The Detroit times., 1910-06-21
WOULD GULL PUBLIC
WITH PIANO PRIZE CONTESTS
,conti.ued from pas. one,
MISS MILDRED CARTER.

come and gone. by sending the above
letter to us our subscriber has de
prived both himself and the next lucky
Inan Of this bonanza. But he appears
10 be resigned. and We trust the UNI
known might-have-been beneficiary
will not grieve as one who is without
hope for right now there is another
golden opportunity 10 find some faces
In the puzzle picture and get another
certificate at It's face" value.
Just how this system of beguiling
the gentle reader is regarded by the
plano trade generally appears from the
action taken at the recent convention
OF the Nationa. Piano Dealers associ.
arion, which enacted resolutions dis
countenancing the use OF certificates
in conducting special sales and re-
questing its members 10 aid In the cru.
SADIE against the use OF such certifi-
Gates.
Printers Ink Polls Dealers.
Here is what Printers Ink has to
say oil the subject:
Printers Ink has had prior informa-
tion regarding the opinions OF plano
dealers throughout the country,
through it's POSTCARD canvass In which
| er or no the dealer favored the coupon
and certificate guessing contest plan.
The result Of this canvass was most
significant and conclusive:
| Opposed TO Guessing Contests. 375
! In favor OF them. ........... IS
Neutral and non-commital. ......... s
Total responses ................ s97
Most interesting OF all were the en-
phstIc GSsst bf .,S 10 the
ten in the small space allowed for re-
remarks are reproduced herewith
Colo.-"We cannot appreciate. how any
reputable houses can favor Them"
J. IF. Ellis & Co. Washington. Pa
o.. X: Houck, Memphis, Tenn
think the present contest schemes just
as honorable as running, a faro bank"
Never used contest or coupon schemes
In the history OF our business. Would
welcome a national law prohibiting all
such schemes and misrepresentation In
advertising"
Briggs Piano Co, Boston. Mass
These contests destroy public conn
necessitate talking and selling pianos
out OF their proper class.
Ben c. Peck, Strich q Zeidler. New
York-"Is an insult TO American intel
iigence and exposes the weakness OF
those who employ IT. Lowers the stand
ing of the business and kills confidence
c. j. Hoppe Il Son, Philadelphia. Pa.
Gates"
Tt is not legitimate and all newspa-
pers should expose II as they do other
swindles. We are spending consider
able in pgblleity in exposing d,.s the triek
consider It daylight robbery"
p. e. Woolley, Phiiadelphis' Pa
schemes may be driven out OF our bus
P. e. conroy. st. Louis, Mo.-1"It Is
a reflection on the honesty or the pt-
M s. Bond. TT Wayne. Ind---"De-
moralizing to the trade and legitimate
Au Ainswortih Piano Co. WATERFOWL, $
DIT is a deceptive manner. OF adj
vertising. Have tried 1t and speak
'I l. O. Keeier, Pittsburg. Pa,--"Lisht-
ning-rods and sewing machines are
emblems of chastity compared WITH pine me
Piano-couponist. lie Is the worst oreeo
e. M. Summers, Elyria. o-'You will
do the legitimate piano trade the
efrorts' You have my best wishes
r. c. Carr. Boston, Mass.-"Not on
the level. Nuff ced.'
p. r.. Elley, Star Piano Co, Indian
apoiis. Ind -The contest scheme must
20 Your splendid stand on this sub
Ject commends itself to me-.
Quite as reprehensible, from the
viewpoint OF advertising integrity, are
the inky broadsides OF bombast pro
ceeding from another piano concern In
this city. When these faring adver.
Itisements were aimed at another piano
firm sometime ago they were 30
abusive the newspapers declined 10
accept the copy. Now 1t Is only the
public that suffers from the mislead-
ing statements Of this advertiser, and
the advertising goes in without any
trouble. Which makes the three daily
newspapers that print the STUFF equally
responsible with the advertiser for the
Lat 70 val Of nnhlic cnnfldanca.