The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 109 PRICE MAINTENANCE ISSUE NOT AFFECTED BY DECISION Says American Fair Trade League, in Statement Discussing the Recent Action of the United States Supreme Court, in the Victor-Macy Case — Some Conclusions of Interest to the Trade The American Fair Trade League, which is advocating passage by Congress of the Stephens Standard Price Bill, to prevent branded and trademarked merchandise from being use4 as cut price leaders, which it claims deceives and injures the public, gave through its secretarytreasurer, Edmond A. Whittier, a statement concerning the decision of the United States Supreme Court, by a divided vote of 6 to 3, declaring invalid the so-called patent license selling system of the Victor Talking Machine Co. The statement in full follows: "A reading of the full text of the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the VictorMacy case proves that it simply follows the precedents of previous decisions in patent cases concerning the right of patent owners to control resale price by a license or notice system. It does not involve at all the broad general principle of contract right embodied in the Stephens bill. The attempt of the opponents of standard price legislation to create a contrary impression is not surprising, but they have not the slightest ground on which to base their contentions. Throughout the decision in the VictorMacy case, as well as the Motion Picture Patents case, handed down the same day, and which must be considered in connection therewith, the language of the court repeatedly and sharply differentiates between rights created by private contract as distinguished from those of the patent law, and several times emphasizes the fact that it is to the latter, and not the former, that the questions under consideration in both cases are confined. "Counsel for R. H. Macy & Co. is quoted in ATTENTION .... OF .... Cabinet Manufacturers Lid Supports, Hinges, Needle Cups and Tone Arm Rests Needle Cups No. 50 in lots of 100 $ 2.00 In lots of 1000 17.50 With Covers, lots of 100 $ 3.00 In lots of 1000 25.00 Tone Arm Rests with green felt 1 }i in. diameter per 100 $ 3.00 In lots of 1000 25.00 Write for samples and prices. Favorite Talking Machine Accessory Co. 38 BROADWAY NEW YORK the newspapers as saying: 'It is a significant fact that Judge Brandeis, who appeared in favor of the Stephens bill, is one of the majority who now hold that the Victor system of licenses is unenforceable.' Our opponents must be sorely in need of comfort whenthey attempt to seek it by such perverse implications. It is a significant fact that Judge Brandeis, who appeared in favor of the Stephens bill, is one of the majority who now hold that the Victor system is unenforceable, but it is only significant of Judge Brandeis' consistency with his position from the start. In a few words, his position has always appeared to be that he opposes extension of patent rights as unnecessarily strengthening an actual monopoly and that he favors legislation legalizing freedom of contract along the lines of the Stephens Standard Price Bill, which contains the following stringent provisions: 'Such vendor shall not have any monopoly or control of the market for articles belonging to the same general class of merchandise as such article or articles of commerce as shall be covered by such contract of sale; nor shall such vendor be a party to any agreement, combination, or understanding with any competitor in the production, manufacture, or sale of any merchandise in the same general class in regard to the price at which the same shall be sold either to dealers at wholesale or retail or the public' ."Justice Brandeis has always based his advocacy of standard price legislation upon the public's need of protection against cut throat competition, which, as he has repeatedly pointed out, is the chief weapon of monopoly. Attempts to create the impression that Justice Brandeis' agreement with the majority of the Supreme Court on questions concerning a patent right monopoly indicates a change of attitude on the standard price question, fail to recognize the logical consistency between his past utterances and the view expressed in his patent decision." TO EXHIBIT AT MUSIC SHOW Melophone Talking Machine Co. to Feature New Type Motor and a Portable Machine The Melophone Talking Machine Co., Inc., announce that during the National Music Week to be held in Chicago, May 19-26, they will have an exhibit of their products in Booth 45 in the Coliseum. The featured displays will be the new Melophone motor, which has never before been exhibited, and which carries some entirely new ideas in the manufacture of motors, including a new governor without springs. The Melophone portable talking machine will also be shown, being announced as a portable, light, compact and convenient instrument. Among the Melophone officials who will attend will be F. B. Guarnier, general manager; F. D. Bennett, factory manager, and L. M. Heyman, of the Chicago office of the concern. Mr. Guarnier announces that space in the booth will also be used to enlist Western talking machine men in the Phonograph Chamber of Commerce, an association of phonograph and supply manufacturers recently organized in New York City, and of which he is secretary. NEW PAROQUETTE CO. ATTACHMENT The Paroquette Record Mfg. Co., New York, manufacturer of Par-O-Ket records, has just perfected a simple attachment which, it states, will practically change machines playing only lateral cut records into a universal tone arm' machine. The company expects to place this attachment on the market very shortly and reports an immense advanced demand for this product. It is also selling large quantities of the smaller cheaper attachment which it perfected some time ago for use in connection with Par-O-Ket records. E. M. Bond has opened the Grafonola Shop in Nashville, Tenn. ORIOLA yfr Quality Machine De Luxe Beautiful MahoganyCabinet, same finish inside as outside. 50 inches high, 24)4 wide, 24'/z deep. High-grade, double-spring, worm-gear motor, noiseless winding and running. Universal tone-arm, playing all records without an ottachment. This is another of our new types, ranging in price from $25 to $200 list. Write for catalog and discounts. We can furnish MOTORS, TONE-ARMS, SOUND-BOXES, CABINETS, etc. and can also assemble complete machines. Metropolis Sales Company 27 Union Square NEW YORK CITY