The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

126^ THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD NEXT WEEK WILL BE "EDISON WEEK" PROGRESS OF MACY=VICTOR SUIT Elaborate Preparations Made by the Factory, Jobbers and Distributors for This Annual Event — Some of the Interesting Features Victor Co. and Jobber Co-Defendants Have Not Yet Filed Answer to Complaint of R. H. Macy & Co.— Some Details of the Action Next week, October 21 to 27, will be "Edison Week" throughout the United States, and the plans announced by Thos. A. Edison, Inc., to be carried out with the co-operation of dealers in all sections, should insure the success of the annual event this year, and make the week a notable one for the Edison interests. As has been the case during previous Edison weeks, there are numerous inducements offered to the dealers to put forth their best efforts to feature the Edison line in their locality. There is, of course, the window display contest carried on through the co-operation of the jobbers in their respective zones, and which carries with it prizes ranging from $75 to $300. A brand new feature is the list of prizes offered to the dealers for the best "patchwork" advertisement, which range from $10 to $1,000 and give each dealer an equal chance to collect. Many of the jobbers have also arranged for special contests among the dealers in their own particular zones, with appropriate prizes for the winners. The public has been prepared for Edison Week through an extensive national campaign of advertising announcing the week, and carried on by Thos. A. Edison, Inc. AN AID TO RECORD USERS The Disk-Lite Mfg. Co., of Washington, D. C, have just placed on the market -the Disk-Lite, a small electric light, of special construction, designed to be placed upon the talking machine cabinet, so as to illuminate the record under the needle point, and thereby facilitate placing the needle on the record without damage. It is designed to fit any make of cabinet talking machine. FINE NEW QUARTERS IN BROCKTON Brockton, Mass., October 4. — The C. C. Harvey. Co. last week held the formal opening of their elaborate new quarters at 57 Main street. Three soundproof rooms for demonstrating records have been installed and are of the most modern type. They differ from the ordinary room of this kind in that they have glass tops. One of the rooms is devoted exclusively to electrical machines. Up to the time of going to press the Victor Talking Machine Co. and the various distributors named as co-defendants in the suit brought by R. H. Macy & Co., the New York department store, under the Sherman AntiTrust Law, and the Clayton Act, have not yet filed their answers to the complaint. An extension of time has been granted by the court, and it is reported that it will probably be November 1 before the defendants make reply. In addition to the Victor Talking Machine Co. the Victor distributors named in the suit include: Landay Bros., Inc., Max Landay, Maurice Landay, James B. Landay; Blackman Talking Machine Co., J. Newcomb Blackman, F. O. Oliver, Frank Roberts; Charles H. Ditson & Co., Charles H. Ditson, Charles F. Smith, Edward Cragin; New York Talking Machine Co., Arthur D. Geissler; Ormes, Inc., Ralph Wolf, Clarence L. Price; Silas E. Pearsall Co., James W. Pearsall, Thomas F. Green, Edgar L. Pearsall; Emanuel Blout; C. Bruno & Son, Inc., Henry Stadlmaier, Charles F. Bruno; I. Davega, Jr., Inc., Isaac Davega, Abram Davega, Louise Davega; S. B. Davega Co., Sol. B. Davega, David Levey, H. C. Moses, Harry S. Davega. The Macy interests seek damages of $570,000, or three times the amount of damages alleged to have been sustained, in accordance with the .statutes provided in the Sherman Anti-Trust .Law and the Clayton Act. The complaint states in part that: "Since the first day of April, 1914, the plaintiffs have been unable to purchase Victor talking machines and records in the ordinary course of business, at the usual discounts, and upon the customary terms. They have been compelled to purchase supplies in unusual ways and through agents in various States throughout the United States. That by reason thereof, and by reason of the expense plaintiffs were compelled to incur for the extra transportation and hauling, salaries or additional employes and loss of discounts, they were damaged in the sum of $75,000; that by reason of the expense which plaintiffs incurred they suffered damages by the litigation instituted against them by the defendant Victor Co., and in which the complaint was dismissed for lack of equity in the United States Supreme Court, in the sum of $15,000; that, by reason of inability to secure sufficient Victor merchandise at TONE ARMS WITHOUT RATTLE OR MUFFLE SOUND BOXES WITHOUT BLASTS Is the result of my past years' research work. The Audion Tone Arm gives the most perfect unhampered tone and in combination with the Audion Sound Boxes, both Lateral and Vertical, will give absolutely satisfactory results. STOP EXPERIMENTING This equipment all ready for you to adopt. Prices are right. The Audion Sound Boxes, both Vertical and Lateral, can be used on any machine with an Audion Tone Arm, the Lateral box however can be used on any standard instrument and will greatly improve the playing quality, lighter in weight, finer in tone, plays clear, smooth, brilliant, eliminates nasal metallic tone. Diaphragm is 20 times more sensitive than mica, needle has less work to do, saves records. Dealers can sell the Lateral Box at $3.00 and every customer will be delighted. Sold on a money refund guarantee. Audion Tone Arms same price. Hill and dale reproducer which will play every hill and dale record perfectly, $3.00 retail. 77 Reade Street, NEW YORK Have your name on my mailing list. any price whatsoever plaintiffs were prevented from doing business which they otherwise would have done, and were prevented from making profits which they otherwise would have made, in the sum of $100,000." The early litigation between the Macy interests and the Victor Co. are referred to at several points in the complaint, and it is alleged that the Victor Co. manufactures 80 per cent, of all the talking machines and records manufactured in the State of New York and throughout the United States. Papers in the suit were served on the complainants early in September. ROAT CO. HAS FINE ORCHESTRA Michigan Music House Forms Orchestra From Members of Its Selling Staff Battle Creek, Mich., October 6. — The Chas. E. Roat Music Co. is one of the few houses in this country which can boast of a complete orchestra composed entirely of members of its own organization. Chas. E. Roat, the head of the house, is a talented composer, and also The Roat Music Co. Orchestra one of the best-known musicians in Michigan. He is a flutist of exceptional ability, and for many years has been an active member of almost every musical organization in this city. Forney W. Clement, the manager of the Victor department of the Roat concern, acts as pianist for the orchestra, and has had wide experience in lyceum and Chautauqua work. Geo. H. Tyson, salesman in the piano department, has had several years' experience as a church soloist, and his work with the orchestra as vocalist attracts commendation wherever it is heard. The other members of the orchestra have all had more or less experience with the particular instruments which they play, and the orchestra is considered one of the best organizations of its kind in this section of the country. The Roat Co. has published over one hundred different compositions, most of which are the work of Chas. E. Roat. HELP UNCLE SAM "You folks left at home, don't talk about doing your bit— do it." These are the recent words of a prominent U. S. official, engaged in promoting the sale of the new Liberty Bonds. Following this advice, The Talking Machine World has adopted a new plan whereby a credit of 25 cents is allowed toward a Liberty Bond on every new Talking Machine World subscription sent in before December 1, 1917, by any member of the talking machine industry, either for himself or an associate. Where less than a full bond is earned, the publishers of The Talking Machine World will (1) pay proportional interest annually at the Government Bond rate, or will (2) turn the earned amount over to any designated war charity, or will (3) remit on demand any time after December 1, 1917, the amount earned. The news columns of The Talking Machine World will give due credit to those who see fit to help their country win the war in the way outlined above. Further details about this plan may be secured by writing to Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., 373 Fourth avenue, New York City. OPENS NEW BRUNSWICK SHOP J. H. Hicks, music -dealer of Lansing, Mich., has opened a New Brunswick Shop on the second floor of the Tussing Building, with an excellent display of machines.