The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

22 THE TALKING MACHINE WOKLD. SouxD-Box FOR Talking Machines. Bentley L. Rinehart. Camden, N. J., assignor to Victor Talking Machine Co., same place. Patent No. 819,981. This invention relates to sound-boxes for talking machines, and particularly to that part of 13 ^is the same which is known as the "stylus-bar," and comprises means for mounting the same upon the sound-box, whereby the same is more efficiently held in position, while at the same time greater freedom of movement is allowed to the action of the stylus-bar and stylus in connection with the talking-machine record. It will be seen by these illustrations that by this construction 1» U i the stylus-baT is held loosely in position when the sound-box is not in use; but when the needle is brought upon the sound-record so as to be inclined thereto at the usual angle there is a tendency to rotate the stylus-bar about a horizontal axis, so that one of the trunnions is forced downwardly into the groove of the screw 15, while the opposite trunnion is forced upwardly into the groove of the screw 12. This position of the stylus-bar also results in a tendency of the trunnions to move longitudinally in an upward direction; but said movement is prevented and the stylus-bar is held in the requisite transverse S3 position by means of the pin 14, which forms a thrust-bearing. In these forms of construction many advantageous results are produced, among which may be mentioned great freedom of movement of the stylus-bar and the fact that in constructing a large number of sound-boxes the bearings or screws when once placed in position v,-ill always have the same amount of friction and other effects upon the stylus-bar which will cause all of the sound-boxes so manufactured to have the same degree of quality of tone and uniformity of action without the employment of delicate art The House of York I nut only nuf.d I'T the manufactvire of The Best Band Inslruments on earth, but fi>r the i)ublication of some of the Best Band and Orchestra Music •X::.. 1 ef jrtji in the market. The pieces named behDw are published for both Band and Orchestra; we shall be pleased to send you our complete catalogue, pricelist and sample parts on request. Remembrance March, Walter Lewis; Mazie Waltzes, Ellis Brooks; The Morton March. Ellis Brooks; The ^Minstrel King March. Tos. Norton; Little Nugget Overture, Geo. D. Barnard; The Emblem, Solo for Trombone, Baritone or Cornet, Ellis Brooks: Golden Leaf, bolo for Trombone, Baritone or Cornet, Geo. D. Barnard. And many others besides. Remember the address. J. W. YORK &L SONS GRAND RAPIDS. MICH. justing means, which are liable to become displaced after continuous use. These constructions also do away with the use of springs or other resiiient mountings, which vary in their quality, resiliency, and durabifity in different soundboxes and at different times in the same soundbox. MEllBB.\^■E OF Graphophoxes, Etc. Arturo Camilo Piccinini, Buenos Ayres, Argentine. Patent No. 804,264. This invention relates particularly to the soundbox casing or diaphragm support and to the stylus support, and the objects of the invention are to provide an extremely simple and effective form of casing or diaphragm support which may be produced at an extremely low cost, and also one in which a multiplicity of parts is avoided, and, further, to provide an extremely simple and efficient stylus support which may be readily assembled and quickly and accurately adjusted while the graphophone is in operation. Amplitting Hoen. Chas. J. Eichhorn, Newark, N. J., assignor to the Tea Tray Co., same place. Patent No. 797,724. The objects of this invention are to secure greater stiffness and strength in an amplifying horn at the smaller end thereof where it is coupled to a talking machine, recording machine, or similar apparatus or device, it being understood that such horns are usually attached and supported at their smaller end, the large end projecting in a horizontal direction away from the bearing or support to which the horn is secured. Other objects are to enable the horns to be manufactured with greater facility and ease, to present a neat finish at the extremity, and to secure improved effects in the reproducing operations. FOREIGN AND NATIVE MACHINES MRS. LANDER WANTS INFORMATION Regarding the Stockholders of the New England Phonograph Co. (Special to The Talking Machiue World.) Augusta, Me., Feb. 9, 1906. A petition for a writ of mandamus to compel the clerk of the New England Phonograph Co., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maine, prayed for by Edna Lander, of Gardiner, a stockholder, was made before Judge A. M. Spear at the court house Saturday forenoon. The clerk of the defendant corporation is A. C. Stilphen, an attorney of Gardiner, and he appeared to offer objection to the granting of' the petition. The plaintiff was represented by George W. Heselton, of Gardiner. From the testimony offered at the hearing it appears that Mrs. Lander, desiring to possess a knowledge of the true identity of the stockholders and other information of interest concerning the defendant corporation, made demands at divers times upon the secretary of the corporation for the privilege of an examination of the records of the corporation. It was asserted that the secretary had permited Mrs. Lander, "through courtesy," to make minutes of certain portions of the corporation records, although he is said to have refused to recognize her legal right to do so, claiming that as the one share of stock which she owns had never been legally transferred upon the books of the corporation, she was not a registered stockholder, and acting without her legal rights in making an examination of the records At ,.he conclusion of the testimony Mr. Stilphen filed a writ to dismiss the petition. The case is an important one and one that involves intricate points of law, and it is presumed that the decision rendered in this action would have great bearing upon legal actions affecting the interested parties that might follow. Judge Spear took the matter under advisement. Victor H. Rapke, 1661 Second avenue. New York, is perfecting a label system for Victor record stocks. He has also placed on the market labels for the Edison grand opera records of the same size and style as his line for the regular list, staning with "Bl." Contrasted Much to the Advantage of the United States — Wherein Machines and Records Excel — European Trade in South America. A comparison of foreign talking machines with those of domestic make by an expert on such matters, who is spending some time in this country looking over the field, results very favorably for the American product. In speaking of the disc machines from an impartial standpoint, he said: "The one great point of excellence first noticeable is in the records. They are much clearer and more even than the average foreign production, and hut for the fact that the vocal selections are not in the native tongues of the various European countries, the "folk songs" to which they have been accustomed, they would be far more popular abroad than their own product. A good example of this is shown by the enormous sales of the high-grade operatic records in Italian. So far as the mechanism of the best grade of European machines is concerned, motors, as a rule, are inferior to the American product, although there are a couple of exceptions to this rule. So long as there is any doubt as to the validity of the Berliner patents, the European makers will not endeavcT to compete for business in the United States, but will devote their attention to South America, which promises to be a very profitable field. The large manufacturers are emulating the example of their competitors In this country by making exhaustive researches tending to the perfection of the talking machine in every detail, and the most eminent students of acoustics and applied mechanics have taken the matter up." THE VALUE OF A SIDE LINE. Mr. Jacot Is a Great Advocate of the Instalment System as Applied to Music Boxes Which Go Well With TalKing Machines. Mr. Jacot, of the Jacot Music Box Co.. is a great advocate of the instalment plan in the sale of music boxes and similar merchandise, and his company have found the plan to be attended with the utmost success. In a recent interview he said to The World: "There are many people who want the things that adorn and beautify the home, but who feel that they cannot afford them. "V^^len they look at a music box and hear the price mentioned, they regard it as a luxury only obtainable by the wealthj'. But when a salesman can show them, that by saving a small sum daily, they will in a short time become its absolute owner, they will quickly add it to their cherished possessions. We have placed thousands of them in homes on the small weekly payment plan, that under other conditions would never have been charmed by their sweet tones. Dealers in that class of musical merchandise, who wish to become successful, no matter whether they are in a small village or big city, must sooner or later adopt this plan. Those that have done so have found their sales leap up with a bound. In our experience, the percentage of loss has been very small, ajid under a good system, any danger is practically eliminated. Dealers in talking machines are finding the jNIira music box a splendid side line, as the two dovetail in splendidly together." HARRY BROWN WITH STEINERT CO. Harry Brown, for many years manager of the talking machine department of the J. A. Foster Co., of Providence, R. I., has now connected himself with the M. Steinert & Sons Co., of Boston. "Harry" is looking after the growing trade of the many branch stores of the Steinert Co. Mr. Brown has had many years' experience in the talking machine line; is thoroughly familiar with each phase of the business, and we predict he will be as successful with the new company as he has given satisfaction with his former employers.