The billboard (Jan-June 1898)

I Why" did the advertiser send the can ? Was it only an advertising freak ? It was of the size supposed to contain one pound of milk, but the average person old enough to know what the article is need not see the can. One would readily un- derstand if a grocer said : "One brand of condensed milk is worth ten cents a pound; another brand is worth eighteen cents for the same quantity. We sell both." And be very sure he will recom- mend the one that brings him the highest profit. That is only business for him, in spite of manufacturers' stories. I have not the least idea of the cost of these tin cans, but it seems to me that the sending them about in the way described must, necessarily, be wasteful; must be in a measure, useless advertising. I can speak for one woman at least. I shall never think of the "Darling BranS Condensed Milk" withoutthe com- panion thought of the boy's assuring words, "Only an advertisement." He wished to raise no expectations that would lead to disappointment. The proprietors of Pearline have always understood the sample distribution busi- ness thoroughly. The last distribution conducted by them in this locality was in their usual large and' generous fashion. There were several packages of Pearline, five or six, and a box or two, ( quarter pound) of baking powder, as they are in- troducing their own article—all that one could hold in both hands—for a merely nominal price; so small that I have for- gotten it These goods are distributed by men in uniforms, as quiet and decorous in their behaviour as government officers. Nowadays, when everything from sewing machines to soap powder, from dress goods to darning needles and door mats, are advertised by samples, it is not good form for a manufacturer to show himself niggardly. The neatly put up, properly presented sample will speak for itself. It is used and intelligently compared with • its kind. The manner of presentation is unconsciously remembered by the re- ceiver. That" is its first guaranty. The second must be within itself. Its merits or its failings must carry it. This new brand of-milk introduced by the-apolo- getic boy, by the empty can, by the de- ficient booklet, win it not always be re- membered as a delusion, as a waster of time and patience? I speak for one at least. I know of no reason why I should order "Darling Milk." I know of several reasons why I should not. One important reason is, there are other brands that are satisfac- tory. Another reason is, a man who will do such an inefficient piece of advertising might reasonably bc'suspected of making an inferior brand of condensed milk. Margaret Holmes Bates. Black Eye for the Chapmans. .Columbus, O., Jan. n.—The State Board of Public Works to-day canceled the billboard lease of the canal strip in Cincinnati and restored the other one, which has been in effect for years. The lease referred to was to John Chapman. J. C. Clause gave up without considera- tion his billboard lease from the state for a canal space in Cincinnati, though he stated to the board that he would lose ^4,500 by doing so. NEW YORK CITY. Bill Posters' Union No. 1 gave its an- nual" ball at Tammany Hall on the night pf January 11. It was largely attended THE BILLBOARD THE FAR WEST. Mess. Siebe & Green Triumphant. If any doubt remains regarding Siebe & Green's victory in California, it may be effectually and finally dissipated by perusing the following letters : San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 13, 189S. Billboard Pub. Co., Cincinnati, O.: Gentlemen—We wish to notify you that the Baldwin and California theaters, controlled by Friedlander, Gottlob • & Marks, have- contracted with us to do their posting, commencing the 2oth.day of this month. This-is one of the hard- est blows that we have struck Owens & Varney. This virtually gives us control of every theater in the city of San Fran- cisco with the exception of the Columbia, which is ready to come over .to us on the completion of their contract .with Owens & Varney. We also wish to notify you of the fact that Mrs. Anna T. Dunphy, who is the backbone of" the concern of Owens & Varney, resigned from her position and bought a half interest with Siebe & Green in Oakland and Alameda county, where she will manage the business. It is really a mystery to us what our rivals will do without her, as she has really been the means of upholding Owens & Var- ney. She_ is a good loser, having lost $15,000 worth .of stock, and takes off her hat to Messrs. Siebe &Green, recognizing them- beyond a doubt as leaders, and the only leaders, in this business. The madam will personally address a letter to you in a day or two, and she will explain all about her affairs. Yours truly, Siebe & Green. Die. by J. C. G. San Francisco, Cal., Jan. iS, 1898. Billboard Pub. Co., Cincinnati, O.: Gentlemen—I wish to announce to my friends that Phase bought a half interest in.-the Siebe & "Green bill posting busi- ness in Oakland and Alameda county. Of course my friends are anxious to know why I adopted such a course, especially after my successful career in the city of San Francisco. The following are my . reasons : I was manager of the Pacific Coast Bill Posting Co. for many years, and operated it on a money making basis and to the entire satisfaction of the com- pany, but owing to some of the directors preferring a man at the head of this in- stitution the management was taken out of-my hands. A man by the name of Stone, who was never in this business be- fore, was given the management under contract for one year at an enormous salary. This was, indeed, a bitter pill for me. Nevertheless, I remained with them, having two hundred shares of stock in the company. It was realh* compulsory f jr me to continue with them as assistant manager to protect my own interests. It was then that an opposition started b\ r the name of Siebe it Green. The Pacific Coast Bill Posting Co. changed its name to the California Adsign Co, Un- der the new management, the firm of Siebe & Green had "no "difficulty in get- ting a great many of our best locatiox s. What could I do ? My hands were tied and I could do nothing. I laid back, waiting to see what would become of the business, when finally the California Ad- . sign Co. saw their mistake and discharged the manager. It was then that another new manager, who probably had better judgment, but really did not know anything about the business, was appointed, with almost ex- actly the same result. The California Adsign Co. then transferred their business to a new concern named Owens & Var- ney. Of them, I can say that they are perfect gentlemen. I have been connected with Owens & Vat;ley as confidential adviser and general superintendent of the billboards and thea- ters, but being given an opportunity to get in with a successful firm like Siebe & Green I, of course, took advantage of the situation and bought a half interest with .them in the Oakland and Alameda busi- ness, which I consider one of the best advertising plants outside of San Fran- cisco. While it is true I sacrificed my tun hundred shares of stock with the otln r people, I know that with the friends I have and the knowledge of the business I possess, it is nothing more than a duty that I owe to my two sons, Paul ami William, to see that they are provided for in the future and associated with success- ful business men. That is my true reason for connecting myself with the firm of Siebe & Green. As to myself personally, everybody who has ever been to this coast to do any busi- ness in our line knows who I am, es- pecially professional and theatrical people. I owe to my husband a duty also, to keep the name of Dunphy before the public. I have been in the business in the State of California for over twenty- seven years. I have handled the San Francisco thea- ters with perfect satisfaction since my husband's death, and every theatrical agent that conies to this coast has a good word for me.' I can refer to such people as Friedlander, Gottlob & Marks, owners of the leading theaters of San Francisco; Mr. Al. Haynian, the great theatrical man; Sam Pratt, of bill posting fame: Bob Campbell, the great Chicago bill poster; Sells Bros., who are always pleased to do business with me; Robinson's Cir- cus, who always want to transact their business with me; and Walter L. Main, for whom I did a good turn when in San Francisco. I know he appreciated it verv much, especially as he was an entire stranger here. To conclude with, I wish to state that I consider myself second to none in the line of bill posting business, and Siebe & Green would not have taken advantage of the situation if they did not realize that I am as capable as they are. Respectfully yours, Annie T. Dunphy. Eureka, Cal., Jan. 11, 189S. Billboard Publishing Co.: :.-.. Sirs—It is true that I have resigned i from the Pacific Coast Association and joined the Associated Bill Posters' Asso- ciation, of the .StatefbfCalifornia, for the iti'that they give better satisfaction tHa»f>the Pacific Coast Association and giv#hiore work. Siebe & Green are more up-to-date in the bill posting line. Yours respectfully, W.H. Mathews, Mgr. Eureka Bill Posting Co, » Hi!,, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN SESSION. JOHN MOORE'S VERSION Of the Fracas on the Coast. Writing from Sacramento, Cal., under date of January 20, Mr. John Moore, the well-known traveling poster salesman, has the following to say about the con- troversy in California : Editor of The Billboard, Cincinnati, O.: Received yours of the 8th inst., but thought I would defer answering a few days, awaiting developments. You state every letter you receive from the Coast tends to show that Siebe & Green have all the best of the situation as far as association matters are concerned. Who are you getting letters from? Siebe & Green are wide-awake, and know how to get five, fifty or five hundred let- ters mailed to you boosting themselves. Owens & Varney would not send, or have sent, you one letter that was not on the square. You ask, "Who has the best showing on th^ boards ?" Owens & Varney! You can bet your last forty-dollar bill that this is on the square so Jar as commercial paper is con- cerned^ Who has the bulk of the theater work/ ■ Siebe & Green have now about all of it. Owens & Varney have this week posted for the last time paper for Friedlander, Gottlob & Co. Siebe & Green have the contract with this firm for 1S9S. They run the three best priced houses in Sau Francisco. . ■ . Mr. Owens informs me that he had been doing the posting for 1S97 at 2 cents per sheet, and the firm informed Mr. Owens that he. could . have the posting this year at i# cents per sheet, the price they„could get it done for. Mr. Owens refused to take less than 2 cents per sheet. There is where I draw the line. The theatrical managers should pav the regulation price, 3 cents, and give it to the bill poster. Siebe & Green do not de- serve any credit for getting the three best theaters away from Owens & Varney at a cut price. Mr. Simpson showed me messages from the Executive Committee that the Pacific Coast Bill Posters' Association was elected and admitted as members of the A. B. P. A. at New York this week, as you know by this time. Trusting I have given you the desired information, I am, 'Respectfully, - _ John Moore. 'N. B.—Owens & Varney are refusing national advertising paper at less tha:: 12 ce S*?, Pewh j c$Vper,m W tfu,.-.Several na- tional r advertisers Hl |iavf* agents in San Francisco, and the agents get the paper and .invite Siebe & Green and Owens & Varney to bid for the work. Owens & Varney quote 12 cents per sheet As Siebe & Green can bid a lower price they have secured several contracts, probably more than have Owens & Varney. J. M. ARTHUR M. PLATO Throws a New Light Situation. on the Editor Billboard; The Par West seems to be cominc to the front. If you will read closely the matter of unfinished business, in copy of proceed mgs here sent, you will see that the Pa- cific Coast Bill Posters' Association were rightfully members of the A. B. P. A some years ago, and that association now THE BILLBOARD has in its treasury the sum of ten dollars belonging to the Pacific Coast Association. I have no desire to figure in the matter, but I am familiar with the whole situa- tion, and having always "played fair" in every enterprise, I like to see things go right. If you will read the proceedings of the A. B. P. A. of 1894 you will see the whole matter in print, as placed before the con- vention of that time by Mr. Carroll. Respectfully, Arthur M. Pi,ato. Angeles, nor does this association recog- nize the authority of the Associated Bill Posters' Association to force members on this association in violation of the con- stitutional laws which govern, this asso- ciation; and, furthermore, if affiliation with the Associated Bill Posters' Associa- tion depends on our submission to such arbitrary action, we respectfully withdraw our state membership and request the im- mediate return of the charter fee ad- vanced for the Pacific Coast Association. The paragraph referred to in the above letter is found tn the proceedings of the Pacific Coast Bill Posters' for the year 1894, and is as follows, viz : UNFINISHED BUSINESS. In Hie matter of affiliation with the As- sociated Bill Posters' Association of the United States, Mr. Arthur Plato (as dele- gcte) reported that this association had Mr. Plato has long since left the Coast. He is now in business at 429 Odd Fellows' Temple, Philadelphia. He is an author- ity, and his words carry weight and con- viction because he is both unbiased and disinterested. Nevertheless, Siebe & Green have all the best of the situation, even though Owens & Varney have the charter, be- G. W. VANSYCKLE, First V. P., I. A. of D. been duly received into membership as a state association, but the charter had not as yet been received. An official letter from that organization was read, inform- ing this associatson that they were "pre- emptorily ordered" to drop Messrs. Mc- Lain & Lehman, of Los Angeles, as members, and to accept E. W. Campbell in their stead; also, to accept Mr. Chas. A. Harnois, of Missoula, Mont., as a member of our association. Mr. Plato explained that he had placed before the national body all the facts concerning Mr. Campbell's claim to recogition as a bill poster prior to the action of that body, and he declared their action in this matter an unwarranted interference in the affairs of this association, it being manifestly just and proper to have referred the entire subject to the Pacific Coast Association for investigation before taking any action in the premises. On motion, the secretary was instructed to write to the Associated Bill Posters' Association in effect that the Pacific Coast Association will in no manner recognize Mr. Campbell as a bill poster in Los cause a charter without an association is of comparatively little value. Owens & Varney and Mr. Simpson, too, are perfect gentlemen. Siebe & Green are gentlemen and hustling bill posters as "well. CARLISLE,, PA. Wm. M. Meloy, the zealous and efficient representative of the association at Car- lisle, Pa., writes as follows: "The Bii,i.board has been the cham- pion of the I. A. of D., and has seconded the efforts of our energetic and efficient secretary, W. H. Steinbrenner, who, by his energy and zeal, has made the I. A. of D. what it is to-day; and anyone hold- ing a certificate of membership therein has every reason to feel proud. It has elevated the business of circular distribut- ing to be an honest and reliable one. There are no shysters among its members, nor can any of that kind become a mem- ber. : The large advertisers are noting our progress and success, and are helping the I. A. of D. by their support in giving the membors their work." Cheap Distributing-. A few general advertisers new in the field, are attempting to get an absolutely honest distributing service at a price that invites dishonest service. They are pay- ing or offer to pay $1.25 for front door service and $2.00 for an absolute inside service, and, as one of them stated not long ago, that they had no trouble in con- tracting at these figures, ho doubt but that their proposition is accepted by the ma- jority of distributors, but the question is, Do they get the proper service? If they, do, the distributor loses, if they don't they are the losers. No distributor can afford to do distributing at these figures and ex- pect to give an honest service. J1.50 per thousand is the lowest price for front door service, and for inside service five dollars is a low price if he proposes to rap on each door, wait until some one comes to the door and hand it in. A trial will convince a distributor that if he gets out 250 a day in this manner he has done a big day's work. Many distributors not getting much business and anxious to get to work, ac- cept such propositions, and, after a trial, find they have bitten off more than they can chew, and the chances are that they will get a little careless in order to avoid losing money. . Advertisers make a serious mistake in beating a distributor down below a rea- sonable price. Distributing from house to house from eight to ten hours per day- is no snap, and a distributor who faithful- ly leaves only one piece of matter with each family and carries out his contract to the letter deserves good and sufficient pay, and every distributor should hold on to his price. You may lose a contract now and then, but the cheap distributors can not last. - The main fault with cheap distributing is that the advertisers seldom get good distributing, and as a result abandons this line 'of advertising as unprofitable, where, if he had paid a price sufficient to warrant an honest service, he would increase his appropriation annually. - Distributors should bear in mind that even though they are members of the I. A. D., they should not expect this associ- tion to do it all. They must continue to hustle for business just as hard as ever, and not expect the association to get all their business, and then kick if their ex- pectations are not realized.. ;. jTfte^Best results can be obtained by each ^dividual member constantly hustling, not only for himself, but for his fellow members. In nearly every city of any size there-are more or less firms that do general advertising to sell their goods, either by newspaper advertising, mailing - or distributing. Each distributor should visit personally all such firms in his city ..': and draw their attention to the I. A. D., / and the splendid service its member can render in almost every city of importance. Keep constantly at them, and you will soon have them interested, and they will give you and your fellow members a trial. The writer has some ten large advertisers in his city, and he keeps constantly at them, and the result will be that he will get much of their business,, and some will contract with nearly the entire member- ship in the near future. Start now and do vour share. We have received hundreds of letters from distributors this month that we can- not even quote from. We have not the space, even with the paper enlarged as it is. Secretary Case, of the I. A. of D., sends us a big bunch of reports that are also crowded out. -ji-T