Snippets of Information Regarding the Gorham Company

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JOSEPH D. LITTLE - H.A. BLISS - CHARLES R. PARKER

The trade learned with considerable interest last week that Joseph D. Little, for more than 34 years connected with the Gorham Co., 16 of which were spent as manager of the Maiden Lane store of this concern, had severed his connection with the Gorham interests. Immediately following this announcement, it was learned that Mr. Little had accepted a position as manager of wholesale sterling silver sales for the International Silver Co., and would in the near future take up his new duties in the latter concern's Maiden Lane sales room. At the present time, Mr. Little is enjoying a rest in Newbury, Mass. Mr. Little is one of the best known men in the silver trade. He came to New York in 1888 and began his career in the silver business as a boy under H. A. Bliss, who was then manager of the Gorham Co.'s store at 9 Maiden Lane. All during his connection with the Gorham Co., Mr. Little made a thorough study of silverware and is looked upon as one of the authorities on this subject in the industry. In May, 1906, he was made manager of the Gorham Co.'s Maiden Lane store and up to the time of his resignation had served in that position. Mr. Little is also secretary of the Maiden Lane Historical Society, a member of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of New York, as well as of the Good and Welfare Committee of the National Jewelers Board of Trade. Shortly after Mr. Little's resignation was announced, it was learned that Charles R. Parker who had been Mr. Little's assistant for the past 16 years, had been appointed as manager of Gorham Co.'s Maiden Lane store. Mr. Parker has been associated with Mr. Little for 32 years, having started with the Gorham concern when a boy. He was then employed at the uptown store which at that time was located on Broadway and 19th St. When an establishment was opened downtown, however, by the Gorham concern, Mr. Parker accompanied Mr. Little and has been associated with him ever since.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 5th July 1922

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PLANS FOR STABILIZING EMPLOYMENT

Scheduling Production

This is by far the most common device which is now being used to keep employment fairly evenly distributed through the year. Among the prominent New York companies which are using this method to regularize operations are the Eastman Kodak Co., International Harvester Co., Auto Strop Razor Co., Proctor & Gamble, Ithaca Gun Co., Sterling Engine Co., Remington-Rand Co., Remington Typewriter Co., Agfa-Ansco Co., Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Spencer Lens Co., Neptune Meter Co., W. & L. E. Gurley Co., Sheridan Iron Works, Otis Elevator Co., Richardson-Boynton Co., Griffin Manufacturing Co., Oneida Community, Gorham Silver Co., Kirkman & Sons, Hickey, Freeman Co., S. S. White Co., Elite Glove Co., Columbia Mills, Knox Hat Co., Hills Bros. Co. In nearly all of these cases the following steps have been taken: (1) An estimated sales budget for the year is drawn up in advance based on past record and the reasonable prospects ahead. (2) As nearly as possible, this yearly quota is divided into 12 monthly or 52 weekly parts; goods are produced in this ratio and surpluses over current sales are stored to meet the demands of the rush seasons. (3) The estimated sales quota is checked several times during the year against actual sales. If the budget proves to be above actual sales, production is diminished. If realized sales exceed the budget quotas production is increased. If the forecasting has been competently done, however, the error from purely seasonal causes should not be large, although cyclical fluctuations will continue to cause trouble.

Source: Handbook of Labor Statistics - United States Bureau of Labor Statistics - 1931

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The Gorham Manufacturing Company made a casting of the Ames statue on Monday. When completed the statue will be sent to North Easton, Mass., where it will be placed in position.

Source: The Jewelers' Review - 21st June 1899

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FREDERICK W. WINDER

Theft At The Gorham Company's Works.–For some time past the officials of the Gorham Manufacturing Company have been aware of the fact that the company was being systematically robbed of silver scrap. The police were notified and the result has been the arrest of Frederick W. Winder. He is charged with the theft of $60 worth of silver scrap. Winder is one of the company, and he was the workman who turned out the silver fixtures for the United States steamer New Orleans. The police say that Winder admitted being the thief, but when he was arraigned before Judge Sweetland he pleaded not guilty and was held in the sum of $300 for his appearance on Friday of this week.

Source: The Jewelers' Review - 28th June 1899

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WAR WORK AT PROVIDENCE

Activities of Gorham Employes and Others in Patriotic, Philanthropic and Helpful Lines

Providence, R. I., Nov. 17.–The activities and demands in connection with various funds and organizations occasioned by the exigencies of the great world war are calling more and more upon the personnel and resources of the manufacturing jewelry industry of this city, but the responses continue to be as liberal, prompt and willing as have always characterized the guild in its acceptance of every patriotic, philanthropic and charitable appeal. The past week has furnished several additional evidences to this effect.

It is interesting to see the patriotism which has invaded the works of the Gorham Mfg. Co. at Elmwood. Seventy of the young women workers have banded together for the two-fold purpose of doing their bit for the Providence Chapter of the American Red Cross, or whatever other war work appeals to them, and to varying the monotony of work with an hour of well-earned recreation. The organization meeting held last evening was largely attended and a number of articles were made, including pillows from cut rags, kits for soldiers, hemmed handkerchiefs, face cloths and hot water bag covers, and also picked oakum.

A patriotic dance to be held in the Gorham Casino is planned for Nov. 23, the proceeds of which are to be given to the National War Work Council, the particular branch of help for working girls in France and Russia. An honor roll was called, on which are the names of 40 men who have enlisted from the Gorham plant, in whom the new organization will have a special interest.

The girls have an unusually attractive recreation house in the Gorham Casino, a recreation house that was built by the Gorham concern 10 years ago at a cost of $10,000. "The G. G.'s"–The Gorham Girls –for that is the name of the new association, have made the rafters ring with the new camp songs which they are singing with a vim. The officers of the organization are as follows: Miss Olive M. Foye, organizer and president; Miss Mabel Long, secretary, and Louise E. Lang, treasurer.

The girls signing for membership are as follows: Marion Allen, Alice Andrews, Mrs. Bailey, Dezzie Bennett, Bernadette Bouronnais, Maude Bower. Grace Bouchard, May Boyd, Annie Brigdon, Annie Burroughs, Ivah Barber, Margaret Burns, Mae Campeau, Nellie Comboy, C. Carbary, Mary Davis, Bertha Damon, Agnes Ellery, Kilder Ellis, Hattie Ennis, Mary Finley, Margaret Freue, Edith Garvey, Rose C. Gear, Esther Griffin, Mrs. Hardy, Sarah Hunt, Etta M. Hobson, Bertha Honner, Ethel Hyde, Ruth Jerome, Alice Johnson, Bernice Johnson, Dorothy Johnson, Violet Johnson, Hazel Jones, Isabel Kenyon, Lillian Leicht, Lillian Lewis, Ethel A. Lewis, Gertrude Lincoln, Lillian Long, Dora Loughlin, Gladys Luther, Clara Lynskey, Agnes McDonald, Ellen McDonald, Mary MacGurl, Catherine Manning, Rose Marra, Helen Murphy, Mary Marra, C. K. Martin, Katherine Morton, Mary O'Neill, Elizabeth Mulvey, Mabel Rounds, Edith Reynolds, Eva Richardson, Susie Sharpies, Elizabeth F. Smith, Mrs. Emma F. Smith, Mabel Swinden, Lillian Whalen, Lillian White, Martha Washburn, Carine A. Wilbur, Maude Wing, Mrs. Jennie M. Wood and Josephine Zimmer.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st November 1917

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Have You Seen The Gorham Factory?

Those who have been fortunate enough to have passed through the various departments of the factory of the Gorham Mfg. Co., will appreciate the force of this query. Beautifully located at Elmwood, in Providence, R.I., on a plateau about 250 feet back from the railroad, the several buildings form a view to the passing traveler that is pleasing to the sight. However, this view is not what is meant when the above query is asked. Neither is it asked if you have counted the number of departments, or have marveled at the linear dimensions of each building or room, or have been fascinated by the wonderful processes through which the bullion silver passes before it comes out a finished piece of art work.

A silverware factory is essentially the same the world over, but the Gorham factory contains many features which entitle it to stand alone. Imprimus, it covers a floor space of 5 acres, and it gives 1,250 persons constant employment; no similar factory in the world can say this. This enormous force are thoroughly contented with their lot, as their wages are in ratio to their services, and they are treated like men and women. The sanitary and other accommodations for them are as perfect as invention has produced, and are the same as for the members of the company.

Among other features unique with this factory is a library insured for $30,000, containing books, maps, drawings and other matter to give ideas in the designing of silverware; then there is a shell department in which are made all the shell blanks for silver-mounted combs, etc.; again there is a bronze department in which life-size statues are made, besides other productions of bronze; this department is independent from the main factory and occupies as much space as many large jewelry factories do, 50 x 150 feet at least; furthermore there is the company's celebrated ecclesiastical department, where everything in the way of metal work utilized in churches is produced; this department is quite as large as the bronze department. These are but few of many unique features that could be ennumerated in reference to the great Gorham factory. Again we put the question, "Have you seen the Gorham factory?"

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 16th September 1891

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Use of the Oxy-Acetylene Blow-Pipe in the Manufacture of Sterling-Silver Hollow-Ware

The oxy-acetylene blowpipe is one of the most useful and interesting of modern discoveries. At first employed entirely in the steel and iron industry; it has now entered the non-ferrous metal field and some novel uses have been made of it.

With a mixture of acetylene and oxygen gases it is possible, by the employment of a suitable blowpipe, to obtain the highest known artificial temperature. Steel, iron, platinum and other refractory metals are melted with it as easily and as readily as lead is fused with the ordinary gas flame. Such intense heat is produced that it is possible to actually melt a joint of any metal together in the same manner that two sheets of lead are united by the well-known lead-burning method.

One of the most recent applications of oxyacetylene is in the manufacture of sterling silver ware. Large quantities of this class of goods are annually produced and much labor is spent upon them. This is particularly true in the case of hollow-ware upon which handles, borders, ornaments, etc., must be placed. The usual method of uniting such pieces of silver is by means of silver solder. The soldering is done by an ordinary blowpipe.

The use of silver-solder upon silverware is open to the objection that the solder is not the same composition as the sterling-silver. It is a much lower grade of metal and contains much less, silver. The color, therefore, is not the same. Although when polished, it is quite difficult to detect the soldered joint, after standing for some time, the solder discolors and turns yellow so that it becomes more or less conspicuous, particularly if the joint has not been closely made.

One large concern which manufactures sterling-silverware (the Gorham Mfg. Co.) has already installed a plant for welding by the oxy-acetylene flame, and are using it in many instances to replace the silver-soldering process. The joint is simply burned together and there is no metal other than sterlingsilver used upon the ware. The intense heat of the oxy-acctylene blowpipe renders it possible to weld with great accuracy and without difficulty.

Another excellent feature of oxy-acetylene is the fact that in case flaws are discovered in a sterling-silver article after considerable labor has been expended upon it, a small piece of the same metal is melted in the flaw so that it becomes a part of the parent article. When finished, therefore, and put into service, there can be no discoloration in spots like those always found upon articles soldered with silver-solder to till up blowholes, cracks or other imperfections.

The makers of oxy-acetylene apparatus have now perfected it so that not only is it more serviceable than heretofore, but it is possible to make the oxygen gas cheaper than in the past. The future, therefore, will undoubtedly find the oxy-acetylene blowpipe extensively used in the manufacture of sterling silver ware as well as in the production of other non-ferrous goods.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - February 1908

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A new firm in the silverware business is E. Newton & Co., 60 Arlington street. Newark. N. J. The firm is composed of father and son, the senior, Edward Newton. who has been in the silver business for a number of years, being formerly connected with Tiffany & Co., having had charge of several departments including that of assaying and refining. The junior member of the firm, Edward E. Newton, has been with the Gorham Manufacturing Company for 10 years and was in charge of their electro plating department. Both men are thoroughly familiar with the business and make sterling silverware, do repairing, silver plating. gilding and refinishing. One of their specialties: is hotel and club work. Edward E. Newton also gives expert advice on plating and silversmithing.

Source: The Metal Industry - October 1906

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A.B. Nock, for many years with the Gorham Mfg. Co., of Providence, R.I., has been made superintendent of the factory of the Paye & Baker Mfg. Co. North Attleboro, Mass., manufacturers of sterling silver wares.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - August 1907

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$200,000 Damages Wanted from Sheriff Tannin by J. H. Johnston A Co.

Suit to recover $200,000 damages for trespass and conversion was commenced Saturday against sheriff Edw. H. Tamsen, by Jno. R. Keim and Arthur H. Masten. the general assignees of J. H. Johnston & Co., New York. The action, which is brought through G. L. Nichols, arose from the sheriff taking possession of the Johnston company's store and stock against the assignees' protest, after the assignment was made, on four attachments. The attachments were by the Alvin Mfg. Co., for $8,977.94; Gorham Mfg. Co., for $19,424.79: Enos Richardson & Co., $10,755. and others.

The assignees allege that about Jan. 9, after the assignment, the sheriff took possession of stock worth about $188,000 and stopped the sale thereof by the assignees. The stock and store were turned over to the sheriff last week and this action commenced.

To a Circular reporter Mr. Nichols stated that the proposed settlement by the company had fallen through, as several of the large creditors had refused to sign.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 10th February 1897

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ROBINSON v. HOLBROOK et al.

(Circuit Court, D. Rhode Island, 1906. 148 Fed. 107.)

Brown, District Judge. In disposing of this petition for a preliminary injunction, we may pass all questions as to the regularity of the call for the special meeting of the shareholders of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and as to the breadth of the powers conferred upon the directors, and proceed at once to the substantial questions presented by the resolution of the board of directors of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, passed May 1, 1906. This resolution instructed Mr. Holbrook, the treasurer of the Gorham Company, to vote upon the shares of stock of the Silversmiths' Company held by the Gorham Company, in favor of an increase of the capital stock of the Silversmiths' Company from $100,000 to $10,000,000, divided into 100,000 shares at $100 each; for an issue of 70,000 shares at par, as follows: $1,750,000, or 17,500 shares, at par for cash to holders of preferred and common stock of the Gorham Company in proportion to their holdings, any portion of said 17,500 shares not taken by the Gorham Company shareholders to be sold to the public; $5,250,000, or 52,500 shares, or so much thereof as may be taken in exchange at par, to holders of the common stock of the Gorham Company, in exchange for their holdings in the Gorham Company at a valuation of $210 per share for the common stock of the Gorham Company. The treasurer was further instructed to sell to the Silversmiths' Company, the Gorham Company's holdings of shares of stock of the Whiting Manufacturing Company, of the William B. Durgin Company, of the Silversmiths' Company of New Jersey, of the Silversmiths' Company of New York, and all the assets late of W. B. Kerr & Company, Inc., at a price not less than the cost thereof to the Gorham Company to the date of sale.

The complainant, a nonassenting shareholder of the Gorham Company, seeks to enjoin the carrying out of this plan, contending that it is beyond the corporate powers of the Gorham Company, is offensive to the principle that a person occupying a fiduciary relation, who is authorized to sell property for another, cannot himself become the purchaser, directly or indirectly, and is against the rights and financial interest of the complainant. It is also alleged that this plan is not in pursuance of any need or purpose of the Gorham Company, but is solely for the purposes of the majority of shareholders, and especially of Mr. Holbrook; and contemplates and will result in a control of the Gorham Company's affairs by the Silversmiths' Company, as a holding company.

After a careful consideration of the complainant's bill, of the affidavits, and of the authorities cited, I am of the opinion that the controversy is of a substantial character, involving important questions of law as to the corporate powers of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and as to the legal right of a majority of the shareholders of the Gorham Company to effect or to aid in this manner the transfer of important assets of the Gorham Company to the Silversmiths' Company, or to provide for the ownership by the Silversmiths' Company of share's of Gorham Company stock. There is reason for thinking that the plan disclosed by the resolutions of the directors may comprehend purposes which hardly can be regarded as corporate purposes of the Gorham Company, or as properly incident thereto.

Assuming that it may be for the interest of the Gorham Company to dispose of its shareholdings in other corporations, though this is disputed by the complainant, there are serious doubts of the right to do this at a price fixed arbitrarily by persons who are to become shareholders in the Silversmiths' Company, which is to acquire these shares of stock; and it is questionable, at least, whether it is a corporate purpose of the Gorham Company to promote, to provide for, or to lend the sanction of its corporate vote to the acquisition by the Silversmiths' Company of a considerable proportion of the shares of stock in the Gorham Company, so that the Silversmiths' Company is to have a considerable voice in, if not control of, the management of the Gorham Company.

It is apparently the purpose of the majority of shareholders of the Gorham Company that the Silversmiths' Company shall be a holding company which shall hold not only the shares of stock in other companies now owned by the Gorham Company, but also shares of stock to the amount of 25,000 shares in the Gorham Company itself. A holding of this amount of shares by the Silversmiths' Company would give it an equal voice with all other shareholders of the Gorham Company in the management of the affairs of the Gorham Company; and but a single additional share, acquired either by the Silversmiths' Company or by a person interested in the Silversmiths' Company, would be sufficient to constitute a complete control of the Gorham Company.

Ordinarily, corporate combinations effected through a holding corporation are organized by dealings which are entirely between the holding corporation and the shareholders of the several companies whose shares are to be held. Noyes on Intercorporate Relations, § 310, par. 1.

In the present case, substantially all the shares of stock of the Silversmiths' Company, whose present capital is $100,000, are owned by the Gorham Company, which is to be the author of a conversion of the $100,000 corporation into a $10,000,000 corporation which is to acquire stocks in other companies to the extent of nearly $7,000,000. The Gorham Company's authorized capital stock is $5,000,000. It is permitted to purchase, own, hold, and dispose of shares of the capital stock of other corporations to the extent of 35 per cent, of its capital stock. It is intended to base upon corporate action of the Gorham Company, the practical creation of a distinct corporation holding nearly $7,000,000 of said stock, or about $5,000,000 in excess of what the Gorham Company is authorized by its own charter to hold. The fact that the Silversmiths' Company is already incorporated does not alter the fact that it is intended that the Gorham Company is to institute a substantially new corporation.

Assuming that the amendment to the charter of the Gorham Company, which authorizes it to hold stock in other corporations, gives to the Gorham Company the ordinary rights of a shareholder to vote upon the shares of stock which it holds, can it be said that the voting power which is incident to its right to hold shares of stock in other corporations enables it to take such corporate action as will convert a subsidiary company into a corporation of larger capital stock than itself? Was it the intention of the Rhode Island Legislature, in granting to the Gorham Company the right to be a stockholder, to confer upon it, as an incident to that right, the unlimited right to create, by increase of capital stock of its subordinate companies, an indefinite and unlimited amount of shares? If the right exists to enlarge the Silversmiths' Company from a $100,000 to a $10,000,000 corporation, it equally exists as to every other company whose shares of stock are now owned by the Gorham Company.

Looking to the substance of the complainant's rights as a large shareholder in the Gorham Company, there certainly is force in the complainant's objection that the Gorham Company, by its stockholders' vote and by the action of its board of directors in pursuance thereof, has embarked in the promotion of an enterprise foreign to that for which it was created, and which, if effected, will leave the complainant the choice of investing a considerable amount of additional capital in the Silversmiths' Company and of parting with his shares in the Gorham Company in exchange for shares in the Silversmiths' Company, a holding corporation, or, on the other hand, of remaining a shareholder in the Gorham Company with the risk that it shall be managed not solely for its own interests, but with regard to the interests of other corporations controlled by the Silversmiths' Company.
One of the advantages of the plan which was specifically urged at the stockholders' meeting was, "providing a central control which shall be exercised over the different properties." It will be for the interest of the shareholders of the Silversmiths' Company to so operate the various corporations as to yield the largest result from their aggregate operations. There is a substantial difference between the present status of the Gorham Company, as a prosperous and independent corporation, and its proposed status as a corporation controlled by a holding company, and managed with regard to the interests of other distinct corporations under the control of the same holding company.

The defendants' contention is that the right to purchase, own, hold, and dispose of shares in other corporations gives the Gorham Company the ordinary right of a shareholder to vote upon these shares, and also an unlimited right as a shareholder to initiate whatever corporate action of the Silversmiths' Company the Gorham Company as a shareholder may see fit. The conclusion to which this argument logically leads arouses a suspicion of its soundness. No limitation is placed upon the kinds of shares which the Gorham Company may hold. It may own shares in railroads and manufacturing companies, and corporate shares of every kind. If, by virtue of its shareholdings, it may create holding companies for the silversmith business, the same argument would authorize it to create holding companies for other branches of industry.

The power to invest in shares of other corporations must, however, be regarded as incidental to the charter purposes of the Gorham Company; i. e., "manufacturing goods made of gold, silver, or other metallic substance, and for the transaction of other business connected therewith." The incidental power to invest granted by amendments to the charter is to be narrowly construed, being in derogation of the ordinary rule that one corporation cannot invest in shares of stock of another. It would involve great practical difficulties were we to hold that the power to invest in shares of other corporations can be construed as an unlimited power to initiate or to promote new enterprises different in character and scope, perhaps exceeding in magnitude, that for which original charter powers were granted. It seems probable that the power of holding shares is a subordinate power, not to be so exercised as to enlarge the general scope of the business of the corporation by promoting other distinct corporate enterprises, whether in a different field or in the same field. It is very doubtful whether, by giving the Gorham Company power to invest in the shares of other corporations, the Legislature intended to confer the power to set up and practically create a new corporation in the same line of business which should control its creator.

In deciding upon this petition, I do not proceed upon the ground that a fraudulent intention is exhibited in any of the acts of the defendants. Apparently it was not regarded by a majority of the shareholders of the Gorham Company as undesirable that Mr. Holbrook should have a large or controlling voice in the Silversmiths' Company. But whether or not this plan is preferred by a majority of the shareholders is not the question. Giving due consideration to the fact that a majority of shareholders may regard this action as for their pecuniary advantage, and to the rule that all problems of business judgment are to be determined by a majority vote, yet it must be remembered that the majority are limited in their powers by the charter, and that this cannot be overridden however profitable it might be for the majority to carry out what they apparently, in good faith, regard as a sound business proposition.

In view of the importance of the questions which have been presented, I am of the opinion that the complainant presents a proper case for a preliminary injunction. Having regard to the interests of a majority of the shareholders, it seems to me highly undesirable that this plan should proceed; that the Silversmiths' Company should put forth the new issue of shares, and the exchange of Gorham Company shares be made and the assets of the Gorham Company transferred to the Silversmiths' Company, while this bill is pending. Should an injunction be refused at this time, and the complainant's bill subsequently be sustained, the injury to the complainant from a failure to grant temporary relief would be great, and perhaps irreparable; and the injury to the defendants which would result from undoing what had been done would doubtless be great. The best interests of all parties will be subserved by granting this preliminary injunction. Having in mind the statements of complainant's counsel as to his willingness to proceed speedily to a hearing on the merits, I think that if the defendants desire a shorter time than that allowed by the rules should be fixed for the taking of testimony, in order that the case may be finally determined on full hearing as speedily as possible. The petition for a preliminary injunction is granted.

Source: Cases on Private Corporations - Harry Sanger Richards - 1912

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Something About the Gorham

Out of the Gorham bronze foundry come the best specimens of castings this country can show. The foundry was the pet of John Gorham. When he went to England in 1852 to learn the newest wrinkles in silversmithing he went into a foundry in London where the best work in molding and casting was done.

There he paid for the privilege of working with the skilled operators until he was satisfied that he had mastered some of the finer points of the art. On his arrival home, he got the best molder to come to Providence to take charge of his foundry and also hired others.

The reputation which he gradually acquired of producing only the best in bronze has been maintained. The Gorham foundry is second to none in the world.

The company melts two tons of silver every day and some times just as much copper for foundry and other work. Many of the big pieces, which contain hundreds of pounds of material. are cast in sections.

Source: Keystone Weekly - 1917

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BRONZE TABLET TO MARK SITE OF FIRST EDISON POWER PLANT

The bronze tablet shown herewith, which was made and designed by the Gorham Co., is to be erected at 257, Pearl St., New York, to mark the site of the first Edison electric power plant and commemorating the beginning of the Edison service in New York.



The bas-relief at the top of the tablet shows the interior of the old station. The generators, six in number, were each of 125 horse-power. The territory served by the station was only a square mile in area and when station began operation there were only a 1,000 lights on the system. The station and the distribution system were laid out according to the plans of Edison, and Edison himself supervised the work of construction. At times when the pressure of work was great he slept on a pile of material in the building.

The Edison system called for the placing of all wires underground. Before that all wires were strung overhead on poles. The change was made against great opposition, for people were afraid that underground wires carrying strong currents would cause damage of some kind. Edison carried his point and in all cities the wires of not only the electric light companies but of the telephone and telegraph companies as well are beneath the surface of the streets.

The old building, which has been reconstructed, is now occupied by the firm of Mangus Maybee and Renard, dealers in oils. In erecting the tablet The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society and The New York Edison Co. have cooperated, the Scenic Society interested because of the historic importance of the event and the Edison company interested because the company of 1882 was the parent of the present organization. The tablet was shown at the Grand Central Palace during the annual Electrical Exposition.

Twenty-two pioneers of the electric lighting industry assembled at the electrical exposition in New York on Oct. 18th to take part in the dedication of the tablet. Among the men were many who worked with Edison in laying out the original station and distribution system. Edison himself, however, was unable to attend the dedication—his work on the Naval Consulting Board taking up all his time.

Addresses were made by Borough President Marcus M. Marks of Manhattan, Dr. George F. Kunz, president of the American Scenic and Historical Preservation Society; John W. Lieb, president of the National Electric Light Association; Reginald Pelham Bolton, Dr. Edward Hogaman Hall and P. C. Magnus, occupant of the building on which the tablet is to be placed. Arthur Williams, president of the Electrical Exposition, presided.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st November 1917

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Thomas F. McQueeny, formerly for many years an employe of the Gorham Mfg. Co.. died at Bridgeport, Conn., last week.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st November 1917

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San Francisco

George F. Miller, representative of the Gorham Co., has just returned from a southern trip and is expecting to leave for the northwest. Paul C. Paulsen, special representative for the Gorham ecclesiastical lines, will leave shortly for the southern part of the State.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 18th October 1922

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LAST HONORS PAID

Funeral of John F. P. Lawton Attended by Many Friends and Business Associates —Gorham Co.'s Plant Closed During Services

Providence, R. I., Sept. 27.—The funeral of John F. P. Lawton, for more than 60 years an employe and official of the Gorham Mfg Co., more than 50 years of which he was secretary of the corporation, was held at the Central Congregational Church last Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock and was attended by a large gathering of the associates of the deceased, including prominent business men of the city and directors and employes of the Gorham Co.

The services were conducted by Rev. Arthur H. Bradford, pastor of the church of which Mr. Lawton had been a member for many years, and his assistant, Rev. Frank E. Butler. The former also conducted the burial service at Swan Point Cemetery. Ushers at the church were all old employes of the Gorham Mfg. Co., who had been associated with Mr. Lawton for many years. They were Robert I. Durfee, Edmund A. Truelove, Edward B. Turner and Raymond J. Blanchard, all of the office clerical force; Chester C. Green, purchasing agent, and Charles N. Lawton, foreman of one of the departments.

There was a profusion of floral tributes, including pieces from the directors, office associates, employes of the various departments and from relatives and friends. The Gorham Co. closed its plant from 12 until 3 o'clock in order that the employes might attend the funeral and a large number availed themselves of the opportunity.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 1st October 1919

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A restaurant has been established in one of the rooms of the Gorham Mfg. Co.'s factory for the accommodation of the employes.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 29th March 1893

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THE SAD DEATH OF WILLIAM R.E. BERTH





William R.E. Berth, manager of the leather goods department of the Gorham Mfg. Co. and a prominent resident of Bedford Park, started last Tuesday morning for the 7.55 o'clock train for New York, but instead of crossing the bridge over the railroad to the down-town station he started to walk across the tracks. He had hardly stepped on the uptown tracks before he was struck by a north bound train and hurled upon the platform, receiving mortal internal injuries. The engineer, Patrick Costello, and Patrick O'Rourke, the station agent, picked up the injured man. Two calls were sent to the Fordham Hospital, but Mr. Berth was removed to his home in a sleigh before the ambulance arrived. He died Thursday morning.

Mr. Berth was a self-made man, and was very popular both among his friends and business associates. He has been connected with the leather goods trade from the beginning of his business career and was for six years in charge of the leather goods department of Baker, Pratt & Co. before he accepted, in 18S6, a similar position with the Gorham Mfg. Co. It has been greatly through his efforts that the character of leather goods produced in this country has attained the high standard of to-day.

Mr. Berth was a member of Republic Lodge 690, F. and A. M. and of Our Council 252, Royal Arcanum. He was one of the trustees of the Bedford Park Congregational Church. The deceased was in his fifty-first year at the time of his death. He leaves a widow and three sons.

The funeral took place from the Bedford Park Congregational Church, Sunday morning. Besides the members of the fraternities who were present, there was a large delegation from the Gorham Mfg. Co. The interment was at Woodlawn.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st February 1893

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HENRY STRATER

Henry Strater, one of the oldest silversmiths in this country, died at his home, 82 Congress Ave., this city, March 30, after a long illness of heart disease. He was in the 64th year of his age. He was born in 1833, in Westphalia, Prussia. The deceased sailed to America in 1848 and learned the silversmith's trade in Boston with Larforme Bros. After a few years' employment with this concern he came to this city and was employed by the Gorham Mfg. Co. since 1857, working conscientiously for the company ever since. He was one of the company's best and most reliable workmen, and was respected and esteemed by all who knew him. The exhibits made by the Gorham Mfg. Co. at the Paris Exposition and the World's Fair contained some of his skilled workmanship.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 7th April 1897

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The Gorham Manufacturing Company of Providence, R. I., manufacturing silversmiths, have purchased the controlling interest in The Whiting Manufacturing Company of New York City. The Whiting Company have been one of the principal competitors of the Gorham Company, and this control will amalgamate both interests. It is reported that $800,000 was paid for the interest. Charles E. Bulkley, the president of the Whiting Company and Fred. S. Salisbury, the treasurer, will retire.

Source: The Brass World and Platers' Guide - April 1905

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