The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

TTTE TAT7KTNG MACHTNE WORLD. 11 has earrtcd the fight to recognition, no matter where it is sold. It should arouse his enthusiasm, and he should sympathize in a practical way with the efforts made by the manufacturers to acquaint the public with its possibilities whether in the school, in the church, in the studio, or in the home. A READER of The Talking Machine World asks the following question : "Will you be good enough to give me your opinion regarding the use of proxies at conventions?" Certainly we will, but our friend did not state specifically what kind of conventions he had in mind, and that is a very important matter to settle before answering the question. If he means trade conventions we would say that such action must be governed entirely by the by-laws under which the organization works. There is no opinion to express in a matter of this kind. If the by-laws distinctly' say that proxies should be used, then their use is in perfect form and there is no violation of rules whatsoever in securing them by members of the association. If our reader means his question to apply to the Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, we would say that we are inclined to believe that the gentlemen connected with that organization are perfectly capable of managing its affairs without any special suggestions from us. And right here we may say that a meeting of the Talking Machine Jobbers' Association is to be held in this city on January 14 and 15, the day when this paper appears, discussing many matters which may properly come before the meeting. It is understood that one of the leading subjects which will be up for discussion will be amending the by-laws so that the use of proxies for the election of officers at the annual meeting may be rescinded. Should the by-laws be changed to harmonize with this suggestion, it is proposed to retain the proxy privileges to apply to all other purposes. After the Atlantic City Convention last year the use of proxies for the annual election of officers was discussed and a good many opinions were expressed which did not favor their use — in fact, some members did not hestitate to condemn the custom in the strongest terms. As a matter of fact, we believe that when proxies are given by members of such an association they should be accompanied by an explicit statement that the party has a preference for a particular nominee for stated offices. In no other way, in our opinion, can the giving of proxies work out satisfactorily and avoid the creation of ill feeling. W e might go a step further and say that it is hardly fair to the men who devote time and money to attend conventions to have their proxies nullified to a large extent by having proxies given by men who do not care enough about the Association to make any outlay to support it. Really, the men who are engaged in the building up of the Association are the ones best qualified to judge as to its proper management and as to what rules should safeguard its future. We do not know what action the meeting in New York may take at this writing, but we repeat that it is a matter entirely up to the members of the Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, or any other association for that matter, to establish rules which shall govern the organization. If men do not care enough about the Association to participate in its workings, they have no moral right at least to sit back and critize the actions of men who are devoting serious thought to its advance! A DECISION of national interest and one which covers a most important issue was that handed down by Judge Hazel in the United States District Court recently in the suit of the American Graphophone Co. against C. A. Pickard, as assignee of the Hill Piano Co., Waterton, N. Y., which some time ago became involved in financial difficulties. The question under consideration was whether the threatened violation by the assignee of the contract containing restrictions as to the selling' price of Columbia goods signed by his assignor constituted contributary infringement. In this respect the court decided in the affirmative, and thus for the time definitely decides a question on its merits which has been of long standing. The court held that the defendant assignee could not by the assignment to himself for the benefit of creditors secure any greater right to sell the patented articles than had his assignor. Thus the right of the Federal Court to enjoin the assignee appointed by the State Court is confirmed and the right of the assignee to sell at cut prices denied, the court holding that this he had no right to do, and enjoins him from doing. The circumstances leading to the suit are interesting and as set forth elsewhere in this issue of The World are. well worth reading. From the start the American Graphophone Co. was determined to assert its rights in this matter, and its attorneys took, such steps that a rehearing was brought about, followed by the decision of Judge Hazel reinstating the original restraining order, which prevents the assignee from selling the goods at public auction. IN the establishment of credits it is now conceded that business management with its orderly, exact cost accounting and moneysaving efficiency system, is a factor of tremendous importance which is considered and weighed by banking interests who recognize its advantages in the development of modern industrial enterprise. Conditions in the manufacturing field are being watched more and more, for the industry which is capably conducted has a relatively greater borrowing capacity than one which has failed to keep abreast of the times, even though it may have behind it many years of successful operation. Those lynx-eyed men at the head of our great credit systems, keep a close watch, not only on the young industry, but on the old, in the fear that the latter may be retarding its progress to its own loss, and to the gain of its more progressive competitors. With these changes come corresponding revisions in credits. Institutions are judged by their actions ; in other words, there can be no resting on past achievements in the manufacturing world. Constant advance must be in evidence. Dry rot must be eliminated, and a close watch kept on competitors to the end that a healthy development of business ensues. Many manufacturers never consider that credits are frequently judged by factory management, but the fact remains that the concern that lives in the past and is not alive to present opportunities is not in a condition to merit the financial support that is so readily given to those men and concerns which are imbued with progressive ideas in the control and advancement of their business. BOOK TALKING PICTURES. Edison Invention to Be Installed in 100 Vaudeville Houses. It was announced Monday by the United Booking Offices that arrangements had been made with Thomas A. Edison whereby his latest invention, the kinetophone, or talking pictures, would be installed in more than 100 vaudeville theatres under its control. Contracts signed with the American Talking Picture Company, which will distribute the invention, are expected to net more than $500,000 in royalties within the year. One day last week an exhibition of the kinetophone was held at the Edi son laboratories in West Orange, at which the vaudeville men were present. Among them were E. F. Albee, representing B. F. Keith; A. Paul Keith; Martin Beck, head of the Orpheum Circuit; J. J. Murdock, executive manager of the United Booking Offices ; F. F. Proctor, Sr., and F. F. Proctor, Jr. ; M. Shea of Buffalo and Toronto, Jake Wells of Wells's Southern Circuit, Harvey Watkins of Montreal, Carl Lothrop of Detroit and Rochester, and Mr. Shenberger of Baltimore, and they expressed surprise and pleasure at the perfection of the Kinetophone. In discussing the matter, Carl H. Wilson, Vice President of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., said that there would not be any contract made whereby any manager could get exclusive use of the inven tion. He said that while the selling arrangements had not yet been perfected it was certain that any one who wanted to could buy one of the machines. WORTH EMULATING. The success of another man should be something to emulate, not to envy. His success is proof that success is possible and this is all the assurance one needs. The people you work for don't want to know about what you did yesterday. What they want to know is about what you are doing to-day and what you are going to do to-morrow.