Billboard advertising (July-Dec 1898)

THE BILLBOARD ber coming In under a transferred member- ship be required to pay the regular Initia- tion fee; that this comes into effect from the beginning of this session. ...... President! It Is moved and seconded that all members' coming by transfer, sale or otherwise will be compelled to pay the reg- ular initiation fee on the receipt of their cer- tificates of membership. Motion cariied. Secretary: We have an application "cm C. K- Runey & Son, Indorsed by 0. J. John- son, DeLong and Marvin. ,,„.,„„ Char.es Krutz moves that the application of Messis. Runey & Son be accepted. ' Motion duly seconded, put to the house and unanimously carried. Mr. Murphy: Mr. President.—There are ' gentlemen come here and put In their appli- cation, recommended by some prominent per- sons in their town or city: they are rec-i.ed under this application; then they go away and sell out to somebody else. Now, there ought to be some way of making an investi- gation of the person they sell out to. Thi.se who get franchises here should not sell out to fte>iaent': That has been provided for. They can't sell out to anybody un.ess the party they sell to pays his membership fee. In Mr. Tirrlll's case, those parties he pro- poses to sell out to, I have no doubt, this convention would accept them at once on Mr TlrrllFs- recommendation. Now. the od- lect of this fee Is to try to sustain the treas- ury. I believe every person taking.member- ship would be willing to pay thla fee. Mr. Tirrill: For Mr. Murphy's benefit. I want to say that I asked the Secietary to give me permission to dispose of my # fian- Ch Mrl' Murphy: Has he the right to give that P ™retary: We have been doing that way. There have been two or three transfers made and we have had no law on the subject. I would say that Mr. Tirrlll's transfer has cot Seei made yet, and there will be an invesU- gating committee before whom all these transfers and applications will come. President: As we have an Interval cow when there Is nothing before the house we would like to hear from Mr. G. B. Bowman, ° Mr? , 'Bowman: Mr. Presldeut.-I am no talker; I am a distributor. We dbt»lDUUd over 50.000 circulars last month. I have all my men uniformed in white in the summer, and I go out In a wagon with them. I em- ploy three men all the year around, ™»k ln S lor the theater in the winter posting bll.s. Mr. Douglas: I believe there is n-t a member on this floor but objects very de- cidedly to accepting members who are con- nected with the District Telegraph Company. If they get in here, they do it under fa.se pretensei: This Mr. F. W. Newman shows by his own letter head that he is Vice Res- ident of the Albany District Telegraph C m- pany: therefore. I move that the name of F. W. Newman, of Albany, be dTopped from this association. Motion seconded. , . Mr. Grebe: I think that is a very wis- act. The District Telegraph Company sends out a letter on a half sheet of paper offering to distribute for 75 cents and *1 a thousand and If we have a member connected with that company I think we do a wise act to drop him from our association. Mr Fairchild: The District Teleg aph Company sent their boys over In our town (COTtagton). and I stopped them. We have a high license there. They still work In the outskirts. I was to have a Job at *f a thou- sand but on account of this competition was obliged to close the contract at 12. Mr Curran: I want to see. that motion passed. I have the same thing to contend with. They do their work for $1 and $l_2o a thousand and employ boys. Mr. Hill: Mr. President.—I want to vo e intelligently on thte question. How long has it been since Mr. Newman was received as a -member of this association? Secretary: He was received February 16, "Sir. HiH: When was that letter written? Mr. Douglass: It is barely possible that he had these letter heads printed before he came Into the association. Mr. Case: I wish to state that I received a copy of this form from the Miles Medical Company about three weeks after hearing that he had become a member, wanting to know what I thought of Mm. President: You have heard the motion, to the effect that the name of Mr. F. W. New- man be dropped from our association. I think it should appear on the minutes that Mr. Newman's name Is dropped on account of hi» having obtained his membership under false pretenses. His application for mem- bership was returned to him, and he again makes application under the statement that he wanted to go into business for himself; so he procured this membership under fa.se pretenses, and it should so appear in our minutes. (Applause.) . , Motion put before the house and unani- mously carried. , , Mr. Hill suggests that his membership fee be returned. .. . ... President: Since he has caused us this an- noyance, he has no claim upon us whatever— not even our respect. Secretary: We have here the application of Walter G. Horn, of Springfield, HI.; appli- cation Indorsed by Johnson, DeLong and Now we have been talking about boy service, I believe Mr. Horn stated that he e M P r° T Gr 1 ebe > r" , r move that Mr. Horn's appli- cation be received and voted upon. Member: I will state for the benefit of the brotherhood that I have heard of Mr. Horn s work, antf have always had good results re- norted from Springfield. MrTHorn: I will state that I employ no boys under 15. My work does not pay. enough to keep men entirely. I have one man employed steadily. My partner will start out with a boy, he going on one side of the street and the boy on the other. President: I don't employ any boys. 1 have In the past employed boys. My ex- nerience with boys is that a boy ranging tnm 121 to 16 years old will do Just as good- work for two or three days as a man; but a boy gets so very tired in a few days ycu can't trust Mm to do good work. But if you put him with a good man he will do good work. He gets terribly weary after a few dajs. In some cases bovs can be used, but when a man makes app.ication to tbis asso- ciation who uses boys exclusively, as is dune by the American District Telegiaph Compa- ny, who use mere children, I do not tntuk that man is eligible to membeiship in thU association, even though backed up by the best men on earth. Now, if Mr. Horn usej boys, and goes with them and sees that they do their work. If he does that, I have no ob- jection to him using boys Mr. Curran: I have been in this business since 18S5, and I have never in my life sent out a boy alone with work. Mr. Hill: The question has been asked. What is a boy? I would consider 15 yeais of age a boy; and I get good results from what I term youths or young men. If I were asked if I employed boys, I wou.d say, "No." Mr. Crownover: In my past experience, when I carried the sack myself I was thrown in direct competition with boys, and I have yet to find the first honest boy for over two or three days. I would not use one if he gave me his wages. . Mr. Murphy: You are hard on the boys. I say let the boys live. We were boys once, and some of us may have boys of our own. Mr. DeLong: The business of bill porting and distributing has been put down in the gutter. It has heretofore been amest impos- sible to get reliable persons to do the work. Now it is better. I keep three men, and never have any trouble about the work being well done. The only trouble I have Is with my competitors. They go around and take the things off the door knobs. We guaran- tee our work; guarantee the best results. I have the first firm to come and tell me that his advei rising did not pay. President: There is a motion-before the house as to the acceptance of Mr. Horn's ap- plication. Motion carried. Mr. Horn is elected. Secretary: We have an application from Mr. Frank P. Meyers, of Danville. Ill. mad a by Horn at the request of Mr. Meyeis. The references are the same as on Mr. Horn's application. Moved and seconded that the application be received and acted upon. Motion put to the house and carried. Secretary: We have an application for ths Albany Bill Posting and Distributing Com- pany, of Albany, N. Y. Mr. Tirrill moves that the Albany Bill Posting and Distiibuting Company be ac- cepted as members of this association. Motion seconded, put to the house and car- ried. Mr. Marvin: Mr. President.—A good many of our members are going home to-night, and we would like to have .the election of of- ficers before we go. Mr. Ramsey: Mr. President, I move you that we now have the election of officers, aqi ajoisq norjoin « si aiaqx iiueptsa-ta •papnoaas uorjoj<j house that we revert back to No. 11, "Elec- tion of Officers." Motion carried. Mr. Leonard: I would "ike to make a mo- tion here, and I think the members present will bear me out in the same, that during the past year our officers have invariably given perfect satisfaction: and. if not out of orde-. I would like to have Colonel Ramsey cast one vote, one unanimous vote, for .the asso- ciation, re-electing all the officers for an- other year. (Applause.) Mr. Otting: Mr. President and Gentlemen. —While there is a unanimous sentiment heie for the re-election of the officers, such mo- tion, if carried into effect, will defeat the de- sire of the majority of this association. I know the sentiments of every member here. If you will pardon roe. Mr. President and gentlemen, this association Is a great, big association now. and it can't be run on littla one-idea principles. I think the office of Sec- retary and Treasurer should be separated, and before a unanimous vote is cast. Mr. Steinbrenner himself advises it in his re- port- He did say that he wanted a Treasurer appointed who was near to him. It is en- tirely within the provirce of this association to e'ect Mr. O. P. Fairchild as Treasurer. He Is right across the river. It Is not rieht that this association should go ahead with a Secretary-Treasurer. I say this in ail dU2 deference to Mr. Steinbrenner. Mr. Reid has been a President that this or any other association might well be proud of. Mr. Steinbrenner has been a worker from Workertown. I have seen him work for the good of this association till 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. X know what his capacity 1», but I want to relieve him from some of the onerous duties he has to perform. In just'ee to the association, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer should be separated. Mr. Leonard: I withdraw my motion. Mr. Fairchild: Three officers are not here, and. according to our constitution, they are not entitled to re-election unless they have a good excuse for being absent. Mr. Leonard: While I cuite agree with Mr. Otting that we don't want to burden Mr. Steinbrenner. he has worked faithfully and stuck to it. and all he possibly can get out of it is a little advertising. I understand that the new constitution provides for a new or- ficer. Mr. Krutz: I say for Mr. Steinbrenner ve must not get another Secretary, or we will get a stiff in there ttat will ruin our asso- ciation. Mr. Hill: I believe I have not heard anv objection to the election of the same offices except the Treasurer and Secretary, and it seems to be the sentiment of the house that we should have two officers instead of one. I will move that we proceed to the election of officers, and leave the Secretary-Treasurer outside for the present. Mr. Leonard: I will make an amendment to that motion, and move that we proceed to the election of officers by rank. Motion seconded and carried. Leonard: We all know our worthy Presi- dent. I now present the name of our friend and brother. Joseph Held, as President of this association for the ensuing year. (Ap- plause.) Mr. Krutz: I move that th» nominations for President close, and" that Mr. Steinbren- ner cast the unanimous vote of the associa- tion for Mr: Reid. Motion seconded. Mr. Steinbrenner: I cast my vote, the unanimous vote of this association, for Jo- seph Reid for President of this association for the ensuing year. (Great and prolonged applause. Cheers and cries of "A speech!" "A speech!") Gentlemen: I thank you. I to'.d you the other day, when I opened this meeting, that I would not talk much. I know it Is not tho duty of the President to talk until he has heard the voice of the people. I have at no time left the chair and Invited any one e se to take the chair while I made a speech on any subject. By accident I have developrd my views along certain lines when I was strongly In favor of it: so I strongly ex- pressed myself on the franchise matter: the constitution is all the franchise I want. 1 am • very thankful for the honor you have conferred upon me. I accept it. and will do the best I can for the association. We are separated by many miles of country, but when difficulties come up the officers of this association advise with each other and do the best they can to adjust and settle all dis- agreements and misunderstandings. I shall snuggle harder in the future for the welfaie of this association than I have in the past. I am glad to have met so many here, but I had hoped to see a hundred faces. Our meet- ing, in our judgment, has been a sue'ess. Many of you have no idea of the respon lil.I- ty connected with a work of this kind. It is not simply to go out and do a good piece of woik for the dollars there are in it. Not only must we do that, but we must at all times be ready to advise and offer sugges- brlng good and honor to this association, in here and make trouble from stait to fin- tions and do everything in our power to We are not a pel feet people. Men may come Ish. We must separate ourselves fiom all such-, and I think we have done a good woik in mustering out the ones we have. Do your duty; live up to your contracts; even if you happen to make a contract to your own dis- advantage, live up to It and fulfill it faith- fully. You beard Mr. Steinbrenner say that he completed a contiact for the Dr. Chase Company, and the net results were 40 cents. He discharged his duty, and in doing so he won the confidence of that firm. You will all find, if vou live up to your contracts. j.( will be the best advertisement you can have. I would urge you all to be faithful to the trust and confidence these big firms place in you. and be assured the time will come when \ ou will get fair prices for your work. Again I thank you for the honor conferred upon me and for the confidence you have in me. and I will try to meiit it more in the future than I have in the past. (Long and loud applause, shaking the very waits of the Hotel Leland.) Mr. Tirriil: The next in order is the Flist Vice President. I move >ou that our present Third Vice President. R. S. Douglass, be moved up to the First Vice Presidency. Mr. Krutz seconded the motion and moved that the nominations for First Vice President be closed - and the unanimous- vote of the house be cast by the Secretary for Mr. Doug- las". of Memphis. Tenn. Motion seconded. Carried. Mr. Steinbrenner: I offer my vote, the- unanimous vote of this association, for Mr. R. S. Douglass, of Memphis. Tenn.. for Fi.st Vice President for the ensuing year. (A speech called for.) Mr. Douglass: I can only say that I thank 1 you for the honor conferred pon me. { President: The election of Second Vice, President is now in order. i Mr. Steinbrenner: I would like to make a motion to elect Mr. Tirrill, of Lima. O., as Second Vice President. Member: I second that motion and move that the nominations for the office.of Second Vice President be closed and the Secretary instructed to cast the vote for Mr. Tirrill. Motion seconded and carried. Secretary: I cast my vote, the unanimous vote of this association, for Mr. W; C. Tir- rill. of Lima. O., for Second Vice President of this association for the ensuing year. Mr. Krutz put in nomination Mr. Curran for Third Vice President. Nomination sec- onded. — Mr. Hill: I think Mr. Hudson a- — -<-„— has all done us good service, and. although h» is not here. I would nominate him for Third Vice President- Mr. Fairchild: I would like to offer a res- olution thanking Mr. Hudson for his effi- cient service in the past: but it has been a well established rule in the past to elect no member who is not present. Mr. Hill withdraws his nomination. President: Mr. Curran is in nomination for Third Vine President; if there are no other nomination?, a motion will be in order for the Secretary to cast the vote of the house for Mr. Curran. Motion made and seconded. Secretary; I cast my vote, the unanimous vote of this association, for James A. Curran for the office of Third Vice President of this association for the ensuing year. Mr. Douglass: I would ask the consent of the convention for permission to offer a reso- lution. If there are no objections. I would like to instruct the Secretary of this assor-ia- tion to thank ■ Mr. Hudson for the efficient service rendered us in the paRt and to extend to him our deepest sympathy in this, his hour of trouble. Motion put by the President and unani- mously carried. President: Next In order is the election of Secretary. We will leave the election of Treasurer until we have a law providing for that office. Mr Fairchild: I place Mr. Steinbrenner In nomination for the office of Secretary. I know probably better than any man here Just what Mr. • Steinbrenner has been tn this associa- tion: I know that I tried awfully hard myself f»-om motives of pride. i»nd I got tired: but Steinbrenner never got tired. Mr. Curran: I move that the President cast the vote of this association for Mr. Steinbren- ner as Secretary. Motion seconded and carried. President: I cast my vote, the unanimous vote of this convention, for Mr. W. H. Stein- brenner, of Cincinnati, O., for Secretary of tbis association for the ensuing year. Great applause. Cries of "Speech! Speech!" Mr. Steinbrenner: I would like to say to the members present that I am not a speech- maker: I think I can do better working for the interest of the association away from than I can with them. 1 have tried to do my duty; tiled to mnko tho association a sue cess, and as far as it.has gone 1 am proud to say it has been a success. I don't think I deserve as much credit as "The Billboard." It has done as much for this association as anything else. I thank you all, and I will persevere and do as well In the future and even better tban I have in the past. I want to say in regard to a stenographer, that 1 have one, and I am glad tue members of this association can't all see her at once, but if any of you call at my office in Cincinnati I will introduce you. Applause and laughter. President: Nominations for Soliciting Sec- retary are now in order. Mr. Tirrill: I otter iu nomination our pres- ent Soliciting Secretary, Mr. W. H. Case. Ft Wayne, Ind. Mr. Curran: I move that the nominations close, and that the Secretary be Instructed to cast the vote of the house for Mr. Case. Motion seconded and carried. Secretary: I herewith cast my vote, the unanimous vote of this association, for Mr W. H. Case, of Fort Wayne, Ind., as Solicit- ing Secretary for the ensuing year. A speech being called for, Mr. Case said: Mr. Case: Gentlemen and Friends.—I don't intend to try to tell you how I thank you for this re-election, but you know that the boys who come from "Old Hog Alley" Uways man- age to get the big end of everything. L. H. Ramsey, of Lexington. Ky.. was elected a member or the Executive Commit- tee. Mr. Ramsey: I don't know what the duties of the Executive Committee are. 1 will do the best I can. Sperch by the representative of the Western Ad-Sign Syndicate. This speech was highly appreciaud by the convention; one and all were promised distributing as soon ns any- thing was to do. "I thank you. gentlemen, for your courtesy, and in behalf of my partners and myself promise you will hear from us. not only as men. but bear from us through results." Advise, us by mail, and as soon-as any work comes up we will put ourselves Im- mediately in touch with you. Send us your cards. Member: We have with us Mr. Clough. one of the earliest members of Ibis association, and our first President; we have not yet heard from him. Mr. Clougb: Mr. President. I understand there are parties trying to come in on our territory, and I paid for my territory two years ago. and I km doing a Just distributing business In this city. I don't see how they can come in and take this place. I pay niy dues and I riaim just as good a right to this place as any man. The American Bill Post- ing Company proposes to come in here and drive me out. Discussion from various parlies. r-residmt: Any further remarks. Mr. Fairchild: We have been profitably and pleasantly entertained by a number of gentlemen. I think the names of the men who have done more for this association tban any advertisers in the United States should be spread upon our minutes: I)r. W. S. Rurk- bart. Dr. Chase Company. Dr. Miles Company and the Lydia Piukham Company. Mr. Leonard: We also have the Wells- Richardson Co.: we have the C. I. Hood Co.. the Chattanooga Medicine Co.—one and all have gIS-cn us work. If we go to work and pass a resolution of thanks, what will the people who are left out have to say? Mr. Curran: That is what I say. Dr. Burk- hait has made bis kindly remarks, which we all appreciated: Dr. Chase Company and Dr. Miles' Company bave been represented here, and the Chattanooga Medicine Co.: they have spent their time and money, and showed their good reeling: that is their side or the ques- tion. But there are othir firms who patron- ize Us. - After further discussion. It was moved and seconded that a resolution be passed by this association, thanking the advertising frater- nity of the world for their presence and rec- ognition through the mail and otherwise or our organization. Resolution unanimously passed. Mr. Fairchild moves- to? adjourn until 9 o'clock Thursday morning. July 21. l«ts. Motion carried. THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 21, 189S. House called to order by the President *t 10 o'clock. President: We will open under the head or "New Business," No. 13. Mr. Curran: I move that we take up the new resolutions. Motion seconded. President: There Is a call for the report of the Committee on Laws and Revision of Laws. Motion carried. The following resolutions were read by Mr. Case. Chairman of the Committee on LaWB and Revision of Laws: Mr. President:—Your Committee respect- fully recommends that Article XII. of the constitution be amended to read as follows: Section 1. "No more than one member shall be accented from any one town or city." Sec. 2. "Nor shall any member obtain or hold a franchise for any town or city over which he does not hold and exercise personal supervision." And that Section 4 of Article IV. be amend- ed to read as follows: "Suspension for nonpayment of dues shall continue until all due and arrearages are paid In full, and if at any regular meeting there be any member resting under su« pen- sion for nonpayment of dues,, and such' mem- ber does not pav said arrearages at said meeting, he shall be dropped from the roll rf membeiship; and, If he applv for member- sh'p again, he shall pay Into the treasury all raid arrearages, besides the Initiation fee. the same as If tw had never been a member." Also that Section 2 of Article IV. be amended to read as follow*, vis.: "All dues shall be paid semi-annually In advance on or before the date on which' they are due." We further recommend that Section 2. Ar- ticle VII.. be stricken out. and that Section 4 of the same article be amended to read as THE BILLBOARD follows, viz.: "All officers shall be allowed all necessary expenses for stationery, postage and sten- ographer s for the proper discharge of their duties; and the absolute expense attending the presence of the Secretary and Soliciting Secretary at each meeting shall be paid by I he association." We recommend, furthermore, that the fol- lowing section, marked No. 4, be added to Article III., viz.: "No person having once been a member of this association may be re-elected or re- instated unless he shall have first paid into the treasury all dues and arrearages charged against him at the time of expulsion." "No member of this association shall do advertising work of any kind In the territory of a brother member without first obtaining a written permit from the member in said territory, setting forth the name and nature of the work to be done. This permit must be riled with the Soliciting Secretary. "Failure to provide himself with a permit will subject the offending member to a fine or expulsion, at the discretion of the Execu- tive Committee. "Where a member has held more than one city or suburban town, he Ehall be given ten (10) days' notice by the Secretary In which to file an application for such territory, and thirty (30) days time in which to make final settlement for such. "It shall be the duty of each member to re- port to the Soliciting Secretary at least every thirty (30) days as to what has been done in his territory, the kind and class of woik. also any Inquiries he may have had from ad- vertisers regarding work in his territory. "We further recommend that the office of Secretary-Treasurer be abolished, and that two offices be created in its stead, namely, that of Secretary and that of Treasurer, the latter to be bonded In the sum of $1,000. "All sections or parts of sections connot- ing with the above sections shall be null and void. "That hereafter all transfers or member- ship be required to pay the regular member- ship ree. and that EUch transfer is not ef- fective until approved by the Executive Com- mittee." (Signed) W. II. CASE. Chairman. W. H. STEINBRENNER, JAMES-A. CURRAN. GEORGE W. LEONARD. CHARLES F. BRYAN. Committee. Mr. Curran: I move that the resolutions be adopted section by section as read. Motion Ecrr.nded. put to the house by the President and unanimously can led. The above resolutions were read and each section dlecu'sed and fully explained, aft-r which a motion was duly made and second- ed, and the President placed the motion be- fore the house, and each section was voted upon and unanimously adopted separately. The amendment to Section 2. Article IV.. Mr. Steinbrenner explained, would require all membets to pay six months' dues In ad- vance, the object being to save the postage and a great deal of labor. After the reading of the following section: "We further recommend that Section 2. Ar- ticle VII.. be stricken out. and that Secttrn 4 of the same article be amended to read as follows, viz.: 'All officers shsli be allowed all necessary expenses for stationery, prstag* and stenographers for the proper discharge of their duties,' " Mr. Crownover made a motion, which was duly seconded, that there be added to that section the absolute expenses of the Secre- tary and Soliciting Secretary incurred In at- tending the conventions, stating that their presence was a necessity: others could come or stay away, as It suited their convenience. Mr. Grebe.: I agree with Mr. Crownover. and ask that that section be amended to I- elude the expenses Incurred by our Secretary and Soliciting Secretary in attending the meetings. The President objected to the expene? cf the Secretary and Soliciting Secretary belm paid by the association, not that he did net fully appreciate the valuable services of th» gentlemen, but he always was in favor of the whole and not the individual. Neither the Secretary nor Soliciting Secretary asks for a salary; they would not accept It If of- fered. Mr. Case: I think I voice the sentiment of Mr. Steinbrenner when I say that we came here prepared to pay our own expenses. Mr. Fairchild: Mr. President. I believe it Is necessary for the Secretaries to be here: the other member* can find an excuse for not being here. Therefore. I believe It would not be any more than right to pay their ex- penses. Mr. Crownover: Mr. President. If our members at large would consider for a mo- ment that these gentlemen are bound to be here, no matter how Important the business they have to leave, that they work for our interest during the whole year, while we are only attending our own business, I do not be- lieve that any one would object to a special assessment or a little advance in our fees, to be applied to thi» purpose. I know that within the last year our Soliciting Secretary nss thrown tn my way over $198. and I cer- tainly would be very selfish- were I to object at this slight extra expense Involved. And I em sure non» of us have ever written to our Secretary, Mr. Steinbrenner, asking him for prices, or any other nuestlon, that we have not received an immediate reply. And what benefit do these gentlemen get? Onlv a llt'le extra prominence, and they have to take the r,,, k of the responsibility They work for this association, while we sit and read the papers In front of our homes. There was some discussion concerning a fixed salary for a stenographer, but It w«s decided to leave that matter entirely in the Iwds of the Secretary. On motion of Mr, Douglass, the reso'utKn was read as amended, or with the folowlng section added thereto, viz.: "And the abso- lute expense* attending the presence of the Secretary and Soliciting Secretary at each meeting shall be paid by the association." Unanimously adopted. There was a lengthy discussion on the ad- visability of the member* of the association furnishing the Secretary with the price- they were paid for distributing bv advcitlsl-g firms. It was finally agreed that as the mat- ter was entirely confidential and strictly for the good of the membership, the Secretary should be kept Informed, as far as pos«ib e as to the rates charged, but the matter was left to the discretion of the members. They were advised, however, to furnish such- in- formation. After reading the amendments to the con- stitution section by section, each section be- ing discussed, amended and finally adopted tor. Curran made the following motion: "I move that all these sections, as now read and passed on, be adopted as a whole." Motion seconded, put before the house by the President and unanimously carried. President: When the constitution and by- laws come out the sections as adopted by you will appear therein. A motion was here made as follows: "That we revert back to the 'Election of Officers.' " Motion seconded, put to the house and e-rrieii President: The election of Treasurer is now in oiuer. Mr. Douglass: I move that we nominate Mr. Fairchild as Treasurer. Motion seconded. Mr. Fairchild: Mr. President, I don't wish that at all: I don't want it: put a younger man In that place. Mr. J. F. Otting is Just as convenient to the Secretary, and I nomi- nate Mr. Otting for Treasurer. No second to the nomination. President: It has been moved and sc-nd- ed that the unanimous vote of this ass cia- tlon be cast for Mr. Fairchild as Treasurer. Secretary: I take pleasure in casting thi . entire vote of this convention for Mr. O. P. Fairchild. of Covington. Ky.. as TreasurertaS^ of this association. Mr (Applause.) the best plants in America. We do as much bill posting as any other firm, and we have built up that business in fi\e short yeais by good, honest work. In talking with your members here, Mr. Clough thought that probably we wanted a membership for tbis territory. We told him that was not our business. We told him we would only pais that portion of business over to him; that I wanted the membership for the purpose of license and driving cut fifteen or twenty sim- ilar distributors. You can take my tip for it, and that of Colonel Robbins, that we will do lor your member here in Chicago what he could nor do for himself. (There are a few Spaniards here. I have known them to take woik at 85 cents a thousand. I have watched them canvassing for business. We are the champions of high prices. We know what distiibuting is. The Colonel and myself have been twenty-five years in the show business, and have done more work and had more woik done for us than any two men I know of. I am in favor of making Chicago not only the best bill posting, but the best distributing city in the world. (Appiausa.) Secretary: I want to introduce to this meeting the President of the International Bill Posting Association. Mr. Schaefer, President of bill posting as- sc eat ion: Mr. President.—I regret that I am not prepared to address you. The gentleman who has- preceded' me (Mr. Campbell) has ex- plained the situation in Chicago. I voice his sentiments. Colonel Robbing called for. Colonel Robbins: Mr. President and Gen- altn.—I can only concur in the thoughts ex- pressed by my partner, Mr. Campbell. I •v -.- '>££*^ ' -" V'"-- - ' - ^S5aMs*->: .."' >rTSKKr FREDERICK D. JONES. Mr. Fairchild: Mr. President and Gentle- men.—I am very thankful to you for the con- fidence shown in giving me this office, though I don't want it. President: This completes the entire list of officers. We will now pass again to "New Business." Secretary: We have an application for membership from Smith £ Loath, of Van- Wert, O., Indorsed by W. C. Tirrill, J. F. Otting and Charles F. Bryan. Mr. Crownover move* that the application be accepted as Indorsed. Motion seconded, put to the vote of the house and unanimously carried. Secretary: I have an application for mem- bership In this association from the Ameri- can Bill Posting Company, of Evanaton. HI., signed by J. A. Clough, R. S. Douglass and Charles F. Bryan. Mr. Crownover moves that the application be accepted as Indorsed. Motion seconded, put to the house and unanimously carried. Mr. Otting here Introduces the new mem- bers, representing the American BUI Posting Company, Colonel Robbins, and Mr. R. C. Campbell, of Evsnstnn. The gentlemen were greeted by the President and Secretary. President: As President of this association I am pleased to welcome the American Bill Posting Company as members of our asso- c^s'ion. and I will say that we will not be fairly satisfied without a speech from each or vou. Mr. Campbell: Mr. President and Gentle- men.—As newly elected members from Ev- anston. we thank you. We trust our work will be such as will merit a continuance of your good will. We are the champion bill posters of the United States. We have one of have a minor position. I look after the money, and I assure you I look after that very carefully. Mr. Crownover: We have not-heard any- thing from our Brother Miller yet. Mr. Miller: Mr. President. I am compara- tively a new member. I came here to near from others; I am not a speaker. Mr. Henderson: Mr. President. If all the new members have been heard from, I would like to take this opportunity to bring the question of' commissions before this meeting. I think, myself, that 16 2-3 per cent, is a good big commission for advertisers to receive from the local bill posting and distributing concerns; I think Houghtaling.vOf New York, would be satisfied with 10 per cent. I believe with our-Chicago member on the subject of high prices pertaining to everySiusiness, the bane of my business has been'jhe cut-throat prices between the local bill posters. I don't think we ought to complain when we give up 16 2-3 per cent., if that is considered for the good of'the order. Therefore, (.tuove that it be the sense of this association that 10 per cent, be sufficient commission for us to allow for distributing work. Mr. Crownover seconded the motion. Member: I should like to ask the gentle- man whether this commission applies to the work of the International Association? Mr. Henderson: I intended It to apply to all generel agents who sent work out. Mr. Douglnss: The motion as offered would maVp e'-eryhedy In the country a general agent. We are going too fast. We must pro- vide for a general agent before we take anv action. We cau make the American Bill Posting Co. a general agent, or Mr. Stein- brenner a general agent, and give them 10 per cent, off; that would be all right; but are we to consider Dr. Burkbart a general agent and he get 10 per cent, off of all his business - in the United States. I decidedly object to any such proposition. Mr. Henderson: I don't think the gentle- man understands my proposition. Every member must be his own judge of who a gen- eral agent is:-of course, no proprietor of a patent medicine, as Dr. Burkbart, or C. I. Hoed Co., should have a per cent, off; but it is not much trouble to determine who the general agents are. Our Secretary, for In- stance, should have it. and any other general contractor, as The American Bill Posting Co. I don't think we will have any trouble In de- ciding who is entitled to the per cent.; the opinion was that 16 2-3 per cent, was mos>t too much to allow, and I made the motlou that it be the sense of this meeting that 10 per cent, was enough. Member: I would rather pay more,- and get good paying work. I have been paying 16 2-3 to the Colonel; I have bad some work from Houghtaling, New York, and they de- ducted only 10 per cent- Mr. Fairchild: If Mr. Houghtaling did that he must have favored this gentleman. I am willing to allow 16 2-3 per cent., if It is good work, but if the firm is doubtful and we have trouble in collecting from them, that per cent, is too much. Mr. Steinbrenner: Mr. President. I don't think 16 2-3 per cent, is any too much; I round when I placed work for Dr. Burkbart. there was a whole lot of work connected with it; it took about 12 cents for postage, sfending blank contracts, certificates, etc. I think it is worth fully lfi 2-3 per cent., and I am willing to pay it for a list of good, fair work at fair prices. There Is a great deal of work connected with this business that you do not appreciate. There was one big con- tract I tried to obtain, and went to New York twice and then failed to get it, and of course the entire expense was a loss to me. When we do get a contract, we ought to make enough on if. to even up the losses we sustain- Mr. Horns offers an amendment to the ef- fect that the commission be 16 2-3 per cent. Mortion. as amended, seconded. President: You have heard the motion to the effect that the 10 per cent, be the amount raid for commissions, and you bave heard the amendment made by Mr. Horn, that the amount be raised to 16 2-3 per cent. Vote taken, and division called for. President: All in favor of the commission being 16 2-3 per cent, will rise. Forty-three rise, favoring the amendment. President: All opposed to the amendment, and in favor of the original motion, tbat the commission paid be 10 per cent., will now lise. Sixteen are opposed to the amendment. Motion carried, 43 to 16. The matter of commissions was further dis- cussed pro and con. It seemed impossible to reach a very satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Douglass: I move that the whole mat- ter be laid on the table. .Motion seconded. President: It is moved and seconded that the question before the house be laid on the table. Motion unanimously carried. Mr. Campbell favored high prices all around. Mr Hayes had nothing to say. Mr. Talbott thought prices should be high enough to enable distributors to make a profit; he did not believe in doing inferior work. A prospective member asks if this 16 2-3 per cent, is to go to the advertisers of patent medicines, etc. If they are to make a con- tract and then have a rake-off. President: The men who are doing the ad- vertising would certainly not ask anything of that kind. Mr. Tirrill: I would make an amendment; that is, that this commission be allowed to members of this association. Motion duly seconded, put to the vote of the house. Division called for. President: All those who favor the amend- ment to the original motion, tbat this 16 2-3 per cent, be allowed to members of tbis as- sociation only, will rise. Forty in favor: 21 object. President: The motion, with amendments as now passed, is that "With persons who are- not members of this association; you ~canr ~ make any contract you choose. I don't.care- to make any remarks. I have always been a friend to a commission; I don't think I care to go out and labor and come in in the even- ing and give all the work I bave secured to my neighbors; but when I have secured a contract for thirty million: circulars to- be placed before the people in the United States, and divide this contract out, I should have my per cent.: it is my capital, my business. The question of electing honorary members to the association was fully discussed, Mr. Steinbrenner stating that he had a friend, an old gentleman, an old distributor, whom he would like to propose as an honorary mem- ber, that it would be a great pleasure to him to become an honorary member of the asso- ciation—Mr. Fisher, of Omaha, Neb. Mr. Carleton: Mr. President, as I have the . franchise for that city, I take pleasure In presenting the name of Mr. Fisher as an hon- orary member of this association. Mr. Hill: Mr. President. There is no way we can bring Mr. Fisher in as a member, or an honorary member, of this association, un- less we change the constitution. Section 2, under Article III., reads as follows: "No person shall become a member of this asso- ciation who does not do, or have done under his direction, circular or sample distributing, or print, solicit or own advertising matter for distribution. No person shall become a member of this organization unless he be a "bona fide" distributor." Mr. Steinbrenner: I simply brought his name before the meeting. I have nothing further to say. President: As there Is no provision in the constitution and by-laws, it might establish a bad precedent. Mr. Curran: As there is nothing before the house, we all want to know where we are going to meet next year. I extend you an In- vitation to meet at Denver. I assure you If you meet there you will see sights you have never seen before. Prsident: We will consider that invitation. I' 1 1