Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-14
A MERCHANTS MEETING.
A Gathering of Business Men Talk Over an
Advertising DIGESTION.

ADVERTISING question:
A meeting OF merchants OF the city was held
last night at the Ebbitt House in response to a
call circulated among them. The purpose o!
the meeting as set forth in the call was 1.-The
discussion of ways and means for the protec-
ton of home industries and general CONNER
cial advantages, and make strenuous efforts to
prevent the repeated attempts 70 drive patron
age to other cities"
About forty business men attended the meet
ing. Among them were Vim. Hahn. W. r.
Moekbee, Geo. W. Rich, Geo. W. Joyce of
Andrew Joyee's Sons. James S. Topham.
George Topham, Washington TOpham,
Joseph kuerbach, W. Fl. veerhoff,
A. L. saltzstein, jr., Zody Strnsburger, Alfred
Mayer Of the Bon Marche. Robert A. Parke of
the Pennsylvania railroad, E g. Wheeler,
Abraham Strasburger, Geo. J. johnson
of johnson Luttrell, Frank Hoffe,
Aaron Koenigsberger Of the Louvre Glove Co.,
A. N. Lisner, proprietor of the Pa.sis ROYAL;
A NJ. Lothrop Of Woodward 4 Lothrop. Alba ::
Carhart and Augustus p. Leidy of Carha.. 4
Leidy. William A Pierce OF W. A. Pierce Il
Co, H. 3. Barbour of Jas. L. Barbour & Son.
James @. W;lmarth Of Wilmarth a Edmonsson.
Geo. 8. Atwater of Geo. y. Atwster & Co.,
Hoover & Snyder, A. p. McElroy and Mason
G. Grasty-
II transpired early that the principal object of
SOME Ot tQOcc WHO attenUcu tQe mteIng WAS
TO express their views in regard TO what the y
considered q wrong done to the bush
ness interests OF Washington by the publi-
cation in Washington newspapers of adver-
tisements OF a Baltimore firm So IL happened
that the evening was given up almost entirely
to the discussion of advertising. Mr.. ] stras-
burger called attention at the start to the fact
that only six of the thirty-three signers of the
call were present. Subsequently, however,
others Of the signers came in.
NJ
Messrs. Lisner. Strasburger. Hahn. Lothrop,
Tophsm. Joyce. Grasty, Leidy and others took
part IN the discussion
The view was expressed quite generally that
merchants had no right to demand of the news
papers that they should exclude advertisements
from other cities. but they had a right to OBJ
ject TO the insertion of advertise ments contain
ing statements detrime ntal to the busine ss in
terests Of Washington or to giving preference
TO outside advertisers over those of Washington.
Mr.. VIM. Hahn in the course Of the discus
SION remarked In reference TO the Baltimore
advertisement referred TO; Those things right
themselves. There isn't city in the United
states where you can buy goods SO cheaply as
here in Washington"
The people in Baltimore, ne said. would have
to do ss well and better than could be done
here in order 10 make anything out OF such
advertising N the long run. In Balti-
more Washington was, he said, regarded
as smaller city. Of less commercial
importance tnan WAT CITY, his might be
true in some respects. but so far as retail bust
ness : concerned, Washington had finer stores
than Baltimore and a better display OF goods
Mr. Mason {. Gr4sty spoke OF advertising
generally, re1narking that he believed 80 out OF
every IS taken in in his business came to him
IA the result Of advertising. He thought tia
where misrepresentation were made in adj
yertisements the newspapers could not be held
responsible. People soon found out such things
and advertising Of that character would no,
pay.
motion made TO appoint a committee Of
three TO confer with the newspaper publishers
was carried. and Me--rs Lisner. 1eidy and
Lothrop were appointe, the committee.
The meeting was adjourned until next Friday
evening u near the report Of this committee
During the evening proposition was made &c
form an organization Of merchants TO look after
various interests OF business men such as tbs
discrimination IN the matter of taxes against
resident merchants, alleged unfairness 70 Wash
inston houses IN the matter % freight rates
&c. No vote was taken ON the proposition but
IL vas received with considerable favor.