The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-07

be without incense. A society, to be
called the Book Guild, is now in process of
organizations whose aim is to be the cause
of letters on the Pacific Coast.
This society, which is to be composed
not of writer's only, but of men and women
of literary tastes and culture, is to be en-
tirely different from anything that has ever
been attempted in this city, or perhaps in
any other city in America. The idea orig
mated in conversation between certain
members of the Century and the Bohemian
clubs some months ago. The Inability OF
San Francisco to keep her writers at home
was the subject of comment. "They all
go East as soon as they become KNOWN"
some one said, sadly. The statement had
practically undeniable. 1t was discussed
at length, and gradually the idea of the
Book Guild took shape.
Since then it's projectors have been work
ing hard to perfect an organization. They
have worked slowly, but have laid a deep
foundation, and while it will be several
DAYS before the announcement of the
directorate can be made, certain practical
results have already been accomplished
that are bound to have an immense infiu-
ence upon the future of literature in Cali
fornia The Book Guild is primarily a
business undertaking. The directorate is
to consist of two members from the Bohe-
milan Club, two from the Century Club
and well-known San Francisco business
man. The two clubs have not themselves,
however, any official connection with the
guild. A number of leading writers on
the coast have been invited, and have sig
nified their willingness to become mem
bers of the organization.
The guild is to be modelled upon the plan
OF the American Authors Guild which
society, by the way, has already invited
the San Francisco embryo to enter its
ranks. It's object is to encourage letters on
this coast; to promote the sale of the
works of Californian authors on the coast,
and even, if necessary, in cases where it
seems advisable, to undertake the publica-
ton (for the present in the East of books
written by Californians. In word, the
guild aims to foster the literary spirit in
California.
The American society, along whose lines
it is planned and with which the San Fran
cisco Guild will cooperate, has been in ex-
istence for about three years. 1t numbers
among it's members such writers as Thomas
Wentworth Higginson, George w. Gable,
Charles Dudley Warner, w. D. Howells,
Mary z. Wilkins and several hundred 9TH
ers. 1t even has a few members here in
San Francisco, prominent among whom
are Hubert Howe Bancroft and Ambrose
Bierce.
1t is, in reality sort of literary trades
union seeking to bring about better I'M
derstanding between authors and pub
fishers and to protect, when necessary the
former against the latter. 1t aims, also, to
secure certain minor reforms, rs an extern
sion of copyright, the carriage of manu-
script and books through the mails at mer-
chandise rates and in general the protec-
ton of the interests of American authors.
The president is General James Grant Will
son, the vice-presidents Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe, Professor Moses Colt Tyler and AL
bert Mathews. DIR. Titus Munson Coan,
well known on this coast, is treasurer, and
the secretary is Craven Langstroth Belts.
The board of managers consists of Colonel
Higginson, Mrs. r. Fl. Stoddard, Mrs.
Hardin Walworth, Mrs Olive Thorne Mil
Ter, Mrs. Elizabeth Akers Allan, Miss Gym
thia Cleveland, DR.. Newland Maynard and
Edwin M. Shannon.
DIR. Oliver Wendell Holmes was mem
Der, as are also Julian Hawthorne, Edward
Bellamy and Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
Ward.
The American guild intends having an
auditor to investigate accounts of publish
ers with authors, and is also establishing
fund to provide for the assistance of sick
authors or the widows and orphans of au-
thors. 1t furnishes free legal advice, and
will, if necessary, fight for an authors in
terests in the courts. 1t also supervises
the making of contracts between authors
and publishers. These contracts are usually
powerful weapons for the latter fraternity
against the author, who is entirely at their
mercy.
The management is already watching
with great interest the organization of the
San Francisco guild. The latter incorpo-
rates in its plan of work certain features
upon which the New York board look with
especial interest. Secretary Belts, indeed,
declared that the American guild would
not dare undertake the publication of
book by one of its members. But he
adds in his letter to the local secretary pro
tenn. .'you seem to do the impossible in
California"
In choosing what shall be their first
move in the interest of Californian liter
AZURE the Book Guild has made a selection
that cannot but give general pleasure
throughout the State. It will issue some