The Washington times., 1907-01-26
HEADS BIG FIRM,
MASTERING WORK
Charles R. Erwin President
of Lord & Thomas AdVer-
Using Agency.

Charles Roswell Erwin. who recently
became president OF Lord * Thomas.
the Chicago agency which controls ad-
yertising appropriations running into
millions Of dollars annually. Is in every
sense OF the term a self-made man.
The rise OF Mr.. Erwin from a Sl0-a-week
advertising solicitor % the president Of
one OF the largest advertising agencies
in the world forms one Of the interest
in chapters in the annals OF ndvertis-
lus
Mr.. Erwin has been connected with
Lord & Thomas for more than twenty
two years. but his active business life
began IN his sixteenth year, when he
obtained a position with the CONNER
cial National Bank. OF Chicago. as mes
senger. In eight yeats he was receiv-
ing teller.
He clambered down from the bank
ing ladder and began looking about Tor
one that reached 10 greater heights.
Although the advertising business was
then in it's infancy, Mr. Erwin decided
10 make Il his Iife's work. as the pos
sIDiliuss Of the new business appealed
10 his Imagination and aroused his am
biti0n.
The young firm of Lord 4 Thomas
offered him a job as solicitor at a sal
airy Of SO week. ana AIR. Erwin
promptly accepted b.. though he had
been earning FIVE times that sum in the
bank. This was IN 1854
Advertising was fast becoming a fac
Tor OF great Importance iu the promo
lion Of all lines OF business. and Mr..
Erwin was tar-sighted enough TO realize
It's almost unlimited possibilities Mr..
Erwin became recognized authority on
methods OF successful advertising. lie
acquired az first hard a fund Of inf0r-
nation covering every phase OF the sub
iect, and kept his finger on the pulse
Of publicity
For ten yedrs-fTOm 1852 10 I513-Es
controlled d larger volume or adyertis-
ing than any other one man iu the
United States For the last four years
the bushes controlled by Albert u.
L.asker, secretary ana treasurer OF the
company, ana ine appropriations con-
trolled by M. Erwin have been OF about
equal volume In manner ana methods
AR. Erwin combines the bankers hard
headed conservatism with the aggres-
slVencss ana buOyaut optimism or the
advertising man.
The ularked executive ability displayed
ny MIN nile vice president OF Lord a.
Thomas, Ia tle building up OF the most
ehclent advertising organization ia tAe
world gives assurance that the place az
~ head recently made vacant bv the
Death OF Ambrose J.. Thomas VIII bs
lcceptably filled ~ Alr. Erwin.
For the three or four years preceding
his death. Mr. Thomas had practically
reiinquishod 20 mis- younger associates,
Mr. Erwin and Mr. LaskeT, the active
management OF the agency. The bust
ness, therefore, viii be conducted along
the same aggressive and remarkably
successful lines as heretofore.
The working force is wonderfully or
gaulzeQ- The various departments are
headed by highly trained men, WHO have
grown up with the agency. The space
buyer-the man who comes in contact
with the publisheTs-has a record o. over
twenty years continuous service with
the house. The head OF the placing de-
partment, who takes care OF the inter
ests OF the firm & advertising clients has
held that important post for an equal
length or time The dean OF the rOliCit-
ing stan IS a man who has been with
the agency Tor twenty-five years. while
the half dozen or more men associated
win him have been getting business for
Lord & Thomas Tor periods ranging
from ten 20 eighteen years.
Mr.. Erwin r. a member Of many clubs
and business organizations. including the
Chicago Athletic Club, the South Shore
Country club. the Midday Cab. the
Westward ITO Golf Club the SOaa OF the
American Revolution. the Sons Of Vet
Grams, and the Press Club, OF Chicago.