The talking machine world (Jan-Mar 1921)

January 15, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 179 EDISON BELL CABLE •PHONOKINO. LONDON " ARE THE GREATEST VALUE FOR MONEY PRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN TEN INCH DOUBLE SIDED NEEDLE CUT PLAY ON ALL GRAMOPHONES Catalogue contains 4000 Titles by the Premier Artistes, Instrumentalists, Orchestras and Bands of the British Empire DEALERS PREPARED TO DO BUSINESS ARE INVITED TO COMMUNICATE WITH! Proprietors and Manufacturers, J. E. HOUGH, Ltd., 62 Glengall Road, London, S. E. 15, England Cylinder enthusiasts this side have recently been cheered with the news that good consignments of Blue Amberols are now arriving. By the way, there is but one concern here that makes a cylinder record. And among disc records all are of the lateral type except one — Pathe. H. M. Trade Commissioner at Toronto has arrived in London, and is prepared to advise British firms as to the good prospects of trading with Canada. In the New Year Edens Osborne, the Belfast factor, will remove to larger premises at 4 College Square North. His growing business is undoubtedly the result of good service and good advertising. Irish gramophone trade is said to be quite good despite all the turmoil there. The Federation of British Music Industries will hold their annual dinner on January 27 at the Hotel Cecil. The star guest of the evening will be a personage of high note. At the recent advertising exhibition, attended, by the way, by hundreds of thousands of the general public, a number of advertising agents handling musical appropriations exhibited a sample of the product of their clients. An "His Master's Voice" cabinet gramophone and a player of the British Autoplayer Co. made excellent display on the Holford Bottomley stand, and the Meerloo Publicity Service associated with their work a miniature of a Chappell grand piano. There was a free lucky dip, among the prizes FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 178) being a Harper piano and a Broadwood cabinet gramophone — an excellent draw to a most fascinating exhibition. Rebirth of the Luxury Tax Proposition It is now mooted in well-informed quarters that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has by no means abandoned the idea of a luxury tax. He has even gone so far as to appoint a committee to inquire into the possibility of such a tax being made sufficiently wide in its scope to replace the excess profits duty. There is no occasion for nervousness, but there is occasion to watch very closely that the matter is not carried too far without strong protest by the trade. Sued for Alleged Breach of Contract Owing to bad trade during periods of last year quite a few gramophone firms were compelled to postpone delivery acceptance of parts or accessories. In most cases that have been advised a satisfactory compromise was reached between the parties concerned, the incidence of bad trade being mutually recognized as sufficient grounds upon which to adjust matters. But one or two instances have been brought to my notice where acceptance of good's, under contract, have been refused on the ground of deliveries not being up to sample, or on the grounds of actual damage. These are but incidents of everyday trade, and more often than not can be settled amicably out VALENTINE WINDOW DISPLAY FOR COLUMBIA DEALERS of court. Each side must adopt the good policy of give and take. Otherwise disputes would be endless. A recent instance where the parties fell foul of each other was that in which William Cooper Bros., Ltd., a large gramophone firm of London, were sued by Cowton Bros., cabinet makers, to recover damages through defendants' alleged failure to complete a contract for gramophone cabinets. Plaintiff maintained that a verbal order was given by Mr. Jeffs, of Cooper Bros., for 200 leg cabinets at 22s. each, of which they accepted delivery of eighty-six and refused to take the balance. Giving evidence for the defense, Mr. Jeffs repudiated ever giving an order for 200, and further stated that a number of the cases had warped. The judge commented upon the fact that no letter of complaint had been sent to the plaintiff company. Evidence was given by Mr. Barton, director of the Invicta Record Co., and Francis Nottingham, of the Rex Gramophone Company, bearing upon alleged defects of plaintiff's work. After considerable argument between counsel and the judge his Honor said that there had evidently been a breach of contract as to the 200 purchase, and he awarded plaintiff £28 10s. damages (and costs), representing a rate of 5s. each for the 114 cabinets which were left on plaintiff's hands. RECENT CURRYJNSTALLATIONS Boston, Mass., January 7.— Frank B. Curry, manufacturer of the Curry soundproof booths and record filing equipment, reports that despite dull times he has made several important installations in New England. Among these installations is new equipment for the Worcester store of M. Steinert & Sons and the Lowell store of the New England Phonograph Co. Mr. Curry has also been awarded the contract for the alterations in the former Kraft. Bates & Spencer's retail store now occupied by F. C. Henderson & Co. BUBBLE BOOKS POPULAR During the Christmas period the Bubble Books put out by Harper & Bros., New York, were tremendous favorites with buyers of holiday presents and there can be no questio l that these little records do much to increase interest in talking machines in general. Artistic Display Prepared by Columbia Co.'s Dealer Service Department Horn, Hornless and Table-Grand GRAMOPHONES FOR EXPORT P!eaee State Your Requirement* REX GRAMOPHONE CO. 2 Elizabeth Place RiTington Street, LONDON. E.C. 2, England Cable Addrca "Lyrecodac, London"