The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 35 RECEIVER FOR MULTIPHQNE CO. Appointed on Bankruptcy Petition by Creditors — Validity of a $100,000 Chattel Mortgage to Carnegie Trust Co. Employee Disputed, Against the Multiplione Co., manufacturers c£ musical slot machines, automatic phonographs, etc., with offices at No. 141 Broadway, a petition in bankruptcy has been filed by Peter Zucker, attorney for these creditors: Isaac Thorman, $900; Vandyck, Churchill & Co., $200, and Jacob Weiss, fJlSS, on an assigned claim of Albers Brothers. Judge Hough appointed Jesse Watson receiver, under bond of $3,000, on application of Isaac Thorman, who stated on information and belief that the assets of the company have been wasted by its Glficers; that more than $120,000 of the as.sets have been expended and no record whatsoever appears on the boolvs of the company as to the disposition of this sum; that on November 2, 190V, it gave to Paul H. Sheridan, as trustee, a chattel mortgage of $100,000, covering chattels of the company, which was not recorded until March 21, 190S ; that he believes this chattel mortgage is fraudulent and void as to the creditors of the company. Mr. Zucker said that Mr. Sheridan, to whom the chattel mortgage was given, is a clerk in the Carnegie Trust Co., and it was very singular that it was not recorded until more than four months after it was executed. He could give no accurate figures as to the assets and liabilities of the company, but he understood that the liabilities exceeded $100,000 and the assets $25,000. The company was incorporated May 4, 1906, with a capital stock of $1,000, which was increased on February 1, 190S, to $100,000. William H. Pritchard was president and Wilbur C. Brown treasurer. P. S. Rumpel, formerly with the Humphrey Bookcase Co., has joined the forces of the Cadillac Cabinet Co., Detroit, Mich. MANAGER WANTED. Manager wanted for Edison and Victor jobbing business. State experience, complete references, and salary expected.* Address "Jobber," care Talking Machine World, 1 Madisoa avenue. New York. Wanted. — A co-partner in phonograph, sheet music and small goods business in well established piano store in live Western town. Party would need enough capital to increase stock some. Pine opportunity to get into nice, clean, profitable business. Apply "Ruhtra," care this paper. s/aJE^ivfEN^^iS^^ Wanted. — Two good traveling salesmen who have a thorough knowledge of the talking machine business; communications v/ill be treated in confidence; .excellent opportunity for right men. Address A. B. C, care The Talking Machine World, 1 Madison avenue, New York City. ~BARcXiNnifTRic^1RDSr One lot of about 1,250 American 10-inch brand new records, consisting of Hebrew, Italian and Spanish selections, never been played. Will sell at 12 cents each for the lot, if taken at once. Address Room 314, No. 6 Madison street, Chicago. MR. DEALER t If you are overstocked in Edisons Gold Moulded Records I will buy any quantity ; also Cabinets and Machines. Send your list. All deals strictly confidential. W. W. SCOTT 239 BroaLdwaLV NEW YORK liV.FORTANT GERMAN DECISION Handed Down in the Suit of International Talking Machine Co., of Berlin, Against German Gramophone Cd., Ltd., to Prevent Reproduction of Certain Copyrighted Music. (Special to The Talking Machine Woild.) Berlin, Germany, Apiil 28, 1908. In a suit brought by the International Talking Machine Co., of Berlin, against the German Gramophone Co., Ltd., of the same place, to restrain the defendknts from reproducing certain copyright music controlled by the complainants, the court decided "that the action of the plaintiffs is non-suited, and that they are condemned to bear the costs of the process." The opinion was handed down by the Civil Chamber of the Royal District Court, No. 1 of Berlin, on February 2o, 1908. It is a long and diffuse document, in which a parallel is drawn between the reproduction of music by talking machines and the piano player, the Pianola and Mignon being specifically cited as distinctive examples of the latter. The complainants charge an infringement of the law of June 19, 1901, and demand that the defendants (1) be fined and enjoined from reproducing the following musical works on which they hold reproducing rights: "Die lustige Wittwe" ("Merry Widow"), "Hansel and Gretel," "Meistersinger," "Rastebinder," "Landstreicher," "Obersteiger," "Schwalbennest duet," "Vogelhandler," "Rheingold," "Walkure," "Bruder Straudinger," and "Versailler Festmarsch"; (2) that a preliminary injunction be issued and a suitable bond be required on the part of the defendants. The court holds that the delivery of a musical composition by the Pianola cannot be distinguished, from the original when 'performed by a technically expert player, excepting perhaps by connoisseurs of the greatest skill, and therefore the use of copyright music is an lufi ingement. It is different with the talking machine records, as the sounds are reproduced in a purely mechanical manner, dependent on no human assistance or auxiliary musical knowledge as in the piano player, no matter how perfect the voice of the singer may be rendered by the record. Hence the talking machine is exempt from copyright limitations. THE ECHO-TONE HORN IN DEMAND. The new departure in amplifying horns, which was announced to the trade in last month's World, has, we learn, caused a decided sensation. The demand for the Echo-Tone has been so active that the manufacturers have had to increase their factory force. In view of the fact that the manufacturers spent large sums of money in perfecting this horn before its introduction, it is pleasing to note that the efforts of the Frey Mfg. Co. are meeting with such recognition. It is not surprising that the Echo-Tone appeals strongly to t'ne consumer; its appearance is attractive; its . ize convenient, and its tone effects mellow and beautiful. Indeed, its advantages are summed up correctly by that frank critic, Alan Dale, who says that the Echo-Tone is a winner. Prominent jcbbers from Maine to Hawaii have taken a live interest in the horn and are keeping the Frey Co. busy. Dealers who have not yet investigated the Echo-Tone should do so at once. They will find the J. F. Frey Mfg. Co., of Brooklyn, most 1 rompt and courteous in giving all information 1 equired. DOLBEER OFF TO THE COAST. F. K. Dolbeer, manager of sales for the National Phonograph Co., left Sunday night (May 10) on an extended business trip west. His first stop was Chicago. Leaving there Tuesday night, he will proceed gradually to the Pacific coast, visiting all Edison jobbers in the West and Northwest. Mr. Dolbeer is a member of the Executive Board of New York Credit Men, and on his return trip, expects to make Denver, Col., in time for the annual convention of the National Association of Credit Men, which will be held at that city June 23 to 2G. JACK LONDON A^ THE VICTOR. The Great Novelist a Great Admirer of the Victor Talking Machine. Jack London, novelist and magazine writer, and a lover of everything that speaks of nature and the lealities of life, is a great admirer of the Victor talking machine, which he always carries with him on his various rambles and tours. At the present time Mr. London, accompanied by his wife, is sailing around the world in a small schooner called the "Snark," and conspicuous in its equipment is the Victor. The Victor Co. have recently . received a most interesting letter from Mrs. London in which she speaks in the most enthusiastic manner of the Victor, which she describes as "a joy," and adds: "We simply revel in it, and keep it going from early morn until late at night — with a rest now and then, of course," etc. RECORDS OF NETHERSOIE PLAYS. Olga Nethersole, the well-known English actress, who has proven so successful in emotional parts, recently found a practical use for the phonograph when she had Edison records made of all her plays, including such productions as "Carmen," "Sapho" and "The Awakening," her voice being faithfully reproduced in every instance. The records were sealed and placed in the vaults of a New York safe deposit company. Miss Nethei-sole had the records made with the object of enabling future stars to judge the value of their work and hers by actual comparison instead of suffering like the players of today in having their acting compared with mere memories of triumphs of bygone stars. Booth and the rest. HERZOG'S SYSTEM OF RECORD FILING. Th.e announcement of the Herzog Art Furniture Co., which appears elsewhere in this issue of The World, is worthy of careful perusal. In addition to their models of CycloPhones which, by the way, have commanded a great deal of interest in the trade, they are showing a new and important system of record filing. The modus operandi is very simple. Each file holds six records. The drawer on the side of the cabinet holds one file, including the records, and is convenient to be used when playing the machine. Each file is numbered, and an index label on the outside of the file shows at one glance the contents of each file. By classifying the records in each file, it is very easy to make the selection from the printed index which hangs on the door of each Herzog cabinet, which is another new copyrighted idea, and will be described in the next month's issue. The Herzog Art Furniture Co. seem to make every effort to construct their cabinets in such a way as to be a comfort for the actual user, and their cabinets will be equipped with their new filing system on application if so desired. WURLITZER'S DISPLAY OF HORNS. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Cincinnati, 0., May 9, 1908. In honor of the May Festival in Music Hall, the Wurlitzer house was beautifully decorated with flowers and plants this week. Mme. Gadski was a visitor to-day, and consented to be photographed listening to a Victor Victrola. Wurlitzers are showing something new and unique in imported talking machine horns. These are made of pottery and designed in the most attractive forms. These are placed on top of an outfit, the sound proceeding up through the horn. One of th?se attracted a great deal of attention, being a combination of horn and aquarium in which a dozen gold fish were at play. Max Landay, of Landay Bros., New York, was at the factory of the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J., last week.