The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-10

ReceEtly, in this city. a young fellow
named DoLLIvER, who wa, and rs, now,
we believe, soliciting advertising for a
directory was arrested by Detective
PAbKER on a general suspicion, as we
understand that the young fellow was
pretending to he an fgent for a concern
that had no existence and was soliciting
advertisements for a book that might
never appear.
subsequently, on the demonstration
hat the firm claimed to be represented had
an actual existence in New York, o
LIVER was released TO proceed with his
business. The local newspapers having
reported the arrest and its circumstances
took equal pains to do DoLLIvER justice.
THE NEWS, in his interest, printed the
following letter from DoLLIvER's en-
ployers:
To the Chief of Police. Providence, r.. l.:
Dear sir-Our agent, Mr.. Il. W. Dolliver,
has informed us that you prohibited his
working In the city Of Providence. When we
sent Mr.. Deliver TO Providence. we were not
aware that we were breaking any law. We
have promised our subscribers that we would
give them a complete list Of the merchants
and manufacturer of Providence, as well as
the other cities. This can be done only by
personal canvass. Mr.. Delivers duty IL TO
call upon each firm, and ask Thorn IL they an
ticipate making any changes. He also secures
the names and business addresses OF these
firms. aud IL the moment DO propi,ions. no
solicits their advertisement. out he Is eau
toned to use no compulsion. and offer only
legitimate Inducements. As our line of bust
ness has suffered of late from mountebanks.
we recognize your laudable ombltion to pro-
tect your citizens from further imposition.
SO, although we have incurred losses through
the enforced idleness of our employe, we con-
done your action, because it will ultimately
benefit US, nd all other legitimate directory
firms.
Hoping that this explanation will suffice to
reinstate Mr.. Deliver in your good opinion,
we remain. Yours truly.
WHITE 81 CoGBESTHAIER.
New York, Jan. rs, 1850.
Having thus Strengthened out DOL
LrvER's interests it may now be deemed
proper to inquire who are WHITE q
CocHENTHALER and what is "Gilmour's
Directory of Trade and Commerce." that
| the firm claims to publish and how much
value is it likely to be to the business
men Of Providence, II. l.? The directory
concern has guaranteed the integrity OF
its agent, D%oLLIvER, but who guarantees
the responsibility of the directory con-
Germ?
In a,.word we do not feel at all disposed
to permit this letter we have printed in
the interest of the inconspicuous agent to
be taken by our business men as any
guarantee on the part Of this newspaper
that it would be advantageous for any OF
them to do business with the concern.
We disclaim all responsibility Of this
kind.
or course, business men must exercise
their own judgment about placing their
advertising. If they advertise in me III
m that are valueless that Is nobody's
concern but their own, although no bust
ness man would hesitate to give a fellow
business man the benefit of any know
ledge he may have as to the use Of medi-
ums IL asked for such advice. We take
this occasion to treat of a certain class
of mediums-specifcally, directories-to
relieve ourselves OF any responsibility
that must accrue to us from a seeming
endorsement of this particular scheme by
reason OF having Strengthened out Doll
LIvER.
Directories are familiar as advertising
mediums. They are good, bad and in
different as such Just as ere newspapers,
magazines, posters, programs and every
thing else that has advertising space to
sell. 1t all depends upon the directory.
But, somewhat different from other pro-
positions that are offered for exploiting
business, directories have enjoyed a noto-
riety by reason of the taking and de-
frauding done In their name. As the Gill
MoUR concern writes their business shas
suff cred Of late from mountebanks." We
should say SO.
AS a general principle 1t may be stated
that no directory that the business man
who sdvcrtisss in it does not himself see
the use OF in his trade and want himself to
refer to will be Of little use to him for
advertising his own business, never mind
how c'oquent the agent or how cheap the
price of his space. Here in Providence we
are familiar with the directories publish
ed by the old and reliable firm OF SAMP-
SON, MURDOCH q Company. Aside from