Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-08

City and County.
THE PUBL ISHING BUSINESS.
It Is One Of Names FIourishing and
Growing Industries.
Augusta the Chief Centre-Notes Furnished
From Commissioner Matthew's Report.

In the annual report of the State bu-
reau Of Industrial and labor statistics n
very interesting article is furnished on
the publishing business in Maine and MS
it touches upon one Of Augusta 5 flourish
ing industries few notes from this &C
curately prepared article will be of inter
est to Journal readers. In beginning Mr.
Matthews says:
OF the varied industries of Maine which
have contributed to her prosperity, none Is
more worthy of notice than that of the
publishing business. AS is well known,
it is almost exclusively confined to Atl-
gusta, the capital, where from small be
ginning over q quarter of a century ago,
il has extended, grown and flourisiied I'M
til today there is no line of business IN
the State established on more sure ana
nermanent basis or which yields better
returns for the capital invested
The cost of plant for publishing
house is comparatively small, being IN.
cluded almost wholly in the building ana
press room, the presses being the most eN-
pensivc part of the equipment. The type
and furniture of the composing room also
enter into the cost of an establishments
The value of a newspaper fanny character
depends mainly upon its circulation, the
class of its subscribers, and the advertis-
ing patronage which it commands, espec-
tally the latter Today paper whether
il be n daily, weekly or monthly, without
a stable and remunerative support from
advertisers, is, as II rule, poor property
but with this requisite its road to pros
pcrity is u certain one.
In starting in the publishing business
the primary object is to secure the conn
dence of advertisers in the periodicai
issued, which can only be secured by
sending out an attractive sheet ana giving
absolute assurances that the circulation
is what 1t is represented to be. Prooi oi
circulation is demanded which is reached
by the publisher giving his monthly pii'
for second class postage, sworn state
ment or the pressman's figures. The first
requirement is regarded as the most re
Liable demonstration that the publisher is
mailing the number of papers which he
says he is.
Speaking of advertising Mr.. Matthews
says that the price fell off some owing to
the financial depression. The woTA oil
the various departments is treated upon
and in speaking of the copying room, the
largest in the building and of the mailing
of over /, 500, 600 papers in month he
says:
The writing of II, 900 wrappers, which
includes the pcrson's NAME and postoflice
address, is a large days work, SO that
the copyist must keep busy to perform
il. This number is not averaged. The
Young women employed in this depart
1nent range from Is to 30 years OF age,
many of them coming from the country
On am average they do not remain III Il
publishing house over two years, the large
majority Of those leaving entering INTO
matrimony 1t is u healthy employment,
and all are bright. tidy and active, eyl-
IDENTIFY well satisfied with their condition,
Referring to wages he says that they
have been nearly uniform and girls who
can write receive $50 IA month on the
start and after time So additionaL
Mailer's wages are about $40 and so per
month. A number of typewriters ana
stenographers are employed in the large
publishing houses, whose wages range
from SEQ to $50 month according TO
uUilltt anu oShNA'-
from boys up to superintendent and edi
tors are paid from $500 to $4,000 year.
Pressmen obtain from $40 to S25 week !;
male compositors, Sl2; female, 81.
There arc several methods OF acquiring
and maintaining circulation. One way
is to obtain subscriptions through agents
chromos and engravings being offered as
premiums. The agents are given a ilper-
al commission, many of them Icing SO
successful that they follow the business,
Another plan which is much in 1aVor
is the offering of premiums as an induce,
ment to subscribers This has proved
very successful. Letters received by ao
vertisers are purchased in large quanti-
ties, the names copied and the Ial,efs
mailed to the addresses. Still anoGher
way is for publisher to advertise widely
in other periodicals than his own, Offering