I don't know that I'd blithely assume Mel-O-Dee to be a wholly
independent operation from the MTR statement, as there's other
evidence that could be considered.  For a start, the rolls used the
standard Aeolian 'Universal' roll numbering.

Aeolian kept all of its roll manufacturing activities within the
bounds of holding companies, such as the Universal Music Roll Company,
so the Mel-O-Dee Music Company structure was actually standard
practice.

In the UK rolls used the Meloto label, from January 1925.  The earliest
of these stated they were made by the Meloto Company, but after a year
or two this changed to Universal.  It's so similar to the Mel-O-Dee
setup that it can't be a coincidence.

A final thought: Aeolian, like many other companies, sold both branded
and unbranded products so they could sell via two sets of dealers at
the same time -- hence names such as Universal.  The whole purpose of
this independence would have been subverted if the rolls carried the
Aeolian name!

Julian Dyer