Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
44
EDISON DEALERS OF UTAH MEET
Are Guests of the Proudfit Sporting Goods Co.
at Convention Held in Ogden
The recent two-day convention of Edison deal-
ers in the territory served hy the Proudfit Sport-
ing Goods Co., Edison jobber at Ogden, Utah,
probably had the most unique and picturesque set-
ting of any Edison convention on record. It was
held at "The Hemitage," a remarkable hotel,
with city appointments, that nestles way up in
the gorgeous Ogden canyon. The hotel was
decorated for this occasion with a profusion of
Utah foliage and flowers. The opening session
started with a bang, when Bob Proudfit delivered
a speech of welcome in his characteristic, whole-
hearted Western manner.
Following Mr. Proudfit's opening talk, a tele-
gram was read from William Maxwell, vice-presi-
dent of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., regretting his
inability to be present, which was received with
expressions of regret.
J. J. Callahan, the Edison supervisor, then de-
livered the "Greetings from the Edison labora-
tories." All through the balance of the program
PRAISES EDISON AND SCHWAB
Cardinal Mercier Names These Two Americans
as Being Instrumental in Winning the War—
Belgian Prelate Fulfills Dream of Youth
One of the greatest tributes ever paid to
Thomas A. Edison was that by Cardinal Mer-
cier, the most heroic figure of the war. This
great Belgian prelate recently said that Ameri-
can genius, in winning the war, was supplied in
great measure by Thomas A. Edison and Charles
M. Schwab.
During the great war a helpless world con-
tinuously looked to great scientists of the Allied
nations for inventions that would offset the rav-
ages of the submarine, the peril of poison gas
and other horrible devices persistently used by
the Germans.
The world wondered what Thomas A. Edison
was doing, but Mr. Edison, believing that any in-
formation given out by him or other workers
would aid the enemy, consistently refused to tell
of, his labors. In fact, William Maxwell, vice-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the open forum, which is always a part of Edison
conventions, was a very instructive and valuable
feature of the convention.
The regular addresses on the program began
with a talk by George N. Scott, of Idaho Falls,
Idaho, on the subject, "Why I Chose the Edison
as a Merchandising Proposition." Ezra Foss. of
Preston, Idaho, gave an interesting discussion on
the topic, "How I Meet Competition." This was
followed by a talk on "Enthusiasm," by Joseph
Hanson, of Brigham City, Utah. "Tone Tests
and How I Make Them Pay," a well-handled sub-
ject by R. B. Davis, of Malad, Idaho, concluded
the program for the first day. After a dinner at
at "The Hermitage," which was a tremendous suc-
cess, the dealers attended a theater party in Og-
den..
The second day's program was opened with a
message from T. J. Leonard, general sales man-
ager of Thomas A. Edison, Inc. The Question
Box was then opened and many subjects thor-
oughly discussed.
Elmer F. Madsen, of Manti, and F. E. Drake, of
Filer, Idaho, both gave interesting talks on "How
We Sell the Amberola." James F. Burton, cash-
ier of the First National Bank, of Ogden, gave
The New York Tribune, in a lengthy article,
has just shed light on the vastness of the work
of Mr. Edison. The story was headed "Cardinal
Pays Tribute to War Work of Edison—Belgian
Prelate Declares Dream of His Youth Is Ful-
filled as He Meets Inventor at Luncheon."
His Eminence, Cardinal Mercier, said, accord-
ing to the Tribune:
"They have said that the victory of the Allies
was a victory of chemistry, physics and metal-
lurgy, that it was a victory of iron, steel, sub-
marines and ships. There is a great deal of truth
in this. But the genius to apply all these was
one of the main factors in the success of the
war." American genius, he said, was supplied in
great measure by Thomas A. Edison and Charles
M. Schwab.
"When you come to Belgium," Cardinal Mer-
cier said, "come to Malines and hear the chimes
of the Cathedral ring out for our common vic-
tory." The Tribune continued:
Cardinal Mercier fulfilled a dream of his
youth yesterday when he met Thomas A. Edi-
son at the luncheon of the Pennsylvania Society
NOVEMBER 1,
1919
an optimistic talk on the business outlook, which
was followed by a discussion by George Glen, of
Ogden, on "Advertising as a Business Getter."
The regular program was concluded by J. A.
Kipp, of Salt Lake City, who explained "How I
Make My Store a Musical Center." Another
banquet and a dance followed the second day's
convention.
The dealers expressed greatest enthusiasm for
the hospitality of Mr. Proudfit and for the effi-
ciency of Lawrence Taylor, secretary of the
Proudfit Co., who was the chairman of the con-
vention.
MAXWELL RETURNS FROM WEST
Vice-President of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., En-
thusiastic Regarding Edison Cabinet Produc-
tion at Pullman Plant—Calls on Hundreds of
Edison Dealers During Tour of the West
William Maxwell, vice-president of Thomas A.
Edison, Inc., who recently returned from an ex-
tensive business tour of the West, is enthusiastic
over the progress of Edison cabinet production
at the Pullman, 111., woodworking plant of the
Pullman Palace Car Co. The Pullman Co. is
devoting its entire woodworking capacity to the
manufacturing of cabinets for Thomas A. Edi-
son, Inc.
Mr. Maxwell says that the output of the plant
had far exceeded his expectations, that production
is humming at top speed and that, at the same
time, the high character of workmanship de-
manded by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., is being
steadily maintained. Mr. Maxwell, while at Pull-
man, was especially impressed by the progress
in the cutting and assembly departments, which,
he says, are daily increasing their output.
Mr. Maxwell met many hundred dealers as
well as jobbers in the territories of Chicago,
Omaha, Minneapolis, Denver, Ogden, Los An-
geles, San Francisco and Portland, and was able
to discuss various phases of the Edison business
with them. In a number of instances, special
meetings were arranged. The more notable of
these meetings were held at Denver, Los Angeles,
Portland, Seattle and Spokane. Mr. Maxwell's
trip included a motor tour from Portland to
Yakima, Wash.
The Western dealers were very enthusiastic
over the fact that not only the new cabinets but
that all cabinets in which New Edisons are en-
cased are true examples of period furniture. Most
of the dealers with whom he talked felt that next
to the merit of the New Edison as a musical in-
strument this fact, that "all Edison models are
period models," was the biggest talking point
they had.
COME OUT STRONG FOR VICTOR
James McCreery & Co. Use Full Page in New
York Times to Explain Their Victor Service
Cardinal Mercier and Two Great
president of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and one of
the closest associates of Thomas A. Edison, on
a recent business tour to the Pacific Coast, re-
peatedly answered "I do not know" to the ques-
tion of hosts of newspaper reporters, "What did
Mr. Edison do to end the war?"
Americans Whom He Praises
held at the Waldorf-Astoria in honor of the Bel-
gian prelate.
"Today I have a new joy, one of which I had
hardly dared to dream. I have met Thomas A.
Edison," said the aged Cardinal, feelingly, bowing
to the inventor, who was seated near him.
James McCreery & Co., New York, used a full-
page advertisement in the New York Times last
Sunday explaining why they have handled and
continue to handle Victrolas and Victor records
exclusively, in spite of the present difficulties due
to shortage of machines and records. A very
clear statement was made of just why James Mc-
Creery & Co. refused to substitute other makes
of machines during the war time, believing that,
in accordance with the recognized policy of the
store, only goods of an established standard
should be carried.
Among the many beautiful gifts to be received
by Miss Virginia Hylan, daughter of Mayor
Hylan of New York, on the occasion of her mar-
riage this week, was a handsome Adam Period
Grafonola, the gift of her uncle.