The Washington times., 1907-08-11
Young Married Man Was
Glad to Get the 500,
and Says So.
Has Studied Advertising
and Competitors Of
Times.
Large Number of People
Tried For the
Honor.

west, the winner in The Times '"ad"
writing contest, which closed July
81, this announcement carrying with
it the prize of SiOO offered by The
Times to the person who wrote the
best advertisement on the subject
why The Times is WashingtonS
Best Advertising Medium" ,"
The day following the announce
ment OF the contest the advertise
ments began to pour into The Times.
Office, and it's but deserved COM
pliment to the losers to state that the
three judges made the final selection
with considerable difficulty. The
opinion rendered, however, was
unanimous, and the successful con-
teStant, Mr.. Penny, of 6t5 K street
northwest, is to be congratulated
that his specimen won over the large
numbers entered. That Mr.. Penny
does feel natural elation over this
fact is evidenced by the statement
made to a Times reporter who car
ned him the good news.
All Readers interested.
The contest had been in progress but
a few days when it developed that the
competitors were not confined TO any
particular class Of readers. A number
of the Advertisements indicated on their
face that they were written by novices,
who knew little about the preparation
of copy or the technique Of practical
advertising. On the other hand. a num-
Der OF these advertisements, which
seemed crude in construction, were es-
pccially good as 10 originality of idea
and general merit, ana these points
were taken into consideration by the
judges in comparing them with the
more finished technical productions Of
the "ad' writing experts. The adver-
tisement submitted By the school girl,
unfamiliar with newspaper work or with
the requirements OF the successful ad-
vertiser. received exactly the same con-
sideration as though her 'ad' had been
arranged In perfect shape and was
faultless in design-the originality dis
played and the idea advanced receiving
fits relative worth in the general COM
parlson.
Merely "Ads" Considered.
Every advertisement, Furthermore. was
considered independent OF its author.
and the Aad' itself rather than the
maker thereof was the thing adjudged.
To avoid the least semblance OF IA
voritism, The Times selected as judges
three of the most reliable advertising
experts in the city who were absolutely
impartial toward all contestants.
These were /. p. Darrel, Of the Oar
rel Advertising Agency; J. Albert Schaf-
fer, of the j. A. Schaffer Advertising
Agency, and c. c. Green. Of Green's
Capital Advertising Agency. The most
paInstaking care was exercised by these
Ciisinterested judges In carefully weigh
ing the merits Of every advertisement
submitted in the contest with The re-
suit as announced on page in this Is
sue awarding TO Mr.. Penny the capital
prize Of 800.
indicative Of the closeness Of the con
test and the general merit Of the adver-
tIs4ments submitted therein, is the ref
erence to those who deserve honorable
mention, and whose specimens were Of
such excellence as to cause the Judges
20 debate for some time the selection OF
the best advertisements among them.
The Winning Advertisement.
The winning advertisement, one Of
series OF three submitted By Mr.. Penny,
together with two of those accorded
honorable mention, as well as the names
of the close competitors in the contest.
may be found. as stated, on page in
todays issue Of The Times.
Immediately after the publication of
the conditions OF the contest it was
evident that It would be a remarkable
one from the interest displayed. Tend
ing to arouse interest was the fact that
the contest was hampered by as few
conditions as possible. the main ones be-
ing that the advertisements submitted
might occupy one page or less; that the
competitor might submit one advertise
ment or a series of not more than six.
and tnat any one except an employe Of
The Times might compete. No reStric-
lions were thrown about the competitor
as 70 the form or design OF the adver-
tisement or its general arrangement.
The contestants were at liberty to pre-
sent the facts in whatever shape they
chose, provided only facts were given
in advancing the idea why TIE Times
is Wsshington's Best Advertising Ne
dunn"
The Times management, furthermore
answered by mail. in person. and
through the paper questions seeking in
formation as to the contest, the circula-
ton Of the different papers, the quality
OF this circulation, and the area covered.
80 throwing open the office records Of
- Times TO all those who desired any
information upon the subject-matter.
Surprised He Won.
Mr.. Penny, the winner of the contest.
was seen at his home, SIS K street
northwest. last night by a reporter for
The Times and informed Of MS good
fortune.
You don't mean to teIl me that I've
won" he exclaimed, a characteristic
500 smile overspreading his features.
That's Just the tip I'm giving YOU"