The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-09
THERE IS A BOOK TRUST.
AND IT is A vERlTA,LE oc1uPus.
This Trust Is the Parent 4 All Trusts and
IL Practically Control The schools
Its Organization and Sue
eessful Worling.

There is no scbool-bok trust, and there
never was one" said a wsl known agent of
Antwerp, Bragg d Co. bw days ago. He
further remarked TO thlreporter that all the
publishers were "cuttingeach others throats."
a representative OF A. s Barnes &c Co, attend
ing the State teacher association, wanted
everybody to understand that ''cut rates"
among the publishers enabled people to buy
school books cheaper tlan the state could pub
hsh them. Word has been passed all along
the book agent line to make it point to i'm
press upon the membes that there was great
competition among tn publishers. When the
book monopoly in tbs state is abolished the
agents, who tell thee stories will, no doubt,
become lightning rodagents. The sehool-bOok
trust is the parent Ofall the trusts of this cOun
try, ante-dating evenshe standard oil trust
In 1876 NanAntweD, Bragg & Co. of Cincin-
nari; IvisOn, Blakemsn, Taylor & Co. and A. s.
Barnes d Co. OF New York formed compact to
work together to KEEP up the prices of books
and to annihilate all the rival publishers. d.
Appleton & Co of yew York were invited to
Join the trust, but reused 10 comply, and for
number of years tie Appleton people fought
the trust single-haIded. The trust however,
managed to replaceAppleton's books by Sys-
TEN of "cut rates which brought the latter
company to its senses, and ID. Appleton Co.
Joined the syndicats.
There have been slree or more sets of "arti-
cles of association The first were formulated
and printed in lS-4 and continued in force I'M
Ill 1876. They gave the syndicate the name of
tue Publishers Board OF Trade, and gave the
object of the association to be to establish the
business OF publishing and supplying school
textbooks on Just ana economical principles;
10 correct abuses in methods of introduction
and supply; and 10 promote the mutual inter
ests OF members OF the association and pur-
chaSers d books" Experience has shown,
however that the mutual interest of Its menu
bers' ard the annihilation OF all competing
concerns are the essential and only objects OF
the association When one member of the
syndicate has once introduced particular text
book IN any school or school system, other
member OF the syndicate mas right to offer
similar textbook for use ia that school, how
ever better the book may be, or however much
the school authorities may desire il. Upon
complaint that this rule has been violated an
investigation Is ordered such as that now in
progress In Philadelphia. Unless the firm
whose book is desired receives a price that
justifes it in paying the heavy penalties affixed
BY the syndicate II must refuse to furnish the
book.
The operation of the syndicate will be better
understood by a perusal OF the following exact
copy OF letter OF instruction sent by the Gin
cinnati octopus 10 one OF its agents in Feb,
1852. The agent TO whom this letter was sent
Is now out of the book business:
DEAR SIR--As yeu have been apprised. MeSsrs
n. Appleton & Co now hold the same relation to us
IS Ivison, Brakeman, Taylor & GO. and A. :. Barnes
= Co 1t IS now an alliance Of four houses instead Of
three, as heretofore. You will therefore not dis
place directly or indirectly the books OF D. Appleton
q Co, Ivison, Brakeman, Taylor & Co, and 4. 5
Barpes Co, but VOL are at liberty 70 send ercula-5
come to YOU unsolicited In al such cases You will
keep steadily IN mind that do not wish to dis
place the books OF either party above, and that To
90 20 VIII entail payment by MS toT compensation
which will exceed any profit there might otherwise
have been 70 US in the transaction. lou viii en-
ploy no commission agents OF sub-agents
You wiz make quarterly report, or oftener, If
necessary TO US OF AL the dispacements OF all the
compact books that may have been caused through
stating the number displaced and all the facts
osruing the displacements. There must be abso-
lutey no conflict between yourself and other agents
OF this compact.
In contests against non-eompact books, the agent
frst on the ground, whose books likely be
espted, shall have priority,
in cases OF dispute on this point on the part of the
agents the question shall be referred to the houses
interested Tor settlement You requested to no.
tify any compact house. direct through its agents.
Ehichever may be most eXpedieDt, Of any jeopardy
Fou may discover their publication be in from the
ttack OF outsiders and to do your best, consistent
With the circumstances OF the ease, 20 defend them
lvays against the attacks Of nOn-compact houses.
Introduction prices shall be the same a. wholesale
T list prices except 10 meet competition OF houses
Who do not adopt this rule.
A committee OF adjudication, consisting OF Mr..
William II. Appleton, b. Blakemsn. a 4. Barnes
and +. F. Leanian, have been appointed, to whom
vill be referred all questions OF dispute between
agents, all complaints Of Irregularities, etc. and the
decision OF the committee win be inal. This COM
mittee il likely 10 have you viii perceive, a
potent influence in agency matters, but shall
hope it may be rarely, ii ever called upon to ex-
ercise any unpleasant duties in connection with its
We thus submit TO YOU the salient points of in
stTuctions that have been agreed upon by our four
houses. aud will advise you more fully from time to
time as occasion requires Very truly your,
Signed. VAN ANTWERP, BRAGG Co.
As will be seen, the above was sent 10 notify
agents that ID. Appleton & Co. had been whip
ped into line AID made full member in the
octopus.
Later on Van Antwerp. Bragg & Co.'S
agents received more instruction on the opera
ion OF the trust Like all trusts, harmony
imong the monopoly houses prevailed as will
ne seen by the following:
DEAR SIR-The four compact houses have recently
held conference resulting in most harmonious
setion each hrm expressing its general satisfaction
With the operation OF compact rules, strong desire
al observance, their conviction OF beneficial results
md confidence OF the stability OF the compact.
I'll 5 been cause OF mutual generalization that
here has been on the part OF both Of principles aud
their agents a manifest deteTm nation 10 carry
honestly and eonscientiously all the provisions OF
~ asIeeneht according 70 the best understanding;
more thoroughly understood aud as an the agents
become more thoroughly in sympathy with the
disappear, and causes OF dissatisfaction will be
moved
OBJECT OF lettel 10 impress upon you the
very great importance of exercising the utmost
caution and vigilance in your operations to avoid
any and al encroschments upon the rights OF our
associates.
IL would 0e even better 70 be more liberal than
the strict construction OF the rules required than
contend for the full extent Of your privileges under
them. We shall be glad TO see on the part OF all
agents friendly emulation and a generous senti-
ment and liberal action
It Is not necessary that you should disclose TO the
agents Of the other houses all your plans with refer
ence outside work but il Is essential that there
should be between you the utmost frankness as re-
CARDS the interests OF all compact books in use.
You should confer with them as frequently az
opportunity affords and freely impart and give iu-
formation OF common interest striving inspire il
them confidence In your honest purpose, and act
faithfully n the agreement and give them your con-
6dence in return
While carefully noting and observing ali that
frsnsplres, avoid suspicion OF sinister motives and
actions, and especially avoid reporting 10 your house.
OF other causes OF complaint, having their founda-
tiOn IN suspicion or Iumor, or those OF trihng
Insignificant nature tending irritate, but accom-
piiSb no good result
But if any ACT IS committed which you deem OF
sufficient importance 10 lay before the house, first
ascertain the absolute fact with sufficient cOrrObora
tiOn and then present IL in the direct and dis
passionate manner. Under no circumstances can
consent 10 any act OF retaliation for alleged wrong
doing, 10 your using any irregular or doubtful
act OF Others as justification for a similar
course on your part Do not imagine that under
these other circumstances you would be doing
eeptabe service 10 your house to or cOmpen
for loss, however indirectly dexteriousy sc-
complished. II is no favor 20 On the contrary,
every such gain would prove an absolute embarrass-
49, .fawn a. rar rsA a-.Af