The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-06-04
.l(llil ,agle
FOOLED A, BROTHER EDITOR.
How The Chicago Morning News Got It's
Press Franchise.



Press Franchise.
Especial Ccrresporience.l
CHICAGO, May 154-That The Chicago
Morning News nowoenjoys the benefit of
an Associated Press franchise is due to
the shrewd work; Of its former editor,
Mr.. Melville E. Stone. In order to Sc
cure admission ittwas necessary to OBJ
tain the written consent Of the pro-
prietors of the other papers already
members of the association. Mr.. Stone
found pretty smooth sailing at the
Offices of the Inter-Ocean and Stats
Zeitung, but he struck a snag when he
preached his desire to Mr.. Joseph Me-
dill, editor-in-chief and principal owner
of The Tribune. Beargued and plead
ed, but all in vain. Finally, Mr.. Medill
made a snall.concession.
"Teu You what I'll DO, Stone" he re-
marked. eff you canget Storey to sign
that paper'IIle Tribune will consent to
your hayings&francl1ise.
Mr.. Stone went awaysand Uncle Joe
burned to,his business manager, who was
present, and remarked with one Of his
dry chuckles: ''Guess that settles him,
Cowles. If he goes in The Times build
ing old Storey will have him thrown
out"
Then Mr.Medill packed his gripsack
and went to New York at peace with
all the world.
Next day The News hustler invaded
the sanctum of The Times. He rushed
through themanaging editors room and
bolted into Mr. Storey's private den
without pernission.Or introduction. The
still magnificent looking old lion Of
western journalism looked up with
frown.
'"Who the devil are your he asked.
''1Iy name is, Stone. +Iworked for you
once"
Mr.. Storey frightened, and the frown
disappeared. He stretched OUT his hand
IN welcome and exclaimed: "Why, of
course, of course, Leander; 1 ought to
have remembered You. But was deep
in thought, my boy, deep in thought.
What can 1 do for your
The situation4fashed over the visitors
mind II an instant. He had heard as a
rumor shat Mr.. Storey was failing men
tally. HenOw was sure Ofiit, for the old
gentleman had mistaken him for a
favorite employee of former years nala..d
Leander Stone, who hadaexperienced re-
igion, abandoned daily newspaper work
and become proprietor of denomina-
tional weekly. The News editor took
advantage,Of the situation and replied:
"WeI, air. Storey, a paper devoted
exclusively to church affairs doesn't seem
TO prosper, and [ want TO publish a little
news also. Now if I can get an Associ-
ated Press franchise I VIII be all right.
Mr.. Hesing and Ir. Nixon have con-
scented, but EEr. MediIIrwil not sign I'M
less you do"
HE won't. Ell? Give me that paper"
and down went EW. T. Storey" in the
bold, peculiar hand so well known to
heads OF dcpartmentSton The Times who
failed to DO their duty and received the
'''~ed hot scorings" for which their
chief was noted. There" hesaid, hand
ing it back now go and make Medin
put his name below mine. The old cuss
always has 10 follow me, even in writing
his name. Glad you've dropped the
gospel line, LeanCier. Give the people
the news, and give it to 'em with ginger
3n it. They likerit, my boy; they like it."
Mr.. Stone escaped as quickly as he
could. He flew by Managing Editor
Snowden like a,stTeak and in two min
'utes was healing for The Tribune Office.
Where .NIr..M edill:' he asked on en-
fering.
'Gone to New York, 1Ir. Cowles re-
piled.
well" was the comment; you'll do
Just as well You heard our conversa-
tion yesterdayyyou know the agreement,
and I want your signature to this docu-
iment as representative Of The Tribune
company"
Mr. Cowles deznTTred, but in the end
iconsented, and ny nightfau Mr. Stone
had paid his cash and secured his fran
chise.
ing Mr.. Storey had-called in Mr.. Snow
den.
I've done something" he remarked
to his chief lieutenant, that II make old
Joe MedilTs heart sore. I've given my
consent to Leander Stones purchase of a
press franchise"
''Do you mean the man who was just
here:'
Yes"
THAT wasn't Laander Stone. That
was Mel Stone. Of The News, who has
been abusing you day and night for the |.
last six months"
Eye and ear witnesses say that this in /
'telhgence nearly effected Mr.. Storey's /.
permanent cure both mentally and
physically. lie forgot his lameness. /
and pranced about like Gagged 4
wild animal He forgot the slight
paralysis of his tongue, and cursed in 7.
the choice, copious and cultured man
ner Of his prime. He discharged every .
body on whom he CHANGED to gaze, and .
threatened TO make the elevator boy
managing editor. The gust passed, and
he bowed his head and Went.
Ii was a pitiable spectacle Of a strong
man in his cottage. CHARLES ALLEN.
An IrrevereBt British Subject.