Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-22
THIS IS WORTH READING.
1t Tells About the Interesting Literature Of
Advertisements.

Advertisements.
From the Indianapolis Journal.
It is no longer an objection to O newspaper
that 1t contains advertisements. On the con-
trary, there is reason to believe that q paper
which should contain no advertisements
would be not only behind the times, but fail
to give its readers a feature containing much
current and useful information, and, withai,
much entertaining reading. Thousands OF
people regard the advertise meuts in n daily
paper as part OF its local news. In late years
the writing of advertisements has become a
special feature in journs ism-a branch OF
literature requiring information and calling
for brightness and versatility. The man OF
woman who has genius in that direction
has a more profitable place in current litera-
ture than have many Of those who see their
articles in magazines or their names on the
title pages of current fiction. The wide
awake business man, who sees the great s5-
vantage OF space in newspapers columns,
has come to understand the importance OF
having it filled with matter which will be
sure to SO attract the reader that he, and
particularly she, will look for it every day,
and will experience a feeling Of disappoint-
ment il it is not found.
III one should assert that history OF any re-
cent period could be written from the data
supplied by the advertisements Of the nawspa-
pers. the statement would scarcely be believed
until one could give it consideration. after
which he would conclude that it might be done.
From the advertisements of newspapers an ex-
pert might write the history of the railroad de-
velopment in this country. The scanty cuts Of
locomotives and cars would furnish an outline,
while the improvements and advantages set
forth in the advertisements would furnish a
writer, il he possessed a fair amount Of origi-
nality, with the Ellington the work. The finan-
cial history of the government could be fully
written from the advertisements OF treasury
officers and bankers dealing in public securi-
ties. Doubtless advertisements in New York
commercial papers would show that late in
1860 United States loan could not be placed
vertisements would show not only the rates OF
interest such securities bore during different
periods but the fact OF the issue of legal-.ender
greenbacks and the premium which gold COM
manded from time to time. The results OF
great battles during the war and the popular
feeling, whether hopeful or respondent. could
be told in the ups and downs of the prices OF
bonds in gold or in currency. Without other
record the collapse of the rebellion coud be
told from the fall in the premium on gold and
the sale of seven-thirty bonds.
The advertisements Of treasury aud bank di-
rectlv after specie resumption. announcing the
sale of millions of per cent bonds and of the
premium which these bonds commanded after
a brief season, tell AS eloquently and accurately
the story of the achievements BY which the IA te
of interest paid by the United States and the
people was reduced nearly one-third, as did the
official report OF Secretary Sherman. The de-
velopment of American industries can be traced
in the advertisements announcing novel home
products. Transient are the fashions OF
dress. the clever writer could tell their rise and
fail from the outlines supplied by the dealers
in fabrics and millinery. The enterprisina
dealer with an eve to business has never failed
to give the public "the correct thing in dress
for both sexes.
In the years to come the writing Of advertise
ments which will always attract attention will
become more and more a literary employment
since the writer must not only be well read but
must possess. i'll a high degree, the literary art
of putting things. At the rate this branch OF
newspaper making is being developed. the time
is not far distant when it will be announced that
this or that noted advertisement writer will
contribute Especial advertisement to forth.
coming ISSUE for the same reason that pub
fishers Of magazines now announce that the next
number will contain a story by Howells or O
poem by James Whltcomb Riley.