The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1906)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 15 IMPORTANT DECISION HANDED DOWN. United States Circuit Court of Appeals Hands Down Decision Restraining the National Phonograph Co. from Selling Instruments Within the State of New York. The United States Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday last affirmed the decision of the United States Circuit Court granting to the New York Phonograph Co. an injunction restraining the National Phonograph Co. from selling phonographs and supplies within the State of New York. The decision, which is very brief, also calls for an accounting. The particulars of this litigation, which go back to 1901, appeared at the time of the suit in the lower courts, in The World, and is the common property of the trade, 'ije decision follows: "United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, before Townsend and Coxe. Circuit Judges, and Holt, District Judge. Appeal from decree of the United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New Y'ork granting an injunction and accounting. "Per Curiam. — The court below, in its opinions, has clearly and exhaustively discussed all the questions which appear to be material to the disposition of this case. The arguments advanced on this appeal have received the consideration demanded by the importance of the case and the magnitude of the issues involved. We fail to find, however, any error in the reasoning or the conclusions on which the decree is founded, and we, therefore, deem it unnecessary to add anything to the opinion of the court below, in which we concur, and on which the decree should be affirmed with costs." The business of the National Phonograph Co. will in no way be curtailed or interfered with by the above decision. THE 0. K. HOUCK CO. CONCERT. The Victor Appears as Soloist in Second Part of Programme With Great Success. At the first anniversary concert given by the O. K. Houck Piano Co., of Nashville, Tenn., at the Ryman Auditorium, that city, March 5, a number of notable artists appeared and interpreted a programme of rare interest. The second section of the well-arranged programme consisted of selections from leading vocal artists of the world, given on the Victor machine, which was controlled for the evening by David C. Erskine, who gave evidence of thorough acquaintance with the mechanism of the Victor. The records used were clear and strong and the selections given were remarkably fine reproductions of the tones of the human voice, the numbers being clearly heard in all portions of the large auditorium. About 3,500 people were present at the concert, which was one of the social events of the season. TALKING MACHINE SUPERSEDES Many Other Musical Instruments in the Affections of the People — Some Interesting Facts in This Connection from New Haven. Commenting upon the enormous increase in the talking machine business in New Haven, Conn., ana vicinity, the Saturday Chronicle says: "The universal use of the phonograph has had a result that was foreseen by some people, and that is the abandonment of the smaller instruments of music to the professionals alone. There is a certain musically-inclined family in New Haven who used to, among themselves, play the violin, mandolin, piccolo and guitar, simply for their own amusement, and all furnished some excellent amusement. Now the instruments lie unheeded and untouched. One of the boys told me why. He played the banjo very well, and when a new piece of music came out he would get it and practice it until perfect. Now they have a phonograph, and when he wants music he purchases the record and enjoys it immediately, with all the rest of the family. It is due to the graphophone and kindred instruments that many private music teachers have seen their pupils disappear, w^ho formerly made a very acceptabh' addition to their income. Down at the railroad building is a young clerk getting eight dollars a week, who has had as high as 35 pupils on stringed instruments, netting him a handsome income, evenings, who now doesn't have pupils enough to keep him in cigarettes." THE PHONOGRAPH AS COMPOSER. Many and varied are the uses to which the phonograph has been put. We read that a Mr. Howard, although a composer, is unable to read a note. So when he has an inspiration, musically, he gets out his phonograph, which he always carries in his trunk, and records the music from the piano. The cylinder is then given to a transcriber and the music written. He then has it played by a note reader, and any correction made if necessary. The music is then ready for the words. In this way Mr. Howard has given to the public "Hello, My Baby," "Good-bye, My Lady I^ove." and other songs which have struck the public's fancy with equal force. While on the road this season Mr. Howard has found time to compose nineteen selections, including sixteen songs, with the aid of the phonograph. HEARING THE "TALKER" BY WIRE. How Friends in Minnesota Entertained Each Other by a Long Distance Telephone. Wonderful things nowadays are so plentiful that they seem almost common. It is only when we stop to think and to make comparisons with the past that we realize in what a wizard age we live. The other evening one of our wellknown citizens, who has, in common with many others, become a devotee of the perfected phonograph, and who has a very well selected collection of records, entertained some relatives in another town with phonograph selections, says the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican. The long distance telephone was called into service, and the sweet music was transmitted over the wire much to the delight of the distant listeners. PETITION DISMISSED. Writ Denied in Case of Mrs. Lander vs. A. C. Stilphen, of Gardiner. (Special to The Talkintr Machine World.) Augusta, Me., March 10, 1906. Justice A. M. Spear, of the Supreme Court, handed down a decision Friday in the case of Mrs. Edna Lander, of Gardiner, versus A. C. Stilphen, a Gardiner attorney, as clerk of the New England Phonograph Co., a Maine corporation. The plaintiff, through her attorney, Hon. Geo. W. Heselton, of Gardiner, applied for a writ of mandamus to compel the clerk of the corporation to permit the plaintiff, a stockholder in the corporation, to examine the books and records of the corporation, for the purpose of learning the number of shares of stock held by various persons, and such other information regarding the operation of the company's business as she might see fit. A hearing was held before Judge Spear January 28 last, and at the conclusion of the testimony Mr. Stilphen filed a writ to dismiss the petition of the plaintiff. A VALUABLE ACaUISITION. The Columbia Phonograph Co. have secured a valuable acquisition to their list of singers in Miss Ruth Vincent, who is termed the leading star of English light opera. She made her debut in "The Y'eomen of the Guard" in London, and afterward spent considerable time studying with Klein and Bouhy. She made her debut in New York in "The Medal and the Maid" in 1903, and returned to a greater triumph in "Veronique," in which she is now touring. Her voice is a pure soprano of great range and beautiful quality. Her method is notable for its ease, and her style for its refinement, brillianc.v and charm. Her intonation is faultless, and she is in every respect an artist in the truest sense of the word. Her contract with the Columbia Co. is exclusive. PRICE REDUCED ANNOUNCEMENT EXTRAORDINARY ! I have secured the entire thres-story biiildiug, located at 16'1'2 Fu st Aveuue, near 84th Street, in order to accommodate my rapidly o rowing jobbing business. The entire building will be devoted to the Talking Machine industry. A Complete Stock will be carried of Edison Phonographs ^ Records Victor Machines and Records -MY SPECIALTIES Horns, Horn Stands, Carrying Cases, Record and Disk Cabinets, Edison Genuine Repair Parts My excellent location gives me unusual advantages in making prompt deliveries. My large stock insures a seruice tbat^jroue.*, one that appeals to all. Particularly satisfied are those dealers who are patronizing me Kindly give me a trial; in this and in no other way can I verify above statement. ALFRED WEISS Telephone 2211 T9th OFf ICE AND S.AiESEOOM 1622 Eirst Avenue NEW YORK CIXV Branch: 1525 First Avenue IBurivt LeaiKer POST CARDS Our Burnt Leather Post Cards are the quickest selling and most profitable side line ever offered the Talking Machine trade. TRI.\L ORDER. — We will send you prepaid 100 cards (100 beautiful designs I. with the name of your town stamped on each if desired, for .$3.10"cash. Retail everywhere at 10c. lou make a clean profit of $6.90. Risley-Bird Mfg. Co. 94 Fifth Avenue, New York.