New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-26
John Wanamaker Sends
Letter Urging Honesty
for Keynote.
PATRIOTISM MARKS
OPENING SESSION
Sermons in Churches Plead That
Truth Be Uppermost in
Publicity Work.

]
to-day of thousands of delegates from
all sections Of the United States,
Alaska, Manila, Honolulu. Porto Rico,
Canada, Mexico and other distant
points to the twelfth annual conven-
ton of the Associated Advertising
Clubs of the world.
The city was decorated with Ameri-
can flags and red, white and blue bunt-
ing. When Franklin X. Lane, secre-
tary. arrived on the platform Of the
Metropolitan Opera House, where the
opening meeting of the convention was
held to-day, the audience rose and APP
plauded vigorously. Then the dele
gates sang America"
Introducing Mr.. Lane, Herbert L.
Houston, president of the Associated
Advertising Clubs. said:
1T gives us the opportunity to send
back to that quiet, determined, cour-
ageous man in the White House our
message 10 him Of our united and un-
faltering support. IL is fitting that in
the place where liberty was born and
the first American flag was made
we pledge our unstinted and unhyphen-
ated devotion TO our country"
America Against War.
Mr.. Lane spoke on 1.-THE Spirit OF
America" He made no reference TO
the Mexican situation and touched on
the European war only in a general
way.
"The spirit of America is against
war" declared the speaker; mot be-
cause we have grown cowardly and
fear death, nor because we have grown
fiabby and love softness; no, not even
because we have grown conscious con-
verts 10 the Prince of Peace But we
in America have something larger 70
An open lette- has been sent to the
convention by John Wanamaker. 1t
follows, in part:
"This great advertising convention
may do for Philadelphia a splendid
work and its influence may spread the
country over.
People Waiting Result.
DOUBTLESS people who buy goods
from stores diA over Lft country are
waiting TO see what it will do 20 clear
up all the uncertainties and remove the
poison gases that have caused so many
TO wonder whether advertising is a
good thing for the customer.
This important work is within the
power of the convention 10 do.
Ut can put the branding iron Of
its disapproval on the practice of mer-
chants who continually claim to sell
merchandise for less than the merchan-
disc is worth in the market.
"2-lt can warn the publishers Of
newspapers against printing, on their
white paper now so costly. many un-
deliverable statements which they ac-
cept without verifcation and which the
pI bic finds 10 be untrue.
"3.-It can call on the officers of the
law 10 regard their oaths and enforce
statute laws, painstakingly devised and
sOlemnly enacted. 70 protect the people
from dishonest advertisers.
At can silence the tongues of So
called advertising experts and adver-
Using counsellors who go about the
country 10 be the teachers and educa-
tors and trainers Of an advertising pro-
fessiOn. inventing club schemes and
star days and hour sales and other such
devices, by which the unthinklng
people are fooled
Wants Explanation.
st can explain openly and frankly
and sincerely. once and for all, that
many high-priced advertising experts
are trying TO do something 10 deserve
their high salaries rather than IN the
interest OF the public
This morning sermons on advertis-
ing and business subjects were de Nv
cred in the chief downtown churches
Of the city for the special benefit OF
the advertising people attending. Most
Of the regular Sunday morning ser
mons In al Philadelphia churches had
some reference to the convention and
10 the modern ideal of truth in adj
vertisirg and in all phases Of business
which is the prevailing propaganda OF
the advertising clubs.
y. c. Kingsbury. vice-president OF
the American Telephone and Telegraph
Company; Adolph S. Ochs, publisher of
"The New York Times; Cyrus II. X.
Curtis, of the Curtis Publishing Com
pany. and r. Goodwin Rhett, president
of the Chamber Of Commerce of the
United States. are the speakers for the
afternoon session at the Commercial
Museum tomorrow.
Governor Martin G.. Brumbaugh OF
Pennsylvania. Mayor Thomas b. Smith
of Philadelphia and Robert II. Durbin.
president of the Poor Richard Club,
will welcome the delegates tomorrow
morning. Herbert S. Houston, presi-
dent, and ?. S. Florea, secretary of the
A. A. c. OF W, Will make their re-
ror+e AZ the first busincss session to
be held tomorrow morning.
Secretary Florea. of indianapolis,
will tell how the associated clubs have
grown during the past year, taking in
forty-four new clubs and 4,486 new
members. bringing the total member
ship UP to 1886 at the present time.