The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-29
SOCIETY PRESS AGENTS
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BY ISABEL JOYCE.

rope-they "all sail for Europe after one session in congress-they get sa- laam from their next door neighbor to whom they used to talk over the back fence.
 Many instances of the success of the social press agent are on record in Wash ington, though comparatively few peo- pie know of its existence. One of the most glaring examples is that of we'll known and former resident of far west ern state, with nothing to recommend him but millions made in the successful yielding of the pick. His family are ambitious for social prominence and they went to Washington to live.
 In a short time interesting accounts of their entertainments were published in Washington and New York papers. Phil adelphia, and even ultra-fashonable Boston, read of dinner parties. dances and other interesting affairs at the west ern mans home. Soon names of people prominent in social circles appeared on the guest list, and the rest was smooth sailing. All due to the energetic pro moter' who, flor a consideration" thumped out those same items on a type writer, mailed them to the social editor of the several papers free of cost, except to the millionaire
 Persons within the social pale may raise their hands in holy horror Iat the suggestion that plebian additions to their little circle are made in this manner and many who now read their names in the list with ambassadors and cabinet off cers will scorn the ideas that they ever stopped to pay advertising agents for aid in their own social ascendency. But they know all about it, and would be per fectly competent, if occasion demanded, IA flo tho vub fbiOpr nVer again
 It is a business, the success and profit of which can only be denied by those who have never tried 1t. 1t is much the same as the case of man who patents a medi- cine. His first consideration must be means of getting it on the market. For that, an agent is required. The better the agent, the quicker the sale.
 Despite their assumed indifference to anything savoring of society the men are quite as hungry for the notoriety of the social column as women Attaches of embassies and legations, who have not hitherto been accredited to the United States. stand little chance of taking home what many of them were sent over fora rich wfe--if the do not float on fora rich wife--if they do not float on too short to wait for things to come their way and it inevitably happens that the genial agent side tracks few dollars as he cuts the ropes of the attaches social balloon.
 This sort of writing is not what is known as legitimate newspaper work, al- though it is done frequently by persons regularly employed on daily papers.
 A glaring incident is afforded in the ex ample of a reporter formerly employed on a Washington paper, and now private secretary to a member of congress, whom he 'boosted" into popularity.
 The reporter was assigned to one Of the government departments, where he ac ouired that much coveted and more lu crative possession known as a graft" He worked the officials successfully for a time but 1t was not long before his removal was requested. He then turned his attention to a newly-elected congress man with millions, but with little book learning and few acquaintances to his credit. The reporter saw his opportunity. suggested to the new member that he, the reporter, become press agent for the l family with the result that about $20,0 900 was added to the young mans bank ac- count and, incidentally. private sec retaryship.
 | Let those whose ambition scars to no | higher than position in the social world go to Washington. The press agent will | do the rest.
 Society at the national capitall What a world of significance it has for those ! who are afar off and can not seei But, it Is safe to say that, if the real family l crest of two-thirds of its makeup could | be known it might prove to be crossed l picks with tin pail suspended