Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-03
SIR GEO. NEWNES' CAREER
His Successful Efforts as Newspaper Pub
lisher.
How m Immense Fortune Was Made
Funny Thing When He Saw 1t.


lenge for the Americas cup is now the
subject OF gossip on two continents, owes
the foundation Of his fortune to the fun
ny men" of the American press
He began life for himself as a commercial
traveller for a great paper-making firm
and during his journeys throughout Great
Britain INDUCED in much desultory reading
of the sort of literature to be found at the
railway book stalls. He was especially
fond OF the work of American humorists
and whenever he discovered what he con-
sidered to be good thing he cut It on;
and saved it. His pockets were usually
laden with these excerpts, which he was
wont to read to his fellow drummers on
trains and at hotels
The first question his friends put on
meeting him was usually. well, what have
you got that's newg' One day, about fif-
teen years ago, he conceived the idea of
making up broad sheet" of these clip
pings, having them put in type and print
ed Tor circulation among his associates.
Copies were eagerly sought, and passed
from hand to hand many times He was
often asked why he did not publish a week
iy made up in this manner, and, after
thinking the matter over awhile. he decided
on that course, gave up his situation ana
became publisher.
He chose Tit Bits as the title OF the new
paper, and for years after it started 1t con-
X.
the Judge, Texas Siftngs and the humor-
Gus columns of many other American peri
odicals were drawn upon. The proprietor
Tor time vas also the sole editor. the
ecltlng consisting in the selection of reprint
matter and the use OF scissors and paste
Before long, grotesque. ill-drawn and rough
iy engraved illustrations were added to
accompany the borrowed Jokes.
Mr.. NewneS Che did not acquire the title
until some years later was greatly assisted
In building up circulation for Tit Bits by
his old friends, the drummers, and his for
mer customers. To push 1t he made each
copy 4 railway accident insurance policy;
that is, he promised to pay tlOO to the heirs
of any person killed in a railway accident
who at the time of his death had on his
PERSON copy of the paper. This was the
occasion OF a noted saying by James Al
berry, the dramatist. who. while he welded
the suave pen that wrote the delightful
comedy. "The Two Roses" had a sharp
tongue. Somebody in the Savage Club one
day was speaking of Newnes' insurance
plan, and Albery at once exclaimed, with an
air Of utter contempt, Il wouldn't he found
dead with copy of that thing on me-"
But Tit Bits was an extraordinary sue
cess from the outset. 1t attained an enorm-
Gus circulation, which, as its cost was hard
iy more than the white paper, typesetting
and presswork, was vastly profitable. In
five = six years Newnes formed a limited
liability company. which took over the
paper for f5O0O0O G2, 800, 900, while he still
retained large interest A great deal of
the fortune acquired by the publication of
Tit Bits Newnes put into the Westminster
Gazette. an afternoon daily modelled on the
Pail Mall Gazette. 1t was a strong up
holder of the liberal party. and as a reward
FOR his political services Lord Rosebery,
Whlle prime minister. had him knighted
Sir George sat in parliament for Newman
ket from 1888 to 1872, when he was de-
| feated by Hugh McCalmont, the Scotch
Goan and iron millionaire. owner of the
Derby winner, Isinglass, and one of the
syndicate which built the Valkyr,e Ill
ABOUT SIX years ago Sir George estab-
ilshed the Strand Magazine, the first of the
slX-penny monthly periodicals to be started
in London Each number was complete in
itself, continued stories" having no place
| in it; was profusely Illustrated, and was
Kept up to the times by articles on live
| topics. This publication was also sue
cess, and an American edition is now issued
simultaneously with that in London An
other periodical of Sir Georges is the
| strand Musical Magazine, also sold for six
pence. IN which the latest COMPOSITIONS
| as well as standard works. are printed
| Stlll another project is a penny weekly
| magazine called Woman's Life the title of
| which is seif-explanatory The comnanv
| has published in numbers by s,lbscrintion
| the Art Bible and the Oracle Encyclopedia
ana mas issued series of books on popular
| science that have had a wide sale The
-,pD shareholders in the concern repula rly
| receive IA per cent on their Investment ana
| 100000. ~''
Sir George Newnes has a beautiful coun-
| try seat on Putney Heath His magazines
nave inscribed on their covers Edited by
George Newnes,' but he spends only one
Gay In the week at his London offices fn
| southampton street, Strand
| Sir Georges challenge for the America,s
cup Is no new idea. In November of last
year ne publicly declared that he was "a
possible In fact, a probable challenger"
| knows. he was induced to reconsider his ins
| tentions. ~ Ia