The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1912)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 31 OFFICERS OF EDISON CO. WILL NOT ATTEND CONVENTION. Reasons Set Forth in Communication to Secretary Roush Charging That His Activity for Proxies Is Inconsistent with Association Usefulness — Mr Roush's Letter in Which He Says His Act Was a Personal One. Talking machine jobbers throughout the country have received a communication from C. H. Wilson, general manager of Thos. A. Edison, Inc., to the effect that he, as well as Mr. Edison, Mr. Dyer and the other officials of the corporation have officially declined the invitations to attend the annual convention of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers at Atlantic City on July 1 and 2. The reasons leading up to this decision are to be found in the following letter addressed to J. C. Roush, under date of June 4 : Orange, N. J., Tune i, 1912. Mr. J. C. Roush, Secretary, National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, Pittsburgh, Pa. Dear Sir: — With reference to the invitations extended to Messrs. Edison and Dyer and other officials of this company to attend the annual convention of Talking Machine Jobbers, at Atlantic City, on July 1 and 2, let us say that we cannot consistently accept such invitations and they ar.e therefore declined. It has come to our knowledge that you have been conducting a campaign for proxies and that you have invoked support for the alleged reason that this company, to quote vour language, ' "purposes using every effort to elect an entire Edison ticket * * * a ticket that would be wholly prejudiced in favor of the Edison line." You state in your letter to jobbers on this subject that you understand this "on mighty good authority." We challenge you to cite that authority. We also challenge you to name the source and character of any information you may have which tends to support your statement concerning the attitude of this company in this matter. It is untrue that we have used or proposed to use, or ever had any intention of using any effort whatever to influence the nomination or election of any candidate for any office within the gift of the association. Your aforesaid letter also contains the following statement: "As our interest (meaning the interest of yourself and those to whom your letter was addressed) are 95 per cent. Victor, it would be — to say the least — very foolish for us to allow the Edison faction to secure control of the association, ■ etc." Are we to understand that your conception of the National Talking Machine Jobbers' Association is that it must he the tool of one of the talking machine manufacturers, and that your duty as secretary is to make the association the tool of the manufacturer, with whom, as you say, 95 per cent, of your interests lie? If such is your conception of your duty, and if such ideas are shared by a majority of the association members, we feel that the usefulness of the association to its members is at an end. We hope that the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers will not become subservient to any manufacturer, and that it will continue to serve and promote the interests of its members in an impartial and intelligent manner. However, if your methods are to be endorsed by the association, we do not feel that any good purpose would be served by the continuance of past relations between that association and this company. We understand that the ticket for which you have been seeking proxies was announced by you as having been selected by the Executive Committee of the association. Wo have seen a letter from a prominent member of the Executive Committee in which he states that the committee has not to his knowledge suggested the names of any candidates to be elected at the annual convention. We trust that the foregoing letter makes our position plain and with that belief are sending a copy of it to each member of the association. Very truly yours, (Signed) C. H. Wilson, General Manager. In addition to the foregoing Mr. Wilson sent the following letter to the entire jobbing trade, so that they may more fully understand the position of his company : June i, 1912. Gentlemen — You may perhaps be interested to learn that we have decided not to attend the annual convention of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers at Atlantic City, next month. Our reasons for this decision are set forth in our letter of to-day to Mr. J. C. Roush, secretary of such association. A copy of that letter is enclosed herewith. We also enclose copy of a letter set out by Mr. Roush to various jobbers seeking their proxies in behalf of a ticket purporting to have been selected by the Executive Committee. In support of this ticket Mr. Roush asserts that this company will seek the election of what he calls an "Edison ticket." We have never had any intention of making any effort whatever to influence the nomination or election of any person to any office in the association. Our letter to Mr. Roush states our conviction in the matter, and it is probably not necessary to make any additional comment. Our attitude toward the jobbing trade and its individual members will, of course, remain unaffected by the position we have felt it necessary to take in regard to Mr. Roush's methods of conducting the affairs of the association. Very truly yours, (Signed) C. H. Wilson, General Manager. The letter written by Mr. Roush and referred to by Mr. Wilson in the foregoing communication to jobbers is as follows : May 24, 1912. Dear Sir: — For just about three minutes I want your undivided attention about a matter that is vitally personal to both you and me. On mighty good authority I understand that the Edison Company propose using every effort to elect an entire Edison ticket at our coming convention — a ticket that would be wholly prejudiced in favor of the Edison line. You will recall that for the last two or more years we have had absolutely NO Edison concessions granted our association, every concession in all that time coming from the Victor Company. As our interests are 95 per cent. Victor, it would be — to say the least — very foolish for us to allow the Edison faction to secure control of the association and the movement should be nipped in the bud! Therefore, even though you intend being at the convention I want you to sign and send to me at once the ENCLOSED PROXY FOR THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE only. Leave the rest to me. This is of the utmost importance. Don't lay this down and forget it. Sign it NOW and drop it in the mail NOW! With thanks and warmest regards, yours sincerely, (Signed) J. C. Roush, of Pittsburgh. A LETTER FROM J. C. ROUSH. J. C. Roush, secretary of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, explains his attitude in the following communication sent to Carl H. Wilson, general manager of Thos. A. Edison, Inc. Pittsburgh, Pa., June 11, 1912. Mr. Carl H. Wilson, General Manager, Thos. A. Edison, Inc., Orange, N. J. : Dear Sir — The writer regrets that his personal political activity has prompted you and your associates to decline the invitation of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers to attend their sixth annual convention. The letter which you refer to as having suggested the necessity of taking this step, you will, I believe, upon further consideration, grant was a personal act, and not an official one. clearly indicated by the fact that same was transmitted on my own personal stationery, unattended by any official signature, and was addressed only to such distributers whose interests, as stated, were 95 per cent. Victor, or close to same. The writer, in accepting the office of secretary of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, had no intention of relinquishing his rights as an individual, nor sacrifice those interests with which his past and what he believes his future success lies. Even had I, as secretary of this organization, endeavored to secure representation favorable to the company with whose interests my own interests and those of the majority of the members of the association are allied, I believe I should not have committed an indiscretion by such an act, as the company who has, in the most instances, acted favorably upon the suggestions of the association, and who are at the present time supporting the industry, are certainly entitled to our greatest consideration. Regarding the interest evinced by the members of your company and your challenge that I present proofs to subslantiate my statement, I must, with the same grace that you have declined the invitation of the National Association, refuse to betray the confidence of those from whom this information was secured. I can only repeat that this information was received from what I believe was an authentic source, and acting upon this belief, I believe it will be granted by you my right to assist in the election of such officers in whose fairness and integrity I feel the greatest confidence, and whom I believe will maintain friendly relations with the manufacturer to whose support I must look for my business success. The entire association has been maintained, as far as my knowledge of its workings are concerned, to the benefit of all its members. While seeking, diplomatically, such concessions as we believe for the best interests of the industry, it has never become subservient to the manufacturers, nor does it intend doing so. The writer, as an individual, shall not attempt to force upon you an invitation which is apparently undesirable, but the secretary of the association, I can assure you and the members of your company a most cordial reception at our convention. The paragraph pertaining to the act of the executive committee in suggesting a ticket for nomination at the next election, has no bearing on the matter under discussion, but for your information I beg to advise you that the above mentioned ticket had and has the approval of the majority of the present executive committee. Yours very truly, J. C. Roush, Secretary. No placard is needed on the Washington Monument to call attention to the fact that it's tall. Waste no time on the obvious, NEW START AND STOP DEVICE For Disc Talking Machines Just Placed on the Market by a New York Concern — The Invention of Thos. W. Kirkman, a Clever Young Mechanical Engineer — Some of the Interesting and Valuable Features of the New Device and Its Many Advantages. A new and practical combined starting and stopping device for disc talking machines which has just been put on the market by the Standard Gramophone Appliance Co. of New York, offers many new features for the consideration of the talking machine enthusiast and is expected to fill a substantial demand in that quarter. The new device, known as the "Simplex," is the invention of Thomas W. Kirkman, a clever young mechanical engineer, who spent over a year in its development before the device was placed on the market as a finished product. The device, which is entirely automatic in its operations, does not inter Thos. W. Kirkman. fere in any way with any part of the machine, but is permanently attached to the cabinet midway between the tone arm bracket and the turntable; by means of this attachment the necessity of the regulation brake is eliminated. The "Simplex" device itself and a sketch of the attachment placed in position is shown in the advertisement of the Standard Gramophone Appliance Co. on another page of this month's World. Among the advantages claimed for the "Simplex" is that it is simple but positive in its action; does not interfere with any part of the talking machine; does not jar the sound box, and in stopping permits of several revolutions of the record. By the latter means there is no danger of the record being scratched through a sudden thump, and therefore remains uninjured. The "Simplex" at present on the market is intended solely for use on Victor machines, but Mr. Kirkman is at present working on a model for use on all other makes of this machine which will be ready at an early date. The Standard Gramophone Appliance Co., manufacturers of the "Simplex," was but recently organized, with Richard P. Hart as president and treasurer, and Mr. Kirkman, the inventor, as secretary and general manager. The company intends to engage in the manufacture of numerous other novelties, and Mr. Kirkman has already perfected a new automatic lighter which uses the ordinary type of safety match, permits its being lighted and insures its staying lighted in any breeze. The Talking Machine Supply Co., 563 Fifth avenue, New York, is the sole sales agent for the "Simplex" start and stop device, and inquiries regarding same should be forwarded to that company. EIGHT TO THE POINT. Push gets a bridge built, while Patience waits for winter, planning to cross on the ice,