Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-07
ADVERTISING SCHEMES
To Be Stunned By WatervilIe Mer-
chants Colby Students
Vote Not to Trade With Those Who
Boycott Their Publications.

A meeting was held In the Colby
chapel. yesterday, to take some action
regarding the recent decision OF the
majority of the business of the city
not to advertise in the college PUBL
cations. 1t was voted not to trace
with those refusing to so advertise ana
it was understood that no more adver-
Using was to be solicited. The boys
claim that while the advertising mas
been of great assistance to them, their
trade in the city amounts to some
thing like $4,000 per year and that the
loss Of this will be felt among the
stores.
The petition which was circulated
and signed by the business men Is as
follows: Whereas. solicitations for
advertising schemes, gifts. support OF
fratcrnal organizations, athletic CLUBS
and societies and money making de-
vices both within and without the city
have become so numerous and so cost
| " to the merchants, we are obliged to
take some action to protect ourselves.
1--WE therefore agree to refuse aid to
all advertising schemes and methods
introduced by solicitors for any such
device.
I'VE agree to advertise only through
the medium of the public press or such
other agency we shall elect without
solicitation This is not to be con-
strued as interfering with the right or
privilege of any firm or merchant to
give to any society organization or IN
[dividual that may be considered
worthy and in need. 1t is understood
that this agreement does not Interfere
with any outstanding advertisements
not vet expired. This agreement is to
be upheld by the honor of the sub
scribcrs. no one withdrawing without
first notifying all the others of his in
tention to do So"
This agreement has been signed by
about 10 of the business men in all
kinds of trade in the city. The dry
goods dealers already had similar
agreement in force, so they do not APP
pear on this one. This action IS not
directed against the college in particu-
lar at all. Many in fact were in favor
of excepting the college, but it was
feared by the majority that this would
leave a hole open and that if one should
be excepted there would be others who
might claim the same privilege with
equal right.
The business men say that the con-
dition of affairs in this connection has
become intOlerable. Scarcely day
passes but that some call from some
one for something is not made on them
Today, it may be al request for some
gift for some fair on entertainment ana,
tomorrow, solicitation for space IN
some advertising scheme. little here
and a little there quickly reaches a
big figure and the merchants feel that
it has gone too far and that something
ought to be done to check it.
The fact that conditions had become
generally distasteful is shown by the
almost unanimous consent to the
agreement. Few people outside OF
business realize what demand there
has been on the stores. No one felt
like refusing while his neighbOr was
giving, so it went on day after day.
The success of one organization
prompted another and nearly every
thing has had some kind of scheme
requiring assistance from the stores.
The business men are very sorry in
deed to offend the college boys Tor
they appreciate their trade, but 1t Will
be readily seen that no exception could
be made in their favor. But the con-
dition is not so bad as it might be
for the college. 1t will be seen that
there is a big Ioophole in the agree
ment for them. The business men can
advertise where they please and many
of them 10 doubt will chose to continue
with the college publications and will
give their ads. without further solicit
alton.
The boys say that it will be well nigh
imposjib,e to continue their publica-
tons without the aid of advertising.
but il may be taken for granted that
this being the case the business men
will not let them go under. They re-
| fuse to be solicited but this does not
mean by any means that they will not
give ads. of their own free will and
accord.
When the situation is thoroughly un-
derstood by all concerned it is not ex-
Ipected that there will be any trouble