The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

46 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. QUICK SALES ! ! BIG PROFITS ! ! Write to-day for Discounts. SOMETHING NEW FOR VICTOR MACHINES The Tone Controller ^JT Controls the tone of the record-reproduction and re" quires only a movement of the horn from right to left to obtain all the expression so much appreciated by lovers of music. tfjr Modifies the tone, eliminates the scratch, subdues the harsh" ness, expresses the reproduction. Prevents mechanical noise. Entirely obscure from sight. Easy to adjust. Practical. The Tone Controller Company H. N. McMEIMIMElV Gen. Sales Agent PROVIDENCE, R. I. RETAILS AT 7 Sc. formerly our western manager, will conduct the Businers Phonograpli Co., oi Chicago." Since the above announcement was made Mr. Barnes has moved the office of the Business Phonograph Co. from 304 Wabash avenue, where he formerly represented the Edison business phonograph for several years, to suite 936 First National Bank building. He is certainly to be congratulated on the result of his energetic and successful work. EDISON TO VISIT PACIFIC COAST. Aboui the middle of September, Thomas A. Edison, who had taken a trip to the Pacific Coast with his family, returned to his home in Orange. N. J., delighted with his journey. Mr. Ediscn had been in San Francisco, but had never been in Oregon or Washington, and the cities of Seattle and Spokane made a great impression upon him as marvels of American enterprise and progipss. ;Mr. Edison is in splendid health. ECHO-TONE ONE MODEL (Interchangeable attachments for all leading machines.) This picture attracts YOU How much MORE will the ACTUAL HORN attract YOUR PATRONS? Ask us to explain the novel plan by which we are interesting dealers everywhere. TH[ [CHO-IOII[ HORN CO. Sole Potcntccs and Manufocturers 1 18-120 Park Ave. BROOKLYN, N.Y. DEALERS ORGANIZE IN BOSTON. American Talking Machine Dealers' Association a Reality After Several Years Hard Work on the Part of the Originators — Officers Elected — Objects of the Association Set Forth In a Self-Explanatory Circular. (Special to The Talking Machine World. » Boston, Mass., Oct. 7, 1908. After several weeks of strenuous labor on the part of its originators, the American Talking Machine Dealers' Association is now well under way, with a full set of officers, a headquarters at 43 Tremont street and a distinct idea of just what it is desired to accomplish. While at present the heads of the new organization are of necessity Eastern men, it is intended at a later date to secure a wider representation. William A. Pike has been chosen as president, Maurice J. Harrison as treasurer, .George W. Lord as vice-president and Joseph W. Foley, secretary and counsel. The originators of this organization have already sent out two self-explanatory circulars to the members of the talking machine trade, and to-day another was issued which, while considerably more conservative than the others, gives a clearer conception of the needs for such an organization. This circular reads as follows: Boston, October 7, 190S. Dear Sir: The object ot this circular is to tell you of the origin and purposes of the American Talliing Machine Dealers' Association, and to invite you to become a member, rl'ou are earnestly urged to carefully read the following paragraphs, for the association is solely for your benefit and protection : and wbether you sell one or one hundred machines a month, it is equally important that you should take part in this movement which we believe marks the beginning of a new and prosperous epc-ch in the talking machine trade. Tn response to a widely distributed circular sent out on September 3. by Joseph \Y. Foley, attorney for several Boston retail talking machine dealers, asking the sentiment of dealers with referenQe to forming a retailers' association, a surprisingly large number of replies were received, cordially welcoming the suggestion and v.ilunteering support. Dealers from as far distant points as Palm Beach, Fla., and Seattle Wash., were heard from. The Talking Machine World, and a number of other trade papers, as well as the daily press, commented favorably on the movement. In short, the encouraging reception accorded the circular on all sides conclusively showed that there was need for just such an organization and that the dealers had long fe!t this need and were only too eager to get together it only some one would take the lead. Accordingly, another circular was sent out calling a meeting of all interested at the Revere House. Boston. September i;!). The meeting was largely attended, and the views expressed in the original circular were heartily endorsed. A significant feature of this meeting was the attendance and enthusiasm of dealers who are also members of the Uetail Furniture Dealers' Association. Tliey told of the great Imiirovemcnt In retail conditions in the furniture trade. Increased profits, better treatment from the manufacturei-s, less competition, etc., br(!ughl about by their association and they prophesied even greater things for our organization. Tile above-nnmed temporary olllcers were elected. Mr. rike and Mr. Harrison are the two largest exclusively letall talking machine dealers in Boston. Mr. I'lke has been in Ibe business e'even years and Is widely known .'iiiioiig the trade ns a vlgiirous champion of dealers' lights. Mr. Harrison Is n conservative and successful business man whose Judgment has been much relied iip<Mi ill Iniiuguralliig this movement. Mr. Lord Is in the first rank of I.ynh's business men and a conservative adviser. Mr. Foley Is a Boston attorney who has given special attention to the legal aspect of the talking machine trade, with reference to patent and contract law. Among the objects souglit Dy the association, as outlined in the original circular, are the following : 1. A voice in determining how the business shall be conducted. 2. Some agreement or guarantee from the manufacturers binding them. At present dealers are bound to evei-j-thing and they to nothing. 3. More reasonable restrictions in the number of selling agents. Many people having no established place of business now get the dealers' discounts. 4. More favorable terms for the return of old goods, especially when the sale of them is prevented by the manufacturers bringing out improvements. 5. Two prices for outtits — one for cash and one for instalment — as is the ease in all other kinds of instalment business. 6. An outlet for stock in case a dealer wishes to go out of business. This is the only business in which there is no such outlet. 7. Free legal advice regarding contracts, etc., and the making of test cases, when necessary. 8. Mutual assistance in tracing -stolen goods. We expect to attain the abovft objects by means of friendly and diplomatic suggestions and conferences with the manufacturers. Through meetings and correspondence we will learn the sentiment of the trade and the secretary, or a committee, will personally urge tbese views upon the heads of the various concerns. The manufacturers, recognizing that we are the real business producers, and usually the court of last resort in deciding what make of machine a purchaser will take, will, we believe, vie with each other in making all reasonable concessions to the retailer. Perhaps the greatest value of the association will be in deterring manufacturers from encroaching upon us in the future : ten thousand dealers banded together m a common cause are ten thousand times as strong as the same number in our present unorganized condition. All of the officers of the association are enthusiastic over the prospects of the association. The jobbers are not expected to join this association, the initiation fee into which is $2, with annual dues of $3. A ftirther meeting will be held in the near future. THE MEXICAN POLICE BAND Makes a Great Hit in New York and Boston National Phonograph Co. Have a Large Number of Records of This Band. The Mexican Police Band, which rates in Mexico the same as the Marine Band. Washington. D. C. does in this country, arrived in New York October 2. This is the first time this great musical organization has been permitted to leave Mexican soil, special permission being given by President Diaz, as a compliment to the United States. The following day they played for an hour on the steps -of the Sub-Treasury in Wall street, going by boat Monday evening to Boston. Mass., where they have been playing at the NewEngland Exposition. On returning to the metropolis and before going home, Velino M. Preza, the leader, and a composer of note, will visit Orange, N. J., to call upon Thomas A. Edison. Walter Stevens, manager of the National Phonograph Co.'s export department, will accompany Senor Preza to the works. The recording department of the National Co. have a large number of the Mexican Police Band's best selections, taken in the City of Mexico, including over a dozen ot Leader Preza's own compositions.