New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-14
DEMAND IS SMALL
FOR BETTER BOOKS
Europe Surpasses U. S. in
Taste, the Booksellers
Are Told.
AMERICANS HAVE TOO
MANY DISTRACTIONS
Norway Cited as Paradise for
the Trade-Imitation of
Plan Is Urged.

The question OF why the cry for better
literature in this country is not answered
received a reply yesterday at the second
day of the booksellers convention. The
demand Ii only theoretical and is not Gre
ated at the book counter by customers.
was the answer
We buy fewer and poorer. books than do
readers in Europe There are many
things here which distract attention from
reading. among them the moving pictures.
"over Sunday" automobiling a more gem
eral indulgence in outdoor sports. the
cheaper magazines and the hurried read
ing OF newspapers.
The situation was discussed yesterday
by Richard Il. G. Gardner. Of tho Pub
fishers COOPERATIVE Bureau. The bureau
has been created during the last year by
twenty-three publishers of New York.
Boston and Philadelphia to stimulate
greater interest in books and to provide
the market with better distribution facili-
ties.
Statistics have been compiled by the
bureau, from which Mr.. Gardner drew the
conclusions that SO per cent OF the poten-
tlaI readers and buyers OF books In this
country are unable TO get new books IA
published or, in many cases, even ade-
quate service from their booksellers In
regard to books In which their interest
has been created.
This charge Of not cultivating the exist
ing market reused the ire OF many men,
beers of the association, who said mere
statistics were mot worth a hill OF
beans" as one member phrased IT, and
that practical suggestions on how to do
II were not forthcoming.
Fewer and better books" the slogan
Of the retailers, is not likely to be real
lied next year or the year after. in the
opinion of some OF them. The reason
given was that many books are printed
at the expense OF the authors and conse-
ouently cannot be eliminated by the pub
fishers.
w. II. Arnold, OF the II. p. Claim Com
pany and the Syndicate Trading Company,
New York. read a paper on "A Booksel-
ler'a Paradise" The paradise IS Norway
where the system OF distribution has been
nerfected by a national board Of directors
before which all who wish TO become
booksellers appear
In Norway n young man who chooses
bookselling as a vocation must serve TOUR
years as an apprentice and eight as an
assistant. The board then examines him
on his knowledge OF books and requires
a bond.
"AIl publications" said Mr.. Arnold, ARE
ISSUED first in paper covers. When DOCK
buyer decides to place permanently In his
library n book he has bought In paper ne
gives II TO his bookseller or to binder 70
be put in cloth or leather The cloth pind-
ing costs about 35 cents and the leather W
cents.
Retail prices ere always net; there are
no price cutters in Norway. Public
libraries are allowed a discount from the
list prices and are supplied only by the
retail bookseller. School books. bound in
boards or In cloth, are supplied 10 the
public primary schools by the retail DOCK
seller at n discount of 10 per cent and the
schools supply them to their pupils Tor
the most part free OF charge.
THE usual price of book or fiction IN
paper covers is from 60 cents to 81. Nor
way IS not likely TO have an excessive
number OF reprints, for no reduction In
the price OF any book is allowed until I'VE
years after publication"
The speaker was confident that the so
Iution of the difficulties of the book busl-
ness in this country lay in initiating the
Norwegian system. The publishers will do
their utmost to block the change, accord
ing to Mr.. Arnold, In fear Of decrease In
profits.
In the afternoon an executive session
was held. In the evening the convention
went TO the Hippodrome to see Pima
fore"
This morning the executive session Will
be continued until IL, when the convention
adjourns to Funk & Wagnalls' to inspect
the publishing house. From there the
members will be taken in automobiles to
the Pennsylvania Station, and thence BY
special train to Long Beach. where lunch
con will be served and few informal
talks given. The train returns at p. m.
At $50 a reception will be held at the
Hotel Aston, to be followed by a farewell
dinner.