FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FINDING OF FACT SAYS CHARLES ATLAS IS TRUE TO HIS TEACHINGS

Cover Of The FTC Report "This case involves the system of physical culture known as the Atlas Dynamic Tension system, developed and conducted by Mr. Charles Atlas. The Commission has previously found that Mr. Atlas "has employed and developed his said system since he was seventeen years of age and has attained his own great strength by the use of his own methods without relying upon apparatus" (Findings Paragraph Four, Docket No. 2542)"

Again in Paragraph Four of its findings in Docket 2542, the Commission said:

"In other articles written by respondent (Hoffman) and by some of his employees, false, disparaging and defamatory statements are made, in that they refer to a competitor's system as 'dynamic hooey,' imply that no strength can be developed without the use of apparatus, that the use of dumbbells or bar bells is absolutely essential to the development of strength and that no athlete can attain great strength without the use of apparatus.

Among respondent's competitors is one Charles Atlas who has his principal place of business in New York City. Said Atlas likewise sells a course in physical training by mail in interstate commerce. He has developed a system of training in which he employs no apparatus whatever and which he has called 'Dynamic Tension.' Said system is based entirely upon the resistance of one part of the body against another part. The records show that he has employed and developed his said system since he was seventeen years of age and has attained his own great strength by the use of his own methods without relying upon apparatus. Some years ago there was awarded to him in a competitive meeting of athletes in New York City the title of 'The World's Most Perfectly Developed man,' and he is widely known throughout the athletic world by that title."

Nobody Picks on a Strong ManA Gag order was then issued against Hoffman by the FTC not to disparage Atlas, or Atlas's company ever again. The FTC charged Hoffman, among other things, with unfair disparagement of its, competitor, Charles Atlas, Ltd.

The FTC Docket Numbers are 1952 (May 15, 1931 and the order for dismissal came in March 1932), 2542 (From 1936-1937 the Commission again considered the efficiency of the Atlas system of physical culture, this time collaterally, but none the less thoroughly and in a manner and with a result which entitled Charles Atlas, Ltd. to rely upon the finality of the Commission's judgment in Docket 1952) and 3308 case dismissed.

These papers are only a few of many that we have in the Atlas Archives from the cases that went before the Federal Trade Commission. If you have any further questions about the FTC matter please email studentservices@charlesatlas.com.