The billboard (July-Dec 1895)

i6 BILLBOARD ADVERTISING is the Official Organ of the PENNSYLVANIA Bill Posters' Association. BILLBOARD ADVERTISING 1$ ALWAYS FAIR, JUST AND IMPARTIAL. 17 GEORGE CASTNER, Whose portrait we produce above, has grown up in the bill posting business. He has been lo- cated in Syracuse, N. Y., for twenty-five years. In that time the city has increased in population from 55,000 to 125.000, and Mr. Castner has kept apace with the city. His billboards have in- creased from a very small beginning until now he has boards located in every prominent place in the town. He has over 10,000 running feet of boards j nearly 1000 three and six-sheet boards, - and numerous places for small work. He has three opera houses to work for, and, besides a large amount of local commercial work, he also has a number of contracts for national advet- tisers at all times. ' Mr. Castner has one of the best arranged offices in the country, and his work is always attended to in a thorough and systematic manner, „ Advertisers are always sure of a good showing on the boards at Syracuse, and can always rely on every contract being fulfilled to the letter. Mr. Castner has opened branch offices in the cities of Auburn, Chittenango, Geneva and Homer, and will shortly locate in other places. His many friends are glad to hear of his increas- ing prosperity. Letters to the Editor. Editor Billboard Advertising: Dear Sir —I notice in the November number of your magazine a letter from Mrs. M. Dundon, of Troy, N. Y., com- plaining of the injustice from which she has suffered at the hands of the A. B. P. A. While I fully concur with your views on that matter, I cannot refrain from bring- ing- to your notice an incident which re- flects seriously upon Mrs. Dundon and bier business methods. During the season 1S93 I was contract- ing agent of the Pawnee Bill Shows, and in that capacity had occasion to engage billboards in Troy. I used McAllister's boards, because he had all I needed, and I regarded them as better than those of Mrs. Dundon.' Her manager was much put out thereat, and induced Mrs. Dundon to buy or obtain control of a small portion of the lot which I had secured for the show to exhibit in. She waited until the show arrived, and then, withoutany warn- ing or notification, caused the arrest of Major Lillie (Pawnee Bill) on the charge of malicious trespass. That is the inci- dent, and I submit it without comment.' Yours very truly, Ralph W. Peckham. It affords us great pleasure to print Mr. Peckham's letter in full. A statement from him needs no verification, but in this instance his charges have been fully substantiated. It is almost past belief that, in this enlightened age, a firm can be found who would resort to such unmer- cantile tactics. A certain amount of chagrin, under the circumstances, would have been only natural, but the animus and malice exhibited in this instance sur- pass anything we have ever heard of. Such a course is not only low and despic- able, it's beneath contempt. No self-respecting firm would resort to such methods, and no firm who does shall continue to style themselves bill pasters, if we can prevent it. ABOUT BILLBOARDS. Editor Billboard Adve^T'Sixg: Dear Sir— My way of building boards is to char the posts half an inch deep, for four feet, on the end going in the ground th r ee fett, so that one foot is exposed to the snows, etc. (Posts I charred ten years ago are sound to-day.) Tar, paint, or peeling the bark, does not give as good results. For the face, use planed boards one foot wide, and put up with broken joints. Build ten feet high and cap with four-inch strips. I think billboards on the outskirts of the cities are as essential as those in the center. Hoping the above will be of benefit to all concerned, I remain, Yours respectfully, ARNO E. ANSKE. Lacon, III , Nov. 5th, '95. J. J. Kirby has purchased all the boards at Boone, Iowa, and is now the only bill poster in Boone. He is also manager of the Opera House. The interest in poster advertising is plainly made apparent by the numerous exhibitions all over the country. The posters used in these exhibitions are all from private collections, which shows that it has been gathering food in a silent way among the people. They clearly show notwithstanding the attitude of the pr;ss in general in maintaining that the only effective way to reach the public eye and ear, is by newspaper advertising, that "there are others." It is said that an offer was recently made to Liggett & Myers, of St. Louis, to purchase their plant and good will. The sum offered was away up in the millions and was tendered in cash. The syndicate was tersely informed that the money was never coined that could buy the right to make Star Tobacco. This is the one brand that is advertised extensively on the billboards. HOT SPRINGS FOLKS AROUSED. Agitating an Efficacious Plan to Advertise That Great Resort. The citizens of Hot Springs are agitat- ing an efficacious plan of systematically advertising the attractions and advantages of that resort. An organization has been effected and the Daily A", ws of that city says that committees are at work perfecting details. The Hot Springs Bureau of Advertising is the name selected for the new move- ment Its temporary officers are: Capt. S. H. Stitt, president, representing the three large hotels; Fred A. Bill, vice- president, representing the Iron Mountain and Hot Springs Railroads, and Capt C. N. Rix, treasurer, representing the busi- ness men of Hot Springs " To carry out the plans of the bureau money is necessary. The two railroads together have subscribed $3,000, the East- man, Park arid Arlington hotels have sub- scribed $ 1.000 each, other interests have subscribed liberally, but it is felt neces-- sary that every business and professional man in the city should have a direct interest in a project which aims at the prosperity of all, and to this end a finance and executive committee, consisting of Capt A. R. Smith, E. F. Klein and J. B. Varnadore, has been appointed and is now at work taking subscriptions to the fund. It is necessary that the sum of 512,000 be raised for the first year. The promoters of the movement have in view the emplojinent of an expert ad- vertising manager to take charge of the work outlined. Hot Springs does not propose to hide its light under a bushel It has a pro- gressive, far-seeing populace that is fully alive to the benefits of a liberal use of printer's ink The City Council, of Erie, Pa., is wrest- ling with the subject of bill posting license. It has been proposed to put the franchise up at auction and sell the ex- clusive privilege to the highest bidder. The new bill posting ordinances are causing some trouble in Chicago. Scarcely a day day passes without the arrest of some unfortunate bill poster who is un- wittingly violating the law in his zeal to give the advertiser the worth of his money. An advertisement, like a man, will weaken with age. ^>f^ YEHSS IN SYRHCUSB . GE0RGE GASTNER, Licensed City Bill Poster,_„„.„„„„..„... Distributor and Sign Advertiser, Room 15, Courier Building:, SYRACUSE, N. Y. BRANCH OFFICES IN AUBURN, CHITTENANGO, GENEVA AND HOMER. wnen 70a write, mention Billboard Advertising CHAS. HOOUE. The above portrait is a splendid likeaess of Chas. Hogue, the enterprising bill poster of Mattoon, 111. He owns and controls all the boards, and always gives the advertiser the best possible showing. He is a member of the Inter- State Bill Posters' Protective Association. Mr. Hogue is also mauagerof the Dole Opera House, and road managers have a very high regard for his ability and integrity THE CHURCH FALLS IN LINE. Rev. Johnston Myers, of Immanuel Baptist Church, Chicago, adopted a the- atrical method of advertising a sermon preached Sunday Evening, November 17. The whole district bounded by Twelfth, Thirty-ninth and State street "was billed like a circus." Mr. Myers' advertising posters are in two sizes, i-sheet and 3-sheet, printed in blue ink on white paper, and announce Sunday evening sermons at Plymouth Congregational Church, which is being temporarily used by the Baptists while Immanuel Church is being moved. The simple fact of a church advertising by this means naturally attracted consid- erable attention and as much comment. The question that arose in most minds was, "Does a church need advertising?" The Rev.Johnston Myers says churches of the South Side most certainly do need it. He made the broad statement last night the community of the South Side does not know where the churches are. In explaining the situation he said : "The fact is, we have goods for the people, but the people don't know where to find them. There is nothing outside of the theatres that deals so directly with the people as the churches. We want to show them our goods." Mr. Myers stated it is possible Imman- uel Church may employ an advertising agent He said when the old church is in its new position he will have a canopy front of electric lights and a coronet of electric lights on top of the spire, if the trustees will consent to it, to attract the people towards his home of the gospel." THE BEST WAY. So goes the caption on the cover of a very neat and effective pamphlet, of 28 pages, issued by the American Bill Post- ing Co., L'td, of Philadelphia. "The Best Way" goes beyond giving a mere list of stands or catalogue of loca- tions. It has numerous half-tone illustra- tions of notable posters, and offers con- vincing reasons why poster advertising is " The best way.' Jersey City, Bayonne, West Hoboken, Union Hill, Weehawken, West New York. Guttenburg, Englewood, Homestead, New Durham, Tyler Park, Seacaucus, Marion, Kearney, Harrison, Bergen, Lafayette, Greenville, Pamrapo, Centreville, Constable Hook, Bergen Point, Fort Lee, Fairview, Ridgefleld. J. r. O MEALIA, rictus shu Bill Foster, Distributor, . And ADVERTISING SIGN PAINTER, Tin and card sign Tacking . 27 Montgomery St., Jersey City, N. J. BRANCH OFFICES: Ave.D&W.8ihSl.l Ravnnno 461 Avenue D, . . . r Ba y° nmj - 612 Railroadf Ave., W. Hoboken. Turn Hall, Union Hill. Distributors' Chat. The Fischer Distributing Agency, of Omaha, Neb., put out during October, for one firm alone, 70,000 pieces of advertis- ing. The senior member of this Agency is first vice-president of the 1. A. of D. J. A. Clough, of Chicago, has done Dr. N. C. Davis', Frankfort, Ind., work. As usual, lie rendered entire satisfaction, and the agent expressed himself as pleased. Clough has gained a reputation as a con- scientious and painstaking distributer. Reports of careless and wasteful distri- bution of advertising matter continue to reach the officers of the International As- sociation of Distributors from every sec- tion of the country. But we are proud to say that such work is not done by mem- bers of that Association, but by outsiders. Men—very often boys—whose sense of honest service for the pay received, render them entirely ineligible for membership in the above Association, even if qualified by age. The membership of the International Association is rapidly increasing, and those charter members who have been so forgetful of the pledge they gave when making application for membership as to fall in arrears for their dues so as to jeopardize their connection with the or- ganization, are certainly injuring their future prospects for business. We have been authorized to say that all members of the International Association of Distributors who have or will receive a notice from first assistant secretary Har- ley, of Tiffin, Ohio, that they are more than one quarter in arrears for dues, and do not remit promptly, need not be sur- prised to find some other distributor re- ceived as a member from the delinquent's county. No organization can be run without money. To obtain work for members the association has to advertise, and advertising costs money. The officers of the International Associ- ation of Distributors frequently receive letters from distributors seeking informa- tion in regard to that association, and asking how long will it probably be after they become members before they will be guaranteed work ? We are authorized to say that the officers of the association do not guarantee to furnish work to mem- bers. No honest association can or will make any such guarantee. It is known, however, that many of the members are already making from $ 12.00 to $40.00 per week. Others write, wishing to join, and proposing that the officers send them work to pay for membership fee. Such propo- sitions are impossible', for the same reasons as given above. The International Asso- ciation seeks for membership none but bona-fide distributors, who can furnish endorsements as to their trustworthiness. They are not seeking members simply to swell their numbers, but to build up an association that will command the respect and confidence of advertisers all over the country. Don't put off until to-morrow that which you can do to-day, for then it may be too late. Join the I. A. of D. now, and benefit yourself as well as the association. One dollar and fifty cents will admit you to day, but it will not be very long before the membership fee will be increased to probably twice the amount. The 15th of December, of this year, marks the first anniversary of - the first organization of what is now known as the International Association of Distribu- tors of North America. That was but a temporary organization, as the plan then adopted and promulgated was something new in distributing associations, and the scheme was placed before the public with much fear that the objects aimed at would fail for want of a proper appreciation. And it is with no ordinary feeling of pleasurable satisfaction that we congratu- late the officers and members of the In- ternational on the encouraging prospects for ultimate success of their object as they present themselves at the close of the first year of their existence as an association. In felicitating you.however.on your pros- pects, allow us to remind you that your as- sociation is a business organization, and it will behoove you as business men, engaged in a business enterprise, to closely and clearly study 3-our interest and duty from a business standpoint, remembering that to make a success of the Association you owe it to yourselves, as well as the public, that if you wish to gain the confidence of other business men 3 T ou must merit their respect, which you assuredly will not do if you havfc not respect for your- selves. The principles of your association have been commended by some of the most prominent and extensive advertisers in the United States. You have been told, both by letter and in the public print, that" if your plan will insure the work to be thoroughly and honestly done, it will meet with the approval and support of the advertisers all over the country!'' Such words as the above have no uncer- ' tain meaning. To gain the confidence of these large advertisers, you must gain their respect, and to gain that, you—each and every one of you—must have respect for yourselves; be true to your promises, and when work is given you to do, be certain to do it as directed—thoroughly and honestly. Heretofore circular distributing has been a "grab" game The local dis- tributor, to a large extent, has been the victim of the city sharper, at the head of the so-called association. The former's environments, in many cases, prevented him from knowing how or where to pro- cure distributing. In some instances that is the case to-day, and it remains with you to change it, and make youselves, as an association, felt. "But to accomplish your purpose it will be necessary that your membership be composed only of the very best material, men who, as mem- bers, will take a personal interest in the success of your organization, and whose pride should make them ^^gilant in the pursuit of that success, and the discharge of every duty. » There are many lines of merchandise which cannot be advertised successfully in aiiy manner except by circularizing. What does it profit the manufacturer to get a fine lot of distributing matter printed if it does not reach the consumer. Many manufacturers labor under the delusion that druggists are distributors. Nothing could be further from the truth. The percentage of those that will even put the matter on their counters where cus- tomers can have an opportunity of help- ing themselves is as small that is not worth consideration. Tae OI<t Reliable. JOHN CUA.PJUJUT. THE JOHN CHAPMAN CO. LICENSED CITY AND SUBURBAN Bill Posters, DISTRIBUTERS, ART BULLETIN ADVERTISERS, PASTE MANUFACTURERS. 19 Longworih St., Telephone 2314. CINCINNATI, O. The following firms are preparing to circularize different sections of the coun- try on a large scale, viz i The Packer M'fg. Co., S1-S3 Fulton St, New York. The Beeman Chemical Co., Cleveland, O. Seely, Perfumer, Detroit, Mich. Ed. Pinaud. 46 East 14th Street, New York City. Riverside- Manufacturing Co., Boston, Mass. The Columbian Medicine Co., Akron, O. Warrick Freres, 252 Greenwich St., New York. Arabian M'fg. Co.; 1009 H Street, Wash- ington, D. C. R. W. Tansill Co., 1st Ave. and 38th St., New York. The Nicholas Kuhnen Co, Davenport, Iowa. F. R. Arnold & Co , 56-5S Murray Street New York City. Kerns M'fg. Co., 15 Chardon St, Boston, Mass. N. K. Brown, B'-j-lington, Vt. Tarrant & Co, New York City. If a firm could buy up all the advertis- ing space in any one issue of a magazine and utilize it exclusively for their own ad, they would then approach in some measure the efficacy of distributing their own matter from house to house. But think of the cost. Such a course would involve an outlay of five times the amount necessary to cover distribution through the association. Never use distributing matter unless you distribute it. The junk man and the rag dealer wax fat and prosperous on the profits which accrue frcm distributing matter which has not been distributed. The cheapest item in the outlay in- volved in advertising with distributing matter is the amount you pay an honest and consientious distributor. The International Association of Dis- tributors is tainted with the "one man to one town" idea. We would like to ask the members what business it is of the Association's how many men there are in a town, provided they pay their dues and perform their work honestly. We pre- sume it is used as an inducement to ac- quire membership and probably proves as expedient at present as it will surely prove disastrous in the future. A dry goods store recently displaved the fol- lowing placard ? " Fine stock of Kids. Assorted -colors aud sizes. Step in and examine them." How it happened no one knows, but the next morning the sign was seen fastened at the en- trance of the orphan asylum around the corner. —Truth. Romantic Miss—"Have there not been mo- ments in your experience when life seemed full of unsatisfied wants? Mr. Hardhead—" Yes, that's so!" Romantic Miss—"At such time I always fly to music for relief, what do you do, Mr.Hardhead?" Mr. Hardhead—"I advertise.*—ArAo&ifit Sun- day Herald.