Speedway Flyer, Volume 8, Number 46, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 October 1939 — Page 3

Lights of New York by L. L. STEV SON

From 20,000 to 40,000 persons, ■ scattered ail over the country, contribute about a million dollars a year to operators of the song publishing racket. The gyp publishers conduct their racket through the mails. They get reluctant though useful co-operation from Uncle Sam. The government can’t do anything about the matter. The sharks are •careful to keep within the letter of the law. Discreetly worded promises yielc. full immunity from prose■cution since those promises, however badly they may turn out for the song writer, are kept. Occasionally a shark steps over the thin dividing line. That’s bad for him. It doesn’t do the song writer much good, however, as there are more parasites to take his place and add to the number of broken hearts. The business is so profitable that there are, always those ready to prey on the ambitious.

The song writing urge seems to be strongly implaifted here in the United States. Many of the hopefuls send their brain children to publishing firms familiar to sheet-music purchasers. It is safe to say that all are returned to the writers, in most cases unopened and unexamined, publishers being exceedingly wary about dealing with unknowns. Picture then the joy when an ad such as the following is encountered: “Song writer wanted. Famous composer needs more material from new talent. Send your song poems at once. Fame and fortune can be yours.” Nine times out of ten, one or more manuscripts go into the mail. The embryo song writer is ready for a skyrocket flight to glory. But instead, usually a trimming awaits him.

His letter gets a speedy reply. The “exceptional song” has met immediate approval. A great future is predicted. The song of course must have excellent music composed for it. That and a few slight revisions and other costs, such as copyrighting the completed song, require a “small fee.” The “small fee” may range from SSO to SIOO. The song writer isn’t permitted to dwell too long on the sordid thoughts of money. The letter makes a point of relating the success attained by former unknown writers. He, too, is soon to taste the sweet glory of fame. And so the song shark gets his fees.

The next letter excites emotions still further. The finished sqng has been declared ready Tor ~“big"time.” The “famous composer” would like to write more music for his “sparkling lyrics.” A beautifully engraved contract calls for only a modest commission on “movie, radio and sheet music revenues.” In this way, a world of benefits are intimated. But quite tactfully the mention of a guarantee of the sale of the song has been omitted. “Offering for sale” is quite another matter.

A hundred copies of the song submitted may eventually find their way into print. Those copies, a United States copyright and music by a “famous composer” are all the shark is obligat 'd to provide. To further protect himself he may arrange for a single radio broadcast from some insignificant station. Hundreds of complaints are received each week by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and the Music Publishers Protective association. But nothing can be done about it. The sharks stay within the letter of the law. The only remedy seems to be exposure.

Strangely enough it is ridiculously simple to detect the song shark. The first rule for amateurs to keep in mind is that the legitimate publisher asks no investment from the writer. Accredited firms assume all responsibility and expense for publication, distribution and exploitation. Legitimate publishers do not advertise for “song poems,” “hit lyrics,” or “verses” so that they can furnish appropriate music. Publishers do not accept songs from “song writers’ agents,” or other middlemen. And so, six letters recently received are answered. (Bell Syndicate—WNU Service.!

Duck Affair Costly SEATTLE. Vernon Poirier, 23-year-old sailor, found, it impossible to duck a duck fine for shooting a duck out of season. The duck was only a two-pound affair and the fine was at the rate of SSO a pound. Worse yet, he did not even get the duck. Profit in Herring Scales Greater Than for Fish DEER ISLAND, N. B.—Fishermen here are getting more for the fish scales than they are for .the fish. Many fishermen are engaged in gathering herring scales, for which a demand exists at Eastport and Luzec, Maine, where pearl essence factories are situated. The “scalers” obtain the herring scales from weirmen and seiners in exchange for labor performed in the dipping of the fish from the seines and the scooping of them aboard the large sardine carriers. The scalers get three cents a pound for these scales—three times the value per pound of the fish at prevailing prices. .. .

Laughing Around the World With IRVIN S. COBB

A Memory Out of the Misty Past By IRVIN S. COBB AREALLY good story achieves immortality—it never dies and it never should. For proof of the truth of this consider the following tale | which, in various forms has been current ever since its birth, thirty-odd • years ago:

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A distinguished citizen of Louisville —so the most popular version has it—went to a dinner one night and stayed late. It was two o’clock in the morning when he reached his house afoot. In front of the house was a very small yard, hardly more than an ornamental grassplot; and in the exact center of it stood a maple sapling with a two inch butt. The Kentuckian made for the door, but tacked off at an angle and bumped into the littl? treelet He made a fresh start, executed a wide and uncertain detour—and cameback smack up against the maple. This time he put his back against its swaying trunk in order to be sure of getting the direction right—and off he went again plowing up the grass. It wasn’t any use—he circled the lawn twice, but he finished up holding on to the sapling. Thereupon he sat himself on the earth with great care, removed his hat, his shoes, and his dress-coat, and rolled up the dress-coat for a pillow; and as he sank to rest beneath the stars he muttered in a voice of resignation: “Lost, by Heavens!—lost, in the midsh of an impen’trable foreshP* (American News Features, Ine.l

GO TO CHURCH SUNDAY EVERY SUNDAY!

THE POCKETBOOK of KNOWLEDGE

- ---=Zlxhjis nr. ' v =7 being \ AT THE REQUEST OF gs f 7 \ 7 MM/e AHTojNerrt, Wr .CzA \ a , nl/ Us THE KINGDOM *7W I 1 UT * 1 ' HANDKERCHIEFS SHALL I equal the width*.. I CIGARS A YARD LONG A fßouwa triangular I are smoked By 1 Ar*/ ,NDIANS 0F ™ e wereccmuohlv 9 //// / AMAZON RIVER BASIN, / SOUTH AMERICA. BV fAR THE ORtATSST L PROPORTION OF PATENTS E «uep annuals are aw y-- 1V fOR NEW INVENTIONS, BUT A •hRTWTg&J W UAPMNtIMHTS ON I ,XISTINO 'HVENTIONS. I , Pish that measure but fkilTTl-ZS? rfß'*’ 1 ’’ 1 -*ci , 7a inch in length ARe UXlra rW , USEO FOR FOOD By ..J? fcZEiiW jffiirt 2”? NATIVES OF THE LAKE 6UHI W---.Z7 TERRITORY, LUZON, , T. 1 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS Ah Mun ***** <* ** AVRRAOt AMMICAH FACTORY I wooxiß WILL Rvv 24 nwi as mat rooo rat mt tvwar (THer ARE CAU6HT tASKIT AS A OtAMAH WOWrtWS WAMSI «♦ TIMES AS MUCH HUNDREDS AT A TIM!.) AS AH ITALIANS AHO tl THUS AS MUCH AS A RUSSIANS. : *————■■

New 1940 PHILCO RADIOS Now on display!' * NO AERIAL, NO GROUND NO LIGHTNING HAZARD! Just plug in and play! CASH or EASY TERMS! Expert service on all makes of radios. ‘Radio Biß’ 3050 W. 16th St. Bel. 2484

Lyons Dry Goods Store 1534 Main St. Bel. 2360 Double Cotton Blankets $1.19 Double Part Wool Blankets ...» $2.19 Boys’ Leatherette Jackets, 6 to 16. $1.98 value ........ SI.OO Men’s Dress Oxfords $1.69 Child’s All Leather Oxfords, 814 to 2 ”” sl*oo Child’s Cord Overalls SI.OO

DRUGSTORE COWBOYS

I’M 50 Gt AO Ijl GEE THIS 900 CfifU OLONO FqoEENIE - g, AIR IS SWELL-JU? KID// |WE OUST RE RD | DEANS-yOVCAN LI'VE THE AFTER- j§ LET 5 GO FOR F/Si&t* e TAKE ME TOTOWnM nqon Off/ § A RIDE AFTER I N T 'Vs E (f you DON’T L L : tve some shoppin f* 00 : TO PO f * <; -r>— —— 1 _ • F ~~z ’ ' ~ *<s '' |;wiiliM<| ♦ . \ Sf '■■ ’?:«&

Parrott’s Case 14th At Main St. GOOD MEALS

LOS AMIGOS CLASS MEETING

Los Amigos members please remember the monthly class meeting Friday night, Oct. 20, following our “pitch-in” supper. 1 At this meeting the class officers will be elected for the coming year. May we all come out and enjoy ourselves and cast a vote for our favorite officers. Final dinner bell rings at 6:30 sharp. Many have expressed their satisfaction with the line lesson last Sunday in Los Amigos Class and claim that the lessons have been good and getting better right along. So in case you have been losing out on some of these fine lessons taught by Mr. Raquet, accept our invitation and come to class next Sunday morning. I’m sure you’ll agree that we have a splendid teacher.

The Triangle Class of Speedway Christian Church will be entertained at the home of Miss Evelyn Moyer, 4924 Ford Street, next Tuesday evening, October 17th. At this time the regular business meeting will be conducted by the president, Mr. James Mitchell. The annual election of officers will be held also. All class members and friends are cordially invited to attend.

A young matron found herself •somewhat hustled by the number and variety of her engagement. On day in particular she found troublesome, for she had to go first to a funeral service and then to a garden party. She solved the dress problem by wearing 'smart but clothes and taking in a hat box a flowei-ed hat which, during thes ervice, she placed jn the vestry. Her sense of quiet pleasure at this successful solution of the problem was somewhat marred, however, when the coffin was brought into church. For reposing in the center of the wreaths on the coffin was her flowered hat.

Fred’s Market West 13th St. at Winton Ave. Groceries Meats Delivery Service Residence Phone Bel. 2112

FALL CLEARANCE Used Car Bargains Buy NOW and Save!

38 Chevrolet DeLux Town Sedan $495 33 Chevrolet 4-door Sedan $225 33 Buick 4-door Sedan $175 37 DeSoto Coupe, black $425 36 Dodge Coupe, radio and heater $325 34 Dodge Sedan, 4-door $225 33 Dodge 4-door Sedan $175 33 Terraplane Sedan 6-cylinder $145 32 Nash 4-door Sedan $. 95 38 Olds Trunk Sedan Radio $650 36 Pontiac Tudor trunk, radio $375 36 Plymouth Tudor, A-l $325 38 Ford Tudor, Heater, Trunk $495

West Side Motors, Inc. 24 HOUR SERVICE ANY MAKE CAR 2419 West Washington St. Belmont 1450

R. M. PHILLIPS General Insurance 4969 W. 15th St. Phone Bel. 5059

Zink’s Market 1556 Main Street Belmont 2260 Belmont 2261 Groceries & Meats We Deliver

“DEPENDABLE” A complete line of high grade coals, coke, and stoker fuels carried in stock at all times and delivered to you homes by our fleet of delivery trucks. Champe-Garland Coal Co. Inc. 1422 W. 30th St. ' Tai. 6871 Bill Garland 5201 W. 16th St. Bel. 0326

We Invite You To Visit ROSNER DRUG STORE - NEW STOCK AND FIXTURES FOUNTAIN AND. LUNCHEONETTE Service At All Times Prescriptions A Specialty Free Delivery Belmont 1515 16th and Main Street

Eyes Examined Glasses Fitted Dr. Jos. E. KERNEL Optometrist 104 N. ILLINOIS ST. TRACTION TERMINAL BUILDING

SCHOONOVER’S STANDARD SERVICE 16th At Main St. • Belmont 4600 “Winterize Your Car” Get Your Car Ready For Winter! Check The WaterNßose Before Putting In Anti-freeze. /K Special Price On Car-JEteaters!

33 Plymouth Coupe, A-l ......... $l5O 37 Ford Trunk Tudor 60 $365 36 Ford DeLux Coupe, heater $325 36 Ford DeLux Sedan, radio and heater $335 36 Ford Standard Tudor $285 35 Ford Tudor, black $250 34 Ford Tudor Sedan $195 34 Ford Coupe $175 33 Ford Tudor Sedan $l5O TRUCKS 37 Chevrolet IV4 Ton Long W. B. $325 31 Chevrolet 1 Vt Ton Pilot and Stake ....$ 95 35 Ford m Ton, Cab and Box Bed $250 31 Ford 114 Ton Model A Box Bed $165