The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-03-26
CLEAN ADvEHTlsiNe-A HOPE
Full SIGN.

The 1ght against fraudulent adyer-
Using seems 10 be in fair way to-
ward bearing fruit Each year addi-
tional newspapers and magazines have
joined this campaign for decency and
truthfulness. Now there has arisen a
new power. the Associated Advertis-
| ing Clubs of America 1t has over TO-
600 Individual members, and includes
many advertisers who operate on a
national scale. The organization has
what il terms a National Vigilance
committee which was created ito
wage war on dishonest advertising. ].
This committee, through it's chairman,
5ir. II. D. Robins of New York, has
time past been in correspondence
with the Journal OF the American
Medical Association for the purpose
OF obtaining reliable information re-
garding medical frauds Many in
diyidual advertising clubs in different
parts of the country, component parts
OF the Associated Advertising clubs
OF America, have their own local
vigilance committees" whose duties
are similar to those of the national
committee but applied to local rather
than national problems. The follow
ing resolutions, adopted By the Ma
tsonal Vigilance committee of the As
ISOLATED Advertising Clubs of Amer
lea show the position of this organ
| ization.
Whereas. The American Medical
Association has rendered great ser
vice not only to the medical and phar-
maceutical professions, but particular
! ly to the public at large in the inves-
t.gation Of fraudulent auacks and nos
Itrums and In its publication of pamph-
ilets exposing the unworthy; there
fore be 1t
y Resolved, That the National Vigil
ance committee of the Associated Ad
Ivertising Clubs of America in conven-
ton assembled at Cleveland, Novem.
lber %. hereby express its hearty ap-
sisreciation and thanks to the American
j Medical Association and pledges to
that association the utmost measure
of active assistance which lies within
its power to render. In turn it asks
knowing that it will receive. the act
i've cooperation OF the American Med,
icai Association In its particular task
OF eliminating from all decent publ
cations or other means OF reaching
3 the public eye. ali announcements oil
unworthy. dishonest or fraudulen,
medical advertising.
The power that such an organiza
r ton as the Associated Advertising
, Clubs OF America can wield is ia,
! greater than that possessed by AM
publication Those who have beer
] fighting for decency and truth in ad
yertising have been able 10 bring II
bear only the powers Of normal suas
: ion They could say to the newspa
: Epers that are carrying fraudulent
i medical advertisements: This thins
/. is fraud. for reasons that We ar
j. able TO give you May we not sugges
: that you reject such advertisements
}. But the national advertisers, natural
~ have greater influence They cal
= say to the newspapers: I'VE purchas,
\ thousands Of dolIara' worth OF spac'
' in your paper every year. Our pro
4 ducts are clean; are geld under n,
!. misrepresentation and are, In fact, Il
!. every sense legitimate merchandise
: We protest against having our adyel
tigementg appear IN company with ad
refreshments Of products that ar
O vicious or fraudulent, or both We be
n lieye that such d juxtaposition is t
:. the detriment Of the honest produc
!, The public has become critical I
q suspecting, or realizing, that certai
- advertisements In given newspape
.. are fraudulent, doubts are likely TO b
raised as 20 the genuinenegg Of a
other advertisements In the same p;
"a per. We, therefore. haze decided {
i. place our advertising With such new
- papers only az exclude all frauduier
/, matter" n this attitude is taken b
-, the purchasers Of large advertiser
10 space it will result In the segregatio
- of Objectionable advertisements. Ther
49, will doubtless be some sheets tF;
are willing 10 accept the of.scouring
but in the nature Of the care, the &
- huence Of such mediums will be sci
= limited
nd