The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

32 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. TIMELY TALKS ON TIMELY TOPICS It is almost unnecessary to call special attention to the judicial decision that knocks the nefarious, not to say swindling, practice of "dubbing" into smithereens. The opinion of Judge Chatfield dealing this only too long deferred blow is reported elsewhere, and it will repay reading by every dealer and others who are twisted on property rights as denned by law. The Columbia Phonograph Co., General, New York, and the Victor Talking Machine Co., Camden, N. J., are to be congratulated upon their sweeping victory that establishes, beyond the peradventure of a doubt, the undisputed privilege of enjoying the emoluments and profits of property created by them at great expense, unremitting effort and praiseworthy enterprise. Judge Chatfield is also to be felicitated upon his clear and adequate handling of a complex question. Every contention of The World regard "dubbing" and its legal suppression has been upheld in this able opinion, sufficient cause, indeed, for such modest self-congratulation as may he indulged in. In these days of expensive publicity campaigns carried on by the talking machine manufacturing companies the writer is reminded of an incident that caused great hilarity in the office of The World. The company in point was quite prominent at the time, but now in eclipse, and their advertising manager was an experienced newspaper man, with peculiar ideas as to the scope, intent and functions of his position. The company referred to his opinions, of course, one of which was that the talking machine was primarily intended for the amusement and entertainment of wage-earners only. Ergo, his advertising should be placed in mediums read chiefly by the working people. The advertising manager's arguments on this contention were lengthy — often wearisome — and had a tendency to make his principals weary. Well, to make a long story short, as the fellow says who indulges in long-winded narrations, Mr. Advertising Manager selected an obscure pa.per in a quarter of Greater New York, where a large number of manufacturing plants are located, with the operatives living in the same section. He contracted for eight inches of space, "top of column, next to pure reading matter," as the professional advertising agent would technically describe the position occupied by the ad. The manager was sanguine of the results, and when a salesman was despatched to visit the dealers in that part of the city and take their orders he found them all in profound ignorance of the line so "liberally" exploited. Of course, the salesman expected nothing and he was not disappointed, while the advertising manager expressed his surprise. Think of this alongside of the National Phonograph Co.'s announcement that they would expend a half-million dollars this year for advertising, with the Victor Talking Machine Co., the Columbia Phonograph Co. and the Universal Talking Machine Manufacturing Co. using amounts for the same purpose running into equally altitudinous, if not higher, figures! With the basic patents of the talking machine industry adjudicated, the next litigation in order is said to be over the tone-arm inventions. The tone-arm horn is now in general use, and doubtless the basic patent — claimed by several — will come into its own some day, and then there will be more trouble and readjustment of conditions. The English decision referred to at length in another part of The World in no wise treats this matter on its patent merits, but only as to the maintenance of manufacturing rights in the United Kingdom under the recently enacted British law. From what has been going on in the trade for the past few months regarding the retirement and elimination of financially weak dealers, representative jobbers and distributers are sat isfied conditions will be greatly improved, from a selling point of view at least. In other words, the trade will be on a firmer and more substantial basis, and greater enterprise and more energy and versatility will undoubtedly be displayed in marketing goods. This is a blessing, and a spirit of thankfulness is therefore in order. , Finally, the tariff act is on the statute books, President Taft affixing his signature to the bill, thereby making it a law, August 5, and it went into effect the following day. Paragraph 468 of section 1 of the dutiable list provides: "Phonographs, gramophones, graphophones and similar articles and parts thereof, 45 per cent, ad valorem." This schedule, originally appearing in the House bill, remained unchanged throughout the vicissitudes attending the progress of the measure through both branches of Congress and into and out of the Conference Committees. The rate is the same as it was under the old law, so far as machines, etc., were concerned, but on some requisites there has been an increase of 10 per cent. If the passage of the tariff law has held the talking machine trade in restraint, the cloud has passed. Therefore, no other reasonable excuse for business lethargy being urged in extenuation thereof, no excuse can be made why things should not hum, and once more prosperity be restored and abide for an indefinite period, should that not be asking too much. While waiting upon Congress to pass the tariff bill President Taft had a few leisure moments between conferences which he turned to good account for himself and his friends. Of course, Washington weather during the summer is of the frizzling kind, and no one does anything more than was actually compulsory or to "hold down his job," and the rules were relaxed in this respect almost to the point of breaking. In the evenings, however, a different condition prevails. The inhabitants rouse from their siestas and "get a move on." At the White House the President, who had a Victor-Victrola installed (who was the lucky dealer to get the order?) entertained his callers and intimates with Red Seal numbers — operatic selections and classical gems. The favored audience were delighted, and the wonders of the Victrola contributed not a little to the enjoyment of these pleasurable occasions, besides being largely beneficial in distributing among otherwise discordant political elements much of the hearty good nature, congeniality and savoir faire of the affable chief executive. Now and again reports go forth that the disc record with the vertical line or up and down-cut sound wave, such as is familiar in connection with the cylinder record, is about to be introduced here on discs, and the sapphire reproducing point used in connection therewith. Once more the same declaration is made, and this time from a factor of machines who must either market that description of record or stay out of the business. To be sure the patent situation is not altogether to the liking of people who have been waiting to "butt in" for lo! these many years, and get a slice of the money which others have made possible by the expenditure of large sums, creating salable goods and protecting their rights under the law. Neither ridicule, coarse abuse or specious argument can change the legal aspect of affairs; nor is a market, even if only in a sympathetic sense, created by such questionable tactics. If a line of machines, records or any essential requisite possesses intrinsic merit, and can stand up against charges of infringement as conditions now exist, their recognition will not be long delayed. Everyone knows precisely the position occupied by sentiment in business. But all this is beside the sapphire point and the "hill-and-valley' disc record. Were one brought to the front that would stand the test, buyers would not be lacking. Laboratory experts aver that the same brilliant results cannot be obtained from a vertical cut on a disc record as with the lateral or zig-zag line, now used almost to the exclusion of the former. In this country it is absolutely unknown outside of perhaps the recording laboratory. A French company of repute contemplated placing such a disc on sale here — and the records were pronounced Al by those competent to judge — but for reasons unknown to the deponent the intention was abandoned. Possibly fear of litigation may have occasioned this weakness of heart, for the concern in question was amply buttressed with capital. At any rate, the trial was never made. Are we on the eve of its introduction now, or is the report merely idle gossip? As a general proposition mail order houses are looked at askance by the trade at large. Notwithstanding this strong prejudice, however, a few concerns who have embarked in the line on a large scale have been successful. As the selling prices are the same as any other jobber or dealer handling the same goods, no objection can be urged on this score. Curious tales are reported about some of these houses; that is, of their experience and not anything to their business discredit. Of course, firms of this calibre are obliged to carry heavy stocks, so as to be prepared to meet any delivering emergency. In this connection the principal of a western jobbing enterprise of magnitude recently stated that while their energies and resources were employed to promote the mail order business, not an effort was made to attract or obtain the trade of dealers. Despite this, however, dealers were regularly buying goods from them, possibly on the score that their orders could and would be filled promptly and completely. At first this part of the business was given little if any specific attention, but it had grown so that the firms were compelled to assign a special clerk to care for the orders, and so rapidly had it increased that $30,000 monthly was the net aggregate. The amounts, occasion no trouble, as the terms of payment — 30 days net — are strictly enforced. In narrating this incident, the senior member of the firm laughingly remarked: "This trade does not cost us a penny; it simply comes to us without solicitation, and when you can turn over $30,000 a month so easily it is like finding money." Another field of usefulness has opened up for the talking machine. The leading railroads of the country are seriously considering the entertainment possibilities of the "greatest discovery of modern times," and are installing them on their fast trains for the diversion of travelers. It is an excedingly happy thought. Recently it was officially announced that the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific line decided to equip all its limited service with Victor talking machines, contracting for a dozen high-grade numbers and a stock of records at an expense of $5,000. Experimental trials were first made on this road's Mountaineer Limited, and they were so great a success and gave so much pleasure to the passengers constituting the audience that the officials lost no time in recommending the installation of the machines oa the system's de luxe trains, where they will be placed in the observation car. The lucky dealer who landed the order is to be congratulated, especially if he originated the idea. As a suggestion for other progressive dealers all over the country it s a "pointer" of no small value to seize and act upon immediately, if not sooner. RAISED PRICES. __ A traveling man stopped at a small hotel one day ,&nd was charged 50 cents for his dinner. He asked the boy if he did not pay 25 cents about six weeks previous for the same meal. "Yes, sir," he said. "But a fellow come along and told dad that drummers would pay 50 cents as quick as they would a quarter, so dad riz the price."