The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-12
llIST
..rst, the
Check FIOuriSher.
SWAGGER, BLUSTER And BLOW.
kGdaYits That ShOW Examiner
MiSStatementS.
The Cal" Invited to Compete in a
BOOk.Stuffng Contest by The "Ta-
Kara Boom De.iy" Sheet.

THE CALL Is doing its utmost to help the
Non-Partisans win in the coming election
against the indecent bosSism that has so
long ruled San Francisco. Its Influence is
witnessed Ia the way that the people have
taken up the good cause and the certainty
with which all classes now regard the cleo
ton of The Non-Partisan ticket.
This is fact that stands by itself
Then there is another tact that is also
very fattering to THE CALL. It's largely
increased circulation demands additional
facilities. a press having a far greater
printing capacity than any other now in use
west Of the Mississippi River has been or
dered by THE CALL and will soon be Oh the
way TO this city,
This is another fact, and it is a pleasing
enc for well-wishers of this journal TO con-
template.
These two facts worry the Examiner.
The proprietor Of that journal does not
like TO see its most formidable rival show
such striking evidences Of success.
He is trying his best to lessen the infiu-
enee Of THE CALL.
how does he go about 1t?
Not by emulatiDg the example of this pa
per in fighting the bosses and thus gaining a
little Of the confidence OF the people that is
enjoyed by THE CALL. Not by printing a
newspaper that the decent citizens of San
Francisco can point to and say of, There
is q paper that has our interests at heart
for il is seeking 10 put down corruption"
NO-not by such methods as these. They
would not suit the bosses to whom It is
catering.
How then?
By vulgar, snowy, staggering, insolent,
meaningless bluff.
II will forfeit s1o0o0o." says the patent
medicine quack, IF any one will produce
medicine equal 10 mine"
1--WE Will forfeit So co.," says the news
parer quack, "if THE CALL will show
circulation equal to ours"
OF course no one takes the least stock in
these empirical declarations.
Every one knows that the Quack medi-
cine maker viii never give so much as
collar to q person who produces an equal
to his wonderful medicine.
Every one knows that the Examiner
would never give THE CALL $4,000. nor
even Is cents, II its books should show
twice the circulation of its contemporary.
Who believes for an instant that the
Examiner stands ready 10 lose money in
that way?
II there were the least chance In the
world OF securing the $4,000 so swagger-
ingIy put up" even if the terms were ar
ranged as in so disreputable an affair as a
prize-fght, there might be some incentive to
entering upon such a contest.
But, just like the patent-medicne cot
fer" there is, Of course. the "catch" in it,
which bars all legitimate comparison.
What is the 'cateh?"
1t is the fact that it is easy enough to stuff
circulation books.
Does any one think for an instant that
the Examiner ould be fair enough to let
rs bona fde circulation stand against THE
CALLS in a square eompetitlon2
If one does he is sadly fooled.
No newspaper man in this city well
versed In his business and who knows
Of the ways of the Examiner believes that
the offer was based on a desire to squarely
enter into a competition with THE CALL as
TO the circulation of each paper.
They know the Examiner too well.
They know that it is tricky, catchy and
quite ready to stuff its books as the register
Is being stuffed at the new City Hall. or to
greater extent If necessary. There are no
limits to the padding possibilities of that
paper.
If it thought necessary IL could produce
pulled cut set of books that would give it a
circulation equal 10 that of the Petit Jour
nal OF the London Telegraph 1t is a mere
matter Of makeup.
It might be urged that THE CALL in. turn
could pad out its books and make a show
ing that would uverwhelm the self-crowned
Monarch of the Dailies"-a title, By the
way, that of itself speaks loudly enough as
10 the sincerity of the Examiner
But The CALL is not prepared to waste
paper and ink in that way-no, not even if
it might recoup by selling the result Of its
efforts as the latest AID most reliable city
5aectory.
Why not2
Because THE CALL has a little regard for
honesty, in the first place. and. then again,
It believes that daily journal should not be
lacking Of certain dignity.
Does any one ever look for dignity In the
Examiner
If they do. they viii look a long time.
Ihey viii certainly not find It in the news
columns, nor yet in the editorials, nor
again, 10 the massage advertisements
Dignity! Sincerity!
One might as well look for them In a cir-
Gus clown.
Never in the Examiner.
FHppant, fakey. frothy, pueriIe. Il IA The
Ta-ra-ra boom decay" OF Pacific Coast
journalism
IHE CALL can no more compete with the
Examiner 10 its own circus-ring than II
could afford to send out dignified represen-
tatives 10 ride the trick mule or climb the
CREASED pole.
HE CALL has no balloons to send up, or
might make contest with the Examiner
IN That line. The CALL has no grizzly bears
TO hunt. nor any slate pencils or chewing
gum to give away, or a match of that kind
which would be right in the Eramiaer,s
line might be entered into.
NO, HE CALL cannot enter Into any
DooE-stuihng nor NOTWITHSTANDING enntae,
Tor $1,000. nor yet for $4,000
But now here is something tina. eor,a
reasonably be supposed to rest ON fac, and
be decided On its actual merits. VI"
The CALL is quite willing TO rest p,do.
whatever opprobrium may attach to mo-,
nonrishing checks with the Monarch. {" II
the Examiner can prove that its statement
OF circulation. so deliberately and showilY
set forth on Saturday morning, is not false
For instance. how about this statement,
which 10 given as little matter of detail:
William f. Fox, being duly sworn, depos es
aud says:
am carrier Of THE MORNING CALL IN
have seen the statement published
"erning the number OF
- town.