The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-15

re expenses q rssuaag - salassng Asvs been pa,d
iron DE proceeds Il rsaA seoss and sses n oeou-
Hss.1y .sos ~ss ~ sAs sss sses "ss NE
some years s.rvsrds but have now Sssa d,scsnssuss
The society pays - rent fUr s u the building
ara rs MOI expected rsAve anything for ID general pu
poses from the rents q and oces anti The debt Of
vii - BE- deserved TIA. the machinery, printed
sheets, books In hs depestory and IN The hands oolpos
,s.rs er prSvans Which special dS..ons q moro than
socteyS wsrk, and must be constantly renewed fast
used The stock Of printed sheets 3 constantly drawn
rs drawn upon 70 supply auxKslies cspsrieurs
and shers and those thus circulating The publications Do
cnS Sy the
More than third Of The means thus IN use rs est
mated In the paragraph above consists Of steam power
stock and other materials necessarily employed in manu-
featuring.
not In the opinion Of The committee, be reduced cous
eny with due regard 70 economy and efficiency. rs
barely sufficient 70 meet PROMPTLY the orders Of colpor
others engaged In the circulation, and the
from II annually about three times this amount
The amount in the hands Of co,porsur. and ooporteur
agencies $ll9,52s, distributed among A6o cop r,surs
gives an average Of but about $266 in publications
each which barely sufficient for active and successful
service.
is also fact that If the stock could be increased 80
the paper boards rather and other Materials could
be better dried and seasoned before they used in
scturng and books also after the manufactured,
before they put circulation durability aud
nomy would be consulted An increase Of $50 in the
amount Of the stock and materials would essentially in
Thus the society," with all existing facilities lives "fom
band to month asking for "daily BREAD" every weeks
view of It's wants the members VI the committee besides
ber wholly grauitous labors, have contributed many
thousands of dollars their personal funds aid
os rasions and in the deficiency Of TO purchase
printing paper for cash, they have, nom time TO time,
given their individual notes endorsements pay able a
he han In III
lars
The issuing the socieys pubcaiious the process of
hcaioDs and discounts; the considerations in determining
the Of books; the OF employing agents and
coporesrs and the relations TO kindred institutions were
all dwell upon with too much length for the columns Of
newspaper. The following questions and will,
however, embody most Of the Information
QUESTIONS PROPOSED COMMITTEE INQUIRY WITH
ANSWERS ny TIE COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS OF SOCIETY
Question l-what are the items which enter into the
estimate Of the cost of the books and pub icaons of the
society and what Is the principle which the prices Of
the Publications are hxed2
by the cost Of the publications,
the whole outlay, the items are paper, pres swork binding
ping engraving, MAPS copyright and all the
penses incidental preparing, issung and circulating
hem And the prices are fixed the principle Of selling
the pubica ions low practicable consistently with
the aim Of having returned TO the treasury from such as
DID, essentially the amount expended in issuing them,
making the necessary allowances for the discounts 10
branches and booksellers
Question 2-What difference II any, between the whole
sae and retail pricesP deductions made from estaD
The committee esabhs IN one pri 70 only which
Is stamped the back of most Of the books; and dis
again. of twenty per cent; the Maryland branch Bal
tnoe, twenty i've per cent and to the American Tract
Society at Boston, twenty seven and half per cent
Que on 3What are the extent, comparative issues,
and profits of tracts books and periodicals. and what Is
the policy Of the society in respect 70 The pro PORTION OF
tracts and books publshedY
Answer-The total amount published since the forma-
ton Of the SOC ETY. is 1870 osl pages OF which were
R,fsC hal and Nare
printed 10 1856 to The number of 700 copies nvolv
ing an expenditure, nearly as can be estma ed OF SOL
7O9 3D. The receipts from them $50 l2S 49, showing
excess OF expenditure Of $50 IS, Whch is estimated 10
be about equal TO The gratuous distribution 70 foreign mis-
ena,es agents. and others (see report Tor 1856, pages
the prices Of the publications, both tracts and books
Of the society arrange the prices that the circulation
Of those sold shal Not be drain the Of the in
suu'son nor essentially increase them. The committee
tn be issued except the demand supply
the provdensi openings for the circulation Of both books
and tracts.
HE ystem colpc riaee mainly the circulation of
books has developed the destitunon Of our country In
.emaikLbe per, and has thus furnished by It's living
Visiting agents. Of the best for stributing
and vice the tracts OF the society.
Question 4-what n the compensation OF coportcurs
and there perquses beyond the allowed AIRY
and travelling expenscsf and are there any prois from
books, specific contributions, or oher fupdsr
Answcr.-ODe hundred and 1Ny dollars has been The
usual salary Of coPorteur. exclusive Of travelling
penscs Some have been allowed larger compensation,
"
the w.rk, and Of late from the general increased
expenses OF living OF those employed In 1865 the saa
lies Of 2G $780, Of 1 $500; Of GO, $3.50, and there
"a at $500, aborng moy In cities and paying their
board. There - others who combine the duties OF
eoporfurs, superDiendents and collecting AGENTS, 70
whom somewhat larger salaries are given. There are
neither perqurites profits nor commissions allowed on
sales Of publications. collection Of funds 10 any Of the
Question b-Can coporiage be surrendered or left IN
local depomnaonai agencies and 10 what extent Why
necessary TO be conducted by the society,"
committee
slime referring 70 other agencies having the benevo
lent objects in veS but wo nd state that the system Of
colyortage In this need lsll and for
several years solely by this society and
destitute fields have opened TO them, they have felt
rally hound 10 occupy thcm and fulh the obligations
for the extension Of the work, which the liberal aud
nucd contributions OF the Christian public have devoved
upon mem ald which from hs catholic 9, mac.sr OF
been done In the work Of copotage fields Of desttu
lion have been continually brought TO Light beyond the
ability OF the society TO occupy them
Question q -Wha amount u capital IL invested IN the
boOk publshiDg bu 4DestY
Answer-As estimated April ], 1856, the machinery,
preses, and materials in the Tract House for printing
binding estimated 10 be worth for the societys
seeos sheet stock paper stereotype plates and engrav
nrs sl ISL les the amount due FOR paper 5000 %
The books in the depository per inventory OF that date
estimated 70 have seoli2 81; those The hands
u oolporcurs, slCs2b7 o3 and th~e due from auS
rics aud others sl3,2i2 IS.
Question wi hal the profit per cert upon the cari,a
employ cd IN the publications Of the society, and how ap
propriatedf
Anvcr-wo refer TO the answers 10 questions and
substantially reply TO the above. The idea of profit
has entered into the calculations Of the
and contequepuy arprop aons of them can be made
All the m, ans Of Tie society are in active
soIent work, and often inadequate immediate
wants
Question s-whsi public ohjecs are obtained or eSpcc,
ed by This book bus nets which would no be realized
the publishing Of boobs were left 10 private enerprbef
ABswer.Tbe object Of the society In the pdbi alton q
books TO furnish religious reading for the wbol. country
at the 10 Sest practicable pice and thereby aid IN the
great work Of spreading the gospel among AL classes
his aim necessarily differs from work Of private enter
rke
Question p-Docs the society compete with individual
en,erTre or interfere with the lcsumae operations Of
i other tocicues7
Answer.-The uniform aim q the society has been 10
pursue ns own appropriate work, and Intentionally
TO compete with private publishers, nic' fsre with The
/ operations Of oster societies7
Question lo-Bow tho donations 10 The society ap
propriaied and ds tribusd7
Answer- Donations for specific Objects a. for s,erco
ypng and perpe'uang BOOKS and and rnrns hing
ii Nfr.L frrf he oh..