In one clear, loud voice
The recent victory for music operators in the battle over the revision of the copyright law is a good
indication of how much can be accomplished by joining hands and speaking in one, clear, loud voice.
And it is indeed heart-warming to the staff at Play Meter that this accomplishment came shortly
were going to press with our very first issue.
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Much of the credit, if not all of it, should be given to the Music Operators of America, and especially
Executive Vice President Fred Granger. It was basically the MOA who so untiringly sought out jukebox
operators throughout the nation to support the MOA-backed revisions to the original bill.
But Granger himself credits those people who responded to the call of the MOA. He says the many letters
and telephone calls received by senators asking their support of the MOA amendments were what turned the
tide toward the final victory.
We agree. After nearly 30 years of debate, the battle is finally - for all practical purposes - over. And the
difference was "caring."
This issue, we feel, proves the worth of active, progressive organizations - both on the national and state
level.
Incidentally, the bill, with its revisions, must now go back to the House of Representatives in order that
both the House and the Senate versions will coincide. The measure will not likely reach the President's desk
before the next congressional session. • • •
A new goal: Trust
In recent weeks, while compiling information for this first issue, it has become apparent to us that there
exists a lack of trust within this industry. This lack of trust seems most prominent at the operator level. Trust
also appears lacking between the operator and the distributor, among groups of distributors, and even among
manufacturers.
With everybody watching out for the other guy, who's looking to see where we're all going? We feel that if
we are all going to succeed and realize our fullest potential, we are simply going to have to start trusting one
another.
By saying all this, we certainly don't intend to dampen anyone's competitive spirit. For good, clean
competition is healthy and indeed necessary. What we are saying is that we should all trust more in each other.
Operators, or anyone else for that matter, should do what they know is right and necessary - regardless of
how the competition may react.
Did you ever stop to think that perhaps the other guy may be just as scared of you as you are of him? We
think there's a good chance he may end up being just as smart as you, too. So if you're smart enough to start
trusting him, he may be just smart enough to start trusting you, and then everybody will be happier.
So the next time you're checking a location or just buying a cup of coffee, take a little time to look a bit
closer at those coins you've been handling for so long. One of the things that all coins have in common is the
inscription of the word "trust" on each one. We hope that in the times to come, "trust" will be one of the
things we all have in common. • • •
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