The Edison phonograph monthly (Dec 1914-Dec 1915)

THE EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY Published in the interest of EDISON PHONOGRAPHS AND RECORDS By THOMAS A. EDISON, Inc. ORANGE, N. J., U. S. A. THOMAS A. EDISON, LTD., 25 CLERKENWELL ROAD, LONDON, E. C. THOMAS A. EDISON, LTD., 364-372 KENT STREET, SYDNEY, N. S. W. COMPANIA EDISON HISPANO-AMERICANA, FLORIDA 635, BUENOS AIRES. EDISON GESELLSCHAFT, M. B. H. 10 FRIEDRICHSTRASSE, BERLIN. COMPAGNIE FRANCAISE THOMAS A. EDISON, 59 RUE DES PETITES-ECURIES, PARIS. Volume XIII FEBRUARY, 1915 Number 2 ON THE EVE OF MR. EDISON'S SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY— FEBRUARY 11th TO say that Mr. Edison is enthusiastic over the rebuilding of his fire-swept plant is to put the matter very mildly; he is bubbling over with energy, and has lost not a minute counting his losses. There is no "yesterday look" in his countenance, but instead a bright, happy, determined outlook, that confidently predicts and as confidently expects to realize a greater year than any previous one in the Edison calendar. His fund of mental and physical energy astonishes all. There is quick comprehension of the vital needs of the various departments and a prompt decision respecting them. Early and late he is following up closely every aggressive move determined on, and the reports are scrutinized carefully to learn each day what has been done along the lines mapped out. As an evidence of his comprehensive and practical oversight, every day the staff photographer takes a score or more of pictures always from the same view points to show the progress made. These photographs are on Mr. Edison's desk bright and early the next morning and show at a glance the work accomplished in the 24 intervening hours. Buildings one day without windows are seen the next day in a photograph from the same view point, with partly inserted window frames and the following day still more complete. Keeping thus in intimate touch with the work of rebuilding he knows like a general on the battlefield just what his forces have accomplished and where they are strengthening the defenses against loss of time, wind and weather. The watchword of all is: "Hustle, Hustle and more Hustle," and yet all is done orderly, thoroughly and effectively. In fact the thoroughness with which each task is undertaken and carried through by all employees seems to indicate that the "school to teach the art of hustling," opened Dec. 10th, is turning out some efficient graduates already. On New Year's Day Mr. Edison was surprised with a delegation of Greeks who had placed before his desk in the laboratory an immense wreath with the words "Happy New Year from the Greek employees." A picture elsewhere in this issue shows the group just outside the laboratory door. The incident pleased Mr. Edison very much. For the year 1915, Mr. Edison is very optimistic. Discussing business conditions he said: "Now is the time for the United States to go ahead. We can manufacture cheaper to-day than in many years to come. However, many of our best business men seem to be penny wise and pound foolish. I am surprised that commercial and industrial America has been afflicted with a form of paralysis, evidently as the result of the war in Europe. This is all due, however, to unnecessary alarm. ' 'The railroad rate decision,' Air. Edison continued, 'was a good thing. The railroad business is our commercial barometer. When you cripple the arteries of trade there is always trouble. I am satisfied with the increased rate and it will cost me thousands of dollar but I am going to get it all back in increased trade. I think that public opinion is in favor of the increase. The Federal reserve act has proved its worth already." "It has surprised me to see how Americans have become weak-kneed over this war. They seem to be stricken with a sort of commercial paralysis. They want to get out and do something; now is the opportune time. Why, you put a building up cheaper to-day than you could before the war, and yet many of our supposed good business men will wait until the war is over as a sign of prosperity, and pay more for the building. The wise man will prepare now for the boom in trade that we will soon experience and which will be tremendous after the war." With such a determined optimistic outlook upon 1915, it will be comparatively easy to realize a measure of success that will prove beyond a doubt that optimism has a value that cannot be discounted.