The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

132 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD May 15, 1925 Montreal Radio Trades Association Is Formed to Wage War on Trade Evils Protest Against Proposed Amendment of Copyright Act to Be Forwarded to the Prime Minister C. W. Lindsay, Ltd., Decides to Pay Bonus After Very Successful Year — The News Montreal, Can., May 7. — Surplus radio stocks in the hands of some manufacturers still have a bad effect through being dumped on the market at auction prices. Buyers who purchased from the same manufacturers in good faith are forced to meet retail prices below their costs, and no improvement is expected until the public takes up the cut price items now available. In order to cope with the situation, dealers are showing more interest in products of manufacturers who have more stable prices, and who apparently refuse to add to the disturbed condition of affairs by slashing prices. Standard parts and sets of several leading manufacturers have not been as seriously affected as those made by firms who have been attracted to the radio field, and who went ahead on production programs far ahead of the ability of the market to absorb their output. Hope for improvement is displayed by a section of the trade, and a slightly more optimistic tone is in evidence. The public appears to show some doubt about quality of low priced articles even when marked with the manufacturer's name. Batteries and tubes are in good demand and appear to have become established as a staple line because of the number of radio sets in use. In order to combat the various evils in the local trade as well as trying to remedy the situation the Montreal Radio Trades' Association has been formed, the basis of organization being to secure closer business relations between its members and to protect the public and the members from impositions, to secure legislation for the best interests of the trade and correct merchandising methods of the radio trade in Montreal. Protest against the proposed amendment to the Copyright Act which would prevent copyright music being broadcast by radio will be forwarded to the Right Hon. W. I. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister, by the Electrical Club of Montreal. Unanimous decision to do this was made at a recent weekly luncheon of the club in the Queen's Hotel. Second reading has already been given to the amendment, and it has now been referred back to committees, said F. W. Johnson, advertising manager of the Northern Electric Company, who addressed the club on the subject of "Radio ^Broadcasting." "If the amendment is passed radio broadcasting in Canada will be killed," Mr. Johnson told the club. The annual meeting of C. W. Lindsay, Ltd., took place recently when reports were presented for the fiscal year ending February 28, 1925, which showed a very satisfactory year, the volume of business being substantial and the profits exceptionally good. It was made evident by the report on collections that transactions had been of a high character. In view of the showing, the president, C. W. Lindsay, announced that the directors by way of appreciation of the efforts of the staff, arranged to pay a full bonus of 10 per cent of their respective salaries to all their employes in Montreal and certain other branches who have been in the continuous service of the company since March 1, 1924. The bonus was paid to the employes in cash on May 1. The regular dividend of 7 per cent on preferred shares and 8 per cent on the common shares was declared, and the old board of directors re-elected. This firm controls the jobbing rights of the Sonora phonograph in certain territories. H. M. Connolly & Co., of Montreal, are offering 10,000 preferred shares of the Dynergy Radio Co., Ltd., at $10 per share, carrying a bonus of 50 per cent of common stock. The Dynergy Radio Co., Ltd., has been incorporated under a Dominion charter to acquire the Canadian manufacturing rights of the Lavenburg Corp., of the United States, inventors of the Dynergy radio receiving set, and the Dynergy power unit, which enables any and all other makes of radio now on the market to operate without batteries; and to carry on the manufacture and distribution throughout Canada of these two separate products. Clever Stunts and Tie-Ups of Toronto Retailers Create Interest in Their Lines Sonora Phonograph Replaces Orchestra in Theatre Tie-Up — Brunswick Radiola Popularity Continues— "Canadian" Portable Makes Debut — Radio Window Makes 'Em Stop and Look Toronto, Ontv May 7. — A clever stunt was recently staged by Manager Leonard Bishop, of the Regent Theatre, Ottawa, in co-operation with the C. W. Lindsay, Ltd., branch of that city during the presentation of the clown tragedy, "He Who Gets Slapped." In place of the usual orchestra overture a phonographic selection of appropriate nature was played. Lindsay's loaned a Sonora phonograph for the week with a Victor record from Pagliacci, this being "Vesti la Giubba" as sung . by Enrico Caruso. A special loud needle was used in the machine. The phonograph was not displayed, the house being darkened while the selection was being played, so that the audience did not know how the selection was being presented. The machine was placed in the centre of the orchestra pit and actual accompaniment was played on the pipe organ, the organ and the phonograph being synchronized as to key, volume of tone, etc. The Ouellette Brunswick Shop, Windsor, Ont, has removed to new and more commodious premises, located at 20 London street, where it now has at the disposal of its increasing number of customers one of the finest and most complete music stores in the Dominion. Mr. Ouellette claims the largest and most healthy record business in Windsor, and points with pride to the exclusive selection of Brunswick artists as one of the main reasons for this growth. Wm. F. Hitchcock, head of the Phonomotor Co., Rochester, announces that he was advised recently by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, that the Phonomotor had been approved by the Commission's laboratories .and Talking Machine Springs and Repair Parts NONE BETTER IN QUALITY NONE LOWER IN PRICE THE RENE MANUFACTURING CO. MONTVALE, NEW JERSEY distribution permitted in Canada. Mr. Hitchcock is naturally highly elated with the recognition accorded his electric motor. V. B. Hodges, sales manager of the Brunswick phonograph division, states that the music trades of Canada are now undoubtedly realizing the tremendous possibilities of the Radiola line, and are aware that the Brunswick policy of protecting dealers is thoroughly appreciated. He. states they are well satisfied with the efforts^ put behind the Brunswick Radiola by the music trades, and is of the opinion now that the combination model has been properly introduced to the music trades and the public, the returns will be even greater. C. R. Fraser Co., Ltd., Canadian representative of F. A. D. Andrea, Inc., has distributed to its jobbers and dealers a beautiful and very effective window display featuring FADA neutrodyne receivers. A new Canadian-made portable phonograph, to be known as the "Canadian" and to retail at $30 has just been placed on the market by W. H. Banfield & Sons, Ltd., Toronto. Purser Bull & Co., Ltd., radio distributors, have removed to the Radio Building, 445-447 King street, West, where they have more space available for their ever-growing clientele. At the recent annual meeting of the Burndept of Canada, Ltd., S. B. Trainer was re-elected president, and H. B. McKenzie was elected to the office of general manager. Robertson Pingle & Tilley, Ltd., Ottawa, in order to direct and attract attention to their radio sets, recently placed in their show window a handsome receiving outfit in which were placed electric light bulbs of small size which were attached to the electric service, these lights were allowed to burn all day and night and gave the idea to the general public that the radio tubes were being used up. More than one passerby stopped and notified this firm that they were ruining their batteries by leaving the set on all night. The Harry Whitehouse Music Co. has opened in the Masonic Block, Port Arthur, Ont., carrying phonographs1, records, etc. The R. S. Williams & Sons Co., Ltd., have secured the Canadian distributing sales rights for the Outing portable talking machine, which is so well known on the American side through its up-to-date slogan: "One ha'ndle handles it." They expect to place a large number of these machines throughout the Dominion.