The talking machine world (Jan-Mar 1921)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD February 15, 1921 THE VECTOR COMPANY Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Experts on designs, plant equipment and production. Estimates furnished for complete equipment of recording laboratories and manufacturing plants. Phonographs, Electric Motor Drives, Components and Records. Correspondence Invited THE VECTOR COMPANY 225 Fifth Ave., New York Tel. Madison Sq. 9305 170 PROGRESS OF VICT0R=MACY TRIAL (Continued from page 169) to secure Victor goods, and had taken from the classified telephone directory a list of dealers in talking machines and called on a number of them, citing names, addresses and, in some cases, dates. He stated that he had a fund of money belonging to Macy & Co. standing under his own name in a bank and had drawn on that fund to pay for Victor machines and records which were billed to him personally and delivered to his oflice at 215 Fourth avenue. The goods were in turn billed to Macy & Co. by Oliver. The witness testified to some of his experiences in traveling to various cities and towns seeking Victor merchandise, and in the course of a length)' cross-examination gave other information that was interesting, and in some cases important. The testimony also included the presenting of depositions from Edward Briggs, secretary and treasurer of the Oliver Ditson Co., Boston, and H. A. Winkelman, manager of the wholesale Victor talking machine department of that company. Russell C. Downs, who stated that he was employed by the New York Talking Machine Co. as stock clerk from December, 1913, to the Spring of 1916, was also called as a witness and gave some testimony of value. He stated, for instance, that Victor records had been marked for identification and that he could tell the name of the dealer from such markings. The defense was interested particularly in Downs' admission that a special premium was paid upon sales of the Ru-Stella machine offered by Macy & Co. as their own product. Benj. Switky, who for some years operated as a Victor jobber, was one of the witnesses called by the plaintiff and told of the efforts made by the Victor Co. representatives to trace back goods that had been purchased by Macy <x: Co., and something of his relations with the company while acting as one of its wholesale representatives. Two days were devoted to the direct examination and cross-examination of Mr. Switky in order to bring out various points in his relationship as a distributor with the Victor Co. and its representatives, and with the members of the retail trade. Former Dealers Called Another witness for the plaintiff was Ellen Byrne DeWitt. formerly a licensed Victor dealer, who answered the questions put to her in a manner that frequently aroused merriment in the courtroom. Max A. Fischer, also a former Victor dealer, who apparently had many business dealings with Macy & Co., was likewise called to the stand and testified at length. Marie B. Kaplan, another erstwhile Victor dealer, also spent some hours in the witness chair, her testimony being followed by that of her attorney, D. W. Steele, who recited the results of several alleged visits to Camden. The plaintiff also called to the stand a number of past and present employes of Macy & Co., who were connected with, or had knowledge in some way of, the methods adopted by the Macy concern for securing supplies of Victor goods after they had been cut off the dealers' list. Among these were Rita A. Smith, a former stenographer; Barbara Sowa, Mrs. Wil ACME-DIE ■CASTINGS AIIJMINUM-ZINC-TINaLEADALL0IS 'Acme Die -Casting Corp. Boston Bochester BrooUynN.Y. UeSaii CHcsgD liam Gilroy, Michael Peyser and Philip Ochsenhaut. The testimony of these witnesses was devoted chiefly to identifying sales slips and receipts and detailing the means by which purchases of Victor goods were financed and checked and the goods handled. Court Adjourned Until February 14 The court was adjourned on the afternoon of February 9, to resume on February 14. Up to the time of adjournment nearly 1,800 typewritten pages of testimony had been placed on file. It is expected that the plaintiff will wind up its case during the coming week, when the defense will take the stand and present its side. It is not improbable that the trial will last at least another month. MUSIC TEACHER ADDS TESTIMONY Value of Talking Machine in Public School Musical Instruction Outlined by Russell S. Gilbert in Letter to New York Newspaper The value of the talking machine in teaching music in the public schools is forcefully explained by Russell S. Gilbert in a recent letter to The Sun, New York. As Mr. Gilbert is a teacher of music his testimony should bear weight as coming from one who has had actual experience. His letter follows: "To the Editor of The Sun. "Sir: I have taught music in New York for eight years and have had pupils from both the private and public schools. Both are well drilled in the technique of music, but lacking the music itself. "Owing to the size of the classes the teachers are forced to teach by rule only. The result is that the children can recite rules in music as they recite rules in grammar. They apply the grammar because they are speaking every day. They do not connect the rules of music with music itself unless they are taking private instruction in music and can apply the rules. "The children are taught to find out what key the piece is written in by a series of arithmetic, counting from the last sharp or flat. The rule is correct if the piece is in major, but gives the wrong answer if it is a minor key. What good are such rules? The mere writing of chords on the blackboards does not instruct the children any because they cannot hear them and they would fail to recognize one of them if it were played. I know, for I have tested dozens of them. "Let the technique of music be left to the private teacher and let the schools devote the time to actual singing and hearing of the best music, the history of music and musicians, etc. The work of spreading the knowledge of the best music by means of the talking machine, as done in the schools here, is producing splendid results." ADD MATRIMONIAL LITERATURE Minister Suggests Records of Love-Making in Speech Giving Advice on Marriage In an address before a meeting of the ministers of Toledo, O., one of the clergymen of that city took occasion to remark in the course of his address on marriage and the kind of a wife to choose, that the husband should never cease to court his wife. He also declared that it would be a good idea for every girl to secure a record of the endearing words spoken by the ardent lover during the period of courtship. Then, a few years later, she could show him what he used to be and remind him of his better days by playing the record on the family talking machine. As for logic of the good divine's words, life is too short to argue. But, it might be whispered, our Toledo friend may, if he doesn't look out, start something. Has anyone any views on the matter? Don't keep them secret, if you have. HOW AN ENTERPRISING DEALER USES EXTRA WALL SPACE Clever Mural Sign Used by the Scanlan Co., St. Joseph, Mo. The advertising department of the Columbia Graphophone Co. received recently an interesting photograph from the Scanlan Hardware Co., South street, St. loseph. Mo., Columbia dealer, showing how this enterprising merchant is using the extra wall space in his establishment. The artistic sign which is presented in the accompanying illustration was painted by George Hoffman, one of the clerks at the Scanlan store, and this unique publicity was commented upon favorably by visitors to these warerooms. P«t Dec. 1. 1919—2 other patents appl'd for. The New Automatic Cover Support Noiseless in Operation Foolproof in Construction Made With Both Bent and Flexible Hinges Heavily Nickel Plated or Specially Finished to Order Send $1 for 3 samples — one of each model WRITE FOR CATALOGUE A. F. Zega Mfg. Co. Main Office: /^^S Factory: 810 Broad Street 77.81 Mm Street NEWARK, N. J. <& BLOOMFIELD, N. J.