The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1912)

THE TALKING MACHINE WOULD. 15 TWENTY-FIFTH COLUMBIA ANNIVERSARY— (Continued from page 14). and more fortunate still that in his willingness to put his time and money into such enterprise, he gave us a trade paper conducted on the highest possible plane, and not such a trade paper as some industries are cursed with. His keen interest in the industry, his co-operation in every branch of the work, his willingness to spend liberally, his time and money on plans intended to advance the interest of the industry are recognized by us all, and with all of his work he has never failed to give the Columbia Co. the benefit of his advice and counsel and publicity through' the columns of his valued paper. I have been fortunate in being thrown personally into intimate relations with him, and his unfailing courtesy and good will have been greatly appreciated, and I have not hesitated to call upon him for counsel frequently in many matters relating to the welfare of the business in its entirety. ''We have with us to-night our factory manager, Mr. Horace Sheble, who leaves us in a day or two now to take up new lines of work. His \ Senator Wm. M. Johnson. leaving will mean a gre't loss to us in every way and a keen personal loss to me, for in the few years in which we have been so intimately associated I have learned to respect not only his ability, but love his personality and friendship, and I am sure we all join in wishing him every possible success in life and look forward to the time when we may have the pleasure of having him associated with us again, for I know that we have made clear to him that the door is open for his return at any time. "I want also to extend to Mr. C. E. Woods, our next factory manager, who is with us this evening a word of welcome. I am sure he is going to be able to help us and that he will prove to be the right man in the right place, and so we count him for to-night as one of us. "Now a few personal words. I am certainly proud of our company and its progress; but above and beyond this I realize to-night that happy indeed has my lot been associated with all the friends making up our organization, whose friendship and regard I esteem higher than any commercial success we might achieve. The fifteen years I have spent with the company hav§ been pleasant ones; I have found friends on every hand, kindness extended in time of bereavement and congratulations extended in times of success, and I trust it is not necessary to express my appreciation of the same or desire to want a continuance of it in the years to come. My hope is that in the conduct of the work which falls to my lot I may be able to so conduct myself as to merit the approval and esteem of all ; and more than this, the friendship which I desire above and beyond anything else." The toastmaster then called upon Senator Wm. M. Johnson, of New Jersey, spoke in a jocular vein at the beginning of his address and then pro Edward Lyman Bill. ceeded to deal at length upon the business side of the talking machine situation. The next speaker was Edward Lyman Bill, editor of The Talking Machine World. Edward Lyman Bill Congratulates Officials. Edward Lyman Bill, editor of The Talking Machine World, when called upon for some remarks, after congratulating the officers of the Columbia Phonograph Co. upon the attainment of their twentyfifth business birthday, said : "For more than a century previous to the foundation of your company scientists of Europe had jbeen seeking for some means by which to reproduce the sound of the human voice. Crude and unsatisfactory devices were produced ; but along in the early '80s the attention of a bright, blue-eyed young man, who -had won a high position as a Government stenographer at Washington, was called to the device of Bell and Tainter. He examined this invention, tested it in his own profession, and became convinced that it possessed a wonderful future. His first step was to organize a company for the manufacture of these products. "That man was Edward D. Easton, the founder of the American Graphophone Co. in 1887. From modest beginnings and a payroll of $300 a week, he has seen that business develop to a point of colossal magnitude. He has seen its influence extend to all lands, for the Columbia banners encircle the earth. Mr. Easton has been a business builder in the truest sense, for where no blades of trade grass grew before his time there are to-day rich fields of 'it. "Through his energy and aggressiveness, through his business foresight and management, many millions of dollars have been distributed throughout the various trade channels. He has been a trade creator in the broadest sense, and to him we are indebted for many great accomplishments. Such a gathering as this, surrounded as he is by the loyal members of his staff who have worked with him in the accomplishment of his desires there must come great pleasure, and I question whether there have been many moments in his business life charged with more hapiness than is afforded by this assemblage. It represents the officers and members of the Columbia staff who have labored side by side for many years, actuated by splendid motives, in building a trade edifice upon a stable and enduring foundation. "The Columbia business reflects credit upen the men who have reared the substantial business structure, and I believe that the talking machine business to-day is only in its infancy so far as development is concerned. When we figure the marvelous advances which have been made from the crude instruments of days gone by to the magnificent developed types of the present day, it must be admitted that we have been making talking machine history in a striking manner. But the end is not yet. The talking machine to-day is playing a more important part in the life of the nation and of the world than ever before. It is being used as an entertainer, as an educator, and as an adjunct to business. Who, therefore, can say that we have reached the high tide of development? Surely no one who is posted upon past history, for there are points still higher up to be won, and with such men as I see here to-night — men whose loyalty, whose ambition, and whose admitted ability is bent upon the accomplishment of a particular purpose — there is no point from which further advance cannot be made. "On the Columbia staff are ambitious men, and the result of their concentrated efforts must be further and greater advance. You are all inspired by the example of your chief, whom I trust may be spared many years to guide the destinies of your business. "I have been associated with the talking machine business for a number of years. 1 believed years ago in its wonderful possibilities, and a close contact with the men who have made history in this trade, has not caused me to lose any ot the enthusiasm which I possessed in the years gone by. On the contrary, I believe in the talking machine more than ever. The surface is hardly scratched. Go in any town in the United States of any size and find out the number of people who do not own a talking machine. Surely, such investigations will only prove what I say, that the work is only begun. [ cannot agree with anyone who says that we have reached the highest point in talking machine development. Nor do I believe that anyone here tonight will see that point, because the talking machie will become so thoroughly interwoven with the affairs of men — it will become such an important and growing part in our daily lives — that the output must be constantly augmented. "Mr. Easton has shown his marvelous ability in his selection of the men who compose his staff, and I believe that for such men united for a common purpose there is a brilliant future. It will require work — plenty of work. It does in any trade or profession to accomplish the best results, and I believe that you are splendidly fitted to accomplish higher points in business building." The toastmaster then called upon Marian Dorian as a member of the "Old Guard." Mr. Dorian responded as follows : Marian Dorian's Reminiscences. "Twenty-five years ago to-day — May 28 — I was undoubtedly as happy as normal man may aspire to be. "I had every assurance of having successfullv Marian Dorian. and creditably passed an examnination which had consumed the entire day, and which was designed to test my fitness to receive a degree from the university at which I had been enrolled for two years as a student of law. "The examination had been a tiring and exacting one, and I reached my home weary but confident and content. "When I entered the house about dusk there was a stillness and hush about it quite unusual. No signs of preparation of the evening meal, and no one to greet me or ask me of my success or failure. "I hurried upstairs and found the explanation there. Nestled close to his mother's side, red, wrinkled, safe, and sound asleep, was this boy here by my side to-night. "Result of the examination, evening repast, "and every other thing of ordinary import was forgotten— swallowed up in the joy of that arrival. "That's one big, substantial reason why this anniversary celebration gives me unfeigned pleasure and why I am pleased and proud to be present and to be accorded the privilege of addressing (Continued on page 16.)