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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PATHE JOBBERS' CONVENTION PROVED MOST SUCCESSFUL
Second Annual Gathering, Held Last Week, Attended by Prominent Pathe Jobbers From Every
Section of the Country—E. A. Widmann Toastmaster at Banquet—Fine Program Rendered
As noted in last week's Review, the second
annual convention of the Pathe Jobbers' As-
sociation was held last week at the Hotel
Claridge, New York, and this convention re-
sulted in an invaluable interchange of ideas and
thoughts and the permanent establishment of
this association. There were discussed at the
various meetings topics of timely importance,
and when the conference ended each and every
Pathe jobber who was present referred to the
meetings in glowing terms of praise and ap-
proval.
From a combined business and social stand-
manager of the company, who gave the jobbers
an idea of a new window display service, which
is now being introduced, and Otto • Heineman,
president of the Otto Heineman Phonograph
Supply Co., Inc., whose talk was both reminis-
cent and practical, as he told the jobbers some-
thing of conditions abroad, and incidentally re-
ferred to the problems which must be overcome
in the production of talking machine motors.
The most pleasing feature of the banquet was
the appearance of three artists who record for
the Pathe record library—Eleanor de Cisneros,
the famous operatic soprano; David Bispham,
corded for the Pathe library, and which have met
with a ready sale throughout the country.
One of the pleasing events of the evening was
the appearance of Russell Hunting, of "Casey"
fame. Mr. Hunting, who is recording director
for the Pathe interests abroad, and who is rec-
ognized as one of the industry's foremost author-
ities, is at present spending some time in this
country, making his headquarters at the Pathe
recording laboratory in New York. He gave
several of his popular "Casey" numbers in his
inimitable fashion and then surprised his audi-
ence with a dramatic poem which brought back
recollections of the days when he was a promi-
nent figure in Shakespearean productions.
Among those who attended the banquet were
the following: G. E. Jennings, Wright & Wil-
Banquet of Pathe Jobbers' Association, Held at the Hotel Claridge, New York, September 13
helmy, Omaha, Neb.; E. D. Bristol, N. G. Bar-
point, one of the most pleasing features of the renowned baritone, and Louis Winsch, who has
ber and R. B. Caldwell, Pathephone Sales Co.
convention was the annual banquet held last achieved wide popularity as a singer of novelty
of New York; M. Meyers, M. Seller & Co.,
Thursday at the Hotel Claridge.
This ban- and popular numbers. These three artists were
quet was programmed as one of the "star" ably assisted by a portion of the Pathe "Bijou" Portland, Ore.; Jesse Rosenstein, National Piano
Co., Baltimore, Md.; J. H. Wheeler, G. Sommers
events of the conference, and it certainly lived orchestra.
With her customary graciousness Mme. de
& Co., St. Paul, Minn.; H. J. Brennan, Pitts-
up to its promise.
Cisneros entered heartily into the spirit of the
burgh Pathephone Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.; C. C.
After the Pathe jobbers and their friends (all
Conway, Hallet & Davis Piano Co., New York,
of whom were the guests of the Pathe Freres occasion, and in response to the enthusiastic ap-
N. Y.; J. W. Smart, Williams-Davis-Brooks &
Phonograph Co. at this banquet) had thorough- plause of the jobbers favored the diners with
several encores. Her singing of the "Star-
Hinchman Sons, Detroit, Mich.; B. H. Sanger,
ly enjoyed a special menu which emphasized
Spangled Banner" and the "Marseillaise" evoked
Rochester Phonograph Co., Rochester, N. Y.;
the culinary achievements of the Claridge chef,
Hugo Ricca and Jos. Schwartz, Pathephone Dis-
E. A. Widmann, president of the Pathe Freres tumultuous applause which was probably heard
tributors Co., New York, N. Y.; J. Jameson,
Phonograph Co., was introduced as toastmaster. in points far distant from the Claridge.
David Bispham rendered several of his popu- Fischer Co., Cleveland, O.; Otto Heineman, Otto
Mr. Widmann, in accepting this honor, com-
lar selections in a way which gave the jobbers
Heineman Phonograph Supply Co.; the follow-
mented upon the fact that he had been scheduled
to speak on "Pathe—The Company and the an adequate reason for the remarkable success ing officers and members of the sales and execu-
Jobber," but that in his present post he would which this famous American singer has achieved. tive divisions of the Pathe Freres Phonograph
Among the selections he sang were Homer's Co.: E. A. Widmann, George W. Lyle, H. T.
be able to forego making this address and be
"Banjo Song" and "When the Boys Come
Leeming, J. F. Collins, Frank L. Capps, J. F.
a guest for the evening.
Marching Home." The words for the latter
Watters, T. E. LaMontagne, W. Herman Rose,
He then gave an impromptu talk, in which
every one of the diners present evinced the keen- were written by John Hay, late Secretary of State. W. H. Penn, H. A. Harris, Paul Mendigal, D.
Mr. Winsch favored the party with a number
Savinno, E. A. Carter; and L. M. Robinson,
est interest. With characteristic wit and humor
of the popular novelty hits which he has re- The Talking Machine World.
Mr. Widmann traced briefly the foundation and
progress of the Pathe Freres Phonograph Co.
from the days of its earliest inception to the
present date. He referred semi-humorously to
Pacific Coast District Manager for Columbia Co.
J. W. Scott, general diamond Amberola su-
some of the trials and tribulations which con-
Photographed in Front of a Cactus
pervisor, left Orange last week for a swing
fronted the pioneer members of the company
around the Middle West, Canada and the East-
We take pleasure in presenting a photograph
when they entered the talking machine field,
ern States. His first stop is scheduled for St.
and, although an element of humor predom- of F. A. Denison, Pacific Coast district manager
Louis, where he will remain with the Silver-
inated in these reminiscences, it was not of the Columbia Graphophone Co., New York. stone Music Co. for ten days.
In the accompanying il-
difficult to see beneath the surface and quick-
Before his departure Mr. Scott said: "I be-
lustration Mr*. Denison
ly realize that the problems and handicaps
lieve that each jobber will co-operate with me
is making the' "best of
which Mr. Widmann and his group of loyal
to the extent of putting on men and installing
things," although from
co-workers had surmounted were of vital im-
a delivery system to be used for the Amberola
all appearances he is business. The results which have attended my
portance and tremendously far-reaching in their
«-n=_^_^__ stranded with his auto- efforts in the South, through the hottest months
scope. In closing Mr. Widmann paid a well-
J ' ; £ £ t ^ ^ H | | ^ ^ H mobile in the desert.
deserved tribute to the present body of Pathe
of this year, make me strong in my belief that
. As announced recent- all jobbers can do as well."
jobbers, to whom he referred as a corps of ag-
ly in The Review, Mr.
gressive and progressive business men, whose
From St. Louis Mr. Scott will go to Kansas
Denison is a two-time
interests were linked with the Pathe Freres
City, thence to Des Moines, through the West
F. A. Denison
winner of the President
Phonograph Co. in a way which augured for
to Toronto, returning by way of New Haven
Whitten cup, now being contested for by the and New York about October 5. He will re-
general and individual success.
Another interesting speaker was George W. district managers, and when he wins it for the sume his journey from there to other cities.
Lyle, assistant to Mr. Widmann, who gave a third time it will be his permanent property.
timely and important talk on the subject "Pub-
"What Is a Phonograph" is the title of a
licity." Mr. Lyle gave a short outline of the
W. B. Fulghum, widely esteejned in talking
very interesting little book which has been
company's plans for the ensuing year, emphasiz-
machine circles, has retired to take his stand
issued by Trace S. Ford, auditor of the P., L.
ing the fact that the Pathe Freres Phonograph
among the farmers and cattle raisers of Indiana
Co. will leave nothing undone to co-operate & W. R. R., of Lisbon, O., in which he discusses
sound reproduction in colloquial style.
He —his first love. In this connection, the Victor
with its jobbers and dealers from a publicity
says that he has written his little book volun- Talking Machine Co. express regret at the loss
standpoint.
of this popular member of the trade, and an-
Other speakers of the evening included J. F. tarily and out of pure gratitude to the Edison
nounce the promotion of E. J. Dingley, his able
Collins, general sales manager of the Pathe Amberola, and adds: "If I could not get an-
assistant, to the position of manager of the order
other the war debt of Europe would not buy
Freres Phonograph Co., who spoke on the sub-
department.
ject, "Retail Selling"; H. A. Harris, advertising mine."
DENISON SNAPPEDJN THE DESERT
J. W. SCOTT ON BUSINESS TRIP
MR. DINQLEY SUCCEEDS MR. FULGHUM