The Washington herald., 1909-07-04

say,
for cireus-thats transient advertising. you
know-and the transient rate is always higher
And a long hot argument would ensue. usually
ending in compromise
"In many instances however, the newspaper
man, appreCiating the humor of the situation
and for other reasons-would as he expressed
IL, take his medicine and accept the business at
the figure he had quoted After that the argument
was as Go the amount of free notices that would
be printed for comps
There another type of press agent few
years ago who while dsdaining any subterfuge
I'm regard to the character of his business, en-
tered the country newspaper office with roar
that brought everything In the shop TO standstill
This was the press agent who talked loudly of my
show and who depended noise and profanity
of boisterous and sometimes picturesque variety
20 force down the newspaper mans rates. And
sometimes he succeeded.
A.E oRTUNATELY for the credit of a great busi-
ness this species of press agent has practical
ly disappeared, while the up-tO-date newspaper Is
now conducted on such sensible business principles
that even the oldtme agent, with his prayer meet
ing expression and his pretensons to innocence Is
longer considered necessity by the astute circus
manager. Real newspapers now have fixed rates
and the placing of newspaper advertising has al
most ceased to be struggle between the press
agent and the advertising manager to change the
published schedule.
Although in the old days had many a bat
tie royal with my newspaper friends on the ques
tion of rates. 1t seldom that we failed to come
to terms The reason was obvious. The show
wanted the ad., and did the newspaper In
all my experience never knew but one man who
discouraged contract because he did not belieVe
his paper would benefit the circus.
ut at Woonsocket r. l. The paper was
run-and may still be run-by man who was
also a magistrate II was hot day; | had been
hustling to get through the town. and seeing a
large, comfortable and inviting leather chair,
dropped into it with sigh of satisfaction.
can elderly, rather uncompromisingvisaged
man. apparently the editor, looked up. There was
a frown his face.
young man. he said, and voice was long
way from being affable, get ont of that charl
What right have you to sit in that chair?'
81 got up. l was surprised and speechless.
"'Young man, continued the editor don't you
know / never permit any one to sit in my official
chairP
"'Your official chairg 1 stammered.
Eyes, sir--yes sir.-don't you know that am
a magistrate. and that never permit that chair
to be used for anything but my official duties?
"As meeky as could, apologized This moll
fed him. and he said:
"T suppose you came up here business
What do you wantY
az hadn't the courage to try any harmless sub
terfuges on this martinez and l replied:
Il up here to about getting ad. in
your paper
"'A display ad.'
"'What for?
IA circusF
what ciTcusP
81 told him.
"Humphl What kind of ad do you want2
"'Oh, couple of columns
"He turned around sharply in his revolving
chair and carefully scrutnized me.
Are you quite sure that you want an ad in my
"'Why certainly / faltered. The conversation
was taking a turn that puzzled me. Mentally 1
the advertising rates soaring sky high.
And you've given the matter calm and judicial
considerations
Mentally the rates went little higher
"'Of course / said hestatngly.
"And you want about two columnsY
"This time the rate doubled and trebled.
"'Y-e-s.'
"'Well, young man. and his face the
expression of a Solomon let tell you some
thing My paper wouldn't do you and your circus
a cents worth of good.
"'What kind of new trick is this to boost