The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-14
DIR. FRANK CRANES
DAILY EDITORIAL
By DIR. FRANK CRANE.
The Book Agent

WISH to- set down these points in favor Of the book
agents
]. We need him because are prone to neglect
books He does real service in calling our attention
need for food for the mind character as well as
food for the body.
g Every book agent advance agent for culture and
intelligence.
g. The book agent should be honored because he brings
our attention rule the very books need
neglect Most Of the encyclopedias gazeteers antho
oges histories reference books and authors complete
sold by book agents and these are the real literary
foundation of any household
The book agent as rule sells us the kind of books
the publication of which the publishers unwilling to
undertake without guarantee of certain amount of
sales the kind of books that could well be sold in ord
nary book stores Yet these the kind of books
we ought most to have The great Audubon had to get
subscribers for his monumental work before he could find
publisher.
s. Book agents usually persons Of character and
standing Very many of them college boys girls
teachers who bringing to the business of book selling
real enthusiasm Of culture The people who sell books
a rule are worthy to enter any man door,
6. The book agent is literary specialist We consult
eye specialist specialist specialist; why
should not have the advantage of talking with book
specialist before purchase literature The book
agent explains exactly what the of book which
he represents and buy therefore, something we know
about and something which need # ts~
Nearly all books sold by the book agent usually
plain and popular language Many of the authoritative
books science theology law and business all right
for the school ROOM but it takes college professor
understand them. When book upon any these subjects
brought to notice by the book agent however it
usually one written IN language that we understand
and thus brings culture and knowledge to our reach
8. Salesmanship is essential 1t is an honorable and
necessary profession Every of salesman in
another The lawyer is trying induce the jury
to accept his IDEAS the preacher is trying persuade his
congregation the doctor trying bring his point Of
view regard health and the real agent car
pente dry goods merchant other kind Of business
is endeavoring to meet wants in the particular
articles he has to offer And surely is high business
bring to the goods of the mind of the higher values of
life such find in books it is sell any other
goods
g. The book agent very important factor in our great
educational system He does much to disseminate know-
edge and right ideas. The Holy Bible has been sold for
years by book agents and many home possesses Bible
which it would not have were it not for the agent.
10. When you buy book of agent you get better
idea of what you buying than you do when you pur-
chase elsewhere for he is we'll acquainted with his book
and give you the advance information about it which
you DESIRE
These are some of the reasons, to my mind, why we
should welcome the book agent should treat him with
spect and listen to him with attention.
Copyright 1924 by the Mcclure syndicaeD