Bitner, Edgar F.

Edgar F. Bitner Music publishing executive whose cost-cutting decisions changed the entire industry (places and dates of birth and death unknown). When Leo Feist and Joe Frankenthaler started their concern in August 1897, their first employee was Edgar F. Bitner , who was hired as bookkeeper, porter, and errand boy. Within ten years, Bitner had become general manager of the firm, in charge of the New York office and of all five branches, which employed a total of 250 people. He eventually…