The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

38 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD CONVENTION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TALKING MACHINE JOBBERS— (Continued from page 37) their promise to vote for and support this bill. This was work which had not been done by any other organization and the results have been very satisfactory. In conversation with Mr. Whittier, of the American Fair Trade League, he stated to our committee "that no association in the United States had done the efficient work for the Stephens Bill that has been done by the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers." This has been done by the conscientious and persistent effort of the committee, all of them having given liberally of their time. The work, however, is just well started because it looks now as if the bill would not come up during this session of Congress, and if it does not, we should continue the work so well begun. The plan of operation is right. Going direct to the Representatives and Senators is the thing to do. They have all been flooded with letters and we have had it done by the dealers and this should be continued, but each of you should be so vitally interested as to plan some way to get directly in touch with your Senators and Representatives. We have every reason to be encouraged for some of the most prominent men in Congress are interesting themselves in the Stevens Bill. In conversation with George M. Hitchcock, Senator from Nebraska, he stated to me that either the Stephens Bill or one embodying the same principle would undoubtedly become a law soon. In an interview with Senator Cummins, of Iowa, he said to me: "Mr. Mickel, I am much interested in the Stephens Bill, familiar with its provisions, will work for it and support it." The members of our committee report that almost in every instance they have been received with the utmost courtesy and it is up to this association to continue the effort as originally planned. STEPHENS BILL COMMITTEE REPORT Following Mr. Mickel, Secretary Rauth made the following report of the special Stephens bill committee: "The following is the general report of the special Stephens bill committee appointed to work in the interests of the Stephens bill at a regular meeting of the legislative committee of thfe National Talking Machine Jobbers' Association, at Philadelphia, SejHrember 10, 1915. The members of this committee were as follows^ J Newcomb Blackman, Blackman Talking Machine; Co., New;~York; J. F. Bowers, Lyon & Healy, Chicago; Louis Buehn, the Louis Buehn Co.; Lester Burchfield, Sanger Bros., Dallas, Tex.; B. R. Foster, I. Davega, Jr^ Inc., New York; Harry G. Koerber, Koerber-Brenner Co., St. Louis; Andrew G. McCarthy, Sherman. Clay & Co., San Francisco; George A. Mairs, W. J. Dyer & Bro., St. Paul; Geo. E. Mickel, chairman, Nebraska Cycle Co., Omaha. Neb ; French Nestor, W. F. Frederick Piano Co., Altoona, Pa.; E. F. O'Neill, Beckwith, O'Neill & Co.. Minneapolis: W. H. Parmenter, the Whitney & Currier Co., Toledo, O.; E. C. Rauth, secretary, Koerber-Brenner Co., St. Louis; William H. Reynalds, Reynalds Music House, Mobile, Ala.; J. C. Roush, Standard Talking Machine Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.; C. J. Schmelzer, Schmelzer Arms Co., Kansas City, Mo.; A. M. Stewart, Stewart Talking Machine Co., Indianapolis, tnd.; W. G. Walz, W. G. Walz Co.. El Paso. Tex.; J. P. Werlein, Philip Werlein, Ltd., New Orleans, La.; P. B. Whitsit, Perry B. Whitsit Co., Columbus, O.; L. C. Wiswell, Lyon & Healy, Chicago; Rudolph Wurlitzer, Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati, O. "It is very difficult for me to give the members even an idea of the vast amount of work done by this committee, as the expense which would be entailed in giving out a lengthy report will not permit it. If I was to include in this report all of the correspondence and the complete report of each committeeman, it would require a volume as large as 'The Victor Book of the Opera.' The members must take into consideration that each Congressman was personally called up by some committeeman and thousands of letters were sent out to dealers all over the country. In addition to that, petitions favoring the Stephens bill were solicited by committeemen from constituents in the districts of the various Congressmen. "If this association was compelled to pay for the time spent on this work by each committeeman we would have been financially unable to carry on the work, as our funds would have been exhausted months ago. "I feel sure that the members of the association will fully realize the immense amount of preparatory work involved in properly ap Secretary Rauth reported also upon the hearing of the Stephens Standard Price Bill before the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, in Washington, on May 31, at which were present George E. Mickel, J. Newcomb Blackman, A. A. Trostler, French Nestor and Mr. Rauth. Continuing, he said: "The opening address was made by Paul Nystrom, formerly Professor of Economics of the University of Wisconsin. Professor Nystrom's testimony was very definite and to the point. The next witness was our own J. Newcomb Blackman, who presented many practical arguments. Messrs. Nystrom and Blackman Ex-Presidents of N. A. T. M. J. Left to Right — James F. Bowers, Perry B. Whitsit, T. Newcomb Blackman, Joseph C. Roush, George E. Mickel, Andrew J. McCarthy, Edwin C. Rauth (New President) proaching Congressional representatives; thousands of letters had to be written; advance work undertaken among the merchants in order to make an effective demonstration; numerous skeins unraveled in a quest for any information bearing upon the personal and official characteristics of the man seen which might prove helpful in seeking his support. "In spite of the laudable work done by our interests and those of other lines of business, we found a singularly large degree of apathy among the merchants; many had no knowledge of the bill; a large number were apparently indifferent and some hostile. "The underlying principles of the Stephens bill are sound and absolutely essential to the proper consummation of our interests. Much has been accomplished, but much more remains consumed the greater part of the first day, the balance of the time being tak«n up by members of various retail organizations. "On the morning of the second day, the first witness was Mrs. Christine Frederick, editor of economics of the Ladies' Home Journal and the New York Evening Sun. Mrs. Frederick consumed about two hours in presenting her argument to the committee, thoroughly explaining the advantages to be gained by the consumer. Her arguments were very clear and concise and made a marked impression upon the committee. "The committee allowed an additional thirty minutes, and this time was taken up by Mrs. Heath, president of the Housewives' League, an organization of 80,000 members. It is to be regretted that Mrs. Heath could not have more Talking Machine M to be done. The impressions we make and the results secured are going to be as great as the interest and sympathy displayed by our members in this work. Before this measure can come up for discussion in the House, however, it must be reported by the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. Therefore, write your Congressman to-day, asking him when the Stephens bill will be given a hearing by this committee." en Ready for a Dip time, as she too, spoke from the consumers' standpoint. "The committee seemed only to be interested in how the Stephens bill would affect the buying public and, in a small measure, the retailer. "Adjournment was taken until after the first of July, when the opposition will be given an opportunity to present their evidence; after that we will be permitted to show evidence in rebuttal.