New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-05
Advertising Clubs Open
Convention in St. Louis
Polish Up the Big Stick for Use Against Unprncpled
Press at First Sesson-Delegates Tell of
Battles for Clean Advertising
BY SAMUEL HOPKINS ADAMS

81. Louis, June 1.-THE convention Of
the Associated Advertising Clubs Of
the World got down 10 business here
to-day. Activity centred on the motto
Of the convention, which, by the way,
suggests the subject for a high school
debate rather than the slogan Of vast
industry: advertising Lowers the Cost
OF Distribution"
Most of the departmental confer
ences, as well as the general meeting
in the morning, stuck faithfully to the
somewhat dreary technicalities OF the
topic. In the conference of the nation
al vigilance committee. presided over
by Secretary II. j. Kenner, however. the
more live and inspirational note Of
truth in advertising" endeayor pre-
vailed.
The Vigilance Committee Of the Bal
timore Advertising Club, which has not
yet found an effective method Of work
ing against the yelled and sullen in
difference Of the newspapers and the
inertia or opposition Of the mercantile
world, was in the questioner's seat and
most of the discussion was brought out
by the queries of its chairman, Mr.
Baldwin.
Secretary Weissenberger, OF the
highly efficient Cleveland Better BUSH
ness Commission, advocated pacific
measures first toward bad advertisers,
followed up when necessary by the big
stick Of the law.
Educate the Advertiser
"Our motto in Cleveland" he eX-
planned, as educate the advertiser, and
if he won't learn, hit him on the head
until he's good. Don't get a popular
man for your vigilance representative,
for he won't stay popular; and don't
get timid one, for he'll grow more
timid. Make up your mind that the
first toes you'll probably step on will
be those of your own subscribers. But
don't pussy-foot. Make your reports
on evil advertising practices dehnlte.
yame names. give details. Our best
weapon is the bureau bulletin, be-
cause merchants can't stand being re-
ported in IL for offences against truth
fulness." o.. a.,
Members of the Kansas City Adver-
Using Club told of the difficulty ex-
perienced in initiating vigilance work
there. The merchants Association
openly fought the movement to start a
bureau. They refused TO hear Secretary
Kenuer. Of the National Committee
who came 20 st. Louis TO interest them
i'm the. local project. Some onlcIally
notified the advertising club that
vigilance organization was lmprac-
ticahlc. because the allied merchants
would not permit II.
That settled the matter, but not as
the merchants had intended. Inc ao-
vcrtising clubs organized the Adver-
tigers' Protective Bureau, financed n
themselves. and proceeded to collect
evidence. Before they had gone Tar or
presented a very wide range OF evi-
dencc the big stores underwent n
change Of heart. They dropped their
opposition and came IN.
I'm the campaign the speakers SAID
thew got valuable aid from the news
papers. particularly from The Kansas
Citv star" At present tho bureau IS
working on a plan 10 get all the prln-
cipaI stores 10 f0rswcar comparative
price advertising By common agree
mont. and IL is expected that this
measure will soon 90 into force.
Baltimore Press Hostile
No aid was 20 he had from tho Bal
timoro papers, declared the representa-
tiyes Of that city, and this was their
greatest difficulty. An instance was
cited in.which a fragrant bankrupt sale
fake was advertised. Conclusive eyl-
doncc Of the nature Of the sale was pro-
cured and presented TO the newspaper
which carried the Advertising. The pub
Usher coutemptuously refused to give
IL any consideration. Ihcrcupon ap-
nlication was made 20 the Police De
p2rtment for permission to send OUT
.o,dvicbcd men 10 warn the public.
This was refused. However the advcr-
tiser having learned Of their activities,
became alarmed and stopped his dc
ceptiye advertising.
Chicago Stores Won Over
Secretary Greene, Of the Chicago
club. another active vigilance worker;
advocated going after 1.-The big game
and being as explicit in reporting upon
them as upon the small fry.
"When we went against the large
state Street department stores. he
said. "at first some were rcsenttul aJ
4 Iuyyzzr2z555syJJe,zs1Z,2gys; Y 1890
4 ~zmGk. rftr@n XII