The talking machine world (Aug-Dec 1919)

September 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 187 EDISON BELL CABLE "PHONOKINO, LONDON" ARE THE GREATEST VALUE FOR MONEY PRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN TEN INCH DOUBLE SIDED NEEDLE CUT PLAY ON ALL GRAMOPHONES Catalogue contains 4000 Titles by the Premier Artistes, Instrumentalists, Orchestras and Bands of the British Empire DEALERS PREPARED TO DO BUSINESS ARE INVITED TO COMMUNICATE WITH Proprietors and Manufacturers, J. E. HOUGH, Ltd., 62 Glengall Road, London, S. E. 15, England Board of Trade to be wound up in November last. On January 21 a compulsory winding-up order followed upon the Board's petition. Before the date of that order, however, the liabilities had been discharged by the Controller and the shareholders received in cash £1 a share for each £1 share held. There had been 25,000 ordinary shares of £1 each issued, but 22.366 were enemy held and the moneys payable on them were handed over to the Public Trustee. No liabilities are now disclosed in the summary of the statement of affairs and assets consisting of cash at bank, £8,191 19s. 8d.; cash at Dresden Bank, Dresden, £17,814 16s. 76..; German and Hungarian stocks and shares, 150,518 marks; Hungarian stocks, 5,000 krone, and bills of exchange or other similar securities, 26,077 francs. With the exception of the firstmentioned item it is impossible to state what the assets will realize, but the shareholders will share in a further distribution, which will be made when they are collected. This company was purchased by Robert Willis on January 1, 1917, who now carries it on under the style of the British Polyphon Co. Mr. Willis is the sole proprietor, and, in consequence of malicious reports having been circulated to the effect that alien interests still existed in the business, recently offered a reward of £100 for information that would enable him to trace the source of these reports. Gramophone Firms Adopt Pledge At the annual general meeting of the Gramophone Association (see full report elsewhere in this section), attended by over 90 per cent, of the total members, a resolution of far-reaching importance was adopted nem. con. This resolution took the form of a declaration not to handle goods of the late enemy or doubtful origin for a period of one year from August 4, the fifth anniversary of the outbreak of the war. It only remained to define the expres FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 186) sion "late enemy or doubtful origin," and for this purpose a committee was commissioned. A draft of the pledge was submitted to a further meeting of the Gramophone Association on August 13. Wilfred Samuel presided over a gathering thoroughly representative of the British gramophone industry. The sole object of the meeting was simply to consider and pass the final terms of the pledge, to the spirit of which all very heartily subscribed. During the discussion that followed the chairman's opening remarks it was very evident that the pre-war German monopoly of this market stood little or no chance of being revived. For many of those present the bond, as drafted, was anything but strong enough and as one speaker remarked, "We have done without German goods for five years; we can continue to do without them!" From another member came the interesting suggestion that in buying from Swiss manufacturers of, for instance, motors, we should be assured that every part was of Swiss origin. Whether practical or otherwise, it serves to demonstrate the strength of the trade's antipathy of late-enemy goods. After speeches in support by other members the final draft of the pledge was agreed upon. The interesting and, indeed, momentous ceremony of signing the soleirm undertaking was then proceeded with, after which the usual votes of thanks and the meeting closed. Enterprising Summer Publicity A recent advertisement, of the editorial style, in various Belfast newspapers bespeaks an example of retail enterprise seldom met with, at least during the present period of real hot weather, when the average trader is more inclined to await business than seek it. The advertisement is good enough to speak for itself and is (in part) as follows: The Ulster Pioneer of His Master's Voice gramophone has been conducted within the past fortnight over the huge factories of the Gramophone Co. at Hayes, Middlesex. He reports that in a few weeks a good supply of instruments— which he has ordered — may be expected to arrive at 11 Wellington place, Belfast. Zonophones are also manufactured at these worldfamed works and a large order has been placed by him for these splendid gramophones. We, of course, refer to T. Edens Osborne, who first introduced the "H. M. V." gramophone for sale in Belfast in October, 1898. Wirelessing Music of Gramophone Records A unique demonstration of wireless telephony was given in the House of Commons recently. A station twenty miles away was called up and contact having been established M. P.'s were asked to select gramophone records from a list. Upon advice thereof the air station officials, who had ready a gramophone, played over the records chosen and these were heard quite as clearly as if the instrument had been in the room. Under another wireless demonstration M. P.'s had the pleasure of conversing with airmen in flight thirty to forty miles away. Marvelous! A Patents Amendment Bill There has been introduced to the House of Commons a bill to amend the Patents and Designs acts, which gives relief to those patentees whose rights have been impaired by the operation of the war. An amendment to the Trademarks bill was also brought in. The Gramophone Industry Victory Fund Closed A meeting of the committee of the above fund was held on August 13 at the offices of the Columbia Graphophone Co., Ltd., James E. Hough in the chair, to discuss arrangements for distributing the amount collected, a total of £4,326. This money was subscribed for under {Continued on page 188) V "POPULAR" RECORDS LONDON'S LEADING VALUE!!! Double-Sided Superb Needle Cut "Lateral" "OUR POINTS"} SET OUT BELOW ) from SCANDINAVIA to PATAGONIA Have Attracted Keen Overseas Houses EASTan™~LwoRLD POINTS REMEMBER You Can Have CLOSE QUOTATIONS For 5,000 Lots and up "Your Selection" or a Sample 1,000, made up with "One Example" of Every Catalogued Pairing. Address: SOUND RECORDING CO., Ltd. CABLES "Grammavox" EXPORT DEPT , 18-19 Swallow Street London Piccadilly, London, England "QUOTATIONS CABLED FREE" Repertoire Approx 2,000 Titles — Covering Superb Selection, Bands and Orchestrals Lightning Shipments Packing by Experts Rock Quotations "Always" F. O. B. London We attend to all Insurances "if Requested' to Buyers A/c Our Shipping Services, this Side FREE