30 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



not fully equipped its passenger trains with all-steel cars, is carry- 

 ing nearly seventy per cent of the through Chicago-New York pas- 

 senger business. These figures may not be entirely accurate, but 

 recent trips of the writer on the eighteen-hour trains of both these 

 companies would indicate that that is about the relative appreciation 

 in which the traveling public holds the two lines named. Eailroad 



ticket agents have wholesale notice of this fact of late by a good 

 many patrons, who, in purchasing sleeping car reservations in some 

 instances decline to buy space, unless they can be assigned berths 

 in wooden coaches. This is another indication that the traveling 

 public is awakening to the dangers and discomforts of steel passen- 

 ger equipment. 



^ 



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Some Letters and Comments 



In issue December 10, Hardwood Kecokd took occasion to criti- 

 cize the publicity work of the committee of the National Lumber 

 Manufacturers' Association in connection with the proposed cam- 

 paign covering the general exploitation of lumber. Kecord guessed 

 that the publication of the statements made therein did not emanate 

 from the committee itself, but from a hired agent, although the 

 participation of this publicity promoter in the enterprise had been 

 previously denied. Hence it was that the criticisms on the character 

 of the reports and statements were aimed at the committee's agent. 

 and not at the committee itself. This method of handling the matter 

 has brought forth just the evidence desired: i. e., that the work of 

 the committee is being handled by a more or less distinguished pub- 

 licity promoter who signs himself ' ' Crosby — Chicago, ' ' and not by 

 the various members signing the reports. 



Haedwood Eecoed is in receipt of the following communication 



from A. T. Gerrans of Houma, La., chairman of this committee: 



Dec. 23, 1911. 

 Mr. Henry H. Gibson, Editor Haedwood Record, Chicago. 



Dear Sir : In your issue of December lOtb you asl£ the Committee on 

 Publicity of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association two ques- 

 tions : "If the committee of the N. L. M. A. knows anything about the 

 truth of this matter. Record would like to ask if these are not the suc- 

 cinct and accurate facts in the case. Furtbermore, it would like the 

 acknowledgment that it did not place 'a specially employed photographer 

 with detailed instructions on the .lob before they had begun to remove 

 the wreckage and he secured a set of pictures at various steps of the 

 clearing up.' etc., etc. Hardwood Record would also like to ask the com- 

 mittee if it is not a mis-statement when it says, 'some of our negatives 

 were secured a few days later by an Innocent error of an emploj'ee of the 

 committee's photographer, and that publication of same occurred ahead 

 of our intention.' " 



We beg to reply that the committee takes it for granted that you speak 

 the truth when you say, "If in any wise criticising the report, he (Editor 

 of IIakdwood Record) wishes to be understood that it is not a criticism 

 on the members of this committee, but on the incompetent character of 

 the professional publicity promoter it has employed to voice its sentiments 

 on this all-important work." 



This statement bears out the information we had already received to 

 the effect that you had stated that "you were after Mr. Crosby, who had 

 broken into the game" ; we presume the game you mention being the 

 separation of the poor ignorant lumbermen from their money. 



The committee desires to a.ssure you that it fully knows "the truth of 

 the matter." and its report does not contain mis-statements. The com- 

 mittee (that is. Mr. .1. E. Rhodes. Mr. G. E. W. Luehrmann and myself) 

 saw, of the photographs that you printed in your paper on September 

 ^.'ith. numbers 2, A, 4. ~> and G on September 7th in the ofHce of the 

 "Chicago professional publicity promoter," the only difference being in 

 size, ours being 5"x7" or. we think, larger. 



In order that you may, .yourself, .iudge whether or not we have made 

 mis-statements, we will state the entire transaction : 



The wreck occurred on Sunday evening, August l.*i. and early on the 

 14th our "professional publicity promoter" telephoned to Mr. Erank I>. 

 Walter, the advertising manager of the .TournalCazetle of El. Wayne, 

 and made arrangements witli him to have photographs taken of the wreck, 

 carefully selecting such points of view as would show the damage to 

 both steel and wooden cars. That this telephone conversation took place 

 Is conQrmed by the following telegram ; 



"day letter, the westerx union telegraph company, 



Chicago, 111., August 15, 1 :00 P. M., 1011. 

 Advertising Manager, Journal-Uazetto, 



Fort Wayne, Ind. 



We telephoned you yesterday asking as courtesy If you would have 

 photos taken Penn. wreck. Please accept our appreciation your trouble 

 and consider this confirmation order for as many prints necessary 1o show 

 contrast wreckage between steel and wooden cars. .Appreciate early re- 

 ceipt and bill covering all proper charges. Cro.sbv-Cuicaoo." 



We next Insert cony of a letter received from .Mr. Walter under dale 

 August 2.'i, which fully explains Itself : 



"Eort Wayne, Ind., August 2.'{, 1011. 

 Mr. .7. FJ. Crosby, Chicago, III. 



Dear Sir: I herewith enclose pictures showing the effect of the recent 

 Pennsylvania wreck of the wooden anrl steel coaches, as per rcfjui-st. Also 

 enclose bill for services and expenses, which I (rust will be satisfactory. 

 I want you to understand that the bill is not for my services but for u 

 young man whom I was compelled to ask to do the work for mc, as I did 

 not have time. 



You will note that pictures l.V, 2A1 and SA, are really panoramic views 

 of the wreek looking from (he north. Tin* (rain was (ravi-jlng west. 

 Picture l.\ Is looking morr west than south but was taken on (be norlb 

 side of the train. Picture 2A2 is a close vli'W of the same scene as 2A1 

 with the exception that (he wooden coach has been removed. 



Pictures .'iBl and MIV^ are views looking over (be south of the train. 

 Picture .^Bl shows the opposite side of the same thing as Is shown In 

 picture 3A. Picture 3B2. Is the same as SBl with the exception that It Is 



taken from a little closer point and from a little different angle and that 

 the wooden car has been removed. 



It will be noted that the steel coaches suffered fully as much as did 

 the wooden coach and the fact that tue greater number were injured in 

 the wooden coach was due to the fact that there were a great number 

 of people in this ear and that there was more movable material to fly 

 about than in the combination steel car ahead or in the buffet steel car 

 immediately following. The balance of the train was of all-steel con- 

 struction but was not damaged because of the fact that it did not have 

 to bear the brunt of the shock as did cars Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and also the 

 rear coaches did not leave the rails. It will be noted that car No. 1. 

 steel coach, suffered more than ear No. 2, a wooden coach, and No. 2 

 suffered more than No. 3, a steel coach, due to the tact that the shock 

 was lessened very perceptibly the farther back in the train it traveled. 

 The only place where the steel and wooden coach met in equal combat is 

 shown in picture No. 3A. Looking at this from the north the wooden 

 coach seems to have gotten the worst of it, but looking at it from the 

 south, as shown in pictures No. 3B1 and No. 3B2, it is shown that the 

 steel coach is fully as much damaged. As a matter of fact, this was not 

 equal combat, as the wooden coach leaving the rails first gave the heavy 

 steel floor construction of the steel coach following an opportunity to 

 ride over the floor of the wooden coach. All in all, the wooden coach, 

 contrary to public opinion, displayed fully as much strength in the com- 

 bat as did tile steel coaches. 



Trusting this explanation will be clear to you, I am. 

 Yours very truly, 



(Rubber stamp) Frank D. Walter, 



Sig. Ack. ." 



Picture referred to as lA is your No. 3 ; No. 2.\1 is the left hand side 

 of your No. 2 ; 2A2 is your No. 6 ; 3B1 is your No. 4 ; 3B2 is your No. 5, 

 and 3A is the right hand side of your No. 2. 



We next insert copy of letter to Mr. Walter of date August 28 : 



"Chicago. III.. August 28, 1911. 

 Mr. Frank D. Walter, 



Fort Wayne, Ind. 

 Dear Sir : We have found that in order to get satisfactory enlarge- 

 ments of the photos which you so kindly secured for us, it will be neces- 

 sary to have the original negatives. Can you secure these for us and 

 ship by return mail? We assume, as these were made on our order, they 

 will not be used for any other purpose, and are therefore at our dis- 

 posal at whatever price is right for the negatives. Wo dislike (o (rouble 

 you further, and would not do so if we knew the name of the photographer, 

 but will appreciate your courtesy if you will see thai the matter has 

 pro'mpt attention. Yours very truly, 



Crosby-Ciiicvgo." 

 To whieb Mr. Waller replied: 



"Ft. Wayne, Ind., 9-14-11. 

 Crosby-Chicago, 



Chicago, 111. 

 Gentlemen : Pennsylvania Wreck — In answer to your favor of recent 

 date beg to advise that the negatives of the post card pictures which we 

 sent you, four in all, will cost you with two extra ones, which we did 

 not send you, .*f2.00. This is the charge made by the photograplKM" who 

 took the pictures. We, of course, will send you the balance of the nega- 

 tives wbicli were made with our own camera without any charge what- 

 ever. Kindly advise it you desire to buy the other negatives and we will 

 be glad to get them for you. Yours very truly, 



TiiH .Iocrnal-Gazette Co.. 

 (Rubber stamp) Frank D. Walter, Adv. Mgr., 



Sig. Ack. ." 



and further sent liis bill for services on September 'S-i. as follows: 



"Eort Wavne. liul.. 9-2:!-ll. 

 Mr. J. B. Crosbv, 



Chicago, III, 

 Dear Sir: I luive mailed you under separate cover pla(es of (be Penn- 

 sylvania wreck which you a.sked for. Herewith euelo.se lilin of the iialance 

 of the pictures sent you. Bill for services is also enclosed. 



Assuring you we are only too glad to be of service to you on any 

 occasion, I am, Youis very truly. 



(Rubber stamp) Frank D. Walter, 



Sig, Ack. -." 



We now insert Mr. Crosby's night lettergram of September 25: 

 "i'ostal teleoraph-cable co.mpany, night lettdeqbam. 

 E. D. Walters, Chicago, III., September 25, 1911. 



Journal-Gazette. 



Fort Wjiyne. Ind. 

 Am astonished (o (ind September 25 Issue Hardwood Record contains 

 all our exclusive jihiitos Pennsylvania wreck identical every detail, two 

 being coml)ini'd as panoramic view. .\lso one additional not ours. Clbson, 

 publisher (hereof, offirs supply electros or half-toui's any size lo anybody. 

 .\s leak here iiniiosslble, regretfully conclude (bat your pbolograiiber ned- 

 <lled cither lo postcard dcali'r or elsewhere, but cannol iiiidcrstaiiil how 

 liAiiiiwcKiu ItEi'otiii got next lo existence of same. .\s liil'orincd you. mat 

 (cr was essentially conddcndal for which were willing pay proper prices, 

 otherwise could have procured ordinary newspaper plioiographs. Hesitate 

 blame you and (bink due liolh of us thai you ImriiiMllatcly wire, my ex- 

 pense, best explanation possible. Would have copyrighted same If (bought 

 necessary. Hahdwoiiii Record nnnounci's Penn. romi purchased all nega- 

 (Ives oblalnable and suppressed. Is (bis (rue'J We rr'ciuestcd slili)inent 

 negatives .\ugust 28 and received last two Si'ptenibcr 2."i. Interval un- 

 fortiuialely (ends (o confirm suspicion that photographer Imposed on you. 

 Inijiortant fullv advise as rcquesled In Justice to all. as our clients much 

 disturbed. Criisuv-Ciiu'AOO." 



and also .Mr. Wallers' reply of SepleinbiT '-'O : 



