Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-31
ASTOR AS AN EDITOR.
Inside History Of His Ventures in tha
Newspaper World.


us WV. Aston has done
How he acquired The Pail Mall Gag
cite, strong Radical organ, and prac-
tcally in day turned it into an out and
out Tory paper is past history. Suffice
1t TO call to mind that he paid an en-
ormouS sum Of ready money for the
property, and promptly set himself to
work TO fashion it according to his own
sweet millionaire will. His first step
was TO appoint as editor clever young
member of parliament named Harry
, Gust, fresh from Cambridge, with
strong party views and of considerable
social standing as the possible heir of
the Earl of Brownlow, whose kinsman
he is
He then looked out for new premises
and found some far removed from
Fleet street, the Park Row of London.
These he fitted up with every mod
ern improvement. The wall papers are
mode of taste and very "chaSte,"
the pattern of the linoleum and carpets
is severely classical, and the very door
knobs, made of solid brass, seems to
breath the spirit of come to stay
which pervades he whole establish
ment. This air of unlimited wealth and
its accompanying sense of solidity is the
striking feature of the new venture;
but for all that, it is not to be suppos-
ed that there is any apparent throwing
away Of gold
The discipline of the Office could not
be excelled in any government establish
ment, and in marvelously short time
the whole place has shaken down to
strict business. This is due in a great
degree to Mr.. Astor himself. He has
apparently chosen his Hetenants and
then leaves them to do their work.
This does not mean that he keeps aloof
from the office. On the contrary, he
is always there, and as a rule, sees a
proof of first edition.
Mr.. AstOr cannot be called popular
with his staff, for his reserved, not to
say grave, demeanor, does not lend it
self to any familiarities with his sur
roundings. On the other hand, however
there is very general feeling of 10y
atty and respect, as it is felt that he is,
in the Strictest sense of the word, a just
man. After all, it is not difficult to get
up a feeling of loyalty for a millionaire,
and this may possibly account for a
certain awe, not to say mystery which
surrounds him in the eyes of his staff.
The offices of the Pail Mall publica-
tons are Of a very modern and eXpen-
sive order, and this, in addition to the
aristocratic surrounding, have earned
for the building the name of "The
House of Lords - Mr.. AStOr himself
takes a keen interest in every depart
ment, each of which is under the
charge of an expert, who is in daily
communication with ''The Chief" as he
is called, and who by this time has a
business Indeed the testing of various
brands of printing ink affords Mr.. AS
tor a well disciplined thrill which all
his millions cannot give, and in the rel
alive thickness and durability of print
ing press "blankets,' he is already an
authority. All matters of accounts are
gone over with him, and it is said that
he knows each day the exact financial
condition of his journalistic property.
is practically the editor-in-cheif, having
as his co-editors Lord Frederick Hamil-
ton, M. P; Sir Douglas Straight and
Mr.. 7. Dove .Keigh1ey, his trusted ag-
emf, who negotiated the sale of the
properties. Mr.. Astor takes the liviest
interest in the selection for the copy Of
this magazine, and the question of the
illustrator is a distinct matter or mo-
ment with him. In addition to this he
contributes himself to the letter press
his subjects being Of decidedly abstract
order, as their titles being of decidedly
order, as their titles will show.
His personal literary staff is compos-
ed of Harry Gust, NJ. P, already desert
bed; 7. Dove-Keighley, art editor Of
the magazine; Lord Fredick Hamilton,
who has served an apprenticeship in the
diplomatic service, having held appC It
ments at st. Petersburg and Berlin,
and, lastly, Sir Douglas Straight, an ex-
Old Bailey barrister, who was translat-
ed to an East Indian judgeship and has
ben penshioned home.
Just what these last two gentlemen
do in a newspaper office it is difficult to
say, but it is certain that they at least
heartily join Mr.. Gust and Mr.. Keighley
in a. fervent blessing on the country
that rains American millionaires into
London newspaper offices.
Mr.. Astor, it must be understood, has
not in any way Joined the newspaper
world and evinces no desire to do so,
not even in it's innermOSt sacred circles
made up of editors Of great daily pap
ers and the immOrtals who write the
beloved satgy leaders, of which Eng
lishmen are so proud and which they
never by any chance read. If he meets
any Of these gentlemen and any ques-
ton is raised he at once says that he
does not understand the matter and
will be glad to introduce the disputant
to his editor or manager as the case
may be.
1t remains to be proved as to the
financial results of Mr.. AstOr's new de-
parture, and be it understood he quite
expects it to be commercial success
and treats it as a business venture and
not as a fad.
One Of the interesting features in
connection with Mr.. Astor's descent on
London is that outside a little charmed
circle his name is absolutely unknown.
In no other city in the world could a
man have taken the position he has IN
London and yet be unknown to the
masses. Beyond a few curt paragraphs
the press have taken no notice Of him,
and this in the face Of his having
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