Year: 1874

THE CONCLUDING PRoCEEDINGs-BELIEF THAT ALL


CLASSES OF THE TRADE WILL BE BENEFITED


THE PgBIIsHERs AND DEALERS ACT IN HAR-


NoNY-REGULAR ANNUAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD


ALL THE DELEGATES SATISFIED WITH THE RE


suit OF THE CONVENTION.


PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio, July 23-The attendance
at the Publishers and Booksellers Convention fell of
considerably to-day Yesterday about $50 delegates were
present but many Of them left the boats this morn
ing, feeling that the chief work which brought them
here had been accomplished in the adoption OF the reso
utons reported by the Committee OF Thirty The unani
nous sentiment expressed by the remaining delegates
is that the Convention will benefit all classes OF the
trade. II other results should follow the spirit OF
good fellowship and the desire for cooperation developed
by the bringing together Of publishers and dealers
would alone be of great Importance in opening the way
for the accomplishment OF needed reforms. The retail
dealers who came with the idea that the publishers
IL their enemies, Indifferent to their welfare
go away convinced that the leading publishing houses
are desrous OF cordially uniting with them In all wise
efforts to increase their prosperity On the other hand
the publishers, who apprehended that the dealers
going to try to enforce unreasonable demands ana
insist upon changes In their manner of conducting their
business to whchthey could consent were pleasantly
surprised and gratfed to be met by spirit of kindness
Both classes discovered that there was middle ground
where they could Join hands for the advancement Cf
their mutual interests. An eSDrH du corps has thus
been established which has never before existed In the
book trade


For the first time the publishers, as class have met


representative body of booksellers. and now that 1t
has found that there exists impossible barrier
Of opposing interests between the two, regular annual
meetings will follow for tho discussion Of the general
interests OF the trade Apart from this kindly feeling
and from the organization Of an association embracing
all who make and sell books, the conclusions OF the
Convention of material Importance The agreement
to IN he
20 per will, it is believed protect tho retailers
against unfair competition the part OF job
bers and publishers in filing strictly retail
orders, and limit the evil OF underselng,
which so reduces profits as to make the
business not sufficiently remunerative. At the
same time the public will be more fairly treated by linn
ing the advantages enjoyed by privileged classes Of
buyers Undoubtedly it would be better to cut off at
once the whole system professional discounts that
there should be only two prices for books, wholesale
prlce to tho trade aud retail price TO buyers gener-
ally Such a reform, however was too radical to be
adopted at once 1t Will have be accomplished little
by little, if at all


The business of the Convention was concluded to-day,
and final adjournment had at noon. Tae Book Trade
Union formed at Cincinnati last Fall was merged in a
new organization called the American Book Trade Asso
ciaon under the Presidency OF Mr.. A. d. f. Randolph
Of ofNew-York, with all the delegates present as men,
bers. and committee to obtain the signatures OF all



laws adopted. The rule limiting discounts to 90 per
cent 10 purchasers outside Of the trade was made
effective and after the Is. OF September next. except
ing contracts. This all the publishers assented to, the
schoObook publishers, however through A. g. Ba rnes
making their conditional upon the ratification OF
their own Board Of Trade, which they owed para
allegiance. Mr.. Barnes stated that he did not
dOub that that body would promptly ratity the action
OF the Convention and So unite the whole publishing
interest IN its support.


The next important question was that Of the trade
Many publishers and large number OF dealers,
thought they ought to be stopped at ouce and wanted
resolution adopted pedging the members OF the new
refrain from sending books to these sales
buying at them. The Committee OF Thirty, where
the question discussed decided that such aradical
change in existing customs could not be agreed
upon by anything like unanimous vote OF
the Convention, and reported in favor OF
Committee 10 take til matter in hand with power tC
supervise the sales to change them TO book fairs
after the Of the LEIPZIG fairs 1t Is be-
leved that the result of tls action Iathed ast was
Yesterday and again rearmed to-day by the Conyen-
ton under its organization, will be TO do away with
the auction feature ana makes the sale fairs at which
publishers wspresent to buyers such books as they are
Wiling sell at less than trade rates


The closing proceedings Of the Convention consisted
OF pleasant cOngrauatoy speeches and the passage OF
complimentary resolutions. The place for holding the
next annual meeting will be fixed by a committee ap
pointed for the purpose.