The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

July 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 71 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I LIVEL Y GENERAL CONVENTION OF I I VICTOR JOBBERS A T A TLANTIC CITY \ I Great Gathering of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, the First | I Held Since the War, Took Place Last Week at Atlantic City | " inn niiunnnnniiunnnnninninnniinniinninnniiinnninnninninnnninnnninnuiiiiinninnninnii Atlantic City, July 2. — The general convention of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers, the first meeting of the complete membership of that organization since 1917, was held at the Hotel Traj^more here on Monday and Tuesday of this week, with the business sessions proving full of consequence and accomplishment. Although no general meeting has been held for two years there have been held a number of executive committee meetings to consider the many problems growing out of the war and to the majority of these sessions the membership at large was invited, and, in fact, urged to attend. The association work has not lagged an instant. The official body of the organization had both initiative and the willingness to work and the result was that several serious situations were met and handled in a manner that has proven most gratifying to the members of the body. Then, too, as the conditions warranted, recommendations were made to the Victor factory officials and to the jobbers themselves regarding various phases of the production and marketing of Victrolas and records. For the most part the general convention this week was given over to a review of what had been accomplished by the association during the past two years and the endorsement of the various recommendations to the factory and the membership at large as embodied in the reports of the president and secretary and presented before the meetings themselves. The confidence of the jobbers, as a whole, in the Victor Co. and its policies and satisfaction in the progress made by that company since the first of the year in getting back to a pre-war producing basis, or better, was plainly in evidence, particularly after a number of the Victor Co. officials, including R. L. Freeman, secretary of the company, had addressed the jobbers and set forth some facts regarding what the company had accomplished and planned to accomplish. At this meeting the jobbers themselves had some matters to discuss with and recommendations to make to the factory officials regarding future activities. The attendance at the convention was excellent, practically 90 per cent, of the total association membership being represented. Although the arrangements committee had been busy in planning for entertainment, the fact that the majority of the jobbers came to Atlantic City primarily for serious business was evidenced by the fact that the two business sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday afternoon were supplemented by a third session on Tuesday morning in order that there might remain nothing undone. After several executive and general committee meetings held on Sunday and Monday morning the first regular business session of the association was called to order on Monday afternoon and was devoted almost entirely to the reports of the officers and various committee chairmen. Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiniii^ I President J. N. Blackman | I Reviews Conditions in Report | When you called me back to the presidency two years ago I not only appreciated the great honor, but accepted the office with a full realization of the responsibility involved. War Service We had been in the World War but a few months and with no precedent as a guide no one could forecast the events which have since made unparalleled history. Every true American must feel it a great privilege to live in this generation and to have taken part in the world struggle for the preservation of liberty, finally terminating with victory. It was inevitable that true service meant sacri J. Newcomb Blackman, Retiring President fice, and among the many rewards of victory will be a better realization of the fact that most things worth while are accomplished by unselfish sacrifice. The World Struggle and Business Germany attempted to force autocracy on the world and prove that "might made right." In this attempt she undertook to tear down a foundation on which this country was built and under which it has prospered. The cost of defense has been great, but the victory is worth while, and, we hope, permanent. Likewise the talking machine business was established on a Officers of the National Association of Talking Machine Jobbers for 1919-1920 President, George L. Mickel Vice-president, Thomas H. Green Secretary, A. A. Trostler Treasurer, W. H. Reynalds The first report presented was that of the president, J. Newcomb Blackman, which covered the period since the 1917 convention, reviewed present conditions in the trade and was most comprehensive generally. In his report President Blackman said, in part: foundation of liberty in the manufacture and sale of honest merchandise. For years our industry was protected by legislation and in the courts. Then the price-cutter, like Germany, with ulterior motives and dishonest propaganda, attempted to force recognition of the false principle that "Opportunity Is Privilege." In the World War we fought with every resource, staking our lives on principles, which, if deserted, would be renounced. A year ago the enemy seemed to have victory in sight and then the tide turned and success crowned our efforts. During the same period and with the same confidence we have been defending the Next Convention Atlantic City, 1920 attacks on our industry and in like manner there were times when unfavorable Governmental and court action seemed to forecast defeat. The Recent Colgate Decision It is my judgment that the recent Supreme Court decision in the Colgate case has correspondingly turned the tide and the principles of honest merchandising will soon be acknowledged and protected again. We therefore m^et in convention again with a feeling that the sacrifices we have made are worthy contributions to the cause of our country and our industry. Let us face the future prepared to meet, and solve as well, the many problems of the transition period. 1918 Convention Omitted Your executive committee were sustained in their judgment that last year's convention should be omitted in keeping with the need for war economy and to avoid unnecessary travel. Support Heartily Appreciated Your officers, national councilor, executive and special committees have endeavored to faithfully perform their duties, which have been many and arduous. The support of these associates and the entire membership has encouraged and stimulated my efforts in serving as your president. It is, therefore, my privilege and pleasure to record here my grateful appreciation. Communications through the mail and the trade papers have enabled your membership to keep posted on the association's activities. But to resume and refresh memories I want to rev-iew some of the most important. Victor War Service The patriotic action of the Victor Co. in immediately placing at the disposal of the War Department their entire organization and manufacturing facilities was in keeping with their reputation for leadership and service. The company's manufacture of war material necessitated extreme curtailment of their regular production and the entire trade patriotically and willingly shared in the sacrifice of business. Industry's War Participations With the general curtailment of business owing to the war the non-essential character of certain industries became a subject for interpretation. By personal and written argument the talking machine business successfully maintained its claim that it was essential during the war and that "music maintains morale." Its service and contribution were further demonstrated in the many Liberty Loan drives, the various camps, hospitals, on board transports and even in the trenches. Executive Meetings Our executive committee met four times since our last convention. Owing to the omission of our last year's convention and the importance of many changes and war restrictions we considered it advisable to hold open as well as executive sessions. All meetings were well attended. Association Counsel Owing to the complicated legal situation surrounding the conduct of our business the employment of expert legal counsel, at an annual retainer, was decided upon. Gilbert H. Montague, of New York, who has been closely identified with many test cases affecting sales policies, was retained as our general counsel. He is also one of the counsel for the defendants in the Victor-Macy case, where a (Continued on page 72)