The record-union., 1894-09-21
A SMALL CASE AND AN IMPORT
ANT PRINCIPLE.


This journal received the other day
tickets for reporters admission, with
earnest solicitation for attendance, at an
entertainment given for private gain.
But it had not been announced through
the press of the city; the business col
umns of no newspaper had been availed of
for the business side of the concert. AS a
result there was but meager attendance,
though the entertainment was one Of
novelty and high merit, one deserving of
commentator. the artist appearing being
remarkable, and his style an innovation
and delight. Thus much of aid is given
him for use when he is freed from short
sighted management, because of his busi-
ness manliness, as will presently appear.
But the report of the entertainment
was wanting the next morning, and in
stead there appeared these lines:
Mr.. Farland has not chosen the press as an
avenue for announcing his concerts, which
are of financial value to him, anu hence re-
strains that agency from doing for him that
which he does not DO for himself Farland
makes mistake in this, since it is not the
matter OF amount OF money to be expended
IN advertising, but OF the business principle
involved.
Yesterday there came to this journal the
following manly note, and if the recital of
the facts helps the young virtuosoin future
concerts, when he is not mortgaged to
management, he deserves it for his frank
ness:
EN- ROUTE, September 20, 1894.
Eds. RECoRD-UNIoE: Your paper of this
date takes the right stand in regard TO news
paper advertising and business principle
Unfortunately my managers DO not look at the
matter from the same standpoint and have
no voice in the management, they having en-
gagged me for series OF concerts on a guaran-
tee. Very truly yours, A. a. FARLAND.
We have lifted this small incident out
of the local columns to give emphasis to
the important lesson it contains.
The number of people who strive to
get out of the newspapers some mention
that will be of value to them in bus
mess way, and which is not news,
and yet avoid the counting groom,
are countless. Every newspaper in the
land is besieged by such people. We do
not say that in this case there was such
effort. The solicitation came through
others, but we assume that it was pro-
NOTED by the artists ''agent," who, Mr.
Farland admits, attempts to run his busi-
ness without employing approved busi-
ness agencies and methods.
Dodgers and hangers and leaflets are
good enough in their way, but it is a
small way. If the people are to be
reached effectively, it is best done through
the daily newspaper press in legitimate
way.
No self-respecting journal permits its
columns and it's duty to publish news
to be at all influenced by its ad-
vertising columns. But there is a princi-
pie involved that gives the business de-
partment of any journal the right to
protest against the free advertising of
business for private gain purely.
In some cases newspapers notice enter
ments and business events after the fact,
when there has been no announcement
made through the advertising columns.
but where the news element predominant
But wise rule is that adopted in this
journal and all other well-conducted
ewspapers-insistence upon fair recog-
milton of the business side.
Newspapers are published for gain, as
well as in public spirit. Their business
side is as essential to their healthy con-
duct as is any other, fact that, sing ular
as it may seem, very large number in
all communities forget or conveniently
put aside, and as result the most trying
and unpleasant feature of newspaper
work is the refusal to contribute compo-
sition cost, paper and the expense of
newspaper conduct to help on the busi-
ness of somebody else.
It is demonstrated that newspapers give
more than any other business agency.
They are daily beset by schemes and
with appeals for the financial benefit of
others, which can be aided by the paper
only at direct outlay and loss on its part,
since its space is its own and every line
in it, to the turn of every comma. costs
definite sum.
There is precisely as much reason and