The billboard (July-Dec 1898)

THE BILLBOARD Mr. Horn: No; I am a bill poster.' President: We will now go back to No. 13. "New Business." Is-.theFe anything uuder that head? Mr. Douglasscr-Mr. President. As an ofli- rcr of'this association, I want to offer a reso- lution for the Rood of the association: Whereas. The international revenue tax imposing one-eighth of one cent on proprie- tary remedies, if imposed upon sample pack- ages intended as advertisements for distri- bution from house to bouse, is prohibitive; and. Whereas. The law does not impose any such tax on free samples, but explicitly reads, "ar- ticles manufactured to be sold:" and. Whereas. Some officers of the Internal Rev- enue Department have erroneously construed and attempted to enforce said tax against said free sample packages; and. Whereas, If it continues to be enforced, it will work great hardship to proprietary rem- edy bouses and rob over 5.000 distributors throughout the United States of a livelihood; and. Whereas. We do not believe that the train- ers of the measure ever intended that it should be enforced against advertisements or sampler packages intended to create and build up demand: now. therefore, be it Resolved, That we. the International Asso- ciation of Distributors, in convention as- sembled, at Chicago. July 19-22. individually and collectively protest against the enforce- ment of said tax; and, be it further Resolved. That acopy of these resolutions and protest be drawn up and signed and for- warded to the Commissioner of Internal" Rev- enue, with a request praying for a special rule which will exempt our business from total annihilation. Mr; Douglass: I don't think that resolution needs much debating. I offer it for the good of this association. President: Gentlemen, what is your pleas- ure? . . Mr. Crownover:*I think it necessary to have it signed and sent off in short order by regis- tered letter; it has hindered my business about $60 in the last two weeks; it worked hardship to me, as well as to the manufac- turer. Mr. Douglass: For the benefit of the mem- bers, or the association, I will say that reso- lution was instigated by Dr. Burkhart. Dr. Burkbart finds his business is being very materially injured. He says if they let him alone, he expects to distribute a great many samples, but it this law is kept in force he will have to give it up: if we pass such a res- olution and give him a copy he will take it -down to Washington and try to get -the law repealed. It has been decided by some judicial advocate that under the law free samples could not be taxed. Mr. Fairchild: I believe the resolution is a good one: it will do a lot of good to send it to the Internal Revenue Department. You cannot make it too strong. The resolutions were fully discussed, and several changes suggested, and finally unani- mously adopted as above. President: Is there anything else under "New Business?" Mr. Grebe: Mr. President. I want to ask the association a question. I found out this morning that a member of the association in a town adjoining me was taking work from my own town. I want to know if there is any law against that. Mr. Steinbrenner: You might write to him and call his attention to the constitution. " Mr. Hill: I think that question will come up in the matter of Lavs and Revision of Laws. Mr. Steinbrenner: Mr. President. I find in some cases that members bare had a con- tract with a firm before thry have jcined the association. I have a similar contract which I will turn, over if arrangements ran be made. I don't know how we can get arcund a con- tract made 1 before joining the association; after joining, he has no right to accept work without the-consent of the member. Mrv-Grebe: .I-shculd like to know how long after be becomes a member he has a right to continue to- take work in your district? President: "There is a bare possibility that he has. had a standing contract with these people. If it is true'that he aas been a mem- ber and has done it in violation of the consti- tution and- by-laws- of this association, it is a matter that will have to be adjusted. When you go back it will be best for you to see him. He is entitled to his contract, as he could not surrender the contract ho already had without insulting' the' people. If it is a violation of his'duty, "thenMt is a" matter for the Executive Committe-eHo' adjust. • Mr. Hill: ' Mr. President- I had a number of contracts in other"* towns, but? we had a man- located there, and I turned them oyer to him', and there has never been any" friction about it. '■- President: Those matters can'be very easily adjusted if handled right; if they are net, we take the case away from them. •'-Member: Who is looking out for the press? President: Mr. Stefnbrenner will_ attend to that. We will now pass on from "New Busi- ness** and go down to No. 14, "Remarks for the Good of the Order," again. Mr. Douglass: Mr. President. This asso- ciation-is laboring under a great disadvantage in not" being incorporated. We would be stronger and .able to give better service by . being" an incorporated body; it would increase our influence. This is a matter that takes a good deal of consideration: it took the bill posters' about two- years to get incorporated; therefore, to get tife matter in proper shape, I offer the following resolutions: . Whereas. It is for the benefit of the I. A. of D. to be chartered as "-an incorporated com- pany; and." Whereas, To incorporate such an organiza- tion as the I. A. of r>. is quite a. complicated matter: therefore, be it Resolved, That the. Executive Committee of the 1. aL of D. be instructed to take such steps as may be necessary to properly pro- cure a charter for this association, and to report at the next annual convention; and, be it further Resolved.' That "the Executive Committee be instructed to ask Mr. J. F. O'Mealia, of Jersey City, to co-operate in procuring such charter. President: Gentlemen, you have heard the resolution. What is your pleasure? (Motion made and seconded that the reso- lution be received and adopted as read.) President: Are there any remarks; if this resolution lias any frieuds, cow is their titn>; to speak. fc Mr. Grebe: 1 want to go on record as one of the most enthusiastic friends of the reso- lution. That is the only way to do business. Mr... Curran: I understand in the resolu- tion there is no amount stated to be incorpo- rated. Mr. Crownover: The way I look at it, it is - one step more towards the protection of the advertiser. If such a thing can be accom- plished they will be fully protected. Mr. Sttinbrenner: I think as our associa- tion is a business association, we should have a business standing, and I think a charter would be the proper thing. We could then sue and be sued. President: Gentlemen, you have all heard the motion, which has been duly seconded. I want to speak on this subject. 1 will read Article X.. Section 1: "The service tendered advertisers by this association is guaranteed to be absolutely reliable by the members at large." Sec. 2. "In the event of a member being de- tected in violating his obligation to this asso- ciation or advertisers for whom he may be doing work, by reason of dereliction of duty or non-performance of any stipulations of any contract or agreement which he has entered into with any advertiser, and it shall be proven, upon investigation, that said adver- tiser has sustained a loss at the hands of the aforesaid member* this associatiou shall take immediate steps to reimburse said advertiser for said loss." I don't see any contradiction there. Mr. Fairchild: Mr. President. The idea of incorporating an organization of this kind is to escape individual liability, and the very rock this association was founded, on was that each independent member was liable for the derelictions of the others, and vice-versa, all the other members were responsible "for any one individual member. President: We are merely responsible. If you were not a responsible person you would Inot be eligible to membership in the associa- tion, and the association would certainly re- lieve itself from such membership. But still I .do not see the necessity "of being incorpo- rated. To be sure, the incorporation carries •with it a little thunder and certain privileges, but we can't get any real benefit out of it. and we might get a great deal of annoyance, ir I failed to do my duty, advertisers in Kan- sas City might prosecute the association, bring every one of us into disrepute, and virtually destroy the association on account of .4 little spite or misunderstanding with me. On the other band, as it is. they can destroy me. (and certainly having bad the benefit of the association up to this time I would make every: effort to get myself right again. Ap- plause.) I myself might go down because of my poverty or indisposition, but I feel it would be an unfortunate thing if the asso- ciation had to suffer as a body. I am inter- ested in this association: we can't afford to be sued for a debt we can't pay. I would much rather be sued for a debt I could pay than for a debt I could not pay. You let this association be sued for a debt you can not pay, and you will have to adopt a new name. Of course there are people in the association who would go down in their pockets and pay the hundreds of dollars: we have that to do in this association. We are not perfect by any means, nor is it composed of perfect men. There are people who love a dollar well enough to destroy- this association to get it; we are liable to get somecf these people, and may have them now, and when their: oppor- tunity comes we would have to go to work and meet" all the obligations at once. I say we have had good friends to await our ability to meet our obligations, but what we will guarantee is different: there are people in the advertising business who have failed just as far to be true and j'ist, and we are liable to come in contact with them at any time. Mr. Fairchild: I would like to ask a plain question, in plain language: "Could this as- sociation, as an association, collect one dol- lar unless incorporated?" They could not collect one dollar legally. President: The difference between tRis as- sociation and anything else I ever came in contact with is so great that there is nothing to-compare ourselves with. The bill posters and sign painters are just exactly matched along with us: we are the same people, but our organisation is for a specific purpose, and we obligate ourselves as a brotherhood to per- form this purpose, aud our existence depends on our discharging that duty. You have obli- gated yourself to pay my bills; you as an in- dividual, you as a body, if I fail to pay them. Of course, if you can get incorporated I have nothing more to say: your judgment is cer- tpinly better than mine, as 1 am only speak- ing as an individual. Presiilcut: Any om- present want to make any further remarks on this resolution? Motion is put to the house by the President. Resolution is lost. President: I>r. Talbrrt. we are all expect- ing a-Sneeeh from you before dinner. Dr. Talbcrt: I can't say much, but I will do the best I can. and you must make allow- ance for the rest. I expectrd to get up here yesterday, but dceidid I had better not come until to-day. I did not come herewith the intention of talking, but still a person -who has had the experience I have had with the I. A. of I), has a right to talk. I don't know of any one that f ran say anything but a good word for. and I hope that our experience iu the future will be as satisfactory as in the past. I have not been able to patronize the members of this association as much as for- merly on account of the; curtailing of a cer- tain amount of outdoor advertising in favor of newspapers. I have always considered that if the work could be done properly it would become more satisfactory every year. I am satisfied that through the members of this organization the work of distributing from house to house is as near perfect as can be. Of course, as Mr. Reid says, we occa- sionally find a member who is not perfect. My experience Is that It can not be done too per- fectly, and if a member will only take palus with it and do it carefully, I don't see any reason why he should not have abundance of work. Now. I believe If the members of this association will not neglect any part of their work, they can go ahead Increasing the membership and usefulness, and 1 don't be- lieve there is any limit to the work to be se- cured through honest, and careful service. 1 hope to be able to control a good deal of work —I don't know how mueh—but 1 know we do not intend- to give up distributing altogether. I have nothing else to say. only that I wish the association unbounded success, and any- thing 1 can do to assist you 1 will be glad to do it. and if I find any member worthy I am always ready to recommend him to any ad- vertiser, and I hope 1 may be able to do the association a great deal of good, directly and indirectly. I am glad to meet you here, and hope to meet you again, and when I meet you again 1 hope you will have double the meiribership you now have, and that you arc all having more work than you can do. Applause. Mr. Steinbrenner: I would like to say a few words. I had a little experience in plac- ing some work for Dr. Burkthart, and I would like to call the atteution of the mem- bers to the fact that they write too long let- ters, and they don't have bill heads: some of them send in a bill written with the letter, not on a separate sheet of paper; again, they send a postal card, caying: "1 have done your distributing. I want to impress upon the minds of the members that they should pro- vide themselves with letter heads and a bill head, and don't include your bill in your let- ter. Get a few bill beads. They will last for years. Mr. Crownover: Mr. President. Under the head of the good of the order, I suppose any- thing will be acceptable. I don't know whether I have a peculiar method of my own, or whether my ideas have been picked up here and there, but I can say that my busi- ness has increased - from 75,000 pieces to over 650,000 thousand pieces this year. When 1 have taken a job I draw a map with red ink and mail to the firm, and give the district; I then take-the map of the city and mark that district to correspond with the postal card; each day I mark-off the district gone over, and when the job is completed the map is completed. I mail to the firm each day tbe map of the portion of the city gone over, and when I send in my bill I send the completed map to the firm, with a list of grocers or druggists, and a list of merchants who carry their goods, and a list of those who do not. I have never heard any remarks, but certain- ly think it a good thing by tbe way my busi- ness tas inc.essed. I think i* all of cur m m- bers would pay strict attention to keeping the advertisers informed every day we would secure more work. In addition to this, I want to say that this association has an offi- cial cut; we ought to make a law compelling our members "to use this cut or to withdraw from the association. As long as this associa- tion meets and we have the expense of $40 or $50 to come here, as we meet here for our mutual benefit, we should each do all we can to get the association in the best possible shape for the good of all. Mr. Runey: Mr. President. I understand there is a movement on foot by the theatrical people to patronize this association. I haven't* this as official, but they tell me they are dis- satisfied with the way loafers around theatres distribute their bills. I don't know but it -would be a good plan for our distributors to look after that matter a little* I referred the gentleman to our Soliciting Secretary. (Some remarks were here offered on the subject of theatrical distributing.) Mr. Hill: Mr. President. I believe I am further South than any of the members or our association, except, it may be, Mr. Douglass. Our population is more scattered and we have cheap labor to compete with: our towns are further apart, and we necessarily have to charge more for distributing. I have two ad- vertisers talking with me now about con- tracts, and they both complain of the price I have to charge. Mr. Steinbrenner: Mr. President. For the good of tbe order. I should like to find out just what sort of stationery each member uses. Mr. Tirrill: Mr. President. I want to speak on the subject of uniforms. I have found it . a great benefit in obtaining home work, as well as foreign work, to have my men in uni- forms. The uniform is simply a blue cap and a red e:oat, with large brass buttons on it, and a badge, and white pants. The uniform is very attractive, and there is no other uni- form like it: another thing, it comprises the National colors, red, white and blue. Sev- eral of our distributors have been there and have seen it. and speak very highly of it. Mr. Curran, of. Denver, adopted the same uni- form: .1 sent him a sample of the cap. I think the uniform is something we should have:* it brings our men Into prominence: people know who they arc when they go up to the door with their circulars. I had the measures taken of the three fellows in my employ, and the uniforms made. The first day I went out with them; one of the men said he was sick, and went home. The next morning the other two said they had decided that they Could not work for me If they had to wear a uniform. I told them that they would have to wear tbe uniform If they worked for me. so they left. I put a little ad. In the paper, and had seventy applicants, and have had no trouble about the uniform since. The fore- man told me the.other day that he did not feel right to go out without a uniform. I think this association should adopt a uni- form of some kind. In the summer my men wear a blue serge coat and white cap. If an inspector comes into my office I can direct him to the part of the town my men are sup- posed to be and the inspector can go there and without difficulty see what they are do- ing. We can go behind them four or five blocks, and watch them all the time. It is the best way in the world to Insure good service. I .charge $2 a thousand for all work distributed through mc in Lima. I have one opponent in Lima who doers very good work; the only trouble with him Is that he will allow his circulars to be thrown In the yards and on the porches. I will not do that kind of work; each circular I distribute Las to go in the house, under the door. If any of our members desire any further information about this uniform, 1 will be pleased to furnish it. as It Is a matter I consider of vital Im- portance to the associatiou. Mr. Fairchild: I think a. uniform Is a very good thing, but I think a hat band or something of that kind la a sufficient uni- form—a red uniform would drive me out of the association. Mr. Ramsey: It would be a good thing to ask the Secretary to communicate with some regalia house concerning uniforms for this association. I have six men In my employ: five of them are married men. I would not ask my men to wear what I would not wear myself, and I know I would not wear a red coat. A blue coat with I. A. D. on It, and In summer white duck pants, would be a neat uniform; a regalia house would get them up for $10 a suit, while if you had them made at home they would cost you from $15 to $20. I would like to make a motion that the Sec- retary be requested to correspond with some regalia bouse In regard to furnishing uni- forms for this association. Mr. Curran-: I don't agree with my friend. Mr. Fairchild. that a band on a cap Is a suffi- cient uniform. I find that the red coat has increased my business wonderfully; I can dis- tinguish my men two or three blocks away. When the Inspector comes, I don't go out with him—he can go out and see for himself. I would like to sec the red coat generally adopted. Mr. Leonard: I couldn't ask my men to put on red coats: this matter was mentioned be- fore them one time: they said they would rather starve to death than be dressed up like monkeys. Mr. Faiichild: The agent who can't find a man with a band on his hat with your name printed on it must be blind. They can find them just as well as If dressed up in that conspicuous way. Mr. Steinbrenner: Mr. President. I would just say that I believe I would rather starve before I would wear a red coat like some Ital- ian's monkey. When the inspectors come to our city. I can put them on a car and send him within a block or two of where the work is being done. 1 am in favor of a uniform. . but I am not in favor of anything as conspic- uous as red. I think a gray, as the mall car- riers wear, or a nice blue, as the policemen, fire department, gas. telegraph companies and others wear, would do very well: they cer- tainly don't ask their men to wear anything as conspicuous as red. I am like Mr. Fair- child; I would rather quit the association, I would rather lose my franchise, than put my men in a regalia of that kind. I want to keep my men. I know good men when I get them, but I would rather have no uniform at all than one so conspicuous, and therefore I ob- ject. Mr. Grebe: There has been a. good deal of discussion on this subject, but I don't be- lieve a motion has been made. I move that the question of adopting a uniform be laid on the table until next year. Mr. Leonard: 1 have an idea of a dark green uniform—dark bottle green, almost black—it I don't change my mind I will bring a sample with me next time. Member: I second the motion, that this matter be laid on the table until next year. President: There is a motion before the house. I want to give my ideas about a uni- form. I never wore any red bloomers or anything of that kind. I would just as soon wepr red bloomers as white ones. I don't believe we ought to adopt a uniform. It is a nice thing to see a man or a body of men -in uniform, but the International Association is not known as an association. It Is the I«onard Distributing Co.. the Steinbrenner Distributing Co.. or it is the Midland Distrib- uting Co.—it matters not what the name, nearly all have more name than money. (Ap- plause.) Something like ray own. we have a whole lot more name than money. When I named my concern. I thought we would prob- ably be alive when the International Associa- tion of Distributors was dead, and I did not want to be compelled to change my name. We have our own names, and are not known ps an association: therefore I think if Mr. Tirrill wants bis boys to wear tbe John Bull, or even the Spanish uniform. I would not ehject to it. but let us all do as we please about the matter. Mr. Tirrill: I am consistent, at least: I don't use letter heads with a cut of a man in uniform distributing, and when you come into tbe town you don't find a single uni- formed man. The President thought it would be unjust to adopt a uniform on account of the extra expense to distributors who could not af- ford It. Mr. Leonard argued that a uniform was necessary for protection against bad work: that you were liable to get tbe credit of doing all the distributing In your town. If your men were uniformed they could easily be traced and it would be known exactly what work they did. I think we ought to have uniforms. Mr. Runey: I see a good many here who have done distributing for me. and 1 think they do good work. I think these men do my work themselves, and I want them to continue doing it as they have in the past. Mr. Douglass: I believe the uniform would be a good idea, but I do not believe In mak- ing It compulsory. In large towns it Is al- most necessary: I have had the same trouble Mr. Leonard has. Doys will go around and leave enough circulars at one place tn start the Area for a month. The agent will come in and say: "Your men do so and bo." Now. In fact, my men will not have done that job of work, but we arc held responsible. I am in favor of a unirorm of some kind, but am not In favor of compelling men to adopt a uniform If it Is not to their Interest. I think as an Individual, that a uniform Is a great protection. I would suggest that Mr. Leonard make himself a committee of one to Investi- gate the matter and furnish us with samples. Mr. Leonard: I think Mr. Steinbrenner can do that, as in bis town Is located one of the largest regalia concerns In the world. President: I will say that If you want any Information on this subject, you can just ad- dress our Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. Burkhart: Mr. President and G-ontlc- mcn.—I feel a delicacy In taking a moment of your time, as I fool that I am using your THE BILLBOARD inii-ious time, but at the same time my busi- es hero was to meet you as a body and lulk ii> you about distributing Dr. llurkhart's Veg- etable Compound. Before I proceed further [ will say, as regards uniforms, I have one request, one suggestion to make: that Is. have a cheup cap with the name or the ubbo- i.tiou or tbe name of your company of dis- tributors, and 1 will send you a nice silk "hand," and printed on that "Dr. Uurkhart'B Vegetable Compound," and I want as many as distribute my circulars to wear that. I just offer this as a suggestion. Now. gentle- men, if we call get a little matter decided in Washington 1 have thirty million pieces of advertising matter to be put out In the United States, Canada and Mexico, and from my past experience with the International Associatiou of. Distributors I have decided to give you this work, where it is possible to do so. I have not two letters in my office—one a letter of recommendation—to every one of the boys who does good work I will mall one of these letters, and I am going to mail one to the Secretary If it Is done properly, so that he will know what kind of men he has got—on the other hand I have got another letter, and you will be sorry to gel that letter, it is not going to be a pleasant one. Iwant each of you to submit to me your territories and prices within a short time. On the 15th of next month I am going to Washington, I have two Senators aud four Congressmen who are working for me, trying to get this stamp act on samples repealed, aud I have little fear that Inside of thirty days we will get it off, and I wish that each of you would use your influence with your Congressman and try to get this tax off the samples. (For the benefit of those who had not done the Doctor's dis- tributing, be here Illustrated how he wanted each package placed—Btuck in the door, high up, so that It could not be reached by a child.) These samples cost me $9 a thousand by the time they are delivered to you for dis- tribution: they are valuable, and I want the work properly done. I want to be able to attend this association next year and be able to recommend every member. Here be re- ferred to a case In Ohio of an old colored man who was employed to distribute Dr. llurk- hart's Vegetable Compound samples, who went to town once a week with butter and eggs and took a pocket full of samples to distribute on the road. (That was not the kind of service he wanted.) When the work is completed, you are going to get your money; the 5th and 15th are pay days at my office to all distributors. Mr. Hill: Mr. President. Mr. Hayes, of the Dr. Chase Co., is here, and would like to say a few words. Mr. Hayes: Mr. President and Gentlemen. —1 merely wish to say that all parties who wish to make contracts with the Dr. Chase Co.. we are ready to talk to them. I will meet them in the next room. {Moved and seconded that the convention adjourn, to meet at 2 o'clock p. m. Motion carried. WEDNESDAY. JULY* 20. 1S98. 2 P. M. Convention called to order by the Presi- dent. President: We will open under the twe'fth order of business. "Unfinished Buslnes?," and the Secretary has some applications to be acted upon. Secretary: I have here the application of W. C. Teide. of Raeiue. Wis., i odors, d by C'arence Runey. Thomas Runey and the Cal- ifornia Fig Syrup Company. Mr. Leonard: I move that the application of Mr. Teide be accepted. Motion being duly seconded, was placed be- fore the house by the President, and Mr. Teide's application was unanimously ac- cepted. Secretary: We heve an nnnlicatlon from the American BUI Posting Company, Phila- delphia. Mr. Fairchild vouches for it. Mr. Otting: The American Bill Pcsting Company of Philadelphia Is all right. Mr. Sanford F. Robinson put in the application for the company, if Philadelphia was ep;n. On motion of Mr. Leonard, duly seconded and put to the house, the application of the American Bill Posting Company. Philadel- phia, was unanimously accepted. Secretary:' We have also an application from Richard Waller: references. Clarence Runey. DeLong and Douglas. Mr. Green moved that application be ac- cepted. The motion, being duly seconded, waft put to the house by the President, and the appli- cation of Mr. Waller was unanimously ac- cepted. Secretary: We have an application from the Curran Bill Posting Company, Pueblo. Col. I will say that -we have a member there whom Mr. Curran has bought out. Mr. Curran: Mr. President.—This man Mitchell, of Pueblo, worked for our company in Pueblo four years. At last he got to run- ning the town himself: In. fact, going so far as having advertising matter shinped in his own name: so I let him out. He went to Kansas City, and after while came back to Pueblo, and. with a Mr. Johnson and r-ome other man went Into business, called the bill posting and advertising company. Mitch- ell had no money whatever, and Mr. Hani-, one of the managers, bought him out, and we bought out the whole company, bill boards, distributing racks and all. and Mr. Mitchell was left out; but It seems that ho Is trying to start up again now. Now, we bought them out fair and square: paid the money asked. I thought when I bought him out I was buying a franchise In the Interna- tional Association, which I considered a good thing. I sent to the Secretary the exact du- plicate of-the bill of sale. After that I sent on my dues from Denver. Col., and was sur- prised when they were returned to me, say- ing Mr. Mitchell was a member there. President: Does the bill of sale describe the franchise? *•«•• Curran:- No; It describes their good- will, their buckets and everything but ho:se and wagon, -which Mr. Johnson took. Mr. Dixon: 1 would like to ask. Can a man sell a franchise In the association? I thought we had to make a thorough examination. Mr. President: We make a thorough ex- amination of the party to whom the franchise, goes. Mr. Curran: lie was working for us at $75 a month. Pueblo Is 125 miles from Colorado Springs, and a few of the busine:s men tad wc ought to have the independent company called the Pueblo Company; aud while he was in our employ he wrote to other firms having advertising matter in his own name. The first instance was the C. 1. Hood Com- pany. I Investigated fuither, and I found he would-be a good man to let go. Mr. Grebe: Does Mr. Curran's bill of sale he tent to (he Secretary show on Its face evi- dence that he went out of business. Secretary: I haven't the.contiact here, but I will state It includes the goodwill, the bags and everything, and I will state further that Mr. Mitchell claims to own the franchise. Mr Grebe: I move that Mr. Curran's ap- plication be accepted and acted upon. Mr.. Douglas: I think we are going the wrong way. 1 am in favor of Mr. Cuiran; know that he Is a thorough business man in every respect: but I think the proper way is to drop Mr. Mitchell first. Of cou.se. I be- lieve that Mr. Curran expected to get* this franchise. I will make a motion that Jesse Mitchell's name be dropped from the asso- ciation. President: Mr. Mitchell must have a hear- ing. I will ask the Secretary it Mr. Mitch- ell's dues are paid. Secretary: Mr. Mitchell owes for this quar- ter's dues, from July 1 to October 1. Mr. Curran: Have you had some corre- spondence with him in regard to this matter? light. I have no objection whatever to Mr. Mitchell's name being dropped. Mr. Case: I would ask. why not have M-. . Cunan make charges in the regular way ani have Mr. Mitchell's name dropped. I would make a motion to that effect, that we di op this Mr. Mitt-hell from the roll on account of his improper conduct to the association. Motion duly seconded and put to the vite of the house by the President. 1 Motion car- ried unanimously. Mr. Mitchell's tame is dropped from this association. Member: I would like to introduce Mr. Frederick Wildes, of the Chattanooga Medi- cine Company. - , (Applause.) Mr. Fairchild: Mr. Hayes, of the Dr. ChiS3 Company, is prepared to make conti acts with the members, of this associaticn. Mr. Grebe: I move that Mr. Curran's ap- plication for Pueblo be accepted and acted upon. Motion duly seconded and put to the vole of the house and unanimously can ied. Mr. Fairchild: As in the ease of Mr. Cur- ran, Mr. George Castner bought Mr. Cocl: j y out under the same circumstances. Mr. Cooley still claims" to own the franchise un- der exactly the same conditions.": Mr. Cast- ner wrote me that he intended to be here in person, but on arriving home he found (5 0 0 sheets, advertising the New York Stat? Fair, to be put out,: and he requested me to repre- SfPttfiW ••■ -..■.*-.;.>>. i".«;'*v I;.-,;'- •■«"-;>'•:,* • - *-t.-•*■»!-.--••;- -i'.<CsiL-f, -». . -•#•.?- T. G. CLOUGH. Secretary: We have. He claims he did not sell you the franchise: he withheld it. Mr. Cuiran: We bought his good will, and he told other parties that be withdrew aud started in for himself. Secretary: I don't think Mr. Mitchell is entitled to the franchise. President: The present quaiter began July 1. It Is not customary to drop a man fcr six to nine months for nonpayment of dues, but we have the power to if it be expedient. Mr. Lecnard: We have heaid the report of our Secretary. He has seen the ccpy of rhls bi.l of sale by which he sells his good wil'. I think we have no place in this association fcr a man who has sold his franchise fair and square, and he should be dropped. When a man sells his business of distributing, hi; bags, tacks, etc. I move that the name cf this man be dropped from the association. Mr. Dixon: I think we have gone at it the wrong way. I think this is a matter for the Executive Board. I don't see how we cpn drop his name when he has sold out. Let us give Mr. Mitchell a chance to defend himse f. Mr. Curran: I say so. too: give Mr. Mitch- ell a fair show. He was In my employ a trusted man. signed contracts and every- thing. His own letter to the Secretary says he sold out to me: you can't sell a horse and keep his head or tall. Mr. Fairchild: I look at his conduct before he sold out. "Would this association like t-> uphold a man who did as he did? I don't think inch a man ought to he in the asso- ciation. Mr. Otting: Mr. Curran has been excep- tionally fair In this transaction. Mr. Curran could have called upon me as a witness In his behalf. He wrote me at the time he bought Mr. Mitchell out. He wrote that "all was serene:" he had bought the franchise. ' I have known Mr. Curr*n a long time, and I know that **« would uot misrepresent. Mr. Dixon. ■"■ *!tJ aot understand It In that sent him here in this matter. I do know- that Mr. George Castner bought Mr. Ccoley cut. and agrod that he would give "Mr. Coo- ley a position as manager of the Binghaniton Bill Posting Company. Tile cont act was made and the money paid over. Afterwai ds a di; pute arose, the merits of which I know nothing. Mr. Castner discharged Mr. Cooley. Mr. Cooley then, for -the first time. c"aim« d his right of franchise.'- Mr. Castnsr: requests ii-e to place this:matter before you without bias and without prejudice. Seeretaiy: Mr. President.—Now. :regard"n:r Mr. Cooley. of Binghamton,- N. Y. He' wrct? me. at the time he sold out .to Mr. Castn?r. that he had sold" out: the biU*.posting plant, but still retained the distributing. I be" ieve it would be better to investigate th*s matt r. Mr. Grebe: We have fullv dis-'usstd: the matter regarding Mr. Cunan. -The Execu- tive Bear d knows the sense -of this me: tin i. Mr. Cuiran makes a few -"remarks along the line. Mr. Hayes - Mr. Castner informed me that Mr. Cooley had turned everything ever :to him. 1 saw Mr. Cooley personally, and h? said that Mr. Castner gave him the privileg? rf doing his work: that Castner did not wa-t the distributing: he gave it to Coulcy or Cooley's sen. Mr. Fairchild: Castner not only paid Mr Cooley. but also gave him the privilege of distributing. Mr. Hayes: As long as Mr. Cnol'y cnr.ti-- "ert the business himself we had no troub e. but since be has turned it over to his son wo have had some bad repotts from there. Of course, we don't turn a man down for outside reports. We will Investigate this matter. Mr. Castner has done very good work for us since he bought this place. I ki;ow Mr. Coo- ley personally: have known him about twelve years. Mr. Curran: Is Mr. Cooley's name on cur books now as an association member? .*• "'- Secretary: Yes. -' "' -■ Mr.'"Curran: Hew long has he beeu-ii-mem- bcr of this association? * .• • : " : " Secretary: " Three years.- : (Refeirirg*::to - book.) Mr. Ccoley was admitted! on* Decem- ber 8, ISfltii'he owes due's; for the quarter be- - ginning July 1, l!*a8. • - ...."- Mr. Hayes: I have written to Mr. Cooley "- and told him if Ihe did ourr ; work well we would stick to him. ...,..: Mr." Curran: ■ Gentlemen, you .know what an injury: such: a man can "-do woi king for you in some other town. If these i epoitsaie just-and: true. I move that Mr". Cooley be dropped from the roll. t;- ; ' Mr. Leonard: lie undoubtedly geld out his franchise. :Tf I should sell out: my bill po'st- ing :and : distributing business:- in- " G.and Rapids. I would'^not think of• retaining the iranchise. If I sell cut my line.of bil; post- ing, they go together. "I- -n.. ; ,.".v*- . Mr. Curran:' I move that-this gestjeman. Mr. Cooley. be dropped from- the;as^pp-iation- Moticn duly seconded, put to theihouse by . the President- and carried. -Mr. :CpoIey's name is dropped from the roll. ■,, The^President here urges great d&ibetatich and ccnsideiation in dealing with., eases of this kind, .stating that these were pc.or men who; togk a sack on their shoulders and "went from door to door distributing citcul|Lis, and "too much-care cannot be med." : Mr. Leonard: There is no discredit cast upon the character of this "man Cooley by the : action the association ha« taken. He sim- ; ply sold out his_ franchise, and we dropped 7 his name to ma&e place for some: one else. We have cast no reflections upon Mr.'-.Cooley-- : -=- Secretary: Mr.1 President.—I want to say -.- that by seme misfortune we have got into our association a man of the name: of F. "W. Newman, of Albany, N.Y. Mr. INewman is the manager of the District Telegraph- Com- pany. After I discovered this t returned his membership fee, but he again returned it to me, stating that he was going into business on his 'own account. We: will-read "a letter " in which he offers to distribute-at $f a' thou- sand. This ^letter is addresed to the Interna-- - tional Bill 'Posting Association," and- reads - as follows: • ' '"": " ."- ••Gentlemen:—New is the time to advertise.. . If yen intend to attribute circulars'.-: panipn- : lets or any printed- matter In this—ricinity. you can save money by patrcnizing -us. -Our —- : prices are $1 per thousand for Albany; $1-85 • - for Troy." 'Cohoes and: Rensselaer. We are ----- members of the International Association cf Distributors, - of Cincinnati, and have dis-;": tributed geeds for most "of the large firms; throughout the Slates. - "Respectfu'Iy jcrurs. 1" : .... "F. W.NEWMAN*,.Manager." -■ ■• This letterwas accompanied byl a letter from 'the-.Miles.-Medical .-Company,-.-irhich reads as follows: "Elkhart. Ind.; March 19. 18.8.'" ■ **W. H. Case. Fort Wayne."lnd.: ._" "Dear Sir:—We herewiih acknowltdg.? t;- -■-. ceipt of your favcr Of Match -IS. and thank you for the information. We also retu n to- you letter from the Albany District Tele- graph Cempan-y. * We* received a facsimile*of this letter a few days 'ago." and did net 'ret*, ognlze it at all. as we.are confident that- nc- . body can Make a thorough house-to-house districulicir at: $r ; per thousand. r;or do we ask nor expect anybody to. dist.ibute-'erur-ad- vei tisiHg.matter at: that price.: Again .thank- 'ing you. we'are. , ' "Yturs very truly;*" •- "DR. MILES MEDICAB COMPANY"." Mr. Curran: "I move that we-give the Dr. Miles Medical Company a vote.'of thanks far - that letter. '■■■■'. Mr. Muiphy: "Who is: Dr. Miles, anyway? (Laughter and cheeis.) President: Gentlemen, ycu have heard the .. motion to the effect that a vote of thanks be • extended to the Dr. Miles Medicar Company • fcr the interest they have taken in eurlassc- ciation. ~ Motion unanimously carried. Mr. Douglas: This letter shows that F. -W. -■"" Newn-an is the Vice President-of the Albany District Telegraph Company (that is on the letter head), and managesv-the office, and- I -" 'believe we don't want anything of that kind . in this association. :- Mr. Hayes: : 1 have: had some expe:Une3 with this Mr. Newman. He did some dis- tributing for the Dr. Chase Company—at least that is their office, 47 Maiden lane. - The convention : adjour hed;: for a" few min- - -•■■' utes to lock at proof of photograph. -Pho-"- -- tograph-approved^ : - : -:' -: : ..:-:"-. ; - Secretary: We have an:application frofa A. A. :Blana.-"Keokuk". Iowa, indoresd by -Mr. Fairchid. Charles Krutz and-Mr.; Marvin. , - -Mr. Grebe movVs that ¥ the'" application be 'aceepte-d. Motion seconded. ■:>■< Motion i unani- mously carried. - : : :--:: :.:-:• v. .•::-::'... ■" Secretary: We have an application 1 "from Geor»e Castner. "Binghamton, N: Y"., indorsed - by Otting. Curranl and Leonard. - ;:: — -• Mr. Dixon moves that the application be ■■:■ accepted under indorsement. Meti-n :"see-- : - —* ended, put to the house and 'unanimously*--^" cairied..: ' Secie-tary: It has been the custom to*Hrans-' ---: fer these memberships. Tshculd like to ask. " Are thyy ; transferablbe. or will it; be neces- - sary to pay a membership fee? I thi: k th •>• should be transferred if they are bought: cut. Mr. Murphy suggests that every member coming into the associaticn pay the regular mervbe- ship -fee. as it is certainIy*wo: th that mueh. if it is -worth anything: and, whether' •they buy anybody out or not. "let them pay" the;initialicu::fee." : President?' iWe have no law on that subject new.: When the Committee on Laws and Re- visicnslof Laws are: out they can make-some report for: our future work." Secretary: Mr. Tirrill has a transfer to dispose of. Mr. Tirrri: : This transfer I bring:tup .la not that kind of a case. I sold'luyfranchise for Vanwert. "My case is not like the last two under consideration. . Mr. Murphy: That person-ought to come in here and pay his fees- - >-i* -e-'»j| " Mr. Hill: Would it not^be-nrore-pfctipeta-tO: : enact a law which.: will, be properly -a part of ;the constitution and by-laws?.•■ : :: 1 President: This body. is: the supreme. law. "If we can make it here, we-'have the privi-. lege to do so: we include all the committee?-. . Mr. Hill: I move that hereafter every mem-- I