Billboard advertising (July-Dec 1900)

Record Details:

Something wrong or inaccurate about this page? Let us Know!

Thanks for helping us continually improve the quality of the Lantern search engine for all of our users! We have millions of scanned pages, so user reports are incredibly helpful for us to identify places where we can improve and update the metadata.

Please describe the issue below, and click "Submit" to send your comments to our team! If you'd prefer, you can also send us an email to mhdl@commarts.wisc.edu with your comments.




We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.

Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.

^ Rill Poster** f m D Department, m I The Annual Meeting. THE BILLBOARD ; Officers of the Associated BUI Posters, ' elected at the Atlantic City convention for the ensuing year, are as follows: - President, Charles F. Bryan Cleveland O. Vice President, Barney Link, Brooklyn, E jj v '» 1 Secretary. Charles Bernard, Savannah, Ga. f Treasurer, A. B. Beall; Sioux City, la. l J An attempt was made to have the directors ' of the organization elected by. popular vote. i but it proved a failure. The names of the •- members appointed by President Bryan to l< serve on tho executive committee are: O. J. ■'■ Gude. New York: Samuel i-ratt, New York: Si J. F. OMealia, Jersey City, N. J.; E. C. Don- I nelly, Boston, Mass.; K. C. Campbell, Chi- I cafco: L. H. Ramsey, Lexington. Ky.: Charles 1 F. Filbrick. Buffalo. N. Y.. with the presl- I dent and secretary as ex-officio members. San Francisco was selected for the next an- : nuol convention. About seventy-five members of the Asso- > c ! atcd Bill Posters were present when the 1 flrst session of the annual .convention was I called to order in the ballroom of the Hotel Dennis. Atlantic City, at 10:30 a. m., Tuesday, " July 10. The following offlcers were in at- • tendance: President James F. O'Mealia, of Jersey City. N. J.; Secretary Charles F. • Bryan, cf Cleveland, O., and Treasurer A. B. Beall, of Sioux City, la. Among others that > responded to the roll-call were: O. J. Gude, , New York City: Samuel Pratt. New York ! City Edward C. Donnelly, Boston, Mass.; • Edward A. Stahlbrcdt, Rochester, -N.T.; R- i C Campbell. Chicago: James A. Curran. Den- 1 verj George M.. Leonard, Grand Rapids, ' Mich.; Sam. W. Hoke, New York City; W. W. \ Seeley. New York City; C S. Houghtaling, t New York City. F. E. Fitch. New York City: ! C C. Ames. Providence. R. I.: S. H. Robi- i son. Philadelphia; Charles F. Filbrick, Buf- 1 falo. N. Y.; Charles K. Hager, St. Louis, Mo.; T B B. Chapman, Cincinnati; Len* Owens. San i Francisco..Ca-; Farber Burbridge, Jackson- t ville Flo.: M. J. Dooley, Atlanta, Ga.; Chas. 1 Bernard. Savannah. Ga-: F..H. Powers, Ma- con. Ga.: Clarence B. Runey, of N. W. Ayer & Son, Philadelphia, Pa.; O. P. Fairchild, ' Covington, Ky.; John.Otting, Newport, Ky.; I Ay" A. Lbe. Hutchinson, Kan.; J. Garhck, ! New Orleans:-Fiske Bros., Worcester, Mass.; '• A E Hathaway. New Bedford, Mass.: R. i Conncrs. Gloucester. Mass.: J. T. West, Hav- ' erhiil, Mass.; G«rg3 H. Rife, Ba.tmore, Md.; ! H W Walker, Detroit, Mich.; F. C. Zehrung, •Lincoln. Neb.: George Castner, Syracuse, N. I Y - Thomas J. Murphy and Barney Link, I Brooklyn. N. Y.: W. "F. Gassier. Niagara ' Falls, N. Y.: W. J. McAllister and son, Troy, N Y • N A. Seymour, Mount Morris, N. Y.; i J A Wallace, OsWego, N. Y.: McElroy Bros., • Flushing, L. I.: W. L. Mildrum, Yonkers, ' N Y.; A. M. Cheesebro. Glens Falls, N; Y.; Paterson Bill Posting Co.. Paterson, N. J.; ' p J Smith, Lorain. O.; C. O. Miller. M.amJs- burg O.; George Chennell, Columbus, O.; J. G Reese. Scrantcn. Pa.; Henry F. Stahl- brodt Erie Pa.: John D. Mishler, Reading, Pa.; Chas. A. Oliver, Lebanon, Pa.; John E Mt-Mahon. Pawtucket, R- I.: John Hack- ' ett. Wconsccket. Ri I.; W. A- Sheetz. Nash- i vJle Tenn.: H. E. Stoops. Chattanooga, > Tenn- • Robert L. Anderson, Salt Lake City, ! Utah; W. S. Burton, Richmond, Va.; Con- i sclvo & Cheshire. Norfolk, Va.; Frank Fitz- i scrald. Milwaukee, Wis.; P. B. Habcr. Fond ' du Lac. Wis.; E. A. Hartman, Manitowoc. 1 wis - Hudson Bill Posting Co., Albuquerque, i N M.: J. W. Griffith. Greensboro, N. C; R. ! S Douglas, Birmingham, Ala.; J. D. Plum- mcr Asheville, N. C: J. H. Simpson and Joseph Sickles, of the O. J. Gude Co., New ; Ycrk: John H. Faga, Mauch Chunk, Pa. After President O'Mealia rapped the meet- ! ing to order, the. reports of the various offi- cers were read. The most important and com- nlcte renort submitted was that of the presi- ; dent, which is herewith subjoined in full: PRESIDENT'S REPORT. Atlantic City, N. J.. July 10, 1900. To the members of the Associated Bill Fost- ers cf the Dnited States and Canada- Greeting: Gentlemen:—It is my very great pleasure to present to you, for the third time, as presi- dent, my annual report. That I have been so signally honored by you in the past makes me grateful Indeed, and I can assure you the trust and confidence placed In me has not been abused. That the-honors have been ap- preciated, the reports, presented for your con- sideration will show. That my time and at- tention, without reserve, was given to the du- ties devolving. on, the president of so great an. organization as the Associated Bill Post- ers of the United States and Canada you are fully aware; the task has been, a laborious one but no detail has been shirked, and the duties heve all been performed to the best of my humble abiliUes r ,>nd the trust is handed back to you with: a-consctousness-of having e : ven my best efforts for the success of the association and its principles; mindful always cf the fact that the Interests of those who in- trusted to me this position was paramount to all others." v : - ^ . . . For the past three years I have labored faithfully to carry out what. I thought was M ; your intentions in placing the powers of this 'position in mj keeping; to. give my best thought to all' matters coming to my atten- tion' to the greatest good for the greatest number. " That I have erred to some things is undoubtedly so; but; if so, it has been an error of judgment, not of intent, and for all sucn errors I must ask your kind indulgence. That the past year has been a. successful one to our members is true; that our asso- ciation has been more of- a success than ever before Is also true. . That we are stronger and more powerful this-year than last year shows the great progress we, as an organization, have made, and'is due to the fact that the merits of our association, Is recognized by. the bill posters as the greaf and good parent that watches over and guides the.steps of its . children through, the thorny paths of busi- ness. Whatever ills are suffered by our mem- bers in a business way can he brought to our convention, and the remedy; Wise legislation,- can be applied. It rests'with you, each indi- vidual member, to bring your association to that standard of perfection which It is hoped to attain. In doing so, you must not fail to recognize the rights of the advertiser. You • must serve his interest well, for his interest is your interest. How hest can you do this? , By care*ul attention to your business, by con- scientious efforts to please your customers, by honest service, by 'giving what you con- , tract to give: by improving your plant, and by such fair and just' treatment to your cus- tomers as redound to your credit and to the lasting benefit of your association'. . During the past year our members have made an intelligent effort to place the bill posting business on a plane with all other methods of advertising, and your efforts have been to a very great degree successful. Con- " tinue these efforts, and you and your fellow- workers will reap the benefits of your well- defined principles. As a proof of the great strides made by this association, I need only to call your attention to the increase -of mem- bers during the past three years. In July, 1897. at Atlantic City, we had a membership of 104.- To-day we have a. membership of 240, and 16 State associations, with a total mem- bership of about 1,000. On the same date, we had an insignificant balance in the treasury and a large debt hanging over us. To-day the secretary's report will show a balance in the treasury amounting to about $2,200 and the association clear ef debt. Too much praise can not be bestowed upon; Mr. C. F. Bryan for the sensible business, methods introduced into the secretary's office, and for the intel- ligent manner in. which he has so faithfully performed the duties of secretary of this as- sociation. Credit is also due the board of di- rectcrs fcr their prompt and efficient attention to the affairs of the association in- attending meetings and giving their advice upon all oueetions submitted to them. The audit of the books of the secretary and treasurer will be presented to you to-day, and will make a creditable showing. ; _. Hundreds of letters have been received at this ofllce from members during the past year, asking for advice and information on various subjects relating to their business, and the same have always been cheerfully answered, and such information' and advice g.ven, to the best of my ability, and I hope to the benefit and enlightenment of those who sorght it. ■ . . The past'year has again demonstrated the wisdom of the dispensation law passed three years ago at Atlantic City, and the same has been taken advantage of by a number of members. In my annual report to the convention- at Buffalo in 1898, it was suggested that so- l'citcrs should be required to pay anual dues for the privilege they receive, but no action was taken at that time, nor at the Chicago meeting last year. A resolution was passed, however, covering this matter at a meeting cf the board held last October, whereby all newly appointed solicitors shall pay an initia- t'on fee of $100, and yearly dues in the sum cf $75. Also, that all solicitors how on our roll, not employing bill posters, shall pay yearly dues in- the sum of $75. ^bp secretaries of the State associations should be in closer touch with the secretary rf this association. You should pass resolu- tions at this meeting instructing State secre- taries to make full and complete reports to tlM> national secretary, giving list of mem- bers in each State, size and population of members' cities or towns. Keep your secre- tary posted on all new members elected, and informed on everything of interest which transpires in each State each month. The members of the State organizations, should - also keep in closer touch with their State .secretaries by correspondence and otherwise. There are many communications sent to the president and. secretary of this association wh ! ch. should be sent to the State officials, where they are usually sent by your president prd secretary. This would relieve your offl- c'als cf a great deal of work they now have, and which they should hot be burdened with. Many secretaries of State associations do not make the'reports now required of them by o"r by-laws until many months have elapsed' after a meeting of this association. This by- law should be strictly enforced. . Upon my election as president, three years ago, the payment of the annual dues was . apparently a dead letter, some-members ow- ing from two to four years' dues, and mem- bers paid, up or not.: as they saw fit. A se- vere letter was sent; out. and most of the members paid up and others were dropped from our rolls. We;were condemned for our act'on by many of the delinquents, but we have ever since insisted that to retain mem- bership in this organization, each member must payhls just share in order to be entitled to the benefits cf such membership, and. we s»re. happy to report that we have very few delinquents; and as a result-we have-thou- sands of dollars in our treasury. Another matter which gives us great satis- fact'on to report to you is on the Official Journal. You will recollect that when we took hold at Atlantic City, three years ago. the paper was owned by the association and was indebted to the Riverside Print in the sum of about $1,T00, and also indebted to our editor, Mr. Campbell, in the sum of about JoOO. The disposition made of this paper and its indebtedness is well known to jrou.-.Our aim was to relieve the association of this great burden. That we have accomplished this relief, and can report to-day that those to whom was entrusted the work of carrying on the paper and paying off this great debt have paid off every dollar, and the associa- tion is not' liable for one cent, makes it in- deed a pleasure to report to you and com- mend Mr. E. A. Stahlbrodt, former manager of the paper, for faithfully -carrying out agreement made with the association when —ihe Bill Poster" was sold by the associa- tion. Under new management the paper is run on new lines, and in such a manner as to prove a substantial benefit to the association, ana should be encouraged. 'Unquestionably the list of members, as printed in the July issue, will be of material ben-fit to the craft at large and induce many to become members of the association. To print these lists means a Very heavy expense. To distribute a sufficient number of copies among the advertisers to make these lists' really effective means much additional outlay. It is being done with the firm con- viction that the f b|ll Bbstefs will afrflreelate its usefulness and give to the paper the sup- port which wiit warrant the good work being continued permanently. The peculiar-situation of affairs in New York City ha* been thoroughly discussed by the board of directors, and considerable tittle was given to .the subject and the whole inat*- ter was finally turned over to a committee composed of'Messrs. Gude, Stahlbrodt and Campbell, and afterwards left to Messrs. Pratt and Gude for such adjustment of the matter'as they-deem for the best interests of the association. In the matter of prices there should not be the least chance for discussion. At the Buf- falo meeting the prices were set at from 4 cents per sheet for four weeks' showing in towns of from 1,000 to 2,000 population, to 4 cents per week in cities of over 2,000,000 popu- lation, with a discount of 5 per cent on all straight three months' contracts and 10 per cent discount on all straight six months' con- tracts. The'question has been asked, "What constitutes a 'straight three months' con- tract: " and my decision is, "a contract for a run of three consecutive monthB." There is nothing to prevent a member charging more than the prices made by the associa- tion, but he can not charge less. At the t'me the above prices were adopted, the price for "chance may offer" posting was 3 cents to 4 cents per sheet. This price was con- fusing, because it was neither one nor the other, though the object, when this price Was passed, was to' allow the smaller cities to charge the price which they could get, and ; to allow the larger cities to charge 4 cents per sheet. 'In order to avoid confusion, and as the higher price could be obtained in all - towns, for this kind of work, it was deemed advisable to make the price uniform, and the board of directors on Oct. 11, 1900, made the price a uniform'one of 4 cents per sheet for "chance'may offer" service. ; Heretofore, many complaints were made about members cutting prices; to-day, such complaints are few (although there are some) because the association has proved too good an educator, and the members know they have only to make a proper stand for our scale, which is rated on a fair remuneration for the service rendered, and obtain it. In my last report I called your attention to the situation in the Eastern States in which we had no State association. It is grat- -ifying to report the organization of the New England Association, comprising the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. This will work to the great benefit of the advertis- ers on the same lines as has the Southeastern States Association, which has done a great deal to overcome the repugnance of the ad- . vertiser who uses billboards in most of the ■ Southern States which had such a disreputa- ble bill posting service before the Southeast- ern Association was organized. Mr. O. J. Gude, who represented this asso- ciation at the meeting of the United Bill Posters of Great Britain- and Ireland, held at -Liverpool in August of last year, was re- * ceived In a very cordial manner and well entertained by our brothers across the sea, and your board of directors, in return for these courtesies, extended an invitation to our sister organization- to send a representative to this meeting, with assurances that he would be well received. We had the extreme pleas- ure of receiving fr^nr-and extending New Year's greetings to the ' president of the United Bill Posters of Great Britain and Ire- land. We believe a good, friendly feeling should be encouraged between the employing bill posters in America and the British Em- pire, as we deem it will in the near future be to our mutual advantage. - A person' alleging himself to be the pro- prietor of. a certain publication, has sued the . board of directors for $30,000 damages, which amount is probably more money than the -party above mentioned has or ever will see, -unless it is in some pipe dream. The publication in question claims to be published in the interest of bill posters, but in reality has done everything in its power to disrupt this association by advocating and fostering opposition to our members, and has pursued a course detrimental to the best in- terests of this organization,- It' has even gone so far as..to eontuaue to'publish an- ad- vertisement 6r one"ofsour official solicitors after he had ordered such advertisement dis- continued. ■"■' v.„' -;■'";'■ ;,;• r ' *.:-> The $30,000 claimed, are -. for three-fold the amount of ten thousand dollars, which latter amount he alleges -Is the damage caused^ by the board of directors in combining to prevent advertising in-this publication. The matter was turned over to Mayer and Glbert, the solicitors of the association, who have made answer to the complaint, and we will defeat this, attempt at cheap notoriety on the-part of one who has proved a Judas to his friends, and who, : ttom chagrin tod disappointment at not being able to use this association for his own ends, endeavored to revenge himself on people who have the wel- fare of the bill posting business at heart. - Last year there-was a controversy as to the franchise for Fon du Lac, Wisconsin: Ybu are all familiar with the matter. From the evidence in the case, your president believed Mr. P. B: Haber entitled to the franchise "then, and believes so still, and events which have since taken place in Wisconsin prove our judgment was correct. The board of di- rectors took the matter under consideration and at a meeting held prior to assembling cf convention at Chicago, decided to leave the matter for the convention to settle, The convention decided against Mr. Habcr and • seated his opponent, who owned but boarnj enough to bill his theater, and who pfoVcd his-qualifications (?) by shortly afterward folding his tent and leaving Fon du Lac to mourn? his loss in probably more ways than one. Mr. P". B. Haber was then elected to membership in the Wisconsin State Associa- tion, and at the recent annual meeting of that association was elected its president, thus proving us to be correct in the stand taken in this case, and he is now a member of the parent organization, and such a one as is and will be a credit to our membership. While our association is strong numerically, and has been a great aid to the bill posters throughout the country, yet our menibers seemed to feel that there was something lack- ing which was essential to success as a full and complete protection. A meeting to dis- cuss plans to perfect our organization in this respect was held In Chicago after adjourn- ment of our annual meeting. A plan was proposed for uniting forty of the largest cities into an organization composed solely of mem- bers of this association, and a committee was appointed to submit a proposition at a meet' . ing to be held at some future date. At a meet* ing of the representative cities held in New York City last Winter a proposition or plan of organisation was submitted by Mr. Thos. Murphy, of Brooklyn, which, with modifica- tions and amendments by those present, was incorporated into the Associated Bill Posters' Protective Company, and this plan you are all familiar with at this time, That this project is a good one and meets with general approval is proven by the manner in which our members have taken hold of the concern, as what was intended to be for forty cities is to-day composed of about seventy of the largest cities, and we have to-day in the city of New York what woe lobg needed by the bill posters—an office entirely their own and , devoted exclusively to the promotion and ad- vancement of the interests of the members of the Associated Bill Posters of the United States and Canada. With such a competent manager at the helm as Mr. F. E. Fitch, who was so long and favorably known as a mem- ber of the O. J. Gude Company, the success of the company is assured. If used only as a literary bureau to bring our business in a proper light before the advertising world, the office would more than repay the members for the money Invested. This matter will prob- ably be brought before you more fully dur- ing the meeting. Among the results thus far attained by the Protective Company can be mentioned one which is of vast importance in that it has been possible for us to elim- inate the opposition to our member at Roch- ester, N. Y. It is also proposed, and the mat- ter Is under advisement, at the request of our member in another city, to'endeavor to dispose of his opposition. A few complaints have been made as to bad service given by some of our members, who seem to forget we live in an age of progress, . and they can not seem to get over the old Idea that all they have to do to get an ad- vertiser's money is to belong to an associa- tion, have business cards, receive a man's pa- per and send him a bill. The sooner what is left in our business of that class of robbers iB effectually disposed of, the quicker will ad- vertisers realize we -will have none but hon- est men in .our association. Complaint was made by the Boston Medical Institute of Chicago that Earl G. Wheeler, our member for Amsterdam, N. Y., was dis- honest in his transactions with that firm, and evidence being presented to prove that fact, Mr. Earl G. Wheeler was dropped from mem- . bcrship,-aml the Boston Medical Institute was reimbursed by this association for expenses incurred. Complaint was made by one of our official solicitors, Mr. Sam. W. Hoke, as to the bad service given by our member at Council Bluffs, la., and proper proof having been given in this case, ho was dropped from the roll. Complaint was made regarding the bad service given by John Weir & Son, of Ne- ' braska City, Neb., and the secretary of the Tri-State Association was notified to instruct Weir & Son to put their plant in proper con- dition forthwith. Complaint was made by tho Old Colony Bill Posting Company against H. 11. Jennings, of Bridgeport, Conn., of not giving proper serv- ice. Our member at Bridgeport was notified according to law, and trial to be held on Monday, July 9, at Atlantic City, and report of action taken will be made to this conven- tion later on. Complaint was made against our member at Nashville, Tenn., and we gave him thirty days' time to put his plant in proper condi- tion, and in* the meantime another party made application for membership from that city. Mr. Leonard was appointed a committee to investigate the matter, and on his report the franchise was given to Mr. Sheets, who had rebuilt* his plant in accordance with instruc- . titihs from the board of directors. In a number .of Instances, complaints have been made by our members of advertisers and their agents who are dealing direct, seek- ing a commission on work so placed. Our i members thoroughly understand they can not allow such commissions, and they have no one to blame but themselves if they are pre- . vailed upon to give a rebate to any adver- " tlser, and they are liable to charges. During the past year a number of com- plaints" have been received from members havingi opposition in their towns of advcrtls- THE BlLLBOARfi .ers dealing with- the cpriosition. In all such cases we have taken'up the matter directly with tho advertiser, and when the subject was pr.operly explained, the advertiser, as a rule has always given the'.matter proper consid- eration, and has willingly given a satisfactory response. In only one case has the associa- tion been treated with contempt and abso- lutely ignored, and in that case word was sent to our. members all oyer.the country in- structing thein not to pest the paper. The following is one cf the most important cases brought to my notice, and will serve .as:an illustration, and explain my views and the stand I have taken in ail such cases. ■ o. ... *' P / H s8 J Reived from Mr. E. A. btahlurodt the following telegram: •t p rv M " t !? il< % r ' £■ Y - ADril 2 ' 8 - 19 W- J " Er.P.Mealia, President Associated Hill Posters, Washington street: Opera House is posting Old Virginia Che- roots at .Erie, Pa. . Call upon Continental .Tobacco Company for explanation. Wire me answer. EDWARD A. STAHLBRODT 9:40 a. m. Later, on same day, I received another tele- eram froni him informing me he meant the American Tobacco Company and not the Con- »;."£. Tobacco Company. Upon receipt of .fin n'T"' 5 - 1 wrote the following let- ter to tho American Tobacco Company, lud a copy of which was sent to Mr. Stahlbrodt. April 28 1900 American Tobacco Company, All Tobacco De- partment: vn?.l a n?J r 7^ e , llaV£ U Just been informed that ?n«, * - d ^TSinia Cheroots paper is being posted in Erie, Pa., on boards of opposition to-rnembcr cf our asscciation in that city We arc certain this must be an oversight on you? J" 1 .?-' •>«-»>">. I. do not believe itls your in- tcnticti to antagonize the members of this as- tanada; As there are .only about half a a " ZeU ,: ^L es - in - iKa whole country in Which - our members have. topphsitibii. We feci as- sured, it would hardly be profitable for any concern to use sueh opposition to the detri- , m ,1 n J £ t . our association members in such ?i{ ei : , b ^ au ff all pur members iii every other 111 the Unltea States and Canada would fcity" certainly stgiid for •theTntefest"cT any mem- ber being discriminated against by ft„ at] m^eV^ h a P r y0U WU1 toWecrthta error to. o fhfenl/ef ^t^»%*Z°*?*°S« tWs at aSciatl 0 b i f bly &fl u '" n4 <*«<*a' injury to sn^rw^h^ I i s" , s^ e ^i S - i 5-^ ?">** bacco Company was waiting to hear what I had to say regarding their position of cancel- ing Rochester, N. V., provided the associa- tion obliged them to cancel Erie, Pa This probably accounts.for your not hearing from 1 »"!: .} n . aVe witten' Mr. Mylius that he had better keep his fingers out-of the pie and • anew the association to settle the matter as it Eaw fit. Peter is. the last one you should have sent to his friends, for if you know him as well as I do, you would agree with me. I do not think that we should wait an answer from the Tobacco Company much longer, "and tnat you should favor me, as I originally-re- quested a call upon the Tobacco Company in person. I appreciate your position, that you will act if they do not come to time, and I hardly think that will be necessary and that they will ceme to time if you make the proper bluff; Thanking ybu for whatever interest you may take in this, inattef in mf behalf and awaiting your speedy action iii tfie mat- ter, I am, very, truly yours, • » . •. ' EDWARD A. STAHLBRODT, Mgf. ■Liic. ax. E. Ei I then called on Mr. Arents, of the Ameri- can Tobacco Company, at his office, and I then sent Mr. Stahlbrcdt the following tele- ■ gram: _ . _ Jersey City, May 4, 1900. E.A. Stahlbrcdt, Bill Poster, Rochester, N.Y.: Have made satisfactory arrangements with Tobacco- Company for Erie. Letter on the way. J. F. O'MEALIA, President. Following it with this letter: ,. Jersey City, May 4, 1900. Mr. E. A. Stahlbrodt, Rochester, N. V. Dear Sir—I called on Mr. Arents. of th6 American Tobacco Company, yesterday, and fcsd a .very satisfactory talk with him and ar- ranged the Erie affair in a manner which I am sure, will be satisfactory to you and'to tho Tobacco Company. Mf. Aleuts is a gen- tleman who desires to be fair and just, with a desire to use only association members. He is net responsible for the work given to op- position in Erie; it was done by a sub-agent, and as his agent had a Contract, would not break it, although every possible argument was used. I then endeavored to have him cut eft after first half of the time had exp'red rnd in -the meantime give Erie Bill Posting Company the same amount cf paper as given to the opposition. There were a number of propositions made on both sides, and we fr.^ *h<> *^t~"* ——--—»_«" ".■=> miner were Anally agreed that, as the American Tobacco Sat t w„uM h»^SS ?f.the association, and Company could act, with credit to themselves, thf* »„«?" ^5™„ s Ji s ! a i I L ed J L Eent . a c °Py <" tear h^i a V°K' anfl ln only one cas e this Zf^L e .J oeen ""successful in bringins »SS k a settIeme 1t in (avor of the association. nn=i„ ™* a fr c,at,on •w* 8 treated contempt^ r?,«n."2.* hC P a i> e r was barred off the boards cf association members. Such extreme-meas- ures should only be taken in extreme ™Ss? s d srteard e t n ad « enl f t - Sh0WS . a <Jispo?UioT?o 2;?- £ r the association entirely. In the case £• °w h I „ n £ W "V !«*<*«» you, Mr. G. Arente? if"* * wh «> has centrdl of the posting depart- ment of Old Virginia Cheroots, is "S bVlfew for ?h/? 0 ?' at,<m '. ana in no wi se responsible for the giving of the work in' Erie to an op- --fhaI ?? "'J' P °f er " Ho we.ver, he did not feel n»n^ e Ame r ca n Tobacco Company-could ™? rt-A re P u ? la - te a contract made by them . HIT a^oc'iatfot "^ ^ WaDted t0 M ™ e »=™£ ter 'aoorine with each other for a long th m ,?^ We c ameto^ the conclusion which wf thought would be fair to all parties namelv StlnfiTii *?* XV- b «ak contract w'itn opp^ sitiQfi id Efie they would, upon expiration or taFr ta °r2 fal1 ^ b £ 11 *"*- * ive o«r membeJ i2„ fi e . tlM! same ata 6unt of paper for-a three months' run and pay association rates? 1 ?deni d rf e ? h ? ! f a fair settlement, and as pres- i = D L£f £ ne . A - B ' p - 0( v - s - and Canada Th„ P A ted lt as sucn for tne association. • inilm B e , r !S l °,' T 1 ? bacco Company is spend- ^„h i f 1 a eaI o f money on the bill boards, ™, d riJ?5 lleVe SU, l n advertisers should be en- the 1 t rn h^ Cl,aE ^ 0ff tne °° ards - » h!> r»7; I"„ Co «- 5?* not shown a disposition to h«ff«TJ f t l ust ' J would certainly not have hesitated to have called off their paper from f^° a . rds ' b^having shown such a good feeling toward the association and a willing- ™f i° "J**'everything satisfactory, with- i~* ^ ultxtrme themselves, I could do no less than agree to this compromise, which I aTw^if e »« W « U be bene 5 cial to the association as well as to our member in Erie. In making m™?,!!: €em , ei li' X nad the b est interests of all members of the association' in mind, and I „? ££o re respectfully request your approval "'"yaot'ons, at your earliest convenience as Lm a i' P° slt ' vel y decline, under existing cir- cumstances, to "call off" all A. T So 'sran. E55& in the United States* or orae? C °Sr ^1S bfir i t0 refuse *° D0st American Tobacco paper. Yours respectfully J. F. O'MEALIA, President. Believing my actions in this matter disposition of the same, and report their OnH ings to this association. || "At every meeting of the board of directoB each d.rector shall make a written report I the president of all that has transpired in tf succrdinate assoc.ation be represents. -la it shall be the duty of the board of dirci' °nL^ PaS . S upon ?" the. reports coming froSl s c . rd b , e na fi , Lr ociations ' aDd their *S"4| i he expenses _ of each director shall be drf *3« Il ay 4re b ren t ,^' 8Ub0rdlnate associaU - whf| II — , if Ky The Protective Meeting. || If f! &'Y* s of the new Frotccti«f |M Friday afternoon. Sail wM -•hair, and, occording iJIHW * : ^ - — — 'ed along in a verv 'sv^l^^^, temat-c, smooth and satisfying manner iHI ?™ ^J*i»&» b a d.„been_subscribcj|ll A business meeting of the Company, was held Frida Pratt occupied the chair, reports, mutttrs moved along~i'n easiriess. O. P. rHkhSST^ Co'vi'n'Son 'jSf* mad t a straightforward, inquisitive; °De«lS SS" There 1 '!"" 100 Praise^aud somTs^Sto pr.se. There was no change in the officei-s till this concern and no additions to ito membcllw sh.p. Southwestern Bill Posters. A meeting cf the bill posters of OklahnmiliS-1 ^ ladia ° T fritorywas P called at 8k!ahonflB| l-.ty, O. 1., July 3, i 900 tor tb purnoBn^lfWJI \°S a SL Z i , l g JL n ; ass O'=iation, to be Jnljl™ Thsl Assccia«on a " d Indl ' aU Te " Uory BU1 »«£ 1( The following bill posters.responded to call IP R- Burnitt, Ardmore, I. T.; Oscar a n"| »homa City o T f W A. Northup, km^f er, o. T.: A. E. Bentlev ez™th~tJ; n r^:§ W. Oklahoma ?»n^ P" /i„ A i E - Bentley, Guthrie? 6?'t* SI Dulaney & Wadsworthi u -— " ~ - "If I O. T.; Div* and awaiting what favcrable reply, 1 am; we hope will be yours respectfully, J- F.-O'.MEALIA. Pres. the following letter from Mr. (Signed) I received Stahlbrcdt: Mr J F o°« h „ e r 6r ' £■ V:. A PriI 2S. 1B0O. N J^* * leaIla ' President, Jersey City, Dear Sir—I received your copy of the letter you wrote to the American Tobacco Company but have since teen waiting to hear as to lave Sl,l tseems t0 me that you shou d £?„.!? 5.> tbem a P ers onal visit in .to settle this matter before they order have too much t:me In which to ge? their paper posted York i£??V,V ,a n heiDS , mt Up all P ove P r Net A^„ b ?? te a i !d Pennsylvania, and probabiy cther cities, fcr all I know. This is™ very SlKSh 'r raa ^r.. especially at this fmc. and although 1 appreciate that your letter tn then. ton a? r rm*ll l i- wr,tt ^- st "' I bave'a.waVs and f? P | w-n e L' e .* e ? T per sonal solicitation, ami, reel well satisfied that if vou wpro. »o • ™«,.«Pon these people it would have ilTim- mea.ale.effect and satisfy them that the as- scc at:o.i v^as of some benefit to its mem! ^ f'i. ^'"S advi sed to-day by Henry F htahibrodt. Erie. Pa., that the American To- bacco Company's agent would never nay at sociation prices anywhere. I believe that"Ir you would personally advise these people of B 4 r tl!hf~'5h that taey wou,a ta ke some m?a, s •of settling! the matter in our favor. . Kindly let me hear from you as to what tho prospects are of not allowing this inaUer tS set beyond our reach, as their contracts are m«.T, i ?„ mado f A or tbrec months beginnfnl mostly from April 15. Very truly yours Die. .hTb"" 1 A - STA " LB RODT. Mgr. To which I replied as follows: ■ Mr E. A : Stahlbrodt. Rochester,"^ 'f^ near t>ir—\ours cf the 2Sth to liarirt 1.. !"Z y '.^' OUld Eay - th «t I call u up Prait im- mcd.atcly upon receipt of your tcle-rnm Pratt was out of town: will be back to-?aT IttSuZn^ £,. CO :.'J?.'»eoiate k ,y! 0 /„ a p } y c„lv fr'.n n Cnt } ' 0 . u ' an<1 have received no cply from them. Sent .Mylius to see the A - Co., and they laughed at him Am now waiting fcr I'-att to K et to hi<i have :t B S' k ? as "e would Ke P roLb^ ™.V , '", r ^.*. e: e l,t ,han .""yon.- else, on ac- «*oiint the. in them, cf his long business dealings with If no satisfaction is received from tl»- , .t, t -fJr"Ne J w 0, Vo , rk 0 Citr ,at Pra " ^ * fiS Will adviso you immediately, if I recelvn any word from them. Yours truly J. F. O'MEALIA, President. -break the contract given to the opposition bill poster in Erie, and wishing to show the'r geed win to the Associated Bill Pesters of the. united States and Canada, Mr. Arents agreed to this propositibn: That after the expiration cf three (3) months' contract now running on the opposition hoards in Erie, to duplicate said crder with our member at that place, the Erie Bill Posting Co., for a three months' run,-at association rates, and the opposition to receive no mere paper from the American Tobacco Company—which proposition I ac- cepted as the best solution cf the matter The A. T. Co. is posting over 5.000 cities and towns at the present time and in all places are using our members, excepting in Erie, where the sub-agent, fcr some reason, cut our member out. Having in mind when I called on Mr. Arents the best interests cf the asso- c aticn, as well as those of the Erie Bill Post- ing Ccmpany, I deemed it good policy, if I could net get the contract with the opposi- tion canceled, to make best possible compro- mise consistent with maintaining the dignity cf the association and its members and the d gnity cf the American Tobacco Ccmpany as an advertiser spending about $200,000 with our rcembers at this time. That I have succeeded so well is c-edltable to Mr. Arents and to the ; asscciation. I had Mr. Arents put the matter in the form cf a reply to my letter of April 23, a copy cf which is enclosed, and the same was ac- cepted by me, as president of the association as a settlement cf the whole matter, and I nm sure same will meet with your approval - lours very truly, (Signed) J. F. O'MEALIA, Pres. New York. May 3, 1900. Mr. .J F. O'Mealia. President The Associated Bill Pesters, Jersey City, N. J.: Dear Sir—In reply to yours of the 26th inst., regarding posting cf Erie, Pa., through party who was not a member of your association would state as we have made a contract for posting that town, and do not feel that it would be gocd business principles to break a contract, no matter how small, to which we bed «fflx S d our name, we are willing "to make tho.following proposition: ' While under the circumstances we can not rrriiij this contract. an£ from an advertising Ktandnoint it would be simply spending double the amount of money to obtain same rcF'-Its if we gave similar contract to your authorized, bill poster, we will agree upon completion of our present contract with Mr John L Gilson, that we will duplicate the samo with the Erie Bill Posting Company, pur present contract expires some time dur- ing July. Very resnectfully. All Tobacco Department. THE AMERICAN TOBACCO CO Die. C. A.. Jr Per °- Arents - J r., (Signed). ^ fh entire correspondence to each member of the board of directors, and my actions re- ceived the unanimous approval of all the ^,w»? XCe ?l ins ' CI *ourse, Mr. Stahlbrodt! Submitting these matters for your consid- ZVi??- «"£ askin S your indulgence a^deo- operation during what I hope will be a har- monious session, and one which will be of S^ ate , r , b ,1 nefit to tne organization, I am/verV respectfully. J. p. O'MEALIA, PreVd-nt . O. T, Chas. Egbert, Chandler, o. 1 ?| Kesterson, Cashion, O. T. fits rhe following sent in endorsements anllfl >vy votes: C. W. Hatfield, Waggont-? I tW n, D ^J^ n ewccd, I.' t.; Tto\kSffl ... -.... i«, Perrv ers & Taylor, Enid, ~ — " Kirk, ~ — — A. J. The provy Ira; ner, Blackwell, O. T. The convention was called to order by teinJ SoJS» y n Ch l i, ' man ', VV - H - Burnltt"™ theVS house, and organization proceeded as follow? Committee on order of business was appoint^! »^ C0 , ns l? tins cf A " E. BeuUey, Oscar V Nil I and J. H. Byers. After receiving renort JJ k committee convention proceeded to elect. oS f* StaJfc: W^' ISmSL*™'. ™ follows: PreS! LINK'S. PROPOSITIONS. .^n^f a T*- op , y . 01 the proposition introduced •y Barney Link for the purpose of having the r , ™„ tCr . ! L Cf th ? Associated Bill Postera elfcied I have since learned that the American To- bacco Company, upon receipt of my letter ? . C i" po " "r- Mylius, through whomthn J. American fobacccZcon'.pa^'wal'^muCIg o'.u ffimlKt C rr'?h?T Y °^, Ci 'y.a« d "'formed ». r r, Rcchester, N. Y., Mar T innn N J^" OMcaIia - President - y, °°' Dear Sir- the Amer eelved. Mylius, On May 5 I rscsived the following telegram: K. n.« "oebester. N. Y., May 5. 1900. ;r„. 1 bn'o P resldent Associated Asso- c ated Bill Posters. 257 Washington street: Letter received: surprised at your action- can not accept: repeat my request, either Erie Bill Posting Company docs the work now. or that you call off all associut'on contracts EDWARD A. STAHLBR.ODT. „„ 10:17 a.m. Office of President of Associated Billposters cf tinted Statej end Canada, 157 Washing- ton street, - " . ■ Jersey City. May 5, 1900. . Director: Dear Sir-The enclosed letter will explain this mat- the asso- ^e,, 5 that^thc Til niters -«?£Vt^tpX^MnM'S Jersey City, Mr. Mr—\our fnvcr ct April 30. recnrdihi. !.„?? ? r ~ The cnc losed letter will t merlcan Tobacco Com ,any matf"r re 1^ < M >'. roas ° n "'or submitting this . I also received n letter from Peter ein.i.?./ 0 ." .' S this: , As President.Sf the i, iu Which he suggests that" the To- nliV/i'il l h ? TO al »?ys- endeavored to fr^om 0 ?"!. 3 n. V f ° te .- " ^ et wita boss-antalonisin from the outset, and was finally withdrawn before any action could be taken- luuraw " Art^B°7 t Sf n rt£ j 3 ™, 61 " 1 oertain sections of ^i^™„ . ot ."Z? by-laws, relating to the ap- Fostlre erectors of the Associated Bill th^STw 7 ' Sec "°? i."«8 b«eby repealed and the J c "? w,n ,S substituted in place thereof: ,=Jf£ ; Cn ^^^ Board of Directors of this Kn? « a S ca sna ." be composed of the pres! dent and secretary of the association, ex-ot- ficio. and of sixteen (16) members, one from f a » h , S if l)0, : dinate sociation. to be elected to the following manner: a ,.h T ^V e . cretary , sha11 call the roll of the riV? I? 3 ! 8 ^sociations to alphabetical or- d S .1, S the name of each association is call- ed, the members and delegates from that as- sociation shall select one of their number for a director Kach member and delegate from JS . a i 5SO « lation sna " be entitled to vote fo? % J?\^ tion . ct such director, and a majority Cf_all the votes cast by the members and det- tS ™? J™."" SUC ? association shall be required to make the selection aforesaid. The secre- r*.7. Sh - n 'J receive the ballots from each- mem- l„ and de 'egate in open convention, and an- nounce the result. i„! rj!e .-'2 !l f ct,0 5 thus made s ball be required to ven^t fa D rge , : Cnnrmed by VOte ° f < ae «^ ^•»«]?J U i. d - now ever any subordinate asso- vi-fl, th 6 ™ presentEd by less than three >ctes, then the convention at large shall nom- inate and elect a director from luch subo?m- nate assoc.aticn. " * fh'i T £f d i r6 ^ to , r ^ thus elected shall constitute the board of directors of the Associated Bill Pcster S of the united States and Canada, and shall serve for the term of one year ' auu th- im ny vacan cy in the board should occur. th« onlce shall remain vacant until the next annual convention. as'foHows: 2 iS beTehy ame ndcd so as to read „™!!",T <Ilately u P° n tbe adjournment of the annual convention, the board of directors shall go into session and elect from the™ number a chairman and secretary - ,„™ eVCI1 (7) dir ectors shall constitute a quo- rum for any meeting of the board of direct- ^"Ppecial meetings of the board of directors S a t'L De „t Ca .!' Ca by the President .f the ass" c^at.on at the request of any four (4) direct- ."The board of directors shall have ireneni charge cf the affairs cf the astociaUon fn con- junction with the president and secretSy as foTlows: 1S hereby "mended so as to xead „ " n , sha " be the duty of the board of direct- ors to receive all grievances. Complaints ■ arising in any locality shall be referredTto the d rector representing the subordinate as- sociation n which said locality te situated A B E' lenti" N ° rtnru i > ' flrst vice pAsldentS, a. h.. Bentley; second vice president I iff Io»SV S r^ tary and Measure?' Osclr V. Ni5 j Board of DirEctors, W. R. Burnitt A. J wiSi A-"?* a c n u d n E i„ C h Tayl0 . r: assocfation attorney 4 Aj.p & Cunningham, of Guthrie, O T - travll e ing inspector, w. R. Bum tt; iss ktant Svil eljng inspector, S. B. Wadsworth; ?f coa E titu?£n n =^ en , appolnted committee oil Sley/osca^V "Six Ind W 'aTU?'- 41 Convention adopte^the^ow^ng'^TrP sh.p fees and quarterly dues: All charlel each C Tu ™ mit ^ d tb membership "at ^ WM r'wmV Dem Kf rs coming In after Suiyll S»' fee of B rSS^n 10 the . regular memberl cent., frr / ™- m - Quarterly dues to be -SS.i-iJSSLiH^!:- . payab >. in advan 10^'^^^^-SSSSS1 Blne *"' SUbfrc C H Notes. And now for Detroit. Tyner still has it in for Runey. " "' 1 £..?i? i ?. b . renncr is recovering from W rather severe illness. st"c e her! eaU & C °- haVe addcd anc tbcr wlrerj hr?S^ em , en - are beginning to take "The Bill- 1 beard in increasing numbers. t-«i the leading manufacturers of agricnl-*<i tural implements read -The Billboardf" ni Chili has recently advanced the duty onjj American posters to 60 per cent. ^ All bill posters read "The Billboard ' whether they are association members or net Of It is an easy trick to carry a bill noster- K °l "nt-ToSE CSPCc:alIy whcn ' l •» bcld'Tt At- I "The Billboard-' is the recognized oraan cf*I tistn^^rb^io^s 13 ^ " POSiti - 8 aad ^ d "er°- t 1 p/ny C . k cr^aV f atTe e nd C ed^e r Jffl^SS^ convention; at Atlantic City. Posters j \.^^1 are . one bundred and seven posterrd F. r i, nt€r t ,n America. Ninety-eight of them' subscribe for "The Billboardf" oTt^a^ PUSCy & St " Jobn ln "A r«» hiS . n k y ^ Specd y- the high diver, has just,, ma**. a rr ha h n ^ EOme ^ ne / r . on e-sbeet lithogranh' L m -e a | c /t?i S i^ 0n ?- erful T act - " is from theui p.ess cf the Donaldson Litho. Company. iP e , Cincinnati end of the> Poster Printers'— be^ JSHS? .^ orl ? "ke a charm. The mem-'- »r?h,1r ' tcsether in peace and unity andl kSortSS »° J ' n aidin 5. each other instead of knocking and backcapping. as formerly. John Mccre.. the globe trotting poster sales- TI fn 8 ,"^?" 1 in London. He 8k5u££2SL' * e»rp „, d ,S' n f^ s °P d business. His address is 1! I The direcfor may use his ow„ y jud£nent e fn JST* t L °,"- d0Dv B-Wtaid^ir^d.• htaTSl-«1 adjusting tho same, subject to iSnSSS? k? S ^ to h:s-numerous friends among the bill J the board of directors! who shall make fina^ ' ' ' n Amer:ca ' aBd wisb cs them S alI*S'°l luck. vishes them all good'