The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 35 TIMELY TALKS ON TIMELY TOPICS foreign, a wider and more profitable market will be one outcome of this radical change in the future policy of the National Co. Once more the apparently interminable copyright controversy is before Congress again. What will be the outcome no one seems to be in a position to know or even venture a prediction carrying much weight. Elsewhere the work of the Berlin Copyright Congress is reviewed and commented upon by a competent authority from the talking machine point of view, and what the law-makers at the national capital will be urged to do in respect to this trade. A new bill has been prepared by Chairman Currier, of the House Paitents Committee, which was considered December 12. No action is expected before the holidays, and what will occur in the remaining days of the short session is in the realm of doubt, with a strong probability that the opposition of the record and automatic musical instrument manufacturers will be so strenuous as to compel the laying over of any inimical copyright measure to the next or Sixty-first Congress, that convenes in December, 1909. any time, and their originator may rest assured he will find the trade in a receptive mood. A double-horn proposition, in connection with their Edison line, is a novel selling plan introduced by Babson Bros., Chicago. The price does not conflict with the established figure of the Edison equipment, and has proven a big business "puller," especially in agricultural communities. As may well be paraphrased in this connection, "A little ingenuity now and then is just the thing for the talker men" when sales are in question. The new company referred to in last month's World as being incorporated with a capital of over $1,000,000, to manufacture and market a reproducing point, was not mentioned in a spirit of sarcasm. Far from it. The World simply spoke of the enterprise as. one whose reputed magnitude of capital appeared out of proportion to the reputed work in hand. The concern in question, who still decline to wholly reveal their intentions on account of pending foreign patents, claim to have invented a method of recording and reproducing sound entirely new and absolutely different from the practices and processes now in vogue. In other words, they are sanguine the present sound-box will be an archaic device when their inventions are given to the world. If such is really the case, the sooner the mysterious veil now concealing this wonder is removed the better. No one doubts that further and valuable developments may be looked for at Mme. Schumann-Heink in an interview with the reporter of a Berlin paper, stated that she did not consider New York the chief city ol American art appreciation, that "it is in the interior of the United States where the real enthusiasm is to be found." For instance, she noted more enthusiasm at Norway, Mich., where workmen willingly paid from one to three dollars a seat than in the city audiences, with their directoire gowns and jewels. Speaking of the sums paid first-class artists she said that there was some exaggeration in this connection. She admitted, however, that her 130 concerts in the United States in 1907 brought her $1,000 each, while she received $30,000 for 100 songs, which she sang for the Victor Talking Machine Co. On returning from Europe last month, Paul H. Cromelin, vice-president of the Columbia Phonograph Co., General, had this to say about the situation abroad: "The talking machine business is exceedingly quiet in Great Britain and Germany. In the latter country the competition is fierce almost beyond belief. Europe has felt our depression here keenly, and in Germany, which has sent enormous quantities of goods to the United States annually, the decrease of exports during the past year has been so tremendous as to cause alarm. We are the great market of the world, the most liberal buyers and consumers on the globe, consequently foreign manufacturers, producers and workers are so dependent on us that any business disturbance in this country affects them more than they ever dreamed was possible. The election of Taft to the Presidency, which means the return of normal conditions and permanent prosperity, has given satisfaction abroad." The official statement emanating from the National Phonograph Co., the details of which appear on another page of The World, regarding the discontinuance of their record factories in Europe and the reasons therefor will be read with interest by the foreign trade. It is a move fraught with the greatest importance, and will doubtless lead to a readjustment of the company's business abroad that will inure greatly to their advantage, besides guaranteeing the public a vastly improved product. As American-made goods command a readier sale as against the The name "Amberol," given to the new 4-minute Edison record, was not born until July, and is therefore only a little over five months old. It has been before the trade since August and before the public only since October 1. In that short time, however, it has become known in the remotest parts of the United States and Canada, and scarcely a phonograph owner in those countries does not know already that the Amherol record is the newest product of the Edison organization. The name already has a money value equal to a small fortune and promises in the future to he one of the most valuable assets of the National Phonograph Co., just as the names Sapolio, Uneeda, Pearline, etc., are worth millions to the companies controlling them. The name Amberol is this month being placed before the British public, and within three months more it will be a household word in every country MR. DEALER: The FIBRE NEEDLE offers you an opportunity to reach an entirely new class of customers — the kind that want music — real music — soft, sweet and mellow music. There is a touch of refinement and delicacy about the FIBRE NEEDLE that appeals to the lover of good music — the critic and the artist. Why not reach for this class ? Your jobber will supply your wants; if not, write direct to us. B. & H." FIBRE MFG. CO. 208 E. KINZIE STREET CHICAGO, ILL.