Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-14
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"THE PUBLIC Bt DIR.

about a railroad item is good one. When
Mr.. Vanderbilt visits town aud the city
editor says;
"Mr. Query will you please see Wander
blti' the reporter may feel honored with
having received SO important n assignment
bat his heart is heavy and sad. Mr. Wander
bilt has queer way Of submitting to an in
terview which at once removes the enthusi-
ssm from the reporter bosom. He gathers
from the questions what would please the in
tervlewer, and says that briefly aud quietly.
Thus the interviews with Vanderbilt, which
occasionally appear in the dailies, are about
two inches long, and relate some startling
railroad news which must be especially inter
esting in the locality.
Recently, however, Mr.. Vanderbilt was in
,erviewed. And he has never forgotten it.
1t was the famous "the public be damned
interview, and filled several columns of space
in the Chicago Inter Ocean and other blanket
sheets all over the country. 1t happened in
this way party of railroad magnates was
sojOurning over the Lake Shore road to Chi
csgo. The Chicago dailies sent represents
tives with committee from the Stock EI-
change to meet the Vanderbilt train. Each
reporter had been instructed to get an inter-
view with Vanderbilt himself and to learn
something about the then al-absorbing tome;
the disposition Of the Nickle Plate road, The
Inter Ocean man, a thin white-haired fellow,
who did the South Side notes for his paper,
and who was well up on railroad matters,
carefully learned his instructions, and when
met the wes' bound party was ready for
the chance. After an exchange OF greet.
ings the members of the two par
lies disposed themselves about the
magnificent saloon coach TOR quiet chats. The
lnt,r-Ocean man kept his eve on Vanderbilt
Suddenly the chair beside the wealthy man
was vacated. Quick as flash the reporter
WAS seated in il and resumed the conversation
interrupted by the sudden departure of Van
derbilts companion. At the same time
stenographer previously instructed py the re-
porter, seated himself behind the two. After
few platitudes about the scenery the con-
versatiou was skillfully turned to Chicago and
then to her railroads. Mr.. Reporter talked SO
gliby OF these that Vanderbilt must have be-
lieved him TO be a railroad man The conver-
sation continued and question after question
was being fully, clearly and truthtully an
swered abou, the Nickle Plate. In the mean
time the s'enographer kept writing. No sign
If a note book or pencil appeared on the front
sat. Only cigars and champagne, and these
did not suggest to the railroad king that re-
porter was near. -.
During the talk the question was asked
what the public would say in regard to the
plan explained by him.
The public2 Oh the public be damned"
was the hasty reply. And the little pencil
behind, With its twists and twirls, put it down
in Shorthand. After covering the subject
thoroughly the reporter gently turned to less
important matters and soon resigned his seat.
No other reporter saw Mr. Vanderbilt on the
trip, and after reaching Chicago the bo,el
doors were barred against them. The next
morning Mr.. Vanderbilt learned from the
three column interview published In the Inter
Ocean, Times, n -ws and Tribune that he had
actually seen" reporter. And the follow
ing day, when the eastern papers came with
the same story OF how he Rad condemned
the public, he was mad, very, very mad
The following summer Mr.. Vanderbilt was
seated on the wide piazza OF the United States
Hotel at Saratoga. A thin, white haired
youth passed. Vander bilt looked at him. The
youth looked at Vanderbilt.
Young man, have | ever seen you be-
fore2"
al think you have, Mr. Vanderbilt"
al knew had seen you some place. Where
was it2"
al met you on the Lske Shore, going to
Chicago"
al thought 80. Are yau the man that wrote
up that stuff for the papers2"
al believe did have talk with you once"
al never could understand how that was
done. Will you sit down here and explain it
to me-"
And the two were soon talking quietly tc-
ee'her about the mysteries Of reporting. The
west Shore and the Delaware 4 Hudson Ca.
nal Company railroads were the subjects of
daily comment in the papers, and the young
mans bosom was piniug for some informs-
non about them. ) on the maenate had tor
gotten that his pleasant companion was re.
porter, and he gave him some good points.
That evening, after supper, the reporter
was In the hotel writing room hard at work
at his interview, Forty or fifty telegraph
blanks were hlled with closely written mat
ter. An hoar before the following query"
haH been sent to dozen newspapers in the
United States;
Two column interview with Vanderbilt. Good
West shore stuff. Shall sendP - -
4 even papers had answered the query
with orders to crush Vanderbilt interview
and the happy youth was preparing it Tor the
operator. Suddenly he looked up There
stood Mr. Vanderbilt, his face white with
rage, reading the copy on the table.
6" bat are you doing there, young mani"
dema nded he.
Writing out my interview
"What interview
why, my interview with you, Mr.. Van
derbilt."
with me! What are you talking about,
When did you have an interview With me ?"
81 was talking with you this afternoon
about the West Shore. You told me some very
interesting things which thlnk the public
will be glad TO know"
Are you going to publish that did not
talk to you. That was friendly conversation.
You must not print that"
That is the way | earn my bread and bu,.
ter replied the reporter. "See, here are
some telegrams from the New York Sun. Chi
cago Times, San Francisco Chronicle and
other papers asking for the interview ana |
must send it," -.
There was no help tor i. Vanderbilt had
been twice interviewed by the same man and
without knowing IL. He was allowed the
privilege OF reading 1t over and suggesting q
eS slight changes, and the matter was sent. |
few days later the two again met
"fou said something the other day about |
bread and butter. What did you mean by |
hat2" asked Vanderbilt. The reporter then
Explained that eleven papers had published |
he interview, and that each would pay him |
rom " TO $40 per column for it. He figured
! moment and then said
81 shall receive at least $3.50 for my work
odsy"
Mr.. Vanderbilt looked at him curiously a
moment and murmured. is that so?' Then I
ceiling quietly in his pocket he drew out