The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

10 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. KI Nl c/or ff)ps makers jv sellers of falkiny machines , WO] E?LJ EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Editor and Proprietor. J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor. Trade Representatives: /Glad. Henderson, C. Chace, L. E. P.owers, B. Brittain Wilson, A. J. Nicklin, August J. Timpe, L. M. Robinson. Boston: John H. Wilson, 824 Washington Street Chicago Oltlce: E. P. Van Harlingen, 87 So. Wabash Ave. Philadelphia: R. W. Kauffman. Minneapolis and St. Paul : Adolf Edstin. San Francisco : S. H. Gray. 88 First St Cleveland : G. F. Peescott. St. Louis: Clyde Jennings. Cincinnati: Jacob W. Walter. London, Eng., Ofllce: 1 Gresham Building, Basinghall St. W. Lionel Sturdy, Manager. Published the 15th of every month at 373 Fourth Ave., New York. SUBSCRIPTION (including postage). United States, Mexico, One Dollar per year; all other countries, $1.26. England and her colonies, five shillings. ADVERTISEMENTS: $2.50 per inch, single column, per insertion. On quarterly or yearly contracts a special discount is allowed Advertising Pages, $75.00. REMITTANCES should be made payable to Edward Lyman Bill by check or Post Office Order. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. — Advertising copy should reach this office by the first of each month. By following this rule clients will greatly facilitate work at the publication headquarters. Long Distance Telephones — Numbers 5982-5983 Madison Sq. Cable Address: "Elbill," New York. NEW YORK, JANUARY 15, 1913. THE business craft has been launched for the new year, and sails are. now set for an eventful voyage during 1913. Whether it arrives at the port of success depends entirely on the soundness of the craft and the ability of the men to run it. One thing is sure, the year just opened can be made one of good, sound business profit by talking machine men who look at the situation as it is, who do not fool themselves as to conditions, and who go ahead resolutely, and courageously developing a business campaign on advanced lines. Basing opinions on reports which come from eminent authorities in the financial and commercial worlds, the conditions for 1913 point unerringly to a era of prosperity. At no period in its history has the talking machine and its position as a musical and educational factor been so greatly appreciated or understood as to-day. This is due, first and foremost, to the perfection attained by the manufacturers in the production of machines and records, and to the exploitation which they are receiving in national periodicals. This great educational campaign is now being better supported and supplemented by the right kind of work on the part of the retail selling forces. This. means much for the future of the business. In the past too many of the men selling talking machines did not fully appreciate the remarkable merits of the product which they were offering to the public, nor did they seem to understand the importance of doing their share in bringing them before their local clientele by means of vigorous publicity. There has been a tremendous awakening, and talking machine men now generally comprehend the importance of wellestablished and equipped wareroOms or attractive windows, and the value of recitals and other publicity to interest the public in their product. Talking machine merchants and salesmen are displaying a keener interest and more enthusiasm in their work. To such people the talking machine business opens up opportunities which are bound to pay a goodly return in increased business and profits. The steadily increasing demand for talking machines of the better grade indicates that the product is steadily increasing its army of friends among those who are best able to judge of its artistic values. To-day the talking machine has reached a point where it supplies the demand of discriminating people for a perfect entertainer and instructor, and judging from the con tinued labors of inventors there will be no let up in its development. ONE of the most gratifying developments in the talking machine field during the past year has been the increased appreciation and understanding of the talking machine as a musical factor in the community. This feeling is not confined to any one section of the country. Travel where you will, you will find that old-time prejudices against the talking machine have disappeared. This is true particularly among teachers and others in the musical world, who sneered at the talking machine and calculated that it would "debase" musical art. These people have been converted from their heresies, and to-day they are paying tribute to the talking machine by using it, not only in their homes but in their studios, as a means of enlightening pupils how certain noted artists interpret famous operatic roles. This is a tribute not only to the reproductive perfection of the talking machine, but to the perfection of the record. And properly, for in this department of manufacture wonders have been accomplished along the lines of artistic completeness Plato, in his "Republic," declares that among the factors which make for the development of an ideal state "musical training is a more potent instrument than any other." And the reason assigned is this : "Because rhythm and harmony find their way into the secret places of the soul, imparting grace, and making the soul graceful of him who is rightly educated, or ungraceful of him who is ill-educated." If, therefore, "sweetness and light" are the distinguishing characteristics of the noblest manhood and womanhood, and music makes for these traits, then any man who contributes to the spread of musical taste is a public benefactor, whether it is done in the name of philanthropy or primarily as a matter of business. Indeed, the talking machine manufacturers and merchants who are distributing their products are to-day doing service of the highest possible order in stimulating musical taste and appreciation in America. Through the aid of the "talker" the greatest artists of the world have been brought into the homes of the people and have been made acquainted with the works of the masters, and in this way their tastes have been elevated and a new vista opened up to them in a musical way. A PUBLIC acknowledgment of the value of the talking machine as an educational factor came within the hearing of the writer during a recent visit at the Wadleigh High School in New York, to hear a lecture on "Music in the Home." The lecturer, in speaking of the various factors that are influencing musical taste to-day, spoke in flattering terms of the talking machine. He considered it one of the greatest influences for good, and gave it as his belief that the continued hearing of good songs by means of the talking machine could not but engender a liking for a better class of music, and especially among the young people would it stimulate a love for music which could not be attained in any other way. This spontaneous tribute to the talking machine was not influenced by any monetary consideration, but rather a statement of fact based upon observation. In this busy country of ours work and business of all kinds are conducted under a great strain. There is little time, as in the old world, for contemplation or concentration. When many people return to their homes in the evening they are either mentally or physically tired, and just in a receptive mood to listen to and enjoy a good song or instrumental number played on the talking machine. This may be considered merely entertainment . It is more. It conveys a knowledge to the hearer of a special song or a certain class of music, which in time he is bound to like, and in this way his tastes are sharpened and his love for music broadened and accentuated. The merchant will do well to get this viewpoint— that the talking machine to-day is far different from the toy of years ago, that it is now a musical instrument of tremendous scope, one that