The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-26
Leading Book and Magazine
Houses Unite for Mutual
Protection.
TO FIGHT Department STORES.
They Claim Cut Prices and Cheap
Editions Are Undermining
Their Business-New Plan
of Action.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. July 25.-At meeting Of two
score of the most prominent book and mag
azine publishers In the United States, held
to-day in th. rooms Of the Aljine Associa-
ton, No. Ill Fifth avenue. The American
Publishers Association was launched.
II might be inferred offhand that the
publishers. following the custom of the
period, had banded thenlseiy es together in Il
literary trust. but such is declared no; to
be the case. The organization effected to-
day is stated to be a protective movement.
pure and simpl,. and the projectors intimate
that IL is aimed at the department stores.
The meeting was called to order by Frank
H. Scott Of the Century Company. Charles
Scribner was elected chairman and Frank
III. DodJ acted as secretary. Colonel q. B.
". Harvey Of Harper's read q repor: pre-
pared by "a committee. setting forth the
purposes Of the new association. 1t was
unanimously adopted. This report was nos
made public, but il is said TO cover existing
conditions In the publishing business and
to suggest cooperation as the only means
Of correcting the evils which are dwelt
upon.
Stress Is laid upon the injury done to pub
Fishers and authors by the department
stores. Cheap editions ard cut rates the
business and left those engaged In the pro-
duction OF books at the mercy Of an unap-
pTeciative master To combat The depart
ment store evil. an agreement; among the
publishers Is necessary, and this is the pur-
pose OF the American Publishers Associa-
ton. such an association, IL IL promised.
Will render a distinct service. not merely 10
publishers. but to authors, booksellers.
book pure nasers and to every who Is
brought into contact directly or indirectly
with the publishing business.
The purpose of the publishers, according
to officer of the new association, is 10
cut loose from the department store agen-
cies and to deal directly with the reading
public. Each publishing-houss will asiyer-
tise it's wares In the newspapers In the old
way. instead Of selling in bulk 10 the de-
partment stores as heretofore. Prices will
the publisher will receive more Tor mis- books
and will be able TO pay more for the ma
tcrial contained in them
The following Nominating Committee
WAS appointed at the meeting to-day:
and Frederick A. stokes
then enc Elected S Charles scrsner F'0r George
Mi.flin George T. Brett Colonel c. H. NJ
Harvey. General A. r. McCiurg. Craig Lip
pincott. W. ". Appleton and Frank III.
Scott.
Officers to serve one year were elected
as follows: President. Charles Scribner:
vice presidents; General a. p McClung
Brett: treasurer. q. II. NJ. Harvey.
a committee was appointed to draft arti-
slss Of Hagys od5 was fSmpoed s Of
meeting then adjourned subject to the call
OF the chair.
The following firms were ,representei at
the meeting and il was said all joined the
association: D. Appleton q Co. Bowen-Mcr-
rfll Company of Indianapolis. Century Com
pany. Henry T.. Coates 60. Of PhilaGel-
phia. Thomas Y. Crowell IL Co. Dodd. Mead
co. Doubleday. Page & Co. Funk
WagnaIls. Harper Bros. Houghton