# The Masses (periodical)/Volume 1/Number 2

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THE MASSES
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iolanthe's Wedding A Serial Story beginning in this Number Hermann Sudermann
The Boy Scout Movement George R. Kirkpatrick
Highbrow Essay on Woman Eugene Wood
Co-operation in America Piet Vlag
THE MASSES PUBLISHING COMPANY, 112 EAST 19TH STREET, NEW YORK
Entered as second-class mail matter, December 27, 1910, at the post office of New York City, under the act of March 3, 1879
Copyright, 1911
THE MASSESSCOUTCONTEST
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Yearly—50 Cents. Half yearly 25 Cents. For Manhattan and the Bronx. Yearly 75 Cents. Half yearly 40 Cents. Single copies 5 Cents. Bundle rates $4.00 per 100, express prepaid. ADVERTISING RATES
For Manhattan and the Bronx:
Premium No. 1.—The Scouts who will have sold the largest number of copies by April 15th, shall receive a check for a spring suit, a hat and a pair of shoes.
Premium No. 2.—The first Scout whose total sales reach 1,000 will receive a check for a spring suit.
Premium No. 3.—The first Scout whose total sales reach 500 will receive a credit check for one dozen collars and one half dozen good ties.
Scouts pay 4 Cents per copy and sell them at 5 Cents.
In this contest, a yearly subscription is equivalent to 16 copies sold: a half yearly subscription is equivalent to 8 copies sold.
All scouts must send in their money and statements weekly, by mail, to The Subscription Department at 112 E. 19th St., N. Y. C.
The contest will close on May 15th, 1911
Premiums will be paid on May 25th, 1911
Scouts are allowed to engage assistants.
Scouts are not allowed to add to their accounts copies sold by fellow Scouts.
Those desiring to join The Masses Scout Co. will please apply any day after 6 P. M. at 112 E. 19th St., N. Y. C.
Special Offer to Agents
Do you believe in Socialism?
Do you believe that Socialism is practical?
Do you want to help us convince the people that Socialism is a practical economic movement?
If you do, help us teach the people practical co-operation.
You can do this by acting as our agent.
Upon your request, we will send you a bundle of magazines and subscription blanks.
Get for us at our special rate of 10 Cents for 3 months, 100 subscriptions.
Act as our agent during these three months, and try to get as many renewals as possible, at the expiration of the subscriptions.
If you have any magazines left for which you cannot secure subscriptions, dispose of them singly, at 5 Cents each.
We will charge to you all single copies at 4 Cents per copy.
For your work we will present you with a premium worth $6.00, consisting of five copies of "War—What For?" by Geo. R. Kirkpatrick; price per single copy $1.20.
To secure the 100 subscriptions, you may engage four other comrades who are anxious to get a free copy of the interesting and instructive book, "War—What For?"
To encourage yearly subscriptions, we allow the agent 7 points in the contest for each yearly subscription, and 3 points for each half yearly subscription.
If you want a different premium, let us know, and we will try to accommodate you.
Do not order any more magazines than you feel certain you can dispose of.
Should you desire any additional number, drop us a postal, and we will send them.
In taking subscriptions, mark next to each name "1 R" which means first copy received through you. Next to the name of a subscriber who does not receive his first copy from you, mark "N R" and we will mail current issue.
THE YELL
You liked the first number of The Masses, didn't you?
Volume I, Number I, of most magazines is received with doubt, pity and sometimes contempt. Not so The Masses. The Masses is already welcome in the world of magazines. Letters from hundreds of friends, requests from scores of libraries and exchange propositions from the leading magazines at home and abroad prove this.
But you may be surprised to learn that The Masses disappoints its managers. We have conceived a magazine beautiful, powerful and popular. Our means, however, have permitted us to give you little more than a suggestion of what we really intend. Everything is ready for a magazine to defend and promote the welfare of the masses, that is, everything, but one thing. With little money we have achieved much. We have the plans. Read that twice.
The third number of The Masses will astonish and delight you—if you permit us. You have been hungry and thirsty for a Socialist magazine, not only powerful, but artistic.
Here is your opportunity. Hold on! Wait a minute! We do not want gifts. We do want a small loan from you—and we want it now. We would scorn to propose this if we did not feel sure that six months hence we shall be abundantly able to repay the loan—and with interest, too.
Really, now, how eager are you to have a greater journalism for Socialism? Will you co-operate? Shall we hear from you? Now?
BOOSTERS' COLUMN
Is The Masses a success?
Ten days is a short time in which to answer this question. But the first impression a magazine creates is very often decisive and prophetic of its future destiny. If so, The Masses must already be considered an overwhelming success. The readers are of course the final arbiters of the fortunes of a magazine, and the readers have received The Masses with instantaneous favor.
Let them speak for themselves. The following are extracts from a few of the letters received within ten days after the appearance of the first number from every part of the country to which The Masses was sent.
The Masses should be a success. It is the first Socialist periodical that has a professional appearance. Here's good luck!
Louis Kopelin, Washington, D. C.
The Masses is an admirable publication, and ought to be a success.
Robert Hunter.
Enclosed find 10 subscriptions. Send me 100 copies of The Masses at once. I believe I can get 100 subscriptions. Yours for Socialism,
Jos. A. Siemer, Corning, Ohio.
Kindly send me 100 copies of The Masses, and a number of subscription blanks. I believe The Masses is a good magazine with which to work for the cause.
Morris Spiegler, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Send me 100 copies and subscription blanks at once. The Masses looks good to me.
J. Webb Richman, Washington, D. C.
Send me 40 copies of your magazine.
H. Polinsky, Brockton, Mass.
Send me 150 copies of The Masses at once. I want to cover my ward with them.
R. B. Chase, Keene, N. H.
Enclosed find some subscriptions. Send me 50 copies of The Masses by express.
B. W. Gedney, Lynn, Mass.
Enclosed find 25 subscriptions. Send me 100 copies by express.
Birch Ellis, Auburn, N. Y.
Dear Comrades:—I have sold the 100 copies. Kindly send me 50 additional copies of the January issue.
Geo. N. Cohen, Philadelphia, Pa.
Enclosed find a number of subscriptions. Please send me 50 copies.
Chas. Boni, Newark, N. J.
Send me 100 copies of The Masses. We are trying to awaken the plain people to see what they are coming to if they continue to vote for either of the old parties. Co-operation is coming to the front. We believe The Masses will set the people thinking.
J. A. Stillman, Tidioute, Pa.
KNOCKERS' COLUMN
L. B.—Thirty-two of your 33 questions are answered through the first number of this magazine. In answer to the 33d question, permit us to say that we will fight capitalism. As for representation in personal controversies, we guarantee both sides an equal opportunity of defence—we are not going to have any controversies.
I. H. L.—Our hearty thanks for your persistent and systematic knocking! We hope you will keep it up, and cover a few more meetings. Our treasury does not, as yet permit any extensive advertising. Any gratis contributions in that line, such as yours, are gladly welcomed.
F. W. M.—"Them Asses" are working hard to make the magazine go. We regret not to be able to give you the desired information regarding the last number, as there is not going to be a last number.
A hearty invitation.—We are rather shy of knocks, and will greatly appreciate some speedy contributions.
THE MASSES
The Masses Publishing Co.
112 E. 19th St., New York City
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Yearly, 50 CentsHalf Yearly, 25 Cents
Extra 25 Cents per Year for Manhattan and Bronx
WHAT EUGENE DEBS SAYS ABOUT US
The first number of The Masses has just reached me and I congratulate you upon its splendid appearance. The initial issue gives promise of a powerful illustrated monthly magazine published in the interests of Socialism, for which there is undoubtedly a most inviting field. The Masses is gotten up in form and style to meet this demand, and the excellence and variety of its contents will commend it at a glance to all who are interested in a first class magazine dealing with the vital questions of the day. The editorial staff of The Masses is of itself a sufficient guarantee of the high rank this new magazine will take as an educational and propaganda publication.
Earnestly hoping The Masses may meet, as I believe it will, a cordial reception wherever it finds its way and that our comrades and friends will all do their share to help it reach the masses whose cause it has come to champion, I am
Yours fraternally,
Eugene V. Debs
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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