The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1908)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, March, 1908 13 Mr. Randolph's Successors A New South Wales Opinion The positions in the various Edison companies left vacant by the death of John F. Randolph have been filled as follows: Alphonse Westee has been made Treasurer of the Edison Phonograph Works, National Phonograph Co., Edison Manufacturing Co. and the Bates Manufacturing Co. and some of the smaller companies, in addition to his former duties as Secretary of the same companies; Harry F. Miller has been appointed private secretary to Mr. Edison and Assistant Treasurer of the above companies. Mr. Westee has been identified with the Edison interests from boyhood. For the pas: ten years he has successively filled many important positions in the various companies. Mr. Miller entered the employ of Mr. Edison when he built the laboratory at Orange in 1888, and in point of service is now one of the oldest in Mr. Edison's employ. For several years past he has been cashier of the Edison Phonograph Works, National Phonograph Co., Edison Manufacturing Co. and the Bates Manufacturing Co. The exigencies of business made it necessary for both Mr. Westee and Mr. Miller to enter upon their duties the day following Mr. Randolph's death. Walter Eckert, formerly Assistant Auditor, has been appointed Cashier vice Mr. Miller. Thomas Alva Edison Thomas Alva Edison was sixty-one years old yesterday. But if we were to measure his life by what he has accomplished, we would find him with two or three centuries to his credit. Take out of the world the things Edison has given to it and you take away things that have come to be necessities. There are, for instance, the numerous improvements in the telegraph apparatus, such as the quadruplex and sextuplex devices; the phonograph, based on a principle upon which all talking machines are constructed; the incandescent lighting system, the kinetoscope and even the simple megaphone. The world owes a vast debt to this wonderful man. He has had more patents issued to him than any other man, living or dead. He has now taken out nearly a thousand patents. He has done more than any other American for the advancement, comfort, ease and amusement of the human race. — Utica (N. Y.) Observer, February 12, 1908. P. W. Blake, an Edison Dealer at Albury, New South Wales, recently issued a circular to the prospective patrons in his vicinity, expressing his views about the Edison Phonograph in the following terms: All who are acquainted with Edison's Phonograph, and the present day Gold Moulded Records, are of one opinion, that they are without doubt the best means for home entertainment procurable and the price is now so reasonable that they are within reach of all classes of the community. The established prices of the machines are as follows * * * There are a number of other Talking Machines on the market, such as the * * * I am familiar with most of them and have handled them in business and they have all, with the exception of the true Edison Phonograph proven to some degree unsatisfactory. The Edison Phonograph, which I have in my home, is one that delights my family and friends and I have always pleasure in introducing it to my visitors. It is an endless source of delight and merriment, reproducing perfectly the singing of the best artists of the world, the recitations of the best reciters, the concerted music of the best bands, the laughable jokes and funiosities that fertile brains the world over can produce. All this and more right at our own fireside. Since I had the responsibility of a home I can think of no purchase that has given me more genuine satisfaction and so much pleasure as my Phonograph. The earlier results on the Phonograph had the effect of prejudicing me against them, and I know of many who feel the same way, to those and to all others I extend a cordial invitation to favour me with a visit at my Phonograph Department, attached to my business at the Book Bazaar and give me the pleasure of contributing to your enjoyment and proving the bona fides of all I say. You are always welcome, the department is removed from the bustle of the Bazaar and you will not feel in the way, nor in any way interfere with the general conduct of business. The Edison Phonograph has demonstrated to dealers that it pays, because it has demonstrated to users that it pleases. There is no limit to the business you can do with Edison Phonographs, because it is the most perfect talking machine, has the most accurate and distinct Records, and is the machine that comes nearest to expressing Edison's idea of what a Phonograph should be. The Difference I had been in the Talking Machine business some fourteen years and am an Edison man from A to Z, and have always earned my daily bread, not by the sweat of my brow, but by the Edison Phonograph. I had an experience some few days ago, which struck me as being the limit. A gentleman came into our place of business, not to buy a talking machine, neither does he own one, but to make inquiries about a man who used to work in the store. While talking to the proprietor, one of the clerks put on a disc Record, "Traumerei," a 'cello solo, afterwards putting on the same piece by the same man on the Edison Phonograph. As soon as the Edison had finished, he told the clerk, "For God's sake never bring out the disc machine and try to sell it again." — Letter from a Western Jobbing firm.