THE WORK - AND - THE WORKERS by S. N. Curtiss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

THE WORK — AND — THE WORKERS

By S. N. Curtiss

Important Announcement Concerning the Prices of Our Periodicals

In these days of national prosperity, it is not a new thing for us to find that the price on almost any commodity has increased. The cost of the raw material which enters into the manufacture of almost every article of commerce has advanced rapidly in recent years. We find that our shoes cost more, our clothes cost more, and even the books and periodicals that we read cost more. On this same basis, the leather, cloth, binders' board, and paper used in producing our own publications cost more, and this has necessitated an increase in the prices of our books; and the end is not yet.

More than a year ago the question of raising the price on the REVIEW was considered, but at that time no advance was recommended. The subscription price on Life and Health and the Youth's Instructor was raised in January, 1908, and it was understood then that in all probability another advance on the club rates and the prices to agents might be necessary at some future time. It was hoped that the increasing circulation of our magazines would give sufficient profit, even at the very low agents' prices, but time has proved that even a circulation of fifty thousand copies monthly on Life and Health will not enable us to manufacture the magazine so cheaply that we can maintain the present rates to agents.

At a meeting of publishing house managers in College View, Neb., Oct. 5-12, 1909, the question of costs and prices of our various books and periodicals was given very careful consideration, and it was found that all the publishing houses were furnishing their periodicals and some of their books at too low prices. Recommendations were passed by the publishing house managers and such other members of the Publishing Department of the General Conference as were present. These were presented to the General Conference Council, then in session, and were unanimously adopted, since which time they have been adopted by the Board of the Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The recommendations, in so far as they pertain to periodicals issued by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, are as follows:—

Whereas, The cost of production of our various periodicals has increased to such an extent that the margin of profit on them is hardly sufficient to meet the expenses of their publication, and many of them are being issued at a loss; therefore,—

We recommend, That the prices of these periodicals be raised as follows:— REVIEW AND HERALD, yearly subscriptions ................$1.75 Youth's Instructor, in clubs of five or more copies ........ .75 Sabbath School Worker, in clubs of two or more ................ .30 That the prices to agents on the ten-cent magazines (Life and Health, Liberty, and the Protestant Magazine) be as follows:— 5 to 40 copies........5 cents each 50 or more copies ....4 cents each

The yearly subscription rate for the Youth's Instructor remains at $1, the Sabbath School Worker at 35 cents, and Life and Health at $1. Six-months' subscriptions for the REVIEW will be 90 cents, and three-months' subscriptions 50 cents.

All these prices are to go into effect Jan. 1, 1910, except that the new agents' rates on Life and Health will apply on the January number, which will be ready during December.

Careful investigation shows that the cost of the paper used on the REVIEW has increased more than 33 1/3 per cent, and the cost of labor about 25 per cent, since our removal to Washington, while it is proposed to raise the subscription price only 16 2/3 per cent.

Up to 1898 the price of the REVIEW was $2 a year, and it was not illustrated. Now the pictures illustrating the progress of our work in home and foreign lands are a feature of the paper much appreciated by our readers, but these add materially to its cost.

In order that all may have fair notice of the change in price, we offer to extend the time of any old subscriber or to enroll any new one at $1.50 for the year 1910, providing his remittance actually reaches this Office before Jan. 1, 1910.

In behalf of the Board of Directors of the Review and Herald Publishing Association.

S. N. CURTISS, Manager.