The Phonogram, Vol. 1:11-12 (1891-11)

242 THE PHONOGRAM . machine company. Since then five divi- dends have been paid, the lasfc about sixty days ago. Every field of usefulness for talking- machines has been developed with the greatest possible rapidity. The commer- cial phonograph has been pressed with vigor, and in Washington more machines are used for business purposes than in any other city in the world. Phonographs are found in every department of the United States Government, where they have su- perseded shorthand writers. During a single session of Congress about sixty machines were used by senators, represen- tatives, and other officials employed in and about the capitol. The Columbia Company manufactures musical records of all kinds, the specialties being records by the United States Marine Band and John Y. Atlee’s artistic whist- ling. These records have gone into every State and Territory in the Union, and arc known wherever the phonograph is known. Especial attention has been paid to the teaching of languages by the phonograph, and other companies have been equipped with books and language cylinders, and started at work on this most promising branch of the business. One hundred and forty automatic nickel-in-the slot phonographs are in op- eration, principally in Washington and Baltimore. The Columbia Company distributes not less than five hundred copies of The Phonogram per month among its sub- scribers, and persons intrrested in talking- machines ; and regards The Phonogram as of the utmost educational value. The practical experience of the officers with talking-machines dates back more than a year before the organization of the company. The Western Pennsylvania Phono- graph Co. was organized at Pittsburgh in December, 1888, with P. C. Knox, Esq., president; L. S. Clarke, vice-presi- dent ; F. L. Stephenson, treasurer, and J. K. Friend, secretary. Under their management, the company entered upon a prosperous career, and a large number of phonographs and phonograph-grapho- phones were placed. The instruments, of course, met with the same opposition that confronted them in other States, which, although unorganized, was very effective, namely, the stenographers. A number of the instruments were kept in practical use, and now that the stenographers are commencing to understand the value of the machine to them, their opposition is on the wane, and the phonograph is beirg looked upon in the same light as the mimeograph and the typewriter, a valuable means of disposing of a hard day’s work. The outlook is very encouraging, and it is believed that one of the largest con- cerns in Pittsburgh will use the phono- graph at an early date. The terrritory is being worked pretty well, and the agents are making considerable progress in placing phonographs. The company has also put out quite a number of- automatic niekel-in-the-slot machines in the larger cities. • The attach- ment in use is the invention of Mr. L. S. Clarke. At the last meeting of the stockholders, the following officers and board of direc- tors were efccted : George B. Motheral, president; L. S. Clarke, vice-president; F. L. Stephenson, treasurer ; Henry F. Gilg, secretary. Directors, Messrs. P. C. Knox, George I. Whitney, Ij. II. Williams, L. S. Clarke, J. II. Friend, II. L. Childs and George 1$. Motheral. The company met with a great mis- fortune in the loss of Mr L. II. Williams, one of the most active phonograph men in the country, who died in May hist. The Kew England Phonograph Co. was organized October 12, 1888, under the laws of the State of Maine, with a capita) of §2,000,000. It is at present governed by a board of i > fl i \ *