The Edison phonograph monthly (Dec 1914-Dec 1915)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, JANUARY, 1915 When, after four hours of suspense, it was observed, at 10 o'clock, that the fire was being checked at the westerly end of the Administration Building, Mr. Edison felt reassured that the Laboratory, next adjoining it, would be saved through the heroic efforts of the firemen. Then he turned about, and with pencil and note book, sat down, surrounded by several heads of departments, and noted the important things to be done on the morrow, or even that night, to summon a "mighty mobilization" of the forces of reconstruction. Even while he planned to rebuild, the lurid glare of the fire, still raging in several structures, brightly illuminated the room where he sat. Hardly willing to wait till the ruins had cooled off he was anxious to have reconstruction forces actively engaged. When the morning did at last come and found the weary firemen still at work and thirry or more fire engines still tugging at the hydrants, there arrived a new force — a force that was to remove the hot embers and bring order out of chaos. A master of details when it comes to invention or to organization, Mr. Edison is pastmaster in mobolizing in an emergency like this. He knows his men ; he relies upon their intelligence and wisely leaves details to them, confining himself to the outlining of general policies and plans. In this lies his wonderful executive ability and to this is due the rapid recovery from all the after-effects of the fire. There is another characteristic brought out at this time which, to our way of thinking, places Mr. Edison among the foremost friends of labor, alongside of his esteemed friend, Henry Ford, of automobile fame. And that is, his concern — his vital concern — for the welfare of the men he employs and their dependent families. While the fire raged his thoughts went out for them. "I have given orders," he said, "to have every man report promptly at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning, and the work of cleaning up and rebuilding will commence at once. I want to keep at work every possible man or woman I can, and even if I can't find employment for them at their regular tasks, there will be plenty doing." And although the work of removing the debris was given to a construction company that night, it was with the understanding that every Edison employee who applied for work should be taken on and assigned to such part of the work as he could do advantageously. Many responded and were loyal to their employer, glad and willing to get the work and still more eager to give the push to all they put their hands to. And it was planned that this work go on day and night, in two shifts, till the charred and tangled ruins were cleared away and reconstruction actively begun. As a further manifestation of interest in its employees the Company decided to maintain day and night a free coffee and sandwich room where the workmen could get the refreshment they desired. In addition to this another coffee and lunch room was opened, at the Company's expense, in the rooms of the "Edison Club," in the City of Orange, where all those who could not be taken on the pay roll because the ranks had been filled, were amply provided for. It is fair to say that in this crisis, Mr. Edison and his Company have done all that could be done to afford relief, and it is noteworthy that this action evoked from President Wilson at Washington a personal letter to Mr. Edison. (See page 19). No. 24 Building, the huge Record Making Plant, looking North. were manufactured here. Both Blue Amberol and Disc Records