The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

July 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 75 LIVELY GENERAL CONVENTION OF VICTOR JOBBERS AT ATLANTIC CITY— (Continued from page 74) giillilllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiN I Victor Officials Speak At | I Tuesday Afternoon Session | iiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim The final session of the convention on Tuesday afternoon was given over chiefly to a series of interesting talks by various officials of the Victor Co., although the question of determining the new officers was first settled, they being chosen from among the members of the executive committee as follows: The New OfHcers President, George E. Mickel, Mickel Bros. Co., Omaha, Neb. Vice-president, Thomas H. Green, Silas E. Pearsall Co., New York. Secretary, A. A. Trostler, Schmelzer Arms Co., Kansas City, Mo. Treasurer, \V. H. Reynalds, Reynalds Music House, Mobile, Ala. In addition to the four officers named the executive committee includes: James F. Bowers, A. A. Grinnell, C. H. Grinnell and George Martin Lyon & Healy, Chicago; P. B. Whitsit, the Perry B. Whitsit Co., Columbus, O.; 'J. C. Roush, Standard Talking Machine Co., Pittsburgh; J. N. Blackman, Blackman Talking Machine Co., New York; Louis Buehn, Louis Buehn Co., Philadelphia; Daniel Creed, Chicago Talking Machine Co., Chicago; A. A. Grinnell, Grinnell Bros., Detroit; Andrew J. McCarthy, Sherman, Clay & Co., San Francisco; Burton J. Pierce, J. W. Jenkins' Sons Co., Kansas City, Mo., and H. A. Winkelman, Oliver Ditson Co., Boston. This will be Mr. Mickel's second experience as president, he having held that chief office of the association during the year 1914-15. His past experience should insure the success of the administration. Victor Co. Officials Talk Perhaps the most interesting features of the con\ention were the addresses made by Ralph L. Freeman, secretary of the Victor Co.; Fred George E. Mickel erick J. Staats, comptroller, and G. C. Child, director of the Recording Laboratories. Mr. Freeman brought a most encouragingmessage to the wholesalers, and emphasized strongly the manner in which the Victor Co. The Corley Co. Trio— Fred Kesnick, J. G. Corley and Frank Corley had worked since the first of the year in bringing the factory production back on its old basis, a task that was now completed. He stated that the company had recovered from the war conditions more rapidly than any other concern of like size and which had been in a similar position. The goal of the Victor Co., however, he said, is not simply to get back to a pre-war^ basis, but to go ahead with development work, and increase the output to meet the new demand that has grown for Victor products. Incidentally he outlined several new projects under way of distinct interest to both wholesalers and dealers, and which will be made public at the proper time. Mr. Child for his part dwelt chiefly upon the record situation, and had some important announcements to make in that connection, and concerning moves now under way that should tend materially to increase the sales of Red Seal records. Mr. Child dwelt strongly on the fact that the success of the Victor record business lies largely in the attitude of the trade themselves towards the records, and urged that the wholesalers show a true appreciation of the tremendous musical value of the records, how they tend to place the best of music within the reach of the most humble, and work out their campaign along those lines, with a view to keeping the talking machine on its proper plane. Mr. Staats also had some interesting information to offer tlic viliolesalers as to factory con Rudolph Wurlitzer, C. Alfred Wagner and J. G. Corley Getting the Sun ditions, the outlook for the immediate and distant future, and various plans under way calculated to develop and increase Victor business and prestige. At the conclusion of the talks by the Victor men several of the members of the association took occasion to discuss certain phases of the various questions brought up by the factory men, and present their views regarding sundry policies. New President Installed The new president, G. E. Mickel, was duly installed in office, and a vote of thanks was offered to the various retiring officers for their earnest work during the past two strenuous years, and their willingness to carry the burden of association duties during that period. Tribute to Departed Members At this point President Blackman called the (Continued on page 77) The T/iMiBii r^nummi VICTOR WHOLESALERS RICHMOND VIRGINIA