Television digest with electronic reports (Jan-Dec 1954)

11 tables at $160. In addition, it's widely reported — but unconfirmed — that RCA will also introduce a 21-in. table model at $170 or $180. RCA had never delivered any of the 17-in. ebony sets it introduced in June (Vol. 10:24), and said it merely was "finalizing" at $150 the price of $160 set "tentatively" at that time. Odds now are against any general price increases this fall, however much the individual manufacturers would like to raise them. Of course, that does not rule out the possibility that prices of selected models may be hiked occasionally. But on an industry-wide basis, price increases don't seem to be in the cards. For one thing, the "automation" process disclosed in some detail this week by Admiral (see p. 13), and reportedly in various stages of experimentation by some other manufacturers, plus advent of printed circuit chassis, are regarded as factors designed to hold costs down and possibly push prices down even further. For another, wide segment of industry is currently engaged in sincere if perhaps futile — effort to combat discount house operations, as evidenced this week by Magnavox's disfranchisement of its dealers (see p. 12). And raising prices generally is regarded as one sure way of playing into hands of discounters. * * * * Pitch for replacement and second-set markets will be intensified this fall as part of industry's merchandising program. Indeed, the set makers we contacted this week indicated that success of fall business may well hinge on ability to crack the replacement and second-set markets in big metropolitan centers. Motorola has come up with "Tip-Top Value Trade-in Plan" to help dealers sell in replacement and second-set markets. It Includes a trade-in manual and suggested advertising material. Further, it suggests 9 markets for used TV sets: low-income families, children's room or den, newlyweds with limited capital, families with any "destructive age" children, transients, low-rental apartments, hotels & motels. Trade Personals: t. Stanton Fremont, appliance mgr. for Admiral distributing branches, appointed to new post of appliance sales mgr. for parent company; Joseph P. Halpin, contract div. sales mgr., named refrigerator sales mgr., replacing Bert Schaefer, now on extended leave of absence due to illness . . . John M. Otter, Philco exec, v.p., and W. G. Peirce, pres, of Peirce-Phelps, Admiral’s Philadelphia distributor, to address 19th annual conference of International Assn, of Electrical Leagues at Philadelphia’s Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 . . . Joseph B. Elliott, who resigned recently as RCA executive v.p., consumer products, to become pres, of Schick Inc., guest of honor at testimonial dinner in Waldorf-Astoria Aug. 16 given by RCA chairman David Sarnoff and pres. Frank Folsom . . . Samuel B. Williams, asst, to Sylvania chairman Don G. Mitchell, retires Aug. 31, will reside in Jamestown, R. I. where he will establish a consulting practice . . . Edward R. Taylor, Motorola v.p., elected to exec, committee of Brand Names Foundation Inc. ... I. W. Gleason promoted by IT&T’s Federal Telecommunication Labs to sales mgr. for systems and commercial research & development . . . Herbert A. Gumz, ex-Webster-Chicago exec, v.p., elected pres, of Crescent Industries (phonographs), succeeding Henry H. Gefvert, who continues as chairman . . . Howard E. Riordon, ex-pres. of Sylvania Electric of Puerto Rico, appointed financial asst, to John K. .McDonough, gen. mgr. of Sylvania TV-radio div. . . . Justin R. (Ted) Sypher, onetime secy, of Electronics Production Board, named mgr. of DuMont govt, contracts office, Washington, replacing Zeus Soucek, now with General Mills, Minneapolis, as gen. mgr. of its mechanicalelectrical div. . . . George H. L. Norman, ex-Corning Glass, joins Sprague Electric Co. as coordinator of electronic computer component work; Leo H. Dornbos, ex-field engineer, named mgr. of Sprague’s Cleveland office . . . Richard A. Norman named marketing mgr. for CR tubes in decentralization of GE tube dept.; Reed V. Bontecou appointed marketing mgr. for receiving tubes, Milton J. Strehel for industrial & transmitting tubes . . . Dr. Leonard C. Maier promoted to engineering mgr. of GE’s CR tube sub-dept. . . . M. Harvey Gernsback elected pres, of Gernsback Publications Inc., succeeding his father Hugo Gernsback; we erroneously reported his new post as v.p. . . . John W. Mullen, ex-Philco, named eastern sales mgr. of Dage TV div., Thompson Products Inc.; Wynne E. Stewart, exKierulff Electronics, Los Angeles, named southeastern sales mgr. . . . Harper Dowell resigns as Philco Los Angeles div. mgr. . . . James M. Scales, ex-Leo J. Meyberg, San Francisco (RCA), onetime Zenith district mgr., former sales mgr. of W. J. Lancaster Co., San Francisco (Motorola), forms own electronic equipment rep firm, James M. Scales Co., with offices in Western Merchandise Mart, San Francisco . . . Helmut Roemer promoted to Hoffman Radio midwest district mgr., Chicago, replacing' Joseph Zulwin, now v.p. of Bercraft Corp., Chicago (CBSColumbia) . . . Robert Lang, ex-Rauland distributor sales mgr., resigns to form own rep firm at 220 Kedzie Ave., Chicago . . . John Walovich promoted from asst, to chief engineer. General Transformer Co. . . . M. R. Weisel, exCrosley asst, national service mgr., now v.p. & gen. mgr. of Service Parts Supply Corp., 4632 Paddock Rd., Cincinnati . . . Forrest Price promoted to gen. sales mgr., Columbia Records . . . Fritz A. Franke, Hallicrafters communications products engineer, elected pres, of Chicago chapter. Armed Forces Communications Assn. . . . Charles W. Hosterman, mgr. of Sylvania tube plant at Shawnee, Okla., designated asst. gen. mgr., Sylvania electronics div. ■ Mrs. Ernest Searing, wife of the chairman of International Resistance Co., died Aug. 12 in a hospital at Point Pleasant, N. J. She is survived by her husband, a .son, a daughter, 7 grandchildren. Armin J. Herz, 57, patent attorney with Philco, died Aug. 12 in a Philadelphia hospital.