The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 21 1 Ninth Annual Convention ^ of the \y . • 1 A • a * P rr\ 11* n it f • Til 1 National Association ol Talking Machine Jobbers San Francisco, Cal., July 22 to 25, 1915 FOR nine years the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers has held its national convention at different points covering a period of days, and in no spirit of reflection upon the successes of previous conventions, it must be admitted that the one held in San Francisco on July 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1915, was the most remarkable of the entire nine years' series. In the first place, it must be considered that it is not an easy task to have a successful business meeting, composed of numbers of an industry, thousands of miles away from the residences of the majority of the members; and yet this was accomplished in San Francisco in an extraordinarily satisfactory manner. So great were the interests of the talking machine jobbers in the national jobbers' organization, that a train composed of five cars, having on board the jobbers and their friends, moved out of Chicago on July 13. Never before in the history of this industry has such a move been undertaken, and that it was successful down to the minor details is due not merely to the indefatigable work and successful management of Mr. Wiswell and those who assisted him, but to the spirit of sympathetic co-operation on the part of the jobbers themselves. The trip out is described elsewhere in these columns, and will always be a pleasurable event in the minds of those who took the transcontinental journey. The jobbers on the train had several business sessions on the way out, so that, while the actual convention session covered but one day, events were accomplished and matters thrashed out which would have taken a longer time had not there been advance preparation for the business session in San Francisco, which lasted throughout the entire day of July 22. In the election of Andrew G. McCarthy to the presidency of the association, a compliment was paid to a deserving member of the trade, who has worked his way up through the ranks to a commanding position, where he enjoys the confidence and respect of those who are clo.^e to him and a wide-spreading popularity throughout the entire Coast. The San Francisco people left nothing undone to make the stay of the talking machine men most enjoyable in every respect. The automobile tour through San Francisco, followed by a luncheon at the Cliff House, was a tribute from the great house of Sherman, Clay & Co. to the visiting talking machine men which will long be pleasantly runembered. The entire staff of this house vied with each other to add to the pleasure of their guests. The banquet, which was held in the Italian Room at the St. Francis Hotel, was a delightful one in many ways. Numerous innovations delighted the Eastern visitors. The little Chinese flower girls who distributed boutonnieres gave a new touch to the scene. The Hawaiian Orchestra was another feature of the entertainment which added distinct pleasure, and when Andrew G. McCarthy came in at the head of the Chinese Rand the enthusiasm was unbounded. "The Angel Choir" added also to the charm of the evening. The presence of the president of the Victor Talking Machine Co., Eldridge R. Johnson, who delivered a splendid business address, was a delight to the jobbers. Other addresses which were made A Group of Conventionists on the Lawn in Union Square, San Francisco. were interesting, and helped to make the function more than ordinarily interesting. The appointment of the Victor Talking Machine Jobbers' Day by the officials of the PanamaPacific Exposition was a distinct compliment to the men composinng the forces of a great industry. The jobbers' delegation was met by exposition officials and escorted, preceded by a band, to the Court of Abundance, where a bronze medal was presented by an exposition official in commemoration of the occasion. It was here that Henry C. Brown, advertising manager of the Victor Talking Machine Co., gave a short and interesting address on the development of the talking machine. Then the procession moved to the booth of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., where every one was placed in direct communication with R. W. Morey, general manager of the New York Talking Machine Co., who was on the wire at the other end at New York City. Thus the talking machine men enjoyed a long-distance talk across the continent. The concert and Victor talking machine demonstration, given in the afternoon in the Victor Temple of Music, illustrative of the Victor in entertaining the hundreds of thousands of visitors who have thronged this temple, gave new ideas to the talking machine visitors. Addresses by Messrs. Geissler, Dolbeer and Worthington were made at this time; also illustrative talks by Everett Worth (Continned on page 23.)