Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1920 — Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 [ADVERTISEMENT]

who remained behind. From the humblest workman to the highest paid executive in the Edison organization, everyone seemed determined “to make good, while the Old Man was away.” Vacations were passed up and doctors’ orders were ignored by zealous employees, and, as a result, the Edison Manufacturing laboratories were one of the few manufacturing concerns in the United States, where there was no loss of efficiency, during the war, and where there was, in fact, an increase in efficiency. During the war, Mr. Edisqn spent most of his time on the sea coast or at sea. On those rare occasions, when he visited the Edison Laboratories, it was difficult to gain his attention, for more than a few minutes, with reference to business matters. He did, however, state that the Edison Phonograph was his pet invention and he hoped that his business associates would be able, in some way or other, to avoid any increase in price, and that, if there must be an increase, he wanted such increase to be just as small as it could possibly be made. Mr. Edison said: “I am willing to stand the gaff. Music is an important thing. Let us make it as easy as possible for people to have music in their homes in these nerve-racking days.” What was the result? The wonderful realism of the New Edison, “The Phonograph with a Soul,” made it desired above all other phonographs, and its sale was stimulated by the fact that the increase in price was neglible. The demand soon far out-stripped the supply. Overhead and sales expense were reduced to the minimum and, thanks to Mr. Edison’s willingness to absorb a large share of the increased cost of manufacture, it was possible for the Edison Laboratories, by accepting a merely nominal profit, to avoid any substantial increase in the selling price of the Edison Phonograph. It will be many years before the general level of commodity prices is as low as the present price of the Edison Phonograph. Leading bankers have expressed themselves as willing to lend money on Edison Phonographs, because they know the selling prices of Edison Phonograph are not going to be reduced. Let us reiterate that when you buy an Edison Phonograph today you buy a be-fore-the-war value with an after-the-war dollar. If you have any fear that there may be a reduction in the prices of Edison Phonographs, Tye are prepared to give you full assurance on that point.

W. J. Wright