The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

February IS, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 146c EFFICIENT PLANT OF CHENEY TALKING MACHINE CO. Some of the Many Modern Features of the Big Cheney Factory in Grand Rapids That Make Possible the Production of Phonographs of Quality — Absolute Accuracy a Factor Grand Rapids, Mich., February 8. — The word "quality," as applied to a manufactured product of almost any kind, is often grossly misused. Even if one buys the very best material and employs the most skilled and experienced men, the product cannot on that account alone be legitimately called a "quality" product. One may go even further than that. Concerns with splendid ideas, and whose products have been protected by absolute patents which, if properly worked out commercially, would have made immense fortunes, have failed utterly because they have not been able to translate those ideas into terms of dependable merchandise. Granted a good idea for a product, financial ability to purchase the best materials, to provide ' adequate machinery and adequate brains for intelligent workmanship, there are still other conditions absolutely necessary in order to obtain the highest success.. There must be executive ability to so utilize materials, processes and money as to carry out to tbfe fullest the ideas of the inventor. Furthermore, there must be a continuous inspection system, a checking-up at every stage of the manufacture, so as to assure complete co-ordination of skilled labor, material and processes. The writer has never seen more perfect coordination of the factors necessary in the production of a "quality" product than during a recent visit to the factories of the Cheney Talking Machine Co., in this city. It would take twice the space of this article to give an adequate description of the wood-working plant alone, and similar space to do justice to the metal-working plant which turns out their motors, tone arms and similar equipment. Consequently one can only generalize. After one has walked through ten acres of wood-working plant and over the many thousands of square feet occupied by the metal-working departments one has amassed a collection of very distinct impressions. One has become convinced not only that every possible provision has been made for eliminating or correcting errors, but that the whole force, from inventor, general manager and staff down to the humblest worker, stands back of the factory's work solidly and enthusiastically. As everyone in the talking machine field knows, the Cheney instrument is in many respects unique. It owes its existence to Forrest Cheney, a professional musician of wide reputation, who planned it after years of careful and painstaking experimentation. He sought to embody in it the principles which have been worked out in the resonating air chambers of the pipe organ, merged into one synchronized series of tone chambers with a resonator carved from the pattern of that violin to which, as an artist, he devoted years of his life. To produce commercially an instrument equal in tonal effect to the model he had built in his own study on radically new lines was indeed a task of large proportions. The visitor to the Cheney factories to-day goes away convinced that this task has been done well. Special machinery had to be devised to meet the particular needs. Extraordinary accuracy had to be used in order to secure in quantity uniformity of product, so that every Cheney would get the tonal results of the laboratory-made model. They tell one over there that a variation of a sixteenth of an inch in the offset of the little palate in the resonator was found to cause a defect in the reproduction of certain tones. It was also discovered that a seemingly minor detail like the casting of an inner ridge in the base of the tone arm perceptibly affected the quality of tone produced. From their experience in production they have evolved a system of inspection which is simply wonderful. Every worker in every department must know whether the part he is to work on has been made correctly, whether the material is right and the processes have done their perfect work. Besides this, there is an army of special inspectors at the close of every process and the beginning of every other. It is a system of check upon check, producing results to which Cheney distributors and dealers can testify. One little item will show the extreme care used in the construction of the tone-reproducing apparatus of the Cheney. The wood used in the acoustic throat and orchestral section is selected with the greatest care. Specific logs are selected and their wood is seasoned for a long time before being used for the acoustic parts. The Cheney Co. attribute the smoothness with which their organization works and the perfect co-operation of the workers with their department heads to their regular system of conferences, which is developed to the highest degree in this institution. The factories are divided into four organizations under their respective heads, who in turn are directly responsible, for all which comes within their scope of authority, to the factory manager. Meetings of these sections convene automatically each day at appointed hours. Each has its permanent chairman and vice-chairman, so that there is no chance of postponement because an executive is absent. Certain topics are thoroughly gone over at each of these meetings, such as production, quality, standards, labor, etc. Then there is a meeting held daily, including two or more of the leaders in each of the respective organizations, at which are discussed general matters common to all of the divisions. At these meetings certain schedules are set and it is an old saying in the Cheney organization that once a schedule is set it is an unwritten law that it must be met. In fact, schedules are always met and often exceeded. In this whole great organization every man is made to realize his individual responsibility. Each must make his goal or he has retarded the progress of the entire unit. Anyone who has spent a day in the Cheney factory, after talking with Forrest Cheney, Factory Manager F. H. Doerr and the staff of enthusiastic department heads, must be convinced that the company is laying its foundations sure and strong. In a chat with Professor Cheney he said: "The advent of the Cheney was not heralded with a blare of trumpets nor have we used sensational advertising methods at any time. Some people think that we have been too conservative, but we have simply sought to inform the public and give them actual news regarding the Cheney and setting forth the technical means by which our results are secured. Notwithstanding any statement you may hear to the contrary, the judgment of the public can be trusted to the last degree. Any good violinist will draw a crowd, but only a supreme master like Kreisler or Heifetz will pack the largest auditorium you can find. We have reason to be especially pleased that so many skilled musicians, orchestra leaders, orchestral specialisis and vocalists have purchased Cheney instruments and are enthusiastic over their tonal beauties. This is to us convincing proof that we are realizing the artistic ideals upon which this business was founded." MISS ETHEL McNAMARA IS WED Cleveland, O., February 7. — Miss Ethel McNamara, daughter of W. J. McNamara, president of the Empire Phono Parts Co., manufacturer of tone arms and sound boxes, was married to William Wallace Hutchisson, son of H. Hutchisson, head of the Luktmeyer Co., one of the largest hardware concerns in the Middle West, here on February 4. / \ HOMOKORD RECORDS ARE BACK! announcement The Homophon Co. G. M. B. H. Berlin, Germany Appointed us January 1st Sole Importers and Distributors for the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of their well known Homokord Records The most popular Foreign Record— and the most profitable— for the dealer and jobber. HomokcrJ lateral cut,double face record — that plays on all machines — is the standard of Europe — recordings that are not merely reproductions — but actual duplications of the best European Artists — in German and 34 other languages. Everything in music — Opera, Vocal, Instrumental, Dances, the very latest hits from overseas. Large stock always on hand for immediate delivery. Dealers! Jobbers! Grasp this opportunity AT ONCE to represent HOMOKORD in your district Phone, Wire, Write RIGHT NOW! HEGEM AN-STE WART CORP. 338 Washington Street New York City Phone: Walker 6166-6167 Ralph L. Freeman, director of distribution of the Victor Talking Machine Co., of Camden, N. J., has returned from a transcontinental tour of the leading talking machine markets.