It is all settled. There was no other way. Art was held down by the
Jews, who demanded that she come to their terms. So she has given up,
not, perhaps, without a bit of a gurgle in her choked throat, but like
the new woman she has become, she manfully faced the music with no bit
of compromise. She gave all, asking nothing but that she be placed on a
basis of “commercial independence.” I quote from the announcement which
the factory officials make to her old time friends—those who believed
that Art should exist because she _was_ Art, and that she should not be
compelled to sell her very soul for the dollars she could earn by working
overtime in their sweat shops:
“The Combined Press is a literary syndicate formed for the
purpose of obtaining for writers commercial independence and
liberal remuneration for high class work.”
This starts out well, and hereafter all writers who belong shall be given
a rating in _Bradstreet’s_.
“All contributors, whether stockholders or otherwise, will be
given the privilege of receiving in payment the entire cash
returns derived from their published matter, less actual cost
of service.”
This is encouraging, for writers may feel secure in getting some return
for their labor; but hopes are dashed in the next paragraph:
“Under no circumstances, however, will inferior contributions
be accepted from any one, and merit will in every case be given
preference regardless either of authorship or membership.”
The superintendent of the factory will, of course be the judge as to
merit. Regarding the Plan the Sad Tale continues as follows:
“One thousand shares of stock will be issued to writers of
established merit at $15.00 per share, paid up value. A payment
of one-third of this amount will secure each share of the
stock, but no certificates will be issued until stock becomes
fully paid up, either by assessment or by accumulation of
undivided profits.”
This is where the trail of the serpent shows. Mark you: it costs sums
of money to be an Artist. The days when Genius burned the tallow dip at
midnight in the garret are forever gone, for now, when everybody will
have a commercial standing, the Artists’ Labor Union will permit of no
more than eight hours labor each day. Here follows a choice bit:
“No stock will be issued to other than writers of marked
literary ability, and applicants for membership will be
required to give as reference the names of one or more
high-class publications to which they have contributed.
Applications for stock will be referred to a committee on
membership, and no stock will be transferable, except to such
as are deemed entitled to membership by this committee.”
_What_ is “marked literary ability,” and who does the marking?
The factory, as it is now conducted, will consist of six departments.
Following is a list of the Foremen and Forewomen to whom all complaints
and applications for positions must be made:
“Fiction, Ruth McEnery Stuart; Humor, R. K. Munkittrick;
Washington, A. H. Lewis (Dan Quin); Juvenile, John Kendrick
Bangs; Woman, Frances Bacon Paine; Agricultural, James Knapp
Reeve.”
The following paragraph did not seem to me to be quite complete, so I
have filled out the things which were apparently forgotten in the hurry
of getting this remarkable circular before the public:
“Striking articles of adventure (true or false), discovery,
achievement and special news are desired; also dramatic short
stories, with or without action and not less than five per
cent human interest, for young and old, especially the old;
anecdotes, quaint, humorous and pathetic; novelettes, poems,
jingles, verselets, squibs, squabs, jokes—everything, in fact,
that will interest, comfort, amuse, harass or annoy the modern
or ancient reader, thoroughly artistic in execution, will be
available.
“Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the statement that only
high-class matter, especially prepared for the Combined Press,
will be used at $150 a column, net. We solicit and will pay the
highest cash prices for hides, tallow, horns and pelts. Also
for sale, cement, wool (wild from the West), hair (Le Gallienne
and Ibsen brands), bricks (with or without straw) and material
for building a modern periodical.
“The stock books will be closed on November fifteenth, in order
to complete the organization and make contracts for the coming
year, stock remaining unsold November fifteenth having been
already arranged for by parties in New York City.
“Address all communications to The Combined Press, 1128-1129
American Tract Building, New York.
“Directors—John Kendrick Bangs, President; Ruth McEnery Stuart,
Vice President; R. K. Munkittrick, Secretary; Albert B. Paine,
Treasurer; A. H. Lewis (Dan Quin), Washington; James Knapp
Reeve, Chief Geezer.”
Following is the form for use of those who want positions: