The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-19
RIVAL AUTHORS SOCIETIES.
WILL CARLETON HEAD OF ONE, 7. W.
HIG8JNSON OF THE OTHER.


Carieton's-Mrs. Ormsby Says Mr.. Todt
Appropriated the Old Society's Ideas.
Several well-known authors met at the
Berkeley Lyceum at noon yesterday to form
an association None Of them imagined tina,
anybody could object to their purpose
SO they were greatly surprised when
two women formally protested against
the organization OF society as was
described in the CONFIDENTIAL circular
which had been sent to $50 authors. Inviting
them to join the movement This circular
announced that tho new society was to be
called the Society OF American Authors. and
that some OF its objects would be to promote
socially and a professional spirit among au.
thors. to settle disputes between authors and
publishers by arbitration. or by an appeal to the
courts to advise authors as to the various meth.
DDS of publishing and to see that their con-
tracts are so drawn as to protect them In their
legal rights. and to cooperate with publishers
in bringing about better business methods
between author and publisher. The circular
was signed by W. d. Howells. George W. Ca
BILE. Julian Hawthorne James G.. Wilson.
Thos. W. HiGginson. Charles d. Warner. Mon
cure D. Conway. and Charles Burr Todd.
Among those who came to the meeting were
Thomas Wentworth Hlggnson. who presided:
Moncure d. Conway. Gen. James g. Wilson.
r. Munson Coan. Frank Dempster Sherman.
Cyrus Fletcher. G. B. Todd, Ella Wheeler Will
cox. Fannie Edgar Thomas. and Cynthia Eloise
Cleveland. While the constitution and bylaws
OF tho new organization were being dis
cussed clause by clause. several men
expressed their opinion freely about the way
publishers got the better OF authors and about
the difficulty OF getting Trustworthy returns
Of sales. Mr.. Conway said that authors were
NJ lot 2 ipta nj n al
wise fools-and they ought to find some way
to protect themselves.
This discussion was suddenly interrupted
by tho taller Of two women who sat apart
from the others present She rose and asked
the privilege OF addressing the meeting to ex-
plain about an American society Of authors
that already existed
I'm sorry" replied Chairman HigGinson.
but we cannot listen just now. because we
haven't completed our constitution"
IL appeal to you as an American gentleman"
said the woman.
II always hope to have the right to that
title" answered Col Higginson. but am
here simply as Chairman. and at the pleasure
OF the meeting. ] have no doubt, however.
that they will extend to you the courtesy Of
Miss Cleveland M loved that FIVE minutes be.
allowed TO- the yist9r after the OF
the discussion was Mary Frost 0rmsby. When
test. prepared BY tho woman who had accom-
panied her. Mrs, Katherine Hodges Secretary
0rm as oxpan@d that tie society referred to
Eas iaa VII Sssa Z
ias f" Of th " EnssS society Of Authors
in forming their society. 1t had all
commended.
the circular Of invitation The principles :. Of
IDEAS bodily from the old society. In proof
Fl Godse s is fs reeevSd from r MAJ Todi
Mr.. Todd. it may be explained. took
she out tSe on
own hook as he admitted to reporter. with
out consulting any Of tho men who subse-
ing. Mr.. Todd wrote from Washington to Mrs.
Hodges for particulars about the older society.
Sp Of S s stsr thst S Ss sdns
Mrs. Hodges sent the desired documents and
ers. Mrs Ormsby commented on the letters
in bitter language
ing the hand in which she held it al Chairman
lIiggnson. Tho says: If we had a society
Ignoring the fact OF which he confessed him
self aware in his former com NJ unication OF FEB.
% that there was ~ Society OF American Au;
thors ganized Il year ago and Of which he had
which he strateeically obtained and which |
the circular he then enclosed gave abundant |
. os haa tss
existence Of that society"
Mrs. Ormsby NEXT explained that Mr.. Todd |
Ign and got further particulars about tho first |
society There was no objection. she said. to
Res to the
Of its name and OF tmatter that had cost 1t SO
u Mr. Hf.' Todd jumped up to reply. He is little
man. with sharp features
Il called upon Mrs. Hodges" he said. and
Who they hey We're She r REUSED to tell ' me
Jailed to find any author Of prominence that
first tine. It is not my y society" ' ~ 'A'
=, "0n comparison OF the two societies said
to G Toa Hf ths
had no objection to our organizing another
one. and We acted on the suggestion. 1t is no
The same name in practically tho same field"
We renew the suggestion that there is no
affection to different organization" said
Mrs. Hodges said after the meeting:
wrote to some OF the seven whose names
Mr.. Todd attached to his circular ard found
them From what he said they understoSi
mat ssi' Ih M GSses bSa
ey Warner replied to my letter:
1T is true that signed the call sent me by Mr. Todd
vihOHt any knowledge Of the existence nf the Ameri
an Society Of Authors Of which you are the Secretary.
Ehonld not have signed 1t II had known the fnCis
nd shall write to him today"
Mrs. Hodges said that almost the only diff
erence between tho purposes OF the two So
ieties that she could see was that the new
ociety intended to establish n pension fund
or the sick. aged. and needy. and to defray
uneral expenses.
Tho new society elected these officers yes
erday: President. II. W. Higginson: Vice-
residents. Moncure ID. Conway. Mrs. Julia
Yard Howe, and Maurice Thompson: Secre-
AIRY. {. Is. Todd: Treasurer. James q. Wilson.
The Westlngh ouse Reorganization Pros.
PerOus.
PITTSBURGH. May 1a-The Westinghouse
.lectric Company held its annual meeting to-
ny. According to reports submitted. during
ne fifteen months OF reorganization ending
larch 81 the Indebtedness was reduced from
8. 29S.d32 to $l,7S3.297. Tho company now
l