10 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. June 15 



AS THE ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT SEES IT 



It will be remembered that, in the June 1st issue, we had something- to say 

 in this department regarding the manner in which advertisers handle inquiries, 

 etc. Our remarks were called forth by a letter from one of our valued sub- 

 scribers, and we are now in receipt of another letter from him which we give 

 below: 



Mr. Advertising Dept: — I don't just like your advertising talk in the June 1st 

 issue. Perhaps it's none of my business, and you wish I'd keep out of it; 

 but I 11 venture just a little more, and then 111 "shut up." I do not think you 

 hit the nail exactly. Then you seem to infer that I am contesting some points 

 which I plainly conceded or supposed I did. Now with your permission (or 

 without it I I am going to criticise your talk in order. 



First section, middle of second paragraph: Did I not concede this? 



Second section, second paragraph: I did not say any thing about mere" cat- 

 alog inquiries." 



Third section: "I knowed all that afore," having been to the Gle.\nings 

 school for over 25 years, and having a little grain of common sense. I must 

 confess there are many, though, to whom these remarks apply. 



Fourth section: "'Don't ask impossibilities." Here's a "stumper." May 

 be I did. I thought of ifat the time, but I thought they could say so. 



Mr. Kibbe goes on to state that he wrote to one of our largest advertisers, 

 asking some special information regarding the line they handle. He got a lot 

 of printed matter setting forth the value of their line — something of which he 

 was well aware — but not a scrap of information along the line he wanted. 



Mr. Kibbe continues: 



You say, "Make one more trial." I did write, telling them they did not 

 answ-er my question, and asked if the omission was intentional; and, though 

 several weeks have passed, I have received no reply. I do not think I inserted 

 any choleric acid either. 



The other inquiry I referred to v/as for an estimate on a shipment of lumber, 

 freight prepaid. Of course, I have no personal grievance against the companies 

 when they pay out six cents postage to my one; and only the hope of doing 

 good to others as well as myself prompted me to write as I did. 



I hardly know why I am writing this. Most people would say, "Better let 

 it go, as you will only waste your time and pay out a little postage, and never 

 do yourself any good." But even if it won't feed and clothe the "bairns" I 

 hope it will do somebody some good. 



I fear that you "smoothed it over" too much for the advertiser to have it 

 take effect. Perhaps you were afraid you were "in the same condemnation." 



Well, use this as you please, even if it's to start the fire under the big boil- 

 er. Emmet B. Kibbe. 



It isn't our intention to be lenient with our advertisers at the expense of 

 subscribers, and we do not intend that this department shall "smooth " over 

 things for the advertiser at all. On the contrary we want to see both sides of 

 the question. Our position, however, enables us to see things from the adver- 

 tiser's point of view many times to better advantage than can the average read- 

 er, and it is our intention to give our subscribers the benefit in an effort to in- 

 crease confidence in general advertising and secure "fair play " all around. 

 In fact, the real purpose of this department is to create a better understanding 

 between advertiser and subscriber. 



