Business & Finance: Radio & Phonographs

• Share

Owen D. Young, chairman of Radio Corporation of America, sailed with Mrs. Young last week for a holiday in England, and would not explain. General James G. Harbord, R. C. A.'s president, compressed his lips into silence. President Edward E. Shumaker of Victor Talking Machine Co. let a mask of diffidence hide his thoughts.

Nonetheless investors bought R. C. A. and Victor stock during the week upon the report that the two firms, leaders of their respective fields, would form—not necessarily a merger but—a closer technical and commercial alliance than has bound them together in the past.

Victor sells a phonograph with a R. C. A. Radiola contained.† It also has the right to use R. C. A.'s research, as well as General Electric's, Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing's, American Telephone & Telegraph's and Western Electric's discoveries in the field of acoustics & sound reproductions.

Those companies in return have the right to know & use Victor's laboratory discoveries. Closer comity between R. C. A. and Victor will at least reduce the overhead costs of selling. One shop can easily sell both types of machines.