The Billboard 1901-04-20: Vol 13 Iss 16 (1901-04-20)

ES ee Las) THE BILLBOARD Bill Posters Mect in Chicago. Chicago, Ill, April 15—(Special).—A large number of promiment bill posters are in attendance at the meeting of the Amalgamation Committee, which have in view the consolidation of the various bill posting interests of the country. The sessn this morning was attended by O. J. Gude, Pres ident J. F. Bryan, Sam. Pratt and J. F. O’Mealia, on behalf of the Associated Bill Posters; R. C. Campbell, A. EB. Stahtbrodt, George M. Leonard and F. A. Fitzgerald, for the Protection Company; Barney Link, Sam Robinson, L. H. Ramsey and Al. Bryun, for the Bill Poster Display Advertising: Stahibrodt, Campbell and Pratt, for the Distributors’ Association. The meeting was resolved into a committee of the whole, of which Mr. Campbell was made chairman, and Mr. O’Mealia was chosen secretary. More than an hour was consumed in reading the report submitted by the Protective Company. It was prepared by Mr. Campbell, and was an able and exhaustive document. In the afternoon an Executive Committee meeting of the various interests involved was held. There was something of a controversy between Mr. Gude and Mr, Campbell, but the former finally withdrew from the meeting, and did not appear again during the day. The plan of amalgamation submitted by the Protective Company was the only one given out, the others not being ready to re port. The situation is as interesting as ever. To-morrow the Board of Directors of the Associated Bill Posters will meet and take important action on several matters. No matter what may happen here, the plan of amalgamation will have to be submitted to the next National convention. There are at least two factions contending for the mastery, and when the settlement is up to the National body some one is sure to get au sore head. Besides the regular members ot the committee in attendance, a number of others, including Col. Burr Robbins, young Mr. Walker, a member of Detroit, C K. Wager, of St. Louis, and the editor of “The Billboard,’ were in attendance and were accorded every possible courtesy. It is believed that the session of the Amalgamation Committee will not end short of three or four days. It is evident that there is an earnest effort at a harmonious result. ‘2. CART, Editor of “The Billboard.” Business in Kansas. Editor of “The Billboard:” We have had the worst weather the past week that we Kansas people have seen for a long time—all sorts of blow-dowus and such things to go up against. Business is excellent with me at present. 1 have on the beards: Owl Cigars, in 1, 2, 8 12 and 24-sheets, from ©. J. Gude; George W. Childs Cigar, S-sheets, from Sam W. Hoke; Red Seal Clothing, 1l-sheets and S-sheets, from R. L. MeDonald, St. Joe, Mo.: Queen Quality Shoes, S-sheets, local; Walkover Shoes, 3-sheets, local: Jutin Marlowe Shoes, I-sheets, local: Roelof's Iats, local; Adler Clothing, 16-sheets, local; Soden’s Flour, S-sheets, local (will advertise this over the State generally later. Also am holding several orders for space, though building a few stands every month. Distributing is also looking up, and T have several orders on the road to “a live town.” This city is to have an ordinance regarding the distributing of advertising matter, with a license clause, and it will be to suit me. Now, LT wish every distributor who has an ordinance of any kind in regard to this would send me a copy, as Tam anxious to get up one which will cover the ground and that will stand a test, if necessary. Send me a cony, whether vour ordinance suits you or not, and I will send a copy of ours when it is passed. Yours respectfully, FRED R. CORBETT. Kimporia, Kan. Cutting Rates. There has been a good deal of complaint lately about the cutting of rates among bill posters, and it is charged against the prolective company, whether true or not, that they have been engaged in that kind of work. That the charge is true is shown by a recent circular sent out by Owens, Varney and Green, of San Francisco, to their customers, in which they say: “Having sufficient proof that there is a great deal of rate cutting and splitting of commissions by the various brokers in securing business from the advertisers, it demonstrates to us that work can be handled on a less commission that 162-3 ner cent. We have, therefore, decided to allow but for our 1 per cent cities. You will kindly make note of this and acknowledge same before placing any orders for our cities. Of course, this does not apply to pppers not on eur boards.” This rate-cutting matter is apt to receive attention at the ¢envention in Chicago this week. Gunning Invades Buffalo. rR. J. Gunning, the famous bulletin paint er of Chicago, has established the Gunning system in Buffalo. He has some fine locations at Niagara Falls, at the exposition grounds, and in the very best part of the city. tefore he invaded Buffalo, Mr. Gun ning offered Charley Filbriek the chance to get in with him. Indeed, the story ts that Mr. Filbrick bad agreed to sign a contract of partnership, but backed out at the last minute. Now he is sorry that he didn't accept the Gunning proposition. The other day Mr. Gunning received a tetter from his representative in Buifalo, who wrote: “Next to the Gunning bulletin plants, the PanAmerican Exposition will be the most interesting thing in Erie county this suinmer.” Police Censure Police. —_——_—_—— Ilumorists employed on some of the big Eastern dailies have been busy poking a lot of paragraphic fun at the good folks of Mt. Vernon, a small and unassuming suburb of Greater Gotham, because some of its citizens recently ‘took exception to the “boldness and brazenness” of certain theatrical posters which bad been pasted all over the place, with the result that the posters were draped, as to their offensive portions, in white stickers that carefully concealed them from view. Incidentally, a leading New York journal, after shooting its quota of shafts of ridicule at the prim and pious Mt. Vernonites, calls attention to the fact that a police censorship of the atriecal posters has been in existence in no less a city than the cavital of the nation for many years past; from which it appears that Washington is about as Puritanical a community as there is in the country. Some time during the last century—probably as far back as 1800, if we remember correctly —a wail against ‘indecent’? burlesque and extravaganza posters became so penetrating in the District of Columbia that the police authorities had to step in and establish a censorship of the ornate decorations on bill boards. As a result Washington has one billposting boss who takes care of the town for all the theatrical companies that visit the capital. Hle is a lieutenant of police, and he calls around at George Rife’s office every Wednesday afternoon to inspect posters for the following week shows a sample of each voster being spread out for that purpose on the long bill-regm tables. An exchange, in deseribing this performance, declares that it is a solemn, touching thing to see this lieutenant passing on the’ post ers. He takes it. very seriously, Serews his head sideways and purses:up his lips when he catches sight ofa lithegraphed portrayal of a wicked burlesque dady whose nether limbs are too conspicrously in evidence, and then the bill poster, who is alongside with a note-book, makes a note in his little book. The twisting sideways of the police lientenant’s head and the pursing of his lips mean that the too consvienous legs of the burlesque lady are to be carefully covered over with a large blank sheet when she makes her appearance upon the bourd ings. If the straps of her bodice are of so tilny a character that they threaten to come asunder, thus rendering horrifying disclosures vossible, the bill poster, at a nod from the lieutenant, makes another note in his book, and when the burlesque ladv is pasted un her bodice straps are la boriously covered with blank strips. Queer, indeed, do these edited posters look on the bill boards of Washington, and they attract vastly more attention than unedited posters ever could. Persons — especially of the sterner sex— stand and gape at them in an obvious, endeavor to supply the screened portions of the hills by the efforts of their imaginations. The newspapers of Washing ton have always guyed this censorship of posters, but it is likely to be maintained for a long time to come, as established in stitutions in Washington do not easily go to nieces. In New York, Chicago and oth er large metropolitan centers everything goes on the bill boards, vet the line of de cency is rarely or never overstepped And the posters that have to he blank-sheeted in Washington. Mt. Vernon and ai few other vorrdish hamlets are of the same character as those that are spread in un veiled and careless abandon hefore the civ ilize@ inhabitants of other cities. Even the good old Omuaker Citv shows a free and easy rollicksoumeness in such matters, Daubs. J. S. Craig, DIL poster at Hastings, Neb-., writes that he has several good contracts which he exvects to complete within the next thirty days. MeCully & ‘Tally, son, S. C., have sent out circulars to adver tising managers, calling attention to the advantages of their plant in that locality. The Nestle Milk Company believes in bill board advertising, also in changing their designs. The American Posting Service, of Chicago, is now putting up the fourth de sign for them. Bh. FF. Falkenhainer, of Elkader, Ta., has been getting some nice orders since he started in the advertising business. He will make application for admission to the Associated Bill Posters. Bill posting (commercial work) is coming in fast to Chicago. The American Posting Service can not get enough first-class bill posters to fill their erews. A great many left to join shows for the season. There is a new base ball park being built ealled Sportsman Park in Denver, and the Curran Company has contracted with them to place a fence around the grounds for five years, which is a very good location. Colonel R. C. Campbell, of the American Bill Posting Service, of Chicago, is the most persistent and consistent of those who oppose the admission of newspaper solicitors to the association, Mr. Gude Is just as strong on the other side. Mr. G. W. Spitler, bill posters at Ander of Rensseler, Ind., has sold his bill posting interests in that city to J. H. S. Ellis, manager and proprietor of the Rensseler Qnera House. Mr. Spit ler will go out as bill poster with the No. 2 ear of the Robinson Advance Brigade. Now that Frank Fitch is no longer gen eral manager of the Protective Company, it might have been just as well after all to engage his services by the month instead of annually, as some of his friendly “kuock ers” wished to do when the position was ereated for him. R. J. Gunning, of the Guaning System. is aoman of ideas and resources. He is con templating the most gigantic advertising scheme ever put in foree in this country. When it is fully formulated, it will astonish advertisers. Mr. Gunning has the brains and the money to carry out any scheme which he may undertake. The New Haven Bill Posting ompany has just beught out the opposition plant at An sonia, Conn, This means that it now controls (exclusively) the entire Naugatuck Valley, and has added several hundred run ning feet of lumber to the extensive plant it previously had. It is said that it now has the finest and best equipped plant in New England. O. J. Gude, the colossus of the bill post ing and advertising interests of New arrived in Chicago last pamed cby M. Wineburgh, of Omega Onl fame. Mr. Gude was entertained by Ry J. Gunaing and B.C. Campbell THe took a conspicuous part in the meeting of the amalgamation committees and the Bourd of ew in Chicago on Monday and Tues aay. York, Thursday, aeeou How Is This ? On second thought, the Protective Com pany is not talking so loudly about that big chewing gum contract. It has failed to arouse the expected enthusiasm among even its own members. This work was put out by the Gude Company last year. It is hot uew business. Adams and Beeman sums have been on the boards for years. ‘rhe expected commissions, less the Runey rake-off, will come far from making up the hig deficit, and many of the members are deeply cogitating over where they come in in the backing of a game, the biggest result of which is the swiping of an account from one of its own directors and an authorized solicitor of the association. 5 ONE WHO KNOWS. New York, April 8. Mr. Williams Prosperous. Billboard :"’ The spring business in outdoor Editor of “The Dear Sir: advertising has opened up briskly in) this section. Myself and my foll foree of bill posters and distributors have been kept as busy as bees fer some time, and frequent additions to the force have been necessary, with no immediate prospect of a let-up. My boards are continually filled and space is at a premium. The past season has been an exception ally good one. From October 20 up to the present [ have posted 20,170 sheets of pa per and distributed €1,000 books, circulars and samples, and have several larce orders on hand: and still they come. If tiis keeps up T shall be compelled to again enlarge my plant. Good, faithful work and a striet regard for the interests of the advertisers is the secret of success and always pays. Oshkosh, Wis. J. bk. WILLIAMS. BILLPOSTERS’ PASTE BRUSHES. The most desirable & Lasting Brush made. We carry % brands. **DONALDSON.”’ ““ UNEXCELLED.”’ This brush is manutactured The Best Paste Krush made, expressly for us, and is fully | Popular everywhere on acoount warranted. It is the cheapest | of ire great durability, GuarGOOD brush you can find any anteed to outinst all others where. prices: Sin., $2.25ea. | PRICES: & inch...$2.75 each, 9in..$27oen, Win..S4.00ea. | Gin. $3.00ea. 10 10..85.25e8 Send the money with the order. None «ent C. 0. D. The dson Litho. Co., Newport, Ky ‘dishonest when, if they Some Correspondence. — Some time age Mr. Orator F. Woodward of Le Roy, N. Y., requested us to quote him our price for a strictly inside service on Grain-O samples. We promptly respond ed to his inquiry, quoting him $5 for that class of service, Evidently the price was too high, as we heard nothing further from Mr. Woodward in regard to the distribu tion, but a little later on we noticed sam ples of Grain-O being distributed in one of the suburbs. We hope distributors will ex euse us for saying “distributed,” as said samples were not distributed in the sense of the word as we understand it, the men merely making an effort to throw them on the porches, and if they landed on the lawns or anywhere else, they were left to their fate. We promptly wrote Mr. Wood ward as follows, to which we received no reply: . “Cincinnati, O., “Mr. Orator F. Woodward, Le Roy, N. Y.: “Dear Sir:—A short time ago you asked us to quote price on a strietly inside sery ice for the distribution of Grain-o simples and Jell-O advertising matter. We quoted 85 per thousand for a strictly inside, honest service, You must have thought our price too high, as we noticed samples of Grain-O being distributed in’ Cumminsvilie vester day. It lacked a great deal of being an inside service, or even an ordinary house-te house distribution, the samples being mere ly thrown from the sidewalk to the porches, lhe you wonder that distributors become charge a fair price, March 26, 1901, they are turned down? The sooner advertisers learn that. in or der to get a first-class service (such as they ask the distributor to render), they will have to pay a price whereby an honest man ean live, the better it will be for all con cerned. In a conversation with a business man of our city the other day we com plained of the fact that many advertisers expected work done for nearly nothing, and he made the remark that he thought it would be a good plan to establish a distrib uting ageney for the benetit of advertisers Who are net willing to pay a fair price for good work, and which would meet the requirements of these would-be economists, rendering a 2-cent and not to exceed S] per 1,000 service, disposing of the matter so us to assure a $0 per Cent. profit. There are many who deserve just such treatment. However, we are thankful that there are enough advertisers who are willing to give a fair remuneration for an honest service. “Yours very respectfully teinbrenner’s Distributing Service, “W. HH. STEINBRENNER, Manager.” Several days ago Mr. Fairchild, the veteran bill poster and distributor of ¢ ovington, Ky., fad occasion to call at our oftice and during the conversation that ensued he mentioned something that Mr. Woodward's inspector or traveling distributer had said derogatory to us. We laughed the matter of and explained to Mr. Fairchild) what had caused the gentleman to make the remark, adding that we were ready to prove What we had reported at any time, and, if hecessary, to furnish affidavits, not only from our own men, but from disinterested parties. But now comes the interesting part of the story: Under date of April 10 we received a letter from Mr. Hi. 'T. Hayes, advertising manager of the Dr. Chase Company, Phila delphia, Da., from which we quote as follows: “Enclosed you will find a letter which is self-explanatory.’ The following is ‘a copy of the letter t which Mr. ve E Ilayes alludes: = “Cincinnati, O., April 8, 101. “The Dr. Chase Company, Phindetphia, Va. “EL wish te say to you that your booklets are being thrown around in the yards and on the steps of houses most shamefully in this city ot Cincinnati if you pay anything for the service. 1 am putting out samples here, and know what [say to be true and can prove it. T have no interest here and don't know whe is doing the work. L travel for a good patent medicine house and like to see others well used. Yours, “D. L. SHIELDS.” closes his make you another which is) conclusive places very little Shields’ statements. You will notiee that “T have no interest here and don't) know who is doing your work. travel for a good patent medicine house and like to see others well used.’ We would like to ask Mr. Shields what patent medicine house he travels for and his object in’ withholding this most Imoortant information? Reader, doesn't it look very suspicious, and isn’t it evident that Mr. Shields is representing Orator FF. Woodward, and if such is the case, do you think he is ashamed to say se? No, undoubtedly there is seme cowardly reason for withholding the Infornuttion, We want Mr, Shields to come for Mr. Hayes “Expect to very soon,’ that he letter by saying: shipment evidence rellanee in) Mr, Mr. Shields says: — —_— >