T

MER

HE president of the New York Booksellers' League found opportunity to draw a clear picture of the present booktrade situation at the last League meeting. Dr. Watson, author of "Behaviorism," had been telling of the steps he had taken to drive fear from the mind of a child. At first the object of which the child was afraid was placed where it could be seen, but sufficiently far distant so that it did not frighten. The child ate his meals with it in sight and, at each meal, it was brought a little closer. It could soon be moved up to the table without annoying the child. According to Mr. Melcher we are in the same position as the doctor of psychology. At some time during its education a large portion of the public learns to associate books with hard work or duty, and the mere sight of them starts a stampede in the opposite direction. It is the job of the bookseller gradually to bring about an adjustment of the mass mind so that the sight or sound of "books" does not cause a "fear reaction."

This is a big undertaking. The bookstore is dependent for today's business on those persons who have already attained their majority. Their minds are pretty well "set" and it is a difficult matter to approach them with something which they may feel is overrated. To understand that thoroly, all one has to do is to place a standard work, a Scott or Thackeray, in the hands of a non-reader. Before there has been time for that person really to grasp the first thread of the story there is every likelihood that the book will be dropped. If, however, the bookseller were able to stimulate interest to such a pitch that there is a curiosity as to what it is that merits praise that curiosity carries the reader well into the book, and the work is done.

Naturally enough, the work of establish, ing habits is is easier with children, but chil

ATION

dren do not control the purse strings today, and while we are anxious to build with an eye on the future the booktrade wants to grow a little now.

It has been said that I have a "hard and materialistic" viewpoint and that everything I say and write is based on the thought that we want "to make more money.' I am just as anxious as the most rampant idealist in the trade to maintain high ideals; just as happy as anyone to know that we are not "just shopkeepers"; just as confident that we are making a better race by educating the non-reading public and leading readers along the proper paths; but I cannot at the same time publish a denial of the accusation that I want to see the bookseller make more money. I cannot see that the two things are incompatible, and it should be evident that ideals cannot be maintained unless the business is in a healthy condition. Surely the neglecting of business opportunities so that not only loss of profit but the failure of business is possible, will not advance us very far in our work. The bookseller, doing business in his shop, is in a position to do a great deal of good over a long period, but the bookseller without a shop has ceased functioning as a cog in the wheel of progress.

The Association meets at St. Louis on May 10, 11, 12, 13, in the Hotel Statler. Among other things a new Code of Ethics will be presented. Everyone in the trade should have a hand in framing this. Our Board of Trade is confident that it will meet every demand, but even if it is not necessary to change a comma, all booksellers ought to aid in its adoption.

་

So we will continue to do business along ethical lines, without forfeiting our ideals, but never forgetting that it is our right to make a legitimate profit.

"I Believe." By G. A. Studdert Kennedy. Doran, 1921. $1.50

Booksellers can buy these in quantities of 100 at $10, and they supply valuable material to present to such customers as will be interested in developing systematic reading. The whole series offers great possibilities.

T

Publishers' Invoices

WO letters have come to the Publishers' Weekly almost simultaneously, commenting on the problem involved in the invoicing of books by publishers. Both booksellers made the same suggestion, that books should be billed by both author and title, as the title alone is sometimes so brief that the bookseller cannot recognize what book it is that is ori the way. Both booksellers say that they file all order cards by author and when the book comes without mention of the author and only an abbreviated form of the title it is difficult to connect up the two and give customers proper information. This sounds like a very practical suggestion to the publishers as they have every reason to wish to make this easier.

"

British Book Convention is at Exeter

THE

HE annual conference of the Associated Booksellers of Great Britain and Ireland will be at Exeter from June 4th to 7th. The secretary of the Association, Walter J. Magenis, whose address is Amen Corner, London, E. C. 4, would be glad to hear of any American booksellers who are to be in England at that time, as they will be welcomed at the conference.

Philadelphia Booksellers' Ladies' Night

ΤΗ THE Annual Ladies' Night of the Booksellers' Association of Philadelphia was held in the Clover Room of the BellevueStratford Hotel, Thursday evening, March 18, and reported for the Publishers' Weekly by Elma S. Murray. A large gathering assembled and the first half-hour was devoted to hand-shaking and greetings-after which appetites were satisfied. Mr. Shoemaker, our President, presided. Telegrams were received from the Mayor of St. Louis and the Committee in charge of arrangements for the A. B. A. Convention inviting us to attend the Convention which is to be held in St. Louis during the month of May. Mr. Meyer, Secretary of the A. B. A. spoke and extended an invitation. The speakers of the evening were Mrs. Helen Sherman Griffith and Mrs. Grace Kellog Griffith. Mrs. Helen Sherman Griffith, a niece of General Sherman, is the author of "The Lane" and a number of juvenile books. She gave an interesting talk about an author's experience in writing books, and made a plea for the old-fashioned love story. Mrs. Grace Kellog Griffith, author of "The House and The Mould," was our next speaker. She took as her subject "The Home." Mrs. Griffith said that three essentials must be preserved if there is to be a good home in the true sense of the word: family privacy; efficient and economical operation, and superior facilities for bringing up children. Thru the kindness of The Penn Publishing Company everyone present received either a copy of "The Lane" or a copy of "The House." Macrae Smith & Company also presented copies of their new publication, "For the King," by A. Douglas. There was 'dancing until twelve.

Sidney M. Avery

Sidney Avery Goes to Chicago

SIDNEY M. AVERY, who has been

prominently connected with the House of Brentano for the past sixteen years, and more especially during the past fourteen, when he has been the manager of the Washington branch, left that city on April 1st, to take charge of the big Chicago

store.

During his stay in Washington he has endeared himself thru his wonderful personality and ability to thousands who deeply regret his leaving.

More especially will his loss be felt by the personnel of the store where he is so greatly admired and respected. This feeling was made manifest in the form of a farewell banquet given in honor of Mr. Avery at the Raleigh Hotel on Saturday evening, March 20th, at which the entire organization was present. The Hon. D. J. O'Connell acted as toastmaster and in a most fitting manner presented a loving cup.

Mr. Avery has long been a prominent member of the American Booksellers' Association. He was elected an honorary member at the convention in 1922, and first vice-president in 1924.

For the time being, the Washington store will be managed by Lewis C. Parker and George W. Swift, with Mr. Avery keeping an eye upon it. John Loos is leaving the Chicago store to return to his old scene of action as book sales manager at the New York store at 27th Street and Fifth Avenue, working with Solomon Guggenheim, who is general manager.