The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1912)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. S3 1 GRESHAM BUILDINGS, BASI NGH ALL STREET, LONDON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. Strike of the Coal Miners Has Demoralized Business Generally — Talking Machine Industry, Both Wholesale and Retail, Seriously Affected — Trade Showing for January Not Unsatisfactory — General Situation Interestingly Reviewed — Record Manufacturers and the New Copyright Law — Important Meeting Held — Amberol Exchange Scheme — A Budget of Columbia News — New Edison Machine Helps to Concentrate Interest in That Line — Talking Machine Conditions in Russia the Subject of Some Illuminating Comments by a Continental Trader — The Outlook in England as Discussed by the World Correspondent Will Interest American Readers. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London, E. C, March 2, 1912. Talking machine conditions on this side do not warrant any special attitude in the direction of pessimism, but one is not inclined to view matters in a too favorable light. Allowing for circumstances which change from day to day, the outlook, however, at the moment of writing is distinctly serious, for the sole reason, let me say, that we are no nearer a solution of the difficulties which beset that most important of industries — the getting of coal — upon which practically all others arc dependent. My American readers will ■be' fully cognizant of the position in which we are unfortunately placed, and doubtless the gravity of the case is fully apparent to business men. Details are therefore unnecessary in a publication of this character, but it is perhaps expedient to emphasize the enormously disastrous effect upon an industry such as ours which must follow a cessation of work in the coal mines. Although trade is still pursuing a fairly even course at the moment and everyone is bringing to bear a praiseworthy spirit of optimism, one cannot disguise the insidious signs which portend the cancellation and delivery — suspension— of orders. So far this state of things is only conspicuous by its absence, but the holding up of talking machine trade in some directions, though of little proportion, is, however, clearly indicative of the growing feeling of insecurity in the minds of dealers and factors alike. Manufacturers are necessarily somewhat concerned as to the ultimate outcome of the negotiations for a settlement, and business plans for the time being are tacitly understood and accepted as being dependent upon future events. In other directions there are strong signs of industrial unrest, and while the men's leaders are paid to agitate, one is inclined to view lockouts and strikes as an institutional legacy. That rather savors of politics, so ring down the curtain. Latest Trade Returns. January trade returns up to the last week in the month were not unsatisfactory. Manufacturers and wholesalers found things fairly busy, but the dealers experienced a slight falling off in sales. With the advance of the cycling season this is not unexpected, but the extra distributing recruits secured each year among musical instrument traders is synonymous with a prolongation of the season and less dependence upon the cycle agent class of dealer. The once much-maligned talking machine is coming into its own, and to-day there are very few really up to date musical instrument shops where it is not on sale. In this, its proper sphere, must lay steady progress commercially, and I do not despair of the day when music will be an applied descriptive term universally associated with the so-called "talking machine." The Subsidizing of Records. A peculiar, not to say interesting, feature of the trade situation here is the subsidizing of records issued under separately distinctive labels by certain manufacturers of well known standard products. It is the outcome of price-cutting. As an example, let us say a double record emanating from the Continent is placed on sale here at the list price of 2s. 6d., is sold to factors at a price within two pence or three halfpence of one shilling by way of discounts and secret bonuses, and it is sold by the factor to the dealer in some instances at as low as one or two pence profit, thus enabling the latter to retail it at Is. 3d., Is. 4d., or at a figure varying slightly within a few pence, according to the conditions or status of different districts. Even some of the leading makes are somehow retailed at the latter prices, although I do not suggest in this case that the aforementioned wholesale rate rules. What is the result? Just this : Complaints galore from responsible dealers that it is impossible to maintain the full price in view of the close proximity of the cutter and that unless "something" is done to stop it they will either be compelled to relinquish sale of records or do likewise. A few manufacturers thereupon make half-hearted attempts to locate the source of supply with a view to putting a spoke in the wheel of the price cutter, and usually fail — fail because of the lack of co-operation among themselves and consideration of competitive interests which stays their hands, although in nine cases out of ten they know full well the names of the defaulters who supply the price-cutting dealers. Some of the big manufacturers, by a peculiar process of reasoning which I will not attempt to fathom, now strike out in a direction that is distinctly interesting, to say the least. In order to meet this growing and increasingly powerful competitive state of things they argue that they will not openly reduce the price of their standard product. No ! But unto the parent shall be born a child. In an atmosphere of illegitimacy this offspring makes its appearance in charge of a foster mother represented in the person of a factor who, in consideration of promising to sacredly maintain the price of the parent record, is allowed to issue the progeny as his own and cast it duly labeled to the trade wolves to do with as they like. That is the new situation in a nutshell. Further comment is, I think, superfluous. Copyright News. My last allusion to this subject breathed rather of suggestion that record manufacturers were exhibiting a policy of indifference as to the effects of the act upon this industry. Whether or not it acted as a stimulant I would not venture to express an opinion, but the fact remains that a private meeting of manufacturers was recently called at the instance of the Columbia Co. officials. The Gramophone Co. I am assured was not represented at this meeting, and to which, by the way, the press was denied admittance. As far as one can gather, the conference had for its object the formation of some joint protective measures to regulate conditions governing the collection and payment of royalties. This private association is probably the sequel to the recent activity in the publishers' camp, where they are busily engaged upon the formation of a scheme for an adequate and systematic method of gathering in the spoils of war. A society is in course of being which has the support of all the leading publishers and composers. That they mean to take full advantage of their new prospects under the act is tolerably clear, and while recognizing their lawful right in this respect it is pleasing and satisfactory to observe the counter-checks and moves operated by record manufacturers in the great game now proceeding. At the meeting of record makers Paul H. Cromelin occupied the chair, and the following traders were present : Messrs. Sterling and Shields, Columbia Co. ; J. E. Hough, Messrs. Turner and Sheard, Pathe Freres ; A. Balcombe, O. Ruhl, Ltd.; W. Samuel, Barnett, Samuel & Sons, Ltd.; B. Andres, Homophone Co. ; F. Chapman, Sound Recording Co. ; P. Blum, Blum & Co., and O. Fellheimer, Polyphone Record Co. National Co. Contributes to Dickens Fund. The National Phonograph Co., Ltd., Paul H. Cromelin managing director, has very generously contributed twenty-five guineas to the Daily Telegraph fund for Dickens' granddaughters. Significant! Barnett, Samuel & Sons, Ltd., this city, announce that^the Kubelik Fonotipia records will in future be sold at four shillings less than the prices hitherto charged. First Amberol Exchange Scheme. The first Amberol exchange scheme inaugurated by the Edison Co. has just terminated. It was based on a liberal plan, full credit being given for did or broken records and, according to all reports, was accorded a very hearty welcome by the trade, which took full advantage of the generous provisions allowed. Trust Rumor Denied. The Cologne Gazette recently gave currency to an amusing report which it had "lifted" from another German newspaper. In effect it was stated that "negotiations had commenced with a view to the establishment of an international general trust of all American, English and German gramophone companies." Inquiries in authoritative quarters failed to elicit a confirmation, and the report has since been denied. New Zonophone Offerings. A real galaxy of good things is offered this month by the British Zonophone Co. Its March list is a real "stunner" as regards titles, all the latest and best being listed therein. Some examples to hand are: 10-inch — "Arcadee" (F. Godfrey) and "The Gramophone Song," Vesta Victoria; "Heva, Hiva, Ho" (Stater), and "Once Aboard the Lugger," Peter Dawson; "The Song My Mammy Sang" and "When Life's Sun Is Setting" (Tate), Herbert Payne; "Austrian National Anthem" (Leonard), and "Reverie" (Rudenyi), (violin solo), Jan Rudenyi; "There Goes a Vagabond" (Long), and "They Want a Little Girlie Over There," Flora Cromer ;_ "Peggy" Selection I and Selection II (Leslie Stuart), Black Diamond's Band. "His Master's Voice" Records for March. One can only describe the March list of "His Master's Voice" records as being better than ever. Each month seems to mark a step forward, and although the Gramophone Co. is here regarded by all as the supreme concern, they themselves never relax their efforts after improvement, and this is clearly reflected in recent record issues. As to quality of tone and recording the March impressions are about as near perfection as it is possible to obtain under existing methods, and in the matter of artists it is common knowledge that only the very best are invited to sing or play, as the case may be, for "His Master's Voice" records. The complete list of titles for March is as follows: 12-inch : "Quaker Girl," Selections I and II (Monckton), band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "Ruy Bias Overture" (Mendelssohn) and "Oberon Overture" (Weber), New Symphony; "Reviens Waltz" ("Come Back to Me") (Fragson-Christine) , Gottlieb's Orchestra; "Good-By" (Tosti),'* Mme. Agnes Nicholls; "Angus MacDonald" (Roeckel). Mme. Edna Thornton; "Wot Cher?" (or "Knocked 'Em in the Old Kent Road") (Ingle), Albert Chevalier; "Deoch-an-Doris" (Lauder), Harry Lauder; "Dreamland" (Garstien), Margaret Cooper; "The Scene Shifter's Lament," Alfred Lester ; "Romance from D Minor Concerto" ( Wieniawski), Francis Macmillen, (violin) ; "Lohengrin's Narrative" (Lohengrin) (Wagner), Evan Williams, and "Marna" (Oliver), Peter Dawson. 1 0-inch: "Salome Intermezzo (Loraine), band of H. M. Coldstream Guards; "La Mousme Dance" (Wood), Mayfair Orchestra; "Sink, Red Sun" (Del Riege), Marion Beeby; "In 1950" (Jackson), (Continued on page 34.)