Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In January 1916, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “I had a fool’s errand to Dayton, Ohio. They wanted a plush curtain and telephoned for me to come immediately. The National Cash Register Company. They didn’t even apologize.” Well, the company may have been a bit busy that January defending themselves in an anti-trust suit. On Feb. 2, 1916, “The Times Recorder” reported, “The anti-trust suit against the National Cash Register Company was dismissed in U.S. court here today, the defendants agreeing to do all except to dissolve the company. The company is enjoined from using any trade secrets or from intimidating a competitor or acquiring control of a company except on permission of the court”(Zanesville, Ohio, 2 Feb 1916, page 1).
Of the National Cash Register project mentioned by Moses, it may have concerned auditorium.
In 1916, the National Cash Register City Club Auditorium opened in Dayton, Ohio, on Dec. 2, 1916. Located at First and Ludlow Street, over two thousand employees and their families gathered to celebrate the event. Although no formal program was planned for the opening, company president J. H. Patterson, and the officers of the company held an open house and formed a reception line. The “Dayton Daily News” reported, “the organization at the factory had grown to such an extent that it was impossible for the officials to have the close contact with the employees that is possible in the small organization, and that in order that all might have the opportunity to meet each other, this club has been established” (3 Dec 1916, page 48). Patterson outlined the purposes of the education features that were to be part of club activities, “saying that every man in the employ of the company will have an opportunity to improve his efficiency if he desires.”
The open house was held for two weeks. In the evening, the N.C.R. film “The Troubles of a Storekeeper” was shown, depicting the troubles of a merchant who used antiquated methods in business, and how he remedied them with a cash register. This film has been shown in numerous cities across the country. All merchants and clerks in Dayton were specially invited to attend a showing at the N. C. R. City Club Auditorium.
The new auditorium, or ‘Little Theater” as it was sometimes called, was constructed of red brick and the interior finished in gray. The floor of the auditorium was not raked, intended to be used for not only dramatics, but also dancing and gymnastics. The small stage included one interior and one exterior setting for amateur theatrics. The intent was to share the auditorium with various societies and organizations. Newspaper articles reported that the purpose of the club was to provide “a down-town social center for employees of the company, where they may gather for events of importance during the winter season.” Each Saturday night, cider and doughnuts were furnished free of charge.
Continuing education was also offered, with classes in advertising, bookkeeping, free hand drawing, business letter writing, public speaking, printing, salesmanship and shop mathematics. The classes were taught by N. C. R. employees and were not meant to interfere with other educational institutions of Dayton. The “Dayton News” commented, “The N. C. R. City Club accomplishes a two-fold purpose: It not only provides a place for amusement and recreation, but also gives N. C. R. employes an opportunity to better their present positions.” All employees were eligible for membership in the club.
In addition to the classes, talks were given by officials of the National Cash Register Co., and others, on various topics. Motion pictures and stereopticon entertainments periodically scheduled.
To be continued…
