The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 25 1 GRESHAM BUILDINGS, BASINGHALL STREET, LONDON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. Talking Machine Conditions Unsettled — The Hornless Instrument Growing in Favor — Strikes at Principal Ports Interfered with Export Shipments — National Grand Phone Co. to Exploit a Disc Record — Latest Gramophone Issues Interesting — Paul H. Cromelin Welcome — New Pathe Agent in Belfast — Outing of Hough Employes — Latest ZonoTwin Records — Talking Machine Houses Decorated in Honor of the Coronation — Canadian Copyright Bill — Some High Class Records Issued by the Columbia Co. — The Gramophone Co.'s Summer Campaign Succeeding— .Other Items of General Interest. (Si)ecial to Tlie Talking Macliine WorUl.) London. E. C, July "i. lUll. [''rom a general viewpoint talking machine conditions here are somewhat unsettled. With the advance of summer both record and machine sales are on the decline, although up to the present trade more than compares favorably with that e.xperience during an even time last year. The chief line of value from a sales point of \ievv is undoubtedly the portable hornless instrument, which is selling very well, indeed, with every class of buyer. Dealers regard this type of machine as their mainstay, for it is fairly easy to sell these just now, and they recognize that every machine sale means profitable business in records. Future prospects are unfortunately none too encouraging, for practically e\ery shipping port in the kingdom is affected by the decision of the Seamen's Union to call a general strike. Indeed, this has already occurred at many of the chief ports, and at the moment of writing the trouble continues to spread. Conflicting reports reach me as to a settlement, or compromise here and there, but the serious aspect of the case is only too c\ident. Many of the transatlantic liners are laid up for want of crews, and a large number of local services ha\e been interrupted. We can only look forward in the hope of an early settlement of the difficulty, Pathe Goods in Be'fast. Thos. Edens Osborne, of llclfast, has been appointed a factor for the Pathe goods. He will handle the various machine models, in adilition to the records. It is very evident, from the fact that Mr. Osborne has alrcadx c'lmmenced adwrttsing these well known i)roducts, that he is determined to establish a nice trade, Wc wish him the liest of success with his new ])rodiict. , Our Bankruptcy Laws. Discussing the failings of our bankruptcy laws, and in particular the enactment that every bankrupt shall prepare an account explaining exactly how his deficiency arises and \erify it b.\' aflidavit. a writer in the Draper's Record points out that ■'theoretically the idea is good, but in practice it falls a long way short of expectations. In cases where the bankrupt has not kept proper books, these accounts are often misleading, always !;'most useless, and not infrecjuently cover frauds of the grossest description. He suggests that a remedy is provided by the American law. which is the committal of the bankrupt to prison if. in the opinion of the court, he has failed satisfactorily to explain his deliciency, or if the court believes he is withholding facts deliberately." As it is hundreds of traders here run up debts in the full knowledge that they cannot meet their liabilities. And they can do ft with impunity. Agency for Favorite Interests Change Hands. A matter of special interest this month concerning the future of the Favorite record has been made known to the trade. During the last fourteen months the agency for this country has lieen held by O. Ruhl, Ltd., but they have decided to relinquish the handling of the record after June. The Fa\orite interests now pass into the hands of Karl F. Harth, wlio takes o\-er the English agency as and from July 1. This gentleman brings to bear a very wide experience in the marketing of machines and records, and although the Favorite record is well and favorably known in trade circles, we have no doubt but that under Mr. Harth's able guidance business will proceed as merrily as ever, and the record become even more popular than at present. Our readers should continue to forward their orders to the same address, 4-j City Road, London, E. C. The Automatic 'Phone. We are so interested in the development of new inventions that we are apt to overlook the ceaseless activity of those engaged in perfecting some of the older ideas. One is that of the automatic telephone exchange. A similar idea was put forward by a Mr. A. M. Thomson about ten years ago. In his system the number recpjired was built up on the instrument. It was sent to the telejihone exchange by a number of impulses. These actuated an electro magnetic counter device. The nuinber was made to appear in front of the operator. There were the usual plugs and cords for connecting the subscriber with the number which he called. There is no evidence that the system was ever used on a commercial scale. At the present time there are a large number of automatic telephones at work in the States. One of the manufacturers of these instruments in Chicago claims that there are 300,000 of them at work on their system. I-"rom the subscriber's point of view the matter is quite simple. The ordinary type of telephone is used, except that there is a small circular switch for opening the line. There are finger-holes on a face, and under each of these holes is a number. The finger is inserted over the figures which make up the number to be called and the dial is pulled round. If it is re(iuircd to call up 42t<. then the finger is placed over I and the dial pulled around to the stop. Similarly with 2 and 8. The number is then automatically connected. An aspect of the automatic system which is likely to make it popular is its complete secrecy. Clearing is also quite mstanl.T.eous. There is an increased cost with the automatic equipment, but it is claimed that this is ii;ore than counterbalanced by a reduction in the cost of ibe Imilding. the space reiiuired luing c >nsider;ibl\' less. The National Grand 'Phone Co. i the litk of ,1 new concern recently formed lo expli it a d sc record engraxed with a distinctive cut of its own. The capital of the company is £G,000, and their registered office is located at I8a New St. Flill, London, E. C. The invention of a gentleman of wide experience, jMr. Packman, this new record is said to be V cut on the hill-and-dale principle, and is played by an ordinary steel needle which touches the bottom only ; not the sides of the sound track. Under their special process of recording (at the standard speed ) and making of galvanos, they have produced a record which will carry an entire song and many musical selections unabridged. The average is fixe mir.utes on a 10-inch disc, and eight minutes for a 12-inch, although some of the former will run for six minutes. There ;s a noticeable absence of surface noise, and the tracking is perfect. It is a double-sided record, and will sell from 2s. fid. and upward. The record is characterized by a pure and natural tone, free from extraneous sounds, and of full volume. Obviously the commercial value of such an original product is almost unlimited in its scope, but the exigencies of present day competition in disc records is such as to exercise an adverse effect upon the sales of any new record, no matter how good it may be, unless well supported tinancially. We mention this matter in order to emphasize the fact that the record proposition under review is l.iacked not only by men of ability and great experience, but also by a large city firm of sound finance, whose policj^ it is to have the record marketed successfully. For the consummation of which we extend our hearty wishes. New Gramophone Issues. The special inid-monthly issues of Gramophone records are invariably gems, but we would particularly emphasize this fact in regard to the company's recent titles of "Tony from America," by iMiss Gertie Millar, one of her most successful songs from "The Quaker Girl" ; "The Two Obadiahs." by Geo. Grossmith, Jr.. and Edmund Payne; "Archibald. Certainly Xot !" by Geo. Robey, who has scored a great success with this song on tour, and "Gems from Peggy," part I. . and II., by the Light Opera Co., conclude a splendid little list which should prove of great value to every dealer. Since writing the above another special issue is announced, that of the "Homage Anthem" (Rejoice in the Lord), specially composed for the coronation ceremony by Sir Frederi.ck Bridge, organist of Westminster Abbey, and director of music at the coronation. The record is madeby the choristers and musicians who actually sung and played in the abbey on this. historic occasion. Apart from the beautiful singing of the abbey choir. Sir Frederick Bridge could not have chosen a more capable man for the solo part than iMr. Edward Lloyds the wonderful tenor, who emerged from his retirement for the express purpose of singing at the coronation of King George. It is altogether a magnificent, not to say unique, record of excellent tone, and is in great demand. The ordinary supplementarj^ list for July contains many pleasing selections, just the right kind in fact, for this time of v'ear. The titles are : "Baron Trer.ch." selections I. and II. (two records) (Albini); "El Abanico" (Javaloyes); "Convixial ]March" fO'Harra), and "Through the Valley March" (Waikcri. bv the band of H. M. C<.ildstream Guards; "Amina Serenade" (Lincke); "On the Cosphorous" (Lincke); "Luna Waltz" (Lincke), and "CJnkel Fichte" (Lincke), by Lincke's Orchestra; "Lighterman Tom'' (Square), Mr. Harry Dearth; "An Evening Song" (Blumenthal). iMr. John Harrison; "The Admiral's Broom" (Bevan). j\Ir. Thorpe Bates; "Larg<i (Ombra mai fu") (Handel), IMme. Edna Thornton: "Wee Jean Macgregor," Mr. Harry Lauder; "Slaxonic Dance in C" (Dvorak), the Renard Trio, and "Variations" (Tartini-Kreisler) . is a beautiful violin solo by Fritz Kreisler. There is also in the list a descriptive coronation record entitled "Heard During the Royal Progress Through London." which portrays in a most lifelike fashion the humors of a London crowd in waiting for the procession. W'e have not the space for a full description of the drama enacted, but would say that the representation as exempliiied by the record is a distinct success in every respect. Mr. Cromelin Warmly Received. As the future controller of the Edison business in the United Kingdom. Paul H. Cromelin has been most warmly received in trade circles here, and his altogether pleasing personality contributes not a little to softening the general regret felt in the departure of Mr. Thomas Graf, who shortly takes up his headquarters at the Edison Berlin olfice. iMr. Cromelin is collaborating with j\Ir. Graf in the copyright matter, and both have been so v ery busy in this direction as to preclude iiie time for any extended interview, but next month I shall doulitless be in a position to nrescr.t mv readers with iMr. Cromelin's view of the trade situation. Music by Wireless. Speaking at the Royal Institution. T. Thorne Baker, F. C. S.. described several new wonders in w^ireless telegraphy. One novelty of great interest was a keyboard instrument by wdiich musical sounds could be transmitted. During some