early 1908, the professional
managers the various Edison companies were coordinating
their actions into organ central control.
The heads the specialized departments formed slim
layer middle management the Edison enterprise. These
men answered Gilmore and sat the committees which carried
out the administration the National Phonograph Company.12
the work one man. Many of
these men were become central figures the business
affairs the Edison companies the twentieth century. They
and other middle managers naturally began work together in
running the business.
. executive
committee was formed 1908 manage the business while
Gilmore was away. Each head department was attendance to
deal with business that affected his department, and collective
19
decisions were made important issues. Walter Eckert did practically all the work
18
of producing balance sheets and statements
