The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-05-16
MoDERNJ JOURNALISM.

MODERN JOURNALISM.
An Interview with Charles A.
Dana in Regard to the Lead
ing Papers Of the Day.
New Orleans States.
Charles A. Dana, the veteran editor Of
the New York Sun, after resting from
the fatigues of his journey to the south,
and enjoying the picturesque sight and
balmy breeze of the Crescent City for
several days, was in fine condition yes
terday to talk on subject of rare fasci-
nation. Speaking Of the newspapers of
to-day, Mr.. Dana gave some interesting
glimpses of journalistic work and expert
ence, which is faithfully reproduced in
the following interview:
"What does it cost to run a first-class
New York newspaper"
ut costs great deal more than it did
ten or twenty years ago. There is great
improvement in the intellectual quality
of the newspapers of New York City, and
they are better furnished with talent in
every department, and spend al great deal
more money for adequate contributions
than they used to furnish fifteen years
ago. The cost of white paper formerly
made up fully one-half Of the whole ex-
pense Of the newspaper, now it makes up
about one quarter; then, paper cost from
twelve to fifteen cents per pound, now it
costs from six to seven cents per pound.
Owing to this great reduction in the cost
Of paper, the well-established newspapers
in New York City are all of them making
money, and even the Tribune, which has
been weighed down by immense invest
ments in real estate, seems at last to have
got through with the effect of this mis-
fortune, and has commenced to do more
than pay its expenses.
"A frst-rate newspaper Of New York
will require about ten editorial writers,
whose duty daily is to furnish leading
articles, and editorial paragraphs. Many
of these writer's will have their special
duties, and there must always be five or
six men who are able to turn their hands
to subjects of any description, as they
happen to come up. A competent writer
of leaders will be paid from 500 to $3.50
per week; and no man fit to supervise
them and perform the functions of editor
in-chief, can be had for less than from
$50 to S2o0 per week. The reporters are
of two classes: First, those Of the regular
staff, who are paid by the week, at rates
varying from $50 to $50. These perform
not only the routine duties Of reporting,
but are always prepared to be sent off on
special service, in which case their rail-
road fares, carriage hire, hotel bills and
other expenses are paid by the office.
"Then, there are number Of reporters
who are attached to each paper, who are
paid according to the work they perform
and without having any prescribed func-
tions, and should be in readiness to do
whatever may be necessary. Some of
these gentlemen are men of talent and
learning. and in time will make their
way into the front rank as writer's and
editors. I know several men who, with
out having regular salaries, will average
from $50 to $75 q week. OF these two
classes of reporters, first-class paper
must employ about fifty. Next, there
are the correspondents, both at home
and abroad, and these are likewise divid-
ed into two classes, those who are en-
ployed upon regular salaries, and those
who are paid as their contributions are
printed. In Washington, for instance,
each newspaper has need for regular cor
respondents or reporters, and of occa-
sional contributors; and the different
papers differ as to the respective numbers
of these two classes. In Albany, each
New York paper must have its regular
staff devoted to this service; in the other
capitals, of such states as New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts,
they are served with occasional CORES
pondents. since the news Of these more
distant places is, for the most part, not
important enough in New York to be
constantly reported there. In Europe,
also, every leading paper has its regular
staff Of correspondents. There must be
a correspondent in London, and one in
Paris, who report constantly, either by
post or by cable.
"In the Sunday edition of most prom
inent papers of New York City, there is
always cable dispatch, summing up the
news of the week, and reporting interest
ing political, social, artistic or literary
events, on which the reporters Of the as
sociated press, whose kilograms are for
warded every day, do not ordinarily
dwell. Thus the expenses of the sort Of
papers we are considering vary, for the
most part, mainly, according as they print
large are small editions, the chief differ
ence being made in their consumption Of
white paper. Of this, the Herald uses
more than any other. journal. On Sun
day, especially, its advertising sheets are
many, and on that day it will sometimes
print one hundred and thirty columns of
advertisements alone, go that the amount
of white paper it uses is enormous.
"But, aside from this item, the ex-
penses of one of these papers will be, for
the editorial department, including writ
ers, reporters and correspondents, from
four to five thousand dollars per week,
and its telegraph bills, including the cost
of special cables from Europe, will aver
age, perhaps, from seven hundred to one
thousand dollars week; its composition
bill will vary from one to two thousand
dollars; its publication department will
cost from one to two thousand dollars;
its stereotype will be perhaps five hun
dred dollars, and Its miscellaneous ex-
penses from one to two thousand dollars,
making total of from nine to twelve
thousand dollars a week. Of course
these figures will be little less in dull
times, when there is little telegraphing,
and no occasion for special expenditures,
than when there is great public excite
ment, such as presidential canvass, or