The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-24
THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN.
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THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN.
From the N Y. Tribune. -
Some months ago, great sensation was
made in this city by report that q serious
mismanagament had been discovered in some
departments of the Methodist Book Concern.
Two distinct charges were made-First, that
the large amount of paper which is used by
the Book Concern, the largest religious publ
cation house in the world was not, as it
ought to have been, purchased by the agents
directly, but through middlemen, who thus
received a heavy commission which might
have been saved and secondly, that in the
bindery department frauds had been commit
ted, resulting in serious losses to the Concern.
During the last two weeks the General
Book Committee have been in session in
this city to examine the affairs of the Book
Establishment, inclusive of the charges which
had been brought against some of its officers.
We publisher yesterday the report which
has been agreed upon by the majority. 1t is
very brief, and must strike every one who
recollects the grave and distinct charges which
had been made as exceedingly cautious. With
regard to one of the charges-that against the
bindery department-the committee declare
themselves satisfied ''that there has been
great mismanagement in this department,
and that serious losses have occurred therein. "
LII Is DuU Ialr 10 dlu JntJ Iuo lorlner ueau Ol
the department complains that no opportu-
nifty was afforded him to clear himself
from the charges brought against him,
and that he intends, as is reported
to vindicate his management by bringing a
| libel suit against the unior agent who
caused this investigation. With regard to
the other charge-the purchase of paper
through middlemen-the report admits its
correctness, but adds that sit does not appear
| L Co. Lofo h. hat
| Concern has suffered any serious loss by
such mode of making purchases" With all
respect for the theological eminence of the
men composing the committee, we doubt
whether there are many business men who
will find such report satisfactory. The
denial that the Concern had suffered any
serious loss will seem to many to imply thai
some loss has been suffered and if so, people
will naturally be anxious to know something
about its extent and the committees opinion
as to what constitutes serious loss. 1t ha(
been distinctly charged that some of the par
ties from whom the middlemen had purchased
the paper had expressly testified that they
would have sold the paper directly to the Bool
Concern for the same price which they re
ceiVed from the middlemen, and that thus tn
Concern might have saved the commission
We believe many will be disappointed by tn,
committees entire silence as to this point
very different from those Of other people, i
the Church at large will not demand ful
and distinct statement as to whether any los
has been suffered by this brokerage in tn
purchase of the paper, and if so, now larg
the amount has been.
The public in general have been anxious t
learn whether the charges of mismanagemen
against the officers of the great religious Boo
Concern were based on any fact or only o.
J. false rumors, The verdict on the committee
J finding, we fear, will be that it fails to con
vey, with satisfactory fullness, the desired il
/ formation.
ga LAST BLOW AT SAILING SHIPS.
From the NJ Y. World.
The Eoening Post makes the following bri
liant display of its competency to form op
Mons on subjects connected with commerc
and navigation
, "a considerable fleet has passed through the Sue
Canal and now we hear of but one objection to it,
that it cannot well be used for sailing vessels as th
j Red Sea is unit for their navigation
{ 'That is as though one should object to railroad
them. Sailing vessels for long voyages, have Il
some time past been going out OF use, and the opel
ing OF the Suez Canal Is likely to give this class
shipF, except for special and limited voyages a I'm
, blow.
4 "Thls ia probably good for commerce and for u
engine -buildersi but II may be regretted by thoi
: who connect little romance with the ocean, IN
future Marryatt or Cooper Will have TO deal VII
a stokers and engineers instead Of seamen; and W