New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-07
PRESS AGENTS EVERYWHERE.
THE VALUE OF PUBLICITY RECOGNIZED
BY MANY OTHER THAN THEAr-
RICAr, PEOPLE

One OF the important outgrowths u the SYSTEM
attic methods by means OF which the managers or
large enterprises keep the public informed about
matters in which they are Interested T. the press
agent Although most people believe mat they
know all about the functions OF that ofhcer. the
business is really much more widespread than -
generally known. The average man speaking OF
a press agent has the one VINO u connected WIN .
theatre in mind He is the man who sends para
graphs to the theatrical editors In which he not
only gives the advance programmes but works
in or endeavors do so. all sorts % views about
his particular actor or singer the company In
which he may be Interested. With many press
agents who act in keeping with the policy OF their
employers the chief end is 20 keep the name be-
fore the public. and anything Is resortei 70. from
description OF an elaborate gown or a stolen
diamond to an imaginary runaway or an impend-
ing divorce suit A. rule. the theatrical press
agent il clever man. and TO his good sorb IL
success OF many an enterprise may BE- traced
Other large advertisers quick 10 recognise
the worth OF a press agent. and the consequsses
is that newspaper have found employment -
that capacity recently in lines which are far ~
moved from the show business but employ ebe
same methods.
One Of the first branches OF business 70 employ
a press agent that OF land booming. The
large syndicates which were organized 10 develop
certain of land IN the Far West found that o.
though advertising brought them good returns. they
scenery and climate country could be made ~
ular. The press agent the solution OF the
problem The proper was found. and -
parted on his mission OF education the far-away
places where men with bank accounts were looking
for homes in pleasant places and presently
the country newspapers began to brs.ie with de-
scrp,ions OF farm lands in the domain Of the press
agent, unrvalled for proluctiveness and home sites
which in point OF climate and scenery, were al
soiutely perfect and : desirable that the reader
was led 10 believe that every day spent away rom
the place day thrown away. The land-boofn-
ing press agent has come 70 the East ana II an
important factor In the development Of new sum
mer resorts and residence annexss to large cities.
Another ned for his usefulness was round oy
the press agent with railroad corporations. In
one instance a railroad company had gained the
ill-Wl OF many newspapers and criticism OF ~
ated the place ~ press agent and installed an ex-
pe-ienced news paper man with power TO M * an
designations any subject and Instructions 70
make public such matters pertaining 10 the roAl
ports few months AFTER he assumed control OF
the place the press agent said that the adverse
criticism had ceased and that the newspapers nal
beer won 10 the roads friendship.
But that H. not ALL" said press agent who had
served in that capacity for years Even society
needs its press agents. and there are men IN Sew-
York to-day who receive pay for keeping tbs
names OF men and women who are on the edge G.
society before the public. These people are partly
i'm the swim themselves but are not avsrse 10
earning an honest dollar and they manage oy
nook or by crook 70 have Mr. Nobody and Mise
Wouldbe mentioned In connection with society mat
tiers occasionally, and by that means stimulate
their vanity and give them hope that some day
thew NAV be able To enter the sphere for which
their press agent IL preparing them