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The Third Man
by Helen Vivarttas Wesson
Once again we have argued whether this paper should be circulated to both NAPA and AAPA. The pressman objects to 1250 extra impressions, plus the folding, collating and binding.
Whenever printers get together, there is grumbling against wasted time, effort and money caused by “overlaps” – members of both AAPA and NAPA. When membership is flourishing, extra work involved in sending duplicates to a large bloc of ajaydom could be better spent.
When the subject arose at the NAPA convention it was suggested by an AAPA-only guest (myself) that a third man, active in both associations, be recognized by both, to mail only journals intended for both. Each AAPAn would receive his bundle of AAPA-only papers plus the co-op bundle. Each NAPAn would receive his NAPA bundle plus the co-op bundle.
How? AAPAn Price would use the regular AAPA bureau. NAPAn Lincoln would use the NAPA bundle. Castleman (who laments the affront of duplication to his Southern languor) might enlarge his paper because he could cover AAPA and NAPA through the co-op bundle. All three would receive co-op bundles.
Who Benefits? The printer-publisher, especially the hand-pressman. The entire American would also benefit since the trend among NAPA-AAPA ajays is to use the National bundle and spottily cover active or favorite AAPAns. Conversely, since there are more Nationals in AAPA than Americans in NAPA (judged by main interest) more NAPA printers would be aided.
Recognition? Given even semi-official recognition the co-op bundle would be credited to both groups, and its papers officially recorded. The co-op mailing envelope would bear the names of both associations.
Amalgamation? I believe not; I am personally anti-amalgamation. There is no political alliance involved. The co-op mailing is suggested for the individual overlap. Bundle competition would still exist since overlaps are not a majority in either association. The two would converge only on the choice and recognition of co-op mailer and mailing. The mailer would be an overlap agreed upon by the presidents of both associations.
Finances? NAPA publishers pay 20c per pound. AAPA mailings are free, but loyal publishers donate. The co-op mailing could combine both methods. Advocates of the co-op idea (Pallone, Groveman, Castleman, etc.) point out that overlaps must still send 20c a pound on the NAPA percentage of the circulation. Envelopes must be purchased.
Present Bureaus? It would lighten the financial and work load for present mailers. The “third man” would have more envelopes to stuff, but fewer journals. The secretaries would send carbons of mailing lists to the co-op man.
Feasible Now? When NAPA is at its 350-400 peak and AAPA at 250-300, the merit of the plan is unquestioned. Now both are in the doldrums. But by the time this is discussed and tested, don’t we expect improvement?
Accomplished Already? The NAPA convention approved my suggestion by formally directing the president of the National to confer with the president of the American on the subject. Printing for the co-op envelopes has been volunteered. An overlap has offered to be candidate for workhorse.
Foot in the Door
by Bob Kunde
The inter-associational bundle mailing proposed at the recent NAPA Jubilee convention will certainly be the first major post-convention issue open for debate. With the recent return of several ex-Crusaders to the AAPA ranks, we predict the end of the doldrum period for the junior association and the immediate revival of that amalgamation issue which the inner circle has consistently fought. Although the writer is opposed to the plan and feels that each association should always remain separate and distinct, we do know the discussion of this new mailing idea will certainly usher in a period of revived publishing, sorely needed, from the oldtimers.
Just a tip to those who have suggested that the mailing plan is a “foot in the door” for the eventual consolidation of both the National and American groups is the reminder that the AAPA, which has always maintained a vigorous recruiting program, has introduced to the hobby some of the more popular and valuable members of the ajay cause, including Groveman, Bob Smith, Pallone, Grady, Haney and Helen Wesson plus others too numerous to mention.
We feel that both groups by remaining exactly as they are, with their own particular pride and traditions, will offer more to organized amateur journalism. The competitive angle has been largely responsible for the American to publicize itself in the professional press even though the new recruit later joined other organizations. Let’s get the pros and cons of the plan into print!
PREDOMINATE after – thought of NAPA’s Diamond Jubilee affair was the complete waste of a beautiful July summer evening on the discussion of proposed amendment changes to our constitution. This bitter taste in the mouth can be traced to those radicals who propose changes for the sake of experimentation and for personal prestige with no regard for official organ publishing expense and the very valuable time of the delegates who in many instances have traveled hundreds of miles to attend. It seems that those of us who feel that too much government is decidedly worse than none at all should in the coming year wage a campaign to keep all the constitution changes to a bare minimum and along those lines which show clear and honest thinking.
Philly has not been all sour grapes! The pleasant surprises and many new ideas will be more completely covered in our own paper to be released in the next month. The Jubilee gathering has again re-awakened the Kunde desire to publish because it was so clearly demonstrated that those who handle stick and type were reaping the greatest fun from the entire proceedings.
History or Hysteria?
One of Ed Cole’s many abilities apparently is to ignore fact and our constitution when it suits some obscure purpose. His award of the History Laureate to Vic Moitoret for the APC history (APC News 42) was made, as Cole said, despite its historical inaccuracies and despite its lack of research but because it was well written.
Since at least two of the four entries were questionably classified as history and since Vic’s work at best was inaccurate history, the contest should be declared void. We so petition the Executive Judges.
Furthermore, we recommend that the poetry laureate be awarded to a wood-carver. After all, in recent years the Editorial Laureate has been awarded to butchers and the Printing Laureate to blacksmiths.
Hooray for the butchers, the wood-carvers, the blacksmiths, the improbable historians – and above all, the capricious judges.
IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL convention, but a sorry Diamond Jubilee. Neal Peirce’s insistence on mid-week dates, to conform with July 4 “tradition,” chopped the attendance. After much talk of grandiose plans, Jubilee Chairman Peirce produced little to justify this deference to his wishes.
Siamese Standpipe – Nineteen – July 8, 1951
is powered by steam left over from the 76th convention of the NAPA. Hand-set and printed by the Editors
Helen and Sheldon Wesson
East Rockaway, L. I., New York
in collaboration with Guest Editor and Typesetter
Robert Kunde, RFD, Stevensville, Mich.