The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-11

The attention of the Commissioners was
called last week to the distribution of ad-
vertising matter through the city from
door to door through the medium of cir
culars and posters. Commissioner Ross
brought the subject before his colleagues,
showing that circular with Objectionable
matter printed upon it had been distrihu-
ted through the streets in Northwest
Washington. The matter, after being
considered. was referred to the Attorney
of the District for an opinion as to the
authority of the Commissioners in the
suppression of such advertising.
The circular in question is only one Of
many circulated through the city adver-
Using some nostrum for the cure of dis
ease, some article for sale, or the an
nouncement of some entertainment. With
view to ascertaining few facts and
opinions relative to the extent of this
form of advertising, reporter of The
Times called upon a well-knowD firm
whose business it is to prepare and dis
tribute such matter.
Yes, advertising is carried on very ex-
tensively in Washington by means OF
booklets. circulars, folders, and plain
dodgers" said the head of the firm in
answer to a question by the reporter. In
fact, it is done by the ton. the cord, or
any other means of big measurement you
may wish to employ. We prepare and
distribute a very large quantity, and it
is fair to assume that we do not handle
pf no lei IF
this kind. We print some of it, but by
far the greater amount is brought here
and we simply distribute it. Folders and
circulars that go in envelopes we pre-
pare by directing the envelopes and either
mail or distribute them by carriers through
the city. The distribution is done by men
and boys, whom we employ and pay so
much hundred The carriers are expect
ed to leave an advertisement in every YES
Thule, in every small place Of business,
and sometimes they are handed TO pass-
ing pedestrians in the street"
Asked how he could be sure that tie
stuff was properly distributed the me
said that they sent out the carriers il
small squads in care of a trustworthy and
experienced man. He does his share of
distributing and keeps his eye on the
others. Any attempt TO throw the pack
age faster than one in each vestibule is
sure to be detected and that carrier is
dropped at once. We employ only boys
and men that we can trust, and we have
every reason to believe that the work is
conscientiously done.
What is the character of the advertis-
ing we handle? Well, it can be grouped
under the heads OF patent medicine, pro-
prietary articles, including soap and vari-
Gus things sold in groceries, the an
nouncements of local tradesmen, and such
-
and fire or auction sales. Manufacturers
and jobbers who wish TO introduce a new
article into the grocery trade find occa-
sion TO make use of facilities we have to
offer. They send their printed matter in
large quantities, with the samples, II
they are to be used. and we do the rest.
Patent medicines and varioS.. articles for
the toilet are introduced in the same way.
The distribution of the advertising and
the samples is supposed to create more
or less of demand and the drug stores
then keep it for sale"
With a view TO finding out the extent
of The circular and dodger advertising the
reporter talked with resident OF the
Northwest section. He stated that the
volume of such advertising at his home
had reached the proportions of an intol-
cradle nuisance. He informed the report
er that his mail was filled with it, that it
ually thrust into his hand on the street.
He stated that these advertisements were
Of as great variety as Of volume He ex-
pressed the belief that he had received
more than 1000 little books, pamphlets.
folders, and circulars within a year. In
his house they invariably find their way
into the waste paper basket without read
ing. He declared that 1t was all lost on him
and his household. for they had all grown
so sick of the thing that they gathered up
the advertisements day after day and dis
posed Of them in the quickest way. From
the point of view Of this man the use of
this kind OF advertising was waste of
material.
The attention of the Commissioners has
been called to the litter that the constant
distribution of dodgers. cards, and cir
culars causes In the streets and they have
considered means for its suppression. That
the evil is growing they are well aware,
and now the problem is complicated with
the publication and scattering through the
District of printed matter that is objec-
tionable in itself.