Pacific Press Publishing Company Stockholders’ Meeting
According to appointment a special meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company and the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association was held in the temporary factory of the company at Mountain View, Cal., Monday, Sept. 10, 1906, at 2 P. M. Besides resident members the following-named persons were present: Geo. A. Irwin, E. T. Russell, W. B. White, A. T. Robinson, L. F. Starr, W. F. Martin, Geo. W. Reaser, F. I. Richardson, W. C. White, Mrs. E. G. White, H. W. Kellogg, G. W. Caviness, W. T. Knox, and H. W. Cottrell. After the opening exercises, it having been ascertained that a majority of the stock was represented either in person or by proxy, the treasurer presented his report, which showed a deficit of thirteen thousand dollars. This showing, it will be understood, was on account of the fire. The manager then presented his report, covering the experiences of the Pacific Press from the memorable eighteenth of April to the present time. This report showed, among other things, the approximate amount of loss sustained by the institution as a result of the earthquake, the amount of donations received (about five thousand dollars) to apply on that loss, and the fire of July 20, destroying practically the entire manufacturing plant of the institution, together with the entire stock of books, pamphlets, and tracts. The report rehearsed the difficulties encountered and overcome in getting the work started again, issuing the periodicals, arranging for the publishing of books with which to supply the canvassers in the field, and securing the machinery necessary to carry on the work. The Lord’s hand seemed to have overruled especially in this latter particular, and presses and other machinery were secured much more quickly than any one had reason to expect, and other machinery for electrotyping and binding will soon be installed. Though the tracts and pamphlets were all destroyed, most of the plates were saved. A great amount of work will be necessitated in bringing out the numbers required of B. S. L. and A. G. L. The institution is under contract to publish five thousand copies each of “Coming King,” “Gospel Primer,” and “Christ Our Saviour” in the Spanish, besides good-sized editions of “Home and Health,” “Early Writings,” “Testimonies,” Vols. 1-8, “House We Live In,” “Cobblestones,” “Vegetarian Cook Book,” “Making Home Peaceful,” “True Educator Reader Series,” Nos. 1-5, “Bible Nature Studies,” and “Nature Study Note Books.” In addition to this work, the institution must provide for the weekly issues of The Signs of the Times and Our Little Friend. The insurance matter has been adjusted, and the institution has received $72,500 cash. As soon as that matter was settled, the damaged machinery was carefully inspected, and it is estimated that the worth of the machinery which passed through the fire will amount to about $27,500. While the loss on building, machinery, stock, and work in hand was placed at $200,000, the insurance and salvage will bring this down to about $100,000. The manager’s report concludes as follows:— “Besides this loss we have the old debt that stood against the institution before the fire, which amounts to $150,000. This, too, must be taken into consideration. We expect to receive $65,000 from the sale of our Oakland property, but this should all be applied on the old debt. “Soon after the fire the citizens of Mountain View held a public meeting at which time resolutions were adopted expressing sorrow and sympathy for us in this time of trial and perplexity, and extending offers of assistance. “At about the same time we addressed a communication to the board of town trustees in regard to the matter of furnishing us ample fire protection in case we should rebuild here at Mountain View. We have their reply in which they promise to do this. “Work is piling up before us, and as we contemplate the quantity, it seems almost appalling. We are now laboring under great disadvantages, and whatever is done in the matter of rebuilding should be done at once, so that the factory may be ready before the rainy season sets in. A plan for a new factory has been drawn up, and will be presented for your consideration at this meeting. This plan is drawn with a view to building a one-story structure on the old foundation, and making it practically fireproof. It will contain six thousand square feet less floor space than the old building, but the departments will be more conveniently arranged. “Almost from the very beginning the Pacific Press has done commercial work, and this has interfered more or less with our own denominational work. At a recent meeting of our board of directors action was taken to eliminate from the institution ‘all work outside the regular organized work of the message, or such work as shall not be approved by the publishing committee of the institution.’ “Our policy in regard to dealing direct with canvassers has recently been21changed or modified as will be seen by the following action taken by the board of directors:— “‘That as rapidly as consistent with careful and efficient field management, and as fast as active co-operation can be secured from the field, the circulation department proceed to co-operate with conferences and mission fields throughout its great territory for the establishment and thorough equipment of the conference tract societies, which shall be recognized as the retailers of the Pacific Press in their respective territories, and,— “‘That the Pacific Press reorganize its circulating department for doing a wholesale business on as little expense as will be consistent with the magnitude of the work in its vast fields. “‘That the managers of the Pacific Press join with the General Conference Publishing Department and the union conference officers in each of their respective territories in an effort to secure a strong, active organization of the tract society work in every State, this organization to include the following points:— “‘(a) A well-equipped tract society office, employing sufficient help to conduct the work thoroughly, progressively, and in detail in all the churches and with isolated members through the territory. “‘(b) The support of a thoroughly competent man as State agent in every conference in the territory. “‘(c) The appointing of such field workers as may be necessary to insure good organization and progressive work in the churches of each conference. “‘(d) That they deal on a cash basis, settlement to be made in full with the publishing house each month.’” “By this action it will be seen that we have in view the idea of becoming wholesalers instead of retailers. This will simplify our work, and enable us to do a much larger business with less clerical help; and with the co-operation of our brethren in the field we expect to see our work grow very rapidly from this time on, as our whole time and attention will now be devoted to this one thing, while heretofore we have had a divided interest. “The canvassing work is being revived, just as the Testimonies predicted it would be, and not for years have our agents met with such success as they have had this season. “The following are some of the most important questions to be considered at this meeting: (1) Shall we rebuild our factory? (2) If so, when and where? (3) On how large a scale? (4) How shall funds be secured? (5) What shall be our policy concerning commercial work? (6) Will you approve of the action of the Board in adopting the policy of turning our retail business over to the tract societies? (7) Will you approve of the cash policy adopted by the Board?” “Our hearts have been touched by the many letters we have received from all parts of the world expressing sorrow and sympathy, and offers to help us in this our time of need. “Our brethren and sisters seem to regard this calamity as a personal loss, and they are anxious to have a part in restoring the destroyed institution. They are only waiting for some definite plan to be devised. Already some ten or fifteen thousand dollars has been pledged for the work of rebuilding. “It is our earnest desire to learn the lessons that God would have us learn by this terrible calamity, but it is no time to draw back or become discouraged. The Lord lives and reigns. This is his work, and we are his servants. The work will triumph gloriously, and we wish to triumph with it. “We believe that all heaven is interested in this meeting to-day, and we hope and pray that the Lord will lead us to right conclusions. “Yours in the blessed hope,
“C. H. Jones,
General Manager.” The president called attention to the fact that this meeting was called for the special purpose of considering the question of rebuilding the factory, which had been destroyed by fire on the night of July 20, 1906, and the raising of funds with which to carry on the work. Remarks were made by G. A. Irwin, W. B. White, A. T. Robinson, Mrs. E. G. White, and others, and the consensus of opinion was that the factory should be rebuilt here at Mountain View. A committee of twenty-six on plans and policy was then selected to report at the next meeting. The committee on plans and policy reported as follows:— “1. That the Pacific Press factory be rebuilt upon the premises of the Company at Mountain View, Cal. “2. That the maximum cost of said factory shall not exceed $25,000. “3. That we request the General Conference to ask of our people $200,000 instead of $150,000, the additional $50,000 to be appropriated to the Pacific Press Publishing Company to help in the restoration of its plant. “4. That a complete statement of the situation and needs of the Pacific Press Publishing Company be placed in the hands of the General Conference, and also published in The Signs of the Times, in order that the people may be enlightened. “5. That the financial policy of the Pacific Press Publishing Company be a cash system, and that monthly statements be rendered, and settlements made as far as possible. “6. That we approve the action taken by the board of directors of the Pacific Press Publishing Company to eliminate commercial work. “7. That we heartily approve of the recommendation made by the officers of the Publishing Department of the General Conference, reading as follows:— “‘That the Pacific Press Publishing Company appoint a committee to conduct a thorough campaign in behalf of the circulation of The Signs of the Times, and that this committee place before all our conferences a plan having as its object the circulation of the Signs in every State equal to twice the membership of the conference.’” After careful consideration and thorough discussion the foregoing recommendations were adopted. It is only just to state that some thought that a larger sum should be set apart for the rebuilding of the factory, and that we should also request the General Conference Committee to ask our people for $250,000 instead of $150,000, the additional $100,000 to be appropriated to the Pacific Press to help in the restoration of its plant and in replacing its stock of books, paper, etc., thus placing the institution back about where it was before the fire. The counsel given by Sister White and her words of encouragement were appreciated by all. A spirit of union and harmony prevailed, and while all feel that we have a tremendous task before us, yet we take hold of it with faith and courage, believing that God will give the victory. The work of rebuilding the factory on the old site will be pushed as rapidly as possible, and it is hoped that within two months it will be far enough along to be occupied.
C. H. JONES.