The billboard (Jan-June 1895)

Billboard ^dVgffigrn g. SITTboayd jfl dVgfj jTsjgg, \ II *s a ... j by empty promises, by cajoling or by threats or some sort of business methods, get them to keep it up for two weeks longer, so that they can make their pro- fit at the prices stated here. Now, that is intended on the very face of it, to in- jure the Company. It shows that the sender of the postal was a competitor for this job and didn't get it. It represents that these parties got it at a certain price which is false It then states that in order to get within that price they have got to use some underhand method. ■ I have stated one of the methods in wh.ch that "jollying" can be done. Another way which would come under the same suggestion is that a contract cou'd be made foi four weeks, and at the end of the two weeks, cou'd be thrown up, and the "jollying" would then commence, and in some way they would keep the paper up for the full four weeks but only pay the two weeks' price. Now, however that "jollying" was to be done—the word "jolly" means to foci, to mislead, to in- jure in some way, by empty promises, and_ it is a direct reflection upon the character and the business integrity of this company This card was sent to Mr. Crawford. Undoubtedly the same card has been sent all over the couut-y to the different places mentioned on this contract—264 or more cities. Now that card having been sent out there for the sole purpose of preventing this Company from carrying out that contract success- fully, stating there that they intend, through some underhand, some false, fraudulent methods, to foist this contract upon the bill posters at a price upon .which they could make a large profit, is, I must insist, directly within the terms ~~Zt that law. It is "defamatory" matter. It is casting a slur upon the character and the reputation of this Company, and it is a direct attempt to injure its busi- ness standing and integrity. It was to prevent the use of the United States mails for the carrying of such libels and "defamatory" and injurious statements upon a postal card where the public can see them, that this statute was passed. It is carefully worded. It tries to avoid some of these difficulties, and yet it comes distinctly within the meaning of the law. My friend has tried by his humorous suggestion, to cover up the real essence of this offense. This is not necessarily an offense for which the de- fendant will be imprisoned for five years, but that law covers not only grave offenses, but offenses of all grades down to the simplest. Now this is an offense of great gravity. It comes directly home to a business corporation. It attacks its integrity among a large class of the peo- ple with whom it has to deal, and unless this thing is prevented, that law is to a great extent a dead letter. I think, on looking at the postal itself and reading it in the light of these suggestions, it will be seen that there is a "defamatory" statement and attempt to injure the rep- utation and the character of another. Mr. Rose: A single word, Mr. Com- missioner. If there was anything needed at all to show that this postal card was not within this act, it has been the argu- ment of the attorney for this Gude Com- pany, because this statute says '-obvious- ly," and if it take the attorney of the Company so long to show what it obvi- ously means, it certainly cannot be obvi- ously within the meaning of the law, and the idea that the postal meant anything but what it said is not and cannot be true. There is an Association of bill posters in various cities. They are notified that somebody is taking the contract or trying to get work, at less than the Association price. No fraud, no crime, no imputa- tion of dishonesty—certainly not obvi- ously; and a corporation, Gude or other- wise, that cannot stand an imputation on its character of 'jollying" is not worth the paper you can write your name on> to my mind; and it is fair to sta' e that every person to whom I have showu that postal card has said that the charge here is so nonsensical that there is nothing to talk about, and the idea that they can furnish the ground for an allegation of a crime of great gravity, under which a man can be sent to prison for five years —because we cannot know now what the result will be; it is for the court to say— the idea that a man can put in jeopardy for a minute for such an offense—for no offense, because you cannot call it an offense under this law. The Commi«sioner: What is your un- ders'anding of the meaning of the word "jolly?" Mr. Rose: As used in that connection it means that they are going to try to get a good contract out of you. They are going to try to get you to reduce the price of bill posting. The Commissioner: Do you under- stand it will bear the interpretation, to make you good-natured, and bring you ^into a frame of mind that will induce you to sign such a contract? Or does it simply mean to fool J Mr. Rose: It doesn't mean to fool, at all—not a bit of it .and if it did, that is not libelous. Let them go into the Courts that are open to them and sue us for libel if this is "defamatory," and not sneak in here under the cover of the United States Government. If they have got any qtiarrel with us, let them go into Court, and not sneak here behind the skirts of the United States Government, and try to have us punished for an of- fense which is not a crime. Mr. Duncan: Is it tru« that Mr Craw- ford is a member of this Association ? You said thai ibis card was sent out to members of the Association. (Address- ing Mr. Rose.) Mr Rose: It says so on the bottom— ' fraternally." Mr. Duncan: As a matter of fact, Mr. Crawford is not a member. Mr. Rose: Then he is a member of the Gude Association ? Mr. Duncan: Is it also a matter of fact that the prices stated at the head of the card are Association prices ? Mr. Rose: I don't know. Mr.' Duncan : You were stating that this was sent out to Association members. Mr. Rose: I am making the statement that obviously on that paper there is no crime. Mr. Bill: I will say this, and nothing more. As I said when I was on the floor before, there are two elements of an of- fense of this nature; the first is that the postal card must come within the mean- ing of the statute, and the second is that it has been deposited in the mail — Mr. Rose: There is no question about that. Mr. Ball: The only question for the consideration of the Court or anybody else is, outside of any quarrel that evi- dently exists between the parties here, is as to the meaning of the words in the sentence quoted—whether or not they are intended as an imputation against the honesty or character of any individual. If in the mind of the Court that is stated why then there is an offense committed; no doubt about that; but if it is not sta- ted on the postal card, no offense has been committed. That is all I desire to say in regard to it. The Commissioner: That is all. 1 dismiss the complaint. The Other Side. Office of The O. J. Gude Co., 9 J Hudson Street, New York, April 26, 1895- Editor BlUBOARB ADVERTISING, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dear Sir:— Your last issue contained a mis- statement to the effect that we were try- ing to put out the Adams' '^Tutti Frui ti" paper at less than regular rates. Recognizing your desire to do justice to all parties concerned at all times, we have no doubt that 3'ou will be glad to rectify this error when yon learn that the paper was sent to the various bill posters at prices quoted by them, and for which they have done work for us and others. In no case was any bill poster asked to work for less than these rates. There were a few cases where the bill posters themselves had made a mistake in price quoted, and in one or two cases they had advanced their rates since mak- ing the quotation. These circumstances naturally required some little correspondence to adjust, but we are pleased to sta-.e that at the pre- sent time, there is no question of price in a single city on the list. The bill posters of the country seem to appreciate the manner in which this business has been handled to them. Also that. Adams & Sons are big advertisers and should spend many thousand dollars every year with them, and if careful at- tention to this work and satis 'actory showing will bring the renewal orders, the bill posters seem to have made up their minds that the appropriation of this firm for bill posting hereafter shall be many times larger than it ever has been before. It has been a great pleasure for us during the past year to note the im- proved feelirg between the bill posters and advertis-ers. The trade at large seems to recognize the fact that the interests of both are identical; that unless the advertiser makes money the bill posters won't get a chance to make any—that good work on the part of the bill posters is being appreciated by the advertisers; and that the general situation with the commercial advertisers is constantly im- proving, and if handled lightly sliould be productive of very satiifactory results in the near future Trusting that this may set you right on the "Tntti-Fruitti" matter, we are, Very truly yours, The O. J. Gude Co. F E Fitch, Sec'y. V New York April 27, 1895. Mr. M. Breslauer, Minneapolis, Minn. Dear Sir:— Replying to your inquiry, we are pleased to- state that it is not us this time, and that we have no trouble with the Association whatever. The postal card, however, that was sent out broadcast by Mr Stahlbrcdt, and which contained false statements regarding the "Tutti Fruitti'' contract stirred up a hornet's nest. Everyone familiar with the business knows that the tendency of that com- munication was to create, a feeling ad- verse to the Adams Company as well as to ourselves; and also, knows that it would influence many bill posters to give the "Tutti Fruitti'! paper less considera- tion than it would naturally get, although the work was sent out at regular prices. Besides this, the card was sent out in the name of the Association, which made each member liable to suit for damages —although we think that will be avoided. Under these circumstances you will appreciate that it was necessary to take prompt action in the matter for the pro- tection of our customers and all other advertisers, as well as for the best inter- ests of the trade at large. When you consider that Mr Stahlbrodt competed for this business, and was fur- nished with a list of the cities to be cov- ered, etc , bis discourtesy to Adams & Sons was, to put :t mildly, very .apparent. You know that the advertisers are very sensitive on these points, and it is not surprising to learn that many of them will refuse to treat further with anyone who adopts such.methods. Although it does put the Association in an awkward position, still we have assured the Adams Company and other large advertisers that the individual mem- bers of the Association would not uphold any such foolishn; ss, and we will do all that we can to break down the strong prejudice excited agairst the trade at large. The trouble seems to be that the "agi- tatcr"' agi'ated too much. And, by the way, who is the best frierd of the bil poster—the man who does the agitating or the man who gets the business? The ' Scribner" work is a fair sanip'e. Stahlbrodt sent it out before as a ttree- sheet for one week at three cents. We have just sent out a new order, size in- creased to an eight-sheet, time extended to two weeks and price increased to four cents per sheet per week. You know what we have done during the past year for the bill posters of the country. The business we have sent out has run up as high as $ 10.000 in a month and we mean to keep right on with the good work. We believe with jou, that permanent benefits to the bill posting interests can only come through persistent efforti based on right principles and progressive business methods. •If we can't do it right we won't do it at - all, and we are confident that the bill posters will back up the solid work that brings good paying business. Keep us posted on your circus billings. Enclosed find a card to be used for that purpose Also note the list af customers on the back. Isn't that the best possible testimony as to our ability to get busi- ness and to h-ndle it right when we have it? With best wishes, we are, Yours for business, The O.J. Gude Co. Don't have too much monkey-business about your advertisement. A plain statement of facts is all the public has time to read.— Art in Advertising. J. F. O'MEALIA Whose portrait appears on the first page, is one of the most prominent bill posters in the country, and an energetic and per- severing man of vast experience. He was born in New York City in 1857, has been posting bills since he was fourteen years of age. He worked for the late John Mahon, Paulding, when he was - "Boss of all the Bill Posters, and was the first man to post a sheet of paper for Reagm & Clark, when they started in business in New'York[ City. When still a boy, hr was -placed/in charge of the paste brigade of 'Joh»$ Murray's Circus; aud was with the J&st paste brigade that traveled in'a car of their own, with The Great London Circus and Sanger's Royal British Menagerie. Among the members of that brigade may be men- tioned Crete Pulver, agent; Carter Cou- turier, general agent Buffalo Bill's Wild West; Pete Spier, foreman for Reagan & Clark. He left the bill posting business to go with the late Claude DeHaven, at Tony Pastor's Theatre, 585 Broadway. He then took the road as agent for Jas E.* Cooke's Circus. For three years he was agent for Jake Aberle, on 8th street, New York, when Jake was in his prime. He was with Haverly at the 5th Avenue Theatre for a while as agent, and was agent for Jack Hamilton, at the first theatre that was opened in Harlem, "The Mount Morris Theatre." He was agent for the Iron Steamboat Company the first year they started their new boats to Coney Island, and for five years was agent of the Manhattan Steam Naviga- tion Co , which ran the famous steamer, "Plymouth Rock,'' to Long Branch and Rockaway Beach: during this time he was the first to post bills on the roofs on the lines of the Elevated Railroads in New York City, covering the chimueys with single sheets and the sides of houses with three sheets and stands. Mr O'Mealia has been in business in Jersey City about thirteen years, starting with O'Mealia & Speare, aud on separa- tion from Speare, ran the business alone aud afterward formed a partnership with A. P. Rikeman, under the name of Rike- man & O'Mealia, and upon the death of his old partner, bought out his interest and has run the business in an up-to-date manner ever since. ^*"Tilr. O'Mealia has lately issued a handy £! list of the protected bill boards owned and controlled by him in Jersey City, Bayonne, West Hoboken, Union Hill and surrounding towns, which shows that Jersey City has more boards and desir- able locations for advertising than any city of its size in the United States. Mr. O'Mealia is quite a society man as the following will show: Member of Improved Order of Red Men; Past Grand Chief Ranger and Present Deputy Su- preme Chief Ranger of New Jersey of Ancient Order of Forresters of America; Past Exalted Ruler of Jersey City Lodge No. 2ii, B. P. O Elks, and District Dep- uty of New Jersey, under Grand Exalted Ruler Wm. H Friday.. ; He is Treasurer of the Associated Bill Posters' Association of the United States arid Canada. M. F. Sprenger, the king of Pough- keepsie, thinks Eil.i.board Advertis- ing is bright, newsy aud up to date. W. H. Steinbrenner, whose office is at 3'3 Vine Street, Cincinnati, O., conducts a thoroughly reliable distributing agency He covers all suburbs in Hamilton Co MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. April 22d, 1S95. Jas. H. Hennegan, Esq. Dear Sir:— Thanks for your letter calling my attention to your paper. Enclosed you will find clipping from last night's Min- neapolis Journal. We are very busy and are crowded with commercial work. I would like to call the attention of bill posters to my scheme for getting plenty of commercial work, -which is as follows : We have cleaned all of our bill boards down to the bare boards. We have done the same with dead walls and fences- The work on the bill boards and daubs is placed smooth and even. Our work on boards looks like a picture frame. The town is clean—no ragged paper any- where. We employed two extra wagons and four men, doing nothing but strip- ping boards, walls, etc. It took them two weeks to clean the city. We find the results from a clean city and neat looking work very beneficial to us. All agents are commenting us. There are several cigar and patent medicine agents here, and they are stuck on the bill pos- ters' display. Even the newspapers are commenting on our artistic work. This is no 'jolly"—it is reality. This is the most sensible argument ever made to you in behalf of the bill posters. Keep your town clean, and make your work show up, Give your customers good service. You must consider yourself the same as any other business man or man- ufacturer. Live up to your contract and you will meet with success. When busi- ness men find they can get honest ser- vice for money expended, you can rest assured the bill poster is the beneficiary. Once more, bill posters: Keep Your Ci y Clean, (all bill boards trimmed with blank,) and use a system in placing your work. Hennegan, am I right? If so, kindly touch up the boys. Yours truly, Mike Breslauer. XXX ARTISTIC WORK. Some Excellent Bill Posting That is Being Done in This City. Noticing yesterday a gang of men put- ting up some extra large advertising posters, and also another man doing some very nice work with paint and brush, it seemed to be the proper caper to make some inquiries in regard to this end of the advertising business, Mr- Mike Breslauer, the owner of nearly all the bulletin boards in the ciiy, (in con- nection with the theatres), happened to be in charge, and he was ready to talk. He had been in the business twenty-four years, sixteen in this citv, and is a niem- of the Associated Bill Posters' Associa- tion of the United States and Canada, through which large amounts of foreign work is secured. He has now in bis em ploy twelve men, besides his painters, and uses three teams. These are regu- lars, but at times he is compelled to largely increase the force. Mr. Breslauer thoroughly believes in newspapers as an advertising medium, and especia'ly when connected with his own. He says that nearly all of the Eastern business that conies to him, so much is allowed for the papers and so much for the bulletins, and when they, have them both they have the best on earth. As will be noticed through the city, Mr Breslauer is now engaged on some particularly large Eastern con- tracts, these bill remaining on the boards for thirty days, It is needless for us to say anything about genial Mike's work. It speaks for itself, and his contracts are always fulfilled to the letter.— Minneapolis Journal J. A. Clough, the reliable distributer, has bought out The Tuxedo Company and now conducts the business under his own name with headquarters at 647 Austin Ave., Chicago, Ills The best of all advertising media is the billboards. A close second is found in distributed booklets, almanacs, couriers, pamphlets, etc. Painted bulletins and mural display signs are about on a par for third place. The newspapers are a good fourth and scientific window display fifth. Dodgers, flyers, charts, novels, perambulators and transparencies are seldom efficacious except in rare instanc- es and even then are very expensive. Try posters in the country. You will be able to detect the results beyond all doubt or peradventure. Terry Kellum, is doing a nice business at Barry, Ills. There must be a good deal of virtue in poster, circular and bill board forms of advertising or they would scarcely have survived the newspaper attacks on them. There is an awful lot of unsold newspaper space, but it is rarely one sees a blank space on an available wall, fence or boarding.— Printer's Ink,A'ezv York. Spencer & Dockstader is the new firm who will do the bill posting at Janesville, Wis., hereafter. FROM AUSTRALIA. Rosemont, Woodlands Road, Ashfield, N S. W , Australia,'March 4th, 1895. Dear Sir: Through the kindness of a gentleman here, I have seen a copy of the New Year Number of "Billboard Advertising," which is admirably printed from cover to cover, and reflects credit on those responsible for the publication. A paper such as yours, cannot fail to be great benefit to bill posters and their patrons. I notice a letter in it from Mr. Peter Sells, asking you not to believe "that a Mr. Turner at Sidney, Australia, posted bills on a gable so high that his bill- posters were afraid to undertake it " The facts of the incident referred to- are as fallows; Sells Bros, rented certain space from Isaac Roff, bill poster, Sidney Sells Bros.' bill posters done all the work with the exception of a gable in George street, which they refused to do (although our firm offered to raise ladders or hang "a" stage from the roof whichever would suit them best) some of the men stating that their long-handled brushes were not suited to the work Eventually, arrange- ments were made with Isaac Roff and the gable covered with Sells Bros.' bills by a man named Turner, employed by Roff; the • brush he used being one of Sells Bros.' long-handled ones, borrowed for the occasion. Hoping that you will give this a space in jour excellent journal, and wish you success, I am, Yours truly, W. R. Turner. Jo Editor Billboard Advertising. J. M. J. Kane, editor of Cincinnat Music and Drama, and also Advertising Manager of L. W. Washburn's Great Al- lied Shows, is the Sole Traveling Agent for Biuboard Advertising. Any con- tracts made and entered into by him for_ this publication will be strictly adhered to. The twenty four sheet stand, made to represent a $500 bill, enlarged many times, which has been used by Paul Dresser in advertising "The Green Goods Man," has been suppressed by the Secret Service officials and the entire stock on hand at the printer's has been seized and confiscated. Frank P. Colby, the bill poster and distributer at Manchester, N. H., also controls the Baggage Transfer Co. LOOKOUT FOR HIM. A party calling himself Henry Martin, and representing that he is contracting agent for Sells & Rentfrow's Circus, has been collecting money through Colorado. Several bill posters have been victimized by the sharper, who is in no way con- nected with Sells & Rentfrow. FAIR NEWS. The Cotton States and International Exposition which will be held at Atlanta opening September i8th, and closing December 31st, is going to be a far lar- ger and more imposing undertaking than the North even dreams of. It is simply gigantic in scope, and all-embrac- ing in its features and varied attractions. Furthermore the exceptionally able man- ner in which it is conducted bids fair to make it the most successful Exposition ever held in America.: In this respect it will undoubtedly totally eclipse the great World's Fair. A GOOD ARGUMENT. Almost any intelligent advertiser is willing to concede that an illustrated ad- vertisement is more valuable than a plain descriptive. The reason is perfectly plain. It is because the cut of the article adver- tised gives a much better idea of its uses' construction, appearance, etc. How much better than either, then, would the article itself be as an advertisement. There is where Fairs and Expositions come in. The Fosters and Fair Bills published by the Donaldson Lithographing Co. are the finest specimens of lithographic art ever offered to the trade. Walter G. Cooper, Chief of the Depart- ment of Publicity and Promotion of the Cotton States and International Expo- sition is doing wonderful work with the press. He modestly disclaims credit for anything other than plain, systematic work, but the fact remains that he has accomplished results so far that are little short of marvelous. The Fair season for 1S95 is now getting on, and the prospects were never before so brilliant. Everything points to a season of unsurpassed prosperity, and the number of Fairs this year will be greater than have been held for a whole decade. NOTICE TO SECRETARIES. Send in your Fair dates. The June issue of Billboard Advertising will contain a complete list of aU Fair to be held in 1895. So, please get in line. tti: m !>. Iff Ji- ll ill 1 mx f t