Gradually Our daily record of subscriptions Growing ^{is ver}-^v interesting. Tbe average number of subscriptions received per Hay around the first of October was about 500; later this dropped to about 251) a day; but we are glad to report that since the use of the samples the subscriptions are averaging around 1,200 a day. and one day touched the high-water mark of 4,741 subscriptions. No other magazine ever published has a record to compare with The Golden Age. With its start of 1,544 subscriptions in thirty minutes after it was announced, aitd 2,568 subscriptions on the first day, it can he seen that the 100,000 mark will soon be reached. From the quota given in the last Bulletin you have no doubt determined the proportion of that quota that is expected from your particular territory, and art; carefully watching the progress of the work wit., a view to attaining the mark set.

It is regretted that repetition with regard to report cardsjs necessary. In our monthly letter, we attempted to emphasize the necessity of Bending these in weekly.. Less than a third of the classes organized are reporting as requested. We trust that all will kindly have their reports mailed promptly at tbe end of each week, whether there is anything to report or not. In •rder that an intensified campaign may be ■undertaken, it is absolutely essential that information be had as to the progress of the work in your territory, so as to l>e able to guide the work in general. Each report card should indicate the date of the week for which ft is rendered. Tbe object in asking that the •.eport be mailed as early on Sunday as possible was to give this office the time necessary to adjust the order for samples, so that shipments to be forwarded during the week will contain the required supply of the latest issue.

Additionally, it seems necessary to again emphasize the necessity of placing workers in territory for which they are best fitted naturally. A worker would have difficulty in approaching someone whom he would be inclined to recognize as Ms superior, whereas he could talk freely and confidently to people of his own station in life. On _xthe part of the one being canvassed, it is necessary that |;he magazine have a proper introduction. "'

Some friends write us that in their locality they are unable to d9 Very well due to steel strikes. It would be best to canvass other parts of the town before that section In which the steel workers live. However, rather than be idle, we believe it would be well to distribute the- sample copies in these districts, even though you may not receive subscriptions. The Director could arrange to distribute sample copies to such houses where interest is found, as the. issues come out, until they are so situated as to be able to subscribe. It is when the heart is bowed down with grief and sorrow that it can be most responsive to the truth.

The change in the method of operation obviously cuts down the number of samples re

quired. We would appreciate it if the Directors would advise us immediately their requirements of samples in harmony with the new outline of procedure, so that the printing order for samples will supply your, needs. The monthly statementwill be forwarded as soon as possible. As yet our books are not altogether in shape.          ,

In the workers’ Bulletin the suggestion is made that each one arrange to note the various reasons why people subscribe and why they do not subscribe. Having this information you can study very closely your territory, and thus plan to overcome the obstacles that are in the way of the canvasser. In going over the correspondence of the last month it has been noted that there are principally seven obstacles the friends are meeting with: first, indifference on the part of some; second, opposition to the religious feature; third, cries of the high cost of living; fourth, people say they have too many magazines; fifth, spending-money has been diminished by drives of various organizations: sixth, strikes; and seventh, complaints of being exploited by bogus magazine solicitors.

One Director, in compiling the reports of his workers, gives these reasons for not subscribing in his territory: Out of 106 calls, 49 were Socialists, 9 compained of having too many magazines, and 23 were not interested. The reason “not interested” seems a little vague, and could be enlarged so as to give some real definite reason for such a condition. Likewise, the solicitor should report the reasons he notes for the -people subscribing, and thus Directors will be able to instruct canvassers generally how to adjust their canvass. This will need particular watching, as conditions vary in different territories. .

The receipt card and subscription blank to be properly tilled out should follow this form:

In arknoicledgment of One Year’s

subscription

The subscription rate for England will be 8s. or $1.92. When sending orders to this office, all subscriptions to The Golden Age should be mailed to The Golden Age, 124 Columbia Heights,' Brooklyn, N. Y. All orders for books and other Watch Tower publications should be mailed to the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Do not especially encourage six months and three months subscriptions. Rather, when canvassing, talk in years and the one you are addressing will think in years and subscribe i’ll years. If you talk in months, of course he will think in months and subscribe in months. . We hardly think many occasions will arise wherein people Will wish to procure single copies of The Golden Age, especially under the new plan of distribution; for they will have had opportunity to read it. However, in such instances single copies should be remitted for at the rate of 7c each, and the worker should have a commission of 3c each.

James S. Brown,

235 N. Main St.

Albany, N. Y.

I’Mishetcuayette

MwyarMWSM-

CenLi i Copy:$12SaHear

LOCAL OFFICE: 24 HUDSON AVE.

ALBANY, NEW YORK

Items Inquiries have been received regarding the mailing of The Golden Age to labor organizations. Some plans along this line are under advisement, and eventually we hope to handle such an undertaking, perhaps from this office.

The placing of The Golden Age on the news stands has been taken up with the syndicate controlling many of the stands throughout the country. However, we believe that for the present this can be better handled by this office through the Directors. In addition to the regular news stands in the .cities, magazines can be

Mr.______ James_____ S.         Brown

(Mr.—Mrs.—Miss)   (Given Name) (Initial)        (Surname)

235 . N Main Street.

(Number)                      (Street)

■____________Albany_____New York

(City) ’           (State)

124'Columbia Heights Brooklyn, New York

Enter my subscription to The Golden Age for one year

(Signed) JAMES S BROWN

(This signature not essenfial)

News Bureau No. J-3

supplied to department stores, stationery stores, hotels, etc. The news stands in the stations are controlled by syndicates, and these agencies ordinarily will not handle any publications uh-less authorized to do so by the home office. Our suggestion is that each Director choose a brother of good address to interview the operators ot' the regular news stands, and the sales managers of the department stores, laying before them The Golden Age, telling them of its object and purpose, and also that a commission of 33% will be granted for each copy sold or subscription taken. Orders so received can be sent to this office, and we will arrange to have The Golden Age “forwarded so as to be on the news stand the date of the issue.

It is customary for publishers to take back from news stands all unsold copies of back issues at the full wholesale price. Your News Bureau is the local agency of The Golden Age, and your Director is its representative. Hence, the Director can arrange with the news stands to have these unsold copies collected at the time each new issue arrives, replacing the old issue with the new one and merely charging for the extra copies to replace the ones sold. You can then arrange to have these back issues distributed in the regular way in your territory. We do not know what results there will be in sales of the magazine through the news stands, but we believe that as an advertising feature it is well worth taking advantage of.

In approaching the news dealer, make mention of the present size of the subscription list, and particularly that the first issue was dated October 1, and before one copy was Issued the subscription list amounted to over 10,000 paid subscriptions; also that paid subscriptions are being received at the rate of over 1,200 per day. Do not attempt to evade telling who the publishers are when interviewing, especially if you are asked who is publishing it and what movement is in back of the publication. By answering them plainly we are assured that the magazine will be continued on the stand; whereas, if the publishers’ name is hidden, it is quite likely that ihe preachers, stirring up opposition, will use , this as a good instrument to have the news dealer cancel or take the magazine off his stand.

Regarding the commission on subscriptions , received by class workers, we have purposely left this to be decided by the classes. If the ¹ class, by vote, determines that the commission shall lie turned in to the class treasury, and the treasurer in turn reimburse the worker for his expense in connection with canvassing, such should be the procedure. On the other hand, . they may decide that the commission shall be retained by the worker, and the worker donate to the funds of the treasury as he or she desires,.

At the convention, when it was suggested that territory be canvassed and recanvassed, this statement applied particularly to classes where the whole town could be covered in a short time. It was not intended to convey the thought that Directors should attempt to limit workers to a certain amount of territory and have them canvass that territory and then recanvass it to the neglect of the balance of the assignment. As soon as the samples have been distributed and subscriptions solicited, the worker should geu--erally proceed to. territory that has not as yet been covered. After the present assignment of territory has beerf thoroughly canvassed, then the subject- of recanvassing cau be taken up.

All communications mailed to this office should contain the name of the town or local News Bureau. In many instances the Director. Assistant Director or Stockkeeper lives in a town other than, that in which the class is located, and It Is difficult for us to determine the class of which he is an officer.

The object of suggesting a card instead of a slip of paper for the receipt to the subscriber was that the subscriber would be more likely to keep a card, perhaps using it as a book mark, and thus he would permanently have the address of the local class, which he will require at some time If he becomes a reader of The Golden Age. Receipt cards will be furnished in quantities on order from the Directors.

When sending in remittances, do not relist the subscriptions that have been sent In during the week. ‘ Merely send in the remittance and indicate the total number of subscriptions that the remittance covers. Lists are superfluous and confusing. We do not know whether they are new lists or whether they merely confirm the subscription blanks already mailed.

Delays In entering subscriptions and in attending to correspondence have been due to various errors. In writing, endeavor to avoid the 'following;, omissions which cause extra trouble, so that the handling of your correspondence may be expedited in this office:

Remittance received, subscription missing.

Remittance short.

Check not enclosed.

Subscription missing.

Name and address illegible.

Address Incomplete.

Post Office omitted.

. No such Post Office in State. Mail evidently addressed care of another Post Office.

Is not name of town and Post Office different? No such town on map.

Previous address not given.

. Name and address of complainant not given.

» t; r l l e t i y --■—■—:----*■

golden Aye Sales Department

•S'-'    Samples should be mailed locally.

)       No address given.

Colporteurs subs should not be included with ’ class communications.

' Duplicate o£ sub  blanks should be seat to t

Assistant Director..

Orders for supplies should be kept separate f from subs.                      ,

Name and date of paper missing.

Items not reported on.         ,

Weekly report not received.

Order for sample copies not definite.

Is not accorded Colporteur rates.

Enter on regular sub pads instead of listing iii letter form. "

licraittnnce received for ......... subs from...........

Those devoting all their time to the (and by this is meant that such are not employed in any other remunerative occupation!, should write us. that their names might ti*^-’’-listed among our regular colporteurs, and in turn be accorded rates on all Watch Towrfii . publications, and also colporteurs’ ’commission _; on. subscriptions to The Golden Age.

A number of inquiries lifting received direct from the workers indicate that they tire not afquainted with the instructions contained irt the letter of organization. Encourage the worl^ ers to refer all questions and queries to the Class Director, and in event he is not able to answer, he- (and not they) shtfuld write this •flice for instruction. The idea is that workers should not receive instructions of which tinDirector is not aware, and if individual worker^ corresponded with us we might at times oven look the mailing of a carbon copy of our reply to the Director^                                ;-

Colporteurs who devote all their time to th j work are subject to the direct supervision oj' this office. We always accord them their own preference in the work. If they prefer to wori in conjunction with a class, that is arranges for, but our suggestion is that they canvass territory that cannot be reached by classed— and thus effect a much wider canvass for The Golden Age than would otherwise be possible" Colporteurs are not available for class work until the territory that cannot be reached bj Glasses has been cared for. At that' time the

question of having them assist classes will be taken up. In the meanwhile, each class should busy itse.i in accomplishing work in the territory assigned to it, and if it is noted that the work is not progressing as fast as has been

anticipated, assistance will be sent.

In taking advantage of the suggestion in the last Bulletin with reference to a year’s subscription to The Golden Agb as a Christmas present, all subscriptions so taken should be indicated across the face of the subscription Hank. These will require special care and atten tion, and In order that none may be overlooker. we are urging that they be marked very plainly. The folder and letter mentioned in this connection has already been mailed yon.. .

There are over 50,000 subscribers on the list, with about 1,200

being added daily. The highest number of subscriptions entered in one day was

4,741, These subscriptions are distributed amongst the States as follows, and indicates the quota, as set in the previous Bulletin :

Pennsylvania ............3439   Minnesota

Ohio ..........................3996   Nebraska .....

Illinois ................. 1959   Tennessee .....

Calif. ...............  1776   Maine ..

Mass.........................1705   South Dakota ...........222

Mich.....................,...1438   Maho ........

Indiana ....................1376   Mississippi

Texas .................  1332   Louisiana

Missouri ....................1198   Bhode Island

New Jersey ..............900   South Carolina ....../...117

Washington ................888  Montana

Virginia ......................707   Oregon

Maryland .......... 087   North Dakota

Oklahoma ....................693  New Mexico

Alabama................  596  New Hampshire

Connecticut ...............'.581   Delaware .....

Kansas ....;......,............588   Nevada ...... ........63

Iowa ............:...............534   Vermont

North Carolina ..........498   Utah

Wisconsin ...........  494   Arizona .......................

West Virginia ............484  Wyoming ...

Colorado ........  480   Canada

Kentucky ........  402  Foreign ........

Florida .........  .....394   New York ...............3248

Georgia ......................367   California

District of Columbia..367   Massachusets ............1705

Arkansas ..............  322   Michigan .....

tour servants in the Lord,