The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09

editor is thus notified of what has hap
pened, what the extent OF loss of
life or property has been or is like
no BE- SO orer for ne ,ss get hs
of the news and prepare for the details.
Shakspeare's often-quoted boast Of Puck,
I'M put girdle round about the earth in
forty minutes" Is discounted every day in
the year without exciting special wonder,
while Father Time. following the slow
course of the sun. comes halting OH the
wings of the lightning and brings news of
events happening IN eastern Europe to our
doors tho day before they occur.
News-gatherers for the press associations
a few years ago developed n pernicIous
activity in their desire to elaborate upon
the happenings in their section. but this
offending has been almost wholly reformed.
An illustration Of this method of magnify
ing events may be here given. The CORE
spondent at Southern city startled the
newspaper world one midnight by sending
out bulletin announcing that mighty
confagratiOn had broken out This bulletin
was Immediately followed by another W bich
stated that the entire fire department had
been called out and the whole city was
endangered. Soon a third bulletin an
IOunced that several large buildings in the
heart Of the city had been consumed by
the ravening flames and that at that mo-
mont the scene "beggared description"
Other bulletins came in. Managing ed
, itors all over the land were prepared.
Unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster,
and they spead their columns for banquet
of horrors. The editors blue pencil was
running through column after coinmn of
matter already in type-slaughtering every
thing for the most terrible c0ntiagration of
the year.
After having chilled with anticipation Of
horror every editorial spine from the lakes
to the gulf. and keeping every one in sus-
pense until A. NJ this correspondent sent
IN elaborate description of the fire, wind
ing up his account by saying there was no
loss of life. no one W as hurt and the proper
ty loss was about $4,000.
The comments of operators and editors
upon this correspondence work on that
memorable night were never printed. No
such breaks are now possible. At head
quarters in Chicago sits the press man
aeer. whose word is law su-
of the day and night is IN
direct touch with the thousands of CORE
spondepts and operators. The news is first
referred to him. and it is his alignment that
places the value of each item. He deter
mines upon the amount of words that each
Item of news must contain. the admissi-
bility of IL, the time Mt which il must
be sent; In fact. all press matter must
pass uncer his inspection. and be approved
before the general redistribution takes place.
Time is every thing with press matter; the
commonplace must give way to news of
Importance. and accidents, ana incidents
OF startling or sensational character take
precedence over everything.
EMBARRASSING ''CoRREsPONDERs."
Now and then it will be noticed that
news from some particular locality. usually
an out-of-tbe-way place. perhaps way down
in Maine. in the mountain region OF West
Virginia. or In the cow-punching wastes of
Texas is especially frequent and
marvelously startling Incidents of a
strange and outre character built with
the most elaborate attention to detail.
adorned with the widest imagery. como
trooping in. At last. at last. Ananlas. be-
| coming over-bold. is taken red-handed.
| The readers of the morning paper open the
damp sheets of their daily. and hunt for