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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
The " Wonder" Talking
flachine.
A COMPANY ORGANIZED TO RETAIL THE ABOVE
AT
$ X 5 c - G * CONN INTERESTED.
The Standard Talking Machine Co. is
the name of a new concern which was or-
ganized in this city this week to manufac-
ture the "Wonder" talking machine. C.
G. Conn, the celebrated band instrument
manufacturer, is president of the company,
A. T. Armstrong vice-president and trea-
surer, and Emory Foster secretary. The
headquarters of the company are at 23 East
Fourteenth street, with branches at Chi-
cago, 111., and Detroit, Mich. The manufac-
tories will be at Elkhart, Ind., and
Worcester, Mass.
Cameron Withdraws.
As The Review goes to press, it is learned
that Mr. A. B. Cameron has been com-
pelled, owing to large demands on his lime
in other directions, to withdraw Irom his
interest in the Gibson Piano Mfg. Co.
The Review is informed that this is an
entirely amicable arrangement and that
Mr. Cameron has expressed himself as
heartily in sympathy with the present at-
titude of the firm and hopeful of its future.
This change in the firm interests will
necessitate some slight alteration of the
program referred to in a recent issue.
Mr. Boothe is contemplating several addi-
tions to his present plans along the line of
high grade piano manufacturing.
It is highly probable that a new com-
pany will be formed to build the Boothe
Bros, piano—the name selected in lieu of
the Boothe-Cameron.
Wray Sues Hayden Bros.
[Special to The Review.]
It is the purpose of the company toplace
on the market a machine which will be as
loud, clear, brilliant and as perfect in all
respects as the highest priced machine at
a retail price of $15.00. This includes all
the paraphernalia such as sound box, horn,
stylus points, etc.
The "Wonder" talking machine is the
invention of J. W. Jones, who perfected it
while acting in an advisory capacity with
Mr. Berliner.
The action is somewhat
similar to the gramophone; the sound is
produced from a sound box holding a
needle which runs on the record contain-
ing sounds to be reproduced. The records
are made of vulcanized fibre which is in-
destructible. By a process which this
company controls, the most delicate sound
waves which are now lost by other
methods used are controlled. A feature
of this machine not found in others is that
one winding of the spring motor will play
three records.
The "Wonder" talking machine is sim-
ple, compact and easily operated, durable
in construction, and, as the cut shows,
attractive in appearance. It excels in gen-
eral effects any of the cheaper talking
machines on the market, and is going to
run as a competitor with the high priced
machines. Sold at $15.00, it is going to
have a big call around the holidays.
Chatting with Mr. Armstrong yesterday,
he stated that already a large number of
orders have been received, and that a
big force of men are now at work on the
machines, which will be ready for ship-
ment the closing days of next week.
When Mr. Conn opened up quarters in
this city we stated that he would stir
things up a bit, and this is only one step in
his program.
Omaha, Neb., Nov. 15, 1897.
E. W. Wray has brought suit in the dis-
trict court to recover $5,000 alleged dam-
ages from Hayden Bros, of this city. In
his petition the plaintiff alleges that he
was the owner of a piano and that on July
14 last, without authority, the defendants,
by their agent, entered his house and forci-
bly removed the piano in question. He also
alleges that the excitement caused by
the said removal caused his wife to
become seriously ill, since which time
her health has been greatly impaired.
In answer to the petition of theplaintiff,
Hayden Bros, admit the taking of the
piano, but allege that they had a right to
do so, as they held a lease that gave them
permission to take the property wherever
found, providing the installments were not
paid. They also allege that Wray had not
made the payments in accordance with the
terms of the lease.
As the season progresses, work at the
Goepel warerooms develops with wonder-
ful rapidity. The call for supplies is phe-
nomenally large.
Weser products are attaining unusual
popularity this season. Their special fea-
tures prove very attractive.
The Behr Bros. Colonial and other
special styles for 1897-1898 are making a
good record. Reports and orders from
representatives are highly encouraging.
G. F. Abendschein, of the Staib Piano
Action Co., made a short business trip this
week.
Robert L. Widenmann, of the Strich &
Zeidler Co., is still on the road, making a
good record.
Callers at the New England Piano Co.'s
warerooms are frequent. Mr. Scanlan
was in the city on Thursday.
Charles Mehlin started on an extended
business tour on Thursday in behalf of the
Mehlin products.
The Pryibil business is being carried on
with characteristic vigor and energy by
Paul Pryibil's sons. They evidently
mean to sustain and, if possible, add to
the already great prestige of the house.
There is great activity at the Stultz &
Bauer factory. Mr. Golden returned on
Thursday with excellent reports. He
covered a large area during his trip and
says that the growing strength of the S. &
B. products is plainly noticeable every-
where.
David H. Schmidt continues to make
Trade Sentiment with Them. piano hammers, at his Harlem factory, and
The sentiment of the trade seems to be he makes them so well that his patrons
strongly in favor of John C. Freund and keep him and a large force fully employed
the Music Trades Co. in their position as in satisfying their orders.
defendants in the libel suits with which
Eugene B. Baehr & Bro. announce this
they are threatened. On more occasions week that they will not move into their
than one Mr. Freund has proven his ability new quarters until the end of the year.
as a fighter and if the cases ever come be-
Frank Burns is suffering pleasantly just
fore the courts, he will undoubtedly
make the welkin ring with reverberations now from an infliction of orders for his
new scarfs and stools. This kind of pain
which can be heard all along the line.
pleases him immensely.
A Votey Brochure.
All hands are busy at the Decker & Son
factory. Business reported as active, new
The Votey Organ Co. have issued a new styles being in demand.
and novel catalogue. The leaves are fas-
The force in all branches of the Doll
tened at the top by means of a single clip,
the cover folding loosely over them. The piano factory is hard at work completing
letter-press deals largely with '' The Gem," instruments for prompt shipment.
No. 2i2, a Votey pipe organ. Specifica-
This week's report at the Braumuller
tions and a full description are included.
Co. factory is ''business good; shipments
There are also a number of valuable sug-
frequent; orders plentiful."
gestions given to pipe organ purchasers.
Wm. R. Gratz is expected home from hit
The book is a bright contribution to this
season's trade literature.
road trip the early part of the week.