The Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital Edition

Transcription

[TAE Marginalia] My letter simply said that I personally would not make any new records in my laboratory I did not speak for the works we have never made any
Thomas A. Edison Esq., 
Dear Sir:-  
I understand from Major EATON THAT Mr. Bush has advised the North American Phonograph Company not to become a party to the agreement between Marshall and the Edison Phonograph Works, relating to duplicating records. 
I am not aware upon what ground Mr. Bush bases this advice, but I wish to call your attention to the way in which this matter stands, so that in any arrangement which is made, the interests of the Phonograph Works may be protected. 
In the agreement between the N. A. P. Co., and the Works, the latter were given the right to manufacture. It was never intended or even suggested that the N.A.P. CO., or any of its licenses should be come wholly or in part manufacturing organizations. That they have become such is the result of demoralization and not the exercise of any right acquired by contract; because such contract rights were acquired by the Edison Phonograph Works, and have been and are now its exclusive property.  
The Works can sell articles of its manufacture only to the a.p. Co., or persons authorized by the N. A. P. CO., to purchase from the works. Marshall’s authority to purchase from the Works can be traced through the agreements between the N. A. P. CO, the Automatic Phonograph Exhibition Company the agreements with the New York, New Jersey and New England Phonograph Companies and other agreements with Marshall himself, and the Works can therefore sell manifold records to Marshall whether the N. A. P. CO., be-come a party to the agreement or not. 
But this is a round- about businesslike and unsatisfactory manner of getting at it. 
The works have approached the N. A. P. CO., in a straight forward manner and asked them to recognize their rights, and to give them direct authority to sell to Marshall. If the refuse to do this it amounts to nothing more nor less than quibbling. It will show that they have not sufficient courage to protect others who have a right to claim such protection and also will indicate that they have not enough courage to protect themselves. It strike me as the height of foolishness for the N.A. P. CO., to attempt to postponement of the recognition of the rights of the Works by playing for such a small loophole as would be secured through holding aloof from the Marshall agreement. 
I suppose the N. A. P. Co., will seek to strengthen, if not justify, their position by flaunting the letter which you wrote a year or so ago when the musical record business was removed from the Laboratory. They could not upon authority of this letter, have given local companies, or taken to themselves more than the right to make and sell original records, and I understand you are willing to conceded. This.  
Anything beyond this belongs to the Works and it strikes me that the time has some when the patience of the Edison Phonograph company. 
Yours truly, 
Private Secretary. What are records shown today? 
Can there be satisfaction for listeners? 
With insignificant nasal sounds— 
They are not appreciated by people who can afford Phonograph. 
Nickel-in-slot could bring easily ten times as much as today. 
Singers and players disgusted with Phones Shown. 
Heare have never a good opinion of Phon and do not listen repeatedly. 
After having  listened to what the Phon can do and does. 
It is possible to take both popular and high class music 
Free of nasal around and seratch. 
Duplicate same and establish a high standard. 
Perfect knowledge of Phon. Is necessary to take such  
And with such good material must come  
The change from our curiosity to satisfaction, 
From Phonograph as a plaything “to use”. 
The knowledge of making such musical records should 
At present not be universal and kept for 
Making a profit by selling duplicates. 
The only proper place to start this from and the “Phon Works” where men are in control who have the name of Edison at heart and who have by means of find records at low figure  
A decided voice in the management of Phon’s in sub- Companies and set up a high stand-ard for results to which all the sub- companies can be made to listen and follow. 
The “No American” has to pay every player by established precedent. 
The Phon Works can have during the year hundreds of the best artists free for the asking, especially if good results are shown and the Phon Works could charge same price as if artist had been paid for. 
If  No American make records everybody connected with same and all the sub-Companies will try to find out and pretend that they do know how to take such records as myself and Walter Miller can show today. Mr. A.O. Tate