New-York tribune., 1906-11-15
CHICAGO'S PRESS AGENT.

The competition between cities in these days
is fierce and unparalleled. The Iiveliest activity
and vigilance are necessary to keep great city
from being overlooked and forgotten, existing
for the public only in the census tables among
municipalities with q population of over one
hundred thousand" mere vortex of humanity
unsung and undistinguished among a hundred
others Something has to be done to keep the
city's name constantly in the headlines of the
world or the city goes the easy downward way
to living oblivion. The populous but unpro-
gressive East is full of metropolises whose
names surprise us in the gazetteer. Peking is
known to fame only from the march of the allied
armies. Shanghai possesses q distinction above
the unnumbered unknown through the self-sac-
rfcing efforts Of that servant of publicity ''the
Shanghai liar" Public spirit, which counts no
personal pains lost which rebound to the fame
of the beloved home town, accomplishes much
Pittsburg, for instance can trust TO the scandals
that its wealth parades for more than its share
of big headlines. But private and random en-
terprise for the cultivation of 'bruit" in this
busy and inattentive world is becoming old fash
ioned. A systematic and we'll directed effort
toward a definite end free from the old, hap
hazard if frequently happy, methods of the past
is now found necessary to produce adequate and
certain publicity.
1t was not always so. Once there were fewer
Athens cut a big figure in its day. 1t was un-
rivaled-the world city, the home of that "cult-
ure" which is the business of the women
and their clubs. Rome, too. though only a city.
was world empire. Fame was not parcelled
out then among cities as it is to-day-among
say. the ten most populous American cities. So
far we learn, Athens never needed
press agent; Rome never needed one. Publicity
cay in those days. But Chicago, with all
agent The citizens of the town upon the lake
beheld for some time with alarm the constantly
dwindling space which 1t filed in the news
papers of the country. A great dread fell upon
them that Chicago would be forgotten, would
spend the rest Of its days In the living death
Of the unadvertised. Hitherto Chicago has re-
lied successfully upon private enterprise to keep
the city In the public eye. 1t has put astonish-
ing persons into Office. 1t has fought with its
traction companies. 1t has enjoyed a reputation
for eccentric learning at its universities. It's
laureate alderman, "Bathhouse John" Coughlin,
could be depended upon every fortnight or 30 for
poem which the world would not willingly let
| live. But In some way the advertising has
lately fallen off. With it business too, has
shown signs Of weakness. Chicago is no longer
the grain centre. Hogs no longer go exclusively
to Chicago. 1t is no wonder then that Alderman
Powers proposes that press agent be appointed
at salary or SlO,OOO year TO see that the city
gets its share of publicity.
Chicago is not alone among the cities of the
West in finding use for agents Of publicity,
though no other of them has or is to have
public official whose business is booming" the
town. Almost all of the Western cities and
states for that matter, have some sort Of
| boom" committee. st. Louis has its Million
Club" whose purpose is TO stimulate the growth
of that city up 10 the million mark. Seattle
Portland, Salt Lake City, all have publicity
committees, whose function it is to see that the
greatness Of those towns does not escape the
worlds attention. But these are voluntary as
sociatons OF citizens whose interests will profit
by the expansion of the towns they advertise
1t is reserved to Chicago if the municipal
/ finance committee will authorize the payment Of
his salary, to hire professional puffer of its
charms. The glory that was Greece and the
grandeur that was Rome took care of them
selves. but the glory and grandeur that are Chi
cago require the fostering care of modern ad-
vertising.