The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-28


~ ONO Of publicity have be,
theatrical enterprise or amuse-
ment Some years ago the articles pre-
pared for publication by the men en-
gagged for that purpose would not do JUS
tice to the poorest one now in that occu-
patton Any article could be served up and
passed by the city editors. who were not
the censors the wielders of the blue PEN
Gil are today
The press agents of today, as a rule, are
college bred perfect gentlemen with a
suave manner and genial personality
that at once makes them friendly with
whom they come in contact. Once on good
terms, 1t is not a difficult task to ac-
complish their purpose which is, of
course, to have their story given to the
readers of the paper.
And of the stories of today, as a rule
are good onces, Readable and spicy, ac-
companied by photographs 1t takes a
hard hearted man to turn down one of
them He knows the ideas originate in the
mind of the man who hands in the article
yet so well is 1t written that he dare
not refuse 1t for fear of another pub
fishing it and gaining the glory of
scoop"
In former years the press agents were
thought of only in conjunction with the
tented enterprises. A noted example of
these is the far-famed "Tody" Hamilton.
whose achievements for the Barnum &
Bailey show won him glory which still
cings to him.
Then the theatrical managers believed it
would be good business policy to have
some one conjuring remarks about the
star and leading man and arousing the
interest of the public. Anna Held and her
milk bath was one of the best box Of
fee filters. The story even went SO far
as to have the actress hailed into court
on suit of the man who supplied the milk
which was to beautify and clear the lady's
skin.
When Mrs. Pat Campbell was announced
as coming attraction much was printed
about her nervous temperament This
gave the press agent an idea. When the
noted actress really arrived in New York
so much had been printed that the man
knew 1t would take something extraordi-
nary to gain extended notices in all the
papers.
He knew that the actress was nervous;
everyone was aware of that. So he gained
permission from the Board of Aldermen to
pad the streets surrounding the hotel she
occupied with tanbark, in order to deaden
the sounds of all traffic and permit her
to obtain the rest she needeu for her first
night
This story came through the regular
channels of the papers, as the press agent
knew 1t would, and while the city edi-
tors tore their hair in rage the stories
the result was that the English actress
was talked about for days to come. Much
adverse criticism was aroused over the
favoritism shown and the agitation was
continued for days and people fought to
secure seats days ahead.
The press agent who can arrange a story
that will come to the editors through
their reporters has made a success of the
business. Those are the articles that must
be used for all the other papers will have
them and 1t would not do for one to be
left, and knowing this. the diamond rob-
berries, lost and stolen dogs, and other
similar stories flourished for time until
the editors warned the reporters that no
more would be accepted. Then the pub
lie ceased to hear of this and that actress
losing her collection of diamonds. some
from the crowned heads of Europe, and
no more dogs were lost or kidnapped.
The recent tour of the noted French
actress. Sarah Bernhard, was the means
of allowing a good press agent to thrive
and gain the actress many notices. The
tour being under the management of gen.
tlemen not entirely friendly to the So
called syndicate, of course the actress
would not be permitted to appear in
houses controlled by it. This was the
nucleus for the story. A large tent was
arranged for, seats were ordered and the
lady, who was barred by the syndicate.
was mentioned in every newspaper in the