributors in maintaining or enforcing any such system of resale prices; "4 — Carrying out or causing others to carry out a resale price maintenance policy by any other means." A VALUABLE BOOK FOR DEALERS The Music Industries Chamber of Commerce has received from the Domestic Distribution Department of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States a number of pamphlets on "Merchandise Turnover and Stock Control," which contain facts of value to merchants. These booklets will be distributed to members of the associations in the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce without charge upon request. While the subject matter contained in the pamphlets must be adapted to the field of music, the points brought out are of value, especially for the handling of departments. The A. L. Arvidson Piano Co., of Denver, Col., has announced its intention of disposing of its slock of pianos and confining itself to the sale of Edison phonographs exclusively in the future. Retail Price, $35 XHE OUTING Write for Discount it THE YEAR ROUND MACHINE'' Present-day economic conditions demand reduction in prices, but not in quality. The OUTING has accomplished this difficult task. There is no phonograph made today giving as much value for the price. Mr. Dealer, put in the "OUTING," THE MOST COMPLETE PORTABLE PHONOGRAPH IN THE WORLD, and you will have no slack season. Desirable Jobbing Territory Open. Metropolitan Distributors Cabinet & Accessories Co., 145 East 34th St., New York OUTING TALKING MACHINE CO. Mt. Kisco, N. Y.