The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 15 NATIONAL CO. CONCENTRATE All Record Making Interests in Orange Plant — European Factories Closed but Recording Laboratories and Sales Forces to be Maintained as Heretofore — Great Plant Ready to Handle Added Work and Force of Employes to be Augmented — Preparations Aroused Curiosity Before Cause Was Known — Details of the Important Changes. Visitors from the trade who have visited the works of the National Phonograph Co. and kindred Edison interests at Orange, N. J., have speculated and been curious as to the ultimate use of the immense factory buildings of concrete in course of erection for a couple of years. The quid nuncs concluded that finally Mr. Edison had withdrawn his well-known opposition to the manufacturing of a disc record, and the line would shortly be announced, else why this mysterious extensive preparation? The real purpose of the extraordinary expansion of the plant is now revealed, and the secret, so well kept by those in the confidence of the company oflacials, is made public. Since spring the National Phonograph Co. have gradually ceased manufacturing records in their foreign factories, maintained in England, Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany, in connection with the recording laboratories. One object of Wm. E. Gilmore's trip to Europe in July, during the closing months of his administration as president of the company, was to arrange for the complete shifting of the record-molding work to the home quarters in Orange, and this was accomplished, so that at the present time all of the Edison records are now made there and the foreign markets will be supplied direct hereafter. The machines and essentials were always manufactured in Orange, so there will be no change in that respect. The European factories will be sold, the working force dismissed, while the American or home factory complement will be greatly augmented in proportion. The foreign recording laboratories and selling corps, however, will be maintained as heretofore. In X commenting on this change of policy the other day with The World, William Pelzer, vicepresident of the National Phonograph Co., and also of the legal staff, said: "Yes, the company will make all their records in Orange. In fact, the change was effected in the spring, the work gradually ceasing abroad as we were able to handle it here. Now, we are in a position to swing the entire business, and no genuine Edison records are made in Europe. As a matter of experience, we found that the record product of our three factories in Europe differed each with the other, which gave rise to more or less dissatisfaction in the trade, and to gain absolute uniformity, not to mention economy, in manufacturing, we have transferred this branch of their business wholly to Orange. Mr. Gilmore looked after the details of this transfer when abroad this summer. Of course, we were not prepared then to take the trade into our confidence for obvious reasons, and even now I am inclined to think the announcement is slightly premature; but as it has, nevertheless, leaked out, why. The World had better have the straight story. The talk 'that the business of the National Phonograph Co. has been affected seriously by the adverse decisions of the courts recently' is nonsense, if not poppycock. Also a few other reasons that have crept into print as motives for the step we have taken are entitled to the same criticism. We established our molding plants abroad, especially in England, to meet the patent situation at the time; but now in withdrawing from those countries as manufacturers, as we are indifferent to their patent laws, even of the recent British patent act. In brief, we do not care a rap about their laws in this regard. "Our recording laboratories for making originals and the selling force attached to each of our European establishments will be maintained as heretofore. The factories, however, are closed. Of course, they will continue to make up their own bulletins or record lists, as they are in touch with their respective markets and know their needs, and v/ith which the home or parent organization will not interfere. Shipments of everything in the Edison line of phonographs, records, etc., will therefore be exclusively made from Orange hereafter. Last week a large quantity of goods went in that direction, to be followed regularly by other lots of equal size." WITH THE TRADE IN INDIANAPOLIS. steady Growth of Business Since Election — Good Demand in All Lines — Lawmakers Help Moving Picture Shows — A New Corporation — Other News of Interest in Talking iMachine and Allied Lines. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 11, 1908. Talking machine merchants of Indianapolis report a constantly increasing trade. The growth in business was noticed soon after the election and it has kept up. Some of the dealers believe they are now beginning a period of four years of prosperity and they are preparing to take advantage of it. The Columbia Co. have been enjoying a brisk trade. The double disc and indestructible cylinder records combined with their elegant window displays have attracted many patrons. The Indiana Phonograph Co. say that business is on the boom. This company handle Edisons and do largely a jobbing business. The company not long ago came under a new management which has been successful. Mr. Kipp, of the Kipp-Link Co., who handle Edisons and Victors, is all smiles. He says that business bas 'been better since the election than it has at any other time since the company began business two or three years ago. This company devotes most of its attention to the jobbing business, but it is building up a high class retail trade. Joseph Joiner, at his new store in Massachusetts avenue, is having a nice business in Columbias ana Victors. He believes that that part of the avenue which is just now enjoying a boom is a "comer." The Kipp-Link Co. are sending out letters to retail dealers over the state calling attention to the fact that Cbristmas is approaching and that now is the time to begin to get business. People are beginning to think about Christmas presents and there is no more desirable Christmas present than a good talking machine. The Kipp-Link Co. are carrying a larger stock of records and machines now than ever before and expect a great holiday business during the next month. Money was plentiful on Thanksgiving Day, according to the managers of the five-cent theaters. The theaters were crowded, particularly in the afternoon. The rush began between 1.30 and 2 o'clock. A harvest is coming for the five-cent theater men in the coming session of the legislature. Majorities in both branches are close between the Democrats and Republicans and there is a United States Senator to elect. It promises to be one of the most turbulent sessions in the history of the State and will draw many people to the city. One might not think so, but there are no better patrons of the five-cent theaters than the lawmakers. It is not uncommon for the legislators in parties to make the rounds of the five-cent houses. Then of course many others who are attracted to the city by thf^ session make good business for the five-cent houses and penny arcades. Most of the legislators come from points outside of Indianapolis. Many of them come from small cities and towns and some of thefa from the farm. The legislature will not be the only attraction during the next few months. Many important gatherings of State organizations are scheduled for the different hotels and assembly halls and many of them for the State House. Articles of incorporation have been filed at the office of the Secretary of State for the Victoria Amusement Co. at Lafayette. The capital stock is $10,000 and the directors are Anna A. Rice, William A. Florer and Felix G. Rice. One of the five-cent theaters at Muncie had quite an attraction recently in the form of a longtime piano player. The player whose name was J. M. Waterbury broke the world's record by playing continuously for 28 hours. A part of the time he was kept up by the fumes of ammonia, which was sprinkled over the floor. Many of the night owls of the town dropped in at different times during the night to see if he was keeping faith and they always found him pounding away. Indianapolis five-cent theaters have been free of contests and special inducements for several months. A year or two ago some of them conducted baby contests, but they finally came to the conclusion that the best thing was to keep striving in a conservative way until they caused the people to get the five-cent theater habit. A talking machine is not a present that is forgotten in a moment. It is one that is fully appreciated for years — every time it is played — and the cost is a trifle in comparison. Tell your neighbors so. Canadian Representatives THE R. S. WILLIAMS & SONS COMPANY TORONTO and WINNIPEG Trays and Labels Used in connection with The Monarch Midget Special THE illustration shows our popular Monarch Midget Revolving Rack with special openings of a sufficient size to accommodate Blackman's Folding Record Trays or other standard size tray equipped with Rapke Labels. The price of the Rack is the same as the Standard, but in ordering, be particular to mention the word SPECIAL. Prices on trays and labels are given in the Blackman Talking Machine Co. 's advertisement on page 31 . Holds 200 records ; does one-half of your selling. Get busy to-day. PRICE TO DEALERS, $10.00 Order from your jobber — he has them Syracuse Wire Works SYRACUSE, NEW YORK