Among the Literati

A number of our literati are close to the sizzling point and all over the publication of Matthew Josephson’s best seller an Book club choice, “The Robber Barons.”

It seems that after the critics got through reading the book, pointed remarks were made to the effect that much of the material contained in the book was similar to that uncovered by Gustavo???s Myers in his “History of Great American Fortunes.” Mr. Myers, who is very jealous of the labor he inflicted upon himself in writing his book, showed disinclination to let the matter pass lightly. He went to Harcourt, Brace, publishers of “The Robber Barons,” and made demands. The boys who spill all they hear say that Mr. Myers was given a cash settlement and a promise that in all new editions of the book credit would be given to the source material discovered by Myers.

Mr. Josephson was not, so rumor goes, at all satisfied with this arrangement. He did not deny that he went to Myers’ book for confirmation of his facts but contended that facts were facts and any one could use them. He denied that the question of plagiarism entered into the discussion at all.

Some years ago Mr. Myers brought suit against a publisher for a somewhat similar offense and in a court of law received a decision in his favor. when news of the arrangement with Harcourt, Brace got around one of the smarter literates said the Josephson might be called “a second story man.” As a matter of fact Josephson did nothing unseal in borrowing from Myers. It is a common practice indulged in by most writers of non-fiction who deal with factual subjects. His only mistake was in failing to give sufficient credit to Myers’ book.

DICKENS A FLOP

The prize flop of the 1934 publishing season is Charles Dickens’ “Life of Our Lord” which Simon and Schuster published after making more noise than a gang of convicts who had just been told they had been pardoned. A huge advance sales was announced but since than there has been little activity among booksellers to reorder. Salesman who have come back from the road report that most bookstores find themselves very much overstocked with this title. One shop which, before publication, sold 150 copies of the book placed and initial order for 300 copies and now find 140 still on the tabs. another with 75 skid ordered 100 and has 23 left. One shop in the Mid West bought 50 and still have 35. The reasons for the flop are obvious.