The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1909)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 9 WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS. Hazy Ideas of Daily Paper Writers Regarding the Talking Machine of To-day — One Paper Condemns Talker as Adjunct to Church Services in Manner That Betrays Pure Ignorance— Has Already Won a Place in Sacred Work — Dealers Should Make Subject Clear to Editors in Their Own Cities. That there are still some editors and writers connected with the daily papers who have hazy ideas about the present-day talking machine is clearly evident from the remarks which come under our notice from time to time. For instance, discussing the progress of the talking machine editorially in a Western paper recently, the writer says: "It has been suggested that the talking machine may be used also for public prayers, or for soloists in the church choir, and finally act as a substitute for the whole religious service. Think of a combination of diaphragms and revolving cylinders taking the place of sermon, hymns and players! The proposition sounds almost uncanny. There is something almost sacrilegiously suggestive about it. Is this the proper thing to be used in the worship of God? It is hard to resist the belief that a man who is converted under the influence of one of these screeching, sputtering machines had a mighty little soul to commence with. The talking machine might be used as a substitute for campaign speakers, for much of the stuff they tell the voter couldn't be worse; but when it comes to religious worship — but why say more to anyone who has ever been tortured by one of these public nuisances?" This is the veriest kind of rot. The writer doesn't know what he is talking about, for if he made inquiries he would know that in hundreds of churches to-day the talking machine is utilized to good purpose. Instead of "torturing," or "debasing," it is elevating the human mind. As a matter of fact, there cannot be a comparison between the efforts of a lot of amateurs in the church choir and the magnificent singing of a sacred song, or hymn, by one of our great singers, through the medium of the talking machine. And, when accompanied by some musical instrument, either the organ, piano or strings, it is still more effective. Talking machines are being employed to-day to supply music both instrumentally and vocally in a number of churches, and the congregations and ministers speak highly of them. Only last week we had the pleasure of conversing with the minister of a church in New York, who has used the Victor Victrola in his church services for over a year past. He, as well as his parishioners, are most enthusiastic over the splendid effects obtainable. By this means many famous artists are heard in vocal solos between tne regular choral services of the church. Contrary to the opinion of the editor above referred to, we hold that the talking machine is a proper thing to be used in the worship of God. We would much prefer to hear a good singer through the medium of the talking machine than to hear the efforts of so many ambitious amateurs in the choir loft. The former gives pleasure; the latter often inflicts torture. As a substitute for the minister the talking machine has also been employed to good purpose in the church. There are several cases on record where ministers, having been confined to their homes through illness, have made records of their sermons and had them delivered in the church. One minister in Sullivan County, New York, whose parish extends for thirty miles, has been able on off Sundays to send records of his sermons to his parishioners in outlying districts, and in this way he has provided spiritual aid and help every Sunday during the year, where formerly he was only able to visit the country churches personally every third or fourth Sunday. So it will be seen that in the religious sphere, as in that of amusement, the talking machine has a raison d'etre. This kind of balderdash — maligning and underestimating the talking machine — which we read of from time to time in the daily papers, is becoming tiresome, and it would be hardly worthy of serious consideration were it not that comments of this nature have a tendency to misinform and mislead the public. As we said last month, dealers should make it a point that whenever comments of this character appear to educate the editor or writer by inviting him to their store and demonstrate the remarkable development and merits of the modern talking machine for his benefit. Thus they can make him "eat the leek," as the Bard of Avon puts it. "Last week the retail business began picking up, and it now looks as though we were going to have our usual holiday rush. We have on exhibition two new styles of the Grafonolas, and we expect the third style any day now." SOUSA RENEWS CONTRACT With Victor Talking Machine Co. for the Making of Disc Records. John Philip Sousa, whose band for the last nine years has made records exclusively for the Victor Talking Machine Co., has just re GIVE EXCELLENT PUBLICITY. Grinnell Bros., Detroit, Fit Up "Victrola Hall and Give Noon Hour Concert Daily. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Detroit, Mich., Dec. 6, 1909. Grinnell Bros, have adopted a unique method to advertise the Victrola. They have fitted up a hall in the basement of their store that they have named "Victrola," and every noon between the hours of 11.30 and 1.30 o'clock they give a concert for the benefit of those desiring to hear good music. The hall is the best arranged of any similar place between New York and Chicago, the management of Grinnell Bros, say, and every effort is made by those in charge of the Victrola entertainment to give the audience a first-class concert every day. Talking machine stores have not enjoyed as large a business this fall as other lines in the music field. "Our wholesale business has been unusually good all fall, but our retail business up to a week ago has been poor," says K. M. Johns, the local manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA. newed the agreement giving the Victor Co. the exclusive services of Sousa's Band for making disc records. Sousa's band records have always enjoyed large sales, and both parties to the agreement are to be congratulated on its renewal. Standard Talking Machine Co. W Pittsburg, Pa. 2 2 E Send Us Your Rush Orders We Can Ship At Once £ S * 3 VICTROLAS . U Victor $10.00 Machines Victor $32.50 Machines O jJ Victor $17.50 Machines Victor $40.00 Machines ^ Z Victor $25.00 Machines Victor $50.00 Machines 3 Victor $60.00 Machines £ 2 EVERY VICTOR RECORD IN CATALOGUE c Ui z Id H ^ Edison Gem Machines P O Edison Fireside Machines Edison Home Machines ^ C Edison Standard Machines Edison Triumph Machines J53 S EVERY EDISON RECORD IN CATALOGUE | o \ ■ m 5 Standard Talking Machine Co. jr^ Pittsburg, Pa,