The times., 1901-03-29
TROUBLES OF A BOOK AGENT
An Oklahoma Citizen Se6res q
Local Publishing Firm.
Claims an Art Work fs Not Up to
Representations Com r:issioncrs
Asked for Information Relative to
the Comrnny's Business Methods.

the Comrnny's Business Methods.
The District Commissioners are in re-
ceipt of a letter with several enclosures
from james =. Latta, of Clare, Grant
County, ~ la in which some of the az
fairs of a local subscription book con
cern are discussed. 1t appears from the
correspondence submitted that Mr.. Latta
entered into an arrangement In good
faith with the Washington parties TO be-
come their general agent or manager for
the Territory of Oklahoma. He sent his
money for outfit or outfits, and for
copy of one of their books.
Mr. Iatta states that the book did not
come up to the representations of the
parties here. and that, in fact. it was far
short of what he had been led to expect.
Jrpon receipt of the book, Mr.. I4atta wrote
to the parties in Washington, setting
forth his disappointment, and asked them
for references that he might satisfy HIM
self as to their reliability. methods OF
business, etc. This they failed to do but
sent Mr.. Latta a sharp letter, which Is
submitted. and intimated that probably
ii would not be of much use TO try to do
business. if he was intent upon tearing
down other peoples affairs.
Mr. Latta then wrote to the Commits
sioners of the District, and asked infor-
nation concerning the parties referred
to- Commissioner Ross replied to the
communication, forwarding to Mr.. Latta
statement of the Assessor. to the ef-
feet that he had been unable to learn
anything about the business methods of
the concern in question. The present let
ter from Mr.. Latta is in answer to that
of Commissioner Ross, in which the
former expresses his thanks for the
courtesy Of the Commissioner, and en-
closing circulars and correspondence of
the company, lin order, as Mr. Latta
says, Ito give you people some idea of
what they are
The circulars describe the book as a
rare and radiant volume" the publishing
of which cost s100000. 1t IS stated that
the book contains nearly 100 full-page en-
cravings secured from the famous gale
ries of Europe, etc. The circulars are re-
plete with expressive adjectives setting
forth the alleged beauties and value Of
the work.
Against that Mr. Latta writes: II have
the book which they describe in the cir
cular but instead of coming up to the
description 1t IS in about the following
proportions: 1t has $50 instead of nearly
300 pages as they put ii, and has exactly
sixty-nine engravings, instead of nearly
1O0 The book In all respects falls short
of the description in about the same pro-
portions. When l received the book from
them / wrote to them asking why the
book did not fulfill their description. /
also asked why they had never sent me
any references or the name of the firm
Mr. Latta closes his letter by saying
that he hopes the Commissioners will be
able to give these people what they de-
serve"
Mr. Latta sends seven letters written
to him by the book concern. The first
acknowledges the receipt of references
sent by Mr.. Latta, and is taken up with
an expression of the confidence of the
firm in the ability of Mr.. Latta to take
orders for the superb work at the rate
of at least four day" The letter closes
by asking Mr. Latta to send SS for pros
pectus or 50 for the complete Sbook.
The second letter shows chat Mr.. I.atta
sent for the complete book, enclosing
Wells Fargo Express order for the
amount. This letter calls attention to
| agents confidential circulars, etc. The
| next four letters are filed with various
| expressions of the firms disappointment
! at not receiving a letter from Mr.. Latta
mnrninp of March 6. March 1t was
/ really discouraging that no letter mao
| been received" March the firm had
/ been thinking OF MT. i4dlld diiIoSt 1N.i-
| stantly for several days, and II was a
deep disappointment" to them not TO re-
! ceive letter that day. This letter closes
win the urgent plea: Write or telegraph
| quick" March the firm was again dis
/ appointed " and Mr.. Latta was tod IN
/ few choice words that his failure TO write
| was very embarrassing TO the nrIn' as
! they were in doubt whether they should
! hold the place open in Oklahoma Tor
f. him 49,. o
on the date of the last letter, March 3,
! the firm had evidently heard from the
/ wild and Woolly West. Mr.. Latta had
! written and had asked some very pointed
/ questions relative to the book ana uie
! business generally. The firm acknoWi-
! edge the receipt of the letter ana notes
! the objections made to the book. they
| nromise TO take the matter under advise
/ ment and to see if something can pe zone
| 10 remedy the defects. They also state
| that I'm a correspondence with thousands
! of agents this is the first to find fault
! with the book. Continuing, the company
! says: 80
I'VE have asked you on several occa-
| sions 70 send one of your friends TO our
| place and look over our book and business
| but you have never done so. why 90 you
| not send some one here to satisfy your
! self that there is such concern! man
/ of ordinary business ability and shrewd-
/ ness would feel satisfied, after having
/ sent us money and having received the
| goods for the money sent, but you seem
I to still want to go on and create trouble
( and disturbance. If il is your intention
I not to work as a gentleman should 10
but TO continue in this course or fauit-
/ finding grumbling, complaining, ana
Iii. III Il