arise with the book of quite another publisher.

Might it not be possible for booksellers to collect the exact facts of such datebreaking carefully and thoroly and send them to the headquarters of the American Booksellers' Association? Such a list of persistent disturbers could then be made for the next publisher who wanted to have it for an important publishing date, and ship

ments to these booksellers could be made at the publication date instead of two weeks before.

Date observance is of primary importance in the trade and can cause irritation beyond measure. It is of importance to publishers and booksellers alike. They must work both together to enlighten the malefactor, in order that the machinery of smooth distribution to the ultimate consumer may not be crippled.

Association Defines Reprint
and Edition

A

STEP toward uniform and sound practice in publishing is embodied in a recommendation recently sent from the National Association of Book Publishers to all its members:

"We recommend to members the use of the word 'reprint' or 'reprinted' if there is no change in the text or format of the book which is reprinted, and the use of the word 'edition' or 'new edition,' meaning a revision or resetting or some change in text or form of the book.”

Confusion has often arisen because of the use of the term "Tenth edition" or "Fifteenth edition" of a book when it really was a reprinting, and this suggestion of the Association, if carefully carried out, will be a great convenience to all purchasers of books, either for resale or for use. In addition this will do much to relieve the publisher of exchanges.

The Association is aware that there will still be a slight confusion arising from the fact that the word "reprint" has been almost pre-empted by the so-called "reprint" houses which take a book and make a popular edition of it two years after publication. Such reprintings as this are really new editions, as it means a change in the form of the book and not a change in the text.

TH

The Dollar's Value

HE purchasing value of the American dollar has now reached a comparative stability at around 60% of its 1914 value. The latest estimate has been made by the National Industrial Conference Board of Park Avenue, New York, whose statistics are widely used. This chandise that a volume that could be prowould mean in the terms of book merduced and marketed for $1.50 in 1914 would have to be sold for $2.50 to be on a comparable basis of expense.

The computations on wages show that the increase in the average weekly wage is now 116%, so that as far as the wage earner is concerned he is probably better off than many others. He has a better status by 28% than under the former conditions.

IN

Basic Factor In Business

N discussing the present conditions of American business, the bulletin of the National Bank of Commerce in New York makes an interesting analysis of the essential conditions necessary for the maintenance of a high volume of business.

1. A high degree of productive efficiency. 2. A wide distribution of income and a high standard of living.

3. A proper balance between consumption and saving.

4. Ample credit facilities well controlled. 5. Confidence in the future.

The banks believe that for the most part the situation in the United States is particularly sound. Certain lines, it says, have carried speculative activity a little too far, but there is now evidence of caution. The desirable balance between agriculture and industry is not yet attained, nor a satisfactory balance between the earnings of particular groups in the building trades and some other occupations. There does exist, however, a wide distribution of income as well as a high standard of living, a high standard of productive efficiency, new records of individual savings plus accrual of corporate surplusses, all leading to higher standards of living. In other words, with the exceptions noted, we have every economic factor necessary to continue the reasonably profitable operation of the larger part of our productive capacity.

do not believe that the police are depriv ing the book readers of Boston of anything they should legitimately have. I consulted the District Attorney, and he agreed with me on those he inspected. Several have been shown to judges of the Municipal Court, who declared they would issue warrants against them if the Police Department should make such a request. When the court had thus corroborated my opinion, I asked the booksellers thru their committee to prohibit their sale."

The Boston booksellers have felt that they were in no position to fight this law, as the wording of the statute is drastic. Mr. Fuller is reported to have said that the letters had not tried to intimidate dealers but merely showed common sense and tolerance in their attempt to enforce the law. "Any bookseller," he said, "has the right to disregard the police warning and sell the books found objectionable, but practically all dealers are unwilling to take such steps unless assured that the publisher would stand behind them."

Boni & Liveright, publishers of one of the books, have retained Arthur Garfield Hays as attorney in the matter, and he has been to Boston to investigate the general situation. Mr. Hays was the attorney for H. L. Mencken in the American Mercury case last year, at which time Judge Parmenter declared that the methods of suppression by notice from a private society were extra-legal. "We will certainly fight this absurd suppression in some fashion," said Mr. Liveright, "the most iniquitous and silly situation in the world."

The publishers who were interviewed in general felt that, inasmuch as such suppression had no noticeable effect on the general sale of the books, they hadn't taken the cases into court. John Macrae, head of E. P. Dutton & Company and former president of the National Association of Book Publishers, said, "It is ridiculous to suppress 'The Rebel Bird.' There isn't a line in the book that could be called impure or licentious. I am opposed to censorship, because I think it is basically wrong. There can be no progress in literature or art if censorship is allowed to have its way. The firm of E. P. Dutton & Company is not going to take the matter up, as the situation will take care of itself." Alfred Harcourt, of Harcourt,

Brace & Co., said in an interview, "It is hard to tell whether action like that at Boston retards or promotes the sale of books. If the booksellers of Boston are willing to submit to such extra-legal domination, I don't see why the publishers here should concern themselves with the matter, especially when such proceedings do not seem to affect business adversely." "The Marriage Bed," he declared, "was suspected wholly on account of the title, and there is nothing in the contents that the censor would question."

A suggestion has been thrown into the discussion that "Elmer Gantry" might be included in the list of banned volumes, and one newspaper hints that it might be attacked under the anti-blasphemy law. No action has been reported up to the time. of going to print.

The Plan for Stage Censorship
Details of the New York
State Statute

THE bill before the New York Legisla

ture for the censorship of plays is under the same auspices as the censorship of films and has had busy and well attended hearings during the past ten days, but the opinions are varied as to whether it will go into effect. Its sponsors have been largely church leaders, including Cardinal Hayes of New York. The bill provides for a real censorship; that is, an examination and license before production. In this respect it differs from the so-called Clean Books Bill which provides for examination and prosecution after publication.

The work would be carried on by a special commission appointed by the Board of Regents of the State of New York on recommendation of the Commissioner of Education. Offices would be established for the receiving of dramas, playlets and musical plays or theatrical productions of every kind. The director of the work is obligated to issue a license unless the production should prove to be "obscene, indecent, immoral, inhuman, sacrilegious, or of such character that their exhibition would tend to corrupt morals or incite crime." The decisions are subject to review by the regents. Permits are revoc

able. The fee which must accompany the manuscript is $1 per folio for each production. No change or alteration can be made in the manuscript after the license has been issued except eliminations or except with the permission of the director.

Guild Book Published

THE publishing of the trade edition of the first Literary Guild book "Anthony Comstock" by Heywood Broun and Margaret Leech has been followed in New York by much newspaper discussion and advertising. The price set for the book was $3.00. The fact that the publication date synchronized with an excited general discussion on censorship at Albany increased the interest in the subject.

According to the reports, most booksellers felt that they were put in a false light with their customers in being obliged to charge twice the Guild price for a book. "Why," said one bookseller, "should the authors favor a Guild with special arrangements, when all the reviews and advertising they get have to come from the trade edition ?"

The Dauber & Pine Bookshop on lower Fifth Avenue invited the authors to autograph their books on Saturday afternoon and the Washington Square Bookshop carried a large advertisement saying that, "If you are unable to obtain a copy of the book from your regular bookstore this shop will deliver you the trade edition at $3.00."

This can

The conditions surrounding this book are further complicated by the New Republic's announcing a special edition. This can only be secured with a subscription to the New Republic but at the same time only $1.35 is added to the annual subscription price of $5 a year, making the magazine and book available for $6.35. The New Republic's statement follows:

"In keeping with our practice, established seven years ago, of publishing the best books that come out, in special New Republic Edition, for the benefit of subscribers, we announce the addition of 'Anthony Comstock' to the distinguished list. It will be recalled that the 'Wells' History,' 'Queen Victoria,' 'Story of Mankind,' 'Why We Behave Like Human Beings' and "The Story of Philosophy' have appeared in New Republic Edition. In se

lecting this book no account was taken of the existence of any other subscription edition. It is good and deserves to rank among the very best of recent years. Moreover, it is in every way the equal in size, format and manufacturing excellence of the standard three dollar book. We desire to make it available to our readers at a great saving in cost as we have done in respect to the others, and as we will continue doing so long as such good books are published. 'Anthony Comstock' in regular trade edition appears under the imprint of Albert & Charles Boni-$3.00. In New Republic Edition it bears no retail price. With an annual subscription the joint price is $6.35." Fine Attendance at Pittsburgh Course

THE course in retail bookselling which

began March 1st under the auspices of the Pittsburgh Booksellers' Association, brought together for its opening 45 to 50 students, an attendance which was repeated March 8th when B. W. Huebsch from New York was the guest and speaker.

Other speakers are to be John Farrar of George H. Doran & Co., Mis Nichols of the Carnegie Library, two teachers from Pittsburgh University and the secretary of the Pittsburgh Research Bureau of Retail Training.

April Book-of-the-Month
Club Selection

COL
COL. THOMAS EDWARD LAW-

RENCE'S "Revolt in the Desert," to be published March 29th by the George H. Doran Co., has been selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club as its April book. The March selection was "Elmer Gantry," Sinclair Lewis' new book which Harcourt, Brace published. The January and February books were respectively "The Heart of Emerson's Journals," Houghton, Mifflin, and Emi Ludwig's "Napoleon," published by Boni & Liveright. The recent bend of the selections towards non-fiction as indicated by these selections for the first four months of this year has been the cause of some comment in literary periodicals. The price for Lawrence's book has been set at $3.00.