The billboard (July-Dec 1898)

12 THE BILLBOARD J. H. SIMPSON, Business Manager of the Firm of Owens & Varney, of San Fra-cisco, And the Pacific Coast Billposters'Association And Vice-President of The Associated BiOpcsters of tbe United Sta'es and Canada. It Is seldom, indeed, that a man has been honored by the Associated Bill Posters as has J. H. Simpson, whose portrait we present on another page. Mr. Simpson is not an owner nor an employing bill poster. He is the busi- ness manager of Owens & Varney. of San Francisco. Yet the Associated BUI Posters elected him their Vice President, thereby ov- erturning a]] the precedents and traditions or their organization. What is more remark- able is the fact that he was elected at the first meeting he ever attended, and that, too, unanimously. Mr. Simpson was born in San Francisco Jan. 23, 1856, and is therefore now in his for- ty-third year. He graduated from the Spring Valley Gram- mar School in 1871. Mr. Simpson learned the printers' trade in early life in the office of the San Francisco . Bulletin, where for over ten years he was foreman of their composing room. He also served upon the paper In the capacity of local reporter and finally as advertising solic- itor. He entered the employ of Mr. L. D. Owens, : (now Owens & Varney), in August, -1893. Pre- viously he had been with the California Ad- Signs Co., from its organization until it was succeeded by Owens & Varney. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, I. O. O. F., for the years 1894 and 1895, and is a member of Argonaut Coun- cil, No. 597, Royal Arcanum, of San Fran- cisco. A Pioneer. On me occasion of a recent visit to Indian- apolis the writer-had the pleasure of meeting and Interviewing A.. S- Burt, probably one of the oldest American clicus agents now liv- ing. It was through the kind offices of Mr. Al Ringling. of the famous Ringling Brothers Show, that the meeting was brought about. Mr. Burt, who is now living in easy afflu- ence at 838 English avenue, Indianapolis, goes back to the days of Yankee Robinson's beginning, and bis reminiscences are highfy interesting indeed. He claims, among other things, that he was the first person to build a bill board for the accommodation of stand work. Also that he was the first person to use paste in posting paper. Up to that time, he says, it was tacked up with paper tacks. When they first used paste, Mr. Burt says, they used to layV the sheet face down and apply the paste to the back, after the manner •f paper bangers. This innovation was in- troduced about 184S. Mr. James A. Bailey, now owner of the Barnum and Bailey Shows, posted bills under Mr. Burt's supervision, and the latter was instrumental in getting him his first posi- tion as an agent. Mr. Burt avers that Yankee Robinson was the first American showman to put out a really imposing parade, and also that John Robinson I. was the first to use the ring bank of turf as we see it to-day. It was down In Georgia that happened, just before the war. In those days they used to carry box curbs for the rings, and those with the Robinson Show were'swept away from a -wagon overturned at a ford. In this dilemma Uncle John Robinson threw up the ring bank of earth, which' has endured ever since. We hope to present a photograph of Mr. Burt in a future issue, to- gether with more of his earlier experiences. An Earnest Protest Entered. State Editorial Association Opposes Illegal Advertising by Street Cars and Manhattan Ekvit:d Railway Ccmpany. At the last meeting of the Editorial Asso- ciation of the State of New York, the follow- ing resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the President of this asso- ciation appoint a committee of five, of which the President and Secretary shall be mem- bers, to confer at their earliest convenience ■ with the Governor and with any other consti- tuted authorities that may be deemed neces- sary regarding the action that can and should be taken to put an end to the illegal and unwarranted use of street and other cars for advertising purposes." The President appointed as such committee John A. Sleicher, of Leslie's Weekly; Thomas P. Peters, of the Brooklyn Times, and W. J. Cline, of the Amsterdam Democrat. Our readers will be interested to know what one of the most popular metropolitan journals has to say on the subject. The following is from the editorial page of Frank Leslie's Weekly: "At the recent gathering of the State Edi- torial Association of New York, an earnest protest was entered against the further tol- eration of street-car and elevated-railroad ad- vertising. It is the belief of the editors that the charters of street car lines were granted for public purposes, and that under these charters the surface and elevated lines have no more right to engage in advertising busi- ness than they have to engage in the dry goods, the grocery, or any other line of trade. In this connection it is interesting to observe that Attorney General Hancock, of this State, was recently asked to revoke the charter of the Manhattan Elevated Railroad Company, of New York City, because it is engaged in the advertising business, in violation of its charter. This suit was of the utmost im- portance to the newspapers throughout the country, and it was unfortunate that it was decided, not on its. merits, but on a techni- cality. The diversion of advertising from the legitimate channels of the newspapers and magazines to the street car lines has become a serious matter within recent years, and the newspapers have not taken up the question a moment too soon for their own best interests. Every dollar diverted to street car lines in this way is a dollar taken from the regular advertising publications of the country. It is estimated that during the past year more than $2,000,000 of legitimate advertising was thus turned away from the daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and other publica- tions, into the coffers of street car lines and their allies, although the charter of the street car- companies never contemplated, and, in fact, forbid the pursuit of any other business than that of carrying freight and passen- gers." The Neu-rot-ico Medicine Co., of Hornells- ville, N. Y., is taking an active part in the campaign against street railway advertising. At Rochester, N. Y., the telephone and tele- graph companies have been prohibited from utilizing their poles for advertising purposes, on the ground that they were not chartered for that purpose. But then, neither is a news- paper or magazine, for that matter. Billposters' Notes. One fact regarding the circulation of "The Billboard" should be borne in mind by all bill posters who have opposition, viz.: every ■ circus agent and theatrical manager in the United States reads it regularly. They have learned to rely upon the accuracy of our ."air list and convention dates, which have proved to be a wonderful source of convenience to them In routing and hooking. It is well to keep your town and name be- fore them. It will pay. Many a theatrical company will do extra billing on your boards * under certain circumstances, if given the chance, and that, too, even when the theater isyour opposition. The Donaldson Lithograph Company, of Cincinnati, sells its posters for retailers en- tirely through bill posters wherever pos.ible. They appoint the local bill poster their so"e agent, and pay him a commission on all or- ders received through Ms agency. John T. Williams, of Portland. Ore., knows Oregon and Washington thoroughly. Many advertisers turn all their paper for these two States over to Mm, and he in turn sends it to the local bill posters, with all of whom he is intimately acquainted. ,, Ha "Y J - Boswrll, No. 195 Main street. ' Memphis, Tenn., writes advertisements for bill posters and distributors. He also com- piles location lists and writes up good effect circulars. G : !J; Ottipg & Son, the enterprising New- p ,°. rt . y^-) bul Posters, have erected a beau- tiful board at Third street and Washing.on avenue. Three car lines pass it. ..■/.• H - P* y . & Co - of Cincinnati, who make bill posters paste machines, report business very gcod. The Elder & Jenks brush is quite a favorite among a large number of the craft. The John Chapman Company, of Cincin- nati have an exceptionally fine line of bill j2 rd .^ a ? d tBeir s '8n bulletins are by long odds the best located In the Queen City. Hennegan & Co.. the Cincinnati printers, have a large and lucrative trade among bill There Is nothing that improves a bill board like a neat sign over it bearing the owner's name and address. F. E. Marsland, 190 West Broadway, New York, makes them of enam- eled iron about as cheaply as the ordinary painted wood affairs can be had. It will pay bill posters to write and obtain his prices: J^E- Franklin wan 's to buy a good. well- established bill posting plant in a%ood-stzed eago HI dress is 3i6 Wab ash avenue, Chl- We were misinformed regarding the pres- ence of Mr. C. B. Woodward, of Fort WaVne. ¥;'* t , ,l » International Bill Posting As- w .!? n % '""entron »t Chicago. He did not attend for the very good and sufficient He «'L th ? t & MS El< * '» bed *" th"e tirne! "rSrte that he ,s not a mem - AT OMAHA. The old claim of James B. Boyd against Thomas Mulvihill for the S10.COO rent due from his brother. Thomas F. Boyd, for Boyd'sTheeter from June 1. 1894, until De- cember 10 of that year, has made its appear- ance again In the shape of a. suit in the dis- trict court to recover from Mulvihill that amount. According to the new complaint. Mulvihill ruaranteed the payment of the $18,0 0 annual rental from September 1. 1891. until Septem- ber 1. 1896. indorsing an agreement to that eff _t between the Boyd brothers under which the theater was leased. It Is alleged that the rent for the time between June 1 and December 10. 1894. on which latter date Thomas F. Boyd's occupancy ceased, has never been paid. The defense which ha-'t lwn raised in the pa«t has been that Mulvi- hill. who Is now in confinement as an Inane person, was not in his right mind at the time he signed the guaranty. The Crelghton Theater foreclosure cise - came up before Judge Powell August 1 for final hearing. Monk Vice Lowden. At the last moment pressing buslnesss en- gagements rendered it impossible for Mr. W. B. Lowden. the popular manager of Har- ry Munson's New York plant, to go to Dub- lin. Ireland, as American ambassador to th9 convention of British bill posters. On Au- gust 2 he wired us. withdrawing in favor of Isaac Monk, who polled the vote next highest cm the list. Mr. Monk had only two days' time to whip his affairs into shape to get away, but by a big hustle he managed to do it. and sailed August 6 on the Anchor Line steamship Anchoria. Answers to Correspondents. THE SIZE OF A ONE-SHEET, or. as it is usually termed, a whole-sheet, is 28x43, stand- ard. A sheet 42x33 would be termed a two- sheet, and should be charged for accordingly. H. G. WILSHIRE'S ADDRESS, that is to say, his permanent address, is Los Angeles, Cal. He may be addressed for the next few months, however, in care of Wells-Fargo's Bank. 63 Broadway, New York. THE SCALE OF PRICES of the Associated - Bill Posters is as follows, viz.: Cities of 1.0C0 to 2,000, 4 cents per sheet for four weeks. Cities of 2,000 to 6.000. 5 cents per week for four weeks. Cities of 5,000 to 10,000, 6 cents per sheet for four weeks. Cities of 10.000 to 50,000, 7 cents per sheet for four weeks. Cities of 50.000 to 100,000, 9 cents per sheet for four weeks. Cities of 100,000 to 500,000, 3 cents per sheet per week. Cities of 500,000 to 2,000,000, ZM cents per sheet per week. Cities over 2,000,000, 4 cents per sheet per week. One week's listed service in all cities of 100.000 to 500,000. 4 cents per sheet; in cites - of 500,000 or over. 5 cents per sheet On all straight three months' contracts. 5 per cent, discount: on all straight six months' cortracts. 10 per cent, discount. All "cbance-may-offer" porting to be done at 3 cents to 4 cents per sheet. All other prices to remain unchanged. TO GET WORK, no set rule can be given. Get your name and your town before the agents and advertisers, and keep It there. A small ad. in "The Billboard." carried the year round will help you. as will alfo the ability and will to give good service to a customer after you have secured him. , Subscribe for "The Billboard.' for twelve months. One dollar "The Billboard" In writing to ad- The Truth. In advertising, tell the truth. Not the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but it is well to remember that suc- cessful advertising must be based upon facts, but they must be presented in a different way each time; they must be told brightly, at- tractively, magnetically. The facts of a busi- ness are always there—if the business is*- but what is not always there is the ability to serve them in a palatable form. Everything capable of advertising has this basis of good advertising—the facts. All else depends upon the medium and manner in which they are presented to the public. In choosing a me- dium, avoid complexity, and remember ever that there is none more simnle. direct and economical than the four methods advocated by this journal, viz.: Bill posting, sign paint- ing, distributing and exhibiting. Mention vertisers. *£S^ I 5? bteo n'* boards are full to over- cover B Rlnrf?„I *■' e ?° U £ h Paper on nand to the7atfer 8 wa?d?a r r * b ° Wl " S tbe n,0ment D«,iL tb f. S eWB ail th e time: that is "The Billboard's" policy. If you do not want to £2°«„ What is I 0 *?* on ln the realmfof bl» paler"*' y ° U had beMer read some otbeV n ^ ny .i. bl "i. poeter 2 r any solictor. It matters SfriiJL ^.. It; "? ay *"• can «<*»"*!«e in "The £ "board" «t any time. We indorse and support the Associated Bill Posters. We be- lieve that the association has accomplished mu«h very much, for the bilr posters ot £ m ?. r! . ca ' but we are not soing to refuse ad- vertising from unattached bill posters until the members of the A. B. P. do Ilkew'se wSLS" wl", refuse to post a» otileTC S^t° s .. b ? cause tne An >erlcan Tobacco Com- pany if using a few of their boards: when they will refuse to bill independent theatrical ,r°, mpa ?i es at tj" dictation of the theatrical trust, then, and not till then, will we refuse posters!" ad¥CTtlEln 8 !«>=» responsible bil! .r,I he E .i flrm °£ EarIy & Updegrave, known at T h .E„£ lood C i ty BUI Posting Company of rwS H n 'n. Pa " has b ««> dissolved, m" George H. Early retiring. The business will be continued by George E. Updegrave *h?™ e ? y , our ,boards lined up. Do not allow them to topple and twist. Keep them straight and orderly. A block and tackle, a sledge and a good stout stake will enable one mfn h5,rS w ?' 8b .f en "K tne most tumble-down board imaginable. After you have pulled It Into lino with the block an., tackle* secure H vJj'm'J e brac i ns '^ and you wl " experience very little trouble thereafter. .„ D L Ecarded ™?o fl "S tin is an excei:ent article wi-iiS,"; hand ; A b o ard ' a «d with tin i„„'L ? ?„ pap Sr ln rood condition twice as long as the ordinary board. f„ C °J cr « n , ot holes and cracks with tin and tacks. Make a practice of doing a little ot DrtLJ°to f31 day> and you **» °e su?- K£dL £ co^VlorT. ■ 00n y ° U W '" 8et your When the cracks and holes in a board are STtSiKi »' l . h n n m€t 5'' and . th€ boa, - d tapped! It takes a long, hard rain and a hlKh wind indeed to pull paper off. B 5.? u i Id « a " n ^ w . boards five sheets high. pteuOfu " VC " * n leD8th wl " soon be ™.° "V?t a i !ow ™*ged Posts to project above S°w r .h b0ard i Nothing Is more unsightly! %fZ V 16 ? off ' Qul f k! n •■ th e Port olwi- dom to keep your boards as neat la appear- ance as you possibly can. Do not give of- fense to the most fastidious. It payi. BULL. POSTERS WhoatevU>-t«-Date,. All Use*— THeAVMIams Typewriter Is a machine of the highest standard. Visible writing, simple and easy to learn —a child can operate it. Address EDWIN A. HARDIN CO. H: 519 Walnat Street, CINCINNATI, 0. Compliments are numerous regarding the Sterling Remedy Company. ■ Do not take "stock" in payment for serv- ices rendered.. Demand cash. Stock .may or may not be worth its face value, but there is no doubt about the value.of currency. J i £' OW»«W. ot Fltehtrorg. Mais., has sold his boards to C. S. Keith. The Waltham (Mass.) Bill Posting Compa- ny Is a new organization, of which the But- trick estate are the proprietors. It proposes to erect a lot of bill boards, and .boom tfinii generally It controls all of the Park.The- ater bia boards. The company has joined the Associated BUI Posters of the United States and Canada. The Sterling Remedy Company.claims that io.5.™ ™ e to ""J 6 *»* *-Iw« t many bl" M»mhLJ on ,,"f£ oun . t °> f "^ receiving . lists. Members of the A. B. P. must send lists promptly. Attention is directed to the to" £*.»? "^L"" 0 ?- • d 2£ te<1 »' the Buffalo meeting: "Resolved, That the member. ™r this ass^Iatlon be requeued to tSSS* "tot %J2f* tlo f* on a " oontraeu callngtor a „!5f1i"> nd Protected' time display, and mall w^rkwith?n th *^ n «?^*« ent . ,M:nd,n « *» ut ">" W ^l.i„ wUh 45. " iTee i 3) d^ya-after the date of w»h n &. The P ena 'ty tor failure to cSmpl, SLSrt^S"tlS!3 * * '^'t-reofTh, . w - H. Coburn bought T. H NeeW. boards at Great Falls, Mont. MaYch 9.• Anderson's wife got homesick. Insisted on returning to Sandusky, and hence he^a« vSnS»F2.ffi55- B / na * °°- ~ntrol/s.! Tannah outright. Jo Campos Is muaainc the business for him. Bernard wHtaTthat "tK^L^i.*? /eally creditable: He says' ,Ir .v° ne * t"?. 1 . 1 consider worthy of praise to T.f. t ^. e "' we "- ke Pt plants and systeVnatlo methods are at Ottawa. Toronto and Lon- don OnL At Halifax. N. S.. a city of consu- lt all" St X> J n ',n Ce v tb fi re U T. ,rtua " y no P' a -t Si. ™i.._JS? ln ' N : B - a c'ty of over 40,000. has miserable service, given by the theater management, which, claims to have a flrst- clasa plant The city of Quebec 1. no? much „£*£.. BUI RSft*™ jn Canada need an or- pnizatlon, with the.few. wko are.up to date. UZ m Z en ; to teach th em the Importance of SO 0 " 5 "5IT ,ce "> a wh »t can be done by hust- iuf J r « ey t" "" y tnere '» "o "t«e comme£ Dane?" 5 Tlf..^"" of . th . e duty on American twL" .I?' 1 ' ar «¥ n >ent U a very poor one. nrlnt?n»^™«I eraI J ar *eJ«thoa^pnln»;. and printing houses in Canada, and aH that is n,^S ry J! , .. hu,,t " n * «ollcltori to dak. com- Stat*!*" poctiDK "Popular as in the United H H . e .» r f. ^"i baa^dlssolved partnership with co a ;t^u C e•. T tne , ^ ^ us a ,nes.r ,,, I,,,nd ' Neb ' °"° 1.sMs F an^d I rnTra a ie e^fflBj^'Sffi" ternaTte?! "'" *** tt "^~ d mod " ! ^ a " Wllshlre ..„.,, „„i h ha .* , the necessary nerve and p.uck, and he is level-headed, too. Wllshlre's plan Is full of promlie. T™i : "i l t r f.'"i.i ldea ls b JT no mean8 Utop'an. .o-i^.L" b Jf' ""Wplneent and dailngT but -•, "X tbe 8ta ndard Oil and Sugar Trusts «« h blg t l , o e - r d.*? re """"ted. and the", .,™„ Fh™V a n^ re fc 0f Youdes 'United) In England shou.d no, have any effect on Wllshlre's different * * nd b,ck,n « "• entirely ,*T.. n " e .'" °,2 e strong feature about Wll- rhire s plan that bill poster* will do well tn Jh2v d . e 1 we "„ and that lithe very amaUrlik. least thrown', •,"""*«.'.• nothing'gXea.at least there will be nothing lost to the owner* If riven"™?. " e t"""""" big earnlnrT .nai succeed" Ch " Ce ' " • lmMt bound to wMt e UD SS y . ad . v ". , ! UB ' , ." nd benellts that will .Wr^.T. n n. t .?eXo.t f | U nnu°m t ^ ,r br. ° f W "- wSH?9 d «Y b "-»» -- y naHy. * **** from Cincinnati orlgl- THE BILLBOARD 13 t think your paper ls all right I thlr.k ev- ery distributor should take It, and I will do all I can for the sale of It Yours truly, Pontiac, Mich. I. J. BURGESS. Ardmore, ind. Ter. Editor ot "The Billboard:" If you will kindly pardon the effrontery of a denizon of tbe Wild West. I would like ts break ln and register a few kicks. I am not a chronic kicker by any means, and as long aa I get even a half showing, am willing to take a broad-minded view of matters and be patient. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and take what the Good Lord sends. I am ln receipt of an official communication from the Secretary of the International Bill Posting Association of Asses saying the books had been so badly kept that they didn't know Who was behind and who not ahead on dues, and.agreed to "wipe off the slate" up to a certain date; and uked us all to brace up and be good. Well, I might roast them up a turn or two on lack ot business management, but that is not It. I-want to "voice tbe senti- ments" of other isolated members in small towns who have helped "pay the fiddler," and still are not ln the dance. We have a kick coming at tbe exceeding regularity with which dues become payable and the extreme rarity with which we were favored with busi- ness through the Influence ot tbe association. I have been a member almost since Its organ-' Isatlon, and If I can trace a single dollar's worth of business obtained in any way, di- rectly or indirectly, to my being an asso- ciated member of tbe International Asses I don't know "where It was at." Consequent- ly, I quit. I felt that I was being played for a sucker, and got "sore." If they bad "sug- ared me up" a little occasionally, or I bad ever received any letters ot Inquiry from any of the offlclal solicitors I might have been played a while longer. I didn't, so I quit. I have one ot the best little plants In the Southwest, population considered. I have al- ways taken the best of care ot all work In- trusted to me. I. have conscientiously tried to redeem the hard name us little bill posters nave. I have In a measure succeeded, as far as Burnltt. Bill Poster. Ardmore. la con- cerned—but the little business I have built up and the good name I have, is in no way trace- ■ able to the membership ln tbe association. There's something the matter. If I pay dues. I expect of course lome benefit from tbe membership; as I have never received any, I grub. Some have told me that I was ln tbe wrong association. Perhaps; but I am afraid of a repetition, and' have not made up my mind to jump—out of the frying pan, perhaps. Into the Are. If* any "association readers can show me where I am wrong, would be pleased to hear from them. Very truly. W. B, BURNITT. Chicago, Aug. 20. 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" Dear Sir.—Inasmuch as some Incredulity has" been expressed that Los Angeles, a city of about 100,000. should have posted over 25.- 000 sheets ln June, as stated in one of my "Trust"' circulars, I venture to give some details: L. A. Theatre. 2,974; Orpheura Theatre, 2.125; Burbank Theatre. 1.308; local paper, commercial, 10.115; national paper, commer- cial. 11,387; total sheets posted, 27,969. This Is ln addition to our painted signs, of which we have about 8,000 running feet ten feet high on top of and over our bill boards. Faithfully, H. G. WILSHIRB. Mr. Wllshlre writes that while he originally contemplated embracing only the thirty-eight principal cities ot the United States in bis amalgamation, he now Intends to take iu ev- ery city, town and village In the country. He also Mates that R. C. Campbell, disgusted with the action of the Executive Committee, says he Is going to take up the combine, and push It to a finish. Editor of "The Billboard:" 1 send you this to see If you are always willing to publish the truth, when It en- lightens the world. There are eight towns along tit's line, of railway. They will average about 800 popula- tion. I claim this territory as a sign hang?r. painter and bill poster and circular distrib- utor. Large advertisers all over this country are" in tne bablt ot sending matter to local deal- era ln these towns to have It put up, and paying said dealers for so doing. They might Just aa well take their go!* coin and fire It Into the great Father of waters. These local dealers appropriate those nice frames and elegant lithographs to their own private use. I know plenty ot such Instances. In some cases a rustic kid. Irresponsible and grossly Ignorant, is started out tor a nickel, and Oils tbe bill. Work Is reported done. In large cities, where there are resident bill posters who depend upon that business for a living, and make a desperate effort to excel and get to the front and establish a reputation and a good business, you will find that tbey are people who may depended upon to send work to. The same can be aald of a resident circu- lar distributor, but when you quit the cities then you must. In order to secure good serv- ice, contract direct with the country bill poster, and he la equal to the city man In hti Held. You may send all the people after Mm you choose to Inspect his work; you wt:i find ft O. K. A* a representative of Fillmore County. Minnesota, I challenge the world to produce a better medium. Yours truly. D. OAQEN. Editor of "The Billboard:" Dear Sir—Having a little time to spare, I thought I would write and let you know how business la- In' Pontiac. It has been a little dull lately. I received a letter from Dr. W. S. Burktrart. and I expect a Job In a few day* from him. I finished a lob for Dr. C. I. Shoop a .'Ittle while ago. He came up to my price—12 per 1,000. It Is a distributor's fault If he gets •less. It la worth It We do double the work of the mall carriers, who get about ISO or 865 a month, and a good distributor should hold his price, and It the work ls done right they will earn It Editor of "The Billboard:" Dear Sir—You may wonder why I have not written before, but now I take pleasure in dropping you these few lines to let you know that I am still a bill poster and that "The Billboard" reaches me always on time, and I hope very soon to belong to the association. Was sorry that I could not attend the con- vention at Chicago. I think the official organ is a dandy, and just by being a subscriber to It has benefited me. Now, if the paper has been a benefit to me, I know that the asso- ciation will and does benefit every member. I am looking and hustling for a large fall and winter trade, so you may look for a few words from me once ln a while to let you know bow things are moving along. Yours truly, W. L. PIERCE. Kmlenton, Pa. Lee's Summit, Mo., August 10, 1898. Editor of 'The Billboard:" Dear Sir—Will you kindly inform me as to the standard size of a sheet of posting paper as used by bill posters? Would a *-heet 55 inches by 42 Inches be considered a two-sheet show? Respectfully, F. B. CAMPBELL. Editor's Note.—A one-sheet, sing'.e-sheet or whole sheet is 28 by 42 Inches. The sheet you mention, 42 by 55, ls a two-sheet New York. August 2. 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" I regret exceedingly to write you that, ow- ing to tbe present outlook, it will be impos- sible for me to represent the United Stales Bill Posters and Distributors at the Dublin convention. I assure you that this determination was arrived at after the most careful considera- tion: and, moreover, I am very much disap- pointed, which only expresses my feelings in the mildest form. It ls now the season of the year when I am extremely busy, making the lists and the contracts for the theaters for the comlr.g season of 1898-99: and. besides this. I have more applications for space from commercial advertisers for the fall and winter than ever before. I return herewith your check for the ex- ceedingly liberal amount you allowed me f r transportation and expenses, and I sincerely hope the party who represents the bill post- ers at Dublin will have a pleasant trip. I trust you will enjoy your pi opes, d West- ern trip, and request that you favor me with a call when you visit the East With bast wishes. I am always, yours sincerely, W. B. LOWDEN. Philadelphia. August 23. 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" In last issue some reference was made to prospective organization among painters. Although 1 have painted something like a half million feet during the past few years for the firms whoee names grace my letter head, I am not sure that I would be consid- ered properly among the painters; but, it an organization Is formed which, would have for its purpose the bettering of existing condi- tions as among contractors in the honoring of leases and locations, requirements of char- acter, sobriety and honesty among empl-y s. use of pure and good materials In all work, and strict adherence to terms of ccntiacts in this respect, and some other little matters in which painters, contractors and solicitors are jointly Interested, and In which they shcu!d merge their several Interests, for the uplift- ing and perpetuation of the sign system, then I should be pleased to take a hand in the work, and would consider It a matter or distinction to be known as a sign painter. The sole principle involved, and on which the success of this or any other organizatlcn de- pends, when it chief capital and power li s In "service rendered." is to take meas- ures which will result In making that service as nearly perfect as unity of honest purpose will permit. If Mr. Wllshlre's plan had pre- sented a basis of the "higher service." In- stead ot coercion, it might have worked Its way out In some shape, and the same prin- ciple will be found to apply all along the line. Respectfully, PLATO. Wallace. Idaho. July 26. 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" Gentlemen—Your esteemed favor of July 11 to hand some time since, acknowledging re- ceipt of $1 for one year's subscription to "The Billboard." I was tn hopes you would send me the July number, but as I did not have sense enough to Include that in my epis- tle, and as 1 do not suppose you employ a mind-reader, consequently up to date 1 have not received It. You ask If you are to-under- stand that I am the bill poster at Wallace, and that you haven't me on your list as such. Well, I am, and if you do not believe It. you can ask anybody who knows me. I have been acting In tbe capacity of bill poster since the 14th of March last, and latterly, thinking it would be a good scheme, 1 incorporated a firm known as tbe Coeno D'Alene Advertising Company, including Wardner, Mullan, Wal- lace, Manchester, Gem, Black Bear, Mace and Burke. Now, I presume if you read the almanacs, you are thoroughly conversant with the fact that the above towns are mining camps, em- ploying about 5.000 men. and whether I will make a success ot the business remains to be told. My Ideas |n regard to the subject may be nothing more substantial than a pipe dream, but. at any rate, I will'stay with It for a couple of years anyway, as that Is about tbe amount of time I would have wasted on a trip to the Klondike. You ask for newB Items ot Interest for your readers, but as I am a beginner, and have all to learn and notblng to teach, consequently could be of no assistance to you whatever. I have received several batches of paper, which I think I have given proper attention, and hope tn the near future to receive more. I would have answered your letter sooner, but I was very busy building boards, conse- quently waited until I bad time. I hope that I will do well, aa I Intend to give this line of business my strict attention, and also hope that "The Billboard" will assist me in learn- ing and Improving therein. I think I will close. Hoping to hear more from you, and assuring you that later I will give you an ad. for "The Billboard," I remain, Yours as long as the paste is good, ED. R. CARLTON. Licensed City Bill Poster, Wallace. Idaho. ( Editor's note.—Wallace seems to have a corner on breezy and brainy bill posters. By tbe way. Carlton, what became of Camp- bell?) San Francisco, Aug. 16, 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" We are pleased to be able to report that al- though we have not had much Eastern work to put out recently, business with us is good. Exceptionally so in the distributing and . painted sign departments. During last month we put out among other work, 50,000 book- lets for Swift's Specific Company, two large caseB of Melllns' Food samples, 9,000 cata- logues of our list of best residences in Saa Francisco, tor Goldberg, Bowen & Co.; 7,000 addressed- for Aetna Springs, and 12,000 in Oakland, Alameda and V-rkeley for Warner's Safe Cure; 67,000 for Great American Import- ing Tea Company: 20,000 circulars for the San Francisco & North Pacific Railway; 900 sam- ples to doctors for Hagee's Cod Liver Oil; 8,000 addressed for Prof. L. S. Dodge; 25,000 pieces for Blackwell's Durham Tobacco, to the soldiers and sailors of Camps Merritt and Barrett, the Presidio and Mare Island Navy Yard—in addition to the regular work of the California Jockey Club, Foxhall Market, Palne's Celery Compound, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills. Among recent orders executed, or In process of execution, in the painted sign department are Included 2,500 running feet, ten feet high, for Capadura Cigars; these cigars are also advertised in the street cars, and we have on the boards this month 200 sixteen-sheet stands. Their advertising has been very suc- cessful. In spite of the fact that the price to retailers is a little more than other brands of five-cent cigars, the sales are reported to have been very large, indeed. We have also put out 1,000 running feet for La Belle Creole Cigar, 200 feet for Grand Mas- ter Cigar, 750 running feet Arabian Nights Cigar. 400 feet for Tesla Coal Co., 1,400 run- ning feet for Ghirardelli Cocoa. The Ghtrard- elli Company is a persistent and heavy adver- tiser, and about controls the Pacific Coast market for chocolate and cocoa. We are also painting 1,430 feet for the Cen- temeri Gloves. These people began to do out- door advertising in a small way about a year ago. using a few posters and painted signs and one or two lines of street cars. They re- ported a tremendous increase in their sales for the past year, amounting to something over 100 per cent. They have just signed with us a large contract for sign and street car ad- vertising. The sign bears a picture of a pair ot lady's gloved hands, and are simply let- tered in white on a black ground. They are very striking. It has been said by a great many of our visitors from tbe Bast that San Francisco is a large lumber yard. This because of tbe 50,000 odd of running feet of bill boards with signs on the upper tiers. Notwithstanding this, we are still putting up new fences. Among others just erected is one of fifty-five feet frontage on Market street, within two blocks of the ferries, and one of eighty-five feet frontage on the corner of Third and Stevenson streets, just back of the new Claus Spreckles Building. These are temporary fences. In front of buildings in course of con- struction, but are both down town. Besides these, we have also erected permanent fences on the following locations: Corner of Page and Devlsadero. 225 feet; street cars are operated on both streets and the two lines transfer at the corner. O'Parrell and Devisadero streets, 70 feet; south-bound O'Farrell street cars turn into Devisadero street at this corner. Kentucky and Eighteenth streets. 190 feet; this board is almost directly opposite the corner where the Sixteenth and Fillmore street cars transfer to the Kentucky street line, and is within a short distance of the Union Iron Works, where from 2.000 to 3.000 men are continually employed building cruis- ers and battle ships like the famous Oregon. Howard and Eighth streets, 450 feet; the Howard street cars are operated on one side and on Eighth street is being built an elec- tric street railway. This location Is within two blocks of the down-town baseball grounds on one side, and the new City Hall on the other. Fourteenth and Mission streets, 400 feet; this board surrounds the lot on which is being built the new S. P. R. R. hospital. The Mis- sion street cars and the San Mateo electric line pass on the respective sides, and trans- fer at this corner. T. V. Maxwell, whom you mentioned in last months' number as having been arrested for erecting a fence over a fire wall of a one- storv building, was convicted in the Police Court. The Judge imposed a nominal fine and the case was appealed to the Superior Court, where it is still pending. Should it be decided ln favor of Mr. Maxwell, who had a permit from the Board of Supervisors, we will continue the painting on the fence. It is on Market street, running back to City Hall Av- enue, upon which fronts the new City Hall. It is needless to say it will form a very attract- ive feature of the neighborhood when the various signs are all completed. Besides the 200 sixteen-sheet Capadura noted above, we have on our boards 1.500 Bheets for various cigars for Seldenberg & Co.: 1.000 sheets for the S. F. & N. P. R. R., 1,500 sheets for the Great American Tea Co.. 250 eight-sheets for General Arthur Cigars, 30 twenty-eight-sheets Battle of Manila; 20 twenty-four sheets painted stands for Ar- mour's Pork and Beans: 150 eight-sheets, Lil- lian Russell; also, 500 two-sheets. Lillian Russell: 50 eight-sheets Mastiff; 100 eight- sheets Arabian Roast Coffee; 75 twelve-sheets for J. Noonan; 75 four-sheets wall paper for G. W. Clark Co.. 100 eight-sheets Van Vroom Dental Parlors. 75 eight-sheets J. T. Sullivan shoe posters. 70 twenty-four-sheets for Rambler ' Bicycles, 65 twenty-four-sheets Aetna Springs. We have done a very good business this season in painted stand work, a sample ot which we showed you at the recent session of the Associated Bill Posters' Association at Buffalo. Many of the large society picnics favor this class of work, as do a number of ■ local advertisers, who like to have posters of a different design each month. We really be- lieve our facilities for doing mis class of work are greater than that of any other con- cern in the United States. This sounds big we know, but we have devoted to this work most of the upper story of the Yosemite Pan- orama Building. This floor gives us a clear space close on to 13,000 square feet Upon it we have erected eight galleries eighty feet long., so we have room to handle at one Ume 60 twenty-four-sheet stands. The painters work off trolley cars. The walls of the room are thirty feet high at the sides, and from the side wall springs an immense truss roof in which are set large skylights, all the way around. ^So you see we have plenty of room, plenty of light and fresh air. ' ln other parts of the building are located our carpenter shop, bill room, which contains the paste machine and engine; also the paste tank, holding 1,000 gallons; stock room, sta- ble; a department set apart for the use of the street car advertising service; distributing room; general offices and the private offices of the members of the firm. This building is located at the corner of Market and Tenth streets, and runs back to Stevenson street Yours truly. OWENS & VARNEY. Per J . H. Simpson. ™<. _. ..™.^ N U es '^ Mlcn - August 15, 1898. Editor of "The BlLboard:" As I have never sent you any report of what I was doing In the bill posting line I thought I would write you what I was en- gaged on at present I distributed a good quantity of samples and other advertising matter last •month, and business has been pretty fair. I received seven twenty-sheets from R. C. Campbell, of Chicago, for the Chicago Rec- ord, which makes the third lot I have had .l on V,i h , em - i. have also done a good deal for the Chicago Times-Herald. Have posted 50 one-sheets for the United States Accident Association. 50 one-shejt* for the Michigan Mercantile Collecting Agen- cy, 50 one-sheets for K. O. T. M. Picnic 53 one-sheets and 500 quarter-sheets for Michi- gan Central Railroad, 50 one-sheets and 500 quarter-sheets for the great-Niagara Falls excursion to be given August 4. We have had Mat Wlxom's Dog and Pony Show, Sipe and Blake's Dog an* Pony Show, J. H. LaPearl's Circus and the advertising car for Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show la In the city. Te LaPearl Show posted about 1,000 sheets in the city and three country routes- gave a good parade and good entertainment I distributed 2.500 books for tbe Boston Medical Institute, of Chicago, in Nles. Buchanan. Berrien Springs and Eau Claire We have made 50 new one-sheet boaids for the opera house. - . With best wishes, I am. very truly yours • " W . H. SERVISS. _. „ Wichita, Kan., August 18, 1S98. The Editor of "The Billboard:" I have been looking through the files of your paper, and find' an editorial in the April (1897) Issue that partly covers the question, which is this: Is there any deel- . slon of a high court that can be made to cover the question of license? We own all the boards in this town, and pay rent for the ground on which they are. The city now comes and says we must pay 150 a. year for - the privilege of using our own property. Any outsider, or any one In fact, can come and put up all the posters they wish, for themselves and not pay a cent If we put them up we must pay *50. We have refused to pay the license, and I am now under sev- eral hundred dollars -bond to appear at the next term of the district court They arrest me every time I send the men out to post It is inconvenient an monotonous. We In- tend to test the case ln the highest court, and I wish to get all. the information I can on the point I believe that it will not stand on account of being excessive. Again, the statute says the city may license any or all trades and occupations carried en ln Its limits-. I cannot see the justice of this. Why one should be singled out and others not I find the greatest variance in the amount of license—from 81 to 8300. I sent out 159 postal cards. Got over 100 answers, but have not found what I want yet. so appeal to you. There Is no general license for all businesses, but a few are taxed, among them "BUI post- ing, 825 for six months." Yours truly. E. L. MARTLING. Editor's Note.—There Is no decision of a high court on record. Municipalities have power to levy occupation taxes, and a bill poster's license comes under that head. It Is a very difficult matter to determine what constitutes "excessive." as most bill posters In the past have regarded licenses as pro tective. and have rather preferred a pretty stiff figure. The best remedy will be found In an appeal to the municipal legislative body. A statement of fact presented by some one ot influence should effect a rem- edy. Beatrice. Neb.. August 18, 1898. Editor of "The Billboard:" I noticed ln your valuable paper last month that Mr. Littleton, from a little town, had been quite severe on me. I shall not take offense at the matter; only consider who sent It We are doing a rushing business in Ne-. braska. We have 10 eight-sheets posted fori Mennen's Baby Powder. 10 eight-sheets fori Beeman's Pepsin Gum. 15 eight-sheet prsters 1 and 100 one-sheets for the Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Company. 100 one-sheets for Rosen- thal's Bill Dugan's Cigars, 15 eight-sheet posters for Excelsior Spring Water. 100 one- sheets for Freeman's Reliable Hat. 254 signs tacked for Battle Ax Tobacco. 10J slg-a tacked for Parrot's Cigars. 3.000 bills 'distrib- uted for the Cudahy Packing Company, of Omaha. I also have contracts for distributing Lydla E. Pinkham's books ln September and Dr. Miles Medical Company pamphlets, besides samples for Dr. Burkhart This work has been done so far since the first of August Yours truly. THE J. H. MARTIN COMPANY. - I s 1 1