Donying reports of a trade war, Frank M. Folsom, president of the Radio Corporation of America, introduced a new-type long-playing record last Tuesday that plunged the record industry into hopeless confusion. Columbia, ballyhooing an entire symphony on one record at 33 1/3 revolutions per minute, was given a sudden slap in the face by RCA, which claims its speed of 45 r.p.m. is the best for "completely distortion-free music of unprecedented brilliance and clarity of tone."

The basic differences in speed are heightened by RCA's adopting its record to a new, rapid three-second changer. The adaptation requires a one and a half inch spindle hole, making it impossible for both the new RCA and Columbia records to be played on the same turntable. RCA has given up the idea of one symphony on one record, reduced the size of the record to seven inches, and come up with the startling result that its new record holds exactly the same amount of music as an old 12 incher. This leaves the entire advantage of the record in its improved tone and the rapid changer. Columbia's no-changer record has the definite advantage here. In fact, the difference to the consumer between RCA's new record and old is so slight that it is hard to see how the now one will compete with Columbia's already established LP.

Both record titans are completely agreeable to having only one type of long-playing record on the market, provided it is their type. The Mercury Record Corporation has already east its lot with Columbia.

Consumer attitude has been one of complete bafflement. Is RCA's tone better or does the company merely want--to make up for the loss in time to Columbia by confusing buyers? For the present, record listeners can sit back and watch the big boys fight.