Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
JULY 24, 1926
Chamber Opposes Effort to Increase
Rates on Phonograph and Radio Cabinets
Submits Brief Opposing Railroad's Claims at First Hearings Held in New York on July 15—
Controversy of Importance in Regard to Future Attitude of Railroads
r~\OCKET 27, now under consideration by the
Official Classification Committee repre-
senting all the railroads in the country, contains
a proposal of the railroads to make a special
rate for phonograph and radio cabinets, which
would materially increase these rates over those
now in effect. The same docket includes a pro-
posal by radio manufacturers to establish a
special classification for radio mechanisms for
installation in cabinets at the same rate as
talking machine mechanisms.
The first hearings were held in New York on
Thursday, July 15, at which the phonograph
and radio interests were represented by the
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. A
committee of traffic managers prepared a brief,
which was presented by Alfred L. Smith, secre-
tary arid general manager. This special com-
mittee acting in this matter consists of W. H.
Lockwood, traffic manager, Brunswick-Balke-
Collender Co.; W. F. Varin, chief accountant,
Sonora Phonograph Co.; W. Hildebrand, traffic
manager, Thomas A. Edison, Inc.; L. R. Ahern,
traffic manager, Columbia Phonograph Co.;
George W. Knight, traffic manager, Chas.
Freshman Co., Inc.; Win. T. Rogers, traffic
manager, Freed-Eisemann Radio Corp. These
traffic managers, with the exception of Mr.
Lockwood, also appeared individually to sup-
plement the brief of the Chamber.
Hearings will also be held in Chicago on
July 22. Additional briefs will be filed by the
Chamber, and W. H. Lockwood, chairman of
the Chamber's Traffic Committee, will make a
special argument. It is also expected that the
traffic managers of the Zenith Radio Corp. and
Stewart-Warner Speedometer Corp., both of
whom are members of the Chamber, will ap-
pear.
In view of the recent attempts of the railroads
to increase rates on phonographs, as well as the
well-known attitude of the railroads looking to-
ward such increases in the future, these pro-
posed increases under consideration are of par-
ticular importance. The result of this contro-
versy may determine much future action with
respect to rate changes. It is likewise impor-
tant, in view of the infancy of the radio in-
dustry, in which rates are as yet largely un-
established, that each specific radio rate, when
established, be done so properly.
The brief filed by the Chamber at the New
York hearings is as follows:
July 16, 1926.
"The Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce is composed of eleven national trade
associations, representing the manufacturing,
jobbing and retail interests of practically every
branch of the music industry. We appear to-
day especially in behalf of manufacturers, job-
bers and retailers of phonographs, as well as a
number of manufacturers of radio sets and ap-
paratus who belong to our organization, rela-
tive to Docket 27, Subject 47 furniture cabinets;
music, music record and talking machine record,
and Subject 49 furniture cabinets; radio or talk-
ing machine (without mechanisms).
Subject 49
Furniture Cabinets; Radio or Talking Machine
(Without Mechanisms)
"We wish to discuss with you first Subject
49 furniture cabinets: radio or talking machine
(without mechanisms), which is the carriers'
proposal, establishing an additional classifica-
Attract the
Most Critical
Customers
11
This department now is maintained on the
mezzanine floor, along with the record booths.
Talking machines formerly were merchandised
on the fourth floor, but this department is to
be discontinued, store officials have announced.
Scottish Dealer Reports
High Grades in Demand
tion, to which we are very strongly opposed.
"There is no practical connection between
Peter Campbell, of J. D. Cuthbertson & Co.,
radio cabinets and talking machine cabinets
States Firm Now Handles the Ampico in the
(without mechanisms), and therefore no justifi-
Broadwood
cation for embracing them within the same
classification description. Talking machine cab-
Peter Campbell, representing the well-known
inets (without mechanisms) constitute entirely
Glasgow piano house of J. D. Cuthbertson &
a partially manufactured product, shipped only
for purposes of further manufacture, and have Co., perhaps the largest strictly piano house in
Scotland, was a recent visitor to the American
never been sold through retail channels or to
the ultimate consumer; while, on the other hand, industry. Mr. Campbell stated that his firm
had recently taken the agency for the Ampico
a large portion of the radio cabinets are finished
in the Broadwood, one of the leading pianos of
products designed for sale through retail chan-
the British industry, and that his visit to Amer-
nels and sold to the ultimate consumer.
"There is no reason for a new item to cover ica was in part to study sales methods regard-
ing this instrument.
talking machine cabinets (without mechanisms),
"Business has been very fair with us," said
because this article is already provided for by
Mr. Campbell, in an interview with The Re-
Item 4, Page 200, Consolidated Freight Classi-
view. "Demand is best with the high-grade
fication No. 4. Furthermore, an investigation
lines and these are moving very well. Of
we have made through our members and all
other manufacturers of talking machines in- course we have had to contend with strikes and
other industrial troubles, including the genera]
dicates that there has never been and will not
not had as much effect as
be any movement of talking machine cabinets strike, but these have
n
(without mechanisms) in less than carload lots. might be thought.
Mr. Campbell stated that his firm has as many
Therefore, insofar as the proposed less than car-
load rate is concerned, it would be a paper rate. as 500 pianos in stock at times and that upon a
Saturday, which is evidently the big shopping
Subject 47
Furniture Cabinets: Music, Music Record, Talk- day in the Scottish metropolis, as many a?
twenty-six sales have been made. The firm has
ing Machine Record
just
recently opened a talking machine depart-
"Under Subject 47 furniture cabinets: Music,
music record or talking machine record, the car- ment, which is a departure for it, and will handle
the Columbia and H. M. V. lines.
riers propose to increase the less carload rat-
ings in all territories from first to one and one-
quarter time, first-class and carload rating in
western territory from third class to second.
We wish to register our strong opposition to
this proposal at this time.
Quartet From Maskat Temple, Wichita Falls,
"We know of no justification for this pro-
Tex., Records Four Numbers, the Proceeds
posed increase, and we therefore believe thai
From Sales to Go to Shrine Charities
this proposal should not have been made at the
present time, and that we should not be called
A recent interesting addition to the list of
upon to submit evidence to support our opposi-
special
Brunswick recordings was that made
tion in view of the fact that this, being a furni-
recently of the singing of the chanters from the
ture classification, is involved in the investiga-
tion of rates on furniture. Order No. 18323." Maskat Temple Shriners, of Wichita Falls, Tex.,
who have won a national reputation in shrine
circles for their excellent work. The organiza-
tion is composed of R. Vaughn Ray, first tenor;
Paul Von Allman, Director and Baritone; Ivan
Murchison, second tenor; and Grover Bulling-
ton Bates, with S. J. Pitman at the piano. They
New Quarters in Sioux City, Under Direction of
are all prominent business men of Wichita
P. L. Hanson, to Look After Needs of Dealers
Falls,
Mr. Pitman being a piano dealer, but
in Northwest
finds time to take part in Masonic activities
and particularly in Shrine music. They have
Sioux FALLS, S. D., July 17.—A new distributing
been singing together for about six years.
office for the Hobart M. Cable Piano Co., La
The numbers recorded by the Chanters are
Porte, Ind.,- has been opened here in the John-
"O Holy Father," and "Lord, Is It I?," on one
son-Feyder warehouse, East Sixth street. All
record, and "Absent," and "Good Night, Be-
of South Dakota and parts of Iowa, Minnesota
loved" on the other. The proceeds of the
and Nebraska will be served in the future from
record sales are to go to the support of Shrine
the Sioux Falls office. P. L. Hanson, formerly
charities and the first records in Wichita Falls
identified with the company's store at Danville,
were sold at auction. W. D. Cline, former
has been made district manager.
Mayor, bidding in the first set, for $100.
Shrine Chanters Make
Records for Brunswick
New Distributing Office
for Hobart M. Gable Go.
New T. M. Manager
Portland Go. Chartered
CANTON, O., July 17.—With acquisition of the
department store of the Klein Heffelman
Zollars Co. by the Ross Stores, Inc., of New
York, recently, many of the department execu-
tives have been replaced by other buyers.
George Strickmaker, has been named manager
and buyer of the talking machine department.
Incorporation papers have been filed by the
Portland Music Co., Portland, Ore., of which
Lewis Lunsford, P. J. Hibler and B. H. Barber
are incorporators. The capital stock is $25,000,
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review.
AMCO BENCHES
OS W.
Ckloic*
StTMt
Give the
Best
Satisfaction