The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

40 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 39). trol over the retail distributer. Should they be inclined to take action against a "cutter," there being no patents affected (except in one or two cases), the courts will only grant an injunction restraining the dealer from selling below the agreed price.. Great praise is due the Columbia Co. in particular for the active campaign waged against this profitwrecking mania. During 1912 the company has secured quite a number of injunctions, apart from the substantial amount of good accomplished by friendly representations. It has certainly made every endeavor to protect legitimate and straightforward trading dealers, and expresses intention of waging an active campaign against all who sell Columbian goods under established prices. Upon this question, the British Gramophone Co. also maintains a very strict attitude. In any flagrant breach of its agreement a warning is issued to the delinquent, who, if not amenable to this reasonable representation, is at once cut off the books. A notable case occurred during the year, and being a well-known and large buyer, it naturally caused a deal of surprise in trade circles. A policy is only a policy when it is rigidly enforced! In other directions certain companies have made spasmodic efforts to stem the tide of price cutting, but as may be expected, with little result. A continuity of effort must obtain all the time if any impression is to be made. However, the signs of 1912 in this respect are much better than in any previous year, and with the new year hope is born afresh. Personal. During the year a number of staff and agency changes occurred and briefly the following represent the most important cases : After several years' service with the Gramophone Co., Ltd., James C. Goff relinquished his position as manager. Messrs. Anderson, Davis, Heighway and Crawley have also resigned. S. P. Turner, one of the joint managers at Messrs. Pathe Freres has now commenced on his own account. He is managing director of a newconcern — Saphone, Ltd., with offices in this city. Charles J. Hopkins, who has been associated with this industry since 1907, is now with Thomas A. Edison, Ltd., in charge of its business phonograph department. Several years with the Columbia Co., Mr. Hopkins possesses a wide and useful experience of this trade, in the interest of which he has made many journeys in foreign climes. The agent of the Dacapo record since its inception here, Mr. Barrand (Barrand & Co., Ltd.), recently relinquished the agency, and has now taken over an entirely new record to this market. It is called "Invicto," and in a short time has won much favor. fcThe Dacapo agency is being run by a new company, the Dacapo Record Co., Ltd., with Mr. Hale as manager. Formerly with the Columbia, and the Homophone companies, this gentleman brings to bear an experience which will stand him in good stead in his new sphere of activity, and I beg to tender him my hearty congratulations. M iscellaneous. Quite a number of novelties were introduced during the year. In point of number, so-called tone-modulators easily carry the day, but I have yet to discover one of real merit. The most interesting device for the improvement of sound is undoubtedly the Rayflex sound reflecting elbow. It is the novelty of the year. With ordinary elbows the top is round, but the Rayflex represents a radical departure from this principle. On the top bend there are two flat plain surfaces set at different angles, by means of which the sound is directed straight out of the trumpet without impinging on the walls thereof. The result is a purified and increased reproduction. A good thing! A number of fires are to be recorded. Early in the year, the premises of Robert Nelson & Co., Edison's factory, London, were badly damaged and much stock destroyed. It has all been made good and business is proceeding as merrily as ever. The month of May witnessed a disastrous outbreak at the Columbia factory, located at Earlsfield. The whole place was practically gutted, valuable buildings, stock and machinery being reduced to a scrap heap. Not during a particularly busy time of year, yet the fire was sufficient to cause considerable inconvenience and delay in obtaining supplies. Other factory accommodations was fortunately available. The factory is now rebuilt on an enlarged and improved scale, and equipped with up-to-date machinery, is turning out better records than ever. Later in the year a terrible fire occurred in City Road at premises situated between the Columbia and Baker buildings. Two persons unfortunately lost their lives. The prompt attendance of the fire brigade resulted in confining the fire to the building in which it originated. A lucky escape though, for the two record houses on either side. Blue Amberol Edison Record Announced. At the moment of closing for press I have received intimation of the early issue of the Edison Blue Amberol record. Recording for the Standard record has ceased and the January wax Amberol supplement is the last to be issued. About fifty titles in the February list represents the initial output of Blue Amberols. Of course, titles listed in present catalogue of wax Standard and Amberol records will be available for supply against order. That being clear, let me say that in common with all who have heard Mr. Edison s new record, I believe it will absolutely revolutionize the cylinder market, and interest a goodly percentage of disc enthusiasts, too. For the sole reason that its tone quality is so sweet and natural, pure and free from harsh foreign noise in reproduction, as to at once stamp its superiority over all other records. My readers are doubtless aware that the Blue Amberol is practically unbreakable, and according to a recent test, almost unwearable. It is reported that a sample was played three thousand times, the three thousandth reproduction being as good as the first. That's an experiment though, that few will want to try, but as testimony of the record's durability it's a good sales point of which full advantage should be taken. The Blue Amberol will certainly make a strong appeal to the masses, because with commendable foresight Mr. Edison ensured that it could be played on all existing machines without alteration, and with much better results than that obtained by the wax Amberol. The highest and best degree of sound reproduction is, however, made possible by the use of a new diamond point reproducer, just marketed. The purity of its tone and power of delivery in reproducing the most delicate shades of music is really wonderful, and the company is justly proud of the new goods as representing the most scientific advance in the art of recording and reproducing sound within recent years. The result of thousands of experiments, this new diamond point reproducer in its construction alone represents a radical departure from the general form of phonograph repro's. A world search for a new diaphragm, after many trials and the testing of an innumerable variety of substances, ended at last in Japan, where a suitable and satisfactory material was found. The Blue Amberoi record will be issued in two classes— ordinary 2s. each retail, concert and grand opera selections, 3s. The latter is particularly significant and will come as a pleasant surprise lo cyclinder users in view of the hitherto prevailing prices, 4s. to 8s. each. Ample provision is made for exchanges, and under the terms announced dealers are allowed to return then stocks of wax Amberol and Standard records for full credit to the extent of 20 per cent, in value of their monthly Blue Amberol record purchases. 1913 is evidently going to be a red letter year for Edison dealers, the Blue Amberol being only the first of the many new things coming along, including the new concerted horn cyclinder machines, the new disc (ready, I understand, in a month or so), a new Home recording campaign, etc. It will not be the fault of Thomas A. Edison Co., Ltd., if the cylinder does not come into its own again. The prospect could not be brighter, and with hearty co-operation Edison dealers may expect to enjoy a real trade boom. The Blue Amberol is going to instil a little enthusiasm into all apathetic phonograph owners, for let them once hear the record, they are converted. Another time I will hope to be in a position to announce further interesting details, meanwhile, I may be allowed to heartily congratulate the Edison company upon the issue of such a beautiful production. Saphone, Ltd., a New Concern. S. P. Turner, who recently resigned the managership of Messrs. Pathe Freres, commencing a new company under the name of Metophone, Ltd., now announces that in consequence of the word "Metophone" having been previously used in connection with records, the company will in future be known as Saphone, Ltd. Synchronized Film Talking Machine. Apropos Mr. Edison's synchronized film and talking machine, of which, by the way, some favorable press comments have appeared this side, it is interesting to read that the Gaumont Co. recently demonstrated in Berlin a device which they claim solves the problem of perfect synchronization. Nous verronsl New Companies. The Victory Gramophone & Record Co., Ltd., private company. Capital, £100 in £5 shares. Registered by Goldberg, Barrett & Newall, 2-3 West Street, Finsbury Circus, London, E. C. Barker, Son & Heins, Ltd., musical instrument dealers. Capital, £1,000. No address given. Pathescope, Ltd. Objects: to secure the exclusive trading rights of Pathe Freres home picture machine for the United Kingdom. Taxing Foreign Companies. Of great interest to manufacturers' agents in this country, who, according to the "British Trade Journal" are threatened by income tax officials with requests for payment of income tax upon the profits made in England by the foreign manufacturers whom they represent is the opinion of Mr. F. G. Aylett, whose position as the honorary solicitor to the Manufacturers Agents Association, lends considerable value to his views upon the matter. Mr. Aylett writes : "When a foreign manufacturer has an office in this country, holds stock here, and collects accounts and discharges liabilities here, then the foreign manufacturer, or failing him, his manager or agent, is liable for income tax on the profits of the business done in this country. On the other hand, if the agent merely receives a contribution from the manufacturer towards the expenses of the office, needs to receive confirmation of contracts before he enters into them, even though he holds stock, he is not liable for income tax, provided that all payments for goods made to the agent are remitted by him straightway to his foreign manufacturer. The chief point upon which the manufacturers' agent must be circumscript is that he must not pay cheques received from his cus• tomers into his own bank, but must forward them, endorsed, if necessary, to his foreign principal." In New Premises. The Seymour Manufacturing Co. inform me that they have removed to a more convenient location — 50 Tufnell Park Road, Holloway, London, N. His Master's Voice Publicity. The New Year has opened up remarkably well for His Master's Voice dealers, for which the advertising and the issue of choice lists of new records is largely responsible. I have before me the January Supplement of H. M. V. Records, and to say that it is replete with unusually good fare is to convey but little idea of quality offered. Perhaps the finest orchestral combination in the country is the New Symphony Orchestra, whose contributions to the list under review are characteristic of the dffficult classical selections which they undertake with such masterly credit. The following are the three records in question : Theme and Variation. Suite No. 3 in G., Op. 55 Themes 1, 2 and 3; Themes 4, 5 and 6; and Themes 8, 9 and 10 (Tschaikowsky). It would, however, be invidious to select any special records for distinctive mention and dealers are well advised to study the complete list for themselves: 'Why Do the Nations," "Messiah" (Handel), Mr. Clarence Whitehill ; "Love Not the World," "Prodi