The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-14
DO BICYCLES HURT BOOKS
Publishers Discuss the Effect or Wheel
ing on the Trade.

To what extent has the increase OF BIZ
cycling in the past two or three years
affected trade in general and the book
trade in particular? This is subject
much discussed and OF wide interest. In
view OF the increasing popularity OF the
wheel among both sexes and in every
class OF society.
reporter for the New York Times. de-
sirous of ascertaining the views of the
large publishing houses in this city, first
visited the firm of G.. p. Putnam's Sons,
where Irving Putnam gave his ideas on the
subject Mr.. Putnam said at once that the
immediate effect of the bicycle craze had
been disastrous TO the book trade. With
his firm trade had been unusually duh this
spring. he declared. and this because
publisher TO be successful depended chiefly
on the great mass OF people with moder-
ate means, which class chiefly is affected
by the democratic bicycle.
1T stands 10 reason" continued Mr. Put
man, that after a mans business day Is
over he cannot find time TO indulge both
in his favorite pastime and In literary pur-
suits One or the other must necessarily
suffer. and at the present moment II Is
the library which has given way to the
wheel But although have been a finan-
ciai loser from the present mania, l am
and have been an enthusiastic cyciist for
the past eighteen years-since the days
when the first Columbia wheel WAS
brought out. At that time the bicycle was
loked upon as a public enemy, and treated
accordingly. IL was then impossible 10
ride down Broadway without being hooted
and cursed by an angry mob. Now the
tables are turned. and the bicycl!st rules
the day, and a well-deserved revenge II
is"
Mr.. Putnam was of the opinion that the
present effect of bicycling on the book
trade would only be temporary. His the
DRY is that the Increase OF wheeling means
at the same time a general increase OF
vigor and good health among the people.
Once the first and present phase OF the
question is over, this renewed yigor VIII
exhibit Itself in practical manner rs
the people once more return 10 their libra
ries and books, which they viii have been
all the better prepared TO enjoy.
Mr.. Putnam is inclined TO believe that
while the bicycle has produced tempora-
rfly disastrous effect on the sale OF books.
II has on the other hand, been decidedly
beneficial 10 the daily press and particu-
larry to the Sunday newspapers. for. al
though man or woman would generally
be dlsncllned 10 open a book after tho
fatigue OF the wheel, the desire for news
paper reading would. on the contrary, be
increased lie contended that when the
body is tired the turning of the pages OF
any book, even IL II be the lightest OF
novels. Is far more trying 10 the brain
than casual glance at one OF the great
dailles with It's varied fund of information
suitable 20 every taste.
Mr. Putnam observed that one OF the
most beneficial results Of the increase In
wheeling was I'm the ultimate exclusion OF
the horse from cites and towns. which in
the interest OF public health was thing
much to be desired. BY bringing about the
disuse ot the horse i'm large centers Of
population, the bicycle Is effecting an
enormous advance In civilization. he
thought.
4 member Of the firm cf F. p. DuttOr.
on being interviewed concerning the pos
sibia influence OF cycling on the book
trade expressed the opinion that In his
particular class % business the bicycle
had produced no change whatever. ether
good or bad. On the whole, the firms
business had been rather more favorable
than usual this spring. The gentleman
Acknowledged. however, that IL would he
difficult Tor his firms business 20 be Hf-
fectei. as SIS principal trade was in holt
day books a class which could hardly be
influenced by cycling.
Edwin w Morse. OF Charles Scribner's
Sons. declared that his FIRMS business had
been good for the past few months. and
that the bicycle appeared 20 have been
beneficial 20 their book trade rather than
otherwise He admitted that he could give
no explanation for his asseFs sion. but was
CONVINCED that the trade % hts firm had
not been III iure1. but was as good as might
ts expecte8 from the general condition
OF business throughout the country
Mr. Doda 81 the arm OF poat. Mead a
Co, echoed In substance Mr.. Morse's as
sertlon that bicycling had. n anything.
improved the book trade though there
Rad been no appreciate difference IN ths
selling department during the East rev
months. as compared with the correspond
ing PERIOD IN past years
A member 81 the firm % LsgEst Bros.
booksellers. 81 Chambers street expressed
himself most decidedly in The matter. and
exclaimed. with emphasis:
ssRseyclin - . killer. ara 10 r7lisfakel
It's influence OF our business has been De-
ngoruhle 70 such an extent that We have
los. more mercy IN The past four
wszrs shan VIC trade IN sixteen years be-
fore. arse hsrvcs1ux Is undoubtedly The
chief. II no. the only. cause OF the trou-
bic
Moreover. the evil IS ever on the .n-
crosse as the price % bicycles cecrease-s
art Ire terms % payment become easier.
yEevg there can BE- tao opinions on The
xahYeet IL mare than ! can understand.
There "a said % he capital % SIS 90 -,
invested in bicycles n the city % New
YORK alone Donf tel ne tAat al The
money speat IN this manner does no: ss-
feet cur trade Jgst fook a. them any
-sxhs going 6owu Sixth avenus lust like
A ire % hattie. Nc, that I ostecs 10 =
rues~rate ausoare % tA~ wheel n the H.
.erezs % good health. bat whAt I 60 con-
ss~sa- : thas mania. whica e rosnsng Sgt
a fAsa.eaAhgs fz3. ana whscA drives rnea
saa wo<zsE sssy Rot Gay from ins-r