The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1917)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 67 Proofs That the Talking Machine Is a WarTime Necessity Abound on Every Side a a a Nothing in musical history compares with the growth in popularity of the talking machine. This instrument has brought music to the masses — the very best in music. It has opened an almost inexhaustible mine of pleasure and joy, and it is exercising an aesthetic and educational fight for their country. It is consoling and uplifting, and gives an ideal entertainment in times of war whether for public or private purposes. But more important than all is the fact that the talking machine is a prime factor in the war. The stories which reach us from Europe tell Underwood & Underwood The Graphophone Furnishes Entertainment During Bomb Attacks in London influence that is being acknowledged by leaders in the musical and pedagogic fields. The talking machine to-day, hand in hand with the nurse, is proving the greatest assuager of suffering. It is dispelling gloom in the homes of those whose loved ones have gone forth to The Victor's service to the Nation at war In the trenches In camp Oh shipboard In the hospitals AtYM.CA . centres With the folks backhome Music -a wartime necessity A famous general once said [hat the only enemies he ever feared entcrcj the battle with a song on their lips. Patriotism la three parts emotion and music is the language of the emotit Courage is bom of the heart and music speaks straight to the heart. la times that try men's souls, every force which keeps the nation's spi positive asset. Every1 means of combating trial with happiness must be t A nation at war requires food for its soul as well as'for its body, forces must be maintained. The mental and moral resources of the peopl full vigor. Recreational and cultural activities must provide tl bright Is a great and cfully conserved and fostered. The morale of the fighting st be preserved at their ion. revive the droop* ation. The sound of ,ing spirits, soften the sting of sorrow, instil new ardors of bravery and dctei laughter must be heard in the land. Instinctively men turn to music for entertainment and inspiration. Music speaks a tongue that all can understand, that nothing else can speak. It reaches down to the hidden springs of feeling, replenishes and freshens them. *To the mysterious power of music, the pulse responds and hopes run high. Under its healing influence, gloom and despair lose their evil grip. Imagine, if you con, a nation going into war without the thrill of musicl Imagine, if you con. a nation battling through f he dark days of a prolonged struggle without the heartening comfort of musicl The Victrola is literally the nation's chief source of music. More Americans— and Americans in the making— have learned "The Star Spangled Banner" from the Victrola than from any other one source. The Victrola is in millions of homes. It is in camp, on shipboard,' in the trenches, the hospitals, the schools, and the churches. It is, the principal source of cheerfulness and entertainment to the soldiers and sailors of Uncle Sam. "Back home" among the folks behind the army— the farmers, the men and women in the fields and the factories, in city and in country, the Victrola is one of the greatest — if not the greatest — means of diversion. , It is the mission of the artist to create beauty and pleasure. It Is the mission of the Victrola to carry them directly to the people, to plant them in their homes and thus to contribute to their mental and spiritual well-being. The tremendous popularity and use of the Victrola and Victor Records indicate how strongly eatablishcd they are in the affections of the people, how completely they are fulfilling a national need. The Victrola performs no mean service to the nation. ' Current Victor Advertising Worthy of Emulation by Dealers every day of the use of the talking machine in the trenches, in the hospital, in the camp, always exercising an influence for good — a stimulation to greater achievement among the men. In London during the airplane raids the talk'ng machine formed a part of the treasured equipment of those w h o ventured underground to escape the ravages of the destructive Germans. In fact, England to-day recognizes the importance of the talking machines, and musical instruments generally, as an absolute essential to people's happiness and betterment, and it will be remembered that the officials of the English Government who first considered musical instruments as non-essential to the war, reversed their opinion completely, and very soon decided that musical instruments, and music broadly considered, were absolute essentials. In view of the important part which music is playing to-day as a factor in maintaining the morale of our own troops and our own people, it is safe to assume that the talking machine as well as musical instruments generally are deemed as absolute essentials by all who appreciate the influence and value of this instrument. The fact that the talking machine brings to the soldier in the camp, the civilian in his home, the repertoire of all the great singers, all the great orchestras, all the great bands, as well as all the popular music of the day, makes the talking machine absolutely unique. It requires no interpreter. It brings joy and pleasure at the greatest minimum of cost, and it is appreciated as no other musical instrument can be. It is absurd to consider for a moment that such an instrument should be deemed non-essential; no other instrument to-day is more essential. Ask those mothers and fathers whose sons have gone to the front, or the soldiers in the camps, or in the trenches, and we venture Soldiers Enjoying the Army Edison to say that there will not be found one who will not willingly and truthfully concede that the talking machine is one of the greatest factors in times of war in keeping the minds of the people settled and at a normal level. L. C. ACKLEY WINS SALESMAN'S CUP Los Angeles Man First to Win Permanent Possession of One of the Whitten Trophies This month's issue of the "Peptimist," the bright and newsy house organ published by the Columbia Graphophone Co. for and about Columbia men, contains the welcome news that L. C. Ackley, of the company's Los Angeles branch, is the first man to win permanent possession of one of the individual salesman cups offered by Francis L. Whitten, president of the Columbia Co. Mr. Ackley was the winner of the cup in h i s district in the month of June, repeated his victory in August and clinched his permanent right to the trophy by winning it in September. The rules and regulations regard Salesmen's Trophy ing this cup contest call for the winning of the cup by a salesman in his district for three months, and Mr. Ackley's victory in the Pacific L. C. Ackley Geo. L. Schuetz Coast district is well deserving of hearty congratulations. G. L. Schuetz is the second man in the race for individual ownership. Mr. Schuetz, who is a member of the Indianapolis sales staff, won the cup in July and repeated his victory in September. One more month at the top will give him permanent possession of the cup in his district. In the three other districts throughout the country no salesman has yet won the cup twice, which makes the contest especially keen and exciting.