sion; all new organizations should be reported to Mr. Joseph M. Cushing, Chairman American Book Trade Association's Committee on Local Organizations, at Baltimore, as well as to this office. tee. Booksellers' Association. Publishing houses should, however, apply individually for space, so that the total amount may be estimated by the Director-General, and blanks for this purpose may be had at this office, or of Mr. Henry The main work of all these organizations is T. Coates, Secretary of the Philadelphia comat present centred in the Arbitration Commit-mittee, or of Mr. N. R. Monachesi, who will act tees, and a word or two on this subject may as its agent in this city. These blanks when well conclude this article. It has been found filled should be forwarded through the commitso far that most difficulties have been dissiThere is no charge for space, and the pated by frank and direct attack on them. If time for applications is extended to the end of any one is underselling on the one hand, or the month. The committee has also taken hold misconstruing rules on the other, let him be apof another branch of the work, and has approached personally and his unwisdom explain-pointed James T. Fields, George W. Childs, ed to him; in the one case out of ten where this does not suffice, the person should be reported by name to the publishers whose books he is running down, and the difficulty will be stopped from the fountain-head. All difficul ties in local cases and with individuals should be settled by the local organization, and carried up to the A. B. T. A. Committee only when every local influence has been exhausted, and publishers have been also directly applied to. On the other hand, all general questions of principle or construction of the rules should be sent directly to the A. B. T. A. Committee (Isaac E. Sheldon, Chairman), because a decision here settles the matter for all the minor associations through the country, and prevents the same question being asked a hundred times. We believe that, under the present organization of the trade, the prospect is very bright for the future. If business is not yet what it should be, the distributing trade throughout the coun try is returning to a healthful condition; and, except where houses are carrying heavy interest accounts (as Lee & Shepard did), which the volume of business to be expected in the next five years will not be able to cover, we believe the trade is again sound and on the high road to prosperity. and H. O. Houghton a committee to procure autographs and other personal memorials, in connection with American literature, for exhibition. THE question of underselling among certain New-York dealers, whose names are too well known through the country in this connection, is to be dealt with directly by a strong committee of the Central Association, of which Mr. Simmons is chairman. The American Tract Society has already required one of these houses to give written assurance that its books will not be sold below rates, and, pending reply, has reduced discount to this house to twenty per cent, with notification that it will be reduced to nil, if underselling is persisted in. The business manager, Mr. Simmons, has assurances from all the leading jobbers of NewYork that they will honor his request to make no better terms to the offending house. It is only fair to Mr. Henry C. Lea that his position should be understood. He sells, and has sold, at his own store, only at retail prices except to members of the trade, and quite rightly therefore declines to admit any responsibility on his part for trade evils. He has also refused to sell his books to undersellers, when complaints have reached him in proper shape and the only sticking point is his hesitancy to take the one step more and ask the jobbers to protect his books. This, he thinks, is going outside his own field, while the trade see that just this step is the one thing needful, for the jobbers are only waiting to be asked but quite properly suggest that the request should come from the publishers. We trust Mr. Lea will see this as a practical matter, and take the desired step. THE Centennial Committee is now vigorously at work, and there is promise of a thorough representation of trade. In addition to those named in our last issue, the Messrs. Harper and other large firms have announced their intention to be represented. The National Commission has adopted our suggestion as brought before them by the committee, and will assign the space for the book trade in gross to the committee, who will then distribute it among the houses applying. As this distribution is a delicate matter, the Philadelphia committee asked for representatives from New-York and Boston, and Messrs. Walter Appleton, G. WE call especial attention to the sharp artiH. Putnam, William Lee, and Benjamin H. cle, in our correspondence columns, of a bookTicknor have been appointed by the Central | buyer who says something worth saying, and says it in plain speech. There are too many in the trade whom the cap will fit. THE impositions on travellers, pointed out elsewhere, are not imaginary grievances. Our columns are open to information on this subject-briefly put-and we trust practical remedy may come of the discussion. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The interests of the trade can not be better served, than by a full discussion by its members of all questions which affect it. Our columns are always open to communications on any such subject, provided they be brief and suggestive, and we cordially invite the trade to express any suggestions or opinions of interest or value in "Letters to the Editor." What a Customer Says [AN anonymous subscriber, who writes that he" would be worse off without the WEEKLY," sends us the following spicy letter, which we print in the hope that it will stir up some of the trade. There is too much truth in what he says.-ED.] Oct. 1, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: now, he may be wise enough to get it for himself. Twice I have asked for books which I was certain were American publications, though I did not know of what house. Three of the city bookstores undertook to get them, but after waiting weeks the only satisfaction I got was-Not to be found. Then I wrote to my agent abroad and got them-American books published in New-York!! (What a strange customer he must have thought me !) Again, I asked here for the "Summa" of St. Thomas Aquinas. 'We haven't it, but will get it for you." The memorandum sent to me read, "We can't find the 'Summer,' but we have The Winter in Cuba,' if you would like that " !!! I went lately to the largest of our bookstores with the title and publisher of a book, and got the usual answer, "We haven't it, but will get it for you." I left the order, but knowing how in all probability I should be served, and wishing the book for an immediate occasion, I wrote to the publisher also, preferring the pos sibility of two copies on hand, rather than to be left in the lurch. After I had received the book by mail, I got a memorandum from our bookseller saying it could not be had. I gave myself the pleasure of showing him the copy I had gotten without his help. Then, some time afterwards, when the occasion for which it was wanted had passed, he sent me another. In a late WEEKLY you advise the retailer not to wait idly for some one to come in and want a book." My experience is that we stand small chance of getting one when we do DEAR SIR: The booksellers have ventilated go in. One of our ministers wanted a particular so thoroughly their hardships, that it will be book at or.ce, and came to see if perchance I had but justice for them to listen to the grievances it, saying he had asked at every store in the of the book-buyers. I am neither a teacher city, and was vexed at having to wait to get it nor a minister, but I buy a good many books, from New-York. I assured him the storeand certainly should buy more if I was not de- keepers saying they hadn't it did not at all terred by the carelessness and inattention of prove it was not on their shelves. So I went to our retail booksellers. I never have asked for the store mentioned above and asked, Have discount or reduction of any kind; but I do you so and so? No. I think you must have ask to be served with promptness and intelli- it, said I, turning to look for it myself, and in gence. I live in one of the largest cities south two minutes, on a prominent counter, I found of Mason and Dixon's line. It has eight or it a six-dollar two-volume book. I could ten first-class bookstores. My custom was give twenty like instances in my own late exworth four or five hundred dollars to the store perience. During the last two months I have where I had been dealing very many years, and not gotten a single book that I have asked for in my purchases influenced quite a large circle; our retail stores, though I am certain many of and yet such is the carelessness and ignorance them were in stock; but it was easier to write of their business, that, after having tried each to the publisher than to look over the shelves. store in the city, I have been forced to order At this present moment there are at least twenty direct from abroad or from the publishers in of my orders, of a year old, unfilled at our vathis country, and have influenced as many of rious bookstores. Not knowing the publishers my friends as possible to do the same. In of these books, I have been unable to get them every instance I have received entire satisfac- for myself. Mr. Lee, at the Boston meeting. tion from the publishers, whether North or exactly hit the retail booksellers-in our part West. I have never lost my money or failed of the country at all events. "He wants to to receive the books by return mail; and stand between the publisher and buyer, with though it costs slightly more from abroad, the no other object in the world except to take relief from the delay, uncertainty, and idiotic life easy and get a good profit on what books mistakes with which our orders through the people have to buy." These are the people local booksellers were filled has been great. who wish to prevent the publishers sending us Last November two friends ordered at one of by mail at the same price the books they will our stores copies of a book that had just been not take the trouble to get for us themselves. published in New-York, expecting to have it We are very willing the retaile:s should live. in good time for a Christmas gift for 1874. They but it ought to be by honest labor and attention made frequent calls to inquire for it, and the to their business, and not by preventing us answer always was-Next week. When I saw from going to another market where we will them a few weeks ago they were still calling, be better served. Depend upon it, this has and hoping to get it in time for Christmas, much to do with the change you say has been 1875-though, as one of them is in New-York | going on in the frade-readers depending more upon libraries. I have never before subscribed to a library, but I intend to do so now, solely because of the trouble I experience in getting the books I need. This is one reason; another is the exorbitant price. In these days, when one is liable to get so much trash, it is hard to have to pay so high for it. The high price is especially noticeable in children's books. Now, we can scarcely get one book for our little ones with the money that would formerly buy three or four. For instance, the English edition of "The King's Servants" and of "Lost Gip" is Is., which, at forty cents for importing, would not be more than fifty cents. But for the American editions of the same trifles we are asked $1 and $1.25 each. I am continually asked to recommend books for children, but when I name the price that is the end of it. SUBSCRIBER. squarely up to the mark, but to see that all others do the same; for if occasional exceptions are allowed to pass, the evil will grow continually. Let every underseller be "skotched" at once, and the reform is assured. If each publisher or retailer will give notice of every one who breaks faith, they will soon see that it does not pay to act unfairly. Very truly, BOUGHMAN, THOMAS & CO. Plain Words from a Traveller. NEW-YORK, Oct. 9, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: It is the purpose of this article to give the readers of the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY an accurate description of the manner in which we commercial tourists are treated by some of the different railroads around the country, and were Has the Reform Strength to Maintain its it not that I wished to avoid a sensational head Principles? To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly : DEAR SIR: We know full well that every thing can not be done in a day, and that in a movement so extended as the A. B. T. A. some will shirk duty and others desert the standard. We know also that all has not been accomplished that is hoped for; but that much solid ground has been gained and an advanced position secured, so that with faithful co-operation and vigilant earnest work the reform will grow rapidly to a thorough and complete success. If it fails now, no one in our time will have the courage or strength to attempt its resurrection. Feeling it a duty to the cause to report deserters, as well as to stand in the ranks ourselves, we mention two cases of bad faith under our immediate notice. We will not mention names this time, but the following extracts from letters received should be a hint to the evil-doers. MIDDLETOWN, DEL., Sept. 28, 1875. "MESSRS, BOUGHMAN, THOMAS & Co.: I left an order at your store for school-books. They have not arrived. If they have not been sent, this is to countermand the order. I can get them of Mr. at 25 per cent discount. He told me so yesterday. Yours respectfully, This is from a prominent lady to whom we sold a small bill at retail, as she used them in her family. The underseller to whom she refers is a local dealer in her vicinity. The next is from a friend, a teacher, to whom we quoted 20 per cent as the best discount we could offer after September 1st: "RISING SUN, MD., 9th mo. 18, 1875. "GENTLEMEN: On receipt of your former letter of this week I ordered two lots of books from two separate publishing houses in Philadelphia (separating the order for a test). The books and bills are at hand. One house discounts 25 off and the other 33% off, without any intimation from me as to price, while you propose 20 off; so it appears that at least two houses have not the same understanding, or are not controlled by the combination of bulls.' It is not my object to bear on your prices, but when needing schoolbooks the first consideration is to buy where they sell as low as any body; other influences after that may govern. Very truly and friendly, We give publicity to these letters to show the trade the vital need of not only standing ing, I might properly term the extortion, "Railroad Swindling." I refer to the increasing practice of exorbitant charges on over-weight or extra baggage. It is known to those who have suffered from such extortion, that there is no redress, only humble submission to these bandits of the railroad, who always know full well that as "time and tide," as well as the train, wait for no man, ," the money asked will ge-* nerally be paid, rather than baggage be delayed by the non-payment thereof. Notwithstanding we are upon the road for the purpose of selling goods, by displaying the samples contained in the trunks, ultimately of special gain to these railroads in the return of the freights, when the goods are shipped to the customers; although we pay full fares, travel frequently, and spend money freely, if a trunk has a few samples and weighs over 80 lbs. on the Shore line from New-Haven to Providence we are compelled to pay, when a fashionable lady with her Saratoga trunks, taking three or four times the room, is allowed to pass on free of charge. Notwithstanding we send thousands of dollars' worth of freight over the road yearly, a travelling agent must pay on one small trunk, weight 125 lbs., containing a few samples besides his wearing apparel-the same having always passed free of charge on all other roads except this same New-York and New-Haven Railroad Company, who will pass the baggage of a strolling theatrical company, occupying sometimes an entire car, free of charge. If any one can inform us of the consistency of this, let him speak, and expose the jewel. The only way to remedy this evil on this road is to send all cases, if to Boston, per Stonington boat; New-Haven, per New-Haven boat, and Hartford, per Hartford boat, and thereby enjoy the thought of being personally responsible for preventing a few dollars dropping into the capacious jaws of the New-York and New-Haven Railroad Company. Many of these instances are of such an aggravated nature that, as a free-born citizen, with something more than a spark of manhood about me, I can not tamely submit and see my friends upon the road treated in this merciless manner, without opening the safety-valve, and allowing a trifle of the superfluous steam to escape. Furthermore, this extortion is increasing, not only upon the railroads, but with the hotels. The latter think because a gentleman is selling goods, he must be bled to the lowest degree, and "stand and deliver." I am going to "speak out in meeting," and shall state that which is true in two of the first-class hotels in Boston, and if the proprietors do not like it, let them take the lesson to heart, and improve by the moral taught. Parker House charges for a large sampleroom, without meals and fire, $4 to $6 per day. Tremont House charges for large room on office floor- including meals $14 per day. Three flights up, $8 per day. If these are not atrocious charges, when gold is only 1.17 instead of 2.50, why, I'm dumb. Hungry with greed, these vampires little see the ultimate result of this treatment to the travelling fraternity. "But I'll whisper in their ear something queer for them to hear." In Boston there are some very fine buildings unoccupied, in the very centre of the business portion of the city. The landlords will be only too glad to temporarily let one floor to some dozen New-York houses, to enable them to have the chance to display the samples of their goods whenever the agent desires. Let every style of business establish this line of action, and we shall contemplate a revolution among these hotel proprietors, who now believe in the idea of making "millions" out of the travelling fraternity; and their cupidity, and such mental resources as they can command, will endeavor to devise some other means to make us yield up our heart's blood, and we will be able to again assert our rights and talk about our terms of agreement. A travelling friend of mine states his average expense on his baggage is $5 per day, the year round. Another makes the following statement : Four trunks; weight, 900 lbs.; contents, blankbooks, albums, etc. Sends freight over the road yearly. Over $300,000 worth of goods are yearly shipped over the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad per Union Star line by his firm. Paid on trunks from Pittsburg to Chicago, $23.75-double that of regular freight charges. Another has 1350 lbs. of books-six and sometimes seven trunks; paid from Rochester to New-York City, $18, and on the same trunks from Lima, Ohio, to Philadelphia, $54. All these charges are far more than by freight or even express. Now I would ask that some of the clear-headed thinkers of our trade devise some line of action whereby the directors of the different railroads will be led to consider the injustice of this charging of over-baggage, excepting at fair freight prices, and to contemplate the matter in the light of reason and fair dealings. Let this matter be agitated to such an extent as to make a reasonable impression upon all who are interestedfor we are all directly or indirectly interested in this overcharging. The dealers in the trade are obliged to pay more for the goods, as all expenses must be duly considered when we contemplate the cost of an article. The consumer, again, is made to pay for this-the poor man and the wealthy. Let us have a new reform, and endeavor to induce the directors on all railroads to allow one trunk, weighing not over 200 lbs.; and for all excess, the charge to be only at regular freight rates. Let them do this, and we will ask no more. Resolved, That those booksellers who refuse to join this Association be treated as though purchasing for their own use, and be compelled to pay cash on delivery." The following were elected to serve as officers of the Association: President, George Ellis; Vice-President, R. J. Harp; Secretary, R. G. Eyrich; Treasurer, J. A. Gresham. The following were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws : R. J. Harp; J. A. Gresham; W. E. Seebold; William Fanche; P. F. Gogarty. All the booksellers in the city are to be fur nished copies of the resolutions adopted, and it was determined that the same be considered in active force and operation on and after Octo ber 15th, 1875. [In connection with this movement, we are requested by our correspondent to call attention to a complaint, which the New-Orleans trade hope will be the last to come from their city. One of the large dealers is about to open another store, when he intends selling books during the day, and by auction at night, and the trade has been informed that he receives con signments of books from the publishers North. Is not such a move directly opposed to our reform, and can publishers legitimately furnish him with stock for the purpose?" Publishers will doubtless reduce discounts if the name is furnished to them.-ED.] Central Booksellers' Association. WE have not received the minutes of the secretary for the last meeting, which was held at the St. Nicholas Hotel, Tuesday, at II A M., Mr. Barnes in the chair, and Mr. Dodd at the secre tary's post. Some communications as to jobbing discounts were received, and the secretary was instructed to reply that the Association was not at present undertaking to influence that question. The subject of underselling in New York and vicinity was discussed at length, Mr. Sheldon stating what had been done by the Arbitration Committee of the American Book Trade Association, and Messrs. Simmons, Lockwood, and Pratt were appointed a committee to take active measures. Mr. Knight was present from the New-England Association, and made some remarks, and Mr. Coates, of the Centennial Committee, explained what it had done, and requested that the Central Associa tion suggest two members each, from NewYork and Boston. Mr. Barnes named Messrs. Appleton and Putnam, of New-York, and Lee and Ticknor, of Boston. BOOKS RECEIVED. VICTORIAN POETS, by Edmund Clarence Stedman. (Jas. R. Osgood & Co.) This brilliant work, of which the papers printed in Scribner's are the basis, is a chef d'œuvre of criticism. It ranks with Lowell's critical papers, and will do more than any recent book to strengthen the respect for American writers in England. To the general reader, it serves the purpose of a guide-book to English poetry since the reign of the Georges; its lists of authors, and especially its admirable analytical index, furnishing a ready key to unlock its treasures of criticism. But to the scholar, it is also an invaluable treatise on the methods of poetry, and the true principles of criticism. Mr. Stedman is a remarkable combination of poet and critic, and there is a richness and splendor about his prose work which gives it as much character as his grace and delicacy do his poetry. Sq. 12mo, cloth, $2.50. THE NEW DAY, by Richard Watson Gilder. (Scribner, Armstrong & Co.) Mr. Stedman suggests that American poetry having mastered our landscape, will pass now into a psychological school. Mr. Gilder gives promise of being one of the foremost of this school, and his volume is the most remarkable for finish of any first book in recent literature. It is made up of songs and sonnets, that picture the dawn and rise of supreme emotion in the human soul, its ecstasy, its passion, its despair. The intensity, depth of feeling, poetic quality, and exquisite grace of the work will give it a permanent place among the great love poems of the world. Some of the lines are as supremely perfect as the rose. The volume is beautifully issued, with floral "decorations" as head and tail pieces, symbolizing the varying phases of the poem, daintily drawn and deliciously engraved by Henry Marsh. It is a pity that the title-page is so ill-arranged, and the brilliant cover design, though it symbolizes, with its peacock-plume, the rising of the sun in the new day, presents such a glare of gold as seems to us quite inconsistent with the true art of book decoration. THE VOYAGES AND ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN HATTERAS, by Jules Verne. (James R. Osgood & Co.) Captain Hatteras, the wonderful hero of this wonderful story, is born with a thirst for adventures. The most ardent wish of his life is to reach the North Pole; with this object in view, he equips a ship, and sets out for the north. The records of all recent explorers are as nothing compared to the sights he sees and the discoveries he makes in the arctic regions. He crowns his efforts by nailing the English flag to the North Pole, and then becoming hopelessly insane The volume is elegantly gotten up, and illustrated in the best manner by Riou, with over two hundred engravings. Sm. 8vo, cloth. $3. THE SCARLET LETTER, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. (James R. Osgood & Co.) A charming edition of one of Hawthorne's most popular works. A dainty volume, beautifully printed on tinted paper, and uniform with Little Classics." 16mo, cloth, red edges. $1.25. THE TWO SISTERS, by Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth. (T. B. Peterson & Bros.) The eighth volume of the new edition of Mrs. Southworth's works this firm is publishing. 12mo, cloth. $1.75 BRENTFORD PARSONAGE. (Robert Carter & Bros.) From the pen of the favorite author of the "Win and Wear Series." A simple story of life in a New-England village. Suitable for young readers. 12mo, cloth. $1.25. WE have received from the Happy Hours from 22 to 39 inclusive. Some excellent comeCo. eighteen numbers of their" Acting Drama," dies and farces will be found among them. No. 39 is Tennyson's "Queen Mary," "adapted, altered, and arranged for the American stage, by John H. Delafield." 15 cents per No. ALL FOR MONEY, by Mary Dwinell Chellis. (National Temperance So.) A thrilling story of the wretchedness and misery caused by intemperance. One of the best from this author's pen. 12mo, cloth. $1.25. THE ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE, by John Worcester. (Lockwood, Brooks & Co.) The design of this little volume is to describe the animals of the Bible as they symbolize some characteristic in man. It is written with a good deal of religious fervor, and is in its tendency thoroughly good. 16mo, cloth. $1.50. TOWARD THE STRA'T GATE, by Rev. E. F. Burr, D.D. (Lockwood, Brooks & Co.) Rev. E. F. Burr, the author of this volume, is the lecturer on scientific evidences of religion in Amherst College; he has obtained through his writings considerable reputation. The present volume, he says, is the natural successor to "Ad Fidem," a previous work. It is directed toward those who, knowing the Bible truths, yet are unbelievers. It seeks to help and convince them, and lead them to a firm and lasting faith. 12mo, cloth. $2.50. SEVENOAKS, by J. G. Holland. (Scribner, Armstrong & Co.) Dr. Holland's story is so well known already through the pages of Scribner, that it seems almost unnecessary to mention it. It is a thoroughly American story, dealing entirely with American scenes and characters. It is one of the most powerful we have had from the author, and is full of bright dialogue, clever characterizations, and vivid descriptions. Illustration. 12mo, cloth, $1.75. Stationers' Board of Trade. THE representatives of a number of the leading stationery and fancy goods houses of NewYork met last Tuesday, at No. 74 Duane street, to complete the organization of the new association, to be known as the Stationers' Board of Trade. In the absence of Mr. Willy Wallach, Mr. W. I. Martin, of Samuel Raynor & Co., occupied the chair. |