The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

4 THE TALKING MACfflNE WORLD. TALKER IN NATIONAL CAMPAIGN. Three Reasons Why the Present Political Activity in Connection With the Presidential Campaign Should Not be Overlooked by the Progressive Dealer. The guns in the Presidential battle are booming loudly, and from now until victory is won on November 3 next a great activity will be in effect which should be taken advantage of by the talking machine dealer. There has been a great deal written in past issues of The World relative to the "talker" in politics, but the question is so important that it would seem permissible at this time to take up a phase which has not as yet, I believe, been touched upon to any extent, viz. — ^just how the present campaign can be of most assistance to the trade. I have made it a point to consult with several dealers upon the subject, and, as a result of my inquiries, the following suggestions are offered: First — Special campaign supplements should be issued by all the companies now engaged in record-making as has already been done by the National Phonograph Co. These supplements should contain speeches of a patriotic character which camot fail to arouse the ardor of the American citizen, especially when rendered by men now in the limelight. If this were done, when a customer comes into your store, Mr. Dealer, you could ask him a few questions relative to the political situation and obtain his views. This accomplished, it would be an easy matter to inveigle him into listening to an oration by his favorite candidate which would so prey upon his sense of patriotism as to force him to make at least one purchase before the attack subsided. Second — You should display a collection of posters in your store depicting in attractive form what the "talker" will do for the politician. The illustration accompanying this article shows a scene at a national convention, in which the talking machine is playing a leading role. A delegate has the floor, and in an impassioned speech so brilliantly rendered as to bring the whole convention to its feet in a mighty burst of enthusiasm, has just placed his candidate in nomination. Then as a thrilling finale while the excitement is at white heat, he starts the talking machine, and the vast assemblage listens spellbound to a graceful address from the very lips of the man who has just been lauded by the eloquent delegate. The effect is simply beyond description. Hats are thrown aloft in a frenzy of devotion and the nomination is carried unanimously amid a whirlwind of cheers and applause. If a poster similar to the illustration shown above were placed in your window, Mr. Dealer, and some attractive reading matter displayed in conjunction with the same, calling attention to the fact that you have political records in stock, and that they represent the best efforts of both Presidential candidates (records by one probable candidate being now at your service as this story goes to press) there would undoubtedly be an immediate call upon you to supply the hungry public with political records. Third — The political organizations throughout the country should be supplied with literature of a character to explain concisely and well just how the "talker" can be made useful to them in conducting their part of the campaign. In the little country villages far removed from the large cities there is no better way to reach the hearts of the people than through the "talker." Their Presidential candidate, once selected, is to their minds almost a god, and they worship him accordingly. .lust afford them the opportunity of listening to his voice, and they will see that everyone in their community is saturated with the news, and woe to the poor skeptic who does not support the man wlio luis gone to the trouble of haviiig a speech (Miincd for their special benefit. In this connection the writer iniKht stale that he is a countryman himself, claiming as his home a hamlet twenty miles from Philadelphia, and a few evenings ago he carried his machine and the list of new Bryan records down to the grocery store, where the local celebrities are wont to congregate to discuss the questions of the hour, which at the present time turn toward politics. He found the usual crowd on the porch listening to Squire Rogers, who was holding forth on the wickedness of politicians in general, and Bryan in particular. "That man ain't fit to be President!" emphatically declared the Squire, expectorating with great accuracy of aim into a potato barrel. "He ain't got no religion." "What's that?" interrupted Deacon Spinner. As these rural localities are covered by political clubs, it behooves the "talker" man to get busy and follow up the distribution of trade literature with a business call from one of his salesmen, endeavoring to plant a machine or more in every club within range, and the sooner the better. You should '"make hay while the sun shines." Howard Taylok Middleton. RESTRAINING ORDER GRANTED In Favor of the Victcr Talking Machine Co. Against Meyer Futernik, of Philadelphia, Whom It Is Alleged Sold Victor Records Below Licensed Price. "Don't believe no sech thing. Squire; everybody's got some sort o' religion if you kin only git it out." "No, siree! Bryan ain't. I seen it plain as day in the paper, an' it's true." Fearing that the argument might prove lengthy and belligerent, and wishing to start the entertainment, the writer slipped Edison record No. 9,923, "Immortality," by William Jennings Bryan on the mandrel and pressed the starting lever. Silence reigned throughout the whole rendition of the "beautiful and effective description of supreme faith in a 'life beyond,' " and when it was over, old Squire Rogers sighed and inquired: "That ain't Bryan hisself a-talkin'?" The writer nodded in the affirmative. "I'll take it all back then. He's got religion all right or he couldn't make no sech beautiful remarks as them there on that phonygraft, an' what's more, you kin take it from me here an' now, that if he's nominated, I'll cast a vote fer 'im, by gum I" (.Special to The Talking Machine Woi-ld.) Philadelphia, Pa., June 30, 1908. On June 15, 1908, the Victor Co. filed a bill ia equity, petition for restraining order and preliminary injunction papers in the United States Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Meyer Futernik, of Philadelphia, trading as the Eastern Phonograph Co., to restrain infringement of the Berliner Patent No. 534,543, in selling Victor records at a less price than the licensed price. In the early part of June the attention of the Victor Co. was called to the fact that Meyer Futernik, of the Eastern Phonograph Co., was selling and advertising for sale 60 cent Victor records at a greatly reduced price, and the above measures to restrain them were at once taken. On June 15, 1908, Horace Pettit, counsel for the Victor Co.. appeared before Judge McPherson and secured a restraining order at once, which was promptly served on defendant, restraining him from selling and advertising for sale the Victor records at less than the license price; on June 19th the motion for preliminarj injunction was heard before Judge McPherson. James C. Sellers, of the Philadelphia bar, appearing for the defendant and filing an affida^-lt on behalf of the defendant. The matter was argued before Judge McPherson and a decree entered in favor of the \1ctor Co. on that date. GILMORE BUYS NEWSPAPER. AVilliam E. Gilmore, president of the National Phonograph Co., has ptirchased the Orange (N. J.) Chronicle, including the plant and building, the price being $21,600. In the event of the sale being confirmed by the court, it is Mr. Gilmore's intention to organize a company and conduct the business under the management of Harry M. Friend, for many years connected with the Chronicle. ATTENTION ! NEW ENGLAND DEALERS If you handle both EDISON and VICTOR, we can offer you an advantage no other New England jobbing house can — One Source of Supply for both BDISOIN PHOINOORAPHS AiND VIOTOR MAOHirVBS OINE SHIPiUEINX — OINE EXPRESSAOE THERE'S AN ADVANTAGE! Try the Eastern's Policy of Service. THE EASTERN TALKING MACHINE CO. 177 TREMOINT ST., BOSTOIN, IVIASS. Distributors of EDISON and VICTOR MACHINES, Records and all Supplies Eastern Agents for HERZOG DISK and CYLINDER RECORD CABINETS