The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1915)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 33 Victor Talking Machine Jobbers' Day at Exposition, Interesting Ceremonies Accompany Presentation of Souvenir Medal to Association— Henry C. Brown Gives History of Talking Machine— Hear Telephone Message from New York— Classic Dances and their Exercises at Victor Temple of Music. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., July 26. — Saturday, July 24, was officially known as Victor Talking Machine Jobbers' Day at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, an effort being made by the exposition authorities to devote a day especially to each aggregation of people holding a convention in San Francisco and attending the exposition grounds in a body. The Victor celebration was the conspicuous event of the day, and from every viewpoint was eminently successful. The visitors spent a very pleasant day, during which they had an opportunity to look over the general aspects of the exposition, and at the same time to get a comprehensive idea of the great work that is being done by the Victor Talking Machine Co. at the exposition, as well as its educational work throughout the country. The visitors were guests of the Victor Co. for the day. The party was conducted from the St. Francis marched in a long line of nearly 200 people, with President Johnson and General Manager Geissler, of the Victor Co., in the lead. The procession went down the Avenue of Palms, past the Festival Hall and through a beautiful archway into the Court of Abundance, where comfortable seats were drawn up facing the portico on which the speakers assembled. Exposition O ffi c i a I s Present Medal to Jobbers. Frank L. Brown, on behalf of the directors of the exposition, presented the Jobbers' Association with a bronze medal in commemoration of man, Clay & Co., Coast agents for the Victor line, saying that Philip T. Clay was a leader in all View of the Lawn Party, Sh Hotel to the exposition, arriving inside the Scott street entrance about 11 a. m. This was the first time that most of the party had seen the exposition grounds or buildings at close range, and many expressions of delight were heard at its beauty of color and design. Assembling inside the entrance, the paity was led off to a lively tune by Cassassa's Band, and owing Vast Audience Assembled. their convention in the Exposition City, making a speech of welcome in which he paid high tribute to the inventors and industrial and commercial organizers who have made it possible to record the world's best music and take it directly into the humblest home, or to keep a record of the spoken word for the benefit of future generations. He also paid a high compliment to the heads of Sher Victor Delegates Ready for Exercises in the Court of Abundance. Front Row (left to right) : L. F. Geissler, L. S. Sherman, E. R. Johnson, B. F. Pierce. Second Row (first) : A. G. McCarthy. public-spirited movements and had. been one of: the active workers on the exposition board of directors from the start. "Andy" McCarthy, also, he characterized as "the man behind the gun in all great movements of San Francisco business men." President Mickel's Speech of Acceptance. Retiring President George E. Mickel responded as follows : '"Gentlemen : This is a very great honor you have paid the Victor talking machine jobbers, and we heartily thank you, and through you the management of this great international exposition. 1 assure you this medal is accepted by our association with very great pleasure and will be treasured as a memorial of this day. "Last July, when L. S. Sherman extended this association an invitation to hold our convention in San Francisco, and we accepted, my heart sank to my shoes. I had heard and read of California and California boosters, but had never been here nor seen a real booster on his native soil. One of our members remarked while we were passing over the desert that the reason so much was said of the beauties of California was because hell itself would appear a fairyland after passing over this arid waste As we were coming into Los Angeles someone came onto the steps of the observation car. One of the ladies of our party turned and said, 'Oh ! it is a man.' He answered by saying, 'No, not a man, but just a common brakeman ; but ladies,' he said, 'it is a shame that you are passing through this valley after night, because if 'twere daylight you could reach right out from the side of tfie car and pick off oranges and most delicious fruits of all kinds, and you would see stretchingout as far as the eye could see orchards such as you had never dreamed of.' When we came into Los Angeles we met Ruggles, the incomparable Ruggles, who began at once telling us" of the (Continued on page 34.) Jf>** 1. Frank L. Brown Who Presented the Medal. 2. President Mickel Who Accepted It for the Association.