The Billboard 1904-04-02: Vol 16 Iss 14 (1904-04-02)

THE BILLBOARD | (WHI j ‘RINGING RESOLUTION What the Circus Men Say. The resolution offered by the Southern States Billposters and Distributors and recently pubshed in ‘The Billboard,”’ served to call forth a comprehensive reply from Mr. Louis E. Cooke. Chairman of the Circus Committee, with whom the Board of Directors discussed this subject. Mr. Cooke bag emphasized his detailed response to the claims set forth by the Southern Assoclation, and adds that these resolutions, whict he takes up one by one, were, unquestionably, framed by a professional attoruey who never posted a bill or paid a billposter a dollar in bis life and ia, therefore, incompetent to offer prac tical advice ag to what will best serve the interests of the Association or its patrons. ‘‘In the language of an Illustrious statesman,”’ says Mr. Cooke, ‘it is a condition not a theory tia confronts us,"" and the sooner the Dillposter realize this state of affairs the better it will be for all concerned, therefore, Resolved: ist, That circuses should have even a lower rate than the commercial advertiser because of the fact that the circuses were the ploneers in billposting. They have done more to build up, promote and induce outdoor advertising than any other institution, and they continue to promvute, excite and induce seekers of publicity to emulate their grand example in the way of big posters and broad expanse of display. (a) The circus advertiser patronizes the billposters throughout the country more extensively than any other class of advertisers. The cireuses begin their operations early in ihe spring and continue ad lib until late in the fall. Furthermore, they deliver their bill ‘‘on’’ the boards, instead of “in’’ the bDillposter’s shop. They exact no commission whatsoever, and pay the full rate at a specified time, without even deducting a percentage for cash. (b) The commercial advertiser may use a little printing in the winter, spring, summer and fall, but, If so, the commodity which be advertises ig usually governed by the season 60 represented, and his billposting bills are scaled accordingly. The circus or circuses likewise make their advent in a certain locality according to the season and they are governed largely by the condition of a given section of country as to their expenditures and ible recelpts, thus taking no greater advantage of the business conditions than the wise commercelal advertiser. (c} It may be true that the commercial advertiser permite the billposter to put some <«f hig stands in the least desirable locations. The cireus advertiser is compelled to do so if he expects to get anything like a reasonable showing, and, as a matter of fact, the circus advertiser is frequently forced to cover weather-bexten boards that have long remained Idle because the local billposter could not induce the commercial man to take long strips of fair ground fences, dead walls and other undesirable locations. It is claimed that the newspapers charce more for some locations in their various pullieations than they do for others. is ig also true; but, at the same time, the newspapers make a lower rate for a page space than they do for a half column. Or, as another illustration, they would make a much lower rate on a big contract than they would on a small one— and the cireus advertiser is usually a big and liberal contractor. (d) It is also true that the circuses requir: that their advertising be done at a definite time. For this reason they carry their own billposters to do the work, usually make their own paste, and simply pay for the space they occupy; and they are not permitted to occupy any space whereon live paper posted. but content themselves with taking what is left, or what has been previously agreed upon by the agent and the owner of the billboards. (e) It is also true that the advance agent of a circus selects the space he is to occupy several weeks in advance; therefore, the local billposter carries in hig pocket a check on the treasurer of the circus, which is as good ss gold, and in case of emergency can deposit it in a bank and get his money long before t': paper is posted—a favorable condition of affairs — is not covered by the commercial] adver r. (f) The circus covers only the list submitted and agreed upon by the billposter, whether ir be for one week or for one month; therefore, he takes the same chances as the commercial advertiser. (g) The fact that circuses are often charged an exhorbitant license for exhibition neceseitates a greater degree of economy in the matter of advertising and other local expenditures: and in some Instances these excessive licenses deter circuses from exhibiting in certain towns or localities: therefore, it hooves the billposter, as a promoter of his best interests, to see that this injustice is not imposed upon his best paying patrons. (2) The number of tickets that a circus ts required to furnish the billposter is always on additional compensation for such service, over and above the regular cash value of the oillboards; therefore, they are looked upon as an unjust an. ridiculous demand on the part ¢f the biuposter, who would be as thoroughly festtses in demanding a ton of coal or a dozen ams in addition to the contract price asked a posting paper advertising those commod! es. (3) It is also true that the number of tickets as agreed upon by the circuses and the Riilposters’ Association varies with the population of each town, when. as a matter of justice, it should be regulated in proportion to the amount of business done, as, under the present regulavon, the smaller towns have an advantage over the -_ones. (4) e right to allow the circuses to use walls, dauba «nd billboards in the billposter’s territory is governed entirely by the ambition and usefulness of the local billposter tn ma intaining an ample and effective plant and his ability to properly supply the wants and demands of such circuses, (5) Under the existing contract between the circuses and the Association, there should be no controversy as between the advertiser and the billposter, providing the latter live up to the Aasociation agreement and give the circures the best they have to offer ag such time as the reuses may desire to use the boards. There will then be no cause for arbitration, or reference of the subject to the secretary or any members of the National Association; all of COMMERCIAL ADVERTISERS J] which puts Ge yee fn the hands of the local yi) iat BUTORS =) i { t billposter to maintain his right and receive his just reward for services rendered. (6) The Pe is a most inopportune time to think of increasing the price charged for billposting, and | am of the humble opinivw that should the local billposters presume to increase the price for posting commercial pape: they would soon find their boards barren of al) productive income and themselves bankrupt, a6 the outlook for prospective business is decided'!y dark and ominous; and, forthermore, the circuses have long suffered the injustice of payius a higher rate than the commercial advertiser and then thrown in ten or fifteen per cent. additional in the way of tickets, and rather than submit longer to these indignities it would lL better for them to adopt other and less expensive means of advertising. (7) Should the Board of Directors decide to take up this matter for further discussion, «> suggested by the Southern Association, | respectfully submit that they furnish the circuses with a list of such members of the Billposters Association as may desire release from the ex isting conditions and contract with the Association, with the understanding that the circuses have a perfect right to go into the towns where such franchises are held and there establish opposition plants, if necessary, and conduc their individual] advertising as may best serve their purpose."’ Respectfully submitted, LOUIS EE. COOK®. Chairman Circus Committee. NEW YORK STATE FARMERS CONDEMN BILLBOARDS. Refuse to rent land for advertising purposes. Action taken in other parts of the country Signs ordered down in Boston. The farmers have not only condemned the use of advertixing signs on their farms, but as a result of a resolution passed at their annual meeting, have decided to start a crusade among themselves to suppress it entirely. Action for its ‘uppression was taken last week in Boston, New York, Malden, Mass., and Newark, N. J. DAUBS, The billposting business at Sunbury, Pa., has been very dull since Jan. 1, but is now picking up with the sprius trade. Officers of the Michigan Billposters and Diseributors Association announce their next annual convention for June 7 to be held at Sagi naw. The Fitzpatrick Billposting Co., of Helena, Ark., was compelled to increase the capacity of their boards to meet the demand of increasing business. Joseph L, Fisher, one of the firm of Davidson & Fisher, managers of the Port Gibson (Miss.) Operaa House, is the owner of the billposting plant in that city. Covington, Ky., has passed an ordinance fixing a license of $50 per annum for bDillposting and $3 a day for distributing if done by strangers in the city. The annual meeting of the New Jersey Billposters and Distributors’ Association will be held at President O’Mealia’s office, at Jersey City, on Monday, June 6, at 4 p. m. Charles Cramer, of the Bernard System at Waycross, Ga., and stage manager of the opera house, is to be married on the 4th of April to one of the prettiest girls in Waycross. Chas, Kenpyer, stage manager of the Wisner Opera House at Eldora, Ia.. is branching ont In the billpesting business. and will operate at Eldora, Gifford, Union, Steambost Rock and several other ints. West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and D'strict of Columbia are now the only states having no state or district billposters associat‘on charatered by the National Association. Rife. of Raltimore: Robinson, of Wheeling, and a few others in that section ought to get busy. In reply to the inquiry of the ‘“‘Western RBillposter,"’ we are informed that Governor Murphy, of New Jersey, who fathers the bill to tax billboards and signs $5 per square foot, is “Murphy. the Varnish Manufacturer,”’ of Newark, N. J. At present it does not seem possible for this prohibitive bill to become a law Jones & Sullivan, who now control all bi'lboard privileges on the Iron Range, Minn., are fest getting in shape to commence business. They will erect up-to-date boards in all range towns and will make a success, as they are old men in the billboard business and good fellows. The Middleport (Ohio) Billposting Company hes on its beards at present 20-sheets Swamp Root, 60 days’ showing: 25 S-sheets Queen Qu»'ity Shoe, and H. S. Roush, local. Some of its boards were recently blown down. Additions were also made tn the plant and more toca tions are under consideration. Alonzo BR. hudson, manager of the Kans°s City RBillposting vo.. died Sunday, March 20 from an attack of heart disease. He suffered from heart trouble while witnessing the matinee performance of The Runaways at the Grand Opera House, of which his brother is manager. and remarked several times that he was in severe palin. Mr. Findson was et one time essistant manager of the old Coates Theatre in Kansas City, and was well known throughort the conntry to the theatrical and sdvertisine fraternity. He amassed 4 considerable fortune which is left to his widow. Mr. Hudson, et the time of his death, was 51 years old. NATIONAL ALLIANCE NOTES. President Joseph is now on his way to the Pacific Coast. John May, of Sandusky, Ohfo, has signed with the Wallace Cireus this season. Notes from Local No. 12, Milwaukee, Wis.: George Cable, manager of Car No. 2, Gollmar Pros.’ Shows, was tn the city Sunday, 20. Fd. Pepper leaves for Philadelphia April 1 to join the Forepangh-Selle Show. Frank McGuire and Chas. McGinn, of the Star and Rijou adverti« ing forces, leave April 6 for Raraboo, Wis., to foin Gollmar Pros." Shows as bannermen. Pete Palmers, of Marquette, sich.. a member cf No. 12, passed through Milwaukee, 20. on his Way to fotn Gollmar Bros." Shows at Raraboo A. J. Rutlee, a member of No. 12, of Fond ¢u Tac, Wis., stopped over Sunday on his way to Rloomington, Ind.. to foln Gentry Show No. 2. The show Is booked for a trip south. Geo. Schlehlietn, secretary and treasurer of Local No. 12, {fa attll on the alick list. Wm. ° unders, recording secretary of Local No. 1, Chicago, sends the followinc: After a perfod of ten of the dullest weeks that for the Quincy Adams Sa were ever experienced in our line in this city, business has again assumed a resemblance of what it was previous to the Ivoquois fire. All of the theatres with the exception of Sam T. Jack's, Hopkins, New American, Academy, Avenue and the Marlowe have reopened and are employing a full foree of men. The American shop is putting on new men every day, so that now there are only a few idle, and from present Indications every one in a few days will be working. Fourteen members of this local left here Saturday, March 12, to join the Bucksk'n Bill Show in Fort Worth, Texas, and a large number have contracts with various other shows. Notes from Local No. 3, Pittsburg, Pa.: Harry Johnson, of No. 3, who has been located at Dayton, Obio, all winter, bas signed with the Walter L. Main Show for the coming season. Brother George T. Kiley is now located at St. Leuls with Cumming’s Wild West and Congress of North American Indians. He reports evérything looking bright for the coming summer. Brother James E. Orr, of No. 17, was in Pittsburg for a short time March 12. He met several of the local boys and had a good time while in the city. Brother Orr is agent wyer Co. He states that he receives a hearty welcome everywhere from the boys and says it is wonderful how the Alliance is growing throughout the country. Brother Al. Norington, of No. 3, agent for the De Vonde Stock Co., is doing good work for the Alliance in getting after the boys he meets on his travels to join the Alliance. Distributing has been fairly good with the — ae (Obfo) wuilposting Company this spring. Floyd Howery distributed at Coshocton. Ohio 60 Sen-Sen show cards and 1,500 books for the J. W. Brant Cc., Ltd., of Albion, Mich. A. H. Baumgardt, of Albany, N. Y., has been informed by Molton that a shipment of Paine’s Celery Compound matter had been sent him. He has had an inquiry for prices from + gs ay & Miller, 400 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa. WEEKLY LISTOF BILLPOSTERS. Advertisements wnder this heading witi be published Seeey of Re cntfere cutee ten conte per Game, er CS ALABAMA. Dothan—J. E. Wise. ARKANSAS. Ratesville—Coombe Adv. x Paragould—Hopking & Crumpton. Conway—J. F. Clark, Bo: Cotton Plant—Boon & Echols. Helena—Fitzpatrick RB. P. Co. Springdale—Tite Saunders Co. CONNECTICUT. Stamford—Hawley Ocefinger. IDAHO. Pocatello—George Dash, Box 272. ILLINOIS. Charleston—-T. G. Chambe Chicago—A. Davis, 293 W. Van Buren St. Dixon—George Robertson. Macomb—C. F. Smith. INDIANA. E. 0. Shepard. City—J. L. Weber & Co. INDIAN TERRITORY. Pryor Creek—J. A. Quinn. IOWA, Des Moines—W. W. Moore. licensed distributor Dows—R. L. Allen. KANSAS. Elisworth—Wm. L. Gaston. Nickerson—John E, Miller, B. P. & Dist. MINNESOTA. Bemidji—A. T. Wheelock. Minneapolis—Gibbona Bill Posting Co. Willmar—Crosby & Markham. MONTANA, Billings—A. L. Babcock. NEW YORE. Brooklyn—H. J. Sinken, 734 Metropolitan Ave. Cableskill—Edwin F. Wentworth. NORTH CAROLINA. Statesville—Rowland Advertising Co. OHIO. | ar ane B. & Co. town—Anthony H. Walburg. Rudolph—A,. W. Stafford. PENNSYLVANIA. . Altoona—Charles Edmund Grubb, 827 6th Ave. Johnstewn—Johnastowa B. P. Co. Phoenixville—George K. Oberholtzer. Neweastio—The J. G. Laving ©. R. P. Co. Bloomington—City B. P. Co., Coliseum Bldg. Ts. Brownstown— Michigan Memphis—Ward-McCaunley. TEXAS. Gainesville—Paul Gallia, C. B. P. & Dist. Carthage—A. Bu " Greenville—Frank Brame. Yoakum—C. C. Tribble. WISCONSIN. Prairie-du-Chien—F. A. Campbell. WEEKLY LIST OF DISTRIBUTORS. Advertisements under thie bh published we blat tha wmi/orm Fate of ton conta por tone #8 ARKANSAS. Conway—J. F. Clark. Box 92. CALIFORNIA. Eureke—W. H. Mathews, 686 2nd Sz. GEORGIA. Atlanta—M. P. Roughton, Box 554. ILLINOIS. Chieago—Jobn A. Clough, 42 River St. Fast St. Louls—W. H. Deemar. Mattoon—MecPherson Rros,. 8301 N. 12th St. InpiaNa. min Miles, 8 Everett St. 1 Adv. Co. Huntington—Ren Indianapolis—Un Indianapolis—Indianapolia Adv. Co.. ensen Blidy. Indianapolis—Universal Adv. Co. Marion—John L. Wood, 920 S. Branson St. Michigan City—J. L. Cc Muncie—Muncle Advertising Co. Terre Hante—O. M. Bartlett. IOWA. Des Molnes—Des Moines Advertising Co. Douds—Union B. P. & Adv. Co. Mason City—Henry Diehl. Ves Moines—W. W. Moore (licensed). IDAHO. Boise—R. G. Spaulding. KANSAS. Atchison—City Bill Posting Co. Osawatumie—E, P. Fisher. MASSACHUSETTS. Boston—Cunningham & Gourley. Brockton—Jobn V. Curter, 288 Belmont St. MICHIGAN, Jackson—W. R. Solomon. MINNESOTA. Morris—George R. Lawrence, f. P. & Dist. MISSOURI. St. Louts—S. A. Arde, 2148 Fuventa St NEBRASKA. Fairbury—Robert J. Christian. Schuyler—Rus & Roelman. NEW YORK. Albany-—-A. H. Faumgardt. Ogdensburg—E. M. Bracy. Potsdam—Edson Taylor, 20 Waverly St. Schenectady—Chas. H. Benedict, 121 Joy St. Syracuse—James Molonghney, Courier Bldg. NORTH CAROLINA. Statesville—Rowland Advertising Co. OHIO. Cincinnati—J. J. Murphy & Co. Columbus—S. A. yde. Fostorla—W. C. Tirrill & Co., 116 W. Tiffin St. Martin’a Ferry--J. F. Blumenberg. Youngstown—M. Geiger. PENNSYLVANIA. Carlisle—Wm. M. Meloy. Box 49. Du Boils—O. BR. Barlow, 3 8. Brady St. Eust York—Richard 2. Staley. Jobnstown—George E. Updegrave & Co. Phoenixville—George K. Oberholtzer. SOUTH CAROLINA. Columbia—J. C. Ringley (at Cherleston). Phoenixville—C. C, Tribble. : $15 Stev Harriman—Harriman B. P. & Adv. Service. Cordele—P. D. Mingledorff. Fresno—F. H. Bancroft, Opera House Bldg. Memphis—Ward-McCauley. fi we TEXAS. Amarillo—J. L. Summers. UTAH, Salt Lake City—John M. Walden. WISCONSIN West Superior—C,. A. Marshall, W est Superior CANADA. A. . sieertn, Mgr., Hastings St., Vancouver, Montreal—C. J. T. Thomas, Box 1129, will be published Advertisements under this heading weekly at the uniform rate of ten cents per issue, or $4.08 per year. American Show Print, Milwaukee, Wis. Bell Show Print, Sigourney, Ia. >. H. Buck & Co., Boston, Mase. —— ee Detroit. Mich. entra q Eng. Co., 140 Monroe, Ly Chicago Show Print Co., 5th Ave., Chicago, Lil. Donaldson Litho. Co., Newport, Ky. Enquirer Job Printing Co., Cincinnati, 0. Erie Show Printing Co., Erie, Pa. Gt. Amer. Eng. & Ptg., 5 Beekman St., N. Y. Great W. Printing Co., 513 Elm St., St. Louis. Greve Litho. Co., Milwaukee, Wis. Hennegan & Co., 127 E. 8th St., Cincinnat!, 0. Sam W. Hoke, 630 W. 52d St.. New York City. Home Show Printing Co., Atchison, Kan. Starr Show Printing Co., Mason City, Ia. Morrison Show Printing Co., Detroit, M Motor Show Printing Co.. Milo, Ia. Penn Ptg. & Pub. Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Planet Show Ptg. Co.. Chatham, Ont., Van. Clarence E. Runey, 220 W. Liberty St.. Cin. O U. 8. Litho., Russell-Morgan Print, Norwood, 0. Volunteer Printing Co., Reynoldsville, Pa. JOB PRINTERS. Church Printing Co., 422 Elm St., Cin., 0. Nonpareil Ptg. Oo. 485 Pim St.. Cincinnati, 0. INELINGS, In the fire which destroyed the plant of the Greve Show Print Co. on the 20 of March a carload of advertising for: Ringling Bros. Circus and the paper of several theatrical companies was lost. A number of St. Louis side shows were to be supplied with advertising matter from this plant, it is reported. A very artistic booklet is that announcing the forthcoming production of The Shepherd King, with Wright Lorimer in the title role. Its size is 61% by 10 over all. The cover design is in brown shadings made famous by Omega Of ads. On a cafe au lait tint are two printings, in black and red. Half-tones of the star are numerous and the text is beantifully set and printed. ‘The RBilinoard’’ is indebted to Howard Herrick for the above. Theatrical show printing Is a branch of ‘he amusement business which has developed rapid ly In the last ten years. The use of bright colors judiciously is something that can he learned only by long experience, and the leading lithographers of the country are always seeking to improve their output. There !s a “three-aheet” {In evidence all over New York ?City just now that fs conceded to be the ne = ultra of artistic lithographing so far. It is a full-length picture of Dustin Farnum, in Owen Wister’s and Kirke La Shelle’s stccexsfal play, The Virginian.